Chinese Tourists Revive Thailand Tourism Using ED Visa

[webfact]

Picture courtesy of Siam Sport

 

A group of Chinese tourists kickstarted Thailand’s tourism revival over the weekend under the Non-Immigrant ED Visa. The visa, nicknamed the "Non-Ed Visa", allows tourists to stay for 90 days and participate in Muay Thai classes, significantly longer than the previous 60-day limit. 

 

This scheme was overseen by Paitoon Chutimakornkul, an advisor to the prime minister and a member of the sports sub-committee. The policy aims to promote Muay Thai and increase its recognition globally, acting as one of Thailand's unique draws.

 

The initiative eliminates the need for tourists to leave their home country to extend their Thailand visas, making it easier for them to enjoy a longer stay. 

 

The policy's effectiveness is demonstrated by the broad international interest reflected in numerous enquiries to the Sports Authority of Thailand’s (SAT) Board of Boxing Sport, which provides necessary information for tourists to participate in the programme. 

 

Pimol Srivikorn, another advisor to the prime minister, informed that the SAT and his sub-committee recently conducted a second trial to certify Muay Thai trainers, allowing them to teach overseas.

 

Fulfilling necessary requirements, 11 candidates are set to instruct in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the increasing global interest in Muay Thai and Thailand’s commitment to promote the sport internationally.

 

A group of Chinese tourists kickstarted Thailand’s tourism revival over the weekend under the Non-Immigrant ED Visa. The visa, nicknamed the "Non-Ed Visa", allows tourists to stay for 90 days and participate in Muay Thai classes, significantly longer than the previous 60-day limit. 

 

This scheme was overseen by Paitoon Chutimakornkul, an advisor to the prime minister and a member of the sports sub-committee. The policy aims to promote Muay Thai and increase its recognition globally, acting as one of Thailand's unique draws.

 

The initiative eliminates the need for tourists to leave their home country to extend their Thailand visas, making it easier for them to enjoy a longer stay. 

 

The policy's effectiveness is demonstrated by the broad international interest reflected in numerous enquiries to the Sports Authority of Thailand’s (SAT) Board of Boxing Sport, which provides necessary information for tourists to participate in the programme. 

 

Pimol Srivikorn, another advisor to the prime minister, informed that the SAT and his sub-committee recently conducted a second trial to certify Muay Thai trainers, allowing them to teach overseas.

 

Fulfilling necessary requirements, 11 candidates are set to instruct in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the increasing global interest in Muay Thai and Thailand’s commitment to promote the sport internationally.

 

-- 2024-05-06

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[StayinThailand2much]

Yes, they really love the Chinese, we know that already! Wasn't the ED Visa scoffed at in the media not so long ago, as it was, supposedly, misused by some? But yes, if the Chinese have it, the red carpet gets rolled out...

Edited May 6 by StayinThailand2much

[Chris Daley]

I'm sure their parents will be happy when they go home with a degree in Muay Thai.

[John Drake]

6 minutes ago, Chris Daley said:

I'm sure their parents will be happy when they go home with a degree in Muay Thai.

 

Especially if one of the side benefits is post-concussive syndrome.

[impulse]

Reading the title, I thought they were offering Viagra tourism.  You can get a real good stiffy in just 90 days.

 

Not sure how competitive a Muay Thai boxer can get in 90 days.  

 

[jonclark]

What happens if they discover they dont like muay thai and stop the class. Can they still use the visa until it expires?

[sqwakvfr]

Tourist on an Ed Visa?  Am I missing something? What is the message that is preached to tourists:  You are visiting the Land of Land of Smiles, you are not working or studying.  So I can now pursue a year long Muay Thai/Self Defense Visa and only I only spend 4 hours per week at the gym?  I am not from China so probably not.  

[CANSIAM]

Thought the 'Russian Community' ED Visas were saving Thailand........... 

