Krystian Siek This is far worse than using a Schwab debit card where ATM fees will be refunded

Anonymous participant To be clear I'm not looking down on anyone or mocking anyone's financial situation. I'm simply saying 15k US as an emergency fund or requirement for DTV is extremely reasonable for an expat based in Thailand. Expat life here can get expensive fast if there's a crisis. If someone can't get that money, for whatever reason, totally fine. I left Thailand when I was 22 because I was broke and needed to go home and get myself sorted out. It took me 13 years before I felt I was financially prepared to come back.

@David **********

Now that you're done sperging out, just an observation that you're not underprivileged if you come from the UK. Quite the opposite. Save that Oppression Olympics crap for back home, here it just makes you look like a loser with a bloated victim complex.

@David **********

Don't pull the privilege card that woke BS doesn't work in this part of the world. Grow up and take some responsibility for your life. If you're not ready for expat living, go home, save up, and come back. If you're from a Western country, 6 months at McDonalds crashing at your parent's place and you've EASILY got the 15k saved. The internet is literally full of horror stories from farangs in Thailand who faced financial emergencies and wound up in dire straits because of no savings.

@David **********

No, Thai people don't earn 150 baht a day. Go and look up minimum wages by province. And expats face high expenses that locals don't. Just take healthcare. If you get into a car/motorbike crash, you'll probably end up at a private hospital, and will face ridiculously high bills that hopefully your insurance will cover. If not, don't be one of those people who burdens his family and friends back home with a GoFundMe. An emergency fund is a must, and 15k USD is not much to save.

@David **********

Hate to break it to you, 500k is a very small amount of money for an expat living abroad as an emergency fund. It's a very low bar to meet. There are many situations where you might need that cash--medical emergency (sometimes your insurance won't cover you), legal problems, job/income loss, etc. If you don't have that money saved up, are you really ready to live abroad?

Mark Evans Obviously an overstay, if we want to call that a "crime"

Most countries consider immigration violations a civil matter

Nathan Sommelier have you seen the video where the MFA guy who helped create this visa explained it can be used for the full 5 years? Apparently you know something he doesn’t know. All visas are subject to cancellation or later restriction, that’s part of the deal living in Thailand. Even elite visa might have to deal with that one day.

@Euan ********

I'm sorry, I missed the part where it says you need to stay the whole 5 years. Have you considered that some people are doing this in good faith and are interested in learning Muay Thai? The visa is an added benefit, but people can have more than 1 motivation. Also, it seems like you just don't like the soft power option. Take that up with MFT, they created this.

@Euan ********

Can you tell me why someone going to Thailand to learn Muay Thai following the rules of the visa is "not legit"? Is there anything in DTV rules that say you need a history of Muay Thai training?