Why do some say a 9-month Muay Thai course is necessary for a DTV visa while schools say 6 months is sufficient?

People here just say anything

They know nothing

Low season, less people comming to Thailand.

Lets make it a 12 months study program, schools love money

I suspect that if the DTV isn’t scrapped altogether, annual renewal will soon require both attendance records of courses taken, and continuing to participate in whatever Soft Power course was used to obtain the visa. With tightening rules on just about everything else, why not? The stronger the initial application, the better chance of approval and renewal

Got it fine with 6mo in vientiane

If you want to chance a 6 month course and hope you don’t get rejected, please remember you MUST pay up front in order to the paperwork required

You can always take the risk and book A 6 month course, it’s up to you🤷‍♂️

I need to jump in here.

I have a school in Bangkok and we have done over 750 of these since it was launched in July 2024. I think it is fair to say my experience has value.

I've seen 70 nationalities and 50 embassies from every continent except Antarctica.

First and foremost what I tell everyone

"A longer course is a stronger application"

Also, since July 2024 in general embassies have gotten more strict.

SOME embassies mandate minimum 6 months

SOME embassies mandate LONGER than 6 months.

Three embassies from which i have direct written evidence via emails or applicant forms that require more than 6 months are

Chicago

Jakarta

Ottawa

Embassies that have evidence of 6 month minimum

France

Yes, there may be some more but plenty of embassies allow less than 6 months. I know saying that is looked down upon but am I supposed to not believe what I see having done nearly 1000 of these?

I have seen 5 cases (out of 750+) where someone was given a METV or SETV

A Chinese national in early 2025 in Hanoi

2 Russians in Jakarta early 2026

1 Greek in Jakarta in early 2026

1 nationality I dont recall off the top of my head

The above 4 were in Jakarta and applied close together and it was then clear that Jakarya wants longer than 6 months.

I am trying to be transparent with my experiences and its up to you to take what you will and make your own decision.

It's a risk still trying with 6 as may give you METV. I'd personally do 9 just to cover yourself

Don’t believe everything you hear.

What do immigration say?

You can enquire at the embassy, or read their guidelines

I got accepted 6 months yesterday. Dtv

It's up to the embassy to either approve or reject your application based on a 6 months course. In many recent cases they have granted a six month METV instead for those who applied for a DTV based on a six months course.