Sorry if this has been asked before.  I emailed them 3 days ago and am yet to receive a response. I am new to the process of applying for a visa in my own country, usually I do it in one of the neighboring countries of Thailand.  Truth is I'm only in the UK visiting for a couple of months.  I am actually a resident in Thailand and I plan to extend this by 12 months when I'm there.  Just some questions about some of the docs they need, as I am not a resident of UK.  

 

• Document indicating current location
  I understand that utility bills (such as electricity, gas, or mobile phone) showing my name and address are required. So will a copy of the front and back of my UK  driver's licence card with my address on suffice?  This is actually an old address - I am not currently at the address stated on my UK driver's licence. Will this be an issue?

• Financial evidence showing monthly income So I recieve all my money in Euros through Wise, working for a European company, so I can't really show this, even though it has a UK address on the statement, it wouldn't match the one on my driver's licence.  Would they instead accept the bank balance of my Thai savings account in Thai baht? I have had 400k THB sitting there for a couple of months already ready to show.  How long must it be sitting there for it to be accepted?  And if I show this, do I still have to show UK bank statements showing monthly salaries?

 

Sorry again if this has already been asked. 

49 minutes ago, KruAlastair said:

Sorry if this has been asked before.  I emailed them 3 days ago and am yet to receive a response. I am new to the process of applying for a visa in my own country, usually I do it in one of the neighboring countries of Thailand.  Truth is I'm only in the UK visiting for a couple of months.  I am actually a resident in Thailand and I plan to extend this by 12 months when I'm there.  Just some questions about some of the docs they need, as I am not a resident of UK.  

 

• Document indicating current location
  I understand that utility bills (such as electricity, gas, or mobile phone) showing my name and address are required. So will a copy of the front and back of my UK  driver's licence card with my address on suffice?  This is actually an old address - I am not currently at the address stated on my UK driver's licence. Will this be an issue?

• Financial evidence showing monthly income So I recieve all my money in Euros through Wise, working for a European company, so I can't really show this, even though it has a UK address on the statement, it wouldn't match the one on my driver's licence.  Would they instead accept the bank balance of my Thai savings account in Thai baht? I have had 400k THB sitting there for a couple of months already ready to show.  How long must it be sitting there for it to be accepted?  And if I show this, do I still have to show UK bank statements showing monthly salaries?

 

Sorry again if this has already been asked. 

Your UK drivers license should be acceptable. It's one of the recommended things to use for this if it has an address on it (some country DLs do not have an address).

 

There shouldn't be any issues accepting a bank statement from a Thai bank account showing the required visa funds.

OP, correct answer above.

You mention that you have a Thai bank account with 400k baht.

Assume that you are aware that you can enter Thailand visa exempt and obtain a Non O (Thai spouse) at your local immigration office and subsequent 12 month extension. 

 

Obtaining a Non O eVisa in UK also good option. Some do that to enable opening bank account in Thailand, however you already have one so either option no issue. 

I used money in my Thai account for a non O last year, no issues.  One thing they asked me for in addition to the things on the website was proof of travel booking from the UK to Thailand, you might want to have that ready in case they ask you the same.

OP, you do require proof of flight TO Thailand as indicated by @Upnotover in his first post in attached thread.

Also contains links.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1325310-applying-in-uk-for-non-o/

 

10 hours ago, KruAlastair said:

Sorry if this has been asked before.  I emailed them 3 days ago and am yet to receive a response. I am new to the process of applying for a visa in my own country, usually I do it in one of the neighboring countries of Thailand.  Truth is I'm only in the UK visiting for a couple of months.  I am actually a resident in Thailand and I plan to extend this by 12 months when I'm there.  Just some questions about some of the docs they need, as I am not a resident of UK.  

 

• Document indicating current location
  I understand that utility bills (such as electricity, gas, or mobile phone) showing my name and address are required. So will a copy of the front and back of my UK  driver's licence card with my address on suffice?  This is actually an old address - I am not currently at the address stated on my UK driver's licence. Will this be an issue?

• Financial evidence showing monthly income So I recieve all my money in Euros through Wise, working for a European company, so I can't really show this, even though it has a UK address on the statement, it wouldn't match the one on my driver's licence.  Would they instead accept the bank balance of my Thai savings account in Thai baht? I have had 400k THB sitting there for a couple of months already ready to show.  How long must it be sitting there for it to be accepted?  And if I show this, do I still have to show UK bank statements showing monthly salaries?