[newbee2022]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Picture courtesy of Siam Sport

 

A group of Chinese tourists kickstarted Thailand’s tourism revival over the weekend under the Non-Immigrant ED Visa. The visa, nicknamed the "Non-Ed Visa", allows tourists to stay for 90 days and participate in Muay Thai classes, significantly longer than the previous 60-day limit. 

 

This scheme was overseen by Paitoon Chutimakornkul, an advisor to the prime minister and a member of the sports sub-committee. The policy aims to promote Muay Thai and increase its recognition globally, acting as one of Thailand's unique draws.

 

The initiative eliminates the need for tourists to leave their home country to extend their Thailand visas, making it easier for them to enjoy a longer stay. 

 

The policy's effectiveness is demonstrated by the broad international interest reflected in numerous enquiries to the Sports Authority of Thailand’s (SAT) Board of Boxing Sport, which provides necessary information for tourists to participate in the programme. 

 

Pimol Srivikorn, another advisor to the prime minister, informed that the SAT and his sub-committee recently conducted a second trial to certify Muay Thai trainers, allowing them to teach overseas.

 

Fulfilling necessary requirements, 11 candidates are set to instruct in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the increasing global interest in Muay Thai and Thailand’s commitment to promote the sport internationally.

 

A group of Chinese tourists kickstarted Thailand’s tourism revival over the weekend under the Non-Immigrant ED Visa. The visa, nicknamed the "Non-Ed Visa", allows tourists to stay for 90 days and participate in Muay Thai classes, significantly longer than the previous 60-day limit. 

 

This scheme was overseen by Paitoon Chutimakornkul, an advisor to the prime minister and a member of the sports sub-committee. The policy aims to promote Muay Thai and increase its recognition globally, acting as one of Thailand's unique draws.

 

The initiative eliminates the need for tourists to leave their home country to extend their Thailand visas, making it easier for them to enjoy a longer stay. 

 

The policy's effectiveness is demonstrated by the broad international interest reflected in numerous enquiries to the Sports Authority of Thailand’s (SAT) Board of Boxing Sport, which provides necessary information for tourists to participate in the programme. 

 

Pimol Srivikorn, another advisor to the prime minister, informed that the SAT and his sub-committee recently conducted a second trial to certify Muay Thai trainers, allowing them to teach overseas.

 

Fulfilling necessary requirements, 11 candidates are set to instruct in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the increasing global interest in Muay Thai and Thailand’s commitment to promote the sport internationally.

 

-- 2024-05-06

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Are they really want to learn Thai boxing or just pave the way for some illegal business?🥴

[john donson]

any of them attend classes...lol...or just lucrative SCAM between schools, agents and immigration

[dinsdale]

Chinese Tourists Revive Thailand Tourism Using ED Visa

or

Chinese and Russian Tourists Revive Thailand Tourism Using ED Visa

Question: Is an Ed. Visa a tourist visa?

Edited May 6 by dinsdale

[WDSmart]

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, sqwakvfr said:

Tourist on an Ed Visa?  Am I missing something? What is the message that is preached to tourists:  You are visiting the Land of Land of Smiles, you are not working or studying.  So I can now pursue a year long Muay Thai/Self Defense Visa and only I only spend 4 hours per week at the gym?  I am not from China so probably not.  

Thailand needs the money... don't think too much

[loong]

So, for years they have been telling tourists that they are not real tourists because they visit too often or for too long.

Now they admit that they are allowing Chinese tourists to circumvent their rules!
Is that just because they are Chinese??

[Sig]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The visa, nicknamed the "Non-Ed Visa"

That is a hilarious abbreviation for "Non-Immigrant ED (Education) Visa"! It is closer to the reality of so many people who are on that visa: "Non-Ed" = Non Education! Even in the article, the writer (definitely not a journalist) refers to people on this visa as "tourists"! That's probably closer to the truth than people who are getting any kind of education. They should just get honest and have a DUMB visa (Directionless Unfit Meandering Buffoon). That would probably be more fitting for the majority of people applying for a so-called "Non-Ed Visa".

