Greetings all,

My feeble mind seems to have me in its grip unable to decipher what to apply for????

I've spent six months of the past two years travelling Thailand on Multi entry tourist Visas issued from the U.S. Next time over I would like to spend a year. Prey tell which non-imm type do I apply for as according to my consulate I don't seem to fit anywhere?

I am 42 years of age, single, no family in Thailand, semi retired, and looking to travel about Thailand. I have no desire to apply for an investor visa. Of the choices listed below the easiest would seem to be a studying Visa if I signed up for some qualified language courses.

For the purpose of conducting business and conference (Type “B”) [not including employment]

For the purpose of employment (Type “B”)

Note: For teaching in Thailand, a background check from your local, state or federal law enforcement agency(s) is required along with the original letter on school letterhead from the accredited school. Please contact the consulate to confirm whether or not Non-Immigrant "B" visas can be issued for teaching at the school which intends to employ you.

For the purpose of studying (Type “ED”)

For the purpose of visiting family (Type “O”)

For the purpose of research (Type “RS”)

For the purpose of religious activities (Type “R”)

For the purpose of working as a film-producer, journalist or reporter (Type “M”)

For the purpose of official duties (Type “F”) e.g., military exercises or government assignments

For the purpose of retirement (Type “O-A”)

I'm sure I'm not the only gent to be in my situation. What would be the best option given my situation?? I'm all ears.

Thanks in advance.

Prey tell which non-imm type do I apply for as according to my consulate I don't seem to fit anywhere

You dont qualify for a Non Imm Visa, although some consulates do give them for visiting friends and maybe one of your countrymen can suggest a 'friendly' consulate.

Otherwise as you can get a multiple entry(at least 3 entries) tourist visa (which will normally be valid for 6 months) then with 2 timely visa runs and extentions in country you can stay for 9 months. After that you can get 3 x visa on entry stamps for 30 days each which will give you the year you need.

Even if you got a Non Imm visa you would have to do 3 visa runs in the year.

Thank you for the guidance .

Visa runs per se don't bother me, I was just hoping for longer than 30 days between runs and another alternative other than all the hoops of extensions and 30 day "visa on arrivals" stamps.

Is the method outlined above by Mahout the only way for someone in my predicament to get a 1 year visa? Is it correct to assume Thai imigration views three consecutive 60 day tourist visas issued by a U.S. consulate different from 3 tourist "visa on arrival" regarding their rule?

Thanks again..

To my knowledge no restrictions on 60 day tourist visas are in place.

There are a couple consulates(in the UK and Australia) which issue a 1 year visa based simply upon request.

The crackdown is on the 30 days visa runners. Even before crackdown having an abundance of 30 day stamps in your passport was known to raise eyebrows at Thai embassies.

You could also marry a Thai woman but I think making a trip to Perth or wherever periodically would be less of a hassle

Any visa you could qualify for would require visa runs every 90 days or less. Tourist visa require the same (60 day stay extended at immigration 30 days) so tourist visa entry does fit. There is no 90 day per 6 month limit when using visa entry.