Top 5 Thai Courses in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai Thai Courses
There are literally dozens of Thai courses and schools available in Chiang Mai to choose from. Finding the right one can be tough, but a few are consistently recommended by friends of mine here in Chiang Mai that have spent some time on the Thai language learning scene.
Below you’ll find my pics for the top 5 Thai courses in Chiang Mai. My students have studied at all 5 of these places, and with several other smaller schools and private tutors that didn’t make the cut. These seem to be not only my picks but the picks of my students as well.
So, without further ado… ( In no particular order)
My Picks for the Top 5 Thai Courses in Chiang Mai:
#5- A.U.A Language Center
Address:
73 Ratchadamnern Road
Prasing, Chiang Mai 50200 Thailand
ph: +66 053 278407
Thai Courses Offered:
Thai 1, Thai 2, Thai 3, Small Talk, Basic Reading and Writing, Advanced Reading and Writing
Course Fees: 4200 Baht per course
Placement Tests / Interview: Yes (150 Baht)
Class Times:
10:00am – 12:00pm (or) 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Monday – Friday
Private Lessons: Yes (290 Baht / hr)
The good:These guys are a time tested option for ex-pats who live in Chiang Mai and want to study Thai. A lot of people have studied here and have good things to say about them. I found the classes to be good, but a bit slow.
The bad and the Ugly : They don’t offer student visas, even for long term students and the teachers also ignore the text and “teach from the hip”.
#4- YMCA Language Center
Address:
73 Ratchadamnern Road
Prasing, Chiang Mai 50200 Thailand
ph: +66 053 278407
Thai Courses Offered:
Thai 1, Thai 2, Thai 3, Small Talk, Basic Reading and Writing, Advanced Reading and Writing
Course Fees: 4200 Baht per course
Placement Tests / Interview: Yes (150 Baht)
Class Times:
10:00am – 12:00pm (or) 1:00pm – 3:00pm
Monday – Friday
Private Lessons: Yes (290 Baht / hr)
The good These guys are a time tested option for ex-pats who live in Chiang Mai and want to study Thai. A lot of people have studied here and have good things to say about them. I found the classes to be good, but a bit slow.
The bad and the Ugly They don’t offer student visas, even for long term students and the teachers also ignore the text and “teach from the hip”.
#3- Chiang Mai University
Address:
239 Huay Kaew Road
Muang District, Chiang Mai
Thailand, 50200
Thai Courses Offered:
One Year Thai Language and Culture Course, Speak Thai in 15 Days Introduction Course, Thai 1, Thai 2, Thai 3
Course Fees: 5,000 per unit, or 30,000 for the One Year Program
Placement Tests / Interview: Yes
Class Times:
Vary by class / instructor availability
Private Lessons: No
The good : Chiang Mai Unversity is regarded as Northern Thailand’s number one school, and with good reason. The language institute has a good reputation for their 45 hour Thai 1 course, when it is available.
The bad and the Ugly : The 30 hour course is basically a paid educational visa program. You pay 30,000 baht, you study 4 hours a week, and you get a 1 year visa from the Thai government. The Thai 1 class is good, but often doesn’t open because of lack of students. They won’t open a class if they don’t have at least 6-8 students. The Thai 2 course rarely (if ever) has enough students, and Thai 3 has not ever opened (yet) that I am aware of. Hopefully once word spreads of their Thai programs, this will change as the Thai 1 class has gotten good reviews.
#2- Banpasa Thai Language Institute
Address:
59/9 Soi 1, Moo7, Buak-krok-noi,
Chiangmai-Sankampaeng Road,
Nongpakrang, AmphurMueng, Chiangmai 50000
Thailand.
Phone # 083-4805254
Website: http://banpasathai.com
Thai Courses Offered:
Intensive Beginner – Advanced, Private Tuition
Course Fees: 250-325 baht / hr
Placement Tests / Interview: Yes
Class Times:
Available from 8:00am – 6:00 PM
Private Lessons: Yes
The good : Of course, I have plenty of good things to say about our program, and I can confidently place us in the top 5 on this list. Granted I’m a bit biased, but we do offer private lessons from yours truely, in your home for as little as 200 baht per hour. At that price we are competitive with the other big universities and you will get more personal attention.
