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What are the best Muay Thai gyms in Bangkok for DTV applications, and are 1-month memberships still likely to be approved?

Nov 2, 2025
2 months ago
Hello!

Used the search function and found some good info on this group, and also quite a few long posts which were a little unrelated... so was hoping this might bring all answers into one!

Applying in UK with British passport.

Question:

-Please can you recommend best/cheapest muay thai gyms in Bangkok, that are experienced with the DTV and applications are successful?

Tiger Eye is currently top of my list, also because they offer yoga/meditation classes as a possible alternative (although not sure if that would be a valid option for DTV application - feel free to answer this tooπŸ™‚).

Also, in your experience, are 1-mnth only memberships becoming less & less approved (need 3 mnths +)?

Really appreciate your help πŸ™
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post seeks recommendations for the best and cheapest Muay Thai gyms in Bangkok that are experienced with DTV (non-immigrant visa for education) applications for a British passport holder. The user is considering 'Tiger Eye' gym and inquires about the validity of courses like yoga for the DTV application. Insights from comments indicate mixed opinions on the required course length, with some suggesting 1-month memberships are still being approved, while others advocate for 3 months or longer, citing a trend towards longer courses being favored.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I am exchanging emails with Eye Tiger, who are fantastic, and they are saying there is a lot of scaremongering happening online and people are being approved with 1-mnth packages through their gym. If they were trying to push larger packages (to make more money), I'd be suspicious, so the fact that they say shorter memberships are being approved tells me they're a respectable good-natured gym. They're saying that if an embassy requires a minimum course length they will explicitly let you know and a Western embassy would allow me to upgrade to a bigger package if necessary... but I cannot find anywhere on the official London Thai Embassy website, or anywhere online, specifically outlining what course length they want 😩 I may not stay in the same area and may end up joining different gyms, or whatever happens... so not keen on buying a 6-mnth package, but there is mixed info it seems. Lots of DTVers (including Eye Tiger gym themselves) are saying 1-mnth is fine, and then other people are saying you'll get rejected. Either way, I am grateful for everyones ongoing help & comments and will do my best to make an informed decision based on what everyone says πŸ™ I won't get 1 month, I will get at least 3mnths πŸ™

Constructive help is welcome, sharpness will not be necessary - I take on board everything everyone advises, as long as it's done politely... we're all learning, and we've all been newbies at some stage in our life and it's clear the requirements can vary even within the same country, otherwise this group wouldn't get so many questions πŸ˜…
Henrik *****
Thumbs up for using the groups resources optimal and use the search.

Did you search for the Embassy to be used specifically, because most requirements are embassy specific.

Be attentive to the date of the advise you will follow, since requirements change over time.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
I did yes, thank you πŸ™ wanted to get people's ideas on most popular/cheapest Muay Thai gyms, but so far seems Eye Tiger is best option. London Embassy ask for passport page, recent photo, proof of location (I'll supply driving licence and utility bill), financial evidence of Β£11,000 (which I have), and proof of confirmation to attend activity. They're not specific on how many months of bank statements or classes, but that seems to be a common theme. So I'll just provide what they've asked and have to hope they'll request more documentation rather than just straight up rejection πŸ™
Henrik *****
Request for additional documentation can reset the visa processing clock to zero, so remember to take that into account.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for the advice πŸ™ I will be applying at least 8 weeks in advance so should be more than enough leeway πŸ‘
Kool *******
For classes 6 months, or less, many have been given METVs instead. The multi-entry tourist visa valid for 6 months. More than 6 months of paid for classes are now the norm.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
That's interesting, I've seen loads of people saying they were approved with 1-mnth only package... I can imagine immigration may be becoming stricter - getting a 5 year visa for just a few months classes (which most people don't even seem to attend), is already pretty awesome Thanks for your insight πŸ‘
James ********
Don't risk One month of Muay Thai training...the reply by
@Kool ******
is Spot On βœ…
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Noted - thank you πŸ™
Kool *******
Anonymous participant originally you could get it with just one week of classes. Now it is 6+ months, and changing weekly.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thanks for your help, that's good to know πŸ™
Kyle **********
u need to look in a course that's 6+months, 3 months isn't safe anymore
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
That's interesting, I've seen loads of people saying they were approved with 1-mnth only package... I have contacted Tiger Eye and their website seems to say that if the Embassy deem 1-mnth only membership as insufficient then you can always upgrade to bigger package, but I wonder if they mean after being rejected πŸ˜… would be good to have the option to upgrade to more classes (like providing additional documentation) rather than a straight up refusalπŸ˜… Even if you fully meet all the requirements, there seems to be a little approval inconsistency even within the same Embassy, but from what I've read that's typical of Thailand πŸ˜… I've visited multiple times over the years and I'm looking forward to the move even if there are a few hoops... I think we should be grateful we can get a 5yr visa with just a few months classes πŸ™
James ********
Again I say... DON'T RISK ONE MONTH... AND THERE'S NO SECOND CHANCE TO CHANGE.. your application is simply DENIED or issued a SETV single entry tourist visa..60 days STAMP on arrival.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Thank you - noted πŸ™
Henrik *****
Be careful and make sure that answers you read are recent.
Anonymous *************
ORIGINAL POSTER
Agreed, thank you πŸ™
Andi ***********
Tiger Eye is a solid option and many DTVERS approved via them. Muay Thai is the course they offer for DTV approval but you get access to yoga etc. less than a 6 month plus course often leads to a rejection.