Lessons at your home.
Frustrated with trying to learn a tonal language?
Tired of being ripped off when you try to negotiate?
Upset that you just can’t seem to pick up Thai,
No matter how long you’ve been here?
TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE.
Recommended by Sommorn “Simon” Kumfoopen
****My SKYPE’S Username: simonk.chiangmai
Phone: 098 835 4837
*E-mail: smkumfoopen@gmail.com
*Line ID: krusimon1
Welcome to Private Thai Lessons.
Consider Studying and Practising Thai at my home or your residence.
Book your time-slot today…….HURRY!!
Here are some of my information.
- 1. I am a native Thai speaker with over 25-year experience in teaching Thai and English.
- 2. I am teaching both conversational and grammartical curriculums.
- 3. I can teach with or without the textbook.
- 4. I accept student’s curriculum and lesson concepts.
- 5. I use visuals and other techniques to make learning Thai fun.
- 6. I set goals together with my students and help them to achieve the level of Thai language they aim at.
- 7. I am an experienced teacher who will push you to reach your full potential with mastering the Thai language.
- 8. I am flexible for classes depending on student’s requests.
- 9. I can offer teaching at the student’s place without any extra charge (in Chiang Mai City)
- 10. I provide translation services with authentic certified stamp.
- 11. I also offer interpretation services for private matters or business talks and negotiation.
- 12. I am a language counselor, giving guidance to tackle all language problems.
- 13. My working time is between 8:00 – 18:00 on Monday – Saturday.
- 14. I am available to reach by phone call or by LINE any time.
Email: smkumfoopen@gmail.com
Phone : 098 835 4837
LINE ID: krusimon1
Thai Courses Offered:
Intensive Beginner – Advanced, Private Tuition
************************************
Take Your Lessons at Your Residence.
Home service is available.
Feel free to call any time : 098 835 4837
My Best Contact for your time reservation: smkumfoopen@gmail.com
Sommorn “Simon” Kumfoopen
A Thai Master.
The private classes are paid upfront in a 20-hour block costing 300 Baht per hour.This works out at 6,000 Baht.
Outside lessons is available plus an extra charge of 100 Baht at a time.
Listed #2
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 (350 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 (450 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 & Contact:
***Feel free to contact me for further details. My office is located on the ground floor of Kadsuankaew on Huaykaew Road,
Muang Chiangmai,
Chiangmai 50000
Thailand.
Map of the location: HERE
My teaching place: Ground Floor of GadSuanKaew Mall.
Phone, # 098-8354837 LINE ID: KruSimon1
Office time: 8:30 AM. – 9:00 PM.
My Best Contact for your time reservation: smkumfoopen@gmail.com
Thai Courses Offered:
Intensive Beginner – Advanced, Private Tuition
Course Fees: 300 baht / hr
The private classes are paid upfront in 20 hour blocks costing 300 Baht per hour.This works out at 6,000 Baht.
Plus 100 Baht for each travel for outside lessons.
Placement Tests / Interview: Yes
Class Times:
Available from 8:30am – 9:00 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 truly, in your home for as little as 300 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 SanKampaeng and KadSuanKaew Mall, which is about a 25 minute drive from downtown or from outside of town 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 # 098-8354837
Line ID: krusimon1
My Best Contact for your time reservation: thailanguagetutors@gmail.com
———————————————————————————————–
Update
Dear interested students,
Thanks for visiting this blog.
My teaching format for the beginning level is concerned with conversational communication for 20 hours and then moving forward to learning Thai script that will take another block of time. The lessons focus on daily usage. However, all lessons are based on student requirement.
The private classes are paid upfront in 20 hour blocks costing 300 Baht per hour.This works out to 6,000 Baht for a block which is competitive with other private tutors.
Do you mind coming to my teaching place? I would like to invite you to my office, direction link provided below,
The classroom is in “Kadsuankaew” right next to the northwest side of Chiang Mai’s famous moat. This is centrally located and every songtaew and tuk-tuk driver knows the name GadSuanKaew so transport there and back is very convenient. Coming from everywhere in the city where you stay might take about 10-20 minutes.
