@Paul *****

When was your submission date, may I ask?

@Damian ********

Sorry, do you mean you just received the DTV approval?

@Karen ***********

oh I see. Well that's too bad. I wonder if it's simply because the criteria for compliance is so vague. I hope someone who works in this field manages to set something up that does comply for soft power. It would be wonderful for you I'm sure, and to me it certainly does help spread Thai culture. Best of luck!

Anonymous participant 345 yes I agree on that point

@Karen ***********

oh that's amazing! I'm sorry but I hadn't seen your earlier posts in this group about that. I used to work in heritage conservation and I still have some contacts in the region who work in this field, like traditional textiles in Laos. So are you thinking of getting a DTV so that you can spend longer than 4 months a year in Chiang Mai? Sorry I'm just trying to understand what you mean when you say no luck on heritage craft, because it seems to me a totally legitimate Thai culture pursuit to justify a DTV.

Anonymous participant 345 how do you know that there are no real teachers and no students? I understand that the business sprang up in response to the DTV but that in and of itself does not mean it isn't "legit". I certainly hope it's legit. It is an interesting area to me (I have a horticultural research background). It's right up my alley, along with other potential soft power courses like traditional arts and craft or dance/music.

@Peter *******

what was your question?

@Karen ***********

what do you mean, precisely? That there is a Heritage Craft school/course that you tried to sign up for in order to get a soft power DTV but failed to get it? Or that you wished there were such a course? It sounds like a viable soft power skill to learn, much akin to Thai cooking. I would sign up for something like that.

Thank you!

@Ratchaneekorn *********

no worries!