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What alternatives are there in Thailand for cultural classes besides Muay Thai?

Thai culture DTV visa Muay Thai alternatives language schools cooking classes Thai seminars Thai herbs sports activities cultural experiences

Jan 31, 2025

22 days ago

Anonymous *************

ORIGINAL POSTER

I keep seeing Muay Thai gyms being used for the soft power route, but I have no interest in Muay Thai. What other options do I have? I suppose signing up for a regular gym or classes doesn't cut it because it doesn't teach Thai culture?

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The discussion revolves around alternatives to Muay Thai for those seeking to engage with Thai culture while considering visa options like the DTV visa (Digital Nomad Visa). Participants suggest various cultural activities such as Thai herb workshops, language schools, cooking classes, and seminars that could suffice for obtaining certain types of visas. Some express concerns about the criteria for the DTV visa, indicating that it may not align with everyone’s purpose of stay. The conversation emphasizes the importance of aligning one's visa choice with personal interests and cultural engagement.

DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES

Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
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Shandy ********

Too bad Thai culture has so little to offer. Not everyone fancies sweating over a boiling cauldron or full contact sports in humid climates. No Thai painting or Thai instrumental music for the aspiring dilettante?

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Luit *****************

Normally you apply for a visa that fits your purpose of stay.

DTV is for digital nomads, remote workers and soft power.

It looks like none of these is your purpose of stay.

When you tell why you need to be in Thailand we might advise you about the right visa.

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Peter ********

Again I disagree with your interpretation. For any embassy to accept learning Thai for DTV it must be within the official catchment criteria, unless you are suggesting the embassy's that do accept are wrong. As is broadly seen Thai Embassies seem to apply individual policies some of which are more current than others, just as some IO's apply more stringent examinations on entry than others.

' filling in a missing part in the Thai visa schemes' is an evolution of those schemes.

Bored now and irrelevant to me anyway.

Endex.

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Luit *****************

I disagree with that filling in gaps is evolution, but when you want to call it that, just do.

And indeed Thai embassies have a lot of freedom to decide, but it might be obvious that for learning the language the ED visa is already existing a very long time.

I not say embassies that accept are wrong, I only say for learning language there is another visa, so embassies mighjt reject DTV because there is a more suitable visa.

Now some language schools might also want to profit from the DTV hype, and then they try to combine language learning with some cultural elements

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Bunny *****

@Luit ****************

are you working in any embassy?

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Bunny *****

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Peter ********

I disagree with your interpretation which to me appears not to reflect the evolution of the Thai visa schemes. The use of DTV instead of ED visa is just part of that evolution.

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Luit *****************

Thai language training is not mentioned as soft power on any official document, so Thai do not see this as an evolution.

Only very few embassies are known to accept language training for DTV.

DTV is just filling in a missing part in the Thai visa schemes, not an evolution.

It is not meant to replace other visa.

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Luit *****************

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Peter ********

@Luit ****************

You infer learning Thai in Thailand is not a valid purpose of stay contrary to that specific criteria being allowed under the DTV and being accepted by various Thai Embassies across the world?

How is finding a criteria that fits your circumstances ' tricking the system' ?

The 'system' evolves and changes over time, as folk are now finding with extending the DTV even immigration offices are not sure what to do so an equivalent of the 'border bounce' is easier.

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Luit *****************

I think for learning Thai, the ED visa is available.

Topicstarter only says het does not want Muay Thai and asks for other options.

Topicstarter should tell why he wants to stay in Thailand and decribe his situation, then he can get advice about what kind of visa he needs.

Choosing a random visa and then trying to fit the criteria is just the other way around.

For almost every purpose Thailand has a visa, and when there is no visa for your specific purpose, that means Thailand does not want you in the country.

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Luit *****************

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Jim ********

@Luit ****************

DTV can be massaged into any situation. I switched from non-O retirement visa onto DTV under "remote worker" 👍👍

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Luit *****************

tricking the system is always possible, but the more it happens, the more difficult it will be for the real target group to get the visa.