Within reason class times can be arranged around your schedule, So let’s talk about your exact dates and preferred times, and it’ll be easy for me to fit you in around my other students.
Hope to see you very soon.
You may call me any time for reservation: 098-8354837
Phone:098-8354837
Line ID: krusimon1
All the best,
Kru Simon
**************A-Z****************
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Learn Thai in Chiang Mai 
“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.
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.
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Thank you for the advice on Thai courses, but I think you missed the information for the YMCA course. It is the same as AUA.
I know this is a rather old post, but I just completed a year of Thai at CMU and wish I could say it was a wonderful and valuable experience, but in actuality, my particular experience was about 2 stars, and at times 3. I wouldn’t put it on this list, not with my experience anyway. I know many had a poor experience. I hope many had an opposing one, but I want to share mine with you.
According to my teacher, LICMU reopened after the major theft debacle a few years ago and I was informed by friends of my Thai fiancé that, despite that, it has a good reputation. The administration seemed as though it was a formal and structured course with strict rules and regulations. It seemed reputable, after all, it’s a university.
Well, things were not as I was told they would be. I don’t know if it’s the teacher or the administration itself, but as far as I can tell, both are in part responsible. The teacher for not really leading and the administration for not knowing their staff.
Things were not structured, at all. The first few months were ok, with the exception of the long breaks disrupting the learning process. Then students started leaving for various reasons. I understand people have lives, so it was sad to see new friends leave. Class went from 7 to to 5 quickly and from 5 to 3 even quicker. Unfortunately, as the class shrunk, so did the teacher’s motivation for teaching.
No attendance rules, no quizzes or tests, no accountability, no structure. Field trips because a husband and wife couple (the other 2 who made it 3 with me) didn’t really want to learn anymore and mostly just wanted visas I guess. So, in about 2 months I learned about 1 week’s worth of material.
As class fizzled out and I was the only one left, and after about 4 schedule changes and a total of 6 months, I was still interested in finishing the books we were only about halfway through. So, my teacher had me join a different class of hers, which was very far behind me. So, again, I was bored. Previously, the teacher played “catch-up” with all the slow students, who were slow because they either didn’t study or didn’t show up. So much for the strict attendance policy! Class fell apart and I wondered why I even came. If we studied it was me reading the same story for the 5th time or more and the teacher, after getting frustrated, telling me to explain things that were not understood. What!?!
I got my certificate because by this time the class finished on the calendar, but not in material, and continued to join a class, which fizzled out during my second class because people switched teachers. Drama! By the time I actually finished class I was with only 1 other student and the books were still incomplete. I didn’t even take the final test because I was sick but it wasn’t necessary to complete the course. In fact, I never took any tests. Just a quiz and a speaking “test” at the end.
I liked my teacher, unfortunately, she’s not a very good teacher unless you’re an “easy” student and she doesn’t really have to teach.
Despite this experience, I knew of others who had a teacher they liked quite a bit so I decided to start a second level course with someone who I was told was very good. We just needed 5 students willing to open a class around the same time, for visa extension purposes. Well, that’s nearly impossible when classes fizzle out and there were not even 5 students completing a level 1 course at one time!
About 3-4 of us came together to join a class. We each contacted the administration to inform them and see what we needed to do next and what they could do to make the visa situation work. Some got answers, others, like me, could never reach anyone. Never in the office and didn’t answer questions fully via email. Didn’t even end the email with their name so I never knew who I was corresponding with. The guy in charge of the Thai courses didn’t even respond to my direct email. He forwarded it to someone else who signed off with a blank space so the email signature was all I read, “LICMU Administration”, or something similar.
Needless to say, after 2 months of basically getting nowhere and being told I couldn’t sign up and make a down payment until our 5th person was found, by us, and for a class that would be 3-4 months out, I quit. They seemed upset but I didn’t care. I told them I found a place that was willing to communicate, effectively and rapidly, with me. And that the teaching style was all inclusive! No teacher shutting you down when you have questions. Instead, explaining!
