@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.

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

tourists can get bank accounts, I did it on a visa exemption. I was told you just need a stamp which is longer than the standard visa exemption stamp, so I just got the 30 day extension and applied immediately. When leaving Thailand I was asked by immigration why I had not used any of my 30day extension, I just told them the truth. No agent necessary.

@Paul *******

if you have left Thailand already the easiest thing to do is apply for the 90day Non-O visa in your home country using funds in you home country bank accounts. Then when you return to Thailand on your non-o visa get a Thai account immediately and transfer necessary funds into it. Again, no agents necessary.

@Maggie ********

I drive a Saleng, and have driven the second kind long distance, and unless you are an experienced sidecar driver, I really suggest you test drive the Saleng kind before you buy one. They are very hard work to drive and get harder the more weight you have in the sidecar, NEVER let go with both hands. If you have a heavy load in the sidecar make sure the centre of gravity is far enough forward to keep the front wheel on the ground, if the front gets light it will slide to the left, if the front wheel lifts and you are accelerating, you will immediately turn a very sharp left! When you brake it will want to turn right, when you accelerate it will want to turn left. That said, they are great fun once you get the hang of them.

The second kind (two wheel at the back) are a piece of cake to drive and have none of the issues above.

Interesting… I asked an immigration officer at Phuket Town immigration and was told that an extension to DTV would be THB$1900. As many have mentioned, I guess we will only know for sure in about another 100days!

Yes, this was HK and Ivan is correct, they asked to see HK$150k

@Paul ******

they asked to see the equivalent of THB$635,000.