Visa And Tefl/celta Help

[mase]

Hi all,

Im a bit confused about what to do. Im English and 22 years old. I am here on a non-immigrant visa (single entry) to "seek work" and have been in Thailand since late June 09.

I want to enroll on a CELTA course for next month but my visa runs out on 23 sept and the course will over run it so I need to get some sort of extension.

Whats the best way to do it?

Is it possible to change my single entry visa to a multiple entry (obviouosly at extra cost)?

I have been studying Thai and have looked into getting an educational visa but I dont know how long it takes to process. My school seemed to think 2-4 weeks which would be ok if it was 2 weeks but no good if it was 4 weeks (as I wouldnt have time to do my CELTA).

I have a flight booked to go back to UK for Sept 23 (was booked as insurance in case I couldnt stay). Could I get a 3 month tourist visa with the flight only a month away?

Thanks in advance,

David

[Mario2008]

You cannot get an extension on your current permisison to stay.

There are several options, but what is best for you depends on how long you want to stay. Just a few extra weeks or much longer.

[lopburi3]

Yes you can get a tourist visa from Vientiane or some other locations with no need of any flight information.

[mase]

well i want to stay till the end of sept (when the CELTA finishes) and then I want to try and get a job (and work permit to give me a years stay). I have heard that If I go to Penang I could get an Ed visa giving me 3 months - 1 years stay. Is this not true?

[Lite Beer]

As said Vientienne Laos will issue a double entry Tourist Visa free of charge. This would give almost 6 months with extensions and a border run in the middle.

[mase]

perfect! is Laos the closest one to Bangkok I can get this from? Can I get it from the one in Cambodia (Im assuming its closer, from looking at map).

Thanks for the quick responses.

[Mario2008]

The ED-visa is not a real good option, as that would only give you 3 months as you need to be studying to extend your stay. Given the paperwork etc. I would just take a tourist visa.

Tourist visa is good for 60 days, which you can extend at immigration by 30 days for 1,900 baht. Then you have to leave the country. With a double you can return the same day and do it again. After that you have to get a new visa.

[Lite Beer]

perfect! is Laos the closest one to Bangkok I can get this from? Can I get it from the one in Cambodia (Im assuming its closer, from looking at map).

Thanks for the quick responses.

Vientienne is the only option in the region for a double entry.

Fly Air Asia to Udon Thanni and get a mini bus to the border.