I want to stay in Thailand a bit longer, and it seems that an ED visa is my best option. But can I study another language, like Chinese or Japanese, and still get and maintain the visa?

I found this thread: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/829236-learning-english-on-a-thai-education-visa/

but there are conflicting answers, and the thread is a bit old.

Furthermore, if studying those languages is possible on an Ed visa, does anyone know a legit school to help with the process? I plan on actually studying the language (both are useful for my career) while freelancing.

Thanks in advance.

You can study what ever you want, as long as the course is recognized by the Ministry of Education.

"Furthermore, if studying those languages is possible on an Ed visa, does anyone know a legit school to help with the process? I plan on actually studying the language (both are useful for my career) while freelancing."

You meant to say, whilst working illegally. Fixed that for you.

"Furthermore, if studying those languages is possible on an Ed visa, does anyone know a legit school to help with the process? I plan on actually studying the language (both are useful for my career) while freelancing."

You meant to say, whilst working illegally. Fixed that for you.

Thanks, I wasn't aware of that policy. How strict are they on this? Would I need to have my salary directed to an overseas, rather than Thai bank account? My clients are abroad, not in Thailand.

Better don't expect a detailed instruction for working "under the radar" in this forum

Seems you think in the right direction.

Have a look or post here to find info about schools. Language school courses

Thanks for the responses everyone, I'm always surprised at how helpful this forum is.

Better don't expect a detailed instruction for working "under the radar" in this forum

Seems you think in the right direction.

Working for overseas clients and getting paid overseas is a grey area, not least because it's impossible to get a work permit to do that even if you tried.

A chat with immigration officers (twice, once in 2003 and again in 2014) I found that provided the work is online and you are not "seen" to be working then there is no issue and immigration have no problem. Thats not a official answer, but its the actual answer I got twice by asking immigration officers.

Recently a internet cafe style establishment (described as a shared workspace) was raided by immigration officers in Chiang Mai because they thought the foreigners in there were working for the Thai owner, it turned out that all the foreigners were working on overseas ecommerce sites etc and not for the owner or any other Thai business, and after a few hours and checking passports etc all were released without charge despite being on tourist visas. This is as close as we can get to an official sanction on working online for overseas business in Thailand.

"Furthermore, if studying those languages is possible on an Ed visa, does anyone know a legit school to help with the process? I plan on actually studying the language (both are useful for my career) while freelancing."

You meant to say, whilst working illegally. Fixed that for you.

Nothing in the alien labor act says freelancing online for offshore entities that don't have a physical presence in Thailand, is illegal, I'd have asked what he means by freelancing first.

I've had an Ed visa while writing content online for US companies and getting paid on Paypal, for years.

Edited July 1, 201511 yr by jspill

"Furthermore, if studying those languages is possible on an Ed visa, does anyone know a legit school to help with the process? I plan on actually studying the language (both are useful for my career) while freelancing."

You meant to say, whilst working illegally. Fixed that for you.

Nothing in the alien labor act says freelancing online for offshore entities that don't have a physical presence in Thailand, is illegal, I'd have asked what he means by freelancing first.

I've had an Ed visa while writing content online for US companies and getting paid on Paypal, for years.

Yeah, we're pretty much in the same boat. I write content for Europe and Asia, was planning to get paid in my US account anyway, while transferring money over every now and then. But I am serious about the language courses, if I'm paying money for it, I might as well learn something in the process.

Better don't expect a detailed instruction for working "under the radar" in this forum

Seems you think in the right direction.

Working for overseas clients and getting paid overseas is a grey area, not least because it's impossible to get a work permit to do that even if you tried.

A chat with immigration officers (twice, once in 2003 and again in 2014) I found that provided the work is online and you are not "seen" to be working then there is no issue and immigration have no problem. Thats not a official answer, but its the actual answer I got twice by asking immigration officers.

Recently a internet cafe style establishment (described as a shared workspace) was raided by immigration officers in Chiang Mai because they thought the foreigners in there were working for the Thai owner, it turned out that all the foreigners were working on overseas ecommerce sites etc and not for the owner or any other Thai business, and after a few hours and checking passports etc all were released without charge despite being on tourist visas. This is as close as we can get to an official sanction on working online for overseas business in Thailand.

it is not an immigration issue but for the department of labour. according to them there is no grey area, you need a workpermit. that loads of people get away with it is an completely other issue.

