Am posting visa questions here just to be sure that the answers I get are applicable at CM Immigration Office.

My current ED visa is due to expire early next year (ie. early 2013). Less than 6 months after that, I will be turning 50 and hence eligible for retirement visa.

I'm thinking that I could do another 1 year Thai language course (for about B25,000) and get another 1year ED visa which expire in early 2014. In early 2014, i will then convert my ED visa to a retirement visa. Do I need to leave Thailand then, or can I do the conversion to retirement visa within Thailand?

Alternatively, is there a cheaper way (using other types of visa) to bridge the time period (approx 6 months) between early 2013 (when my ED visa expire) and mid 2013 when I turn 50 and qualify for retirement visa?

Thanks for all inputs.

study Thai for another year the language skills are invaluable

Friend just secured two 60-day visas at once in Laos. Each with 30 days extension. 180 days, or 6 months.