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What are the risks of moving your family to Thailand on short-term education visas like the ED or DTV?

Jun 13, 2025
2 days ago
Zoe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Once in awhile I see posts about people wanting to move their whole family with kids to Thailand on short term visas: Ed/DTV. I don’t know much about DTV because it’s new, but a word of caution on ED visa. I don’t know if it’s assumptions or misinformation but ED visa is not a guarantee one yr visa. You will be evaluated every 90 days, and legitimate schools will need you to attend, if you miss more than a certain amount of classes, your visa will be canceled. I personally know people who have been questioned by immigration for leaving the country during their school year, for being too old to learn Thai…some had their visas denied…I know living in Thailand is a dream for many, but please please make sure you understand the consequences if you don’t have a long term visa. It’s one thing to wing it as a nomad but it’s so stressful if you try to wing it with your family and kids…not to mention quite irresponsible. 🥺

For the few people who think this makes me the immigration police or act as I have a high moral ground. I feel so sad and sorry for you. This is simply a word of caution for other fellow humans. I have a long term visa so this doesn’t concern me personally, but it’s not hard to imagine the distress of being told you can’t come back, that you only have a week to move your new life and all your possessions out of the country you thought would be home…last year I had to take care of classmate’s dog because she was denied entry and didn’t know when she could come back…This is not moral superiority, by the way it’s actually a compliment coming from those with no morals…This just means I have a heart and empathy. So what does it make you when you insult me with all kinds of names and told me I shouldn’t care…I think the answer is clear.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The post discusses the experiences and concerns of expats moving their families to Thailand on short-term education visas, such as the ED and DTV visas. The author warns that the ED visa does not guarantee a full year of stay since it requires regular attendance in a recognized school, with potential cancellations for low attendance. They emphasize the importance of understanding the visa regulations, as well as the risks involved in moving a family to Thailand without a long-term visa. The comments reflect varied opinions on the practicality and ethics of such relocations, highlighting the experiences of students and the administrative hurdles they face.
DTV VISA RESOURCES / SERVICES
Josh ********
Do the best for your kids not you!
Dorothy ******
Following
Benjamin *********
Live and let live. Do what you want and let others do what they want. 🙏
Wayne *******
I dont really think todays parents really care about things like that

Its all about selfishness now. No planning required, not even family planning

Having a kid in the modern day is like buying a puppy
Zoe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ******
same with relationships. No one takes that seriously anymore either.
Wayne *******
@Zoe *****
The human race is the cleverest and dumbest species all at the same time! This thread that you have started alone shows that 😅

Dont worry about the bitter old men who sit staring at their phones all day in isaan. Conversing with the outside world makes their day
Todd *********
@Wayne ******
this isn't your tinder wayne. But maybe you can add the over-entitled american child so she can teach you about visas.
Zoe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Wayne ******
This is literally what I tell myself whenever I post anything online: “When you wake up in the morning, tell yourself: the people I deal with today will be meddling, ungrateful, arrogant, dishonest, jealous and surly. They are like this because they can’t tell good from evil.” Marcus Aurelius.
Tommy ********
I got some loopholes so fuck your essay
Josh ********
I love Thailand! But I never understand why people from western countries move their kids to Thailand unless they have money to pay for a private school. If they cannot, they’re just doing their kids a disservice and being selfish for you own enjoyment. Just my two cents.
Zoe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Josh *******
it will most definitely be a disservice for their future career opportunities.
Us *****
As any student at Duke Language School, they hate going to immigration every few months. It is a waste of a day. I swear I have made like 6 trips total to CW and it is the literally the worst place in Thailand.
Darren ********
Personally I would warn Thai people about relocating abroad. Now that is shit
Umair *****
@Dun *******
expert in the market
Vonn ********
Does winging it mean you’re broke?

Because I’m winging it and have no financial issues. Didn’t move with children but was just curious of the initial definition of “winging it”.
Alessandro ***********
@Vo**
winging it means dealing with sh*t on a day to day basis and dealing with whatever you’re presented with on the day, without too much forward planning. 🙏🏼
Zoe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Vonn *******
no I mean not knowing how long you can stay here. It’s easier to move to another country when you are single or without children. Less stress for the whole family and little ones who really don’t understand what’s going on.
Frank **********
Geez, calm down people. He is just giving his perspective. I understand what he means, that careful planning is called for.
Zoe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Frank *********
🙏 Never thought I would get attacked for saying a word of caution.
Frank **********
@Zoe *****
I agree with you. There are people who make major decisions without considering what it involves. But they are adults so hopefully the make the right choice.
John ********
@Zoe *****
haven’t posted much on FB?
Zoe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@John *******
haha, no and it always surprises me when I do. 🤦🏻‍♀️
Fra *****
ในประเทศไทยมีเพียงสิ่งเดียวเท่านั้นที่แน่นอนว่าทุกสิ่งทุกอย่างนั้นไม่แน่นอน
Peter *******
@Fra ****
words are so true, expect the unexpected

