For those aged 50 and over or of any age married to a Thai the DTV really isn’t all that significant. Aimed at digital nomads (operative word being nomad) a five year visa seems a little contradictory to me. There have been reports of DTV’s being issued for what I would term ‘spurious’ reasons e.g. a single dental appointment. Possibly the intention is to make the DTV almost guaranteed to be granted. That has implications for the Thai Immigration Office and Thai Consulates. Five years visa fee ‘upfront’, less passport stamping at border posts and only one (or even zero) extensions per annum for immigration offices to issue.

@Keith ********

Visa exempt entry for me.

@Kane ******

Wow! In 42 years you will have seen the results of many moto accidents. Falangs boasting of no insurance need a very high limit on their credit cards!

@Keith ********

Top advice Keith. I got my Non-O (retirement) 3 month visa and 12 months extension plus opened a Bangkok Bank savings account via the most experienced Visa Agent in Pattaya who also has the lowest prices. I had to buy 12 months Personal Accident Insurance at a cost of 3,000 baht. Agent booked a moto taxi to take me to the bank and back. 15 minutes done and dusted.

@Tore ********

It’s PAI (Personal Accident Insurance). If anyone is under 65, rides a moto and has no other form of insurance, PAI is worth taking out. Unfortunately, Bangkok Bank PAI doesn’t cover moto accidents if you are 65 or over.

VOA $40 USD. eVisa $52 USD.

@Jo *********

That’s how it works for Thai’s. They don’t worry about licences, insurance, road safety tests and road tax. I know my Thai Mrs and family don’t. In the event of a road accident police make orders for hospital treatment, compensation for injuries and repair of vehicles. Fortunately, we’ve only had a couple and the injuries were minor. I’m seriously worried that if my Mrs prangs someone and they require brain surgery and care for the remainder of their life, how is she (me) going to pay for it?

@Luit ****************

I understand your point Luit! Only the other day someone asked this question about switching reason for application following rejection and one of our most experienced moderators clarified that it isn’t possible. A valid scenario for wishing to do so could be if the applicant had booked a cookery course (for example) but also had a pending medical appointment. There has been a previous report of a DTV being approved for a single dental appointment!