Hello,

 

In April, my friend wants to attend a school to take advanced an Thai language course. She's already studied beginning Thai (9 months) and beginning Chinese (going on 9 months)) on consecutive Ed Visas, the second of which ends on April 1. 

 

She now wants to take an advanced Thai language program when her current visa ends in April. She is serious about wanting to become fluent in Thai over the next 18 months as she will retire here in November 2020 (after her 50th birthday).

 

She's currently attending an accredited local language school, but given the pushback from immigration over the past 6 months she's worried this will be an issue when she applies for advanced Thai in a couple months. Her school has warned all studies to expect pushback from immigration on Ed Visas.

 

That said, my friend is serious about wanting to become fluent in Thai. She wants find schools with more advanced studies in Thai language, and is willing to commit the extra time and money to both learn the language (and also face less scrutiny from immigration).

 

What schools or universities offer these types of programs that are accepted by immigration in 2019? Is it only schools like Chulaongkorn with Bachelor and Master's degrees, or are there other schools that are not considered 'visa mills' and offer top notch learning and are taken seriously by immigration? How does one know the difference? 

 

 

Perhaps check with Walen. http://www.thaiwalen.com/en/Home

They have been around for a long time.

Not cheap though.

I would suggest at least talking to Ramkhamhaeng University Instutute of Languages. Thai for foreigners is included in their offerings, and I believe the price is reasonable.

Chulalongkorn University Thai language courses offer advanced Thai classes and visa is possible.