I plan to apply for a research visa in the near future. I'm waiting for the Thai Research Council to issue the appropriate paperwork to submit to my local consulate. With that said, are research visas multiple entry? What is the process for keeping the visa if I want to take a short trip outside of Thailand?

You will be applying for non immigrant RS visa.

If your documents support it you could apply for a one year multiple entry visa that would allow 90 day entries but you would have leave after each of those 90 days.

You could also get a single entry visa and then with supporting documents apply for a 1 year extension of stay under clause 2.10 of police order 777/2551. You then could obtain a multiple re-entry permit that would keep the extension valid if you travel out of the country.

Thanks for the information! This will be more complicated than I thought. The research is proposed to take place over the course of 1 year. I wrongfully assumed the visa would cover the entire duration without having to do border runs or an extension of stay.

Of the options given, which one is the most simplistic? Ideally, I would like to take 1-2 trip(s) outside of Thailand. The trips would be short, 1 week or less. Also, what is the cost of applying for an extension of stay and a multiple re-entry permit versus the 1 year multiple entry visa?

An extension of stay costs 1,900 baht

A multiple re-entry permit wil be 3,800 baht or you can take a single re-entry permit ech time you leave Thailand at 1,000 baht per single re-entry permit.

A single entry visa costs 2000 baht a multiple 5000 baht. To find out how much it will be in local currency you should check the embassy website for where you are at.

An extension of stay 1900 baht. A single re-entry permit costs 1000 baht a multiple 3800 baht.

Your best choice would be getting an extension of stay. Then get single re-entry permit for your trips.

For an extension of stay, is it the same requirements as other visa types? Please forgive my ignorance, but can you explain what I need to obtain the extension. I have a Thai spouse, will that factor into the extension requirements?

Thanks again, good information here.

Each category has its own rules and required paperwork, only the cost is the same.

This documents gives the reasons for an extension:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=153821

This document gives the required documents:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/post-a77473-immigration-bureau-order-305-2551-d.html/

For reasearch it is 2.10 in both documents, marriage is 2.18.

Since you are married to a Thai you don't need to apply for non-rs visa you can get a single entry non-o based upon marriage. You would need copies of your marriage certificate and your wife's house book and card or her passport.

You could apply for an extension based upon research or marriage.