I've heard that it's possible to change your visa by going to the relevant authorities in Bangkok without re-exiting/entering the country.

The case in point is a business visa that needs to be changed to an ED visa for a new master's student in a local university. They said that the person needs to re-enter...is this the case? Can it be changed here through normal means or would tea money have to be involved?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

It is possible but appears to only happen for a select few Universities from reports. It they say person must re-enter I suspect that is the case.

Hmm...the university in question is ABAC, the reason I even ask is because I know someone who did it (tourist to ED, actually), but I also know that it wasn't too easy and involved going to some other governmental agency on Viphawadee with some embassy-certified papers.

I would like to give it a try, a bit of running around is still less hassle than a visa run, so any idea about the steps involved?

Have only heard of it being used for Chula recently. You can ask immigration for exactly what is required and they have old listing on there website at http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/ba...hp?page=service "change visa"

Aha, I see, thanks for the information! Says they want a letter from the rector in the case of private universities...will drop by Suan Phlu and see if anything can be done.

Problem solved in a most excellent way!

ABAC provided the papers to indicate that the person is studying there, immigration just extended the existing non-b visa for 1 year based on the new paperwork!