Bubbalicious

This is a different agency from the old Mau, LOh? Seems to be in a different locale too, chai MAI?

I had heard the stories about Mau from several friends who lost several 100K baht on tickets over the holidays. Apparently, at one point, it was a decent agency and well established, but went south.

I book all my tickets with an agency in the US and get as good or better prices than online or available at agencies here. And thus don't lose out extra $ on exchange rate/intl bank fees for credit cards.

(bTW - More hints there in line 1 - after checking realthaideal's hints with guidelines mag. )

strange. you can write about friends being ripped of by mau, but you have to use codes to hint at the name of the tour company from the op. what ever happened to mau in the new location? what did they change their name to? i know some guys who came unstuck with them.

Mau was exposed in the local papers and various other local news channels. 

And the name of this outfit the OP dealt with (which I have deduced apparently shares its final syllable with our fair city's name) hasn't apparently been reported on till now. 

The first syllable is apparently the same as the acronym of that sunny California city, known as the city of Angeles.  

The OP or others will hopefully correct me if I am mistaken.

This is a different agency from the old Mau, LOh? Seems to be in a different locale too, chai MAI?

I had heard the stories about Mau from several friends who lost several 100K baht on tickets over the holidays. Apparently, at one point, it was a decent agency and well established, but went south. 

I book all my tickets with an agency in the US and get as good or better prices than online or available at agencies here. And thus don't lose out extra $$ on exchange rate/intl bank fees for credit cards. 

(bTW - More hints there in line 1 - after checking realthaideal's hints with guidelines mag. )

Fear not, though, as electracm has mentioned already, if you are not engaged in the purpose of your visa, e.g. studying, then technically you are here contrary to your legal status. When your study finishes, you are supposed to leave the country (or change your status). CMU's 'old' Thai program has ended, though as some previous posts have mentioned there has been an announcement that they might(?) still let people study (for an additional fee?). Has anyone any more info on this?

According to my LICMU teacher last week, the higher ups in CMU were still "meeting" on this subject.  Apparently they are unaware or unconcerned about the legal limbo they have left their students in.

So, there ARE Thai classes ongoing AT LICMU currently? Then on a technical level, irregardless of LICMU's semantic dance to distinguish themselves as separate from IUS, those with visa's could still be considered to be legal. They were issued visas to study at CMU, with documents signed by the CMU president, and are engaged (or plan to be engaged) in studying Thai at CMU. 

Perhaps it is the separate issue of whether to restart issuing NEW visas for Thai language studies that seems to be under debate? I've only been in the first floor of LICMU but (properly managed) I'm sure they could easily fill that building with Chinese student from Yunnan to study Thai or English and have it be similarly profitable. 

One other interesting comment from Melissa jumped out at me and has me wondering whether, in fact, late in their existence there were some 'business irregularities' (as so alleged) being carried out by old the "IUS" regime.

I paid my tuition to one Thai woman, and then walked across the room to another desk where a Thai woman named Aun gave me a letter for the Thai embassy in Vientiane. I met Matt Kay that day. He signed my letter and seemed in good spirits while we chatted.

I'm not sure under what authority Dr. Matt could be signing visa letters, since typically these are/were signed by the President of CMU (or the presidents of other universities, etc.) And, again, the idea that Visa's could be issued under the letterhead of one university (CMU) yet the students' study program be carried out at FEU seems like an idea that wasn't thought out too well......

I know someone who just bought a Garmin at that shop too and seems pleased with it. There is also a big computer shop in Pantip (2F) that has a good selection of printers. Can't think of the name at the moment, but they also have a shop at Airport Plaza. 

...you have been in overstay ever since your visa was issued...

I believe the original visa and its period of validity are still valid. It's extensions based on studying at the CMU LI that are now cancelled. The overstay period started the day the extension was cancelled by CMU LI

Sorry, can you clarify this? I am on the initial 90 days of my non-Im ED visa; end of December is when I'm required to check in and renew (but, yes, I know that's no longer an option). This visa was issued in Vientienne; before that I was about 25 days into the tourist visa that was issued when I first entered the country. What I'm trying to figure out is if I'm going to get slapped with an over-stay when I try to leave, or if I'm fine until late Dec, at which point I should make a run for that 60-day.

And again, I'm asking anyone out there who has Matt Kay's email address to please send it to me! I was only in email contact with Gill and Aun. I tried sending an email to matt@ that same domain name, but that was just a shot in the dark.

