What are the consequences of not canceling my education visa and returning home without paying tuition in Thailand?

Just leave. Maybe probs next time if you wanna get a ED visa again.

Are you on the initial Visa? The large NON-ED full page in your passport that was the very first one? Or are you on an ED extension?

If you're on the initial Visa, you can leave and not worry.

If you're on an extension you will likely have problems in the future if you ever try to get another long term visa and may also have to pay overstay fines.

I thought most education needed paying in advance and ed visas were renewed every 3 months. If you've had enough just cancel and go home. If you've had the service and they're chasing you for payment then you won't be getting the visa renewed anyway and it's a shitty thing to do to the establishment you've been learning at

Are you attending a private school or a government school? Did you obtain a loan or is this out of pocket. You will not be arrested on re-entry or would you be denied entry for that reason. Your best option is to discuss the issue with your school let them know what your plans are tell them that you would like to reintroduce yourself to their education system upon return if possible and ask them how you should go about doing what you need to do. Although there are some bad people in Thailand that would try to force you to pay or scam you. The majority of type people. I would say 99.9% Will try to help you with your problem and not take advantage of you.

If you come back you can be arrested, and then deported as soon as you pay what is owed plus any fines, and then blacklisted. Everything is computerized now, so you will be caught.

Have you already had the service or is the next term installment due?