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What visa options are available for long-term treatment in Thailand if the condition is not medically recognized?

Visa Types Thai Non-O Visa DTV Visa Medical Treatment Soft Power Activities Healthcare in Thailand Expat Life

Aug 7, 2025

2 days ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

Hello, I’m looking into soft power dtv because I am planning on seeking medical treatment from a “clinic”in Thailand, the treatment ideally needs to last 9 months, so ideally I would need a longer stay visa. However the thing is the treatment I am seeking is technically not medical treatment as the condition is not medically recognised yet so the clinic has been skirting around the corner with aesthetic treatments and hence idk if it can be considered as a Thai soft power activity. 

I am unemployed because of the condition and in no place to apply as freelancer. And I am so unwell I don’t think I can do Muay Thai.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The user is seeking guidance on obtaining a long-term visa for medical treatment in Thailand, which is not formally recognized as a medical condition. The discussions suggest that a DTV visa might be suitable, requiring a treatment plan from a recognized medical facility. Recommendations include consulting with clinics for proper documentation and considering alternative soft power activities, such as cooking classes, that might support the visa application.

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

dont overthink it. use a $300 medical checkup package at bnh to start. baan thai legal was a great help for $400. dtv med done inside two weeks. once you in thailand you can do any other health stuff or any lawful activity. nobody will ask you to justify anything medical.

7 hours ago

John **********

It sounds like soft power based on medical treatment is the best option for you. You would need a treatment plan for over 6 months signed off by a recognised doctor at a recognised hospital on their official letterhead. If you can't get that there is also a 90 day Non-O visa based on medical treatment which can be extended inside Thailand with support from your medical centre

a day ago

Amanda ************

If the clinic is able to sign off on the paperwork, you writing a thorough cover letter detailing your condition and the hopes of this treatment could be enough. Share the truth of what you’re going through and the hopes of this treatment.

Are there also tests like blood work included in the treatment? Evaluations by a Dr, etc. these things could have weight to it as well.

a day ago

Ross **********

I had looked into mental health in the form of counselling as a medical treatment.

Couldn’t find anyone who had been granted a DTV via this means.

Ended up using a different soft power

a day ago

James ********

@Ross *********

wise decision to use a soft power activity 👍

a day ago

Reply to

James ********

Arnold *****

Might be easiest to go to a hospital and get a written treatment / diagnosis. They ask for quite a lot. I did it all in Thailand at Chiang Mai Ram but Samitivej in BKK was helpful too

you'll need to ask for

•hospital patient confirmation

•treatment plan (6 months)

•diagnosis from doctor

2 days ago

Biff *******

The clinic would be who you need to speak to. Ask them if their treatment has already been used to apply for a DTV. What documents they’re able to supply to support your application.

If they haven’t supported a DTV application yet, ask them to research it and get back to you

2 days ago

Christopher ***********

Most interested myself. As you say, Muay Thai boxing isn’t an option and Workation cannot apply for the long retired. Degenerative changes restrict movement especially flexibility. Unfortunately, treatment plans don’t exist. Are you able to share the nature of your condition? Maybe someone can think of a workaround?

2 days ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Christopher **********

I’m going through topical steroid withdrawal, some days I can’t move my arms because skin tearing. I’ve seen People say there’s cooking courses with span of six months but only 8 classes, so that sounds doable for me.

2 days ago

Reply to

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

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

How about the online seminar. If you search this group there are a few people who got it

2 days ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

匿名互动者 133 Thank you so much I’ll look into it.

2 days ago

Reply to

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

DTV_Be*******

Thai cooking?

2 days ago

Andi ***********

Cooking course?

2 days ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andi **********

Thank you so much for the info that sounds really promising. Thank you so so much.

2 days ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Andi **********

Do I have to attend regularly like do they check it? I’m just not very sure about that as I’ve seen people saying it’s getting stricter and stricter.

2 days ago

Andi ***********

Anonymous participant There are currently no attendance checks but there are courses which only require a few hrs a session. Language learning is not covered by the DTV.

2 days ago

A. ************

Anonymous participant Cooking classes are usually taking 8 classes (6 regular classes and 2 that involve a trip to a market, then cooking a dish) over a 6-month period. The classes aren't full days, so you just need to be able function for a few hours. Good luck with finding something that works for you.

2 days ago

DTV_Be*******

Anonymous participant - Maybe this visa isn’t for you if all the options available you don’t want to follow. Just saying.

2 days ago

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

ORIGINAL POSTER

DTV_BegPecker It’s not that I don’t want to follow those courses it’s just the medical issue I’m dealing with is very debilitating, if I could cook I’d love to cook or if I could go to language school I love to learn another language, but the fact is I can barely function properly in normal day to day life.

2 days ago

Chris *******

Anonymous participant purchasing a course does not mean you have to attend as it is a leisure activities.Like a gym membership you never use.There is no attendance or accountability to it. Other visas like an education ED, REQUIRE attendance and even then are only loosely monitored.

a day ago

Reply to

Chris *******

What are the requirements for obtaining a DTV based on medical needs in Thailand?

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