Unanswered10 months ago
How can I obtain a 5-year DTV Soft Power Visa in Chiang Mai while working remotely?
Hi Everyone, I'm in Austin Texas, USA and have already have flight booked from DFW to CNX on January 11th, 2026. I can cleanly show bank statements, a portfolio of clients and sales of IP assets.
Can you recommend a school or agent who can help me get a 5-year DTV Soft Power Visa in Chiang Mai?
I sent a formal inquiry letter to New Stamford Language School and followed up through Facebook, WhatsApp and LinkedIn but never heard back.
Can you recommend a school or agent who can help me get a 5-year DTV Soft Power Visa in Chiang Mai?
I sent a formal inquiry letter to New Stamford Language School and followed up through Facebook, WhatsApp and LinkedIn but never heard back.
Summary so far
A user is seeking recommendations for schools or agents to help obtain a 5-year DTV Soft Power Visa in Chiang Mai before their flight on January 11, 2026. They have made inquiries with New Stamford Language School but have not received a response. Community comments suggest that language schools may not be covered under the DTV soft power route and emphasize the importance of applying under the workation route if planning to work remotely. Advice is given to visit Chiang Mai to explore schools directly, and one user mentions TSL Chiang Mai offering a DTV program.
52 repliesnewest first
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Hayakawa ***********
TSL Chiang Mai has DTV program with Thai soft power , Saturday Thai culture classes
Jeramy ********
@Hayakawa **********
quick followup… do you or have you attended TSL? Was considering them, but want to ensure a smooth process. The cultureal classes look fun and very interesting, and you can attended language classes too if you choose. Sounds good. Thoughts?Kim **********
OP@Jeramy *******
He's the owner & CEO.Jeramy ********
@Kim *********
well then… thats funny… was looking for an independent recommendation.
Ej ****
I've not been to these schools, but I hear good things about them.
*****************************************
and ******************************************
Have you been to Chiang Mai? If not, maybe take a trip here for at least a month and scout out the various schools. Nothing beats speaking to the school directly. Many business will not post their information online, as it changes frequently. Best of luck to you.John **********
If you plan to work remotely from Thailand then you need to apply using the workation route. Applying under the soft power route does not provide permission to work
Kim **********
OPI got the answer I needed a long time ago. No need to win an argument or continue escalating. Thank you everyone for taking the time to read my situation and offer help. The admin can close the comments for this post. 🛂🇹🇭🛕🙇
Khun ******
I'm going for a massage now. Why don't you go for a walk or something?
Khun ******
If you had a DTV you'd know Immigration don't want anything to do with it. It's just a special TOURIST visa which allows you to work remotely too. No need to get your knickers in a twist about it my ole chap. 😎
Kim **********
OPIn my original post, I was simply asking for recommendations for an institution that sponsors DTV Soft Power Visas. That is all. I'm not asking for the final approval. Only immigration has jurisdiction over that decision.
Khun ******
@Kim *********
Muay Thai Fever are very experienced with DTVs. You don't have to train MT either you can just use their fitness equipment.John **********
@Kim *********
but you also indicated you would work from Thailand so soft power is not suitableKim **********
OP@John *********
I have sufficient financial resources to show clean bank statements and a letter from a legitimate sponsor to meet their DTV Soft Power requirements. I am not seeking employment in Thailand.Khun ******
@John *********
So where does it say the different types of DTV? Workation, soft power and dependants.John **********
@Khun *****
on the very immage you posted, again with the OR highlighted. If you'd prefer I have a copy of the Thai original somewhere but here's a Google translate of the relevant section "(1) Foreigners who wish to reside in Thailand for tourism and remote work include foreigners who wish to travel to Thailand for long-term tourism, foreigners who wish to travel to Thailand for remote work, such as highly skilled groups, self-employed groups, remote work groups, or foreigners who wish to reside in Thailand for other activities such as learning Muay Thai and martial arts, learning to cook, learning and practicing sports, medical treatment, training, seminars, art and music performances.
(2) dependents of the alien under (1) who are spouses and legitimate children not exceeding twenty years of age."
John **********
@Khun *****
you believe whatever you want my friend. But I'm telling you are wrong. Just go to immigration and try to apply for an extension based on workation using a DTV applied for under soft power and let me know how you get on. Happy to waitKhun ******
@John *********
That's your interpretation. It's quite clear to me and others that a DTV is a DTV. And you are free to do anything which qualifies.Are you aware the DTV is a tourist visa? And is not comparable to Non O visas which have the categories clearly stated on the visas.
John **********
@Khun *****
the application route leads to the purpose of the DTV. There is one DTV that is issued for different purposes, you can't chop and change the purpose it was issued forKhun ******
@John *********
Yes that's the application routes we know that. Where does it say about the different DTV types?Or does it just say a DTV?
Jef ********
This ⬆️
Khun ******
Hopefully this shuts him up.
John **********
@Khun *****
see my response above, it's easy to pick out words that tell the story as you wish it to be told while omitting words that tell the actual story
James ********
I Hope that he does not shut up. He's among the finest members of this forum and I welcome reading his advice.