The ED Visa is an ideal way to stay in Thailand and study Thai Language.

You will need to do this through a Ministry of Education recognized school.

The School will handle the Ministry of Ed. process and provide the necessary immigration documentation.

At Chaeng Wattana the immigration officers regularly test Ed Visa extension applicants and require you to prove you are actually studying Thai.

These tests are a recent change in policy due to the large number of criminals living in Thailand using ED Visas.

it is not an immigration issue but for the department of labour. according to them there is no grey area, you need a workpermit. that loads of people get away with it is an completely other issue.

DoL has issued and official statement about that? Post it here if you have it.

it is not an immigration issue but for the department of labour. according to them there is no grey area, you need a workpermit. that loads of people get away with it is an completely other issue.

DoL has issued and official statement about that? Post it here if you have it.

yes, it is called the labour act

yes, it is called the labour act

I see. Go ahead and post any section relevant to this issue then.

yes, it is called the labour act

I see. Go ahead and post any section relevant to this issue then.

i am on my phone, google it

"Section 5. In this Act: "Alien" means a natural person who is not of Thai nationality; "Work" means engaging in work by exerting energy or using knowledge whether or not in consideration of wages or other benefits;" Sounds like exerting energy in Thailand is considered work, and using a computer is exerting energy ?

And writing blogs and websites would be considered using knowledge ?

Edited July 1, 201511 yr by bigt3116

"Section 5. In this Act: "Alien" means a natural person who is not of Thai nationality; "Work" means engaging in work by exerting energy or using knowledge whether or not in consideration of wages or other benefits;" Sounds like exerting energy in Thailand is considered work, and using a computer is exerting energy ?

Back to square one, that is actually the only square known by those that can't accept the reality of things, and are eroded by envy

i am on my phone, google it

Make your next call to DoL then...

This topic has gone way off topic. It is not about working online. You can dredge up one of the many topics about it if you want to discuss it.

Better don't expect a detailed instruction for working "under the radar" in this forum

Seems you think in the right direction.

GET LEGAL.

Better don't expect a detailed instruction for working "under the radar" in this forum

Seems you think in the right direction.

GET LEGAL.

Hey, the moderator has advised already to stay on topic. The OP has stated already that he doesn't work in Thailand. Go easy with accusations, unfounded judgement, and use of capitals.

I love these threads.

Better don't expect a detailed instruction for working "under the radar" in this forum

Seems you think in the right direction.

GET LEGAL.

Hey, the moderator has advised already to stay on topic. The OP has stated already that he doesn't work in Thailand. Go easy with accusations, unfounded judgement, and use of capitals.

How sure are you that you understand what you just criticized? It might refer to something that's well known in this forum, just not by you. The phrase GET LEGAL can only be yelled in inappropriate capitals, as those who fondly recall the days of GET LEGAL know too well. There was no deviation from the topic, because any comments on working under the radar followed directly from a statement in the original post. Although unfounded judgement sounds impressive (would make a great movie title), I can't comment about it, since I don't know what judgement it refers to. I'm not speaking for BENQ, but I read his double quote marks to mean under the radar, so to speak. What unfounded judgement has been perpetrated? If you don't like a comment (for reasons that are unclear, even to yourself), perhaps you should just say that. It would save you from going off-topic yourself, already.

How sure are you that you understand what you just criticized? It might refer to something that's well known in this forum, just not by you. The phrase GET LEGAL can only be yelled in inappropriate capitals, as those who fondly recall the days of GET LEGAL know too well. There was no deviation from the topic, because any comments on working under the radar followed directly from a statement in the original post. Although unfounded judgement sounds impressive (would make a great movie title), I can't comment about it, since I don't know what judgement it refers to. I'm not speaking for BENQ, but I read his double quote marks to mean under the radar, so to speak. What unfounded judgement has been perpetrated? If you don't like a comment (for reasons that are unclear, even to yourself), perhaps you should just say that. It would save you from going off-topic yourself, already.