[Hakuna Matata]

They promote corruption among immigration officers and pesky visa agents in Phuket and Pattaya.

 

Selling ED visas is a very big business over there!

 

Russian, Ukrainian, Kazakhstani, Chinese long stayers in Thailand are mostly on a purchased ED visa. Never attending classes.

 

 

[Cabradelmar]

The sketchy IOs and agents/visa mills will love this kind of ED visa promotion in the media... the EDs always been the go to visa for anyone who doesn't legitimately qualify for any other Thai visa. If you don't exit/reentry too frequently while on an ED, you can get away with years in country, and just keep renewing your ED.

[Cabradelmar]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

A group of Chinese tourists kickstarted Thailand’s tourism revival over the weekend under the Non-Immigrant ED Visa.

 

Huh? Kickstarted Thailand's tourism revival? By issuing EDs to Chinese?

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Fulfilling necessary requirements, 11 candidates are set to instruct in Saudi Arabia, reflecting the increasing global interest in Muay Thai and Thailand’s commitment to promote the sport internationally.

 

So are they Chinese tourist (kickstarting a tourism revival 🤣) by learning Muay Thai with EDs, or teaching candidates being trained to be sent abroad.

 

This article (with no byline or source) is nonsense.

[Arthur Mullard]

2 hours ago, loong said:

So, for years they have been telling tourists that they are not real tourists because they visit too often or for too long.

Now they admit that they are allowing Chinese tourists to circumvent their rules!
Is that just because they are Chinese??

Meanwhile I understand that a tourist visa overstay requires the usual B500 + a mandatory border run, FOR ONE DAY + over. If you haven't heard about this one check with someone. It's no joke.

[AhFarangJa]

Meanwhile thousands of retirees, who put millions of Baht into the local economies year on year, are treated like dirt on their shoes.

[natway09]

Should this not be protected for Thais to do & then go to Saudi Arabia & teach

[arick]

Good 

[Gknrd]

Thailand bet 100% on China taking over the world.. haha.  Now it has no alternative but to do all it can to attract them. With China's economy imploding at an exponential rate. Thailand has burnt its bridges. Fade away slowly. Thailand and China will fade away holding hands and blaming the West for all it's problems as usual..

Edited May 6 by Gknrd

[JimHuaHin]

Since has an ED Visa counted as a tourist visa????

 

Seems just another way for people to get into Thailand and stay/work here illegally.

[newnative]

Again, rein in the hype.  I doubt a few ed visa tourists are going to 'revive Thailand tourism'--which seems to be doing fine anyway.

[0036Tag]

Is this a medical visa?  I didn't know the Chinese had a big problem with Erectile Dysfunction. I thought it was just a problem with small size.

[SiSePuede419]

ED isn't a hard problem to fix. 😃

[PoorSucker]

On 5/6/2024 at 11:54 AM, impulse said:

Not sure how competitive a Muay Thai boxer can get in 90 days.  

 

Swedish friend at work gets 8000-12000 baht per fight, six hours practice every day for three years 

[PoorSucker]

On 5/6/2024 at 11:59 AM, jonclark said:

What happens if they discover they dont like muay thai and stop the class. Can they still use the visa until it expires?

You must show your skills learnt by fighting an immigration officer.

[JayClay]

On 5/6/2024 at 12:28 PM, sqwakvfr said:

Tourist on an Ed Visa?  Am I missing something? What is the message that is preached to tourists:  You are visiting the Land of Land of Smiles, you are not working or studying.  So I can now pursue a year long Muay Thai/Self Defense Visa and only I only spend 4 hours per week at the gym?  I am not from China so probably not.  

 

There are many people from all over the world staying in Thailand on ED visas studying just 4 hours a week.

 

I don't know why you think it is an exclusive option for Chinese only?