Jef ********
James , do
You even have a DTV ?
You even have a DTV ?
Khun ******
@James *******
Hopefully he prints his DTV when he gets one.Khun ******
@John *********
Here's the translation from the official publication in the Royal Gazette. It clearly says for tourism and remote work. And says a DTV and doesn't differentiate.A DTV is a DTV. You're welcome.
John **********
@Khun *****
and yet under point 3 which lays out the various options they clearly differentiate between them. Note the OR which I've highlighted in yellow. If they weren't separated that would be an ANDJef ********
John you are Wrong on this it’s one visa , with different qualifications routes…….. nothing in there says you can’t be a remote worker who cooks and fights etc!
Jef ********
Nice work Mate !!!
Jef ********
Boom 💥
Jef ********
My remarks say passport expiring 2028.
John **********
@Kim *********
look at the smart visa options and see if they fitJohn **********
@Kim *********
its not just about monetizing. Work is work. But if you are not working remotely then the DTV based on workation is not for you. But because you are working the DTV based on soft power is not for you either. I'd recommend that you speak to the BOI about the possibility of a SMART visa***************************************************
Kim **********
OP@John *********
Are saying that if I apply for a DTV Visa, I must choose either 1) the workcation or 2) the soft power option? I just got a letter package today from Discover Thai Nature documenting that I have been approved for: "Certificate of Enrollment - Seminar Thai Botany, Plants and Herbs." I assume this is the Soft Power Visa. I also have sufficient ability to show clean bank statements. 🏦John **********
Yes. You apply for the DTV for a purpose and it gets issued to you for a purpose. You can't legitimately use it for a different purpose.
@Jef *******
is misleading you.Jef ********
Shows us something that says you can’t Mr DTV police 👮 it’s the same visa there isn’t 3 different DTV visas.
If you had a DTV you would know this but the stamp you get when you arrive it simply says DTV.
There is no DTV-01 or DTV-W etc
Only DTV
Further to my point…. People on a 60 day exempt can go learn Muay Thai or cooking
The same as someone on elite can go learn cooking or Muay Thai.
Under your rules you are saying that only DTV soft power can do Muay Thai or cooking .
Go to sleep mate you need to rest a bit please
If you had a DTV you would know this but the stamp you get when you arrive it simply says DTV.
There is no DTV-01 or DTV-W etc
Only DTV
Further to my point…. People on a 60 day exempt can go learn Muay Thai or cooking
The same as someone on elite can go learn cooking or Muay Thai.
Under your rules you are saying that only DTV soft power can do Muay Thai or cooking .
Go to sleep mate you need to rest a bit please
John **********
@Khun *****
please show me something official that confirms that you can.Jef ********
Correct, I’m 99.9% sure that he is one of these guys who is on a retirement visa that is so disgruntled that he has to show his 800k every year and upset he doesn’t qualify for this visa.
That’s my take on it
That’s my take on it
Khun ******
@Kim *********
Ignore Johnny Stanners you can work remotely on any DTV.John **********
But you will be working for yourself. That was my "work is work" point
Kim **********
OP@John *********
Then I will apply for the Soft Power DTV Visa because I won't be working for anyone.Jef ********
That will be fine ( you can still do remote work under soft power) the different visa sections are for qualifying ( some people think different)
The same as you do workcation ( remote worker) you can still attend soft power activities like seminars , Muay Thai cooking , medical etc
The same as you do workcation ( remote worker) you can still attend soft power activities like seminars , Muay Thai cooking , medical etc
Khun ******
@Jef *******
He doesn't have a DTV, no idea what he's doing on here. He likes to think he's a Tax expert too.John **********
@Jef *******
that's a totally misleading comparison. What you are implying is you get a Non-O based on retirement which you can't work on, but because you want to work in Thailand you're going to treat it as a Non-O based on marriage which you can work on. Like I said, visas are issued for a purpose. The purpose under which you applyJef ********
Please show us proof otherwise. It literally only the qualification to get the visa, it’s like saying after 6 months of soft power you have to self deport.
Or after 1 year you loose your remote job you have to self deport and never come back.
It’s literally only qualifying for the visa.
Or after 1 year you loose your remote job you have to self deport and never come back.
It’s literally only qualifying for the visa.
Jef ********
Johnny boy , that’s like saying you can’t marry a Thai person on a retirement visa , or Retire on a marriage visa…… it’s all the same visa it’s just the qualification to obtain the visa is different.
Do you even have a DTV ?
Do you even have a DTV ?
John **********
@Jef *******
please show me anywhere official that says you can work remotely on a soft power DTV. A DTV is applied for using a particular purpose and is issued for that purpose.
DTV_Be*******
Language schools are not usually covered by DTV. Also, not sure you will have enough time to process by Jan 11th
Kim **********
OPDTV_BegPecker My plane ticket has the option to rebook without charge.
DTV_Be*******
@Kim *********
that is good, as you will most likely need to rebook. Too many others post on here how they can’tDTV_Be*******
@Kim *********
that is goodKim **********
OPDTV_BegPecker I've already built that option in. Rebooking is not a problem and there's no charge.
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