Answered5 months ago
What are the best visa options for a 19-year-old training Muay Thai in Thailand after being refused entry?
Please help, my 19yo son just been refused entry into phuket (his second exempion visa) where he trains muay thai/MMA, I'm trying to sort a tourist/leisure visa but they want proof of funds from the last 3 month and he only has compensation money from when his dad died which sits in another account that's not in his name so his account only shows the small amounts that he keeps transferring when he has needed it. Any advice please much appreciated
Answer summary
A parent seeks advice after their 19-year-old son was refused entry into Thailand with a second exemption visa. The son, who trains in Muay Thai, needs proof of funds for a tourist or DTV visa but has limited funds readily available in his account. Comments suggest that applying for a DTV visa, which requires an approved training contract and sufficient funds, is preferable over a tourist visa. Many responses highlight the tightening of immigration rules and the necessity to provide substantial financial evidence. Critics advise against finding loopholes and emphasize the importance of following lawful procedures to avoid future entry issues.
114 repliesnewest first
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Gordon *********
Go to Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur did my visa in 3 working days. I stayed in Johor Bahru. Two things they asked for, Exit stamp or boarding pass from Thailand and a copy of all passport pages. Had a lump sum in UK bank account.
Graeme *******
Is he an actual tourist?
Huong *****
19 and broke in Thailand tell him time to man up join us navy or air force in a technical field. At 19 I was stationed in Naples Italy. Sure as fk wasn't having my mom fix my problems 😂 I've heard this generation ruined parent even come to job interviews 😂
ConfidentP**********
At 19 why isn't he figuring this out. He was here a year, but doesn't know the visa requirements?
Jeff *************
My Question is, he is 19 was living in Thailand , how come he isn’t on here asking for help, why did he call Mommy?
ERIK*****
Safe entry Agent, I can recommend one I Bangkok,
Phuket is hard airport
Phuket is hard airport
Emerald********
No money no honey
He’s been skating along for a long time already
Follow the rules thats it
He’s been skating along for a long time already
Follow the rules thats it
Carmena **********
Why didn't he get an education visa at a proper Muay Thai school and just not do visa runs? Everything would have been sorted. You don't trust him with the money he has inherited and that's why he's not allowed access to it and it's not in his name. That visa would have blocked him from using it.
Leevi ***********
second exemption entry?? and denied? how long has he been away?
Gregory *********
You need to consider how long he wants to study muay thai for and where he is etc. Those things are important. Do a google search you will find 2 visas suitable for up to 1 year and up to 5 years but they have requirements The ED visa for Muay Thai is the easiest and I would look at that first. A 19 year old isn't going to be thinking 5 years ahead. I would also look at just applying for a 2 month tourist visa and giving that a go. If he has 20,000 baht cash equivalent USD or EURO and in and out tickets that should be a perfectly legitimate route.
Christian ***********
For the most part, immigration is not F-ing around anymore. During my recent entry I saw at least 3 people in separate ques being turned away with the officer raising their voice. Not exactly denied, but something made them take notice. Even me, I'm on a LT visa and the officer said I still required the TDAC. It was cordial and a lesson learned.
SageLyc*******
Christian Pinegrove people just do border runs, back to back visa exempts half of them too broke for a fast track.
Christian ***********
SageLychee2183 I believe that has now come to an end, since immigration scrutinizes after the initial or 2nd visa run. They usually say get a valid visa when they're denied entry.
Peter ******
why has he been refused twice
Eric *******
Sounds like he’s SOL. He’s already been flagged. They’re going to scrutinize the DTV. If anything is missing doesn’t match 100% they’ll deny him.
DTV funds do not have to be from his account. They can be from yours or an available credit balance. It can be from a sponsor.
DTV funds do not have to be from his account. They can be from yours or an available credit balance. It can be from a sponsor.
HandsomeR**********
Eric Davis if you go to the OPs timeline, you can see her son has been flitting back and forth from Thailand pretty much full time for at least a year. So, yes, he is definitely being flagged.
Efficient*********
You can do dtv or even easier to qualify: 1 year language visa. I think they also have 1 year muay Thai visa. You've got options sis 😉
SageLyc*******
EfficientGuava1342
They will not be giving him a DTV anytime soon
They will not be giving him a DTV anytime soon
Sparky ******
FFS wake up tell him to get a real job and stop being a bum on back of others. 19 really ? Your a truly awful parent
Murray **********
Transfer more
David ********
So you're his dad but his dad died?
If you're his step father and he's 19 i think you need to let him be a big boy because he sounds like a trust fund baby who needs to sort his own shit out.
If you're his step father and he's 19 i think you need to let him be a big boy because he sounds like a trust fund baby who needs to sort his own shit out.
