There are places. I used one on my first visit to Thailand in late 2022. I can't remember the name of the place I used, but not knowing either the country or city at all, even with the aid of Google Maps I couldn't find it. It was only thanks to a very kind Thai man that spoke no English. He saw me going back and forth, looking a bit lost, suitcase in tow, he realised what I was looking for and directed me to where I needed to be. I was planning to visit The Golden Palace that day and the storage place was only about 5 minutes walk away.

Do an online search and you will find a few organisations that you can book through. To avoid the same experience with finding the location when you're there, I suggest that you book storage at a decent sized Hotel or Shopping Mall or the like which is easy to find. The place I booked, turned out to be in a small side alley and there wasn't any signage to indicate where it was.

When you mention you turn 50 next year and asking about a visa to allow you to stay in Thailand for 12 months, I assume you turn 50 in August or September next year, right? There's no Visa that will allow you to legally stay in Thailand for 12 months, apart from a DTV. Search in this group for DTV and also the Royal Thai Embassy, Canberra website to find out if you might qualify for it. Other than that, while I can't give you any further information, I've read that it is possible to get up to 9 months in Thailand with an M.E.T.V (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa), so maybe search that one also.

@Terry *******

people have been visiting Thailand in 60 day Visa Exempt since July 15

@Terry *******

since July 15th this year along with 92 other countries

@Bart *************

of course the visa is real and I've seen plenty of posts by applicants saying that they've received it, but only for remote workers, freelancers, digital nomads etc. I think I've seen one mention of being approved for Muay Thai, but not cooking classes or other soft power options, which is where my doubt comes in as to how easy it seems.

@Sally ******

in your original post about your daughter, you mentioned about medical treatment as being one reason for your daughter being in Thailand. Should you consider the DTV as an option as was suggested to you. Another person posted in the past week that they applied for the DTV based on a medical appointment in Thailand. They were refused because when more detail was requested about the appointment, the applicant disclosed that there was no specific reason, only a general consultation. Their application was refused.

@Dan ******

'when something seems to be too good to be true... it probably is' is a phrase I've heard before, or words to that effect. The DTV, at least in some of the options, seems to fit that phrase. "DTV has no small print" you said; there's been very little information from the Thai government apart from what The Ministry of Foreign Affairs originally said, and so far nothing official said by the Immigration Office which controls visas on a day to day basis. The only information other than from the MFA, is on Embassy and Consulate websites, which you've seen for yourself. Common sense tells me that it would be 'too good to be true' for a 5 year visa to be granted based on just doing a one or two week cooking course, or a medical appointment with no specific, or very minor medical reason.

@Bob *********

with the very limited amount of information available in regards to the DTV, especially the 'soft power' options, I've been following as many posts as possible to see what happens, because so many foreigners seem to think this Visa is 'too good to be true' as someone put it. It's a change to see someone comment with a bit of common sense for a change. I saw a post by someone about a week ago, that their application for the DTV based on a medical appointment booked, with no specific health reason, have their application refused.

@Mansoor ***********

what you've described about your life, I have been through all those in my 45+years of adult life. know how devastating it can feel. Early this year, something happened to me that I was not to blame for, but it happened and I am just dealing with it one day at a time, dealing with whatever is before me, knowing things are out of my control, but just keeping up hope that soon, the situation will end and positive things will then work in my favour. Depression is felt differently by everyone and everyone has a different way of dealing with it. Try to keep positive thoughts in your mind, even when negative ones arise. That's the way I've been getting through the past few months, because I hate taking pills and talking to medical professionals, counsellors etc., about my problems doesn't work for me. I just tell myself that things will get better and try to be positive.

Try to find yourself another job, but while you're doing that, also try to spend time doing things that you enjoy where you can. You like taking photos and videos, so try to enjoy that. I enjoy photography myself, particularly landscapes, Streetscapes or animals and birds, so I know that can be a something to take the mind off the negatives in life and appreciate the world around us. In your financial situation, going to Thailand isn't possible right now, but make that a goal to achieve for the future. Unfortunately, for the average, unskilled person with a lower level of education like us, working for an employer in Thailand is almost impossible, as the government reserves most low skilled jobs for it's own people. I wish you all the best for your future.

Remote Worker, Freelancer, Soft Power option? Others would be interested to know, especially if it was a soft power option