Learn Thai in Chiang Mai: Four Schools, Prices and ED Visas
Group Thai costs THB 3,600 for 24 hours a month at TSL or THB 4,000 for 10 sessions at Lanna. A one-year ED visa course is THB 29,600 at Pro Language (Thai group), THB 43,000 at Lanna or THB 55,000 at TSL. Pro and Lanna prices exclude government fees.
Four schools put a price on a year of Thai with an ED visa. Pro Language charges THB 29,600 for 12 months of group Thai, Lanna THB 43,000 and TSL THB 55,000. Pro and Lanna prices leave out government fees.
A Thai class at TSL Chiang Mai.
Quick picks
Group Thai from any month → TSL, classes begin in the first week of each month.
A university campus and a short course → CMU Language Institute, 15 days at 3 hours a day.
The lowest 12-month ED group price here → Pro Language, THB 29,600.
Pay per session, not per month → Lanna, 10 sessions for THB 4,000.
TSL Chiang Mai — monthly intakes and a DTV culture course
TSL is a private language school licensed by the Ministry of Education. Group Thai is 24 hours a month for THB 3,600 (Advanced and Mastery THB 3,900). The intensive group course is 72 hours a month for THB 9,900.
Private Thai at the school is 30 hours for THB 15,000. Online private Thai is 30 hours for THB 13,500.
Group classes begin in the first week of each month. In the November block the Monday, Wednesday and Friday group starts on 30 October 2026 and finishes on 25 November 2026. The Tuesday and Thursday group starts on 3 November 2026 and finishes on 26 November 2026.
A Thai culture class at TSL Chiang Mai.
Hours
TSL is open Monday to Friday 10:00 AM–4:30 PM with a lunch break 1:00–2:00 PM. Saturday is 10:00 AM–3:30 PM, and Sunday is closed. Hours vary up to a 5 PM weekday close; plan around 4:30 PM and arrive before 4:00 PM.
ED visa course
The one-year ED Thai course costs THB 55,000. Class size is normally 5–15 students. TSL’s age limit for ED enquiries is 50.
TSL asks for at least 80% attendance in each 90-day study period. It obtains your MOE approval letter and letter of acceptance in approximately 30–45 days. For an extension at Chiang Mai Immigration it asks for a current TM30 and a current lease, and prepares its papers about 2 weeks before expiry.
Visa issuance and extensions are not automatic at TSL.
DTV culture programme
TSL’s DTV culture programme costs THB 45,000 for 9 months or THB 55,000 for 12 months, plus a visa fee of THB 10,000. Weekly Saturday culture classes run 2–3 hrs. Enrollment does not guarantee visa approval. The rules are in the DTV visa guide.
Good for
Starting any month: group classes begin in the first week of each month.
Saturday study: open Saturday 10:00 AM–3:30 PM.
Online private lessons: 30 hours for THB 13,500.
Skip if
You are over 50 and want an ED visa: TSL’s age limit is 50.
You study on Sundays: TSL is closed.
TSL Chiang Mai Thai Language School 152/1, Pantip Plaza Chiang Mai, 4th Floor, Changklan Rd, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Language Institute, Chiang Mai University — the campus course
Learn Thai CMU classes are held at the Language Institute on Chiang Mai University’s main campus. The 6-month Thai course costs THB 25,000 plus a non-refundable THB 3,000 registration fee, stated for the October 2023 intake. Classes meet 6 hours per week.
The Language Institute building on the Chiang Mai University campus.
Sessions run Monday to Friday in the morning (09.00 to 12.00), afternoon (13.00 to 16.00) or evening (16.00 to 19.00). CMU does not offer weekend programs. The maximum age for the program is 60 years. CMU may cancel a program that does not meet the minimum number of enrolments.
The short option is Speak Thai in 15 days: 3 hours per day for 15 days, program fee THB 9,000. The 6-month beginner intakes run monthly, and the last date listed is 21 September 2026, which has passed. For a start now, the next dated block is Speak Thai in 15 days from 2 to 20 November 2026. For a 6-month beginner start, email CMU for the next intake date.
Courses come with a Non-Immigrant Education visa supported by Chiang Mai University for up to 1 year. CMU asks for at least 80% attendance on a monthly basis. Visa support processing takes 5-7 working days. The office is open Monday-Friday 8.30 am - 5pm.
The entrance steps of the Language Institute at Chiang Mai University.
Good for
Evening classes: sessions run 16.00 to 19.00.
A short course: 15 days at 3 hours a day.
Skip if
You want weekend classes: CMU does not offer weekend programs.
You are over 60: the program sets a maximum age of 60 years.
You need a 6-month beginner start this month: the last date on the schedule is 21 September 2026.
Language Institute, Chiang Mai University 239 Huay Kaew Rd, Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Pro Language School — Nimman location, ED prices by length
Pro Language’s Chiang Mai ED visa course for Thai group lessons costs THB 18,700 for 6 months and THB 29,600 for 12 months. English group lessons cost THB 40,000 for 6 or 12 months. Chinese private lessons cost THB 63,000 for 6 or 12 months.