Fear not, though, as electracm has mentioned already, if you are not engaged in the purpose of your visa, e.g. studying, then technically you are here contrary to your legal status. When your study finishes, you are supposed to leave the country (or change your status). CMU's 'old' Thai program has ended, though as some previous posts have mentioned there has been an announcement that they might(?) still let people study (for an additional fee?). Has anyone any more info on this?

But, anyway, in practice there is no need to rush out of the country as at whatever border or airport you pass through, they wont be aware of your CMU thai language course status. You could just as well be an exchange student or full-time student in another CMU program, etc. So, don't just rush away or turn yourself in at immigration like so many others seem to have done.

As for the issue of a plague on ED visas, I don't believe this is the case at all, except for those who tried to extend their stay after Sept. 30. I'm sure some slipped through after this date, likely in the Immigration office's confusion/disbelief at the letters people were bringing them and follow up info from LICMU. But once things cleared up they probably sent the word down that no one would be getting visas extended if they had "overstayed" on an old CMU ED visa. The key for all those like Melissa is to not attempt extensions w/in Thailand but leave the country on or prior to the date in your passport.

FWIW, I don't think it was unusual the way that LICMU would walk people from one office to another. LICMU runs (or ran) a lot of different programs and it seems clear that new students were just walked over to the office that was administering that particular program. But, why that office was still accepting money from people (instead of having them pay at their 'future' location - which never materialized) is a different question.....

Oh, IF you did want to go into town, one of the nicest spots is the gym/pool at the Centara on Loi Kroh. It was a good deal last year, thou they seem to have bumped the prices. Locker room with towel service, showers, sauna and jacuzzi. They also have classes in the evening, incl. yoga.

It's a bit steeper in cost though, somewhere around 1,000 bt a month. Though I'm sure they have a discount for a 1 year membership (and a package deal for couples). And they may also still have a package deal with the spa, where you pay a bit more than the yearly membership and get several thousand baht in spa credit along with some other freebies, as well as a discount card good at all hotel restaurants as well as at the spa once your spa credit is finished. Lots of farang there as well: local retirees, tourists, etc.

I think you'd probably meet more farangs on the golf course.

But there is a pool and somewhat of a gym (apparently, though haven't been inside) in the mooban behind the Rimping/Ruam Chok there. There are entrances to the mooban from both the ring road and Mae Jo road. The entrance on Mae Jo is right by the Pizza Mania (if it's still there, that is....) I heard it was 500 bt to join and like 20 bt each time to use. No idea what classes they have.

There is also a gym in the complex behind Carrefour (near the Wawee there). They used to have some yoga and other classes, but I think they got rid of them. It's like 350 bt for 10 visits (which you purchase in a card that's good for 20 or 21 days...I forget which)

There is also a Yoga place in that same area, just down from the German micro-brewery in the first floor of one of the Hillside condo towers.

Another place with a pool is on the 2nd Ring road, you turn left if you are headed towards Mae Jo. Never have been in, but it looks nice from the road.

And then, there's always aerobics at Rimping in the evenings. Though, again, haven't seen any farangs there. 

A one entry ED-visa is valid for 3 months, only a multiple entry Ed-visa is valid for 1 year.

Why did you went to the airport? If you left the country, the 90 day clock for reporting starts again from day 1 the day you returned. So your next report of your address will be 90 days after that. This is seprerate from your permission to stay.

Example for clarification of my understanding:

1 Jan 2011 Entry Thailand with ed visa valid from 20 Dez 2010

1feb-1 March away in Vietnam

first time I have to report to Immigration would then be 28 April (90 days in Thailand)

lets assume I leave Thailand no more I would then be issued my last 90 Days on 28 October and that would take me to Jan 28 2012.

Is this view correct?

Thanks!

No, it's not the number of days you are in Thailand on that visa. It is a notification you will be in Thailand MORE THAN 90 days consecutively. So, when you leave the country and come back, on your return date this date becomes your 1st day. So, in your example, March 1 is the day you begin your 90 day clock. You report again 90 days from March 1 (assuming you haven't left and come back again...)

When you leave the country, just throw away the old 90 day notice paper and then start counting your 90 days from the day you return.

Certainly has been an interesting tale unfolding at CMU over the last month. Though, let me just say, as a 6 year CM resident I'm not surprised with the, uh, less than stellar management.