You downgraded your visa to save a little bit of money?

Or was the yearly extension of stay too inflexible?

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Jim ********

@Luit ****************

Who gives a sh*t about the "real" target group. If you meet the criteria you meet the criteria. I don't see it as a"downgrade". Anything that avoids dealing with those pedantic immigration officers year after year is a bonus. There's thousands of retirees suddenly becoming "remote workers". It's so easy it's laughable

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Luit *****************

Having the visa that is the most misused at the moment, and not is meant to live in Thailand permanent is always a risk.

You might not see it as a downgrade, but in fact it is.

You now have to leave the country once a year for example.

If I was staying the whole year around in Thailand I would have applied for non-o retired, and not for DTV.

As soon as they make it possible to get the 1 year extension online, just as the initial visa, I would certainly choose for non-o.

DTV just has to many risks of changing requirements.

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Jim ********

@Luit ****************

The most "mis-used" visa in Thailand is the non-O retirement visa. Over half of these are obtained through visa agents paying bribes to immigration because people can't meet the requirements. The DTV is most certainly an "upgrade" for retirees who don't want to spend the rest of their lives sitting in Thailand waiting to die! Many (like me) still want to travel, and the DTV is fantastic for this. It's a dream come true

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Luit *****************

I don't think requirements for non-o retired are very high, but I agree with you the yearly necessary extension makes it uncomfortable, because Thai are very bureaucratic.

And for me the fixed time each year to stay in Thailand to do extension makes it for me a no-go.

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Luit *****************

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Rachel ******

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Fąndn *******

I had been reading for 2 weeks here... , the number of ppl that commented on approval/rejection using this course is

*****

...

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Fąndn *******

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Rachel ******

Discover Thai Nature offer a Seminar, there may be other seminars you might be interested in. Not accepted in some countries but have seen posts about being approved through this company

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Marcus **********

There's one for Thai herbs and botany that qualifies.

Many language schools also qualify. Google it.

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Luit *****************

@Marcus *********

Are you sure language schools is DTV and not ED?

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Marcus **********

@Luit ****************

Definitely DTV.

And that's just the language school I attend.

There are 4 other schools in Pantip plaza all offering DTV.

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Bob **********

@Luit ****************

Definitely an Ed visa

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Jim ********

Sydney Consulate gives DTV for language courses

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Shandy ********

Agreed. I don't see why language should be disqualified. Language is a part of culture, right? More applicants should try applying with language so we can reach a more definite answer on that.

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Fąndn *******

@Shandy *******

maybe they just want us to spend money without learning Thai language so that it will be harder for ppl to look for jobs there 🤷

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Anonymous ******************

You'll anyway need a working permit for that.

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Marcus **********

eat hat.

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Bob **********

@Marcus *********

show me something from the government

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Bob **********

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Kieran *******

You don’t have to actually do it, just pay for it 🤷‍♂️

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Stefani ********

what about integrity?

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Marcus ******

@Stefani *******

they don't care if you do it or not, it's about investing into the Thai economy.

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Kieran *******

@Stefani *******

you’re sh1tting me right? 😂

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Stefani ********

actually, no

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Stefani ********

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Mercy *********

My understanding is that there are other sports available, cooking classes, etc. But I'll have to leave it up to those in the know as to what exactly and specific places for recommendation.

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Anonymous ******************

Well, if you're not a digital nomad or interested in any soft power activities (Muay Thai, Cooking Class, Medical), the DTV is simply not the right fit for you. Consider looking into other visa types that may better suit your profile.

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Marcus ******

can you read? Also the 5 secs you took to be a jackass, Google would have gave you the answer

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Arne *****

he edited his reply, jackass. You can take a moment to see the edit history before being a b#tch about it?

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Anonymous ******************

Arne Lap "Any soft power activitieS". I added information for the ones who can't read properly.

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Anonymous ******************

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Arne *****

Anonymous participant 713 you're saying Thailand's only soft power is Thai boxing? I'd be anonymous too with such an answer....

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Arne *****

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