My situation is that I am planning to stay in Thailand for the next year, and there is a possible job opportunity which I would interview for in Thailand soon upon arrival. If I get that the job thats fine, the company would take care of the paperwork for getting the appropriate work visa+permit. However if I don't then I would still like to stay in Thailand for up to a year.

I am in a dilemma as to whether to apply for a multi-entry TR (I know single are free, but are multi free too?) OR a non-imm 'O' for the purposes of visiting family and friends from Hull, (which I believe could give me up to a year).

If I did get the job, it would seem a shame to fork out 100GBP for a non-imm 'O' visa only to have to convert that into a non-imm (for work purposes+permit) soon after arriving in THailand. Whereas the TR is free, but if I don't get the job, then I'm buggered because that only gives me about 6mths. Plus, I was in Thailand May 2008-May2010 on a combination of TRs and volunteer visas, so want to avoid this route again because it will start to look suspicious.

Any advice on what to do is much appreciated

Thanks,

No such thing as a multiple entry tourist visa.

I think a 3 entry tourist visa would be the most you could hope for, and not all embassies/consulates will give you that many.

You can get a free double entry visa in Laos.

That would give you the 6 months. 60 days + 30 days extension at immigration for 1900 baht. Exit the country and return and do the same with your second entry.

When those 90 days are up, get a new visa in Laos and repeat the above. Depending on when you start your trip, you might have to pay for these. I think the free visa offer expires early next year.

With a multi O from Hull, I think you'd have to do a visa run every 90 days.

The Multi Non Imm O Visa from Hull would give up to 15 months but would need a border run every 90 days.

Actually there is multiple entry tourist visa in 2, 3, and 4 being the normal range. What there is not is the multi-entry type used for non immigrant visas where you have unlimited entry during a specific period of time.

As Vientiane is providing free 2 entry tourist visas suspect that would be a viable alternative if job is not forthcoming during period of initial visa entries.

Thanks guys, all useful info

Does anyone know if the 2 or 3 entry tourist visas are free from Hull?

Can I confirm that 3entries would give - 60days(+30days extension) * 3 = 270days = 9 months stay

Also if I were to choose the non-imm O visa route - if I got the job would it simply be a case of getting a WP

(instead of exiting the country to get a non-imm ?

Believe 2 entries are free, not sure about 3 entries.

If you get a non-O you will be able to get a work permit on that, no need to get a non-B from abroad first.

Be aware there are a number of reports that same offices will not provide a work permit on a non immigrant O visa entry. This seems to be for those issued such a visa to visit friends rather than those having dependents who are Thai. As with so many things 100% is not the norm here.