Thailand Special Tourist Visa (STV) Long Term Visa application

[Davster123]

Hi All

 

I have flights booked from Madrid, Spain on 6th February with Qatar Airlines flying to Bangkok arriving 7th Feb and then connecting flight with Bangkok Airlines to Koh Samui where we intend to relocate 

 

I am 48, partner is 46, we are unmarried but are bringing our 3 children age 9,8 and 1 and 4 cats!

 

The plan is to travel using the Special Tourist Visa and then if we settle in OK, upgrade to the Elite Visa and extend stay to 5-10 years 

 

I've checked all of the information but have a few questions which I would really appreciate if you could help with 

 

First of all, any issue with the STV and then upgrade to Elite? We both work remotely and our businesses are in the UK so we don't need to work in Thailand?

 

We are not vaccinated and don't intend to be - I contacted some of the Quarantine approved hotels in Samui but a couple of them seemed to suggest that the quarantine should actually be in Bangkok rather than Samui - can anyone confirm this? The Bangkok to Samui flight is a sealed flight with the S flight number if that helps 

 

I have heard that if you are unmarried then you need to quarantine separately. Surely this would not apply if we have 3 children together?

 

Does anyone have any tips on how to make the whole process easier and is there a specific forum about pets and pet travel? Qatar are happy to have them in the hold and Bangkok are reviewing whether they can travel with them on 1st January although we have backup arrangements in place 

 

Thanks