A few days ago, a funny thing happened in Savannaketh. I applied for DTV Soft Power, and the guy there said that "This Gym does not have the right to teach Muay Thai, I can't give you a visa!", I replied "But there are many people got this visa for the same gym, I know them in person." He said "I don't care! Then he also shouted at other people on the line for small details as well. It was a rough day.

DTV Visa Approval from Thai Embassy @ Vientiane - Medical Treatment Route

We submitted our application on Friday, August 23, and received the visa on Tuesday, August 27, taking 2 additional business days to process.

We applied via the medical treatment route. The required documents we provided were:

- A doctor signed diagnosis letter from the doctor with the clinic stamp.

- A doctor signed detailed 1.5-year treatment plan with dates of each procedure with the clinic stamp.

- An appointment letter for a future visit with the clinic stamp.

Additional required documents:

- Passport copy

- Copy of the Laos entry stamp (and Laos visa if required)

- Bank statements for the last 6 months showing a stable balance over 500k baht, with account details and the account holder's name.

- Official bank certificate stating the account balance, account number, and account holder.

- Cover letter explaining the medical procedure and reasons for doing it in Thailand instead of my home country.

- Visa application form (can download from the Embassy webpage or you fill it for free at the Embassy)

- Two passport-sized photos

- 10,000 baht for visa fees

A few tips:

- Appointments are required, and slots fill up quickly. However, additional slots marked as '-Additional' open daily on the appointment visa website and are just as valid.

- Even if your appointment is at 11:30 a.m., you can arrive at 9 a.m. and be allowed in.

I’ve seen many reports of approvals, but in reality, at the embassy, there were numerous denials due to unverifiable documents, overstays, or unconvincing reasons. Be diligent with your documentation to avoid issues.

Thanks as always for the help

I am a US citizen currently in Thailand on a TR visa 30 day extension. Before the TR visa I was on an extension of stay based on an OA. The TR is a temporary solution until I return to the USA on Nov 1 and apply for an new OA.

So I need to cross the border by Sept 26 and buy another TR visa to cover the time to Nov 1. I was going to travel from Chiang Mai to Savannakhet for the new TR but having read about tourist visa denials I am concerned about applying at that crossing with my visa profile.

I would welcome any advice. If Savannakhet is problematic for me, what are my best alternatives from Chiang Mai? Kind thanks.

I want to share the good experience we had in Ho Chi Minh city to get our education visa. I was worried because I have heard of so many people getting denied lately. We arrived 10 minutes before they stop accepting applications, which is 3pm. We turned in our paperwork & received it less than 24 hours later (2pm the next day)!! Amazing. The staff was very nice. The website does not say we needed to show a bank statement but our school recommended we provide one, which we did. They did not ask for proof of flight out of Thailand.

Yesterday at the Thai embassy in Vientiane, a fair few foreigners were pulled aside for interviews with an official - was somewhat odd, and roughly 50% of the applicants who were questioned got denied (I was lucky, just got questioned re: bank statement, what I’m doing in Thailand, etc). Is this the usual now at Vientiane? Have been going there often for the past 5 years, and this has never happened to me.

A little nervous because of stories I hear of denials, I wanted to share my experience.

I arrived this morning (BKK) and got another 30 day stamp (visa waiver). It’s my 4th one since December and my 8th in the last 12 months.

I have been working in other countries, here for 10-30 day holidays, never extending, with stints of weeks or months between visits.

Now, I don’t profess to know immigration policy. But, it seems the denials are handed out to people trying to stay here long term and not to random frequent visitors.

Another report of denied entry of Australian man in late 30's who has been using many visas, exempt entries, extensions over past 11 years. A young man...and his friend were denied entry and flown out on Air Asia.

Report from the field, Phnom Penh: Was just advised that I have too many SETVs and that I could apply, but would probably lose 40 USD. A bit of background, almost 2 years of SETVs, but not back to back. I’ve spent 2+ months outside of Thailand this calendar year. They didn’t count the days or visas for this year, just noted I had too many and would likely be declined.

Will try my luck in Kota Bharu next week, or may go back to the states and try for a METV... or... gulp... Thai Elite.

More stuff about Visa denials etc.

My Gf is in Cebu. She went to the Thai Embassy there in pursuit of a 60 day tourist Visa.

They immediately said sorry there is nobody who can sign the visa and they did not Know when that person would be back.

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then they said that all was OK but she needed a hotel booking (at least a day) as an invitation from me as a retiree in Thailand may not be accepted (although it has always been accepted in the past) .

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So we get the hotel booking, and she went back today . they then said Oh they think that as she has had 70 days already in Thailand (2 visits visa on arrival with 1 extension) that she may not be issued a visa. they then came back after she told them to look at their own website , and said yes she needs a visa and cannot go and get a visa on arrival.

but again stated that there is nobody to act as signatory!

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But that even with a 60 day tourist visa immigration in BKK may only give her 19 days! where the 19 days came from who knows!

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They repeated that there is no signatory there .. so I told my gf to tell them how absurd that was .. they replied 'oh well there is a second signatory but they do not know if he will be available! .

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UNBELIEVABLE.

so she will have wasted 5 days in Cebu , will have to canel her flights.

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and decide whether to go to Manila and apply, but will they do the same thing ! ?

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they told her No need to Pay !! well that pretty-well means that they are playing a game. also that they will call the second signatory before Thursday!!!