Foreign nationals living long-term in Thailand are facing growing uncertainty as visa options narrow and immigration rules tighten, leaving many in a legal grey area. The issue highlights immediate concerns for expats who rely on education or alternative visas to remain in the country.

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For Cui Heng, a 34-year-old Chinese national, Thailand was intended as a place to settle rather than exploit loopholes. He entered in July 2023 on a tourist visa and later obtained an education (ED) visa, valid from March 2024 to March 2026, allowing him to train in Muay Thai and establish a modest lifestyle in Pattaya.

However, with his ED visa due to expire, his attempt to secure a Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) was rejected without explanation. The DTV, a five-year multiple-entry visa permitting stays of up to 180 days per visit, is aimed at remote workers and those engaged in approved cultural or training activities.

At the same time, authorities are considering reducing visa-free tourist stays to 30 days, adding further uncertainty. While visa runs to neighbouring countries remain an option, Mr Cui acknowledged the risks involved and said the lack of stable pathways leaves many long-term residents in limbo.

Mr Cui stated he has never overstayed or committed any offence but described pressure to pay informal fees during immigration checks, suggesting outcomes may depend on factors beyond official requirements. “Some people get through easily even if their records are not good,” he said. “Others follow the rules and still run into trouble.”

His monthly living costs are about 40,000 baht, covering rent, food and utilities, with little discretionary spending. Despite maintaining a disciplined and lawful lifestyle, he said there are limited legal routes for individuals like him to remain in Thailand long term.

The Bangkokpost reported that the situation reflects a broader tightening of immigration oversight, with authorities increasing scrutiny of visa misuse and informal work arrangements. The uncertainty is affecting a group of foreigners who are neither short-term tourists nor criminals but long-term residents seeking stability.

Picture courtesy of Bangkokpost of Cui Heng

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Adapted by ASEAN Bangkokpost 30 Mar 2026

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The visa rules must be for everyone. You can't make rules for every single person. Education visas are being abused. There are a lot of "fake" educations where a visa is applied for., but make clear rules. If you study Thai, you can get an ED visa if you can show how you can pay for your stay in Thailand, and the visa will only be given if you study at official recognized institutes. The visa is valid for the duration of your education. every year you have to show your attendance list and your improvement, In fact 3year max. Now I know there are people working fora church don't study anything but have an ED visa. Muay Thai or other cultural educations the same. This story is about 1 person, but as said visa rules should be for everyone, and if they can't meet the requirements it is sadly for the applicant...

last couple of week: impossible to get a slot for an appointment at CW

even you have an appointment, agents come and get priority service for 10,20,50 customers

people who don't have 800k/65k a month, use dodgy agents with connections to get a stamp, while those people should not get

follow the rules and scrutiny to the max for every single paper and money in the bank for a year, and dodge users of agents don't even show up at the immigration nightmare

why is this not handled ? too much money involved

anti corruption agency is as ... fill in yourself...

make it more difficult for people following the rules instead of finding a humane solution for long term rule followers (married, children, working, retired, tax payers, ...)

Better get your savings over here, do it the Legal way…….ED visa abuse, border hop abuse, Agent abuse, back to 30 day exempt entry for all, looks like a PM Anutin crack down.

Should be a more pleasant long stay extension visit soon for those locking up money here

18 minutes ago, Jimbolkb said:

last couple of week: impossible to get a slot for an appointment at CW

even you have an appointment, agents come and get priority service for 10,20,50 customers

people who don't have 800k/65k a month, use dodgy agents with connections to get a stamp, while those people should not get

follow the rules and scrutiny to the max for every single paper and money in the bank for a year, and dodge users of agents don't even show up at the immigration nightmare

why is this not handled ? too much money involved

anti corruption agency is as ... fill in yourself...

make it more difficult for people following the rules instead of finding a humane solution for long term rule followers (married, children, working, retired, tax payers, ...)

I could put that money in the bank multiple times over but use a agent because i cant be bothered with the tawlea of it all, so shouldn't i be allowed to live here?

