1 Year Visa Help

[markphuket07]

Ive been living in Thailand the last 3 years, I have been staying each year on a multi entry one year visa for muay thai. This year they have gone and changed the rules as you are no longer able to get a full one year visa for muay thai.

Wanting to come back in January i need to look at what options i have available for me to get a new one year visa to stay in Thailand.

Im 32 from the UK and dont want to work in Thailand as i have enough rental income from my home to be able to stay in thailand with out working.

So far the best option at the moment is getting a one year education visa for enrollment on a Thai language course. I'm planning to do the languague course anyway next year as after 3 years about time i learn the language properly instead of broken thai level i'm currently at.

What other options are available to me? as im sure as im on a new passport next year, i could get away with thai language 1-2 years but really want a more long term option.

Ive seen the Siam legal option for a guaranteed visa, but that a bit expensive in my opinion

Also been told you can set up a thai company and get a visa that way without getting a work permit. But i know very little about this and would i be able to use this long term for obtaining one year visa's? or would i get stopped by Thai immigration after a certain time form doing this?

Trying to do as much reading over the net for the best way forward, but anyone with advise or in the same boat be appreciative of you help you can give me.

[purrboat]

I don't have any real answers for you because I am older 56 and trying to do pretty much the same thing as you. I am in the US. I can apply for an O visa because I am over 50. I didn't know you could get a long term visa for a language course that is good to know. I have been to Thailand many time over the years and now would desperately love to leave this nightmare of a country I am stuck in since birth. I can see both of our countries on the verge of all out war at any time and really don't want to be caught here when they decide to close the borders and banks. lol, but not really I am serious. Purrboat

[purrboat]

I assume you are in Phuket my favorite place in all of Thailand. I can't stay there for any kind of permanent status because my Thai friends are all in Chiang Mai but you are a lucky man if you have lived there for almost 3 years. I was there in May but only for a short time. Went to the Riya Islands, I know I spelled it wrong but it was the quickest boat ride to any island from Phuket. Was in Phi Phi many years ago though.

[markphuket07]

Yes ive been living in Phuket for 3 years. I originally only came for a 6 months holiday, but that subsequently turned into me moving out there and making it home.

If you get away from the more touristy parts that fill in general the western side of the island. The rest of the the island in an amazing place to live as it gives you the balance of thai life with the mix of western luxuries to make it a lovely place to just live and chill out.

Im very lucky i have just been able to live there the last 3 years and study Muay thai boxing while im still at a young enough age to do so.

Im happy to just go year by year visa as im one of the few western male who have lived there so long who has not got in a long term relationship or married to a thai girl yet.............. it will happen one day im sure, but means a marriage visa is a long way off also

Except for seeing my family, i have no real desire to stay in my home country any length of time, and this is why i need to now look at new option for 1 year visa since the 1 year muay thai visa has been taken away