If you are in “100% compliance” then you have nothing to worry about.

Expensive and time consuming

Please remember it will be very costly and there will likely be a lengthy spell in quarantine for the dog if you ever decide to leave Thailand. Thailand is not considered rabies free so most countries will request some kind of quarantine for them on return trips.

Any funds required for your visa must be in individual accounts. If retirement visa that would mean two separate bank accounts in Thailand. For DTV the accounts can be anywhere in the world, but again the required funds must be in separate personal accounts.

@Brandon ***********

our bank in Thailand would not allow joint accounts.

@Paul *************

you are comparing a bank deposit (which you may withdraw so long as you do not wish to renew) against a fee. The FEES for retirement visa are THB$1900 (US$59) per year, so for 5 years US$295 vs US$310 (fee for DTV). Or you could compare the deposits you must hold THB$800k vs THB$500k.

Either way, if you are retired here you should really be on a retirement visa if you wish to avoid issues. If you qualify for DTV and wish to go that route then you have that choice but do you really think they will keep renewing 5 yr visas just because you sign up to a cooking class?

@Adam ********

not tm30 because this can only be provided by someone who is in Thailand and you must apply outside of Thailand. If there is a similar cert in China then get that, or proof from the hotel that you are staying in china

@Md ******

they want proof of hotel booking in China as you are applying from there, so must prove you are actually in the country.

@John ********

it is certainly possible. I did too

Yes it was a few months ago.