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What to know about applying for a DTV visa through a Muay Thai gym in Thailand?
DTV VisaMuay Thai GymVisa Application ProcessVisa RejectionRefund PolicyThailand Visa LawsExpat ExperienceConsumer Protection in ThailandDefamation Laws in Thailand
Sep 18, 2025
7 months ago
Nan ********
ORIGINAL POSTERFor those who want to apply for a DTV visa, my friend applied through a Muay Thai gym in Chiang Mai, since you have to register for a course at a gym before applying. He then flew to another country to submit the DTV visa application at the Thai embassy, but it was rejected. This Muay Thai gym is popular, which is why he trusted it. I called the owner in Chiang Mai to ask for a refund, and she asked where I was. When I told her I was in Bangkok, she said that since she’s in Chiang Mai and I’m in Bangkok, I can’t do anything to her. So be careful, you might be the next unlucky one. The gym even threatened me if I left any bad reviews on Google Maps. The gym has great reviews for visas and advertises a refund policy, but when he asked for a refund, they refused. And that’s the reason why they have good reviews, because of Thailand’s defamation laws.
TLDR : Answer Summary
The author shares a cautionary tale about their friend's experience applying for a DTV visa through a Muay Thai gym in Chiang Mai, where the application was ultimately rejected despite great reviews and claims of a refund policy. After being threatened for potential negative reviews, they caution others about trusting the gym due to their legal jurisdiction. Various comments raise concerns about the application process, refund policies, and experiences with Thai customer service, with suggestions on how to address grievances, such as anonymous complaints and legal consultations.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
- Take the basic DTV Qualification Test to see if you're eligible for the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV).
- For immediate assistance, contact Thai Visa Centre directly via LINE at @ThaiVisaCentre or Email them.
- Explore recent discussions by using the DTV Visa tag in the search box at the top of the page.
- Join the Thai Visa Advice Facebook Group to ask your questions, and get advice from others.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted DTV Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Jay *****
At the end of the day has anyone ever been approved for a 5 year DTV visa for Muay Thai? Just seems like a long duration without any gain business wise. Just my two cents. Makes more sense to issue a tourist visa unless the person applying for the long term visa is a professional fighter or up and comer and wants to fly back n forth for training or something.
Nika ********
Our agency told us you cant just register for any cooking course it has to be government approved. So maybe 5he same applies to a government approved gym
Luc ************
Fake news
Nan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Luc ***********
Oh, you again? I’m Thai. Why would I ever have a reason to defame Thailand?Reply to
Nan ********
Reply
Felipe **********
You are both able to write the review when you are outside of thailand... The Thai laws pertain to when you are in the Thai jurisdiction...
Lonnie ********
Potentially Safer Approaches To Airing Grievances:
Anonymous Channels:
• Anonymous posts in expat forums
• Throwaway accounts on Reddit expat communities
• Private expat Facebook groups with verified membership
• Word-of-mouth warnings in expat circles
Factual Documentation Focus:
• Share experiences as "questions" rather than statements
• "Has anyone had experience with refunds from [gym name]?"
• Focus on policy discrepancies rather than accusations
• Share your documentation privately with trusted community members
Additional Options:
1. Official Complaints
• File a complaint with the Thai Consumer Protection Board
• Report to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) if they're a registered training provider
• Contact the Sports Authority of Thailand if they're licensed for Muay Thai training
• Did you contact the Tourist Police?
2. Legal Consultation
• Consult with a Thai lawyer about contract enforcement
• Some may offer free initial consultations for foreigners
3. Payment Dispute
• If paid by credit card, initiate a chargeback through your bank
• Provide documentation of the unfulfilled refund policy
Anonymous Channels:
• Anonymous posts in expat forums
• Throwaway accounts on Reddit expat communities
• Private expat Facebook groups with verified membership
• Word-of-mouth warnings in expat circles
Factual Documentation Focus:
• Share experiences as "questions" rather than statements
• "Has anyone had experience with refunds from [gym name]?"
• Focus on policy discrepancies rather than accusations
• Share your documentation privately with trusted community members
Additional Options:
1. Official Complaints
• File a complaint with the Thai Consumer Protection Board
• Report to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) if they're a registered training provider
• Contact the Sports Authority of Thailand if they're licensed for Muay Thai training
• Did you contact the Tourist Police?
