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Can I apply for the DTV Visa for gym membership instead of Muay Thai?

DTV Visa Visa Application Thailand Visa Categories Sports Training Visa Expat Visa Advice Fitness Visa Gym Membership Visa Retirement Visa Alternatives

Feb 4, 2026

3 months ago

Mark ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I am looking to apply for the DTV Visa. However I have no interest in Muay Thai, on a number of levels. Instead, I'm seeking to apply on the basis of gym membership. I am in my 60s. I am good at gym and can run 10km or walk 30km. I want my application to be completely genuine. From the research that I have done, I would need:

● acceptance letter from gym and trainer

● six months (preferably a year) course

● 500k THB

● gym certification/ business license 

● proof of payment

● current proof of location outside Thailand 

●  training schedule 

Please don't suggest Thai cooking as I don't wish to tarnish the good reputation of Thai cooking. Nor do I really want to do a retirement visa at this stage. I won't do anything that is contrived or nor genuine as this isn't who I am.

More specifically, has anyone else applied for a DTV for "sports training". Sports training is listed as a seperate category from  Muay Thai. Thank you in advance for any positive and constructive advice. 🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The poster is seeking guidance on applying for a DTV Visa in Thailand for fitness training, specifically gym membership, rather than Muay Thai. They emphasize their genuine intent and provide a potential list of required documents. However, several comments suggest that the DTV Visa soft power category is heavily associated with Muay Thai and that opting for alternative activities may be risky. Users suggest exploring retirement visas or hiring a visa agent, indicating a lack of precedence for the poster's approach.

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Sefton ********

Going to the gym is a not a soft power activity 🤣

3 months ago

A. ************

I think you are taking a real chance not going for muay thai. The soft power category was setup, other than the medical treatment, as a way to spread Thai culture. Just do a Thai Cooking course. The schools aren't trying to train you to be a chef who specializes in thai food. They are basically the classes tourists take for a couple of hours for Instagram proof they did something cool in Thailand.

3 months ago

Mark ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

A. Nony Mous you haven't seen my cooking

3 months ago

Reply to

Mark ***********

John *********

Go thru a good visa agent and get a non o retirement visa

3 months ago

Mark ********

Read the requirements....

3 months ago

Mark ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Mark *******

troll

3 months ago

Reply to

Mark ***********

Andrew *********

3 months ago

Mark ***********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andrew ********

thank you

3 months ago

Reply to

Mark ***********

Jef ********

The softpower Muay Thai is pretty specific to mauy thai.

If it covered fitness people would just buy a 2,000 baht a month fitness first membership.

So your options are only what they provide.

Muay thai

Cooking

Medial

Or

Remote worker.

If you are over 50 you should apply for retirement visa, if you have heaps of cash apply for elite visa, if you are really wealthy you could qualify for LTR.

There has been no reports of people doing what you have suggested.

As I mentioned the Muay thai is very specific route. People often even after buying a 6 months package get asked even to still proof they have an intrest in Muay Thai ( photos of them training or at events)

Remote worker is flexible, business owners , remote workers , social media you tube etc. ( remote based income)

3 months ago

DTV_Be*******

@Jef *******

that is the problem, there are actually a few other categories listed on the official announcement, but it was vague and no one that I have seen has tried to figure out what it means. The advert also includes sports training, seminars, and music festivals

3 months ago

Jef ********

Good pick up

3 months ago

Jef ********

Fair enough, he should try…. I’d imagine if it was possible people would have done it by now

3 months ago

Reply to

Jef ********

Can I apply for a DTV Visa based on gym membership instead of Muay Thai in Thailand?

45 comments

3 months ago