Muay Thai Options

[Dcameron]

Hey

I'm looking at living and training in Thailand for about 6 months. I want to travel all around Thailand and train at many different gyms. I asked my local Thai Embassy which visa I needed. And I was told a 12 month multi-entry non-immigrate type '0'. I need to present however a letter of invitation from the initial Muay Thai camp I wished to train at. Having emailed a camp requesting a letter. In reply I was told the letter acts as a sort of guarantee and if the police or immigration found i wasn't training at the camp i got the letter from than things wouldn't work out well for me or the camp. Any advice would be very helpful.

Thanks.

[beechguy]

It would be helpful to know your location, it may be possible to obtain an "O" visa without a supporting letter. Also, a double entry Tourist Visa may provide enough time for your training period of about 6 months.

[Dcameron]

It would be helpful to know your location, it may be possible to obtain an "O" visa without a supporting letter. Also, a double entry Tourist Visa may provide enough time for your training period of about 6 months.

I'm from Perth Australia. How do you manage a double entry tourist visa? do you just get one for 3 months than visa run to get another? 'O' visa without letter sounds good too

[beechguy]

The consul at Perth is usually pretty lenient about supporting documents, but you may need to try another school to satisfy their requirements for an "O".

With a double entry Tourist Visa, you would enter, be stamped permitted to stay for 60 days, then obtain a 30 day extension for 1900 Baht. Before the "Utilize Before" date, simply exit and re-enter for another 60 day period, and another extension if you need it.

[jazzbo]

Dcameron -- Maybe look at this scenario:

You obtain the Letter of Invitation from MT School #1 -- assuming it is licensed by the MinOfEd and there are several that are. You enroll at MT School #1 and spend the required 4 hours per week that is the same requirement as for language schools during one week each month i.e. at least 16 hours during the first week each month. That would allow you the remaining 3 weeks each month to travel around to other MT schools, and then return to MT School #1 the first week each month.

You would be a bona fide trainee at the MT School issuing the formal Letter of Invitation, and a visitor at all the other MT schools... but receive the "ED" visa from only MT School #1 and, based on your continued attendance, for any extension of stay.

[monty]

Muay Thai indeed qualifies for the Education Visa if the school is licensed by the Ministry of Education.

However, much like language schools, they will want you to pay upfront for your course to start processing your paperwork.

Most of he times it is done by students already in Thailand, so they can check out the school and facilities, pay for the course, wait for the paperwork and then make a short visa trip to for example Vientiane (Laos) where they will issue the Non immigrant ED visa.

As an alternative, maybe if you'd pay for the course 1 month or so upfront the school might be more willing to write up the letter you need to get the non immigrant O visa. If so, a bank transfer (swift) will make sure they have the funds in a few days tops...