How To Start With The Study Of Thai Language?

[xaxofon]

hi guys,

I am a slovak guy who wants to see thailand and spend there as long time as possible (6-24 months, depends on..). I just could not find right information to answer my questions (neither thai consulta was able to give me exact answers- not as much ridiculous as annoying):

1. if I come to thailand with multiple travel visa (means 2 x 3 months) and then I will decide to take a language course in Bangkok - is there any problem with visa? Is it possible to change my visa from tourist visa to study visa once in thailand - without travelling outside of thailand?

2. What is good language school in Bangkok? What about course prices? Any good web linx?

3. Does thai law allow to change student visa into a tourist visa inside of Thailand - say, if I complete lang course? Could it be also multiple entry visa - if this applies?

4. What are estimated living costs in BKK? Little bit about the structure, please..?

I would be grateful for any advice and/or opinions...

thanx a lot

Xaxofon

[Guest ka1234]

Like I replied in another thread, I think the best way to learn is to get your own personal teacher. It is cheap enough in Thailand and you can then learn at your own pace, go back if you forget etc.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=3706

I can recommend Namfon, email [email protected]

[SPY]

I recommend you to open this URL while u re preparing yourself to come ovrhere.

www.learningthai.com go on...and try it

Actually, When u come overhere u can learn Thai language at AUA and Pro Language humm,,,,and many interesting Thai Language School for Farangs...

First of all i let you to see the URL which i gave u first...

SPY....

[xaxofon]

thank you very much for your good advices.

But still, it is quite unclear to me, if I actually can change my tourist visa from tourist one into study visa and vice versa - I mean once I get to Thailand. Eventually, what conditions apply if I want to change my visa... I could not find any website dealing with the law requirements for any visa changes or complete legislative materials...

thank you very much....

[SPY]

First! i let you ask all informations at The Thai Embassy at your country!!

I think it s better coz you can get more info from them....

SPY....

[dr_Pat_Pong]

it is quite unclear to me, if I actually can change my tourist visa from tourist one into study visa and vice versa

Why not get a visa before you leave home ...that'll save a lot of grief. Where are you , what is your age and how long do you plan to stay in Thailand ?

[xaxofon]

hello spy and dr patpong,

of course I asked these questions at our local slovak consulate in bratislava, but people here seems to have pretty poor knowledge on thai legislative matters. They were not even sure, whether I can change my travel/student visa once I come to Thailand, and what conditions apply, nothing anout fees, documents required, financial cover etc.

Well, Dr. PatPong, I am a slovak guy, who got thai gf while studying in Sydney last year. This year (2003) I got back to my country, Slovakia, coz my emplyeer still kept my job for me. After some time I realised, that I do not feel happy here. Recently I gave quitting notice to my employeer and I decided to go to Thailand. I am 29, graduated from Economic Uni in 98, studied IT web development (php, mySQL, flash etc) in Sydney, can speak fluently English, German, now starting with the study of a thai lang.

My gf visited me here, and even though we are not sure about our relationship, I still would like to see Thailand, and eventually, if such a chance occured, got a job there and moved there. Of course, at this stage, I am not sure, whether I will like it - but I heard many opinions about friendly and nice people, that I really want to know.

So my problem is - I want to study thai lang, but I do not know about thai lang schools. I would like to choose school after I arrive at Thailand. I would like to make sure, that I will be happy with the education level - I just do not wanna waste my money, all I have is about 100.000,- bath for whole year, which is not so much I guess... This is what basically happened at Sydney - I did not know about my college much, later I found out that the level of education is really poor. If I would not study by myself at home, I would not learn anything. What did I pay for? I payed to college for my visa, not for getting really good education.

I was also thinking about going to a thai UNI, but I suppose, that they require at least some basic command of a thai language, right? If not, then I would consider 1 year student visa and take certified course. I believe, that after that I might have better chances to succeed at seeking for a job opportunity in thailand.

So my question is - if I come to Thailand as a tourist and I find my reasonable lang school/course - is there any problem with visa? Do I need to change visa to student visa after I apply for a course? What if my course lasts longer than 3 months? Is it possible to change my tourist visa to student visa inside of thailand? Do I need to prove my financial sources as per student visa? And then - after I finish my course and I still want to stay and travel around - is it possible to change my student visa back to travel visa?

