For anyone who doesn't have the 40,000 baht a month necessary to get year non-immigrant visas (like me, even with thai wife and live here since 7 years i can't get one.)

there is the walen language school in times square building (www.thaiwalen.com)

pay 'em 29thousand baht and they arrange the year visa for you...you only need to stamp it once a year.

I reckon it's almost cheaper than doing it by going to borders all the time, and also don't have to get tired.

Also; NEW LAW; when you leave thailand intending to just walk back in again on one month free tourist visa they will Refuse you entry unless you have a plane ticket leaving from thailand!

This happened to me at Poi Pet in Cambodia last month...i had to go buy a ticket from bkk to penang for next month if not when i went out i couldnt get back in again (which felt strange, as my home is here and all i have is in my condo so it's like exile or something for me as i percieve Thailand as my only home)

so with the price of the ticket to penang i reckon the thai school is a lot cheaper and dont have to go every month too.

How many years can you study (I mean legitimately) in a row?

Do these years count towards PR?

Many thanks

RAZZ

do you actually have to attend school though??????????

Darkside, from other topics on this thread I understand that you need minimum 60% attendance.

Razzell, it does not count as part of the minimum 3 years annual extensions, which is part of the requirements for application for Permanent Residency (PR)

Schools have several levels or courses and once you have finished the top course, you would have to find some other ways for extension of stay. If you want to continue to study, you can go to university. Of course, if you’re a slow learner and have to repeat courses, you can drag out your Thai language learning experience or, after finishing at one school, sign up an another.

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Maestro

do you actually have to attend school though??????????

It may well depend on the school, but the school I attended claimed they were regularly checked by the immigration authorities so see if the claims to a study visa were authentic. They also claimed that if a student ceased to attend they would inform the immigration authorities but it could differ from school to school.

Does anyone know of a school doing this on Phuket ??

I actually want to improve and study also so its a 2 birds with one stone thing.. I can go get a non o from home country but this would fit me easily.

Yes this could be a good option.

Darkside: they have a sat and sunday option I guess that would be a good one.

Sakyant: Do you know of any successful cases in this school or are you one of 'em?

and how much will i have to pay once I arrive in Singapore (or wherever) to get the ED visa? Is this a multi entry/exit visa?

it sounds good, but i do think there are some other hidden fees here.