I have a Laos Partner living with me in Thailand (Pattaya). He has a valid Laos Passport and currently does 30 day border runs to maintain his legal status in Thailand. What are his options for longer term visas? I have met a few Laotions who seem to live and work permanently in Thailand and wondered if they are doing so legally under some sort of 'cross border' agreement or somehow hovering 'under the radar'. I am a Farang in Thailand on a Retirement extension. Anybody any experience / thoughts or suggestions? Any other Farang/(Non Thai) Asian couples with similar experiences?

i am not a lawyer so i dont know about the legitimacy of partnership agreements

reading this topic i presume its a same sex scenario, if not its quite easy

marry and piggy bag

If same-sex partner ship agreements are accepted by immigration as "married" status, i recommend you to consult a lawyer.

A word of warning.

Lao law on nationality is strictly enforced

an Laotian residing outside the country is advised to register at the (nearest) Lao embassy !!

don't take this as a joke.

It is a same sex partnership so that cuts down the options.

Enrolling in a language school would get a longer term visa.

Have a job with a work permit would also work.

Same sex or not, it is a partner. Thailand only recognizes legal marriages (between spouses of the opposite sex).

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if the OP allows the Lao person to stay in his abode, IF the Lao person is illegal, isn't the OP also in violation of a rather serious Thai law ... harboring an illegal alien? Also, as the person who leases or owns the residence, isn't he also required to register the address of a foreigner living in his residence (even if legal), just as if he owned a guesthouse of hotel? The OP asks a good question.

You are not allowed to harbour someone who is illegally in the country, but the OP's partner is not illegally in the country.

Reporting of address is required, in practise it is only expected from hotels and the likes.

Laotians can do these 30day border runs unlimited.

I think marriage, endorsed in Thailand, is out of question.

Possible would be ED-Visa from a legal Languange school.