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What is the minimum duration for a soft power course in Thailand, and how does it affect my visa duration?

Soft Power Visa Thai Visa Rules Education Visa Muay Thai Training Cooking Classes Visa Application Process Expat Life in Thailand

Oct 28, 2025

8 days ago

John****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello people Im applying under soft power 

How long a course should be whats the minimum duration? Like 6 months ? 

So if i take a 1 year course will it help my visa for whole 5 years or  just that first year only ?

Muay thai or cooking class which is affordable ? 

Recommend a school if possible 

Im on a budget !!

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The minimum course duration for a soft power visa in Thailand is typically 6 months, but enrolling in a course of at least 1 year is recommended to ensure support for the visa over the long term. Courses under this visa, such as Muay Thai or cooking classes, should ideally be pursued continuously for 5 years to maintain visa eligibility. Some recommended schools include Muay Thai Fever and Dowden Muay Thai, both offering courses around 15,000฿. Currently, it's suggested to take at least a 6-month course to avoid renewal complications in the future, since rules can change.

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Anonymous ******************

Enrol for the 1 year if possible. If you go 2-3 times a week, you'll use up the package quickly

7 days ago

John****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Anonymous participant 232 i heard 6 months is enough for the visa and then they let us in without next registration

7 days ago

Anonymous ******************

Johnny47 embassies are getting more strict. I've seen some people get denied a dtv and given a 6 month multiple entry tourist visa instead if their course is short. Hence if you can afford it, I would sign up for 12 months. Maybe search the group for which embassy you're applying at and read their success story for mt

7 days ago

Reply to

Anonymous ******************

Alan *****

If you apply for the soft power. Do you have to attend, or just pay for the course 😉😉😉

8 days ago

Khun ******

Johnny47 No you don't, this guy asked the Embassy in Canberra that question.

7 days ago

James ********

@Alan ****

attend the course of study in person. Period 🩸

7 days ago

John****

ORIGINAL POSTER

@James *******

once 6 months is over with muaythai , should i have enroll for next 6 months to keep the dtv visa ?

7 days ago

James ********

Johnny47 At this time... not required unless you seek to obtain the 180 Day extension inside Thailand. Watch the forum for updates.

7 days ago

Reply to

James ********

Kurt *************

I would say no less then a year. But never know when they going to start restricting the rules like they just did with the ED visa demanding that you show that you actually are attending the whole 5 year when your actually in thailand. But for now 1 year is fine

8 days ago

Anonymous ******************

Signing for more than 6 months is definitely a good idea for the application. Now, regarding whether it will help your 5-year visa; it will, if you plan to sign contibuously for the next 5 years. However, it may not help if you’re expecting to avoid checks in the coming years with just a single 1-year subscription. For now, this isn’t being checked, but no one can guarantee that it will stay that way.

8 days ago

Muay ******************

*********************

15,000 for 6 month course

8 days ago

John****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Muay Thai Fever Gym im planning to live in Bangkok and this gym is in chiang mai so will they accept this for dtv ?

8 days ago

Muay ******************

Johnny47 location is not a problem for acceptance but if you want to train its better to choose a gym local to you

7 days ago

John****

ORIGINAL POSTER

Muay Thai Fever Gym yes now sorta like chiangmai because of nature and i like this gym many people recommending and is there any website to rent a home for like 6 months or year apart from air bnb

7 days ago

Reply to

John****

Anonymous ******************

If you are unsure sign up for 6 month Muay Thai class training one or two days a week and ur visa will remain good for the whole duration without having to renew classes as of now

8 days ago

Anonymous ******************

@Dowden ***********

have options around 15,000฿

8 days ago

Khun ******

8 days ago

Reply to

Khun ******

What is the easiest way to get DTV approval through cooking classes in Thailand?

4 comments

11 days ago