I am an american teacher who escaped from the rat race for a year to work on my art full time. Thailand is cheap enough to do this and the food beats what Mexico offers hands down.

I am on a 30 day stamp which expires next week. I will go north to Khon Kanen (visit friends) and cross over into Laos the day my visa expires. I can't locate specific information on this board to indicate if I should go for the tourist visa at that point or continue doing two (or three?) more border runs and then apply for the tourist visa.

Also I read somewhere that exporting art is prohibited. Does anyone know if that pertains just to Thai artwork (antiques) or will I run into complications trying to take ten paintings and a lot of drawings I created in my studio/apartment in bangkok back to California>?

Chock Dee, everyone.

Having a visa is always the best idea and with the new policy that keeps the border run for visa free entry available if needed in an emergency. As for the art do not believe you will have any problem with personal paintings and such unless they appear to be old or temple type items. The rules are for antique control. Nobody is going to stop the tourist buying painting from the weekend market type items AFAIK.