If plan1 only gives you 400,000 baht of cover for 38,000 baht, at your age I'd be inclined to have 400,000 lying in a bank account. Once you cross the 60 years old, then the premiums will start to rise.

If your nearest border is Nong Khai, then it'd cost you $40 USD= 1360 THB for a Laos visa at the border, then if you come straight back across the bridge there's no guarantee the IO will grant you another visa. If you paid for a Laos visa with Thai baht, good chance they'd charge you more than 1,360 THB. Better as some have advised to go to immigration office and get a thirty day extension, which would cost you 1,900 THB.

What this guy says is correct:

Paul Carr Its better to get a 30 day exemption from immi mate. Just ฿1900. Over the border will cost more and you have to stay 1 night

@Kirstin ****************

As I understand it you do NOT require a work permit with the DTV Visa as long as your NOT intending to work for any Thai company as a remote worker.

@Nongnuch *******

Thankyou

Who gives a toss about what the weather is like in Thailand when your around some of the nicest people on the planet 😁

At my first home in a rice farming village in Isaan, we loved the rain. We could stand out in it with a bottle of shampoo, a bar of soap and get free showers. 😂😂😂.

@Marisa *********

I was told by an ex work colleague of mine that you can get the DTV twice only. Don't know where he got his info from, but he's lived in Thailand over twenty years and is fairly genned up on visa issues.

@Nongnuch *******

So on the last day of his 5 year visa validity someone could go to immigration whether inside Thailand or re-entering and get another 180 days, is this correct.?

@Greg **********

This is something that I've read on FB before, some posters have said that your 'O' non- immigrant visa starts the day it is approved, which is nonsense.