I’m not sure if the rules have been tightened, but enforcement definitely has.
I feel for the guy, but jumping between a Muay Thai ED visa and a DTV draws attention. It suggests he might be trying to stay on indefinitely, work illegally, or something of the sort.
Regardless, I’ve been living here on a Non-Immigrant Retirement visa for ten years without any issues. When it’s time to renew, I bring my lovely wife along. We make sure we’re smartly dressed, and my wife has a bit of a natter with the officers. It’s always sorted within 15–20 minutes, and I always manage to book a slot at Chaengwattana.
I don’t foresee any problems with my own extension; I even do my 90-day reports online. But stories like this always crop up and get everyone worried.
In my experience, if you just follow the rules and remain polite and respectful, you won't have any trouble.

just one chinese trying to game the system hardly evidence of an "Anutin Crackdown" and certainly no reason for anybody else to start worrying

3 minutes ago, hanbla said:

I don’t foresee any problems with my own extension; I even do my 90-day reports online. But stories like this always crop up and get everyone worried.
In my experience, if you just follow the rules and remain polite and respectful, you won't have any trouble.

Stories like this and the accompanying headlines are written for the sole purpose of trying to get people worried,

The number of people currently viewing this thread (56) is proof of its success.

Follow the rules and be polite is all that is required

The best export business are the tourists, and expats.

They are give a huge income to Thailand.

If the thai government would be smarter, issue visas easy, for tourists, and expats.

For example

30 days visitor free of charge

Migrant birds, 6 months 5.000 thb/visa

Retirement, family, and long term stay, one year

10.000 thb/visa, include an emergency insurance up to 200.000 thb

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

he said there are limited legal routes for individuals like him to remain in Thailand long term.

Yes individuals with no money - the ideal sort of person to be a resident. Why does he think he has a "right" to live here?

4 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

His monthly living costs are about 40,000 baht, covering rent, food and utilities, with little discretionary spending.

DTV was created with the goal of stimulating the economy - if he doesn't bring money he's not who the visa was created for. Even retirees bring in at least 65k/mo. It was really only a matter of time before they started cracking down on the DTV - it is too easy to get and it's bringing in poor people (in western terms) who want to simply exist without spending much.

I have lived here for 40 years and held a retires visa for 25 years. It costs me less than 100USD and takes half a day once a year. Its really not that difficult if you follow the rules.

21 minutes ago, CANSIAM said:

Better get your savings over here, do it the Legal way…….ED visa abuse, border hop abuse, Agent abuse, back to 30 day exempt entry for all, looks like a PM Anutin crack down.

Should be a more pleasant long stay extension visit soon for those locking up money here

I just went to get a bank statement for my non-o family visa and the BBK Bank froze my account for 4-months...no explanation other than it has nothing to do with immigration. So, I'm required to hold funds 2-months prior to visa application and 1-month more during "consideration". Now, no access to funds for another 4 months...so, the bank holds my funds for a total of 7 months....so, "locking-up money" is a literal thing now....is forced savings really a bad thing? 😁

1 minute ago, LetsGoJoe said:

I just went to get a bank statement for my non-o family visa and the BBK Bank froze my account for 4-months...no explanation other than it has nothing to do with immigration. So, I'm required to hold funds 2-months prior to visa application and 1-month more during "consideration". Now, no access to funds for another 4 months...so, the bank holds my funds for a total of 7 months....so, being "locking-up money" is a literal thing now....is forced savings really a bad thing? 😁

Terrible bank, yes I've heard they like to play immigration, open and transfer all to SCB.......

I find the headline to be more than a little misleading. It implies ALL long term retirees are facing growing uncertainty as visa options narrow.

The information then describes ONE person having been refused a DTV visa. Was the very small detail of facts, deliberately designed to cause panic? Is this to be an ongoing thing in AN now? Or is this a try at jumping the gun for April 1st? Whichever, it is in vert poor taste, especially coming from the News Team.

1 hour ago, Jimbolkb said:

and dodge users of agents don't even show up at the immigration nightmare

When I used to do my extension At CW (I think 2022 was the last one), even if you used an Agent (which I did for convenience, I've always maintained the 800K in the Bank), you had to sit in front of the Immigration Officer whilst they processed your paperwork.

When you think about it, those "Dodgy Guys" who don't keep the 800K/65K might be doing you a favour by getting their extensions from "Up Country" & lessening the queues at CW.

10 minutes ago, Surasak said:

I find the headline to be more than a little misleading. It implies ALL long term retirees are facing growing uncertainty as visa options narrow.

Yes that's the point along with all the tax related stuff. You are supposed to retain/hire and expat run visa agent/accountant service to help you?

Apologies if this is misleading.