The street front of Pro Language School in Nimman.
The prices leave out the embassy visa fees and the extension fee at immigration. The Chiang Mai branch takes ED students aged 12 to 65. The Ministry of Education process for Chiang Mai may take 6 to 8 weeks.
You get the ED visa stamp for 90 days first and extend every 90 days until the 6-month or 12-month course ends. Conditions for converting a visa inside Thailand differ by location, so ask the school. Applicants outside Thailand can use the Thai E-Visa system online.
Pro Language is open Monday to Saturday 9:00 AM–6:00 PM and closed Sunday. Maya Lifestyle Shopping Center is a 3-5 minute walk.
A classroom at Pro Language School Chiang Mai.
Good for
A 12-month Thai group ED course at THB 29,600.
Saturday classes: open Monday to Saturday.
Skip if
You need to start quickly: the Ministry of Education process may take 6 to 8 weeks.
You study on Sundays: the school is closed.
Pro Language School Chiang Mai 6 4-5 Nimmanahaeminda Road Nimmanhaemin Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand · Open in Google Maps (opens in a new tab)
Lanna Language School — Hang Dong, priced per session
Lanna sells Thai in packages. Group classes are 10 sessions for THB 4,000 or 30 sessions for THB 11,500. Lessons are 2 hours, 2 times per week, so 10 sessions come to 20 hours.
Private lessons cost THB 400 an hour, or THB 11,500 for 30 hours. The one-year Education Visa package is THB 43,000 for a group class and THB 76,000 for a private class. The ED prices do not include government fees.
The front of Lanna Language School in Hang Dong.
Lanna calls itself certified by the Ministry of Education. Full-time students may be eligible for a visa of up to 1 year. The pricing page was updated on January 5, 2026, the newest date available, so plan on these prices.
The school has 6 classrooms, each holding up to 12 people. The address is 276/7 Moo 3, Sanphakwan, Hang Dong. Phone 095 934 3878. On Maps the hours are 9 AM–6 PM Monday to Friday and 9 AM–4 PM on Saturday.
A classroom at Lanna Language School.
Good for
Paying per session: 10 sessions for THB 4,000.
Small groups: each classroom holds up to 12 people.
Skip if
You want a school in the city centre: Lanna is in Hang Dong.
Non-Immigrant ED is issued to applicants who wish to enter the Kingdom to study. On arrival the holder may be permitted to stay for a period not exceeding 90 days. An extension of stay costs THB 1,900 and is not refunded.
A foreigner permitted to stay temporarily must notify an immigration officer of the address every ninety days. The Central Festival service point handles extensions for teachers and students. All four schools’ ED prices come from their own pages; the legal rules are in the Thailand education visa guide.
Which visa for six months
A DTV holder may stay 180 days per entry and can apply for one extension of 180 days, so a DTV covers six months without the 90-day cycle. An ED visa starts with a 90-day stay and is extended every 90 days until the course ends. Prices from Pro Language and Lanna leave out government fees, so budget THB 1,900 for each extension on top of the school price.
Leaving Thailand during the course
Get a re-entry permit before you fly out, or you lose your permission to stay. A single re-entry permit costs THB 1,000 and a multiple one THB 3,800.
Ask each school for its Ministry of Education licence before you pay, as TSL and Lanna both claim one. For the office and the extension counter, see the Chiang Mai Immigration Office guide.
Not confirmed: Whether each school's Ministry of Education licence is current: ask for it before you pay. CMU's current fee: the THB 25,000 price is stated for the October 2023 intake, so ask for the current price when you enrol.
TSL group Thai is THB 3,600 for 24 hours a month. Lanna group Thai is THB 4,000 for 10 sessions, and private lessons at Lanna are THB 400 an hour.
How much is a one-year education visa course?
Pro Language charges THB 29,600 for 12 months of Thai group lessons. Lanna charges THB 43,000 for a group year and TSL charges THB 55,000.
Do the course prices include visa fees?
Pro Language and Lanna prices leave out government and embassy fees. An extension of stay costs THB 1,900 at the Immigration Bureau.
How much attendance does an ED visa need?
TSL asks for at least 80% attendance in each 90-day study period. CMU asks for at least 80% on a monthly basis.
Is there an age limit for the ED visa course?
TSL's age limit is 50. Pro Language Chiang Mai takes students aged 12 to 65. CMU sets a maximum age of 60.
Which school is open on Saturday?
TSL is open Saturday 10:00 AM–3:30 PM and Pro Language is open Monday to Saturday. CMU does not offer weekend programs.
Can I study Thai on a DTV?
TSL runs a DTV culture programme with Thai lessons for THB 45,000 over 9 months or THB 55,000 over 12 months. Enrollment does not guarantee visa approval.
General information checked against the sources listed above, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and office practice change; confirm with the immigration office or a licensed adviser before you act. See how guides are checked.
