@Christopher ********

Only if they don't refund the money if your application is unsuccessful. Laos does in fact refund your money if you don't get your visa.

@Andy ***********

You're making a strange assumption. I know of many foreigners married to Thais who live with their families in Thailand as they should.

@Andy ***********

And just on the visa matter - there are many schemes that are temporary or no longer available. Don't make the assumption they can't or won't do this to the DTV.

In no particular order, the following has happened over the years:

1. Special tourist visa - only available from late 2021 to late 2022 (for one year) in order to boost tourism as Thailand slowly started reopening at the end of the Covid restrictions.

2. Privilege visas- still available but their validity has been changed and prices increased.

3. Permanent residency visas- you used to be able to request one from a Thai mission abroad. This is no longer possible.

4. Multiple entry business and marriage visas - being phased out with the introduction of e-visas. Now only Laos (and a couple of others) remaining. Once they transition to the e-visa, it will be single entry only, meaning in country extensions of stay, which for some of those married to Thais can be complicated if they don't have 400,000 sitting around in a Thai account for 2 months before application. They can always use an agent but that comes with its own set of risks.

5. 45 day visa free entry- reverted back to 30 days after 6 months. Is now at 60 days since July, but this won't last either. They'll change it back to the old status quo, probably sometime next year.

@Andy ***********

They should offer citizenship to those married to Thais and have children after x number of years, not immediately (as they do or used to do, when the foreign spouse was a woman).

I think it's fair to say that a foreigner married to a local has more of a right to be here than a DTV holder who has no connection to Thailand.

Don't get me wrong - I am all for the DTV but immigration should be looking after those who integrate into society and contribute the most, rather than just trying to boost tourism numbers.

@Tore ********

Best to ensure you have 3-5% more than 500,000 in your account at the worst possible exchange rate

@Myles ******

Xe uses mid market exchange rates, which are better than the ones you'll get in reality. I too use them but to be safe, I make sure I have above the minimum required funds in my account at the worst exchange rate. Like 510,000 Baht at the worst exchange rate out there, which may equate to 525,000 according to Bangkok Bank or 535,000 according to Xe.

@David *******

They most certainly have been cracking down on nominees.

Very easy at land borders. I exited at Nong Khai with a DTV.

3 months of funds banked. 6 months of statements. You qualify.

@Tod ********

I wonder why they don't check your documents first and ask you to come back to make payment only if they're accepted as is done in Taiwan.