Has anyone done this?

Would require a ME or double entry if that exists for UK I suppose? or if returning to Thailand from Spain it wouldn't.

Main question is ref applying in UK if decided to go for a break from UK.

UK Visas are routinely multi entry, the UKVI can issue a single entry if they are concerned with the applicant, I've never known a single entry one being issued, though I'm sure there are some.

It might be easier for your wife to get her visa here in Thailand when you're sure where you want to go, in theory she could apply whilst you're in the UK, but I understand they don't make it easy.
I also understand that the Spanish aren't the easiest to deal with here in Thailand.

38 minutes ago, theoldgit said:

UK Visas are routinely multi entry, the UKVI can issue a single entry if they are concerned with the applicant, I've never known a single entry one being issued, though I'm sure there are some.

It might be easier for your wife to get her visa here in Thailand when you're sure where you want to go, in theory she could apply whilst you're in the UK, but I understand they don't make it easy.
I also understand that the Spanish aren't the easiest to deal with here in Thailand.

Thanks, She's had a few 6 month UK visas but I've actually never looked at them closely. Been there three times in the past few years.

3 hours ago, theoldgit said:

I also understand that the Spanish aren't the easiest to deal with here in Thailand.

Or at the Embassy in the UK...Basically they ask for paperwork that is totally unnecessary for a Schengen visa. If you are willing to jump through the hoops it shouldn't be a problem.

 

Your wife's visit visas will have almost certainly have been multi entry. 

 

For me there are too many places in the UK to visit before we start on other countries like Spain. None of the Channel Islands require a visa if your wife has a UK VV.

Indeed. If you check the topics on a Schengen visa Spain you will see that they make people jump through a lot of hoops. Even though it should be a very smooth, fast, easy process to get a free Schengen visa for a spouse of an EU national (directive 2004/38 on freedom of movement for EU/EEA family members). 

 

In theory she can apply while on holiday in the UK, or she could apply while passing through say Russia or Nigeria. As the spouse of an EU national as per the beforementioned directive, any relevant embassy should issue her a visa regardless of her visa/residence status in the country she happens to be applying from. But several people gave reported the Spaniards to

 

1) insist only those with UK residence status can apply from the UK (wrong, that only applies to regular applications, not the VIP like EU/EEA family member application)

 

2) make you use the external service provider (wrong, all applicants including of the regular type but especially the EU family member type can apply directly at the embassy by appointment). 

 

So if you can, apply for the free visa from Thailand if you can and be prepared to jump through some hoops. But if they really don't give you anything remotely like a free minimum hassle swift visa application experience, report them to Brussels:

 

JUST-CITIZENSHIP {at} ec.europa.eu

 

And check the Schengen sticky if you haven't already.