What is the process for obtaining a one-year self-defense visa in Thailand after enrolling in a school?

good luck (y) contact the school you're thinking of signing up with and talk to them :)

Step 1, you sign up with the school. They then get the papers- this actually takes quite a bit of time, 1 month or more, so make sure you factor that in.

Step 2, they give you the papers and will advise on consulates you can go to outside Thailand. For a first visa, you can probably go to most places. Vientiane is the nearest, you need to apply for an appointment there several weeks in advance. Vietnam (Hanoi/Ho Chi Minh) are two other good alternatives with cheap direct flights from Chiang Mai.

Step 3, you go to the consulate, apply, usually get your visa back the next day. Then come back to Thailand and start your course.

The school will be very helpful with setting you clear on the exact process, they are very clued in on how it works and will tell you exactly what to do and where to go.

Generally, after you sign up for your self defense class, you get an education visa. The school will send you to an embassy or consulate that they are familiar with, along with a bunch of paperwork and a letter to the embassy asking for the visa. That embassy will issue you a single entry ED visa that's valid for 90 days. Once you're inside Thailand, you'll get an extension of stay based on education.

Contact the school you want to enroll, they should have all the up-to-date information.