Good morning

Like the title says I'd like to stay in Thailand 3-4 months out of every year for the foreseeable future

I have been once, this September for 30 days, and loved it

I am 29, British-born, British citizen, British passport holder with 5yrs left on it

Never tried something like this before but I am in a unique position with work that i can choose where i work from. naturally, I choose Thailand!

Will this be an issue? I will not be getting paid in Thailand or doing work for Thai people/companies at all. I'll still pay tax in the Uk of course. it will be business as usual as far as my affairs in the Uk go. I just wont be there for 3-4 months at a time. I'll be a tourist with a laptop!

I've read some posts/reports but found nothing the same as my situation

So, guys and gals, how do i do it?

If I do need to do a visa run or 2, can someone recommend a good agency in krabi or phuket?

Cheers

David

You should get a 2 entry tourist visa that will give you a 60 entry each entry that can be extended for 30 days at immigration.

For a 3-4 month stay your best option would be to obtain a double entry tourist visa from one of the UK Thai consulates.

Used correctly the visa will give an almost 6 month stay with only one "visa" run.

Edit

Spelling error

Edited October 29, 201312 yr by thaiexpat21

Thank you

So I need to do the following :-

Apply to Thai Consulate

On 60th day in Thailand, go to immigration to extend by 30 days

On 90th day in Thailand, leave Thailand, turn right around and 5 minutes later re-enter, activating another 60 days on the same visa

On 150th day in Thailand (if necessary) go to immigration to extend by 30 days

On or before the 180th I have to leave Thailand

Is this the correct process and will it be the same process next year?

Thanks again for your answers it is most appreciated

Just realized I asked you to predict the future! I meant 'should' it be the same process the next year?

Cheers

Yes

But it would depend upon validity of visa if only 90 days you would need to do 2nd entry before its enter before date. The validity period starts on the date of issue.

Normally tourist visas with more than 1 entry have a 6 month validity you should check with the consulate to find out what the visa will have.

You don't have to wait till the last day to extend the visa. You can do earlier and not lose any days.

The issue is if visa is only valid for 3 months from date of issue and you do not arrive until a week or two later that final entry will have to be less than 90 days from first entry (all entries must be made by expiration date of the visa). The second entry can be the normal 60 plus 30 but the first entry might have to be less.

If in the UK I suggest the Hull consulate for a 1 year visa but phone them beforehand for requirements.

If you should be in the area, the Thai Hon. Consulate in Gibraltar is a gem.

From your reading of the opening post of this topic, for which category of "1 year visa" do you believe dpestish qualifies?

On 90th day in Thailand, leave Thailand, turn right around and 5 minutes later re-enter, activating another 60 days on the same visa

Years ago I had a job where I could work from wherever as long as there was an Internet connection. I also had a couple double entry Tourist Visas. But instead of "turning around in 5 minutes" as you describe above, I used the border run as an opportunity to travel around the region. I just worked a few hours from my hotel room in Hong Kong, Singapore, Penang and Bali. If you must leave the country and can afford it, why not see some of the surrounding places?

Thanks everyone for your comments

I think I understand the process now

I found a Thai consulate in Cardiff - very convenient for me

mopar - Great idea my friend. A few days in Vietnam or Cambodia me thinks

Thanks again everyone

The issue is if visa is only valid for 3 months from date of issue and you do not arrive until a week or two later that final entry will have to be less than 90 days from first entry (all entries must be made by expiration date of the visa). The second entry can be the normal 60 plus 30 but the first entry might have to be less.

Thai embassy website Tokyo

- Validity of single entry tourist visa is three(3) months and double / triple entry tourist visa is six(6) months.