You can do thai cooking at c&m school in koh phangan. And they make vegan options for vegan students. You still cook in a group with non-vegans but is an option

@Roshni ******

DMd you

I got mine accepted in London Thai embassy for 3 month cooking course, in case that helps? It’s once a week

There is also the “soft power” option where you apply for a course or medical treatment

@Jeff *******

isn’t that exactly what the DTV is designed for? People who want to come in and out Thailand for up to 5 years, for 180

Days at a time. I don’t understand why that is an abuse of the system?

@Tod ********

do you know if a school needs to be certified in any way for the DTV scheme or we can contact any? I can't find any more information online so assuming it can be any school in Thailand offering cooking or muay thai? The UK Thai embassy information is a bit vague on this topic "Proof of confirmation to attend the activity or letter of appointment from hospital/medical center". I contacted my local school and they don't seem to have much information either.

Has anyone had success with the soft power category for a course? And how long was the course please?

@John *******

today I spoke with the director of my school (where I studied for my education visa) in Koh Phangan. She said she has spoken with officials at immigration here and in Bangkok, and said it's not clear yet about how this would work long term for the soft power option, for Thai cooking for example. She doesn't trust this option yet and recommended the education visa again until things are clearer. She was suggesting it might be necessary to sign up for a 180 day course initially, and again at each extension. Also Thai language is not an option for soft power, that I wanted to do.

Curious if anyone can share their experience of being successful with the soft power option at embassies in SE asia?

@Tod ********

thank you. Do you know if I could also apply for the evisa, selecting uk as the country, from another country like Vietnam for example? Seems like the evisa would generally be an easier process but seems like it’s not so available in SE Asia Thai embassies. 🙏

I'm already in Thailand on a tourist visa as the DTV wasn't launched when I left UK to come here in early July. Would I have to go back to my UK to apply for DTV or could I apply in a neighbouring country like Vietnam or Malaysia? Thanks