Hello everyone! If I have an annual membership with Virgin Active gym, can I apply under Soft power category (sports training) or does it have to be Muay Thai only? I have sent a letter to a gym but no reply yet. Thanks
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The user inquires whether a gym membership at Virgin Active qualifies for a Soft Power visa under the sports training category, as opposed to requiring Muay Thai-specific training. Comments suggest mixed opinions, with skepticism regarding the acceptance of a general gym membership for a long-term visa, as institutions typically prefer activities closely tied to Thai culture.
A friend of mine got a 5-year visa by scheduling 6 dental appointments, 5 of which he cancelled after he got here! Two days ago he bounced and got a fresh 180 day stamp! It's the easiest visa in Thailand history! β
what has that got to do with someone who thinks they can get a visa because they go to the gym a couple of times a week? Medical is totally different. Yeah your pal cancelled but it was granted for legitimate reason
A 12-month gym membership is a more substantive reason than a few dental appointments! I think it's worth a go. They're giving this visa away. I got mine by registering a business name in Australia and giving myself a work contract managing my investment properties. It's comical! I have agents who manage my properties. All I do as "work" is once a month is check the rental statements π. It's about 30 minutes a month "remote work". Five year visa, thank you very much! (Let me take a bow!). I'm ROFLing how easy this visa is. I switched from non-O retirement. All us old farts are doing it! The "new age" digital nomads have arrived!
stopped reading after 1st sentence. Soft power or medical is related to Thai culture medical services. How is a membership to Virgin Gym(a non Thai company) anything related to that?
Ordinarily I'd agree with you, but they're throwing the DTV at just about everyone who applies! I'd be extra sure with a gym membership by booking a personal trainer for 6 or 12 sessions. The Virgin name is most definitely foreign, but you need to understand how the Virgin business model works - it's about franchising and licensing of the name. The Virgin Active name is owned by a South African millionaire, but I think you'll find (like Fitness First) the local organisation would be predominantly Thai-owned
virgin active arent franchises! U crack on though and keep giving people advise that they should apply for a visa for going to a gym a couple of times a week! Comical really
The name "Virgin" is licensed by Richard Branson who probably owns a minor share in Virgin Active, the same as he does with most Virgin companies. Some he owns nothing but picks up a very lucrative paycheck every year just so a company can use the "Virgin" name. For example he owns nothing of Virgin Media in the UK, but still gets a paycheck every year for the use of the name. But that's all irrelevant. You're obviously a very bad-tempered person who can't see how easy it is to get a DTV. I'm sure Virgin Active can offer a Muay Thai course to satisfy the requirements. I'm still amazed at how easy it was for me to pick up a 5-year visa by doing nothing!
If the gym write a letter and include owners ID card, ltd company certificate and various sports authority licenses, (which is unlikely from a corporation like virgin) then you are still taking a chance as most embassys want soft power activity... but it is possible to get non soft power, it's just a bit of a risk as they may decline