While reading through the Phuket Immigration website I encountered information about possible one year tourist visa extension:

http://phuketdir.com/pktimmigration/

his type of visa may be extended to long term stays of up to one year according to the authority given to the director general of the Police Department (presently changed to commander-in-chief of the National Police Bureau) to consider and approve extensions of not exceeding one year at a time (according to section 35 of the 1979 immigration act).

Thai Visa website seems to confirm it

http://www.thaivisa.com/applying-for-extension-of-tourist-visa.html

Normally, if the applicant wants to continue touring the country, an extension may be granted for not more than 30 days unless there are extenuating circumstances that would entitle the alien to a one year extension. Fee 1,900 baht.

I wonder what these "extenuating circumstances" might be that would entitle one to get a one year extension of their tourist visas? Any ideas?

cheers?

If you meet the criteria for a one year extension of stay, for example based on retirement or marriage, you can convert your tourist visa to a non-immigrant visa.

If you meet the criteria for a one year extension of stay, for example based on retirement or marriage, you can convert your tourist visa to a non-immigrant visa.

How about something like a heart-lung machine after a major traffic accident (insured of course)?

That might make you eligable for an extension based on medical reasons (not being able to travel) at up to 9 days per extension.

If you meet the criteria for a one year extension of stay, for example based on retirement or marriage, you can convert your tourist visa to a non-immigrant visa.

It's not an extension of a tourist visa then but a new, non-immigration visa? It makes me wonder why they state that a tourist visa may be extended to long term stays.

Is is just lack of precision when writing this information on their website?

That might make you eligable for an extension based on medical reasons (not being able to travel) at up to 9 days per extension.

That should be 90 days per extension.

Sophon

If you meet the criteria for a one year extension of stay, for example based on retirement or marriage, you can convert your tourist visa to a non-immigrant visa.

It's not an extension of a tourist visa then but a new, non-immigration visa? It makes me wonder why they state that a tourist visa may be extended to long term stays.

Is is just lack of precision when writing this information on their website?

I would suggest a reading of the actual immigration act of 2522 as tourist entry is specific to 90 days and that one year option is for Diplomatic/official business/touring/sports only available from the highest authority so perhaps they would allow Tiger Woods an extended tourist or sports entry but it is not a day to day option.

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/doc/Immigration_Act.pdf

I would suggest a reading of the actual immigration act of 2522 as tourist entry is specific to 90 days and that one year option is for Diplomatic/official business/touring/sports only available from the highest authority so perhaps they would allow Tiger Woods an extended tourist or sports entry but it is not a day to day option.

http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/doc/Immigration_Act.pdf

Thank you! Thats exactly what I was looking for.

cheers!