Apologies to those offended by me making a new topic with one already open but I don't have a great amount of time available before I come back to Thailand...

As I understand it the only places one can get a Thai visa in Laos is Vientiane and Savvanakhet. I am currently in Luang Prabang and can spend another 2 weeks in Laos at the most but ideally looking to get back into Thailand (Chiang Mai) within the next week or less.

I may need to get a Tourist Visa, ideally with double entry. I admit now my knowledge is very poor about this. Each time I have come before I have arrived via plane with no visa but now I am planning to live here long term.

Looking for assistance about the best way to go about getting this done. All helpful responses appreciated.

I am confused you just said you were going to get an ED visa in another post???

The only way is to apply for the visa at a Thai consulate, in Laos either in Vientiane or in Savannakhet. Both issue the double-entry tourist visa.

Just do as outlined by Maestro. Trot off to Vientiane or whatever suits. Lodge application with pic etc collect it next day (afternoon) Think 13.30 onwards.

Oh lodge application before 11.30am

As suggested here and in your other post your best option is to get a double entry Tourist Visa (TR) from Vientiane. That will give you 4 to 6 months in Thailand to find a school and organise your ED Visa. The application for a TR is simple.

You can study using a TR so it's a good idea to find the school first and try it out before getting involved with the ED Visa.

With reports from members about students at some Thai language schools getting extensions of stay for only one month at a time, studying while on a tourist visa may turn out to be less stressful and perhaps even less costly.

We know you are 31 yo , what country are you from ? You are being given sound advice but seem to ask like why you should do this or that.

For long term stay in Thailand without retireing ( min 50 yo ) or married to a Thai ( any age ) and not working or visiting Thai family (say kids )

or working with a permit and Non-o visa you would need and ed visa ( and how many years can you go to school?) or use tourist visa's. You can get double entries 60 days that can be extended at immigration for 30 days for 1900 baht.. So if you gety a double at Vientiene would be good for 60 x 2 = 120 days plus 30 day extensions x 2 = 180 days. Then go go to Savanaket and repeat. Then go to say Bali get triple entry tourist visa. Keep repeating procedure as some consulates don't like doing more than 2--3 repeat back to back tourist visa but if you keep changing the Thai consulates there will not be a problem.

I know you want to buy a condo but as suggested by others come here for 3--- 6 months and rent first . You don't have to rent for years Travel around Chiang Mai and other areas of Thailand to see where you might want to really live then you can check out condo's to buy with the time it gives you.

Tony 125 and others. Spot on advice. Penny might drop