Can anyone advise me on what to do in my situation....

I arrived in Thailand at the end of May on a two month tourist visa, I have done 2 border runs and about to do my third next week, meaning I will have been here for four months almost. I have spent my time travelling and now I am taking some classes in various things. I am not working and I am supporting myself completly.

I have rented an apartment for three months and I am in a lease until the end of November. I was planning on staying on in Thailand and taking some other courses while also travelling to some surrounding countries, but keeping my apartment in Chiang Mai as a home base.

My worries are that when it comes time in October to do my next border run (after next week), that they will not allow me back in the country. I have to think about the apartment full of my personal belongings and my motorcycle that I rent.

I was thinking of going to Singapore or Malaysia next week, instead of October and trying to get a different kind of visa that way as long as I come back in before October 1st, I will either have a longer visa and can rest easy for a bit longer and see what happens, or come back in (depending on how it goes at an embassy overseas) and at least be able to orgainze my things if I do have to leave in October due to an expiring visa.

I also do volunteer work here at some hospitals and villages. I have spent years working to be able to take time off. Surely if I can prove I can support myself, then there should be some exceptions, even to sign something saying I agree not to work.

Does anyone have any suggestions or what would be the best thing for me to do?

Appreciate any help.

RDL

I also do volunteer work here at some hospitals and villages. I have spent years working to be able to take time off. Surely if I can prove I can support myself, then there should be some exceptions, even to sign something saying I agree not to work.

RDL

Isn't that a bit contradictory?

I was under the impression that you would need a work visa even for volunteer work.

Can anyone advise me on what to do in my situation....

I arrived in Thailand at the end of May on a two month tourist visa, I have done 2 border runs and about to do my third next week, meaning I will have been here for four months almost. I have spent my time travelling and now I am taking some classes in various things. I am not working and I am supporting myself completly.

I have rented an apartment for three months and I am in a lease until the end of November. I was planning on staying on in Thailand and taking some other courses while also travelling to some surrounding countries, but keeping my apartment in Chiang Mai as a home base.

My worries are that when it comes time in October to do my next border run (after next week), that they will not allow me back in the country. I have to think about the apartment full of my personal belongings and my motorcycle that I rent.

I was thinking of going to Singapore or Malaysia next week, instead of October and trying to get a different kind of visa that way as long as I come back in before October 1st, I will either have a longer visa and can rest easy for a bit longer and see what happens, or come back in (depending on how it goes at an embassy overseas) and at least be able to orgainze my things if I do have to leave in October due to an expiring visa.

I also do volunteer work here at some hospitals and villages. I have spent years working to be able to take time off. Surely if I can prove I can support myself, then there should be some exceptions, even to sign something saying I agree not to work.

Does anyone have any suggestions or what would be the best thing for me to do?

Appreciate any help.

RDL

I was not aware of that!

I seem to remember after the Tsunami there was a fuss about voluntary workers not having work permits. Maybe there have been changes since then.

Well you should be ok - apparently anything before Oct 1 doesnt count in regards to the visa exempted countries. So if everything is as Immigration says it is then after 1 Oct you will have 3 additional border runs available (90 additional days). After that you will have to leave/try and secure a tourist visa because without it you won't be allowed back in the country for 90days.

Chok Dee!!!

Well you should be ok - apparently anything before Oct 1 doesnt count in regards to the visa exempted countries. So if everything is as Immigration says it is then after 1 Oct you will have 3 additional border runs available (90 additional days). After that you will have to leave/try and secure a tourist visa because without it you won't be allowed back in the country for 90days.

Chok Dee!!!

Thanks for the information, I heard that was not the case, but have not heard the news on the meeting that was held on friday. I wish I had the time to sort through the thousands of posts on this subject. I will try get confirmation on that, would be great if that was the case.