Can I switch from an education visa to a tourist visa by leaving Thailand before my education visa expires?

When you do leave Thailand and try to return, if denied reentry it is possible Thai Immigration may force you to buy a ticket back to your home country. Be aware of that possibility. It has happened recently at airports.

Take some time and look into a visa for the purpose of your stay. Keep on using this tourist visa and visa exempt entry is not the way to do it.

I believe you hold an UK Passport? And have been in Thailand nearly two years from 2017. Be careful...The above advice just given by

@Robert ******

is important. Good Luck.

One only from Vientiane?

You may get lucky and get a second there.. Cross border by land both ways via Udon Thani to Nong Khai.

If you come back into Thailand with or without a visa, make sure you can show that you can support yourself for this stay, with minimum 20.000 Thb or equivalent currency in CASH, proof of onward travel within the period of the visa exempt entry (30 days) or 60 days when using the tourist visa and proof of accommodation. As you claim you are a real tourist get some proof of funds coming in from abroad to fund your stay as back up. For an Immigration Officer it is hard to believe that some one who is not working, can pay for all this without any income.

...Have you obtained a tourist visa before in Laos?

...Do not fly into airports.

...Use border crossings...

@Lukasz ***********

frankly you need to find a visa which serves your long term wish to live in Thailand. I think you are at risk. In fact recent reports from others in similar situations as yours show that even when you have a new Tourist Visa in your passport, upon arrival at the airport Thai Immigration is denying entry.

You obviously have a long history of living in Bangkok. More and more people getting questioned on arrival using back to back tourist visa, visa exempt entry and ed visa. Yes you are abusing the law as all these visa's are not meant to live inside Thailand.

Are you aware that Thai Immigration is denying entry to many who have a history of back to back visas on their arrival at Don Muang and Bangkok airports? Denying them entry ...

@Lukasz ***********

so you are flying to Cambodia to apply for a Tourist Visa for Thailand ? What airport are you planning your flight return to Thailand ?

So do you have a stamp in your passport that meniontion: Extension of Stay is permitted up to 3 Feb 2019?

And when was this, as the visa is only valid for 90 days and than you had to leave, no need for 90 days reports.