Dave *******
A 19 year old should be building his life up in UK. Career, home etc . Then when financially secure and more mature make a decision. Don't do DTV.
Charlimo *********
Dave Smith it's an absolute joje thinking a 19 year old should be building a career in boring and expensive Sh.. Britain!
A 19 year old should enjoy life, learn many different languages and things, see and experience life. I went to India when I was 23 and I learnt a million times more there than going to school in Germany. This you g men can learn much more in life living and trying to survive in Asia!
A 19 year old should enjoy life, learn many different languages and things, see and experience life. I went to India when I was 23 and I learnt a million times more there than going to school in Germany. This you g men can learn much more in life living and trying to survive in Asia!
Peter ************
Contact a visa agent. It won’t be cheap but perhaps something can be done.
Shaun ***************
The same thing happened to me and my 18 year-old son a few years ago. They wouldn’t let him come home. He had to go back to the country he was border bouncing from. He sat there for several weeks until a proper visa came through. Good luck. I know it’s so crazy stressful.
Gordon *******
Shaun Kiles Enrico Crazy?
Enforcing the rules!
Enforcing the rules!
Xavier *******
Go home
Andy **********
Go home get a job
Phil ******
Go back.home get a job and support himself
KindNar********
Maybe ask an agent. I am researching agents and can give you a couple of names.
Sujy *********
Contact an agent, he can get in safely with them.
Tony ******
Sounds like he got refused due to being unable to so he has money
NA'Ahulelua *********
Don’t try to find loopholes or ways of beating the system. Play by their rules. it’s the most common sense thing to do if you want to keep entering the kingdom in the future.
Paul **********
Thai.Visa Services in Bangkok They are very helpfull
Paul **********
NA'Ahulelua Makekau Correct
Ralph *******
He should have a DTV for what he is doing. Transfer the funds he needs to his named account and apply for the visa.
Terary **********
Book travel to Malasyia - then cross by land border, easier to use an agent and if you get denied you can come back.
Greg ******
time for your immature mama’s boy to grow up and follow the rules.
Geoff ********
Greg Pill oh dear, you're a bitter Pill Greg.......
Brian ********
If the traveler cannot show proof, they can be denied entry even with a valid visa.
Somchai ********
Best pay for an agent go in as his sponsor
Somchai ********
Best pay for an agent go in as his sponsor
Larry *********
just have him transfer funds to his checking or savings account. Thai immigration wants to see enough funds in his bank statement for a few months.
Henrik ******************
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Thorsten ***********
Send him home to Russia!!!
Luc ************
You're 19 yo son has to go home. Wrong visa, wrong intentions. 🤷♂️
Patricia *********
Too bad he didn’t go to the beach and ask one of them Indians how they get away with it. Then again, maybe they never leave.
Vincent ******
Go to an agent they will cook the books
Terry ************
If he is going to fight he will need a work permit !!
He will be earning !!
He will be earning !!
Steve *******
He should use the money he has to buy a flight home.
MagentaGo**********
Can he write a letter to explain his situation and where is the supporting fund from? May add one more guarantee letter from the supporter.
Rodger **********
Bye bye
Chris *********
I have a friend that used someone else's bank statement and photoshopped his name on it for DTV visa. Worked just fine.
Toby ******
Chris Smeader yeah recommend the criminal route, great.
Chris *********
Toby Shaw The entire government of Thailand is criminal. Just following the example.
Greg ******
Chris Smeader what is this friends full legal name? lol 😂
Hai *****
Chris Smeader
That's fraud..... hope your friend dun slip up and get caught.
That's fraud..... hope your friend dun slip up and get caught.
Chris *********
Hai San There is really no way to get caught. The whole system is pretty primitive. Also, there is really no auditing of the individual after initial visa approval.
Hai *****
Chris Smeader
You never know........ there never is a perfect crime.
Sometimes shit happens when you least expect it.
Good luck to your friend.
You never know........ there never is a perfect crime.
Sometimes shit happens when you least expect it.
Good luck to your friend.
Mark *************************
Pay agent and settle it. Not worth the hassle. Believe me, even if you have full documentation, the immigration can deny your entry because they dont like how you look that day. Sounds dumb? No, the fact is you are at the mercy of the immigration officer stamping you in, and that is a fact.
Kevin *********
Send him back home. They won't let him in.
Alexandr *************
Doesn't he even have any cash? Any problem can be solved but he needs money. Even after he gets in, he needs money. Guys don't think that Thailand is cheap. Yes you can leave cheaply, but one mistake or some accident and you might need tens of thousands $.
Jim *********
He is not a tourist so why do you think he should be eligible for a Tourist Visa?
