Transferring ED visa while in Thailand

[WilliamSM]

I'm here on an ED Visa to study at a real University, but I don't think the program is a fit for me. After this semester, I'd like to transfer to something less expensive and time-consuming, like a language school. Is this possible without leaving the country?

 

It took a lot of effort and money to get here, and I don't want to fly back to the USA, fly to Thailand again, and redo my quarantine. It seems like there should be a way, but I haven't been able to find one.

 

Thank you for any advice, and please forgive me if this isn't the correct subforum

[jackdd]

There is nothing to transfer, you would just apply for an extension for studying at another school.

The problem is that there is a rule which says that you may not stay longer in Thailand than one year when studying a non-formal institution (language school), so assuming that after this semester you have spent 6 months in Thailand already, you could at most stay another 6 months.

In some provinces immigration is willing to ignore this rule for a fee though. This would have to be facilitated through the school, so you have to ask your new school if they can do this.