The bad and the Ugly :There is something to be said for studying in a class with other people. You make friends, you meet people with similar interests and you can measure your progress against your classmates. So unless you can find a study partner, it will just be you and me. Also, if you don’t have a place for us to meet, you will have to come to our school in San Kampaeng, which is about a 25 minute drive from downtown depending on traffic.
#1- Payap University
Address:
Super highway, Chiang Mai – Lamphun Rd
Chiang Mai
Thailand, 50200
Thai Courses Offered:
Intensive Thai 1-8
Course Fees:7500 Baht per course
Placement Tests / Interview: Yes
Class Times:
9:00 – 12:00 or 1:00 – 4:00
Private Lessons: No
The good : Probably one of the best, and most intensive Classroom options in Chaing Mai. The instructors are top notch, and a few are authors of popular Thai study books here in Thailand. Some teachers do “teach from the hip”, but the classes are small and these teachers know what they are doing.
The bad and the Ugly : By far the most expensive option in Chiang Mai. If you want a student visa, be ready to cough up an extra 4500 baht and 2 months tuition up front (you will need to do this every 3 months). Like CMU, there are also problems with the availability of classes after Thai 2 or 3. Thai 4 and above rarely opens as there are rarely enough students to fill classes. Because they have a large International College however, you can expect each level to open at least once a year. Try to contact someone in admissions to find out the bests time to start a “cycle” so that you can go through the classes with the students in the Thai language major.
The Best information about Thai language Courses!
Well, there you have it, my top 5 picks for Thai Schools in Chiang Mai. These are the big 5, and I’m happy to slot myself in there on that list. If you’d like to talk to some of my current or former students (many who have tried a lot of the schools in the area), give me a call, and I will gladly put you in touch with them!
Let me know if there is anything else you would like to know about Thai Courses in Chaing Mai!!
All the best,
-Kru Simon
Phone # 083-4805254
Website: http://banpasathai.com
Explore posts in the same categories: Learn Thai in Chiang Mai, Study Thai in Chiang Mai, Thai Courses in Chiang MaiTags: A Good Speaking Thai teacher in Chiangmai, An efficient Thai teacher in Chiangmai, Chiang Mai Language Exchange, Chiang Mai Thai Course, Experienced Thai teacher, flexible thai teacher, Intensive Thai Lessons, Learn Thai in Chiang Mai, Private Thai Lessons, Pual Thai Teacher, Punctual Thai, thai, Thai Language Schools in Chiang Mai, Thai teacher in chiangmai, Thai Teachers in Chiang Mai, Well-Known Thai teacher
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
September 5, 2010 at 9:50 am
“The bad and the Ugly : The 30 hour course is basically a paid educational visa program. You pay 30,000 baht, you study 4 hours a week, and you get a 1 year visa from the Thai government”
Chiang Mai University Language Institute – The course now is actually 180 hours undertaken over one year. Yes, they give visa support in the way of a document which enables one to secure a ED visa, while outside of Thailand (before you arrive) if the Thai Consulate sees fit.
The course is still 30 000 Baht, this does not include any visa costs. Most Thai language course providers advertise the one year visa…but seldom (if ever) is it covered in your fees or gauranteed. After all, no language school has any control over Thai Immigration.
February 27, 2011 at 4:12 am
I enrolled in the Payap program in January and was disappointed in the level available (level 5). I have been studying for a few years now and I want to take my language to the next level. I am waiting to see if they will have level 6 or not but it depends on having enough students. I went to a trial class and it was ok. It seemed good for grasping basic fundamentals and structure but not sure beyond that. It is hard to judge on such a limited basis. On other hand, I have been seeing Kru Simon for the last month and am pleased with the results so far. Lessons are less structured but helpful if you see him regularly. He is like having a good Thai friend who is also a teacher and not too krengjai to correct you and make suggestions.