dooleymac

I don't want to marry just yet and am actually learning some basic Thai already. I can read basic words and know enough that i probably could pass their test even without any classes. I don't understand why anyone would stay in any country and not try to learn the basics. Education visa would actually be a good fit for my situation. One question tho.. what exactly is the elite visa. I haven't come across that one yet. Is it putting down a buncha cash or something?

I didn't want to join the forum but I have just dealt with this. I got my 6-month multiple-entry Visa in Los Angeles and came here. In order to stay on the 6-month Visa you need to meet every two months and come back. I use the entire six-month visa and then got another 60-day extension in Korat. Immigration here is very relaxed and they don't give anybody problems. I had obviously stayed more than 180 days at that point. At the end of my 60-day extension I went to Vietnam and applied for another 60-day tourist visa, and came back after a few days. The consulate there had no problem with my situation. When I arrived at Don Muang the immigration there stopped me. They questioned me with all kinds of nonsense and told me I've stayed too long. The woman was basically insisting that she's required to deny me and ask why am I staying. I told him I can prove I'm not working because I have money transfers from America that have been covering my costs. They asked me if I have a child or a wife here. I basically lied and said i dont have a child but we will soon, and we are not married but we will marry soon. They asked me where I live, my tm30 says a village area of Bua Yai. The lady gave me a very upset look because she was thinking that if she kicks me out of the country she's leaving some village girl barefoot and pregnant with her support out of the country. She said she doesn't want to give me the Visa but she will give it to me. 60 days more and Korat office already told us we will be able to extend it to 90 days no problem. But the lady at Bangkok told me she put a note on my record saying not to give me another tourist visa for 6 months. Korat said if i can get non immigrant O visa i can come back whenever.

From what I was reading one of the better ways to stay long-term is to just get the education Visa and take some Thai lessons. It only has to be a few hours a week and only cost $400 here, probably different in another province.