I am here in Perth Western Australia, preparing to return to Chiang Mai in a couple of months, as Payup is a good school to learn Thai but I am looking at another, have been doing the research online and got some forms from different schools.

AUA has asked for 2 character references from local Thai people, it is not a hassle for me to do this and in a way I think a good way to show that I am coming to study in Chiang Mai.

They have also said that any applicant is guarenteed the paperwiork for the ED Visa

Has anyone applied from overseas and have been asked to produce character references??

just curious and at the moment in no real hurry to come back, just want to put all things in place and be prepared

I took a beginners course at AUA and they did not ask for references. Maybe if you were here it would make a difference.

character reference? from Thais? for what? are you applying for a fulltme course? it's bizarre they are asking for this from someone who is not here

Yes would be easier if I was there as I could do all the paperwork there.

Yes AUA is asking me for 2 references from Thai locals that I know for character reference and for just for applying for the Visa but this does not guarentee the Visa and the money also paid for the course could be lost too.

I am just wanting to do all that is possible before I commence my trip.

But maybe better for me to get a tourist visa then come and have my holiday then do all the paperwork then

thanks for the replies as I said just curious

I attended AUA in Bangkok. Their educational philosophy isn't something I'd personally recommend unless you already have a pretty good knowledge of Thai.

As for losing your money, that's entirely possible. I invested in a year's course work at a local university, and got three months worth of schooling out of it before the program was shut down for alleged visa violations.

It's not as easy as it once was to get that student visa, and I'm sure AUA is trying to cover all the bases as well as they can.

My favorite instructor from the folded program now has her own school near the Night Bazaar, and it's offering visas. She's not easy, but she's good.

If you're interested, drop me a note.

1. Visit Dragonfly on LK

2. Ask Jeab and Nam for a character reference.

( Or if this all needs to happen from abroad, they're both on Facebook. )

Edited April 3, 201214 yr by WinnieTheKhwai

I attended AUA in Bangkok. Their educational philosophy isn't something I'd personally recommend unless you already have a pretty good knowledge of Thai.

Chiang Mai AUA never used that insane method. (Insane for adults; it may work very well for kids)

thanks for the replies, have two Thai references but the character side well that is a different story

seriously my the two people will gladly supply references if I choose to go down the AUA route.

thanks again

For any kind of reference it never seems to matter who the actual person is. Same for legal documents, say a declaration that states someone is not married. This requires two witnesses, but both Thai authorities AND Western embassies are just fine with that being two random people off the street.

We live in a strange world.