Chiang Mai University Language Institute - 1 Year Education Visa

**daniel2602** · 19-08-2009, 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by killerbees

^^Huh. I hadn't heard of that aspect of it. I do know someone who studied and taught there. He loved it. I can't really speak to the quality of the classes there as I've never been but his Thai was excellent so I'm inclined to believe that it was a good program. Never mentioned anything about the God Squad...

When I was in C.Mai a couple of years ago, there were a few clean-cut, happy Americans staying in the same place. I'm sure I heard they studied at McGillivry college. Maybe I was wrong, and it doesn't matter that much anyway.

Do you know anything about the Tesol courses? I'd like to weighh up the best teaching course to do, when the time is right.

**killerbees** · 19-08-2009, 01:01 AM

I don't know anything about them, sorry. Why not take a course before you leave your home country?

**daniel2602** · 19-08-2009, 01:06 AM

You mean the teaching course whilst in the UK? It's an option, but expensive. The Visa in Thailand is very important for me. I want to be there fairly and squarely, without having to go on Visa runs every month.

**Simon43** · 19-08-2009, 09:21 AM

If you follow a year-long course at a Thai university, then your ED visa should be extended for 1 year when you apply. The 90 day extension is given to courses at private language schools.

I studied the Thai Studies MA at Chulalongkorn 2 years ago on a part-time (2 days/week) basis and got a 1 year extension to my ED visa without any problem.

Mind you, that was 2 years ago, and as far as ever-changing visa rules are concerned, that is an eternity....

Simon

**Thetyim** · 19-08-2009, 09:55 AM

According to this link you will only have to go to Immigration once after 90 days and from then on it will be once a year.
It also mentions that 10 years is the maximum for ED visa.

Thai Language with ED Visa | TLS Language School

**chitown** · 19-08-2009, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Thetyim

According to this link you will only have to go to Immigration once after 90 days and from then on it will be once a year.
It also mentions that 10 years is the maximum for ED visa.

Thai Language with ED Visa | TLS Language School

Is that link right? Is takes me ask.com

Dan · 19-08-2009, 12:07 PM

If you want to go to Chiang Mai, have a look at the Payap course. Details at Foreign Language Intensive Thai

**dirtydog** · 19-08-2009, 12:07 PM

^^Browser hijacker?
Takes me to tls web site.

**daniel2602** · 19-08-2009, 02:11 PM

I'm grateful for all the replies and information. Already, I am way more knowledgable about Ed Visas and language courses.

People always say that in C.Mai, most teaching jobs don't help you with Work Visas, and that part-time hours are often all that's available. So, what is stopping somebody enrolling on a Thai language course, getting an Ed Visa, and teaching a few hours every week, so bringing in some money?

**dirtydog** · 19-08-2009, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by daniel2602

So, what is stopping somebody enrolling on a Thai language course, getting an Ed Visa, and teaching a few hours every week, so bringing in some money?

Apart from the fact you would be working without a work permit and risk being imprisoned and then deported, absolutely nothing at all

**daniel2602** · 19-08-2009, 02:21 PM

I know that Dog. But if the schools won't/can't help teachers to get Permits, won't they be working illegally anyway? I always read that in C.Mai, teachers get offered few hours, and don't get Work Visas.

When I get to C.Mai, I'll have a degree, and possible a CELTA, but no experience. The kind of teacher they stick on part-time hours and don't give Visas too.

**dirtydog** · 19-08-2009, 02:26 PM

Probably thousands upon thousands of farangs working illegally in Thailand, most will never ever get caught, but occasionally some do, up to you whether you decide to take the risk

Dan · 19-08-2009, 02:28 PM

I wouldn't worry too much about being sent to prison for not having a work permit. I don't think it's very likely.

**dirtydog** · 19-08-2009, 02:30 PM

^It isn't very likely if you have the bail money, will he have the bail money?

Dan · 19-08-2009, 02:37 PM

How many teachers do you know who've been arrested for not having a work permit?

**dirtydog** · 19-08-2009, 02:46 PM

Quite a few actually, then again I probably have lived in Thailand a bit longer than you, bail is set at between 50k baht and 300,000k baht, fine when it gets to court is 2 to 5k baht, then some have been locked up again until their flight deportation date and then escorted to the airport and their plane out of Thailand, but as I said initially the chance of being caught is extremely slim.

**daniel2602** · 19-08-2009, 02:56 PM

But it is possible? Do teachers declare their earnings from these part-time teaching jobs, I am thinking of student loans. Are they cash in hand, or does the money go into your bank a/c?

**dirtydog** · 19-08-2009, 02:59 PM

Originally Posted by daniel2602

Do teachers declare their earnings from these part-time teaching jobs

If they have no work permit they wont have a tax code so noway of declaring it.

Dan · 19-08-2009, 03:01 PM

You'll find that it's not uncommon for universities, colleges, and schools to employ EFL teachers without work permits. Some do it not knowing that it's illegal. Many do it because it's a headache to organise. Places will give you cash or a cheque but if it's going into a Thai account I don't see how student loans will know about it (and on the pittance you'll be earning, it won't make any difference.)

**daniel2602** · 19-08-2009, 03:08 PM

Thanks Dan and Dog. I don't think I would earn enough to make over the thresh-hold, but I'd prefer not to declare it and so pay tax. All is looking promising, I thank you all for your time and information.

Opening a Thai bank a/c is pretty easy isn't it? On another point, from the advice given to me yesterday, and looking on the 'net, it does seem like doing a CELTA in England might be the best option.

**DrAndy** · 19-08-2009, 03:23 PM

AUA and CM uni are both well established

no problems with either, as far as I know

**dirtydog** · 19-08-2009, 03:23 PM

Thai qualifications are alright for Thailand, other countries that are a bit more advanced may laugh at it though.

Thai bank accounts are a pain, if the first one refuses just goto the next bank even if it is the same bank.

**DrAndy** · 19-08-2009, 03:46 PM

same as the approach to women?

**dirtydog** · 19-08-2009, 03:52 PM

^Depends, with women you can up your offer

**daniel2602** · 19-08-2009, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Thai qualifications are alright for Thailand, other countries that are a bit more advanced may laugh at it though.

Thai bank accounts are a pain, if the first one refuses just goto the next bank even if it is the same bank.

That is the advice of a true Thailand-professional. I'll remember it.

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