I have been telling myself (55 yrs old female with Canadian and Australian passports) that I will take a long term course (at least 3-6 nonths) for Thai language for years now.
I speak passable Thai, but I know that being able to read Thai would be a huge step forward. I am serious about learning for real!
My question is: should I choose my course/school now while I am in Phuket where I come every year, and apply for the ED Visa in Canada when I'm back there this summer, or is it better to be here on a tourist visa, choose school, then go to a neighboring country to apply for an education Visa?
Also recommendations for Thai language schools around Southern Phuket are much appreciated.
I stay every year in Rawai.
Thanks in advance!
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is considering enrolling in a long-term Thai language course in Phuket and is evaluating the best approach for obtaining an ED Visa. They are contemplating whether to choose a language school while in Phuket and apply for the ED Visa in Canada afterward, or to select a school on a tourist visa, then go to a neighboring country to apply for the education visa. Commenters provide insights on visa options and suggest it may be best to explore language schools in person before applying. They also mention alternative visa options that may be more beneficial than the ED Visa.