He has to decide what is more important, a five year visa, or the slight cost of rescheduling his flight. It is that simple. At some point in the process they do check where he's at by immigration records. If not in the country he is applying from then rejection

Why are you applying for a tourist visa? You will get a 60 day visa exempt stamp just by showing up with a valid passport, and it is free.

As long as you paid the income tax on the money in your home country at this point Thailand doesn't care. People will talk about the difference in tax rates based on the dual tax treaty with your home country, but at this point Thailand doesn't care, other than the fact you did pay your income tax on the money you bring in. Thailand doesn't care about a few hundred dollar difference. The 180 day tax resident law has been in place for decades, with no interest from Thailand unless you actually worked inside Thailand, and not remotely. This was blown out of proportion by the DTV holders that all of a sudden thought they had to pay Thai taxes if they lived here more than 180 days in a year, even working remotely. As many have found out the revenue offices won't issue them a needed TIN to file Thai taxes because they don't work inside Thailand. If you are Thai it is a whole different story, but nothing has changed for foreigners.

@Jim *******

actually you didn't avoid the lump sum. It simply didn't have to be in a Thai bank account. You also were required to buy health insurance from the approved companies. The type O doesn't require health insurance

If you are married, and have the documents to prove that, you get the DTV based on whoever's name the bank account is in, as I assume it is not a joint account, even though you use it as a joint account. Then after that visa is issued, you get the trailing spouse DTV based on the same bank account. That is the easiest way if you are married, and can prove it. If not legally married then you are each on your own, with your own bank accounts. The one thing to be very aware of now, in the recent few weeks, most embassies, and consulates, are asking for most recent income tax filings, especially in Vietnam. Get it in the USA if you qualify for the remote workers option. Those getting it in Vietnam are starting to be heavily questioned at the borders because of lots of illegal agents starting to popup, with people getting them that don't really qualify.

Those having problems are those trying soft power methods everyone else uses, like the same Muay Thai gym, or can't provide recent income tax filings.

Were you aware that your wife's type O visa had to be approved first before you could apply for the trailing spouse visa? You can't apply at the same time, as it seems you did.

Understand that your biggest expense living here will be your children's schooling. International school is expensive, from bt40,000 a month per child to over bt100,000 a month per child, depending on the quality of schooling. They can't go to public schools as they are not fluent in reading, speaking, and writing thai. If you want them to have a good education you're looking at US$4000+ a month just for their tuition fees for a good school, not counting all the other expenses associated with school. By not being married you need your own visa.

@Jim *******

only after the first year. As an American he can not use the income method the first year.

Just because you buy a tourist visa in no guarantee they will let you in.