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Can I extend my Thai visa after completing a short cooking course?

Visa ExtensionThai Visa RulesSoft Power VisaNon-O VisaCooking SchoolBorder Bounce
Mar 11, 2025
23 days ago
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Has anyone had an extention granted after actually finishing their soft power activity? I went to cooking school for two weeks and was granted a Visa on those grounds. Will the certificate of completion be sufficient for en extention, or does it have to be an ongoing activity?
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The conversation revolves around concerns about extending a visa granted for attending a two-week cooking school in Thailand. Users largely agree that the completion certificate from the cooking course is insufficient for a visa extension, as it typically requires ongoing or new educational activities. Suggestions include performing a 'border bounce' to obtain a new 180-day stamp, and various comments caution against attempting to extend under such circumstances without valid ongoing criteria.
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Sean *******
Just fly out and back like I just did after staying 6 months. Stamped back in again no questions asked.
22 days ago
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David ***********
You did not go to cooking school in Thailand for two weeks and then were granted a 5 year DTV. I mean, you can’t be in the country when applying. Are you serious or trolling with this question?
22 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
No, I'm serious, if you look up earlier posts in this group you'll se multiple people got it on those grounds. I also know other people did not, so you know ....
22 days ago
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David ***********
Anonymous participant I’m mainly teasing. You received the DTV after you paid for the course and before you attended it. Don’t listen to the negative Nancies — just border bounce and enjoy life.
22 days ago
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Greg ********
Anonymous participant Yes plenty have got the DTV Visa in same grounds as you but for extension they are likely to ask for ongoing activity booked. I would fly in and out if I was you.
22 days ago
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Greg ********
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Erik *******
You absolutely don’t meet the requirements to do an extension. Do a border bounce and get a 180 days stamp while it’s still allowed …
22 days ago
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Lee ***********
Have you read about people being interrogated upon re entry to justify there being in the kingdom under soft power! Expect to be able to explain how to cook several Thai dishes if they pull you.

People are correct, why a 5 year visa for a 2 week course, ask yourself, if its questionable then expect questions.

It's right, people like you ruin it for the rest and people telling you how to get around it are just as bad.

Watch this space over the coming months and how things change.

Enjoy...whilst you can
22 days ago
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Nick *******
@Lee **********
 wow. People like you ruin these groups
22 days ago
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Lee ***********
@Nick ******
 matter of opinion, could be the author is ruining it for everyone have you thought of that? Or does her blatant disrespect of the DTV sit best with you!
21 days ago
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Nick *******
you are entitled to your opinion but she is just trying to find a way to make it work in her situation - nothing wrong with that. I would take any bet you don't, or won't pay your taxes in Thailand if you stay long enough. Saying someone is ruining it for everyone else just makes you sound like an entitled bully, who thinks they are better than everyone else
21 days ago
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Nick *******
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Nick *******
You’ve got no mates mate. The fact you have 3 friends on FB just shows you are only here to troll people. I’m sorry your porn hub subscription has expired - hopefully you will find something better to do soon
21 days ago
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Bobby *******
@Nick ******
 he has no idea what he’s talking about
22 days ago
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Nick *******
@Bobby ******
 totally unecessary to tell people they are ruining it for others. Obviously thinks he is better than anyone else
22 days ago
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Nick *******
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Nick ******
 I totally agree with you.
22 days ago
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Lee ***********
@Nick ******
 truth hurts
22 days ago
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Nick *******
@Lee **********
 yes it does doesn’t it. This might help you mate
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22 days ago
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Lee ***********
@Nick ******
 I'm not your mate period
21 days ago
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Lee ***********
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Anna *********
@Lee **********
 the OP applied and received a valid visa so your comments are unnecessary. Any issues you have with soft power DTV should be taken up with the authorities who designed it
22 days ago
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Lee ***********
@Anna ********
 this is a forum, she posted and everyone is entitled to reply. I don't make law, I see, hear and have my own thoughts and opinions. You don't like that then move on.
22 days ago
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Anna *********
@Lee **********
 you’re the one who should have moved on as they asked for advice not your opinion
22 days ago
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Anna *********
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I'm not trying to "get around" anything, but make your assumptions. I have the paperwork to prove anything I've said to immigration should the need arrise, and photographic evidence of me finishing the course. What's with the attitude? I have actually followed all the rules, and you just jump on here and assume since I post anonymosly I'm a fraud? Can there be another reason? Like not wanting all the pms from random people I got last time I posted anything here? In my opinion you are in breach of the rules governing civil discourse in this group by making unfounded accusations like that.
22 days ago
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Andries *********
Anonymous participant He's just enjoying the ride on his high horse, don't worry about it. But the advice given by other people seems correct. For extension an ongoing activity is required.
22 days ago
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Lee ***********
@Andries ********
 and others said the same, how on earth they gave a five year visa for a 2 week course is ridiculous and it's logical if pulled on re entry to havebto explain, have you not read people reporting exactly that. It's not all Rose tinted glasses, hard facts are not sometimes the bouquet you were hoping for.
22 days ago
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Andries *********
@Lee **********
 It looks like you are assuming my glasses are rose coloured and I expect bunches of flowers. I assure you they are not and I do not. Just let go of the idea that your opinion is a hard fact. Just let go of the belief that when you think something is ridiculous, it automatically is. Trust me, I am has highly opinionated, just as you are, I just keep it in perspective.
22 days ago
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Lee ***********
@Andries ********
 and entitled you are to yours, let's watch things as they unfold over the coming months. Sending you 🌹
22 days ago
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Lee ***********
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Jeremy *****
🤦‍♂️😂😂😂

