Hello everyone,

This is my first forum post, so I'm a little intimidated. Anyway, here is my situation. I studied at Thammasat for two semesters from 2009-2010. I got a 1 year multiple-entry ED visa in Los Angeles for this. After arriving in Thailand, I never bothered with getting paperwork from TU and paying for a 1,900 baht extension of stay after 90 days. This sounded like a pain. I went on a "border run" before my stamp date expired instead, and they stamped me for another 90 days upon return. I continued these border runs until the year was up, and returned to the US without issue. Was this legitimate, or was I supposed to go through the paperwork of getting an extension and paying? Can a border run make this extension of stay business unnecessary? Need to know as it relates to my next visa predicament.

I was just accepted for an internship at a German political foundation in Bangkok. They are telling me that the ED visa I should apply for is valid for 90 days, and that after that point I would need an extension, which is not guaranteed. They are recommending I intern for 3 months instead of 6 because of this. Well, I would prefer to intern for 6 months, and I am wondering if I can go the same route I went before: simply go on a weekend border run (which I don't mind) before the "admitted until" date approaches, and get another 90 days upon return. Is this doable? Or is it completely essential to get the extension paperwork processed if I want to intern longer than 3 months?

Thank you all very much for the help, and I apologize if this question is answered elsewhere, I looked through other threads and couldn't find an answer.

-Devin

"...and I am wondering if I can go the same route I went before: simply go on a weekend border run (which I don't mind) before the "admitted until" date approaches, and get another 90 days upon return. Is this doable?"

Yes, if it's a multiple entry visa.

No, if it's a single entry visa.

Per above, it depends on wheter you get a single or multiple ED-visa.

With a single you will have to extend your stay or go abroad and apply for a new visa.

Thank you both very much for the quick response!

-Devin