I found on the London Thai Embassy website something called a Visit Family Visa which says it is for more than 60 days but does not say how many more. 

I wonder if anybody has more information about this visa ? I have an annual O retirement extension at present but  do not need to be here for the whole year, just six months would be fine.

There is also a British OAP visa for three months, plus a month extension once here for £60, which seems to have few requirements other than proof of a State Pension.  That is not quite long enough for me and I doubt that in the present rather, “hostile environment” I would be allowed to do a visa run to extend it for the additional two months that I need.

Any information would be much appreciated.

You get a single entry non-o visa to visit your Thai wife or child that allows one 90 day entry and is valid for entry for 3 months from the date of issue.

Info is here: http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en/services/7742/84508-Non-Immigrant-visas.html#6

You have to apply for it online.

If visiting a Thai wife or child you can apply for a 60 day extension visit them at a immigration office.

Your options to visits family are;

1) Single Entry Non-Imm O visa.
90 days in entry with a 60 day extension available. You shouldn’t have any problems with a visa run after 150 days, if you need longer.

 

2) Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) - Family visits.

Unlimited entries for 6 months. 60 days on entry. All entries are extendable by 30 days (tourism) or 60 days (visit) family.

Edited November 25, 20196 yr by elviajero

Thank you both for your very swift response, the informatikon is very helpful.

Non-O 90 days from a UK consulate, if you can go to one in person, may be easier...some have reported frustration with London RTE E-Visa system (and you need a printer/scanner.

if you can renew the 'retirement' extension its the cheaper and less hassle option, no multi entry 'O' visas in the UK now, so a 6 month stay with visa's will involve at least one border run, and 1 extension + the visa cost.