TLDR: I got a consideration stamp for my in-country conversion of TR to ED. It appears I am one of the first, if not the first person, to navigate this process in Bangkok.
I wanted to provide some information for the group in regards to changing from TR to ED in-country.
I entered Thailand on December 12th on single entry TR visa issued by Washington DC embassy. I had been trying to get ED visa since June but the embassies have not and still are not issuing ED visas for entry to Thailand for non-traditional schools.
In November, right around the same time that the TR was made available, my school (Duke Language School) notified me that they received permission from the government to convert to ED visas inside the country which has not previously been possible.
I got out of quarantine on 12/27 but the school was closed due to holidays, so I went in early January to provide my paperwork and passport copies etc to them for their application to the ministry. The ministry approval was received at the end of last week (January 22nd). You must have at least 15 days remaining on your visa to apply for change of visa, making January 26th the last day I could apply, or else I would need to get my 30 day extension and then apply for ED visa.
Duke Language School wanted me to go today (Monday), and they sent one of their administrators to meet me at Chaeng Wattana since I am the first person who will ever have done this process with them (and potentially first person ever) so they will know how to prepare future students for the process and to assist me with any issues.
I arrived at 8AM and received a number (144) and at 8:30 they opened the doors and allowed everyone waiting inside. I was the only person for the section I needed (C1). At 8:45 I was called up and the administrator came up with me. I don't know exactly what happened but there was a LOT of discussion and the immigration officer processing my paper work called over multiple other people, with more stars on their shoulder than she had. After a lot of questions to the administrator, they stamped all of my items but apparently there was an issue. The cover sheet of the huge packet of papers that my school gave me was pink and they said that was not acceptable. So I had to wait over an hour while a courier brought a new cover sheet of the exact same information but on a white sheet of paper. Once that arrived we went back without getting another number or waiting in queue since no one was using this section still, and they then took my 2,000 baht and gave me an under consideration stamp. I am to return on February 9th for final disposition of my request. I asked the administrator why there was so much discussion and she stated that they have not processed anyone changing from TR to ED before, and they were asking her why I didn't just enter Thailand on ED visa (another example of immigration and embassies being completely different divisions and not communicating) and she had to explain that it's not possible.
In the end it seems like so far so good, but I will update again once I get the final answer in 2 weeks.
I can't recommend Duke Language School enough to anyone. I actually came to Thailand with the sole reason to learn Thai and they have been super helpful with the entire process even as far back as April and kept me updated every step of the way. Sending someone to help me was a great bonus and I've never regretted selecting them as my school.
TLDR : Answer Summary
This post discusses the author's experience converting a TR (Tourist Resident) visa to an ED (Education) visa while in Thailand. The author shares details about their entry on a TR visa, the challenges faced in obtaining an ED visa, and how Duke Language School facilitated the process. They recount their visit to the immigration office, the unexpected issues encountered with paperwork, and the eventual receipt of an under consideration stamp. The author recommends Duke Language School and plans to provide further updates on the process.