 

Sorry again if this has already been asked. 

I have lived in Thailand since 2008 and have returned many times on a new visa, which in recent years has been an e-visa.

If you have a UK passport that can be used for your first point. The question wording is open to interpretation, probably due to trying to deal with non UK nationals. Indication from other counries would imply that they are looking for proof of legal residence rather than a specific residence.

I have used funds in my Thai account to get the visa without a problem.

I have only ever provided the flight number going into BKK and never been asked for proof of the flight but it would be prudent to have made the booking.

The instructions say all documents should be in English but not the marriage certificate, that needs to be a copy of original.

You will be asked about invitation, if you have not already addressed that the easiest solution is to get your wife to write a note saying she expects you to return on a certain date, note can be in Thai. She can then take a photo and send it to you and you can upload that. You need to upload a response to every question otherwise you cannot move on. If i remember right Q4 and Q10 are both financially related but you need only answer to one and upload a note for the other as a cross reference.

Good luck.

5 hours ago, sandyf said:

I have lived in Thailand since 2008 and have returned many times on a new visa, which in recent years has been an e-visa.

If you have a UK passport that can be used for your first point. The question wording is open to interpretation, probably due to trying to deal with non UK nationals. Indication from other counries would imply that they are looking for proof of legal residence rather than a specific residence.

I have used funds in my Thai account to get the visa without a problem.

I have only ever provided the flight number going into BKK and never been asked for proof of the flight but it would be prudent to have made the booking.

The instructions say all documents should be in English but not the marriage certificate, that needs to be a copy of original.

You will be asked about invitation, if you have not already addressed that the easiest solution is to get your wife to write a note saying she expects you to return on a certain date, note can be in Thai. She can then take a photo and send it to you and you can upload that. You need to upload a response to every question otherwise you cannot move on. If i remember right Q4 and Q10 are both financially related but you need only answer to one and upload a note for the other as a cross reference.

Good luck.

when i applied for mine back in August the invite letter was not required, there was nowhere to upload it either

16 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

when i applied for mine back in August the invite letter was not required, there was nowhere to upload it either

If an individual embassy wants anything over what the e-visa website asks for they will tell you by email, and tell you how to submit it. It's not a big deal.

15 hours ago, BrandonJT said:

Your UK drivers license should be acceptable. It's one of the recommended things to use for this if it has an address on it (some country DLs do not have an address).

But his licence does not show his address.   

It is illegal to use a licence with an incorrect address in the UK and, at the very least, will be seen as not up-to-date and may be considered invalid.  Do you think that he can safely rely on his out-of-date licence to be acceptable as his only proof of address?

6 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

 You think that he can rely on his out-of-date licence to be acceptable?

So overstating the issue. It will be acceptable.

In any event as @sandyf correctly stated...a copy of UK pp is sufficient. 

 

8 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

18 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

 You think that he can rely on his out-of-date licence to be acceptable?

So overstating the issue. It will be acceptable.

I wasn't "overstating" anything, I was asking a question that may have been relevant based on the circumstances the OP laid out.    

39 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

But his licence does not show his address. 

It does 

And even if out of date it's irrelevant.

40 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Do you think that he can safely rely on his out-of-date licence to be acceptable as his only proof of address

Does not need to. UK pp ID page will be sufficient. 

2 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

44 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Do you think that he can safely rely on his out-of-date licence to be acceptable as his only proof of address

Does not need to. UK pp ID page will be sufficient. 

Why did you misquote what I posted?   I simply asked a question, indicated by the question mark, that you omitted to include when you quoted my comment.  This was my actual comment...

"Do you think that he can safely rely on his out-of-date licence to be acceptable as his only proof of address?"

2 hours ago, Upnotover said:

If an individual embassy wants anything over what the e-visa website asks for they will tell you by email, and tell you how to submit it. It's not a big deal.

I'm fully aware of that, I was just pointing out that the invitation letter was no longer  a prerequisite 

14 hours ago, DrJack54 said:

OP, you do require proof of flight TO Thailand as indicated by @Upnotover in his first post in attached thread.

