DTV will require you to leave at least every 6 mths and return.

Doing in country extension is just like applying again, not worth the effort.

Non-o from home and then extend in Thailand, deposit the lobe and leave it. It's always your money and once on extension you never have to leave the country, bank accounts and 5 year drivers license all no problem.

DTV is not the answer for most people and is very misunderstood.

@Alex ********

actually it is a very fair policy, allowing "tourists" to come and go without issue. You can come in and out unlimited, as long as you are not trying to live in Thailand as a "tourist". At some point an IO will suspect or decide you are trying to live and will warn or deny entry. For example if you came for 30 days and left for 30 days multiple times a year(as some workers do) no problem. They may let that go on for who knows how long.But of you enter and extend for 90 days and then bounce out and back again... they think you are trying to live in Thailand and probably are.

@Chris ****

NO thats not what I said. You would then go home (or wherever)and apply again for another 90 days and then repeat the process. You could then likely get as close to a year ata time as you can. This method breaks no rules and is appropriate. But ends up costing for flights and visas. The smartest way to do this is for you to beg and borrow the 400k and get setup correctly in Country with yearly extensions. Possibly an agent can arrange at a cost of course. I would do the the 90+60 method as long as you can and during that time find a permanent solution.

The OP cannot stay that long in Thailand on tourist entries anymore.

At some point an IO decides that's enough.

If he has a child in Thailand this is his cheapest option:

90 day non-o visa based on Thai family e-visa .

Then apply for a 60 day visit Thai family as it comes to an end at his local immigration office.

This will give him 5 months no problem.

How many times in a row they will allow it who knows.

But some do this multiple times with no issue.

As it is the correct entry visa.

The cannot afford it doesn't excuse anyone from the rules.

The rules are in place to ensure we can afford to live here on the correct type of visa.

The DTV is a tourist visa aimed at those who are able to work remotely, outside of the Kingdom.

This is the wording "workcation" applied to those applying for that.

They can also apply for "soft power" leisure activities.

Cooking classes, Muay Thai, music festivals and various medical treatments.

The confusion is, on the 5 year length which is great, ( I also have a 10 year tourist visa for China and been once. That doesn't make me a longterm resident there either)this doesn't make DTV a longterm visa.

A longterm visa holder NEVER has to leave the country, they apply for extensions as required and stay as long as they want.

However the DTV does not allow this. The DTV requires you to exit the country and return every 6 months or if you extend 1x in country a year. BUT they must leave, there is no option to stay permanently.

As a retiree I can remain in Thailand as long as I want to keep extending.

All official things are no problem,

Banks, 5 yr Licences, health insurance, etc.

So YES its a good value visa for many BUT it is a Tourist Visa not a "longterm" I live forever in Thailand.

@Simon ********

you have to do the 90 day and 1st extension using the 800k.Only way around it is an Agent and then that starts the agent wheel, where you need an agent every year.

@Julian ******

you will have to ask your local immigration if they will allow that change.You will likely have to exit and start fresh with either a non-o evisa or apply in country as a tourist.

@Simon ********

drop your Thai bank accounts deposits.You will need a bank letter, bank statement and updated bank book when you apply.

Broken down simply.

Deposit 800k for the first year.

Then for the second extension prove you have deposited 65k plus per month, every month for the entire year and switch to the income method.

Remember you must follow the money rules for that first extension, 800k 3 months after approval, never below 400k and best practice make sure you top up to 800k again 2 mths before trying to switch.

That way if anything is wrong you can still get accepted with the banked method.

Whether you think you qualify is irrelevant if immigration says no.