So, I am now about to take a level 1 course at a new institute until I am up to speed and the gaps are filled, at which point they’ll let me start a higher level and pro-rate the course! They open classes with only 2 students and are very personable and work WITH you so they, and you, succeed. Effective Thai. That’s the place. East of the river. Try them, or almost anyone, before CMU. They even walk you STEP BY STEP through the visa process!! If you do try CMU, sit in on a few classes with different teachers and hang out in the commons area by the coffee shop and talk to the students taking the course. Find out their experience and get a good teacher. And if you want to further your studies, search for people well before your first year is complete!
Supposedly CMU is actually following protocol as of January 2014, but I wouldn’t know, nor will I be finding out anytime too soon. I hope they are. I hope they can pull the loose ends together and tie them into a neat little bow. But if they don’t, I won’t be there to feel it unravel, thankfully!
Becky, great review and very important to share this. I will contact ET based on your comments. Dan
hello buddies
i have experiences that happened to me about Thai Learning in ChiangMai.
i was so upset myself once when i was first day arrived ChiangMai that i can’t understand a Thai lady at store, trying to buy an item, just not long conversation there, and she tried very hard to speak English to me………….but doesn’t work that i couldn’t understand at all. So i gave up on buying and walked away. this such situations happened to me almost every day, that annoyed me often when iam thinking to do something important. Later…….the only way to make this easy is speaking Thai……….so then find many Thai schools in ChiangMai, i chose the best Thai Course at Banpasathai school, on their school profile saying that many foreigners finished from here and most of them are satisfied of this School as i talked to an American man who just finished the Thai Class. and his Thai skill is excellent!
i went to take the Thai Class decidedly, i applied for private lessons for many blocks of 20 hours each. a year later…… i speak Thai with confidence, it’s amazing! that i learned lots of thing from Thai people i spoke to…….they have something amazing hidden in their life, we never know till we speak their Language. that’s all i need to share for now.
For anybody interested Thai Class i recommend the Thai Class at this school i confirm！！
here is number for the school 083-4805254.
you can call him anytime. his name is Sommorn Kumfoopen called him as Simon
As a tourist I spent about twenty hours learning Thai with Simon. It was a great experience. For one thing: Simon is really experienced in teaching — he has so many tricks to help me remember words quickly, and his explanation is always clear and precise. Haven’t tried out any other schools yet, but I’m pretty satisfied with Simon.
Thank you very much Yang, for your nice comment. See you later.
After trying to teach myself Thai for a few months (not much progress) and taking a group class for 45 hours (pretty good progress), I decided to enroll with Kru Simon of Banpasa Thai for 20 hours. My friend suggested him, and she was very happy.
After finishing the 20 hours I was so satisfied I immediately enrolled for another set of 20 hours!
You can tell Kru Simon has been teaching a long time and is very experienced. He was flexible as to what I wanted to learn, but still gave a lot of structure and tips on what I needed to improve next. I was also glad that after a short while I could read Thai characters well enough so that he could write all new words in Thai, giving me a large (>500) collection of vocabulary that I am learning on my own now. ขอบคุณครับ!
It’s really worth it to get the 1on1 attention, because the teacher can focus on your pronunciation, quickly tell you the back story of some word or expression, and just personalize every lesson.
Kru Simon also has this habit of giving you a mnemonic for almost every word worth remembering, so it sticks in your head. In the beginning I found this a bit confusing, but it works! There’s still a lot of words that I remember just because of this little mental helper.
He’s also great help when trying to learn the Thai alphabet, as he can put structure in the many letters that is hard to get from books or on your own. Why can low class never be low tone? Why doesn’t dead stop need tone marks? What is up with all those crazy “s” letters like สศษ?
After roughly 3 months of learning Thai, I can now have very basic conversations, can ask my way around, can order most of my meals completely in Thai, find out where people are from and what they do…
And I can deduce the pronunciation of most simple Thai words, including the tones!
