Can I use a Visa on Arrival and then later apply for a METV visa for a longer stay in Thailand?

@Stanley *****

let me tell you something. Don't panick because your METV hasn't been issued, yet. Embassies and consulates, who are using the E-visa online system, usually wait until a date very close to the departure date you entered into your E-visa application. They do so, because the 6-months visa validity of a METV begins on the day of issue. They will make sure you don't loose more days than necessary, from the visa validity. They are aiming at saving you the maximum number of days, by issuing the visa as close as possible before your flight date

@Stanley *****

to be safe make sure you do a land border bounce with a border run company when you are about to do your last entry just before the visa expiration date. At that time you are likely to be over 180 days in country recently due to coming in prior on exempt. The Bangkok airports have seemed to be getting strict in that area.

@Stanley *****

I think when you arrive on visa exemption 30 days and somewhat later y'r visa arrives, you maybe also can do an extension of 30 days first and then leave and come back. Y'r visa is 90 days valid for coming into the country. You have to calculate a bit if this maybe delivers some extra time for you.

@Stanley *****

you'd still be in Thailand the same amount of time, you just wouldn't use the visa as much