My passport is getting a little full of Lao visas and Thai 3 month visitor visas and 30 day extensions.

I am assuming I won't get another 90 days when my visa expires in a few months time.

I have always wanted to learn how to speak Thai so am thinking an Education Visa is the best option. The problem is i live in Udon Thani and am only aware of one university here offering Thai Language and the course starts in October. I don't believe there is a Language school in Khon Kaen that still offers Thai language. Secondly, I am not able to attend classes 5 days a week. It's a long shot but is it possible to study Thai on my own via Skype /line etc from a reputable language school in Bangkok and maybe attend school in person once a month or something?

Alternatively, I am on a military disability pension but not yet at the age of 50 so can't apply for a retirement visa (I assume). Are there any other options that would permit me to stay in Thailand for a longer period of time? I'm not silly enough to marry a Thai woman and working is not possible for me - so these options are out of the question.

Any help or advice much appreciated.

Unless you sign up with a school who will provide the necessary paperwork to support an application for an Ed visa you will not be able to get one.

AFAIK Skype language courses do not meet the requirements for a Visa or extension of stay.

Your options for staying are limited to

1. Tourist visas (A six month multiple entry TV is available from the Thai Embassy/Consulate in your own country)
2. Purchasing a Thai Elite membership/visa. http://www.thailandelite.com/glimpse.php

You could probably be able to get another tourist visa at a different embassy or consulate that the ones in Laos. How many do you have now.

As far as I know the option of studying by Skype is no longer possible.

If you have 500k baht available you could get a 5 year Elite membership that would allow you to get a multiple entry visa valid for 5 years that allows for unlimited one year entries.

Jim, I was offered the 500K/ 5 year Visa a few years ago but I thought it sounded suspicious, never realized it actually was a possibility. Nevertheless, 500K is out of my budget unfortunately. Joe, I don't really want to risk trying for another 3 month visa and end up with a red stamp in my passport.

Looks like an education Visa is my only option but there does not appear to be any language schools around Khon Kaen or Udon that i can find. Anyone know of any?

I you go somewhere you have not gotten a visa before there is little chance you would get refused and a stamp.

Jim, I was offered the 500K/ 5 year Visa a few years ago but I thought it sounded suspicious, never realized it actually was a possibility. Nevertheless, 500K is out of my budget unfortunately. Joe, I don't really want to risk trying for another 3 month visa and end up with a red stamp in my passport.

Looks like an education Visa is my only option but there does not appear to be any language schools around Khon Kaen or Udon that i can find. Anyone know of any?

Best to post the question about schools in the education forum > http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/182-language-school-courses/

You would be expected to attend class at school for 2hours/day four times a week to meet the requirements of an Ed visa/extensions of stay.

I you go somewhere you have not gotten a visa before there is little chance you would get refused and a stamp.

The OP would be wise to avoid applying in KL ...........