I would like to share my experience. I have received the approval for DTV Soft Power in September from the Thai Embassy in Paris (I am French).

I have applied with Arun Cooking School for their 6 months course. The application was prepared with the help of a visa agency in Bangkok.

Visa was approved by the Embassy. However when entering Thailand to activate it this weekend, they were reluctant at first because I had already spent some time as a tourist before during the year.

Immigration officers in Suvarnabhumi were super nice and calm during the whole process. I had to wait a bit for an 'interview' with them. They were surprised that I was granted DTV for cooking school, and were wondering if I should have an education visa instead...

In the end, they stamped me for 180 days and told me they were going to notify the Embassy about their feedback. I find it weird because they are the one to set the rules for DTV anyway and visa was granted already.

So a bit of a stressful experience but it ended well!

I wonder what will happen in May 2026 when I want to stamp another 180days! Especially if I have not extended my cooking lessons (not sure if I will, I would like to try something else)

I have another 4.5 months on my existing Non O extension, however I will be applying for a DTV in the UK next month as it’s the only time I will be in the UK before my extension lapses.

Does my DTV automatically activate upon my next entry into Thailand or could I just hold off switching to DTV until April 26 after successfully receiving approval for a DTV in Dec 25

Hey DTV crazies, went through bangkok international today. DTV visa activated no questions no asks. 180 day approved.

I must say I took the advice of a member whereby laminated the DTV visa, had a print out od the Tdac done, i even went as far as to use a wet wipe to clean the finger print machine so that it read my very bad fingers properly.

Dont be nervous peeps, the Thai people are just wanting what is right for them. If it is cutting back in visa jumpers then so be it.

Hi everyone

Quick question

I’m going to Hanoi to hopefully get the DTV visa

Does the visa become active as soon as it’s accepted in Hanoi or the first time I enter Thailand?

Was thinking about doing a bit of Vietnam travelling while I’m already there that’s all

Thanks in advance

What options have people found for an affordable and comfortable way to leave and re-enter Thailand to activate a new 6 month stamp with a DTV. Starting in Bangkok. I know Cambodia is close but people say avoid poi pet so getting a bus to a different Cambodian border requires 2 bus’s I think. Long and uncomfortable. I have seen you can fly to Vietnam and back the same day. Less affordable but much more convenient.

Does any1 else have any better options? Trains? I’m 6f 5” also so lots of transport options become horrible if leg room isn’t sufficient.

Got my DTV in mid-june but will be able to go to Thailand only at the beginning of October.

Do you think it will be a problem?

Some visas should be activated no later than three months after they are given. Is it also the case for the DTV?

Does anyone has experienced going to Thailand with a DTV delivered more than three months before his arrival date?

What a nightmare...

Probably most my fault.

Got my Non immigrant 0 e visa the other day with digital print out of which i print out in colour.

With done i took print out and I my ID I needed to kasikorn bank.

Was refused bank account

Lady quite polite..

She says i need passport stamped and then get retirement visa from immigrant. Completely opposite to what government says...

I heading to Khon Kaen

immigration tomorrow to

See where I go from here.

Is Kasikorn a difficult bank

Or which is best

All new to me....

Cheers

I’veI just been granted a non O visa from London Embassy through an on line application. On the application I put my arrival date as 31st August, but the start date on the visa is 7th July and end date 4th October. I was expecting the visa to either become active on entry. This means that I would still need to get a visa agent involved as I would not have time to open and put 800k in a Thai bank account. Any advice would be appreciated.

Q: Do you have to do a border bounce to active an Ed Visa from a visa exemption or is there any alternative?

My DTV visa was approved, but I have already left my home country and come to Thailand. In order to activate the visa, I need to leave Thailand, and re-enter. Has anyone done this, or had any issues doing it? Asking because the Dtv visa application asks for last Port of embarkation, flight number, etc.