Thailand Introduces a New Muay Thai Visa, Allowing 90-Day Stays for Those Who Want to Learn the Sport

Thailand has introduced a Muay Thai visa, which caters to foreigners aspiring to undergo training in the nation’s native martial arts. This initiative aligns with the country’s efforts to strengthen the economy, which is heavily dependent on tourism.

As the local media in Thailand reports, the introduction of the Muay Thai education visa means that tourists who want to study the sport in their country of origin will be able to do so for a total of 90 days, compared to 60 days of the previous visa that was related to this purpose, VisaGuide.World reports.

The news was shared by Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, and the initiative is part of the national strategy to boost cultural tourism, focusing on five key areas: film, food, festivals, fashion, and fighting.

The move has not been widely welcomed, with some professionals in the travel community pointing out that there already is a Muay Thai visa, while others argued that the new visa addresses the challenges of the existing visa, which has a shorter duration of 60 days and is notoriously more difficult to obtain.

However, Lek Nawat, a freelance travel agent based in Bangkok, welcomes the Muay Thai visa and appreciates the focus on promoting cultural experiences. She sees it as an opportunity to showcase the rich culture of Thailand beyond its rich cuisine, nightlife, and beaches.

The start date of the new visa has yet to be public; either way, Lek anticipates creating new packages for tourists to Thailand.

There are no hard dates for when the Muay Thai visa begins, but once they do, I am sure I’ll be able to create exciting packages to entice tourists who want to dig more into Thai traditions and learn about our way of life. 

In response to accusations of desperation from the government, Lek says that new ideas are welcomed and believes that it is urgent for the country to get back to previous levels of tourism.

On the other hand, a tour manager in Chiang Mai with extensive experience in the hospitality sector is concerned that the new visa can be easily misused.

I wonder if it will be like the Thai language visa, where people come to study but then spend more time having a good time and hanging about in bars than studying. 

Those who apply for the scheme must demonstrate they have already begun Muay Thai training and will have to live and stay at training camps certified by the Sports Authority of Thailand during their entire stay in the country.