ftpjtm

I'm from the US and have spent about 90 days in Thailand during winter months the past 4 years. 

Two and three years ago I got single entry, 60 day visas and flew out of the country once to extend. 

Last year I was told that single entry 60 day visas were no longer an option and got a Multiple Entry Tourist visa instead (at double the price). I extended it 90 days, and never left. 

This year I decided to save the visa cost and flew in with no visa, getting 30 days on arrival.  I've extended it by an additional 30, and have booked a 4 day trip to Macau & HKG via U-Tapao Airport at the end of the extension period. I will return to U-Tapao less than 30 days from my flight to the US, so another 30 days on arrival would be sufficient. 

Is this a sound strategy? I'm a bit nervous because it seems that most do the "visa run" in the first 30 days rather than after the visa extension. Does that make a difference? Where does U-Tapao immigration rate on the friendliness scale? I've never flown internationally from U-Tapao before. 

My current entry to Thailand was mid January 2017. My second most recent entry was January 2016, departing March 2016.

38 minutes ago, coops said:

 

Colombian is ARABICA coffee bean...

 

https://danielmiessler.com/study/coffee/#gs.6djyHrA

 

At least the original poster put coffee in inverted commas before recommending some great instant "coffee".

 

I've recommended Bluekoff coffeee before - the A5 roast.

Kinda sorta. . . 

Colomibian Coffee

Colombian coffee is the highest quality of coffee beans. It is low in caffeine content and acidity. Colombian coffee is a variety of Arabica beans grown exclusively in Colombia. The coffee beans are washed during the process hence this variety is also popularly called “Washed Arabica.” The washing procedure helps in purification and in reducing the acidity of the beans. This gives a richer and stronger aroma to the coffee.

Colombian coffee is considered to be of superior quality. It requires perfect environmental conditions for its growth. The beans are washed to balance the acidity of the beans to give them the ultimate, rich, and smooth taste along with a rich aroma.

Summary:

1. Colombian coffee is a variety of Arabica coffee.
2. Colombian coffee is exclusively grown is Colombia while “Arabica coffee” is a generic term for coffee which originated from Arabia.
3. Colombian coffee is mild while Arabic coffee is stronger. 

The problem is that coffee aficionados have different tastes in coffee. I personally like drip brewed coffee and prefer Colombian vs arabica beans. Arabic is the rule here, and I have not found much local that I like. I load my suitcase with Melitta Colombian Supreme whenever arriving from the US, which is rich, earthy and not at all bitter or acidic. Occasionally Friendly Market in Pattaya will have imported Colombian coffee. 

I have yet to find a local equivalent so I stick to the imported stuff. Or maybe go through a bag of local so I more fully appreciate my imported stash. 

In answer to the OP's question, yes. In my neighborhood there is a farang who bought the house next door to his for his elderly mother. She does well enough, gets along with the elderly farang men in the neighborhood and has a few farang women friends in other local neighborhoods. 

I'd like to get my mother to try living in LOS, our house is quite westernized, we get "home town" TV programing via Slingbox, and at home in the US she spends 98%  of her time in front of the TV or computer. I think she'd do well enough here. 

Thanks sunnyjim5 and ubonjoe!

I have an METV issued to a US Passport in USA at Boston.

First of all, getting it was incredibly easy. I only needed to present my Passport, copy of itinerary (showing stay of 3 months), and application form. No other questions asked, no bank account or employment queries, visa given to me on the spot, done in 10 minutes (although my presence via an advance appointment was required). Easiest $200 Thailand has ever made.

Second observation/discovery. Apparently the Thai government is promoting use of U-Tapao (Pattaya/Sattahip) airport, and offering reduced landing fees to airlines using it for international service through September 2016. The result is bargain fares; UTP - Singapore or Kuala Lumpur as low as 890TB via Air Asia! Great "visa run" gateway.

Now my questions.

I had heard that in the past crossing the border by road resulted in an entry valid for only 15 days. Using an METV with one entry against it, will I get an additional 60 days as the result of a land crossing? Any difference between entering by air or road with an METV?

Also, is there a time requirement to be away from Thailand before return? Is it possible to exit and re-enter the same day, or must one be away for a certain number of days?

Thanks, and sorry if I am repeating questions asked elsewhere.