More so when dealing with IO's
Paul *******
Zoe Zhao. I have no idea who you are or where you come from. Nor am I interested in noing. But it seems to me that you are trying to get a job with the Immigration Police. Unbtil then, what people do is not your concerm.
Jennifer ******
@Paul ******
right, let them dig a hole for themselves and fall in it. Who cares right?
Zoe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Paul ******
So a word of caution because I’ve seen how stressful it can be for someone to get their visa cancelled when they moved their entire lives here makes me an immigration police? 🧐
Todd *********
@Zoe *****
Paul is correct. If you screwed up and made some mistakes with your situation, great. Share it. But you aren't the immigration police, nor the morality police.
Brian ********
My language school evaluates constantly.

Attendance below 80% and your ED visa gets cancelled.

I’m not on ED - but I’ve already seen 3 people with visas have their visas cancelled.
Che *****
@Brian *******
out of curiosity, which school is it? I'm intrigued by schools that do evaluate because afaik most don't.
Brian ********
PM’d you.

Not right to dox them.
Zoe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Brian *******
I’m not on ED either but taking language classes. I’ve heard many of the same stories as you.
Sam *****
I understand your meaning of irresponsible. Fraught with undesirable outcomes. Don’t get caught on the semantics people.
Todd *********
Irresponsible lol??! Settle down. Giving your kids the experience of a lifetime by coming. Doing less and staying at home… that’s more irresponsible. And the DTV opens a whole new gateway for people under 50
Jeremy ********
@Todd ********
calm down before you blow a gasket and need medical help

In Thailand live the Sabai Sabai lifestyle
Todd *********
@Jeremy *******
oh here we go lol. Old man miller is off his meds and back on the loose. Try to calm down. Could give yourself an MI
Jeremy ********
@Todd ********
thank god for the rules on substances in Thailand and it takes me to the Sabai Sabai lifestyle
Todd *********
@Jeremy *******
good call
Zoe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
I don’t think I ever said anyone should stay home. I became an immigrant myself at 15 and had the full experience of culture shock as a teenager. The experiences of adults who want to see the world and are willing to deal with the stress that comes with certain uncertainties is not the same as a young person who might not have the metal maturity to handle it. Uprooting a kid to a foreign country and not knowing how long you can stay carries a certain degree of irresponsibility. We can agree to disagree.
Todd *********
@Zoe *****
No it doesn't involve any level of irresponsbility. Never has and never will. And it's personal choice. So move on and take your moral superiority bullshit with you. The world doesn't need it.
Zoe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
Are you always a dick for no reason? Why don’t you move on and not comment on someone’s post…🤦🏻‍♀️
Todd *********
@Zoe *****
are you always this level of stupid and arrogant. Come out with a post that ignorant and you should expect to get slapped around a bit. No big deal
Zoe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
I should expect to get slapped around a bit. Wow…I would love to see you say that to someone’s face, but of course you won’t, only cowards bully online. Pathetic. Has talking this way to strangers ever benefited you in life? You are walking proof that age doesn’t always come with wisdom and grace. Whatever mental stability or lack of you are dealing with, therapy is a better choice than being a complete dick to strangers.
Todd *********
@Zoe *****
don’t be such a child. Take responsibility for being an (insert appropriate female terminology) and calling me a dick. Now look how the interaction went for you after that. What in the the world makes you think I wouldn’t. You think you would call me a dick in person lol. Nope. No courage. All yap and stupid. Stfu
Zoe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Todd ********
You got what you deserved. Trust me, dick is too good for you.

The difference between you and I is that you are a bully and I don’t back down from one. Now why don’t you spend the little of your remaining yrs doing something useful rather than arguing with a “child”.

You will be blocked, so don’t waste my time responding anymore.
Todd *********
@Zoe *****
move along sweetie. I don't speak stupid. And you win the prize here. bye - be off with you
Todd *********
@Zoe *****
so let’s be clear. You thought calling me a dick was good way to go? Is that your position lol? Have you ever heard of irony? Your effective way of dealing with strangers? 😂How is it possible for a human to have a complete and total lack of self awareness? Get a grip on yourself.

Then get back to class and your little Ed visa and learn some adulting. And I won’t have to call you what you obviously deserve
Zoe ******
ORIGINAL POSTER
Sorry if you thought I would be a meek little woman who won’t call you out. I was 100% respectful until you showed your true colors. Dick is actually too good of a word for someone like you. Why don’t you read over our conversations and talk to me about self awareness again.
Paul *******
Jeremy ********
The DTV visa is the best alternative for a long term visa
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