47 minutes ago, lanng khao said:

I could put that money in the bank multiple times over but use a agent because i cant be bothered with the tawlea of it all, so shouldn't i be allowed to live here?

You should only be allowed to stay here in Thailand IF you qualify (both the explicit rules but also the spirit) for the visas a country issues for the people that they want to attract. You are just a person that wants something and tries to qualify for a visa, nothing special.... Nothing special about Thailand doing it vs any other country. An ED visa is for people that are studying at an approved school and approved program for a limited time - then return home. A retirement visa is a glorified long-term tourist visa for someone that has money, does not work and wishes to stay in Thailand long term but only if he qualifies each and every year (they are not permanent residence and no special rights of residency). A tourist visa is for a specified shorter time for someone to come here to relax or have fun and then go home... Notice the pattern... you come here if you are going to benefit Thailand. DTV is for people that can work remotely earning money from business that is earned outside Thailand for a company that does not have a legal entity in Thailand... and if you cannot meet expectations then you won't qualify in the future. All of these are - you come here, you bring money here, you don't take jobs from Thais and you spend money to help the economy... that is it.

1 hour ago, Jimbolkb said:

people who don't have 800k/65k a month, use dodgy agents with connections to get a stamp, while those people should not get

One thing about the "Oh I just use an agent" routine is that it requires the complicity of a bank manager/officer. That may have some complications as of April 1, 2026 BOT regulations as In&Out transactions may be flagged without the possibility of such bank officials overriding it.

So, Thailand is finally getting wise then... 30 day tourist visa exempt, fewer EDs, and DTVs. All makes sense when you look at how they've been abused in the past.

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

His monthly living costs are about 40,000 baht, covering rent, food and utilities, with little discretionary spending. Despite maintaining a disciplined and lawful lifestyle, he said there are limited legal routes for individuals like him to remain in Thailand long term.

How is he financing his stay in Thailand?

5 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

His monthly living costs are about 40,000 baht, covering rent, food and utilities, with little discretionary spending.

Try staying somewhere with cheaper rent and don't use the aircon 24/7 and I'm sure there will be enough left over from 40k for plenty of "discretionary" spending.

You are either eligible to a visa [correct] for your situation or you are not. There are rarely stories of visa holders who stick to the rules; only those who don't and personnaly couldn't care less for those who cant [or wont] follow the kingdoms legislation

4 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Yes that's the point along with all the tax related stuff. You are supposed to retain/hire and expat run visa agent/accountant service to help you?

Apologies if this is misleading.

Not misleading at all. I believe it's about time a descent editor was employed to sort the wheat from the chaff. News should be published with all the facts, not intimation. Items should not be published just to attract readership. A means to causing panic should be censored.

3 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

The visa rules must be for everyone. You can't make rules for every single person. Education visas are being abused. There are a lot of "fake" educations where a visa is applied for., but make clear rules. If you study Thai, you can get an ED visa if you can show how you can pay for your stay in Thailand, and the visa will only be given if you study at official recognized institutes. The visa is valid for the duration of your education. every year you have to show your attendance list and your improvement, In fact 3year max. Now I know there are people working fora church don't study anything but have an ED visa. Muay Thai or other cultural educations the same. This story is about 1 person, but as said visa rules should be for everyone, and if they can't meet the requirements it is sadly for the applicant...

I agree totally, it is just like a scholarship awarded to a student, it is not totally free, the student must attain a certain grade and attend a certain amount of classes. If "recognized" institutes are not followed, we already that "fake" ones will soon outnumber those recognized as that even happens with local citizens paying for an undeserved degree. Even so, a time period should be assigned to that visa too to insure that the holder abides to all the rules just as one must abide by the rules of long term stays obtaining certain visas who must meet the current criteria to extend longer. I read daily about foreigners here that make a bad name for all foreigners in the minds of many locals and since I have been here many decades, i respect all the Thai laws and regulations pertaining to my visa status as well as respecting the local people as I wish to be respected by them.