Shouldn't have been given it for a 2 week class to begin with so yeah no😂
22 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy ****
 Why not? It does not specify any time limit on the DTV site, and when I asked at the embassy about if there was one they said no. I think they slapped this thing together because they want people to come in and spend their money here. It might have gotten stricter as of now though. I got it very early.
22 days ago
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Jeremy *****
As to the wanting people to spend money here, based on half the posts on here most can barley prove the 500k baht so I doubt 70% are spending but the absolute bare minimum here.

Many who live off mommy and daddy's money , many who make a grand or 2 a month etc.

Hell if you keep an eye on here half it also seems they are seeing it as some cheap way to get in the door and will probably end up deported for breaking the rules like working for thai companies etc😂

The amount of fraud is crazy truly !
22 days ago
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Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy ****
 Well, no fraud here. Was open about everything and aproved by the embassy. Thanks for sharing your opinion.
22 days ago
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Anonymous *************
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Jeremy *****
Because 2weeks can be done with a regular visa exempt entry or many other shorter visas and defeats the purpose of the need for 5 years

It literally makes sense and this type of "soft power" will dissapear on I guarantee it.

I hope it gets alot stricter truly

If they're going to keep this visa around it literally makes no sense to allow this type .

And it's just going to lead to as you say much much stricter rules

I signed up for 5 years of muay thai , 5 years of botany seminars as well as several cooking classes just for this reason

So when they do make it stricter I am covered

I see many losing there's infact in the future
22 days ago
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Jeremy *****
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Wannikea *********
You absolutely need to have an ongoing continuing or new course for an in country extension. Suggest you border bounce.
22 days ago
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Meaw ************
Border run, if you dont have another enrollment you would be ask why you want to extend and stay here since your course finish 😊
22 days ago
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Pi *****
You must show video evidence of you cooking Thai dishes everyday for 180 days to extend
22 days ago
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James ********
Don't do the extension in Thailand...you don't meet the requirements for it.

Do a simple BORDER BOUNCE to get the new 180 day stamp.
23 days ago
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Richard *********
Better keep cooking the next 5 years. If you fly in and out i would presume that they would automatically give you a new 180 days stamp without further questions
23 days ago
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Angie *********
Interested
23 days ago
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Angie *********
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