Does attending a Thai language school qualify as a soft power activity for visa purposes?

No language classes

500k thai baht and while 1 or 2 people have got the DTV using thai language many have not and have been told to apply for an ED visa

For all DTV options you need to show a bank account of 500K baht (not 15K baht). From most responses, Thai language doesn’t count as an option (1 person has said they were successful but can’t supply any details). Most embassies don’t require you to show actual tickets, but that is embassy specific, with London being one that seems to ask more often than others. Length of time from applying to approval, depends on what embassy you apply through and you apply via the embassy in the country you are physically present. For example, Cambodia takes 11 business days while Vietnam 5. Online versus in person depends on which country you are in and what option they offer. Most embassies are moving to online (if not already) in January

Utilise the group’s search bar. All of your questions have been answered so many times in the group. Oh it won’t hurt to do your own research too. Start with the 15k baht bank statement.