THAILAND – Somchai Prasert
Thai Visa Services, Chiang Mai
Okay so this is going to sound cynical but: for years the Education Visa was basically a loophole and everybody knew it.
You paid a school, the school gave you a letter, immigration stamped your passport. Nobody asked too many questions. It worked because of nam jai—"water from the heart"—the Thai concept of generosity and giving people the benefit of doubt.
By 2024 that trust was gone.
Two Stories From Last Year
Michael, Australian, enrolled in "intensive Thai language course." Skipped class for three months straight. When he came for his extension, the immigration officer asked him basic questions in Thai. He couldn't even say hello properly.
Denied.
Lisa from Germany attended maybe half her classes. At her extension interview they asked her to read สวัสดี (sawatdee - hello). She couldn't do it.
Denied.
The officers weren't being mean—they were just tired of fake students.
What Changed (No Official Announcement):
Schools now have to track attendance and report to immigration
Immigration actually TESTS students during extension appointments
Fake schools lost their licenses (three schools in Chiang Mai shut down in 2024)
Thailand launched the DTV (Destination Thailand Visa) for remote workers—5 year visa, 180-day stays, 10,000 baht fee, just need to show 500,000 baht in the bank
Once the DTV existed, they stopped tolerating fake students.
How Often Are People Actually Tested?
Based on what I see:
Bangkok: maybe 60-70% get tested
Chiang Mai: 40-50%
Phuket: 20-30%
They'll ask you to introduce yourself in Thai, count to ten, read simple words, have a short conversation. If you've actually been going to class it's not hard.
Bottom Line:
If you genuinely want to study Thai or Muay Thai or whatever → get the ED visa and actually attend.
If you want to work remotely and stay long-term → get the DTV, it's way easier now.
Thailand is still a very welcoming country but the deal is you have to be honest about why you're here.
— Somchai Prasert, Chiang Mai (handling cases 2020-2025)