2. Legal Consultation
• Consult with a Thai lawyer about contract enforcement
• Some may offer free initial consultations for foreigners
3. Payment Dispute
• If paid by credit card, initiate a chargeback through your bank
• Provide documentation of the unfulfilled refund policy
John **********
There's not enough information here to leave meaningful comments. Was the application rejected or cancelled? Was the Muay Thai course for 6 months or longer? Did they include all the gym paperwork including licences in the application? And so on
Nan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John *********
The embassy gave him a tourist visa instead. When I asked the embassy for the reason, they told me they had already examined his case. I told this story to the agent, and the agent said that if the embassy rejects, they will give a 6-month tourist visa instead. I’m Thai, and this is a true story. To answer your question, his visa was REJECTED.John **********
@Nan *******
so his application was not rejected. They issued him what they saw as an appropriate visa for his requirements, this is becoming quite common particularly if people apply with a course of 6 months duration or less. He can reapply for the DTV once that visa expires but be sure to have a longer course.Reply to
John **********
Reply
Us *****
People always slam me when I say that Thailand is the Land of Fake Smiles. The Thais will never admit that they are wrong and they will never give you a refund. Again, always be cautious with the Thais. Never trust them 100%. They tell you something, just use the fake smile strategy back. Always question why they are smiling.
Yo***
@Us ****
If you do not trust Thai people in Thailand, there is no reason to live in Thailand. You can not avoid Thais in Thailand. so how miserable is your life in Thailand then? I know this feeling. Thailand is thai country, so you better move away from Thailand just for your better life and mental health.Us *****
@Yo***
555, I use the fake smile strategy back. I love it whenever they try to scam me and I lure them on but they let it go through. I love making usd and spending Thai baht. Unlike you guys, I know how the game is played.Trayn *****
@Us ****
Bro, your life must be so stressful. People just politely smile at you and you're out here doing 5D mental chess moves and trying to outsmart them.Us *****
@Trayn ****
I do the same polite smile every day. It is not stressful, I can process and compute multiple scams and intentions at a time. I am so good, that they don't even need to utter a word and I know what they are thinking.Trayn *****
@Us ****
Lmao, ok now I'm pretty sure you're just trolling.Reply to
Trayn *****
Reply
Trayn *****
@Us ****
Shady foreigners come and do shady deals with shady people then get scammed and blame Thailand. Do things in a legit way and you won't have any issues.Us *****
@Trayn ****
The Thais know this and they use that against you. They would try to scam you knowing you arr scamming the system.Nan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Us ****
I don’t think any Thais would sue a foreigner under defamation laws, to be honest.I’m Thai and I’ve used this law against Thai people before, so I know it very well.
Derek *****
I was sued and ended up 6m jail but got suspended probation, but I also had another related case open, which I won and was more than what I paid. Still, it wasn’t worth it with the scare of real prison time.
Trayn *****
@Nan *******
That's not true actually. Andy Hall, Wesley Barnes, and Johnathan Head are three foreigners who've been sued under this law. There are more but these are the most notable.Trayn *****
@Us ****
I guess not scamming the system is out of the question.Reply to
Trayn *****
Reply
Stephan ***********
First of all... you don't apply "through" a gym, they are not an agency, are they? About the "refund policy"... I'm pretty sure that this policy states that this gym will give you a refund if your application is rejected because of the paperwork they gave to you, right? So... are you sure that this documents were the reason for the rejection? Was the application really "rejected" or maybe just "cancelled"?
Nan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stephan **********
What I’m trying to say is the gym threatened me if I left a bad review. I didn’t go into his personal details because it’s not between him and the gym.1. The embassy never responded with the reason why his visa was rejected.
2. The gym requires a statement saying the rejection was because of the gym.
3. I called the gym, and they told me that since I’m in Bangkok and they’re in Chiang Mai, there’s nothing I can do to them.
4. They said they would sue me if I left a negative review on Google Maps.
I emphasized points 3–4 because I believe the gym should have explained the situation to me instead of pointing out the distance between us.
Kris *****
@Nan *******
can you leave a neutral, but factual review? ‘Visa was rejected, however the gyms refund policy unfortunately was not adhered to’? Frustrating this can happen and no one will be able to let potential new customer know
Reply to
Kris *****
Reply
Nan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stephan **********
The embassy gave him a tourist visa instead. When I asked the embassy for the reason, they told me they had already examined his case. I told this story to the agent, and the agent said that if the embassy rejects, they will give a 6-month tourist visa instead. I’m Thai, and this is a true story. To answer you question, his visa was REJECTEDDerek *****
definitely frustrating — consider it a loss this time. It’s just 10k thb and not worth legal issues. Head to Hanoi after the tourist visa expires and it should be fine, assuming the financials are good. Karma will eventually get the gym back.
Derek *****
usually they don’t even issue a tourist visa, so he or she was actually lucky. If they gave a tourist visa, that indicates that it wasn’t financial or other eligibility but likely course length.
