@โจ *****

I've had the 'no sex' part down pat for a while; just not by choice.

.

@Derry ********

Recently, a good muay thai gym quoted me B6,000 per month for 6 months plus an admin fee (inc some training equipment) for 1 training session a day, for 6 months. It's not a rip-off because it's a good gym but it's not the package I was looking for.

Another famous gym, east of Chiangmai quoted me B11,000 per month for 6 months. Lots of champion students/fighters but it's not for me.

@Sean ********

That’s OK. I'm a cheap Charlie, too. I think it's a good idea to be thrifty whenever one can and it's still a great life here; outstanding food, great weather, comfy accommodation, cheap transport, cheap gyms (but very good...especially the muay thai gyms) and there's even a free monkey bar style gym outside the big decathlon, which I am not very, very embarrassed ☺️ to say I have used on occasion.

I've been teaching in uk secondary schools for the last 4 years and don't especially want to go back to that. So, I'm trying to make my savings last.

However, I understand your concerns about unwanted types causing problems in Thailand and I sympathise. I've met many such on parents' evenings.

Hopefully, I and my thrifty brethren won't cause any major problems for anyone.

'The Wall Fitness' offers support for the Muay Thai Soft power dtv visa for a fee of B10k and have had 11 successful applicants (when I talked to them). Miss Peng handles the paperwork and seems very professional and genuinely helpful. I've heard good things about the Muay Thai Trainer, Faraz.

MTFever gym does have over 80 successful applicants and the people there are very thorough. The gym trainers are former lumpini champions and very humble. I would go for the place that offers the highest probability of success but Chiang Mai Muay Thai gym have a good track record with the ED visa (so will probably be able to handle the dtv visa, too), Lanna muay Thai (aka KiatBusaba gym) has been around for a really long time and produced northern champions but would be more expensive. Xmax Muay Thai seemed to have a lot of Chinese students and seemed to be very good at processing the ED visa, had a huge facility but seem to have a more touristy level of muay thai. They had 3 boxing rings, though.

Coming from the old city to central festival mall, there also used to be a Thai language school to the left of the mall that did a 1 year ed visa for B25k, without you having to leave the country or pay the B11-12k fees to the Thai embassy. Attending two 2hr classes a week was advised but there was no homework. You could see if they're still in business or you could go to 'Thai Language School' in pantip plaza which is probably about B20-25k for 6 months. This could work out a bit cheaper in the very short term and might give you some time to replenish your cash stash (if that's not too presumptuous).

I've listed some options but the 2 places which seem to have the highest likelihood of success wrt dtv are MTFever gym and 'The Wall Fitness', respectively.

Good luck with whatever you decide and stay away from visa agents. They all quoted me ridiculous costs.

Peace.

@NeL ****

Technically it's for 5 yrs but the stamp is for 6 months and you need to get a new stamp every 6 months, as well as do a 90 day report in between. That's how I understand it.

@Damo **********

Do you really think the dtv encourages low-lifes to come to Thailand? I'd like to know your definition of a low-life.

In the UK, we'd normally describe someone who takes advantage of others and their good nature as a low-life. Some might also describe drug dealers, violent husbands, thieves, gangsters and pick-pockets as low-lifes.

Personally, I think 🤔 if someone has saved up B500k in their account, is proactively choosing to relocate to leverage geographical arbitrage and is thrifty enough to research different options, then I wouldn't necessarily call them such. I feel it would be harsh and inaccurate.

If they've gone to all this trouble, I think they're serious about getting the most out of their time in Thailand 🇹🇭 and their prospective contributions to the country.

What are your thoughts on the matter?

@Ellice ***

lol 😆

Council tax bill.

@Pete ******

Which particular sweeping statement? Yes, DTVs are being issued for 2 week courses and even 1 day dental appointments by some embassies but I, personally, don't feel secure with the idea of my 5 year visa being based on a 2 week course or a 1 day appointment. That's why I did some research and paid for a 6 month muay thai course at a reputable gym with lots of certifications to support my dtv.

My point is that it's prudent to err on the side of caution and be prepared for changes/eventualities.

Since combat is a perishable skill that needs constant maintenance, I feel such a course is a more realistic and rational reason to justify a long-term stay than a dental appointment etc. This seems logical to me.