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0 pointspandler9y ago0 comments

It's easy enough to take Thai language classes and get a student visa in Thailand, though they appear to be getting more strict with their checks to validate that you are actually learning Thai. I say that, because some people just get the student visa and never actually take the classes.

You can also get a student visa (in Chiang Mai at least) for hand-to-hand combat training with the military police. You just take two lessons a week on Saturday and Sunday afternoons for two hours. http://chiangmaibuddy.com/services/chiang-mai-visa-services/....

You're spot on though - doing visa runs all the time gets old fast.

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3 comments · 2 top-level

apatters9y ago· 1 in thread

I believe that in Bangkok the Thai language schools currently require 8 hours of study a week to qualify for a student visa, which is more than it used to be but is still incredibly lenient. In the provinces I hear the requirements are even lower. Anyone who intends to stay here for more than a year without learning at least basic Thai is shooting themselves in the foot anyway IMHO.

pandlerOP9y ago

If I remember correctly, I think it was 6hr/week in Chiang Mai. About 40% confident about that number.

cpayne9y ago

If I were 10 years younger & without kids... Hand to hand combat with the military police on a weekend sounds awesome!!!

Never understood westerners who live in Thailand (or any non-english, Asian country) but don't bother to learn the language. It's not as if you need to be fluent or even that good at it...

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