I am sorry for such a uncomfortably long mail, but I really could not find any legislative sources (as e.g. http://www.immi.gov.au or similar) for thailand. Is would be so bloody helpful not only to me, I bet, but also to another 50 millions of other farangs :-)))))

Thanx and cheers.

Xaxofon

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Have a look at Thai uni websites. Many have international programs ( taught in English ) but frankly, to pay uni fees, buy textbooks, and live for a year on 100K is gonna be nigh on impossible IMHO. If you did manage uni for a year, how will you be able to handle subsequent years ? A short term course may be possible, but in your region getting a visa in advance without acceptance from a school might be hard.

[kwiz117]

Hello xaxofon,

Looks like bit closer to my story..Did you copy it? [Just kidding]

Actually your story and your plan is common among many foreigners coming to Thailand. I can not give you an expert advice with exact facts like Dr PP. But let me write my thoughts, that might help you to get an idea about Thailand.

After reading your mail, I think you have decided and you are committed to one thing that I missed, still planning to do and always lazy to do. That is learning Thai.

My GF speaks good English as she studied in an International School/University in Bangkok. So we never get any chance to speak in Thai.

But when working with Thai People, I understand the need for it and you are correct about it. It is one of the first things that a Foreigner should do before or just after coming to Thailand with the intention of settling down here.

I am 28 and bit closer to your Age. May be I can join with you to learn Thai in a Class once you come.

So you are on the right track when it comes to the Language.

But your reply also gives me the impression that you are concern about the quality of Education, and with your Background of IT, gives me the impression that you are more towards a Professional Carrier minded person like myself before I came to Thailand. [Correct me if I am wrong]

If you are thinking in that line, then I am not sure that Thailand will be your choice once you moved in. I had to sacrifice all my carrier development by moving into Thailand at this age.

Why I moved in here is to settle down with my Thai GF and then for both of us to find another developed Country and settle down and earn some money. May be we will come back when we get retired one day like many of the other Foreigners in Thailand. I think this will give you a picture of Thailand and the working environment in Thailand.

Unless you are coming here with a strong believe of getting settled with your Thai GF, I doubt you will enjoy your stay here or not in the Long run. For a short-term stay like 1 yrs ok. .

Then, if you think to earn money during that period for working by finding an employment. I doubt again. I will say that it will be possible based on your Luck and not your Skills. So you can take that chance.

For me, it worked and now happily changed the job, two times during last 3 Yrs time.

But in many cases, it is very hard to find employment for a Foreigner even if you can speak Thai.

About managing with 100,000Bht. It depends on your willingness to comedown in your stand of life. If you are willing to stay in a one room [studio Type] Apartment and use the Fan more time than the AC, Eat Thai Food from small shops and pavement [nothing wrong..good quality stuff], travel by Bus most of the time, not to go for Pubs and Bars, not to tour around Thiland, Not to call your Home country and use only the Public Internet Shops..I think you can manage with 100,000 Bht per year. But if I were you, I will not do it unless I am very much sure of getting a Job in Thailand or I have a good fall back option.

This is my thinking.

If you need any more assistance or to share your thoughts, you are always welcome to PM me.

Best Wishes

kwiz

[DaveYo]

Hey are you Slovene. If so PM me will ya. Hehehehehehehe. As to your questions and some answers.

First before you strut on down to Thailand, you have to decide what kind of Non-Immigrant Visa you want. Do you want the Education Visa or do you want the Non-Immigrant itself. They do have one that allows you to stay for a year as a retreat in case you didn't know. Don't bother with tourist visa. You indicated that you plan on staying longer than 90 days.

Getting the Non-Immig O visa is if you are married to a Thai. Getting the Non-Immig B Visa means you have to have a business set up and have a work permit etc.

So your stay is for 24 months or 2 years. Well get the Education Visa and when you are done with that then get the retreat visa. Simple. At least with the retreat visa, you will not have to meet the banking requirements which is hefty itself. All you need to show is if you can survive there for one year and have a plane ticket back home. so if you are doing this, keep in mind you cannot work to supplement your income itself. If you get caught without a work permit, it is bye bye. Not only that thailand has restricted the kind of work we are allowed to even do. Most jobs are reserved for the Thais themselves. The retreat visa is like a retirement visa. You cannot work in Thailand.

