Visa Type For 2.5 Months

[farmclam]

I am traveling to Thailand at the end of the month and plan to be in the country for about 2.5 months. I currently have no travel plans outside of the country. I live in Kazakhstan but I am an American citizen, and Thailand has no embassy here. Because of this, I cannot go to the Thailand embassy and get a 60 day visa. What do people suggest in terms of the visa process for me?

The few options I have learned about include:

1. 30 day tourist visa with proof of onward passage

Is the proof of onward passage required for this visa?

Can this type of visa be extended once or twice in Thailand without leaving the country? If so, how expensive is this and where can it be done?

I know that visa runs are a common way for people with 30 day tourist visas to extend their stay another 30 days. If visa runs for a 30 day tourist visa are the most viable option, which may be the case since I will be in Chiang Mai, should I book my flight to Laos or Cambodia now before I enter the country?

2. 60 day visa from embassy outside of Thailand

As I described before, I cannot do this because no Thailand embassy exists in Kazakhstan.

In summary, I am looking for the easiest, most legal, and most convenient way to stay in Thailand for about 3 months.

Does anyone have suggestions for me?

Thanks for your help!

[lopburi3]

1. You you can obtain 30 day visa exempt entry with proof of onward transportation - often not checked but airline could refuse boarding. It can not be extended more than 7 days at a cost of 1,900 baht. Border runs are not the most reliable option - having a visa is much better.

My suggestion is to book a discount flight for about 3 week after your arrival to Singapore of Kuala Lumpur (check AirAsia) and plan to obtain a tourist visa there for the remainder of your visit. Submit passport morning and collect early afternoon next workday for planning. That provides the ticket you need for original visa exempt entry and will probably not be much more expensive than border runs.