Apologies in advance as I am sure this is a situation / question that arises all the time, but I don't want to wade through all the pages of threads trying to find an answer.

I'm 48 and from the UK.

After working here for six years, I am nearing the end of my current employment contract (visa, contract and WP all end on Friday 30th September.) I am not going to sign a new contract, however I intend to spend one or two further months in Thailand as a tourist / student, before heading back to spend some time in the UK (sharing time between UK and Thailand for about 10-12 months.)

Is it just a case of simply going along to the local immigration office at the end of the month and getting a 7-day extension before heading out of Thailand to apply for a tourist visa in a neighbouring country in the first week of October, or alternatively leaving Thailand on the 30th and going to a consulate in Laos or Malaysia to apply for a new visa? If I decide to only stay a further month, can I also just fly out and come back in and get a 30day visa on arrival stamp?

Is there anything to be aware of when staying on in Thailand once you stop working?

I assume I will just hand my WP back to the local Labour Department.

My longer term plan is to return to work in Thailand from October 2012.

If I thught I could spend more time in Thailand over the next 12 months, I would consider studying and applying for a ED visa, but I don;t think it's worth doing as I know I'll be spending at least 8 months (due to commitments there) of the next 12 in the UK.

Believe you have it down. They should provide you a letter to immigration to end your extension of stay on your last day of work and when doing that you can extend 7 days or just leave within 24 hours and return with a visa or visa exempt entry.