As an interested, but entirely independent observer, let me chime in on a few posts, with my understanding of people's visa status and the change of school issue:

RE: Electracm's p.3 post:

Point two - certain helpful language school employees wouldn't have had to go the extra mile to get Ed visas transferred to their schools in time to prevent farangs having to leave the country, while being told by the Min of Ed that it will take twice as long to deal with ex-CMU visas. An Ed visa, or a transfer to another school used to take 2 weeks -- suddenly it's 4 weeks. Coincidence? I think not.

I'm not sure why the Ministry of Ed. would be at all involved in this. They certify language programs, and from what I understand aren't involved in any paperwork that would be required for a visa (unless it's a new private language school, trying to get its new registration papers, from Min of Ed.....a copy of which is required to submit to Immigration for your visa).

As for the issue of transferring from one school to another (Electracm's post above) and Tomartoh's experience getting a cancellation letter/date: It seems that whatever info was communicated to Immigration about LICMU students was that the end of study was September 30, 2010, irregardless of what LICMU posted on their website about this month being the end (which to me was just a PR/legal strategy related announcement, rather than an announcement targeted to CM Immigration).

Thus, effectively, it seems to me that whoever has a Non-Imm -ED visa from LICMU has now technically overstayed. The arsey lady whom Tomartoh dealt with probably was not too happy about, basically, committing fraud since, after all, everyone's studies did end on September 30th. And, as stup.d as it is, the Thai law says you have to be out of the country the day your status ends (whatever status, study, work, etc....) though in practice, nobody bothers about that too much....except when you want to change status within Thailand at Immigration (ka ching - overstay, 500b per day!)

Since it is my understanding that you can not change from one visa to another when you have overstayed, that prevents anyone from transferring their visa from within Thailand. That seems to be the situation, unless you can get a letter from CMU, in THAI, that says your end of studies date is October 31, or whatever date between now and then you can get your new visa paperwork done.

As I pointed out (and several others noted) on the closed thread on the Visa board, immigration is not going to hunt you down and kick you out if you stay in Thailand until whatever date is stamped in your passport (you can probably even safely get a re-entry permit on your same visa, as long as LICMU hasn't sent your name to Immigration, and even then you'd probably get by without them noticing). So, for those worried about staying until whenever the date on their visa is, I'd just say, don't worry (and don't get arrested.....) :-)

So, unless anyone has any other experience with successfully transferring visas, I would say that going out and coming back with a tourist visa (or out with a school's visa letter and getting a new visa) whenever it is needed, would be the main avenue left for people. You can then get that tourist visa changed to a Non-Imm Ed visa in BKK (as long as you have enough days left on the tourist visa - at least 15 as I recall). Check the old thread for more details.

As for the Unitefl dot com site. I note that it was registered on Sept. 30th. I did a lookup on it too, and it said CMULI. But, obviously, this has to be Matt's reincarnation (and as with other things he seems to do, spare the details....). As with his other attempt to reincarnate at Far Eastern, it seems like a lot of content was just copied and pasted into this site. I'm not sure how exactly they can already have been accredited by the Ministry of Education, as this involves is a long-term process. I'm not sure how they can even have been 'registered' as a school yet. Perhaps it is more accurate to say in its former life at CMULI "it was" accredited by the Min of Ed, but "is NOT" now. Seeing how the staff is likely all transfered from the old program, it will probably be okay/sufficient (the only person I know who took the old program had good things to say). I'm not sure how all that staff will be, uh......legal, by that time though.

I await the next chapter with baited breath.....

]

next chapter -- but the book's still closed and wrapped -- I ws advised by my (recommended many times on this forum) lawyer today by phone that I need to 'distance myself from any Ed visa at any Thai language school right now' - I'm taking her advice. That comes after her referral last week to 'bad visas' .....she's never given me (or anyone I know) bad or ill-informed advice and always seems to know what's going down before anyone else.

Yeah, from what I gather from the other thread (which I didn't see till after I posted this), any cancel letter with a CMU letterhead seems like it will send off the alarms down there at Immigration. This is probably due to the varied/irregular signals that Immigration has gotten from CMU, all the various inquiries they've gotten from students, and then all the other cancel letters that people ran down there with last month. Seems like they have have discovered that everything shut down at CMU last month, so from their point of view (and the law) you shouldn't be here anymore under your current status. And, especially for you, there has been no indication from CMU to continue with the CEP program.

