I am an American volunteering in a remote area of Thailand. I have a 90-day non-immigrant O single entry visa. I need to stay for an additional 90 days.

1) Should I apply for an extension? Or...

2) Should I go to Laos and apply for a second single entry non immigrant o visa? Is this option possible?

Thanks in advance for your help!

You can not apply for 90 day extension only for one year extensions on non immigrant visas.

You should have no problem extending one year with your work permit.

Edited September 14, 201213 yr by PoorSucker

Thanks for the reply. I was never told or asked to get a work permit for my volunteering here. Will it be a problem if I apply for one now? Is the Laos trip a good option too for my purposes?

Best is if you just apply for the work permit now. Normally labour is not that bothered about volunteering without a work permit and will ignore it when you apply now.

Unknown if you will get another visa without a WP, probably not.

Thank you! I am very remote. Do you reccommend I use any legal services to help me?

No, your "employer" shuld help you. It isn't that difficult, but they probably didn't do it before. The labour office will be happy to assist in filling out the required forms and explaing what they and the organisation need to provide.

Best is if they contact labour first, to get the paperwork. Next will be immirgaiton, which requires a lot of the same paperwork. If you are teaching, you also need a leter from the Thai Teacherrs Council.