Also contains links.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1325310-applying-in-uk-for-non-o/

 

Thanks for the info, the embassy finally got back to me today to address my query but it was more of a generic reply and it made everything even more confusing.  This information contradicts everything they ask for on their website : https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/spouse-and-family-visa

 

All I want to know is if a statement showing the 400k in my thai bank for a couple of months will suffice as well as a driving licence which is still valid but has the wrong address, my wife's ID card and marriage ceritificate.  I can also show proof of travel to Thailand. 
 

But this is what they asked for in their email which doesn't clearly state whether or not I can just use my Thai bank account to show proof of income or do I have to show funds in a UK account as well?

 

Their reply:

Required Document

 

1. Biodata page of Passport or Travel Document.  

 

2. Declaration.     

 

           - Visa declaration must be downloaded and signed. Illegible youth declaration form can be signed by their parents/ guardians.            

 

3. Financial evidence, e.g. bank statements, proof of earnings, proof of sponsorship from a third party

 

 -Your recent official UK/Ireland bank statement shows your name, address, and a minimum

 

closing balance of £500 (for individual single entry) £1,000 (for family single entry) proof of earnings (payslips) or sponsorship letter from your sponsor with official ID and their Bank Statements. (Do not send the screenshot)                                   

 

4. Photograph *taken within the last six months. If the photograph does not reflect your current appearance you may be refused to enter the Kingdom of Thailand.        

 

       - If the photograph is inappropriate, and does not reflect your current appearance your visa may be rejected to enter the Kingdom of Thailand.       

 

5. Personal details of a family in Thailand, e.g. ID card, Passport and the visa page or stay permit in Thailand .

 

         - Applicants who are spouses and children of person working in Thailand are required to submit a confirmation letter from the employer of their family members working in Thailand mentioning all applicant names, visa page/ work permit of their family members.

 

6. Proof of accommodation in Thailand, e.g. Accommodation bookings, and invitation letters from family/friends in Thailand.         

 

           -  Invitation letters from family/friends must be submitted with their respective official photo ID. 

 

           -  Accommodation booking must have details of applicant name/ date (check in and check out)/ address and contact no. of your accommodation.                                   

 

7. Proof of relationship to a family in Thailand, e.g. A copy of marriage certificate/birth certificate/certificate of adoption.

 

       - Copy of original document (Documents in foreign languages must be translated into English and the translation must be certified by the relevant embassies in London.).                                                    

 

8. Residence permit in a country in which the visa application is submitted (In case the applicant is not a national of the country in which the visa application is submitted.).

 

       - In the case of non-UK / non-Irish national applicants, a copy of the BRP card / Ireland residence card or letter from UKVI(UK visa) settlement status must be provided. UK nationals can provide a UK Driving license (for UK/Ireland nationals) or any UK ID to fulfill the requirement of the application.                                                                        

 

9. The letter from your spouse indicated that you both are still married and he/she acknowledges of your visit.                                           

 

10. All travel records for the past 12 months (1 year) since the last international trip.

 

       - International travel record over the past 12 months from the application date.            

 

11. Document that can verify applicant's current residency (Applicant must apply for e-Visa via a specific Embassy/Consulate conforming with his/her consular jurisdiction and residency.).            

 

           - Applicants are requested to submit their local utility bills eg. electricity bills/ gas / mobile phone / rental agreements.                   

 

12. Bank statement, showing GBP10,000 minimum, with name & visible

9 hours ago, KruAlastair said:

All I want to know is if a statement showing the 400k in my thai bank for a couple of months will suffice as well as a driving licence which is still valid but has the wrong address, my wife's ID card and marriage ceritificate.  I can also show proof of travel to Thailand.

The list they sent you ought to show they don't have a clue.  Personally I'd apply with what you have available, a Thai Bank statement was fine for me last year. They'll let you know soon enough if they want anything else.  And as said already, you can do the whole thing in Thailand if the UK application fails.

13 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

when i applied for mine back in August the invite letter was not required, there was nowhere to upload it either

Used to be Q 9, maybe been removed in last year or so.

"9 . The letter from your spouse indicated that you both are still married and he/she acknowledges of your visit. *"

13 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

But his licence does not show his address.   

It is illegal to use a licence with an incorrect address in the UK and, at the very least, will be seen as not up-to-date and may be considered invalid.  Do you think that he can safely rely on his out-of-date licence to be acceptable as his only proof of address?

