Will Thai immigration check my Muay Thai class attendance if I apply for a DTV visa?

Question

hi everyone, 
Is attendance to muay thai classes checked once the visa has been granted? I am a FIFO worker in australia and want to visit my girlfriend when i have time off, possibly for a couple weeks at a time every other month. Will this create a pattern for a Thai immagration officer to identify and see that i am not actually training as intended?
For clarification, i am actually interested in muay thai and will train while i am in the country, i just don’t want to have to commit to 6 months away to start with.

Ask Thailand · Answer

The community discussion revolves around whether attendance in Muay Thai classes is monitored by Thai immigration if one applies for a DTV (Digital Nomad Visa) specifically for training purposes. Many participants suggest that while formal checks may not be frequent due to resource constraints, there is a risk of scrutiny if things seem suspicious. They recommend considering a METV (Multiple Entry Tourist Visa) as a more appropriate option for someone with a FIFO (Fly In Fly Out) work schedule who wants to spend time in Thailand without committing to a full-term visa. Overall, interest in attending classes for the cultural benefits is acknowledged, but caution is advised against using a DTV visa without genuine commitment to the training.

Janet ************** · Answer

It WILL be checked even if it's not. I lived through this with language schools ED visa! So BEWARE! I was a serious student who is fluent in thai and criminals got fraudulent visas and as a result I was denied entry at BKK twice due to having had an ED visa which they now view as like having a criminal record. The DTV will have this happen if criminals abuse it.

Jason ******** · Answer

I’m not an IO but if you’re attending training while you’re in country you should be fine, but I wouldn’t tell the embassy or passport control that your visa is really to be able to visit your girlfriend I’d say you FIFO for Muay Thai because of your busy work schedule

** ask the place where you will train about it because there also handling the visa and if they’re comfortable with your training schedule like this and to apply for the visa then that’s the 80% that matters cos they won’t risk their own neck

Ben ******* · Answer

Hi I run, [mention redacted] - immigration has advised us that they could arrive at the gym at any time and ask for proof that our DTV students are actually doing a Muay Thai course. For the students, we also recommend they keep photos or videos to show when they leave/enter the country and when renewing. I think Thailand is still figuring out exactly what it wants from DTV, hence the regular tweaks and changes, so it’s best keep track of course attendance from both the gym and the students

Muay ********************* · Answer

When it comes to prooving attendance it would seem they put the responsibility on you to show evidence of your own soft power activity.  Photos, social media posts, showing you paid for training etc. Immigration have never asked us about anyone's attendance.

I think it has something to do with the fact that the visa is not issued by internal immigration but issued by MFA. So its only at point of entry that immigration has anything to do with DTV. Thats where they can decide to refuse entry if they are not satisfied with the situation. Education visas are issued by internal immigration so they are able to control and monitor attendance with the education visa.

Nate ************* · Answer

You don't need a dtv.

I'm fifo, and travel every break 2/1 roster.

Your not living in Thailand, you can prove your job is in Australia, you just like to spend your money in Thailand on your time off. That's a holiday.

Salman ******* · Answer

Don’t go for DTV Soft Power if you are not committed to attending the classes. Thai immigration has been very strict recently they might even call the school to confirm if you are taking classes if they become suspicious which they will if you keep going out and coming back. METV is better option for you.

GrayWal******** · Answer

If you don’t commit to at least 6 months you will not get the visa. If you only visit your girlfriend when you have time, you can just use the visa exemption and you can still train Muay Thai

Khun ****** · Answer

No it's not checked. And unless it says on it how you applied Immigration don't even know.

James ******** · Answer

Khun Sean those who fraudulently obtain the DTV visa places the future of the DTV visa at risk.

The recent years crackdown by Thai Immigration on the fraudulently obtained Ed Visa and the Volunteer visa is a precursor to that of the DTV visa for soft power activity.

Get the METV multiple entry tourist visa for your visits with your Thai girlfriend. With planning it can get you up to 9 months stay in Thailand with a couple simple  border bounces.Each entry gives you 60 days on arrival and can be extended for 30 days.

Daniel ******* · Answer

Just do a multiple entry tourist visa, you don't need to register for any class. It's a 6 month visa where you can go as many times as you want. Actually might be ideal for someone like you since you are talking about 2 weeks at a time (with the FIFO schedule).

Also you don't need to submit multiple bank statements.

Also you don't need to submit multiple bank statements.

Will Thai immigration check my Muay Thai class attendance if I apply for a DTV visa?

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