Of course I have ways to go, but I was very happy with the progress I made while studying with Kru Simon. For such a short amount of time, I learned a great deal.
I took the 1 year couse at CMU. There are only 2 teachers. I studied with Mr Dtum. He is an excellent teacher, enthusiastic and engaging. Each student gets some personal attention every class. He often joined us in the cafeteria during classroom breaks. He has 10 years experience teaching Thai to Foreigners. If you want to learn Thai, Mr Dtum is highly recommended. If you just want an Ed Visa, there are easier places.
The class started with 12 people and got smaller over the year. The class is taught in English and some foreigners didn’t understand enough English to keep up. Some students only wanted an easy Visa and stopped after a few weeks. Students can skip 10 classes before being expelled and having their Visa canceled.
There is a dress code: long pants, dress shirt, dress shoes. Farang students mostly ignore the dress code. The bureaucracy complains, but most Farang dress for comfort in the tropical heat.
This is Thailand so there is a lot bureaucracy and a LOT of office staff. There might be more staff than teachers! Most of the staff are charming and and helpful, a few are unpleasant. Some seem to have xenophobia, some are professional bureaucrats just collecting a paycheck. Expect 3 or 4 trips to the office to get started. And you have to visit the office twice every 3 months for more Visa paperwork. Streamlining the paperwork does not seem to priority.
Expect some minor langauage barriers… There is one native English speaker on the staff, Mr Kareem from India. But he is not there to help students. He spends his day avoiding students, hiding in a corner of the main office playing computer games. I heard that his main job is telling unhappy students that they can’t have a refund. Thai culture is not very good at saying “no” so they hired a foreigner.
The school reserves the right to expel students for any reason and has a strict “NO REFUNDS” policy and makes students sign a form agreeing to the policy. That should be a warning. Spend some time talking with the staff, and maybe sit in on a few classes before paying the 30000 baht fee.
The 30000 baht fee doesn’t include a student ID card. That costs extra and requires more forms, fees, photographs, copies, and at least 2 trips to the office. “full use of University facilities” is marketing hype. Everyone, not just students, can get a CMU gym card for 300 baht, or a library card for 200 baht.
HOW TO APPLY FOR AN EDUATION VISA WITH NEW STAMFORD SCHOOL IN CHIANG MAI ?
Applicants must enroll in a full – time English course, Thai course or Chinese (Mandarin) course with New Stamford School.
WHY YOU SHOULD STUDY WITH NEW STAMFORD SCHOOL?
– Class sizes are smaller.
– Flexible schedule
– You will be taught by a native speaker who have the knowledge, and experience.
– We aren’t just a language school. We will be your second home.
LIVE AND LEARN IN THAILAND
With our Education Visa Program, you can study Thai language and culture.
Whoever you are, wherever you come from. You can register ED VISA with us! You will learn easily and progress quickly.
Available courses at New Stamford School – Visa Offered
– Education Visa for 1 year Visa 28,500 THB Discount24,900 THB for this month
– Thai for Foreigner Beginner 15 weeks 12,600 THB Morning | Afternoon
555/120 M. 2 T. NONG CHOM, SAN SAI, CHIANG MAI 50210 THAILAND
Tel. 053-244-117 , 09-4641-9090
http://www.newstamford.com
info@newstamford.com
I want join
I am looking at applying for the language class at CMU for two reasons, they offer support securing ED Visa and the location is close to where I will be staying. However, their administration staff hasn’t been very helpful and supportive. I want to enroll the class before I enter Thailand so I can arrive on the ED Visa, but they’re irresponsive or not providing the full details to answer my questions. Now, I probably will have to go to Thailand on a tourist Visa and then apply for ED Visa in Thailand. The feeling I get is that they are dodging my questions, or that they don’t care to enroll me. Of course, this is not a true representation of the education they provide, but the lack of professionalism in the administration staff makes me insecure to pay them 35,000 Thai Baht.