What are the costs and extension options for Education Visas in Thailand?

I was recently talking to a guy who told me he's on a student visa, and studying. I asked him how it works (curious to hear his answer) and he said 1,900฿ for a 60-day extension and nearly 5,000฿ for 90 days. He said this as if it were the official policy, and he had no idea the law is 1,900฿ for an extension of up to 90 days.

Hey Ya’ll,

I am new to the Thai visa advice group. Lots of great advice. Much appreciated!

@Ian *********

, Hope you don’t mind me crashing your post. I do not have a Visa question yet. I am exploring the ED Visa option, and I am looking for input on Thai schools. I reside in US and will be heading to Thailand later this year. Specifically,

@Ian *********

, and Harry Strick, and maybe

@Tod ********

and

@Robert ******

, sounds like you have actual experience with Thai schools. Do you mind if I message you directly with a couple of quick questions?

Thanks!

Another thing that "some" schools do to get around the testing at the MOE at the 8th month is to get paperwork for you to go get a 90 day single entry ED visa, then get you paperwork to get extensions of stays up to the 8th month. At that time rather than send you to the MOE for testing so you can continue the extension process in-country at the immigration office, they get more paperwork and send you out of the country to pull another 90 day single entry ED visa, then do extensions on that for the rest of the time. It circumvents the MOE testing because you're NOT in country for the 8th month extension. :O

@I**

, & Harry, the reason the ED visa / extension system for studying thai at a private school came off the rails is exactly because schools sell ed visas and extensions as a way to stay here and NOT study anything. >:(

Those are nothing more than visa mill schools.😡 That's what hurts real students and it's the reason that no matter where you go to school in Bangkok most students get only a 60 day extension on their ED visa each time instead of a 90 day one.

It's also the reason the MOE limited the amount of time you can get extensions of stays on an ED visa before you hafta go either get tested at the MOE or go outta the country and pull another ED visa to start over.

There is no down side to actually attending a school the required hours and learning to speak thai to the thaiz.

More important is to find a good school where you actually learn what you want. If you look at school offers who claim you do not have to attend classes, stay on a Tourist Visa.