Jordan *******
DTV
William ***********
He can apply online for a tourist visa. If the embassy in his location is on the ball he can be in Thailand next weekend.
Glennstev ***********
Are they putting him on the next flight home or can he go to a nearby country.eg.Laos..or Vietnam till he gets correct visa?
Sean *******
Train in Vietnam 3 months then Thailand 3 months rinse and repeat
wolfmuaythaigym.com
wolfmuaythaigym.com
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Mark *********
Ter ******
Just get an agent.
@AllSabaai *****
THAI ******************************
Please have them contact our team:
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Jeffrey *********
Go mannerrat if Pattaya best get agent sort outt
Peter *********
Ask a visa agent
Scott *******
Thai education visa for learning mui Thai 1 year ? You are not allowed to come and go on exemptions
PinkCroc*********
Scott Lindh yep and get and agent to sort it. Solved but I think she wants a magic pill. There is none.
Scott *******
PinkCrocodile4869 not anymore :(
Rose *****
Write a letter saying you are his sponsor for 1500 usd pe month. he can apply DTV visa with that.
Allison *********
Rose Msp not true. He doesn't need a letter for income for DTV. He still needs to show money in the bank as a base requirement for DTV & then sign up with a muay thai gym that offers DTV visa packages.
Rose *****
Allison Phoenix not if he has a sponsor. Not going to debate with you. Read the requirements carefully. ;)
Ginger ******
Allison Phoenix the Thai government website you apply for your tourist visa or DTV visa says " bank statements for 3 months or sponsor letter"
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Rob *********
19 years old? Get him the fuck out of there before we end up with another ‘we don’t what happened to little Jimmy, he just said he was going to the full moon party with his Thai friends…’ JFC
Fox ****
I know an agent who can help. Just send me a message if you need their contact.
Ed ********
was it back to back visa exempts
Darren *******
Ed Dillon presumably yes, also looking at OPs profile it would appear her son has spent quite a considerable amount of time in Thailand too, which would probably be why they're asking for money as a way to deny him entry on a visa exemption.
Dca *****
Financial evidence: amount of no less than £11,000 (500,000 THB), e.g. bank statements, sponsorship letter
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Vera **************
Phuket is a law on its own , he should fly in through BKK to start with. while DTV is an option , student visa (ED) might be easier and if he really trains then it’s a better option . Fly into BKK on visa exempt and get some agent to sort out ED, can also contact the school in Phuket to see if they can arrange it
Gordon *******
DTV visa.He's been in Thailand for over a year now, that's why Immigration have pulled him up.
Just enforcing the rules unfortunately for your lad.
He's been in and out on Border runs and they're tightening up now
Just enforcing the rules unfortunately for your lad.
He's been in and out on Border runs and they're tightening up now
Flemming ****
The thai immigration are not wanting people with no funds anymore….
The years with countless visa runs are over… It worked in the 90’ies…
Follow the rules 👍👍👍
The years with countless visa runs are over… It worked in the 90’ies…
Follow the rules 👍👍👍
Mark *********
Flemming: No, yes, indeed. 👍👍 The only way to stay here long-term is legally, which is fair – the Thai government wants to reduce the number of illegal immigrants.
สก็อต *********
Family member can sponsor
Greg ***********
สก็อต อัลการ์ no, this is not an option anymore for the application to a tourist visa, and also not for the application to a DTV
Ginger ******
Greg Alexander according to the Thai government eVisa site a sponsor letter is still an option for the financial evidence needed. Doesn't say what or who a sponsor actually is?
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Alex ********
Greg Alexander Wrong.
สก็อต *********
Greg Alexander ah well
Will ************
DTV 500k baht equivalent in his own bank account, 10k baht fee and a fully paid up Muay Thai course for a minimum of 9 months
Sam *************
@Will ***********
the money would have to be in his account for several months though.Looks like Jimmy is going home for a while
Clare **********
Best bet pay an Agent 🙏
Yo***
Clare Newstead illegal😝😝
Clare **********
Young tell that to the Thai visa centre
Ken ************
Contact an Agent
HandsomeR**********
Not sure what advice help here. The visa rules are very clear and you have been told what he needs to show. He or you will have to move the funds and apply again properly.
John **********
Forget a tourist visa, it's not much more than a visa exempt entry. If he trains Muay Thai seriously he can apply for a DTV which gives him 5 years in 180 day chunks but he needs to sign up with an approved gym for more than 6 months training and have at least 500k baht in a bank account. Plus he will need to show how he can support himself for the duration of the visa.
Srey *******
@John *********
you need to be 20 to apply for the DTVJohn **********
@Srey ******
good point. I missed that
Arnold *****
@John *********
I wonder if they count you as age 1 when you're born like some other asian countries do.Activity
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