However, I'm gathering from what you have posted so far that you haven't been charged any overstay for the 14-15 days that you technically were here on overstay of your status? Though, you will be charged overstay from the date your visa ended, whenever you do leave the country.

A really sad state of affairs over there. And even worse for those who got caught up in this power struggle/money grab (whatever rationale it was the Director had to make his move). Though, with the way that the Thai government randomly changes policies, it's perhaps not so surprising. I've always thought of myself as a long-term resident here, but in the last year I've thought more and more of moving on.

Hope everything works out satisfactorily for you and those still caught up in this Rien of Terror.

Edit: P.S. I still think that going out and coming back on a tourist visa and then changing that to an ED visa in BKK is a viable option (since CM Immigration is not in the loop for that at all). And for those who don't mind making runs to Laos or other visa spots, just staying on a tourist visa to study is also an option.

Certainly has been an interesting tale unfolding at CMU over the last month. Though, let me just say, as a 6 year CM resident I'm not surprised with the, uh, less than stellar management.

As an interested, but entirely independent observer, let me chime in on a few posts, with my understanding of people's visa status and the change of school issue:

RE: Electracm's p.3 post:

Point two - certain helpful language school employees wouldn't have had to go the extra mile to get Ed visas transferred to their schools in time to prevent farangs having to leave the country, while being told by the Min of Ed that it will take twice as long to deal with ex-CMU visas. An Ed visa, or a transfer to another school used to take 2 weeks -- suddenly it's 4 weeks. Coincidence? I think not.

I'm not sure why the Ministry of Ed. would be at all involved in this. They certify language programs, and from what I understand aren't involved in any paperwork that would be required for a visa (unless it's a new private language school, trying to get its new registration papers, from Min of Ed.....a copy of which is required to submit to Immigration for your visa).

As for the issue of transferring from one school to another (Electracm's post above) and Tomartoh's experience getting a cancellation letter/date: It seems that whatever info was communicated to Immigration about LICMU students was that the end of study was September 30, 2010, irregardless of what LICMU posted on their website about this month being the end (which to me was just a PR/legal strategy related announcement, rather than an announcement targeted to CM Immigration).

Thus, effectively, it seems to me that whoever has a Non-Imm -ED visa from LICMU has now technically overstayed. The arsey lady whom Tomartoh dealt with probably was not too happy about, basically, committing fraud since, after all, everyone's studies did end on September 30th. And, as stup.d as it is, the Thai law says you have to be out of the country the day your status ends (whatever status, study, work, etc....) though in practice, nobody bothers about that too much....except when you want to change status within Thailand at Immigration (ka ching - overstay, 500b per day!)

Since it is my understanding that you can not change from one visa to another when you have overstayed, that prevents anyone from transferring their visa from within Thailand. That seems to be the situation, unless you can get a letter from CMU, in THAI, that says your end of studies date is October 31, or whatever date between now and then you can get your new visa paperwork done.

As I pointed out (and several others noted) on the closed thread on the Visa board, immigration is not going to hunt you down and kick you out if you stay in Thailand until whatever date is stamped in your passport (you can probably even safely get a re-entry permit on your same visa, as long as LICMU hasn't sent your name to Immigration, and even then you'd probably get by without them noticing). So, for those worried about staying until whenever the date on their visa is, I'd just say, don't worry (and don't get arrested.....) :-)

So, unless anyone has any other experience with successfully transferring visas, I would say that going out and coming back with a tourist visa (or out with a school's visa letter and getting a new visa) whenever it is needed, would be the main avenue left for people. You can then get that tourist visa changed to a Non-Imm Ed visa in BKK (as long as you have enough days left on the tourist visa - at least 15 as I recall). Check the old thread for more details.

As for the Unitefl dot com site. I note that it was registered on Sept. 30th. I did a lookup on it too, and it said CMULI. But, obviously, this has to be Matt's reincarnation (and as with other things he seems to do, spare the details....). As with his other attempt to reincarnate at Far Eastern, it seems like a lot of content was just copied and pasted into this site. I'm not sure how exactly they can already have been accredited by the Ministry of Education, as this involves is a long-term process. I'm not sure how they can even have been 'registered' as a school yet. Perhaps it is more accurate to say in its former life at CMULI "it was" accredited by the Min of Ed, but "is NOT" now. Seeing how the staff is likely all transfered from the old program, it will probably be okay/sufficient (the only person I know who took the old program had good things to say). I'm not sure how all that staff will be, uh......legal, by that time though. 

