Cooee

"A reference grammar of Thai" by Shōichi Iwasaki (1900 Baht)

Anybody can compare it to Higbie's "Thai Reference Grammar" or David Smyth's "Thai: an essential grammar"?

Here's a comparison: A Guide to Thai Grammar Books

I agree, this forum is akin to flogging a dead horse. There are only a couple of options as I see it.

1. If you have paid a deposit, as I have, pursue a refund through your bank.

2. If you were a current student, left out in the visa cold, I presume finding an alternative course is the ONLY option, plus pursuing a refund, via your bank. (and I am sincerely sorry that those students who suffered and were left hanging by a thread in the unknown), I was nearly one of them.

The rest of the information on this forum doesn't mean squat diddley when push comes to shove. Dr. Kay, Mr. Kay, who cares! Consulates/Emabassies are not interested. Nor were any media outlets up until the recent Chiang Mai mail articles...which will help????

The whole ordeal has been distressing for many, myself included, but I think it's time to let it rest and as individuals, do whatever it is we need to do!

Put a fork in it already, this thread is done. I am surprised it went 4 pages. This thread seems to be going nowhere fast. Unless any new news about LICMU, I suggest this thread ends. Really getting redundant at this point.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the website http://www.unitefl.com/ ?

It states that CMULI is the domain registrant and Matt Kay is the contact person. This is a new website (created on 30 Sept 2010) and I know someone starting their TEFL there, next month, confirmed a few days ago.

Don't know exactly. So I called my credit card company and had the funds deposited back into my account. That's the end of it for me.

I'm about to lodge a complaint with my bank, but because it's over 90 days since the transaction took place, they doubt little can done. I'm curious, now long ago did you pay your deposit?

Leave blank

Thats for another type of visa

Thanks. and: "proposed address in thailand", is it enough if i just write "Bangkok" if I not yet book any place to stay?

I used to put down some hotel, such as the Golden Palace on Soi 1 Sukumvit, but now that I'm on a retirement extension I put down the home address.

Reckon any hotel would be fine.

Mac

I know this is an old post, but just in case anyone is looking: I called the Thai consulate in Brisbane (Australia) as the local and Thai guarantor question is still on their forms. It means next of kin. If you don't have one (at home or in Thailand), just leave it blank.

Don't know what going on there but if you look at their newletters, you can see that they changed directors:

http://www.li.chiang...5307/255307.pdf

The old director (ศันสนีย์ วรรณางกูร) asked to resign on 30th of June

There's a temporary replacement in July. Looks like her resignation was unexpected.

http://www.li.chiang...5308/255308.pdf

In August, the new director (ผศ.เหรียญ หล่อวิมงคล)says he'll try to improve things ....

I just visited the updated CMULI site again and the 'about us' page seems to have been deactivated http://www.studythaicmu.com/ Odd! I guess they're updating it? Where does Dr Kay fit in?

Scrap that last post, the link is working now and Dr Kay is still listed as the director....so who is ผศ.เหรียญ หล่อวิมงคล ?

Another website has been able to get a response. Due to forum rules I cannot supply a link but if you put the quote below into Google you should find it.

quote

An explaination. Friend had managed (after much effort) to contact someone 'at the top' of CMULI and was told that 'Thai Immigration had a suspicion that CMU was "selling" ED-visas to farangs not attending the courses and stopped all visas to students from CMU, not only language students. Many existing students have now illegal residence permit status as their visa could not be extended. It was a mess. Besides that there was a relevant change in administration staff at CMULI and the new employees are just not yet familiar with the daily business. Up to now they have a backlog of some 200-300 students waiting for their visa paperwork so the staff is completely overstrained. This might be why I got not answers to my emails.

Now there was a inspection at CMULI by Thai Immigration and they agreed that all documentation is correct and Visa will be issued again starting next Wednesday, 8. September.'

Friend was 'guaranteed that the course in November will be running and I will get the visa papers by end of next week (he would put my name somewhere on the top of the backlog). And of course I get a full refund if my Visa is refused.'

All of this may not be the most comforting news, but it is good to know what exactly is going on...just incase I have to change tack. CMULI is still advertising their four Thai Language courses as including a one year visa.

Thanks for the post. Your Friend's version of the story is probably close to the truth. My source also "at the top" of CMU LI told me a slightly different version of the story. The reason (which was never made public) Thai Immigration was suddenly all over CMU LI was some farang students have committed (or have been accused of committing) some hideous crime, which I would not specify. Because the "farang criminals" got their visas through CMU LI, Thai Immigration, justifiably or not, views the program and its remaining farangs in the LI with suspicion (to say the least). I was told that even if the LI director signs the support letters, Thai Immigration would not accept them right now if we take them to do our visa renewal. To me, Thai Immigration could do their inspection of paperwork and investigation and whatnot, but suspending visa renewal for students in good standing (like myself) and causing all these problems of overstaying... seems to be an overreaction.

