First time I heard of this loophole

From what I've read about the retirement VISA you have to renew yearly & whenever you leave LOS you have to apply for a re-entry permit or something like that. Sounded quite troublesome & bureaucratic.
This education thing sounds better. Especially since I've always wanted to learn Thai.
With this education VISA can one leave & enter Thailand anytime? Although I intend to stay in LOS I still have to visit Spore frequently to look after things like my property :(
Where can I find a list of these Thai MOE approved schools? IS there a URL with a list of approved schools or should I visit the Thai consulate?
Any schools in Pattaya? That place has cleaner air than Bangkok & seems like a good place if one can't understand Thai
Hi Johnny,
Actually, all types of VISA requires you to have Re-Entry Permit if you need to re-enter LOS. Only difference is in Single Entry and Multiple Entries Re-entry Permit and of course the fees. (Single Entry - THB 1,000 & Multiple Entries - THB 3,900). I used Single Entry as I do not come back to SG so frequently. The procedure are as follow:
1. Apply for a 180 hour (1 year) Thai/English Language Course at any MOE Approved School (Only MOE approved schools can apply on behalf) - Approval between 1-3 weeks.
2. Once approved, you will need to bring MOE Approved letter and submit for VISA at any Thai Consulate. (For Singaporeans, this can be done at any Thai consulates)
3. ED VISA application take only 1 day to approved. Submit your passport and letters to the Thai Consulate. (For Singaporeans, if you apply at Singapore Thai Consulate, this is free)
4. With this ED VISA, you will be initially get 3 months stay. You can extend this every 3 months for another 4 times, meaning you will stay for 15 months in LOS. Each Extension cost THB 1,900. (You can also opt for 1 year extension for around THB 15,000). I extend every 3 months as I do have a lot of free time. A trip to the immigration bureau in Pattaya from where I stay is 10 mins by motorcycle.
5. For the second year application, you do not even need to exit LOS to apply for ED VISA. The local school can get all the applications done in LOS.
6. With ED-VISA, you can also apply for Driving and Riding License (Highly recommended). The driving and riding license is used here as a form of identification for foreigners.
The Thai Consulate will not have a list of MOE approved schools. You can google for Thailand ED-VISA and there are just too many schools. Can also PM me if you are keen to stay in Pattaya.
Yes, you can survive without Thai in Pattaya as the Thai:Foreigner population ratio is almost 1:1 . The Russians and Mainland Chinese who can't speak a word of Thai and English can survive here. There is also a large population of Koreans. Yes, the traffic and air condition in Bangkok did not attract me though there are more job opportunities in BKK.