Nan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Derek ****
Yeah, but this gym has offered this course length on their website, and some people did get approved for the DTV visa with that. However, my point is that the gym is trying to shut my mouth by using this law instead of explaining what it is, and they told me it was because I live far away. I’m Thai and I live in Bangkok.John *******
@Nan *******
- From the posts on the DTV Facebook group, it seems like many embassies are becoming much more strict about the length of the course. While short courses worked before, it seems harder to use now. How long is his course for? If he has a tourist visa, he can still take the course, if less than 6 months, so money isn’t wasted. He still gets to participate in the activity he wanted to participate in.Nan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
I don’t know the length of the course, but I assume it was 6 months. I’m angry that they threatened me for leaving a negative review about what they said.John *******
@Nan *******
- since you are not their customer, they are following their policy, maybe not leave a review? Curious? Is this a friend or are you trying to start a business?Reply to
John *******
Reply
Stephan ***********
@Nan *******
Also not entirely correct what your agent told you... they don't always give a tourist visa instead. Normally they do that if the duration of the booked "soft power" isn't sufficient. Anyhow... you can't blame the gym without valid reason and the gym can't give a refund without valid proof. Not really a happy ending but that's what it is... sadly...Btw... no need to get loud... there is a big difference between "rejected" and "cancelled", that's why it was important to clear that.
Reply to
Stephan ***********
Reply
Nan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Stephan **********
The embassy never states the reason why he was rejected, but the gym requires a paper from the embassy saying the rejection was because of the gym.Stephan ***********
@Nan *******
That's not entirely true... there are many reports where the embassy gave a reason. And of course... the gym needs a prove that your application was rejected because of their papers, otherwise many people would ask for a refund without valid reason. Again... was the applicattion "rejected" or "cancelled"?Reply to
Stephan ***********
Reply
Jay *****
What about why it was rejected? Did you explain that? Can’t blame people for submitting your information. Now it would be a different story if the gym claimed that they will get it approved.
Nan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@Jay ****
The embassy never provides the reason why they rejected the visa, but the gym requires a letter from the embassy stating the reason for rejection. They will only give the money back if the embassy letter says it was because of the gym.John *******
@Nan *******
so most likely it is not because of the gym. Did your friend not know this case when signing up with this gym? Why would you want to write a bad review when you knew the situation? Sounds like you are angry that you were rejected and taking it out on the gymNan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
First, the gym owner said that because I was in Bangkok and she was in Chiang Mai, I couldn’t do anything to her. If I wanted to talk with her about this case, I should fly to Chiang Mai to speak with her. I was upset that she said something like that. In my post, I never mentioned why my friend’s visa was rejected. I only emphasized that she spoke badly to me. That’s why I wanted to leave a negative review. And that’s wasn’t my visa. I’m Thai, and Thais don’t need a visa to stay in Thailand. It’s my friend in Chiang Mai whose visa was rejected, and the gym refused to refund the full amount even though it was promised.John *******
@Nan *******
So your friend is in Chiang Mai, so he could speak to her in person then? Does the contract say he would receive a full refund if the visa application was rejected?Nan ********
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ******
My friend wants peace of mind. He doesn’t want to have a big argument over money. The gym’s refund policy states they will return the money if the rejection is due to the gym’s documents, but the embassy never provides the reason for rejection. I contacted the embassy myself.Reply to
Nan ********
Reply
Troy *********
Threatened for bad reviews?? Ha that'srich.I would leave a bad review and then tell them come find me and they better bring a lunch because it will take them all day to beat me.
Colin ********
@Troy ********
Thailand's defamation laws are VERY strict, even if what you say is true you can be fined, and imprisoned for leaving negative remarks online.Troy *********
Ur wrong moron.go get a jod instead of here
Troy *********
@Colin *******
go fuk urself.Tgais can't do what they want with impuntyFrank **********
@Troy ********
wow you are a piece of work. No wonder why you are single. And a keyboard warrior too.Trayn *****
@Frank *********
At least he has a jod.Frank **********
Reply to
Frank **********
Reply
Yo***
@Troy ********
Many people misunderstood defamation law. I think it came from a case that a foreigner commented a bad review about a hotel in Thailand, and the hotel sued her or him of this defamation law. But in real cases, many of bad reviews are made also by bad customers. They faked the real situation and too oneside for themselves. and have big intention to mock them or business. For that business, such fake or manipulated negative reviews make their business hard. So in this case, defamation law works only. If there is serious damage on the business without good reason by reviewers. Defamation law is made for reducing stupid people to write everywhere by intention to harm someone else for no good reason. And they sometimes used this review system to threaten business owners to make money from them for not writing the bad reviews etc.. Unfortunately we have so many stupid people enough to do this everywhere and every day. I am not for defamation law, because it hurts freedom of speech or expression. But there are too many bad people to abuse this if there is no defamation law.. Sadly it is.Troy *********
@Yo***
did I ask u to comment on a comment. Who does thisColin ********
@Yo***
your wrong, even if you are truthful and the business or individual is in the wrong you CANNOT leave any negative comments online.Reply to
Colin ********
Reply
Trayn *****
I'm pretty sure the people working at a Muay Thai gym would easily beat down an out of shape 40+ year old who wears his hat sideways and talks tough on Facebook and then has to like his own post lmao.
Reply to
Trayn *****
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