There is a track record of them accepting various documents, how much discretion is allowed is the unknown.

I have only used my passport so an actual address is not a deal breaker. There is a link between driving licence and passport, on renewal I ask to use PP photo on DL so it may well be accepted on the basis the actual address is not that important.

On saying that it would be risky to have documents with 2 different UK addresses so PP would be safer option.

On 2/14/2025 at 9:18 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

But his licence does not show his address.   

It is illegal to use a licence with an incorrect address in the UK and, at the very least, will be seen as not up-to-date and may be considered invalid.  Do you think that he can safely rely on his out-of-date licence to be acceptable as his only proof of address?

Using a UK license to drive in the UK when you are no longer resident in the UK is an offence. I am not sure using it as a secondary ID and proof of UK domicile for a foreign visa application is proscribed.

Put it this way, the Thai embassy, and others, aren't going to check it's validity or status with the DVLA.

On 2/14/2025 at 11:24 PM, KruAlastair said:

Thanks for the info, the embassy finally got back to me today to address my query but it was more of a generic reply and it made everything even more confusing.  This information contradicts everything they ask for on their website : https://london.thaiembassy.org/en/page/spouse-and-family-visa

 

All I want to know is if a statement showing the 400k in my thai bank for a couple of months will suffice as well as a driving licence which is still valid but has the wrong address, my wife's ID card and marriage ceritificate.  I can also show proof of travel to Thailand. 
 

But this is what they asked for in their email which doesn't clearly state whether or not I can just use my Thai bank account to show proof of income or do I have to show funds in a UK account as well?

 

Their reply:

Required Document

 

1. Biodata page of Passport or Travel Document.  

 

2. Declaration.     

 

           - Visa declaration must be downloaded and signed. Illegible youth declaration form can be signed by their parents/ guardians.            

 

3. Financial evidence, e.g. bank statements, proof of earnings, proof of sponsorship from a third party

 

 -Your recent official UK/Ireland bank statement shows your name, address, and a minimum

 

closing balance of £500 (for individual single entry) £1,000 (for family single entry) proof of earnings (payslips) or sponsorship letter from your sponsor with official ID and their Bank Statements. (Do not send the screenshot)                                   

 

4. Photograph *taken within the last six months. If the photograph does not reflect your current appearance you may be refused to enter the Kingdom of Thailand.        

 

       - If the photograph is inappropriate, and does not reflect your current appearance your visa may be rejected to enter the Kingdom of Thailand.       

 

5. Personal details of a family in Thailand, e.g. ID card, Passport and the visa page or stay permit in Thailand .

 

         - Applicants who are spouses and children of person working in Thailand are required to submit a confirmation letter from the employer of their family members working in Thailand mentioning all applicant names, visa page/ work permit of their family members.

 

6. Proof of accommodation in Thailand, e.g. Accommodation bookings, and invitation letters from family/friends in Thailand.         

 

           -  Invitation letters from family/friends must be submitted with their respective official photo ID. 

 

           -  Accommodation booking must have details of applicant name/ date (check in and check out)/ address and contact no. of your accommodation.                                   

 

7. Proof of relationship to a family in Thailand, e.g. A copy of marriage certificate/birth certificate/certificate of adoption.

 

       - Copy of original document (Documents in foreign languages must be translated into English and the translation must be certified by the relevant embassies in London.).                                                    

 

8. Residence permit in a country in which the visa application is submitted (In case the applicant is not a national of the country in which the visa application is submitted.).

 

       - In the case of non-UK / non-Irish national applicants, a copy of the BRP card / Ireland residence card or letter from UKVI(UK visa) settlement status must be provided. UK nationals can provide a UK Driving license (for UK/Ireland nationals) or any UK ID to fulfill the requirement of the application.                                                                        

 

9. The letter from your spouse indicated that you both are still married and he/she acknowledges of your visit.                                           

 

10. All travel records for the past 12 months (1 year) since the last international trip.

 

       - International travel record over the past 12 months from the application date.            

 

11. Document that can verify applicant's current residency (Applicant must apply for e-Visa via a specific Embassy/Consulate conforming with his/her consular jurisdiction and residency.).            

 

           - Applicants are requested to submit their local utility bills eg. electricity bills/ gas / mobile phone / rental agreements.                   