From a shouted sentence to full verbosity, again in the name of wandering off-topic. OK, thanks!

How sure are you that you understand what you just criticized? It might refer to something that's well known in this forum, just not by you. The phrase GET LEGAL can only be yelled in inappropriate capitals, as those who fondly recall the days of GET LEGAL know too well. There was no deviation from the topic, because any comments on working under the radar followed directly from a statement in the original post. Although unfounded judgement sounds impressive (would make a great movie title), I can't comment about it, since I don't know what judgement it refers to. I'm not speaking for BENQ, but I read his double quote marks to mean under the radar, so to speak. What unfounded judgement has been perpetrated? If you don't like a comment (for reasons that are unclear, even to yourself), perhaps you should just say that. It would save you from going off-topic yourself, already.

From a shouted sentence to full verbosity, again in the name of wandering off-topic. OK, thanks!

In the name of? Err, right.

From a shouted sentence to full verbosity, again in the name of wandering off-topic. OK, thanks!

In the name of? Err, right.

Enjoy

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/wandering?s=t

it is not an immigration issue but for the department of labour. according to them there is no grey area, you need a workpermit. that loads of people get away with it is an completely other issue.

DoL has issued and official statement about that? Post it here if you have it.

Well the DOL in Phuket did, and further they responded to a question in one of the Phuket rags from a person intending to work for Aussie clients while in Thailand, and they stated categorically it was illegal and told the person not to work in Thailand without a WP, and the person responding was the head of the Phuket DOL

The links to these are in multiple discussions/threads on TV, so use the search, these articles were linked to on more than one occasion

so at least in the opinion of the head of the Phuket DOL, it is illegal and they have said so, and they said they would prosecute if they caught people

And before the comments from immigration in CM get thrown into the mix, Refer to NancyL's comments on that news story she was at the meeting and the quotes give in in the newspapers article where taken out of context and basically incorrect... you can also use the search...

Further TV's own lawyers responses to this question

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/808889-the-legality-of-working-from-the-internet-in-thailand/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/713879-work/

Edited July 3, 201511 yr by Soutpeel

it is not an immigration issue but for the department of labour. according to them there is no grey area, you need a workpermit. that loads of people get away with it is an completely other issue.

DoL has issued and official statement about that? Post it here if you have it.

Well the DOL in Phuket did, and further they responded to a question in one of the Phuket rags from a person intending to work for Aussie clients while in Thailand, and they stated categorically it was illegal and told the person not to work in Thailand without a WP, and the person responding was the head of the Phuket DOL

The links to these are in multiple discussions/threads on TV, so use the search, these articles were linked to on more than one occasion

so at least in the opinion of the head of the Phuket DOL, it is illegal and they have said so, and they said they would prosecute if they caught people

And before the comments from immigration in CM get thrown into the mix, Refer to NancyL's comments on that news story she was at the meeting and the quotes give in in the newspapers article where taken out of context and basically incorrect... you can also use the search...

the people who live here and work and get there money from customers outside Thailand forget they have to pay tax in this country

it is not an immigration issue but for the department of labour. according to them there is no grey area, you need a workpermit. that loads of people get away with it is an completely other issue.

DoL has issued and official statement about that? Post it here if you have it.

Well the DOL in Phuket did, and further they responded to a question in one of the Phuket rags from a person intending to work for Aussie clients while in Thailand, and they stated categorically it was illegal and told the person not to work in Thailand without a WP, and the person responding was the head of the Phuket DOL

The links to these are in multiple discussions/threads on TV, so use the search, these articles were linked to on more than one occasion

so at least in the opinion of the head of the Phuket DOL, it is illegal and they have said so, and they said they would prosecute if they caught people

And before the comments from immigration in CM get thrown into the mix, Refer to NancyL's comments on that news story she was at the meeting and the quotes give in in the newspapers article where taken out of context and basically incorrect... you can also use the search...

the people who live here and work and get there money from customers outside Thailand forget they have to pay tax in this country

To be honest that's bit of a separate issue, involving residency for tax purposes, when the money is remitted etc, dual taxation agreements which goes a bit beyond this topic..in simple terms could tax be owed in Thailand ?...it could