Daveyo

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Do you want the Education Visa or do you want the Non-Immigrant itself.  They do have one that allows you to stay for a year as a retreat in case you didn't know.  Don't bother with tourist visa.  You indicated that you plan on staying longer than 90 days. 

Getting the Non-Immig O visa is if you are married to a Thai.  Getting the Non-Immig B Visa means you have to have a business set up and have a work permit etc. 

So your stay is for 24 months or 2 years.  Well get the Education Visa and when you are done with that then get the retreat visa.   Simple.  At least with the retreat visa, you will not have to meet the banking requirements which is hefty itself.  All you need to show is if you can survive there for one year and have a plane ticket back home.   so if you are doing this, keep in mind you cannot work to supplement your income itself.   If you get caught without a work permit, it is bye bye.   Not only that thailand has restricted the kind of work we are allowed to even do.  Most jobs are reserved for the Thais themselves.  The retreat visa is like a retirement visa.  You cannot work in Thailand.

Daveyo

An education visa IS a Non-Immigrant visa. Non-Imm ED

Share with us all your information on a Retreat visa Dave. Only you know about that one.

I never heard about one of them. Are you perhaps, referring to a multiple entry Non-Immigrant O visa, necessitating leaving the country every 90 days ? He'd need to get that outside Thailand, and regionally he'd have no hope of qualifying for one.

A Non-Immigrant O visa is, amongst other things, for those married to a Thai. It is not exclusively a visa for marriage. For ease of understanding, the O stands for Other, just as B stands for Business and ED Education EX is for Expert, and so forth

To get a work permit one has to have a B visa to be able to apply. In the case of a holder of an O class visa, based on marriage to a Thai, the holder can also apply for a work permit.

A word of advice here Dave, before imparting your idea of how things work, go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs site, or the Thai Embassy Washington, and have a good study up first. Misleading and erroneous information is singularly unhelpful.

[xaxofon]

hi guys,

thanx a lot for your suggestions & opinions. I was thinking for couple of days about what you have written here... Particularly about what kwiz117 put up here...

Yes, particularly, you are right - I am partially a carreer minded person. But that does not mean, that all I do in my life is about bloody bucks. Not, definitely. All I am looking for is a job, which makes me satisfied professionally and happy. I definitely dont mind to have less salary if I find my job interesting. So for me - Thailand is not about the money, it is about new experience, knowledge, people, sea and motivation.

Well, I concluded - if I though decide to come to BKK, it will be multiple entry visa. If I like the place - I can change it to study visa (or educational one..? *hooops*). Later on, I can look for some job opportunity meanwhile studying thai lang. I need some time to think through... In this period of my life I am really hesitating about what to do next in my life- basically over next 30 years :-)) - Thailand is one of 3 options available.

Well, may be the last thing - I have got this accurate information from my thai ex-gf. Some of you may find it helpful...

1) If I apply for multiple VISA (2-3 months) from SK then want to change to student VISA in Thailand without traveling outside Thailand?

Imm: Yes.. you can change your VISA from tourist to student VISA without traveling outside THA but 1) you must apply VISA from your destination country and get the real VISA which means you really apply and get THA VISA not just stamp from THA Immigration when you arrived in THA: as you didn’t apply for a THA VISA but you are from exemption country which don’t need to apply for THA VISA 2) when you apply to change your VISA from tourist to student you must have all important documents that immigration requires ready and 3) transfer fee 2,000 Baht. You must apply for a student VISA before your VISA will be expired 30 days.

2) If I would like to change visa from student to tourist after I complete language course?

Imm: You don’t need to change your VISA as your VISA type is Non Immigration VISA so if you prefer to stay longer you could extend your VISA then you will get extended VISA but how long you can stay after changing is depending on where country you are from. It’s probably about 1-3 months and you don’t need to travel outside Thailand.