48 minutes ago, PingRoundTheWorld said:

Pretty sure you CAN just walk in to England (or rather sail in) these days, you'll even be provided free housing and other benefits.... (not that I agree with it - deport them all)

I read the other day a detailed account of a Korean couple who got denied entry at the airport even though they had DTV visas. Wife was working online in Korea and husband was unemployed on a dependent visa. She claims they were denied due to lack of documentation proving her salary, but my guess would be that the amount of her salary as well as the fact the husband had none were the bigger factors in that decision. Either way if existing DTV holders are getting denied then yes - you should start worrying.

expats do not have DTV visas DTV visas are tourist visas so NO i will not be worrying

1 hour ago, hanbla said:

I’m not sure if the rules have been tightened, but enforcement definitely has.
I feel for the guy, but jumping between a Muay Thai ED visa and a DTV draws attention. It suggests he might be trying to stay on indefinitely, work illegally, or something of the sort.
Regardless, I’ve been living here on a Non-Immigrant Retirement visa for ten years without any issues. When it’s time to renew, I bring my lovely wife along. We make sure we’re smartly dressed, and my wife has a bit of a natter with the officers. It’s always sorted within 15–20 minutes, and I always manage to book a slot at Chaengwattana.
I don’t foresee any problems with my own extension; I even do my 90-day reports online. But stories like this always crop up and get everyone worried.
In my experience, if you just follow the rules and remain polite and respectful, you won't have any trouble.

1 hour ago, hanbla said:

I’m not sure if the rules have been tightened, but enforcement definitely has.
I feel for the guy, but jumping between a Muay Thai ED visa and a DTV draws attention. It suggests he might be trying to stay on indefinitely, work illegally, or something of the sort.
Regardless, I’ve been living here on a Non-Immigrant Retirement visa for ten years without any issues. When it’s time to renew, I bring my lovely wife along. We make sure we’re smartly dressed, and my wife has a bit of a natter with the officers. It’s always sorted within 15–20 minutes, and I always manage to book a slot at Chaengwattana.
I don’t foresee any problems with my own extension; I even do my 90-day reports online. But stories like this always crop up and get everyone worried.
In my experience, if you just follow the rules and remain polite and respectful, you won't have any trouble.

1 hour ago, hanbla said:

I’m not sure if the rules have been tightened, but enforcement definitely has.
I feel for the guy, but jumping between a Muay Thai ED visa and a DTV draws attention. It suggests he might be trying to stay on indefinitely, work illegally, or something of the sort.
Regardless, I’ve been living here on a Non-Immigrant Retirement visa for ten years without any issues. When it’s time to renew, I bring my lovely wife along. We make sure we’re smartly dressed, and my wife has a bit of a natter with the officers. It’s always sorted within 15–20 minutes, and I always manage to book a slot at Chaengwattana.
I don’t foresee any problems with my own extension; I even do my 90-day reports online. But stories like this always crop up and get everyone worried.
In my experience, if you just follow the rules and remain polite and respectful, you won't have any trouble.

I think you will find that the majority of genuine long term residents are like you and have no problems,

I have been here 16 years and never had an issue and know people who have been here far longer one guy over 40 years.

Unfortunately there are people in every country who try to rort the system.

1 hour ago, CANSIAM said:

Better get your savings over here, do it the Legal way…….ED visa abuse, border hop abuse, Agent abuse, back to 30 day exempt entry for all, looks like a PM Anutin crack down.

Should be a more pleasant long stay extension visit soon for those locking up money here

IMHO, Thailand is no longer an attractive retirement destination for 'Mr Average', because of the requirement to tie up 800,000 baht in a Thai bank, (plus of course the 90-day report, re-entry visa costs when leaving the country etc).

I'm Mr Average, and now use Cambodia as my home base, with no bank deposit required and only $300/year for my annual retirement visa, and NO 90-day reports, and NO re-entry permit costs etc.

It's not ... er..... rocket science is it? :)

1 hour ago, lanng khao said:

I could put that money in the bank multiple times over but use a agent because i cant be bothered with the tawlea of it all, so shouldn't i be allowed to live here?

If you got the funds Use it .

One day soon they will stop those Illegal dealings and than some will Winge that they get refused their Extension and say why didn't I use the Legal way .

6 minutes ago, StevieAus said:

Unfortunately there are people in every country who try to rort the system.

As it was explained to me by a knowledgeable person, there is just too much money in the agent-assisted retirement extension for anything to change. The current system requires the complicity of a bank employee/manager. The use of in&out deposit withdrawals is fraud. It seems however -- like the good witch and bad witch in the Wizard of Oz -- there is good fraud and bad fraud.

And a bank employee with the new BOT regs may no longer be able to designate 'good fraud' on behalf of an agent and his/her customer.