 

12. Bank statement, showing GBP10,000 minimum, with name & visible

I have just completed the application but did not submit and then deleted it.

You need to show a recent statement of ฿400,000 in a Thai Bank or the equivelant in a U.K Bank account.

No letter of invitation is asked for.

I entered I would be staying at our privately owned house and no proof was asked for, only the address.

On 2/14/2026 at 11:36 AM, NanLaew said:

Using a UK license to drive in the UK when you are no longer resident in the UK is an offence

Absolute rubbish , what licence would an expat returning temporarily to the UK be expected to use? If the UK licence is valid then there is no issue, the uk police do not check ones passport or travel history, and neither do insurance companies, even in the event of an accident ,

And anyway if the temporarily returning expat does not have a license issued from the country he has relocated to, ? are you suggesting he has to take and pass a new driving test in order to drive legally in the UK , ?

9 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

what licence would an expat returning temporarily to the UK be expected to use?

If he doesn't have a Thai license then none at all. UK licenses are only valid for permanent residents, not visiting expats. Using friends and family addresses to maintain UK licenses is also illegal.

13 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

If he doesn't have a Thai license then none at all. UK licenses are only valid for permanent residents, not visiting expats. Using friends and family addresses to maintain UK licenses is also illegal.

in theory maybe , in practice, speaking from personal experience, there is little chance of any issues ,

58 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

If he doesn't have a Thai license then none at all. UK licenses are only valid for permanent residents, not visiting expats. Using friends and family addresses to maintain UK licenses is also illegal.

up date , according to AI , nothing personal but I have more confidence in its reply, it may be of help to others who you may have misinformed too

i have been living in Thailand long term , if I return to the UK (my home country of birth) for a short while, can i not drive using my uk licence?

Yes, you can legally drive in the

UK

using your valid UK driving licence.

Since you are a UK national born in the UK and visiting for a "short while," the following rules apply:

• Licence Validity: If you still hold a valid, non-expired UK driving licence, you can use it to drive in the UK.

• Visitor Status: If you are visiting for less than a year, you are generally considered a visitor rather than a permanent resident. Visitors are permitted to drive on their existing valid licence for up to 12 months.

• Residency Rules: Permanent residency is typically defined as living in the UK for at least 185 days in the last 12 months. Since you have been in Thailand long term , you are currently not a "normal resident" of the UK, but this does not invalidate your existing licence for temporary use.

• Address Requirements: You cannot renew your UK licence or update it with a foreign address; it must be a permanent UK address

let me start again, prior to leaving the UK I resided at my friends house, and this is the address currently on my licence, I obviously did not put my Thai address on my UK licence, and i will be returning to the same address

Got it—the "reset" makes perfect sense. Since your licence

already lists your friend's house (the place you're returning to), the situation is much simpler.

Technically, you haven't "changed" addresses in the eyes of the DVLA because the address they have on file is exactly where you will be physically located during your stay.

The Verdict:

Yes, you can drive. Since the address on your photocard matches your actual residence f, you are fulfilling the legal requirement to have an accurate address on your licence.

however one probable issue is with insurance but.....

So if I only returned for say 1 month the only issue would possibly be with the insurance company

6 minutes ago

Exactly. For a

one-month trip, the DVLA isn't the issue—the insurance fine print is.

Since your licence already shows the address where the car is kept, you’ve cleared the biggest legal hurdle. However, standard UK insurance policies are designed for "permanent residents." If you've been living in Thailand long term , most insurers consider you a non-resident or a visitor.

The Insurance Catch

• Residential Status: Most standard policies require you to have been a UK resident for the last 12 months. If you simply "reactivate" an old policy or take out a new one without mentioning you've been in Thailand, the insurer could void a claim later, arguing you misrepresented your residency.

• The "Visitor" Solution: For a one-month stay, you are legally a visitor. It is often safer and easier to use Temporary Car Insurance. Companies like Cuvva or Tempcover specifically cater to UK expats returning home who need cover for a few weeks without the hassle of a yearly contract.

If the address on your UK driving license isn't your normal residential address, that's unlawful use of a UK driving license. “Normal residence” is defined as living in the country for at least 185 days in the last 12 months.

If you no longer reside in the UK, using a friend or relative's address is not considered your normal or lawful residence.

