I was initially planning to "slow-travel" through countries in south east Asia while I finished my thesis, but ended up really liking it in Chiang Mai(and accidentally getting a girlfriend.)

One of my goals was finding a place/country I'd be interested in taking 1 year or so to teach English/or volunteer, and it seems like I stumbled upon a place on my first try.

Since I didn't expect to stay that long in Thailand, I only came with a single-entry tourist Visa, and on the suggestion of friends I made, I've done 3 "visa runs" light-heartedly, although reading through some of the posts have made me regret my decision, and feel like a borderline criminal.

Saturday is the last day for my third visa run, and as my thesis is due in 2 weeks time, it would be helpful to not have to travel around, and be able to stay in Chiang Mai and finish it, so I'm considering doing one final "visa-run". Or staying in a city in a neighboring country that is easy enough to get to, relatively safe/has good enough infrastructure that more or less steady internet is readily available. (If there are any suggestions, would be appreciated. )

Will the visa-runs have a negative impact on my chances on obtaining an ed-visa and later getting either a visa for volunteering or working (teaching English.)

I have sufficient savings (something like 900k baht or so? Nothing massive, but much more than I would need as I'm spending only >30,000 baht per month.) for staying a year and volunteering, and I have some teaching experience (both English and Japanese). I do have a 4 year degree in Japanese, so in theory I could get a job as a Japanese teacher, but not being ethnic Japanese, I'm not sure that it's a viable option.

Obviously I would like to stay with my girlfriend and new friends in Chiang Mai, but at the same time I don't want to break or bend any laws anymore.

I have a Norwegian passport, which the border guards referenced (Something something Norway), when I crossed the border back into Mae Sai last time. Not sure if this is significant or not.

Any advice is appreciated.

(I am aware that if I had simply opted for a multiple entry tourist visa just in case, I would have been in a much better position.)

I suggest you go to immigration and a apply for a 7 day extension that will cost you 1900 baht. And then go out for a tourist visa next week since it is to late this week to do it.

You can get a 2 entry tourist visa in Vientiane Laos.

It is my understanding that Vientiane has fairly good internet serive. You would only need to be there a couple of days anyway. You get the visa the next afternoon after applying the morning of day one.

Nok Air has a fly/ride service to Vientiane via Udon Thani.

There are also buses that go to Udon and then from there to the bridge in Nong Kai. Then cross the bridge to Vientiane.

. I do have a 4 year degree in Japanese, so in theory I could get a job as a Japanese teacher, but not being ethnic Japanese, I'm not sure that it's a viable option.

Sorry to pop your bubble, but nope, too many Japanese here for us Gaijin to get in on their work.

Oz

. I do have a 4 year degree in Japanese, so in theory I could get a job as a Japanese teacher, but not being ethnic Japanese, I'm not sure that it's a viable option.

Sorry to pop your bubble, but nope, too many Japanese here for us Gaijin to get in on their work.

Oz

Haha yeah I expected as much! Too bad, would have been funny to have the kids telling me that I came to the wrong room!

Add Thai to your languages (if you can be bothered) and you have a package for the automotive industry as a translator, perhaps, but pay here is NG! Good Luck mate, you'll work it out.

Oz

I suggest you go to immigration and a apply for a 7 day extension that will cost you 1900 baht. And then go out for a tourist visa next week since it is to late this week to do it.

You can get a 2 entry tourist visa in Vientiane Laos.

It is my understanding that Vientiane has fairly good internet serive. You would only need to be there a couple of days anyway. You get the visa the next afternoon after applying the morning of day one.

Nok Air has a fly/ride service to Vientiane via Udon Thani.

There are also buses that go to Udon and then from there to the bridge in Nong Kai. Then cross the bridge to Vientiane.

Thanks a lot Joe!

I will take your advice, get the extension, go to Laos, hopefully get the tourist visa and sort out longer term stuff when I get back.

I assume that it's too late this week to do it because the offices are only open on weekdays? So going to Vientiane on Monday would be a good idea?

Thanks again.

Add Thai to your languages (if you can be bothered) and you have a package for the automotive industry as a translator, perhaps, but pay here is NG! Good Luck mate, you'll work it out.

Oz

Would make for a good story if nothing else, right? Haha. Looking into learning Thai. There are also some Norwegian interests here (dtac is a Norwegian subsidiary for example. Everyone I mention it too kindly informs me how terrible the service is though) so maybe that's a possible route as well. Thanks man.

Going to Vientiane on Monday and applying on Tuesday morning would be good because it will be less busy than on Monday.

Going to Vientiane on Monday and applying on Tuesday morning would be good because it will be less busy than on Monday.

Thanks a lot. Will be back to tell the tale of how it all worked out.