Led by Paitoon Chutimakornkul, advisor to the Prime Minister and the sports sub-committee, a delegation of officials extended a warm welcome to the arrivals at Phuket International Airport on Saturday (May 4).
The introduction of the Non-Immigrant ED Visa, commonly known as the ‘Non-Ed’ Visa, allows a 30-day addition to the previous allowance of 60 days, Mr Paitoon said.
As such, the new visa avoids the necessity of visitors to return home or travel to other countries for visa extensions, allowing the Muay Thai students to continue their training uninterrupted, he added.
The policy by Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to develop and promote Thailand’s ‘soft power’, including Muay Thai, has garnered significant traction, Mr Paiboon noted.
Representatives from several countries have engaged with the Sports Authority of Thailand’s (SAT) Board of Boxing Sport, which stands poised to provide comprehensive assistance to program participants in navigating requisite documentation, he said.
Mr Paitoon underscored the program’s potential to elevate the global prominence of Muay Thai, concurrently fostering broader appreciation for Thailand’s sporting endeavors on an international scale.
Meanwhile, Pimol Srivikorn, an advisor to the Prime Minister and chairman of the sports sub-committee within the National Soft Power Strategy Committee, on Friday said that the SAT and his sub-committee had conducted a second trial to grant certificates to Muay Thai teachers to allow them to teach overseas.
Eleven candidates had passed the trial, he said.
"They will be teaching Muay Thai from tomorrow (Saturday) to Thursday in Saudi Arabia, which is interested in bringing in Muay Thai trainers from Thailand," Mr Pimol said.