What visa options are available for a Muay Thai fighter denied a tourist visa in Thailand?

Jan 15, 2024
10 months ago
Patrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
I have a friend stuck in Savannakhet. His tourist visa has been denied because he has had 2 already. He is a Muay Thai fighter in Ubon. Does anyone have any recommendations, or is he out of luck? Could an agent help his situation?

Thank you 🙏🏻
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A friend of the user is stuck in Savannakhet due to a denied tourist visa after he had previously used two. The conversation suggests that the friend should explore long-term visa options or enter Thailand through a land border using visa-exempt status. If he is from a visa-exempt country, he may have an entry available. Additionally, concerns about whether Muay Thai fighting qualifies as work and the possibility of needing an education visa for training were discussed. Some community members recommend that he does not require an agent for assistance.
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Dennis *********
he should be on an education visa for that, not a tourist visa.
Steve *******
@Dennis ********
You don't need an ED visa to learn anything in Thailand as long as you're in the Country legally.
Patrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Dennis ********
incorrect 😁
Carl *****
Fly in
Patrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Carl ****
sorted but thanks
Tulip ********
fight his way out?
Patrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Tulip *******
must have done he’s in a minivan en-route 😂
Xjwhudkwhry ********
"he is a muai Tay fighter in Ubon" - not anymore...
Patrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Maxim ***********
Do not read your DM, your friend does not need an agent. Your friend can enter Laos today and get 30 days visa exempt. Mukdahan border is hassle free border, they do not ask for anything nor question you. Your friend should have done that right away since he's only gonna be in Thailand for 7-10 days. p.s: As said above, Savannakhet has had a 2 consecutive tourist visa rules for a long time. And also if you have history of volunteer visa you cannot get tourist visa there anymore.
Patrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
Yeah - I didn’t know he’d already had a TV otherwise I’d have told him! 🤦🏻‍♂️ This is what happens when terminology gets mixed up! Appreciate the help Maxim 👍🏻
Wayne ******
Two people have put up names of a agent ....I used one of them., but cant remember which one !

She has a visa shop that also sells meat .

She sorted everything out for me
J ******************
Is Thai Boxing considered as work ? Is work available if entering as a tourist?
ລາວນາທຶນ *******
@J *****************
student visa

ED
Patrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@J *****************
no, otherwise the Muay Thai gyms would not make money if they required a work permit to train and fight.
Mitchell *******
@Patrick *******
work permit to fight (and earn $$$)?? Maybe not to just train. Just thinking aloud.
Antonio *********
Fly
Ken ***********
Pm
Rune *****
Fly
ລາວນາທຶນ *******
Brandon ************
What's he trying to do? He's not going to get a tourist visa. So he either needs to find an appropriate long term visa or try entering at a land border with visa exempt. Since it's January he's bound to still have an entry available if he's from a visa exempt country.
Patrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brandon ***********
he has a fight next week that was postponed, unfortunately beyond the time remaining on his visa. He just wants to get back in for that. He is from a visa exempt country. He’ll be coming back through Mukdahan if he goes visa exempt route. Seems to be only option available. Cheers, Brandon.
Maxim ***********
@Patrick *******
Then why is he doing a tourist visa if he's only going to be in Thailand for 7-10 days? He should have in and out Laos in 30 min hassle free. He can still leave Laos today hassle free and get 30 days.

p.s: Savannakhet only issue 2 consecutives tourist visa, not 3 or more, thats why he got denied. p.s.2: Mukdahan is hassle free border. Wont be ask anything.
Patrick ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Maxim **********
I think he thought by paying for a visa he’d be more likely to be granted entry. Not 100% sure of his reasoning, I’m just trying to help.

Savannakhet issue one TV per 365 days now, I watched a number of people in my queue find out last week!

Thanks Maxim, I’ll let him know that Mukdahan visa exempt may be the way forward. Cheers 👍🏻
Maxim ***********
@Patrick *******
1 per year, damn, getting even shittier now! Perhaps your friend wanted to save his visa exempt for later this year?
Brandon ************
@Maxim **********
I think they've gone down to 1 per year (but not sure how they calculate a year)
Ashley *****
@Brandon ***********
can I still apply for another TR visa at Savannakhet if I already have had 2 last year (one from Penang- August and one from Savannakhet- November)? I’m from Mexico and I’m applying for my ED visa
Brandon ************
@Ashley ****
recent reports say no. You get 1 per rolling calendar year now.
Ashley *****
@Brandon ***********
Ah ok.. I’m really sorry for hijacking someone’s post but do you know if I can apply for an ED visa in Savannakhet instead?
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