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What type of visa is best for staying in a monastery in Thailand for meditation retreats?

Thailand Visa Meditation Retreats Monastery Stay Tourist Visa Special Tourist Visa Visa Requirements Expats in Thailand

Aug 13, 2022

4 years ago

Karen ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hi group! I am hoping to come to Thailand for some meditation retreats and hope to stay at a monastery for some time. Has anyone done this or know what visa would work best? I see with the single entry 3 month you need to provide hotel accommodation receipts for the entire stay. Any tips greatly appreciated 🙏🙏

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The original poster is seeking advice on the best visa for staying in Thailand for meditation retreats, preferably at a monastery. A commenter suggests considering the Special Tourist Visa, which may allow stays of up to 9 months but requires lodging proof and insurance. Alternatively, a single entry regular tourist visa is recommended as it does not have lodging proof requirements nor mandatory insurance. The commenter warns that monasteries might not qualify as acceptable lodging unless a confirmation letter is provided.

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Tod *********

I think you are looking at the Special Tourist Visa <- the single entry visa that used to let you stay here up to 9 months (it is due to be discontinued on Sept 30th)

That visa requires proof of insurance, and proof of lodging for the 90 days you'll get stamped in for

Your better choice would be a single entry regular tourist visa as it does not require proof of lodging for the 60 days you'll get stamped in for or mandatory insurance.

What ever visa you go for you can always make a booking to satisfy the lodging requirements and then cancel it after you get the visa approved.

I highly doubt that a monastery is gonna cut it for lodging proof unless you get a letter from the head monk stating you will be staying there.

4 years ago

Karen ******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Thank you so much! This is very helpful

4 years ago

Tod *********

a single entry tourist visa will stamp you in for 60 days and you can extend that for 30 more days at the immigration office in the area where you stay for 1900baht, that gives you 3 months

4 years ago

Jimmy *******

@Tod ********

could you do this twice in a year? Let's say 6 months in between?

4 years ago

Tod *********

@Jimmy ******

you certainly could get the 90 days in country (60+30) then go to a nearby country's thai consulate and get a new single entry tourist visa, come back in get the 60 days and then take the 30 day extension on it you're allowed.

4 years ago

Jimmy *******

@Tod ********

as always, thank you for your knowledge.

4 years ago

Reply to

Jimmy *******

Tod *********

If you are from a country that uses the eVisa online system to get a visa for thailand, the regular tourist visa is under the Tourism & Leisure Activities choice.

4 years ago

Reply to

Tod *********

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