Visa extension, new tourist visa...?

[KhunKone]

Hey guyz !

My 1st post here in TV after being an interested reader for the few weeks since I signed in.

Brief introduction of who am I.

I'm french, 42, here for 5 weeks now with my Thai wife, needing a break from work and working my Thai language skills seriously.

I'm planning to stay at least until end of september, october depending on funds..

I first planned to get an ED visa but different things made it impossible to get before my arrival.

So I came with a 2 months tourist single entry (as in Paris they were really picky about offering a 2 entries one, with funds requirements etc..)

Now as I won't be able to stay a full year I was thinking not to get this ED visa, saving 25000TB (though still working my thai as seriously as in a course) I'm checking other way to extend my stay.

So my options are now :

1 -to ask before end of this month for an extension of 1 month (1900TB) then doing a border trip next month (Laos?Cambodia?Myanmar?) to ask for another tourist visa then another extension (that made me reach 6 months here)

Would I then be able to do 1 or 2 border runs just to get 30 days exemption stamps allowing me to reach sept-october as hoped ?

2 - Or would it be better and possible to obtain next month after my extension of 30 days a 2 entries tourist visa instead of a single one and so with 2 more extension of stay owning a 6 months stay, not being forced to do visa runs in august and september?

In fact I read before my arrival that they now won't let people stay more than 6 months a year with tourist visas only (or exemption of visa) so I'm worry about bein' able to get this 2 entries as it would offer me 9 months of stay since my arrival...

3 - Just ask and pay for the ED, saving time and worries but losing 25k and 5-6month of school.. (unless they could issue a 6 months ED visa but i didn't see it in school site I checked)

My other issue is related to my plane return ticket. I have to change it (with cost) in regard of my extension of stay and plan to push it to end of september but i dunno if I wouldhave to show it during my various visa operations.

i.e. for my extension of stay this month would they agree to see a return flight in september ? (i guess no)

and same for my single tourist visa demand in may...

Well.... Kind of a headhache now...

So thanks for any of your advices

[ubonjoe]

You can get a 60 day extension to visit your wife instead if the 30 day extension. It will cost 1900 baht (same as 30 day extension).

For the 60 day extension your wife will need to go with you when you apply. You will need your marriage certificate, your wife's house book and ID card (plus copies). Copies of your passport photo page, visa, entry/permitted to stay stamp and TM6 departure card. A completed TM7 form with attached photo.

You can make a border run and get a 30 day entry and then extend that entry for 60 days also.

Or make a trip to Laos and get a single entry non-o based upon marriage (2000 baht) that will give you a 90 day entry that you could extend for 60 days,

Or you could get a multiple entry non-o (5000 baht) in Savannakhet Laos that would give you 90 day entries for a year.

[KhunKone]

You can get a 60 day extension to visit your wife instead if the 30 day extension. It will cost 1900 baht (same as 30 day extension).

For the 60 day extension your wife will need to go with you when you apply. You will need your marriage certificate, your wife's house book and ID card (plus copies). Copies of your passport photo page, visa, entry/permitted to stay stamp and TM6 departure card. A completed TM7 form with attached photo.

You can make a border run and get a 30 day entry and then extend that entry for 60 days also.

Or make a trip to Laos and get a single entry non-o based upon marriage (2000 baht) that will give you a 90 day entry that you could extend for 60 days,

Or you could get a multiple entry non-o (5000 baht) in Savannakhet Laos that would give you 90 day entries for a year.

Mornin' UbonJoe ! and thanks for the quick answers.

Well I truly didn't know about that 60 days extension as married to a thai ! That's quite a good news to let me think about the next visa move certainly a trip to Laos as I'd lke to spend a few days therea and from what I've read they seems to be quite cool about delivering new tourist visas..

Also I really didn't know I could extend an simple 30 days Visa "exemption"

For this 60 days extension as married, you were quite very precise with the paper work needed, but wouldn't I also be asked for any proof of funds/income ? What about my return flight ticket ?

I'm quite worry about my return flight changes as they'll cherga me 100$+ for each change...

Thanks again!

[ubonjoe]

You are not the first one to get the pleasant surprise about being able to get the 60 day extension to visit their Thai wife that can be done for any type of entry.

For the 60 day extension there will not need for proof of funds or tickets out of the country.

The single entry non-o will be easy to get. Just show your passport and marriage certificate. Have your wife's house book and ID if they want that also.

[KhunKone]

Well I don't remember seeing this before on my researches..

Thanks, really, for all these infos, you made my day Joe

So I'm going to try that right after Songkran.

Have a great end of week!

[KhunKone]

Oh Joe or anyone else,

just forgot to ask if there's a particular date to apply for this extension of stay (60 days upon marriage)

My tourist visa stamp is April 26th, if i'm going to immi to extend anytime before that, the extension will start on the 27, right ?

Or will it start at day of validation ?

Thanks!

[ubonjoe]

The new extension will start on the 27th. You can do it at any time now.

Immigration will be closed the first 3 days of next week and reopen on the 17th.

[KhunKone]

Thanks one more time Joe !