According to the Thai media "Bangkok Post", the first batch of eight Chinese tourists arrived in Phuket on 90-day student visas to learn Muay Thai. On May 4, Paitoon Chutimakornkul, Prime Minister and Adviser to the Sports Subcommittee, and several other officials greeted eight Chinese tourists at Phuket International Airport.
Chinese tourists are the first group of foreign tourists to come to Thailand to study Muay Thai on a non-immigrant ED visa (student visa) or non-Ed visa. Mr. Paitoon said that this visa allows foreign tourists who are attending Muay Thai classes in Thailand to stay in Thailand for a total of 90 days, which is 30 days more than the 60 days previously allocated.
He added that these tourists therefore no longer need to return to their home countries to extend their Thai visas in order to stay in Thailand for a longer period of time to complete their Muay Thai courses. He said the plan was part of the sports subcommittee's policy as Prime Minister Sreta Tavisin promoted Muay Thai as one of the country's soft powers.
M. Paitoon said that the new visa is very popular and many countries have contacted the Boxing Sports Council of the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT), which will help participants obtain the documents they need to participate in the project. "The program will promote Muay Thai globally and lead to the popularity of other Thai sports," he said.
In the news in January of this year, Thai media pointed out that Muay Thai is one of the most complete combat sports in existence, and it strengthens not only the body, but also the mind. The government plans to introduce special visas for foreign tourists who want to practice Muay Thai in Thailand. Many visitors plan to use their vacations to learn some Muay Thai basics, and there are Muay Thai gyms in all tourist areas of the country that offer private lessons.
This new visa will allow sports travelers to stay for up to 90 days to complete their course. Pimol Srivikorn, adviser to the prime minister and chairman of the government's subcommittee on physical activities, said members decided at a meeting held on January 12 to promote Muay Thai as one of the country's "soft powers".
He said that foreigners with tourist visas can stay in Thailand for up to 60 days, but with a special visa to learn Muay Thai, they can stay for 90 days, and the government will set standards for Muay Thai teacher courses and certifications so that the art of Muay Thai can be accurately disseminated around the world. In addition, the government is also promoting the sport of Muay Thai through the Now Muay Thai website, which is a platform for foreigners interested in the sport to choose courses across Thailand.