The Best Support for Learning Thai Language

Academic Support

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Visa Support

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Online Learning Support

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Why choose Effective Thai?

Effective Thai is designed for students to learn  Thai language the way people learn their first language by directly associating words (written and spoken, read and heard) with objects, actions and ideas that convey meaning. Translation alone is sorely inadequate, and can be quite misleading in terms of lived language use. At Effective Thai, grammar, syntax and vocabulary are taught through real life examples.
EXCLUSIVE Private Small Group

EXCLUSIVE Private Small Group

Our Small Group language classes are much more effective than larger classes of 10 students or more, common at other Thai Language schools. Great for families or friends who want to study together. 

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Check your Thai level and receive result immediately

Check your Thai level and receive result immediately

Course requirement

To be accepted, you will be required to complete a placement test and interview to check your suitability for the course. Our course is selective; we only intend to teach those that show seriousness towards learning.

Chiang Mai, Thailand ranks 9rd 2018 The World's best cities

Course Accreditation

3-month, 6-month and 12-month (Renewable) Thai ED Visa Support

One-to-One, Small Group and Corporate Training Thai Language Courses

Education-Visa

3,6,12 Month Education Visa Awarded by The Thai ministry of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

All nationalities are eligible; however, students holding nationality from several countries — including Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and most Middle Eastern countries — will need to apply for their initial visa in their home country.

Thai immigration collects (1,900 THB) for each visa extension.

It’s possible to enroll by either making a deposit payment through PayPal or bank transfer (please contact us for details), or by popping into the school and making a deposit payment in person.

The payment and visa process steps are as follows:

  1. 50% Deposit payment is the first step. The student can do this from the Effective Thai website by selecting a 100 hour or 200 hour course (group or 1-to-1) on the Schedule and Fees page.  
  2. After that we will start preparing supporting documents for the Thai ED visa. In order to do that we need to know what Thai embassy/consul the student plans to apply for the visa. Each embassy requires different supporting documents. The student will be contacted by our member of staff regarding types of visa you would like to apply. The document preparation takes around 7 working days.   
  3. The student should receive the initial 3-month stamp first for single entry non-immigrant Ed visa from the Thai embassy that you apply for. Once the student pays the balance payment before the Thai course start, their visa will be extended to six months year. Our members of staff will take care of all information and advise the student step-by-step here in Chiang Mai.

Effective Thai and the EFL Learning Centre has more than 15 years experience in processing visa applications. We have provided support for a wide variety of Thai visas to perhaps a thousand applicants from dozens of countries. The visa process is not guaranteed, however we have had a lot of success and are able to advise and support the vast majority of ED visa applicants.  

  • 50% deposit payment required to reserve seat, and to process Visa supporting documents.
  • If the student cancels before supporting documents have been prepared, deposit is 50% refundable.
  • If the student cancels after the supporting documents have been prepared, deposit is non-refundable.
  • If the visa application is submitted at a Thai embassy/ consulate, the deposit is non-refundable.
  • If the Visa is approved, or the course has already begun, the deposit payment is non-refundable.

You can study Thai with us if you have a tourist or non-immigrant visa, or visa-exempt permission to stay. Anyone who is legally in the country is able to take our Thai courses.

Yes. Our school is licensed by the Thai Ministry of Education, and our Thai-language curriculum has been accepted by Thai Immigration as appropriate for issuing and extending non-immigrant ED (Education) visas.

Initially, you will be issued by our staff with the paperwork to obtain a 3-month single-entry non-immigrant ED visa from a Thai consulate or embassy. From Chiang Mai, the Thai embassy in Vientiane, Laos is usually most convenient, though there are other options such as Savannakhet, Laos and Yangon, Myanmar, among others. On commencement of study, the necessary paperwork will be prepared to support additional 3-month and 6-month extensions.

3-month and 6-month ED Visa support is available. For ED Visas, classes must be a minimum of 2 lessons per day/4-5 days per week. 3-month (90-day) ED visas can be extended within the country and continuing students are able to stay in Thailand for 3, 6, 9, or 12 months.

For those attending a 200 lesson course, the 6-month non-immigrant Ed visa can be extended for 3 months from the initial 90-days, up to a total of 6 months. Those wishing to enroll in an additional 200 lesson course can extend up to 12 months in total. For each extension of 3 months there is a fee of 1,900 THB payable to Thai Immigration.

An English-speaking member of our staff will accompany you to immigration. Our staff will lead and guide the student through the visa-extension process at Chiang Mai immigration office.