I await the next chapter with baited breath.....

I received my first email today from CMU, via my teacher. Here it is:

Sigh...Not on letterhead, not signed by anyone, 100% self-serving attempt to gather personal information and get students to admit they have knowledge that LICMU has notified them of end of classes so now visas can be cancelled (see above post #336).      BANK ACCOUNT DETAIL!!!!!!!!!!   Oh, come on!!!!    Ignore this "letter"  .....  we don't know who this is really from.

That is a very curious document.

Why send a copy to Dr. Kay?

I'd agree that no one should act on this.  

At best,  it's espionage in the tradition of Inspector Clouseau, and an inadvertent insult to the intelligence of its audience.

As mentioned this email was sent to one of the Thai teachers who then forwarded it onto all the Thai students and Dr Kay to keep everyone in the loop as to what is going on.

Sounds very typical. And I'd note that they seem to be pushing 100% financial responsibility onto Dr. Matt, perhaps since he apparently has offered to reimburse everyone (which NoBSBoy might admit wasn't very legally prudent) - Matt doesn't seem to have lawyered up well at all (either when he set up this program or after the ... hit the fan.) But, perhaps, CMULI has decided that's the price he'll have to pay not to be charged in civil/criminal court, since they hold all the power cards.

People here do a lot of Bank transfers from account to account (not terribly odd in terms of local practice). It sounds like your teachers are the only ones who know who you are at CMULI (and perhaps are sympathetic since they also have suffered financial harm in loss of income/hourly wages). But, I'm guessing whatever names and info they have on you are now with Herr Director (especially if they plan to continue to work there).

@NoBSBoy, what you say is correct about legal procedure, but perhaps you should read more in legal news for what passes for legal procedure here. Ignorance won't fly with immigration if you attempt to change visa status WITHIN Thailand. For those who want to avoid criminal libel and read up on court procedure here, I'd recommend googling "Ticha Na Nakorn" to see what happens about making allegations against people in high places here.

For those looking for an apology or perhaps another avenue to ask for help, here you are

This (alleged) new offer from CMU strikes me as unusual.

If CMU no longer provides ED visa support for ex-IUS students, in a short time none of their students will be in Thailand on ED visas, right?

So why would a student on a tourist, retirement, or other non-ED visa need to satisfiy ED-visa immigration requirements?

And if the student failed to, say, attend 75% of classes, would Immigration cancel their tourist, retirement, or other non-ED visa?

Seems to me that the most important thing for CMU right now is to gather your current contact details.

And another thing: the last time several students with ED-visas entered a CMU office to express their intentions to continue studies, they were given three days notice to leave Thailand.

Think about it...

I think this is supposed to contravene their previous notice of canceling all visas. Presumably, if you continue to study there they will re-new visas that are to expire (and issue new ones to new students). Though they make no representations as to whether they will continue the program indefinitely. Based upon their performance the past month, I would not wager too much in the short/medium term on the profitability of these programs.

Only student visas are affected by attendance requirements. 

Could we pull this back onto topic, pls?  I think there are some questions posted by people in need that aren't being answered:

Some are related to visa questions, which is the point of this forum, isn't it?

People in the language program are receiving a letter which seems to suggest that the language program will continue, if students agree to disclose their current local address and attend 75% of the classes (not an unreasonable request).  But what about the people in the CEP who simply want to donate their time to the Thai people?  What happens to their visas, their volunteer work and the money they've already paid?

....

Sorry for yet another post (can only edit posts once it appears). Well, this thread is like a 3 act play. I missed seeing the letter on page 13 (post 309). So, for those who didn't rush down to cancel their visas, CMU apparently will now issue 'end of study' letters with at date of Oct. 31st (if you don't want to continue at CMU). So, for those thinking they would wake up today illegal, are now still legal. 

For those who want to change study locations, what that means is if you line up a new school, and get them moving on the paperwork you can go down the last week of October (avoiding Friday is probably best though) with your paperwork for the new visa (along with your CMU letter saying you're study is ending the 31st). You should be able to do that w/o leaving the country, but I'd check with the new school to see if they KNOW how to do it. From my experience, some schools know how to do visa stuff, and some (like a certain uni whom I won't mention...) don't.  Oh, and contrary to what a previous poster said, it's perfectly legal to study on a tourist visa, but you just can't extend that visa based on your studies.