Assuming that I do get the paperwork for renewing my education visa this Wed (won't hold my breath of course), could you tell me if I could obtain the visa locally in the CM office, or do I need to go out of the country, like to Vientiane? I'd prefer applying locally, of course; otherwise, that will be a lot of hassle - in terms of wasting both time and money - that none of us deserve. I suppose we just had the misfortune of choosing this school in this country at this time.

Hi Thaiboy, sorry to be a pest (re: my message earlier), but do you have any new news?

Don't know what going on there but if you look at their newletters, you can see that they changed directors:

http://www.li.chiang...5307/255307.pdf

The old director (ศันสนีย์ วรรณางกูร) asked to resign on 30th of June

There's a temporary replacement in July. Looks like her resignation was unexpected.

http://www.li.chiang...5308/255308.pdf

In August, the new director (ผศ.เหรียญ หล่อวิมงคล)says he'll try to improve things ....

I just visited the updated CMULI site again and the 'about us' page seems to have been deactivated http://www.studythaicmu.com/ Odd! I guess they're updating it? Where does Dr Kay fit in?

Thanks for your suggestions. I am indeed still in my home country but leave in 7 weeks. I don't have any documentation as yet, other than a receipt for my deposit which was paid quite some time ago. CMULI advised from the beginning that my Visa docs will get underway in early September...so fingers crossed. I'm keeping my eyes glued to this forum.

I would be very careful about handing over any more money.

(Personally I would consider the deposit lost and not waste any more time and money with CMU)

It might be an idea to contact Payap University in ChiangMai as I understand they run a similar course and can provide the Ed Visa documentation.

I also understand that you can get a 1 year non-immigrant O Visa to visit a friend in Thailand (Thai national) from the Thai consulate in Perth. Why not get your Visa before you come? no risk then!

The plan of action is, outlined by CMULI, pay the deposit, they send you the visa docs (about a month before arriving) to sumbit to the Thai Consulate in my country, who then grant me the visa prior to entering Thailand. In CMULI's own terms and conditions it states that if the Thai Consulate does not grant me the visa, I am refunded 14000 out of my 15000 Baht. So, if I don't get the visa docs, I can't be granted a visa = hopefully a refund.

I'm giving it all a week or so, to see what pans out, before looking at other options.

I've enrolled and paid my deposit from abroad, due to start in November. I'm REALLY interested to find out what's going on.

My advice to you, IF indeed you're in your home country and have documentation from CMU for their year long thai language course is:

Apply for a Multi Entry Year Long Non-Immigrant Type-ED Visa. Even students with documentation from private thai language schools (which is quite different from real university's paperwork) can usually secure that type of visa at their home country's Thai Embassy or Consulate.

With that type of visa you don't need to extend it in country every 90 days. Every 90 days you just cross any border, and re-enter, getting another 90 days automatically. Plus if you do it one last time before the visa expires, you get another 90 days, making your stay here almost 15 months.

I'd seriously check into that option if I were you (which I'm not, but just saying. .)

As an aside, I tried that number for CMU's Thai Language Study Program a coupla more times today but no one answered. Sadly no one 'returned my call, despite the guys assurance someone would, go figure. ..

Thanks for your suggestions. I am indeed still in my home country but leave in 7 weeks. I don't have any documentation as yet, other than a receipt for my deposit which was paid quite some time ago. CMULI advised from the beginning that my Visa docs will get underway in early September...so fingers crossed. I'm keeping my eyes glued to this forum.

I started the year-long courses at CMU this month. They take care of all the visa stuff; I just provided photos, autographs and money. They teach speaking, reading and writing. Initially we are given English language transliterations for pronunciation but this is supposed to stop once we have learned the Thai alphabet [We are currently ensconced in the ever-popular low consonants]. Most threads on this topic have stated repeatedly that learning the alphabet along with the language is the best long-term approach to gaining some mastery of the language. I can let you know in a few years. I don't have any other reference points here other than my four years of high school French. Careful analysis of the two has led me to conclude that the teacher here in CM is definitely hotter. You spends your money and you takes your chances.

It definitely is fun.

(sorry for posting out of place but) Are you having any trouble with your visa, like others are reporting? I am due to start the same course in November.

I've enrolled and paid my deposit from abroad, due to start in November. I'm REALLY interested to find out what's going on.