We provide 6-month Education (ED) Visa support for students who register for a minimum of 200 lessons of 1-to-1 or small group classes. For 12-month visa support, the minimum is 200 + 200 (400) lessons of 1-to-1 or small group classes.

Study schedules are arranged according to students’ availability. For 1-to-1 students, the schedule is very flexible. For small group students, the group agrees together on a schedule, so students can study on the days and times that are convenient for them. To qualify for an ED Visa, the schedule for classes must be a minimum of 2 lessons per day/4-5 days per week. Lessons are 50 minutes each.

Students can study on a one-to-one basis or in small group of 2–6 students.

What Our Students Say

Read why others choose Effective Thai over online courses

1-to-1 Thai Language Classes

Thai Language Classes are most effective with 1-to-1 tutoring. While it costs twice as much as the small group rate, the speed of learning can be twice as fast. For students who are advancing beyond the basics, this is the best approach. Students have different strengths and areas for improvement, different interests and learning styles. 1-to-1 is the best approach, including a flexible schedule.

  • We have 1-to-1 Thai language classes available to begin at any time
  • 1-to-1 courses are in bundles of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 lessons (each lesson 50 minutes)
  • Deposit Payments (50%) to secure a place via PayPal, bank transfer, credit card, and cash.
  • Balance Payments should be completed by the end of the first day of study.
Lessons Price Discount
10
5,500 THB
No discount
25
13,300 THB
3% discount
50
25,500 THB
7% discount
100
49,500 THB
10% discount
200
93,900 THB
14% discount

School Hours of Operation

  • Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 7:00pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: 9:00am – 5:30pm

Note that Skype/Online instruction can occur outside of these hours, after agreement with the teacher. Skype is available for 1-to-1 and small group courses where all students are located at a single remote location. We have tried mixed courses (classroom + skype in one session) but this has not been satisfactory for the students.

Small Group Thai Language Classes (2-6 students)

Our Small Group language classes are much more effective than larger classes of 10 students or more, common at other Thai Language schools. Great for families or friends who want to study together. If the students create their own group, they can choose study dates/times convenient to them.

  • We have new small group language classes starting each month
  • Small group courses are in bundles of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200 lessons (each lesson 50 minutes)
  • Deposit Payments (50%) to secure a place via PayPal, bank transfer, credit card, and cash.
  • Balance Payments should be completed by the end of the first day of study.
Lessons Price Discount
10
2,750 THB
No discount
25
6,650 THB
3% discount
50
12,750 THB
7% discount
100
24,750 THB
10% discount
200
46,950 THB
14% discount

School Hours of Operation

  • Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 7:00pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: 9:00am – 5:30pm


Note that Skype/Online instruction can occur outside of these hours, after agreement with the teacher. Skype is available for 1-to-1 and small group courses where all students are located at a single remote location. We have tried mixed courses (classroom + skype in one session) but this has not been satisfactory for the students.

EXCLUSIVE TAILOR-MADE THAI LANGUAGE CLASSES

Effective Thai students are exposed to authentic Thai language and culture inside and outside the classroom. The goals of the program are to develop careful listening skills, cultural and linguistic awareness, and interest in real Thai society, as well as to learn essential and modern words and phrases used in Thailand.

What do we offer that is very different and exclusive from the rest?
  • Individual tailored courses that focus on your exact needs and in the manner in which you learn most effectively.
  • Learn the art of dealing with difficult situations in an intelligent and pleasant manner specific to Thai culture.
  • Enable you to make a considerable impression in all aspects of Thai society.
  • Access to our highly qualified and wide network to practice Thai, make connections, and develop future opportunities.
  • Do you want to develop strong professional and/or personal relationships? Improving all four disciplines (reading, writing, Speaking, and listening) of any language is key to overall comprehension. These disciplines are essential to nurturing relationships in Thailand, be they for business or pleasure, and Effective Thai prides itself on preparing our clients to exceed those expectations.
  • Language of influence
    In addition to improving your language proficiency, we teach you how to gain clear advantages by ‘reading’ distinctly Thai situations, enabling you to communicate the perfect response. Knowing the ‘how and when’-the exact phrase at the most precise time-is often the difference between communicating in Thai and Effective Thai. We are the latter.
  • Corporate Training  is an exclusive tailor-made program at Effective Thai for corporate training.

The course is not for everyone; it takes commitment and desire, which is best-suited to goal-orientated people. Effective Thai Language is a unique experience for those who are willing and eager to not only improve their language proficiency but who want to understand, and be effective within, sophisticated Thai culture. The course is targeted for people who wish to make connections with all types of Thai people with an emphasis on developing meaningful personal and professional relationships.