As for my reading of the Sept. 30 letter:

They have definitely lawyered up (so be careful about what claims you make in your own name about certain individuals). Thailand has criminal liable laws - as a previous post noted. And it would be no fun learning Thai up in the prison on the MaeRim road. Civil and Criminal Libel seems to be what they are threatening ISU with in that letter. They could also possibly assert loss of property, intellectual property, etc. (but then that would seem to open them up to claims from students for lost tuition, etc.)

However, they don't mention anything about money being reimbursed. Whether that is due to the bureaucratic inertia that it takes to get an approval to disperse such funds, who knows?

I have no idea what this means for the people in the volunteer program or whether they are affected or not. I wish everyone the best!

Happy Friday!

Just to add to this, for those who want to know the process for Changing from one Ed visa to another, (not sure if it's been posted yet, just made it thru page 10...)

For those who need/want to CHANGE their current student status WITHIN THAILAND to a) being a student at another school; a work visa; c) whatever else.... You'll run into trouble changing WITHIN Thailand (and be 'overstayed') for everyday after CMU says you 'finished' there (ie. the date of Sept 30, that they put on the letter they are handing out.)

For those unclear about Visa Expiry and Authorized stay, here is what the BKK Immigration site says:

The Expiration Date for the visa should not be confused with the authorized length of your stay in Thailand, given to you by the immigration officer at port-of-entry. The visa expiration date has nothing to do with the authorized length of your stay in Thailand for any given visit.

What does the Visa Expiration Date Mean?

The link to which Mario has posted before and can be found here:

http://bangkok.immig....th/en/base.php

So, unless CMU issues a new letter for your 'end' of student status, you'll be paying overstay fees to CHANGE the visa WITHIN Thailand. Now, of course, to avoid overstay fees you just go out and come back on a tourist visa (and no need to rush as others have noted, CM Immigration wont hunt you down - just dont get arrested for something else....)

If you want to change over to another school you can come back in on that Tourist Visa and Change that visa in BKK. Here are the requirements, as posted on that BKK Imm. site linked above:

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION FOR VISA OR VISA STATUS ALTERATION (NON-: FOR STUDYING IN THAILAND

The application must be submit at least 15 days before visa expiration and, in case of overstaying in Thailand, application could not be submitted.

Application for Visa Status Alteration. (TM.86 for Tourist and Transit Visa) or

Application for visa. (TM.87 for Without Visa 15 days, 30 days, 90 days)

Copy of passport (Ex. Page of Photo, entries stamp, visa sticker and extension stamp (if any), TM6 card)

4 X 6 cm. Photograph.

Application fee of 2,000 baht.

To study at a government university or lower levels.

5.1 A letter from the university, requesting a visa or visa status alteration. (Attention to : Immigration Commission)

5.2 A letter from the director of the department concerned under the Ministry of Education or, in the case of lower academic levels in education, a letter from the governor, requesting a visa or visa status alteration. (Attention to : Immigration Commission)

5.3 Diploma and resume of the applicant.

In a private school or university

6.1 A letter from the rector of university, requesting a visa or visa status alteration. (Attention to : Immigration Commission)

6.2 A letter from the department concerned under the Ministry of Education or, in the case of lower academic levels in education, a letter from the governor, requesting a visa or visa status alteration. (Attention to : Immigration Commission)

6.3 A letter from the principal or the manager of the International school. (Attention to : Immigration Commission)

6.4 A Certifying copy of the registration paper of the educational institution.

6.5 A Certifying copy of the license of the school or university administrator.

6.6 Diploma and resume of the applicant.

Remarks

The Applicant must sign on every page of the application.

Documents of the University or school, Certifying by the proper authority.

The visa Applicant must arrange the documents in proper order and must prepare the originals as proof.

Call 0 2141 9902-3 for more details.

To get to the info I just posted above, go to that BKK IMM site, look at the top of the page under "Documents Required", then click "Change Visa" and then "For Study in Thailand"

Note that it says you have to have at least 15 days left on your Visa/stamp to do a change (somehow I recall it being 18 or 21 days a few years back....but maybe it's changed). So, again it's best not to rush out if you haven't lined up your new school. You'll also have to allow the school a few days to prepare all that laundry list of documents you'll need to make the change.

Hope this helps.

Cheers!

