@James *******

sorry your opinion is incorrect.

If the course is paid for like any tour it is up to you whether you attend or not.

Remember even music festivals can be used to get this visa.

ED visa and Volunteer visas were fraudulently obtained and are orchestrated by agents and services in Thailand.

And are proving to be problems.

But these types of Visas are regulated and still happen.

The DTV with the "soft" power is to encourage tourism, not education.

No different than buying a gym membership and never going, you still had a gym membership.

Fear mongering based on your opinion with no factual basis is not in character for someone generally well versed in Thai visas.

Disappointing.

@James *******

there is no requirement to attend or any enforcement as it is a leisure activity only.

You are given the visa with no requirement to check in or extend anything in country other than 90 day reports and tm30.

Yes its ridiculous.

If needed enter as a tourist then start the process with agent.

With an OA which is multi-entry, if you have insurance to cover it, you would be given another 1 year stamp.

Effectively the 1yr OA can be stretched to almost 2 years with strategic exits/entries.

However the 2nd year is not multientry.

During the second year you can extend in country to yearly extensions.

However you will require the funds in a Thai bank AND always required the mandatory approved health insurance.

@Joseph ******

if you enter on a tourist stamp.

You pay an agent to open the bank account.

You then transfer 800k into that account.

You at that point can apply for 90day non-o visa, the money does not have to be seasoned (except for a couple rogue office)

You then let the money season 2 months and then apply for the 1 year extension.

OR you apply at home and get the 90 day non-o showing funds in home bank.

Arrive and open a bank account without an agent as you have a visa.

The let season for 2 mths and apply for 1 yr extension.

A little bit of planning as a relatively easy process.

@Sebastian ******

you will get same day in Phangna.

You don't have to redo the docs if you have had them checked and given a slip in Phuket.

@Sebastian ******

No depends on the office. The process for Phuket is different because of long lead times.

In an office that you show up and get it done right away, the docs must current.

When I did my first one it was 8 weeks till the appointment.

But you have to have all documents to get the appointment in Phuket.

In Phangna you can make the online appointment and show up with the documents.

That's what I did for the 5 year license, to avoid the long wait in Phuket.

@David ********

yes in Phuket it is once appointed.

Your documents have been checked and you have an appointment.

You will not need to do anything but bring the documents as checked by the DLT staff.

Yes they will be expired but they were valid upon inspection and appointment.

This how it works at the phuket DLT.

If you are a passport eligible for 60 days visa exempt, that is what you will get on every entry.