The law they use to enforce this is not notifying the DVLA of your current residential address. Since they don't accept a non-UK address, you are violating that law and the fine is £1000.

6 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

If the address on your UK driving license isn't your normal residential address, that's unlawful use of a UK driving license. “Normal residence” is defined as living in the country for at least 185 days in the last 12 months.

If you longer reside in the UK, using a friend or relative's address is not considered your normal or lawful residence.

The law they use to enforce this is not notifying the DVLA of your current residential address. Since they don't accept a non-UK address, you are violating that law and the fine is £1000.

well ai was pretty clear i'll go with that, not that I am planning to return to the uk but others might be

Since your licence

already lists your friend's house (the place you're returning to), the situation is much simpler.

Technically, you haven't "changed" addresses in the eyes of the DVLA because the address they have on file is exactly where you will be physically located during your stay.

The Verdict:

Yes, you can drive. Since the address on your photocard matches your actual residence f, you are fulfilling the legal requirement to have an accurate address on your licence.

1 hour ago, Bday Prang said:

well ai was pretty clear i'll go with that, not that I am planning to return to the uk but others might be

Since your licence

already lists your friend's house (the place you're returning to), the situation is much simpler.

Technically, you haven't "changed" addresses in the eyes of the DVLA because the address they have on file is exactly where you will be physically located during your stay.

The Verdict:

Yes, you can drive. Since the address on your photocard matches your actual residence f, you are fulfilling the legal requirement to have an accurate address on your licence.

I just renewed my UK licence........"illegally", using my daughter's address.

I have lived in Thailand for almost 20 years and, as @ NanLaew said, that makes me an expat - not a UK resident.

11 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

I just renewed my UK licence........"illegally", using my daughter's address.

I have lived in Thailand for almost 20 years and, as @ NanLaew said, that makes me an expat - not a UK resident.

It's not "illegally", it's illegally. As has been said the chances it would cause an issue are small, certainly for minor driving issues, but the potential for trouble remains the day you run someone over and kill them and the insurance company starts digging. Meanwhile you can happily and legally drive on your Thai licence in the UK, seems better all round.

On 2/14/2025 at 9:18 PM, Liverpool Lou said:

But his licence does not show his address.   

It is illegal to use a licence with an incorrect address in the UK and, at the very least, will be seen as not up-to-date and may be considered invalid.  Do you think that he can safely rely on his out-of-date licence to be acceptable as his only proof of address?

yes

This needs sorting out , I know its off topic but lets at least have it right, incorrect information does not help anybody

7 hours ago, NanLaew said:

If the address on your UK driving license isn't your normal residential address, that's unlawful use of a UK driving license.

incorrect the address on an existing licence needs to be ones "current residence"

5 hours ago, NanLaew said:

“Normal residence” is defined as living in the country for at least 185 days in the last 12 months.

correct i fully agree but "normal residence" is technically a status which is only required when renewing or applying for a new UK licence

5 hours ago, NanLaew said:

If you no longer reside in the UK, using a friend or relative's address is not considered your normal or lawful residence.

Again you are correct it would not be considered your "normal" residence , by the DVLA It would not be legal to apply for a new licence unless you had lived there for 185 days in the year

But It would indeed be considered to be your "current address" by the DVLA if you were staying with the friend or relative in question there whilst visiting the UK

by the way there is no such thing as a "lawful " residence or an "unlawful" residence" in the context of a uk driving licence , that is an immigration term)

6 hours ago, NanLaew said:

The law they use to enforce this is not notifying the DVLA of your current residential address. Since they don't accept a non-UK address, you are violating that law and the fine is £1000.

Well only half correct this time ,

You are confusing "Normal residence" , a legal status dependant on spending 185 days in the UK

With "Current residence" ie Where one is currently , physically, living

The fine is indeed potentially £1000 but that is for failing to inform them of a change of "Current residence" not "normal residence" it is not necessary to tell the DVLA one is moving abroad , Nor is it required to notify them on ones return

The 185 day residency rule does not come into it, unless one is applying for a new licence, Or, if one possesses both Thai and Uk licences , in which case one must use only the UK licence after 185 days, Those with only a Thai licence can continue to use it for 1 year

Returning for a short period could be troublesome if staying in a hotel, In terms of updating the DVLA with ones "current address" I don't think they would accept a "care of" type address