@Cyrill ******

And on the actual permission to stay that you receive, it will, as the IO pointed out, only state “Non-O” without specifying the underlying basis.

@Cyrill ******

The basis on which you apply is listed under “remarks” here in Thai, but it is not always entered.

You cannot apply via your home country’s Thai embassy if you are not physically present in that country. Thai embassies process applications based on current physical presence within their jurisdiction, not nationality or stated residence alone. If you are in Asia, you must apply through a Thai embassy or consulate in the country where you are actually located. Listing the US as your location while being in Hanoi or elsewhere would normally result in the application being rejected or cancelled. So in your case, you must leave Thailand and apply from a nearby country such as Vietnam or Laos, using the embassy or consulate that has jurisdiction over where you are physically present at the time of application. There’s a general three months seasoning requirement for a DTV, som foreign missions require six months. The process in Hanoi is known to be quite straightforward.

@Alan ****

There is no official government list of cooking schools formally “approved” for the DTV Soft Power category, but in practice a number of Thai cooking programs are being used successfully because they can provide the documentation embassies look for, such as an enrollment letter, course description, schedule, and proof of legal business registration. Examples that have been used by applicants are mainly in Bangkok and Chiang Mai and typically offer structured programs of several months rather than short tourist classes. What matters is not the school name as such, but that the program is genuine, ongoing, and able to issue proper supporting documents for a DTV application. Requirements and interpretation can vary slightly between embassies, so it is always wise to confirm in advance with the foreign mission where you plan to apply. I am not personally aware of any cooking schools in Pattaya that have been used for this purpose. Prices varies from approximately 20 000 baht for the cheapest six months to 60 000 baht for a twelve month course plus visa fee.

@Greg ******

Yes, there are real examples of DTV Soft Power visas being granted based on music and festival participation, but what has worked in practice is not ordinary festival attendance as a tourist, but documented participation in recognised cultural or music events aligned with Thailand’s soft power initiatives. Successful cases have involved established festivals such as Wonderfruit, Big Mountain Music Festival, Rolling Loud Thailand, and certain international electronic music festivals, where the applicant could show formal registration, accreditation, an invitation or a confirmation from the organiser. A simple ticket purchase is normally not sufficient.

It is possible if you enroll in and participate in one of the soft power options at an institution that is approved for this.

This is the new description for the O-A.

@Cyrill ******

Several people have managed to switch directly from a Non O visa to an extension of stay on a different basis. All Immigrations does not seem to be as strict about this as before, which may be related to the fact that the e-visa system is now more standardized and the specific basis for the visa (retirement or marriage) is not always stated on the visa itself.

@Eliyahu ****

If you do not have any recent extensive entry history and are effectively starting a new cycle, your overall travel plan should still fall within what is normally accepted under the visa exemption system itself. If you obtain an SETV for your September entry, that should be a safe approach. This assessment is based on feedback from other travelers in similar situations. An METV is not strictly required in your case, although it would cover the entire travel pattern under one visa, provided your final entry is made within six months of the visa being issued. So you will ultimately need to assess this yourself.

Based on your plan, you will spend roughly 150–160 days in Thailand in total during 2026. That is still generally within what is considered ordinary tourism, but it does place you toward the upper end of what is normally accepted under the Visa exemption system itself if you later attempt another entry in the same cycle. With this travel pattern, your planned entries should be fine, provided you have an onward ticket, accommodation details, and funds available if asked. Just be aware that any further entries after this may be assessed more critically, as immigration primarily looks at total time spent in Thailand rather than the number of trips. And if you want to feel more comfortable, you can apply for a tourist visa for your last entry in September, which gives you a slightly higher level of certainty when entering Thailand.

This of course assumes that you are a national of one of the 93 countries eligible for visa exemption. If you are not, you will need to apply for a tourist visa for each entry. Then you obtain a re-entry permit for your tourist visa at immigration or at the airport before traveling to the Philippines, so that you are stamped back in on the same stay upon return and can then apply for a 30 days extension.