Edit: For those in a PR / letter writing mood. Ever hear of facebook? CMU does have a page. My guess is whoever monitors it, doesn't monitor much or understand much English, but they do have 14,000+ fans. And if someone starts their own protest group, I'm sure it'll go viral quickly. (be sure to post the name here....) Also, for legal advice there is a good book "Thai Law for Foreigners," could even be available in the CMU library.....or perhaps at Payap.

That letter means that persons who are on an extension of stay based on their study will have to leave Thailand on Sept. 30th. One can get an extension of stay of 7 days for 1,900 baht. (don't forget to bring a pass photo)

Persons with an Ed-visa who are still on their initial 90 day entry they got at the border are not affected by this. Their permission to stay remains valid.

Hi Mario,

I'm one of the lucky ones that just enrolled in the course that started this month. I will be on my initial 90 ED-visa until November 31st. Are you sure my visa will still be valid? I don't want to do another visa run, but I really don't want to pay 15,000 baht for a month overstay. Thanks.

Brycat

My understanding of your visa status, as a 6 year CM resident, is a bit different from Mario's message (although, in practice I think you can probably get away with it, if you leave the country before your 90 days is up, especially since other posters are claiming that CMULI doesn't have a list of student particulars, meaning immigration doesn't know your deal either...).

The big caution I would call to your attention is that if you attempt to CHANGE your visa sponsor within Thailand, immigration will want to know WHEN your student status ENDED (which usually requires a letter from the school). I know of several cases where people on the ED visa changed to a work visa (or changed from one job to another job) and had to pay overstay on the number of days between the ending of their prior status (end of school, finish of last job). The simple way to avoid these overstays is to leave the country and come back on a Tourist visa (which you can then get changed in BKK to either an ED or work visa, etc...but you've got to do the change soon after you come in on that Tourist visa - note, I'm not talking about the 2 week stamp, but a Tourist Visa).

Edit: I'm pretty sure you'll be overstaying when changing from ED to ED in this case as well, if your prior school (CMULI) is not 'cooperative' with the dates....

Glad to hear the Vietnamese place and Coffee Bus are still going to be with us.

Though I heard something about a Starbucks going in as well. 

This Red Shirt "Movement" IS all about Thaksin. I find it astonishing that some people (including the Montenegrin formerly known as Thaksin) try to deny it, because these 'red shirts' were recruited in the name of Thaksin (e.g. Love Thaksin group) with signs hanging outside supporting businesses using Thaksin's name to recruit protesters. Then these people had their transport fully funded into Bangkok, so without Thaksin's support and name there would have been no major riots like we saw (only perhaps localized ones like ones that happened April 2009). Many reports also say they were paid a daily allowance (though the protesters dispute this and I have heard that part of the hesitance of the red shirts to disperse was due to the fact that they had turned over ID cards to village leaders (as proof of payment).

Now, these people all professed their support for democracy, though if pressed I bet for them Thaksin = democracy (which couldn't be farther from the truth). 

In addition, there were a lot of other groups (left wing/socialist/social welfare types) who latched on to the "movement" to press their own causes (economic inequality, etc.). I don't have any beef with the message and intentions of these folks per se, but they did choose to associate themselves with militants/terrorists (whatever name you choose) of a very violent stripe (e.g. Seh Daeng and his Ninjas, etc.). If these folks had come out separately to promote their issues, I could see merit in their effort but instead they chose to associate with the violent and corrupt elements.

I haven't tried Duang Dee or the CMU brands before, but may have to try them out based on comments.

Of the ones I've tried so far Doi Chaang is by far the best. You can try it in their shop on Nimanhaemin (across from Warm Up, and I believe they have a shop in Airport Plaza but haven't seen it yet), they serve their Premium in the shops, but they also have very nice Peaberry and Organic varieties in bags of whole beans as well (but I wouldn't recommend their cheaper Ego coffee). I've been to all their shops in Chiang Rai and up in Baan Doi Chaang and have been very impressed by the dedication they put into making/processing the coffee. They've been highly rated by all the Intl. coffee trade reviewers.

doichaangcoffee dot com(see the Thai version for locations, as the English one is for their Canadian partnership).

Another one I like is Lanna Coffee, they also have a shop (Lanna Cafe) on the 1st Ring Road (towards City Hall after passing the Rimping on MaeJo Road, but on the opposite side of the road). They have their roaster right there on site and have some good food and snacks on offer as well.

lannacafe dot org