** fee for transfer VISA = 2,000 Baht

fee for extended VISA = 1,900 Baht

I would recommend you to apply for a tourist VISA first then look around BKK and Thailand first. You may or may not like Thailand.

finally - my comment to kwiz117 - I think you do not need to feel unhappy, if you do not earn huge money there. You found in that country your gf (sounds quite seriously from your message). I can not say this about my relationship with my thai gf - or better my thai ex gf. I would be so f** happy if I could say, that I wanna go to thailand to settle down with her out there. Unfortunatelly, the things are probably over. Even though I found her to be a great person, very nice and cute girl - there is something missing for me - some deep feeling of the love. Just these days I have a quite deep crisis about this - I need time to make up my mind.

thanx once more guys.

[kwiz117]

I would recommend you to apply for a tourist VISA first then look around BKK and Thailand first. You may or may not like Thailand.

[/b]

After reading your reply, I will give you the same advice.

Forget about Thai Language learning for now. Come here and have a look around. Try to network with some people who are in your field.

I know one member "ZenDesigner" in this forum who is looking for a job and in your field. He has posted some replies in the Jobs section in this forum about his experiences. Have a look at those discussions about work related to IT in Thailand. You will be able to get some idea.

Best Wishes

[xaxofon]

Thank you really very much for your concern, kwiz117. I will take your advice.

Take care.

Xaxofon

[monitorlizard]

100,000 baht for 1 year? You must be kidding especially if you are planning on staying in Bangkok.

Forget AUA it is too expensive. Forget studying with a private person...no visa. Forget any university also too expensive.

Some language schools have courses that cost 6,000 baht for a month course. The course runs approximately 4 hours (really 3 hours 40 minutes) either in the morning or evening. they do have 6 levels and if you do not pass one level you can always repeat them.

I have no idea if the schools can send a letter for a study/non-immigrant visa. In fact, I know nothing about study visas. Check on the links that others suggested. One thing I know for sure is that there is no such thing as a retreat visa.

I don't understand your visa question. You are trying to come on a limited stay study (non-immigrant visa) and you want to change it later to a tourist visa? WHY??? Everyone is trying to get a non-immigrant visa not vice versa. Also check on your country status for immigration visas. Your country may be different from others.

Do a google search for Union Language School or Unity Language School or Prachert Language School. Ask them if they will issue you a letter to obtain a non-immigrant visa and what is involved. You can also check the Bangkok Post for the list of other language schools. There are many. But forget the private language tutor you will not get to first base with Thai Embassy with this approach.

I will not quote my expenses as they are rather high for most people but I would venture to say that one usually spends at least 25,000 baht per month here. And I think this is bare bones living at least in Bangkok. And you have a girlfriend? Are you going to go dutch (split all bills)? she pays for you when going out? Or will you? If you do, then 100,000 baht is pure fantasy.

Regarding work. Forget teaching English legally as you are not a native speaker. You will never get a work permit. Period. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a plain liar! Computer work? I don't understand this. There are alot of Thais that are quite capable of programming and the internet work you described.

I don't want to discourage you but trying to save you heartache. There is simply no way that you will survive on 100,000 baht for 1 year in Thailand. Many people who have lots of experience with computers are actually programmers that often work for international companies.

I don't mean to be rude but Thailand is not that backward. They have plenty of people that are computer savy.

Anyway, good luck. I would say to come on a holiday. Learning Thai is very difficult. And if you are going to be serious then you will be studying every day. Sounds to me and others? like you are trying to use the study Thai angle to stay here with your girlfriend and later find work. I don't think you will be successful. I find others that are encouraging you do to so are giving you very bad advice!

Good luck whatever you do.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

That was extremely helpful advice you gave him Monitor. It's is way too 'iffy' to risk coming with a 100k only. If something went wrong, he's done for.

BTW ole DaveYo, our former visa specialist, now accepts that a Tourist visa enables a 60 day stay ( not 90 ) and acknowleges that there's no such thing as a retreat visa available for the LOS . It took a lotta persuasion

[DaveYo]

Well a little gentle persuasion does help doesn't it???

Daveyo

[Sick Boy]

Well handled, Dr.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Well a little gentle persuasion does help doesn't it???

Daveyo

Only a little ?

Thanx Sickboy .