I am currently here on the 30 day visa exempt entry for US passport holders. I've been considering getting the one year self defense visa in Chiang Mai and was wondering if anyone could clarify some things for me. Is it correct that after I enroll with the school, the visa must be activated outside of Thailand, in a neighboring country's Thai embassy? If so, does anyone know what the most efficient route would be? I've never done a border run/visa run, and this is actually my first time in Asia.