Staying in thailand for over 6months

[safron]

I am shortly due to travel to Pattaya to work at my company's offices for a period of 6 months, possibly longer. I am 26, British and will have a work permit obtained through my company. I would like to take my girlfriend with me for the duration of my assignment. She is 29, Swedish and will have an open-return flight ticket. Although I have done a bit of research on the topic of visas, the more I read the more I get confused. I would be grateful if someone could clarify the best / most secure way of allowing my partner to remain in Thailand with me? Is the best solution getting a tourist visa followed by 'visa-runs' or are there other options? What is the best 'visa-run' route for Pattaya?

Many thanks.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The Thai Consulate at Hull might issue a Non-Immigrant visa. You could ask. Your situation is a bit like a defacto thing, and Thai law does not recognize defacto's, so if Hull won't oblige you are going to need to use the tourist visa's.

[safron]

Thanks for that info. Would it make it easier if we got married in Thailand?

The reason I ask is that my work is obliged to get long-term visa for partners of married couples.

[Luma]

Thanks for that info. Would it make it easier if we got married in Thailand?

The reason I ask is that my work is obliged to get long-term visa for partners of married couples.

Yes, ;legal marriage recommended. Your wife can then obtain a Non-Immigrant "O" extension (dependant visa) for one year. You shall definitively marry her in order to ease up her visa situation.

When is the wedding?