Hi all,

I want to share my experience to warn others considering the Certificate in Thai Language Course at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU, Ayutthaya) for an ED visa. TLDR: they sell it as “fully online” but the visa extension is impossible if you don’t live in Bangkok/Ayutthaya.

THE SETUP: In March 2026, I contacted MCU’s program via LINE. I explained I live in Khon Kaen/Udon Thani and need a fully online course. Staff member Ju confirmed repeatedly: “Yes sir online,” “Saturday and Sunday online class,” only “one day to come for sign.” When the official timetable showed 60% on-site requirement and a mandatory 7-day meditation retreat, Ju said: “It is online only, sir. This is an unofficial timetable prepared for students to apply for a visa” and “Retreat also not necessary.” I paid 10,000 THB.

THE PROBLEM: Three months later, time to extend. I’m told: extension ONLY at Ayutthaya Immigration, need a house rental contract in the area, and need to physically visit the university multiple times. I reminded them I live 500km away and was told the course is online. When I asked for an official letter confirming online delivery, a different staff member (J-gon) replied: “I have never confirmed that this program is conducted entirely online” and “I am unable to issue a document stating that students are not required to attend on-site activities.”

So the university’s own staff officially admits the course is NOT online — directly contradicting what they told me to get my money.

OTHER RED FLAGS: Payment went to staff’s personal bank account (university has no international payment method), no official receipt issued, told to use university dorm address as my residence on visa docs, official documents described as “unofficial timetables made for visa purposes.”

THE RESULT: ED visa could not be extended. Had to leave Thailand. Out 10,000 THB course fee + 2,000 THB embassy fee + travel costs + need to pay for new course. Total damage: estimated 35,000–60,000 THB. Sent formal refund demand to MCU. Zero response. Complaints filed with OCPB, MHESI, Italian Embassy.

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re considering MCU’s Thai language program for an ED visa and you DON’T live in the Ayutthaya/Bangkok area, don’t do it. They’ll tell you it’s online, take your money, and then you’ll find out the extension requires local residence. I have the complete LINE chat as proof of every claim above.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with MCU or other ED visa schools pulling this kind of thing?

I can feel your frustration and am sorry you have had a financial 'hit'.

Extending an ED visa is notoriously fraught with issues. Local Immigration offices are immediately concerned they will get in trouble with their regional offices if they allow an extension to go through that did not qualify. ED visas are definitely something that has been abused and then restricted over the last few years. So, the minute you apply for an extension of permission to stay based on an ED visa, you need to know exactly what you are doing and prepare for serious scrutiny.

Let's look at the stakeholders

MCU is an educational establishment. It offers Thai language courses for foreigners amongst other things. When a foreigner has questions, the sales team will provide positive answers hoping they will buy the course.

There are many immigration agents/lawyers/visa mill type companies in Thailand. MCU is not one of them.

It appears your goal was to obtain an extension of your permission to stay rather than to study Thai language. Your post makes no comment on the teaching you received.

So, you should buy the service you require from a company that promises to deliver it.

Your post is informative to others but not in the way you intended.

The fact they are promoting it as online should be your first alarm bell - it's a legal requirement for an ED visa to attend classes in person.

These ED visas can be messy.

In 2021 when covid extensions were gone, I had no other chance to stay here than getting ED visa. I found some agency in Chiang Mai, who offered 1 year ED visa and online Thai Language studies in some Chiang Mai university.

I applied for it about month before my permision of stay would end. When it came closer to date when my permision of stay comes to an end, I started to asking agent why they cant tell me date when I should fly to Chiang Mai immigration. She just replied - dont worry, you can fly domesticaly even with overstay no one is going to check at airport for that. I didn`t want to risk so I flew to Chiang Mai few days before and was waiting there about 1 week in hotel when I finally got appointment at immigration. I got some weird 11 month extension, later agent told me they messed up something and gave me refund for one month. There was never any studies, I dont even know if that univeristy was real. Agent blocked me after third time when I asked when the studies will start lol. Thank god everything ended well and never had problems with immigration after that, but I will never apply to any Thai language online studies again.

10 hours ago, gdg09 said:

Hi all,

I want to share my experience to warn others considering the Certificate in Thai Language Course at Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU, Ayutthaya) for an ED visa. TLDR: they sell it as “fully online” but the visa extension is impossible if you don’t live in Bangkok/Ayutthaya.

THE SETUP: In March 2026, I contacted MCU’s program via LINE. I explained I live in Khon Kaen/Udon Thani and need a fully online course. Staff member Ju confirmed repeatedly: “Yes sir online,” “Saturday and Sunday online class,” only “one day to come for sign.” When the official timetable showed 60% on-site requirement and a mandatory 7-day meditation retreat, Ju said: “It is online only, sir. This is an unofficial timetable prepared for students to apply for a visa” and “Retreat also not necessary.” I paid 10,000 THB.

THE PROBLEM: Three months later, time to extend. I’m told: extension ONLY at Ayutthaya Immigration, need a house rental contract in the area, and need to physically visit the university multiple times. I reminded them I live 500km away and was told the course is online. When I asked for an official letter confirming online delivery, a different staff member (J-gon) replied: “I have never confirmed that this program is conducted entirely online” and “I am unable to issue a document stating that students are not required to attend on-site activities.”

So the university’s own staff officially admits the course is NOT online — directly contradicting what they told me to get my money.

OTHER RED FLAGS: Payment went to staff’s personal bank account (university has no international payment method), no official receipt issued, told to use university dorm address as my residence on visa docs, official documents described as “unofficial timetables made for visa purposes.”

THE RESULT: ED visa could not be extended. Had to leave Thailand. Out 10,000 THB course fee + 2,000 THB embassy fee + travel costs + need to pay for new course. Total damage: estimated 35,000–60,000 THB. Sent formal refund demand to MCU. Zero response. Complaints filed with OCPB, MHESI, Italian Embassy.

BOTTOM LINE: If you’re considering MCU’s Thai language program for an ED visa and you DON’T live in the Ayutthaya/Bangkok area, don’t do it. They’ll tell you it’s online, take your money, and then you’ll find out the extension requires local residence. I have the complete LINE chat as proof of every claim above.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with MCU or other ED visa schools pulling this kind of thing?

You do not need a visa for an online class. The entire premise of the ED visa is that you NEED to be in Thailand so badly to study, that you need a visa so you can do so. When you remove the need to be in person, you also remove the entire foundation for the visa.

I'm a bit confused. As you live in Khon Kaen or Udon Thani, why don't you study with a local university there? Both cities have several big universities. Some of them offer Thai classes for foreigners.

8 minutes ago, Caldera said:

I'm a bit confused. As you live in Khon Kaen or Udon Thani, why don't you study with a local university there?

At a guess... OP didn't want to attend classes nor actually learn Thai language.

19 hours ago, gdg09 said:

Out 10,000 THB course fee + 2,000 THB embassy fee + travel costs + need to pay for new course

Surely you had the benefit of the online courses from March until, gosh, until now and beyond?