Can you secure a dependent visa in Thailand without leaving the country if your children are Thai citizens?

Just heard they are about to confirm the covid extension until 30 th march. They may help you buy time.

According to the Phuket office they don’t issue a non o visa in country for a guardian. I guess this is because a guardian of a Thai child can apply for an extension of stay for a year if they already have a valid Non O or valid extension. I’m not sure a Covid extension is what they term valid. You’d need to check that one. However if you haven’t done so already you can obtain a 60 day extension based on visiting Thai family. There’s no financial requirements for that extension. That would then put you on a valid extension which means you can apply for the one year extension of stay as guardian. Here‘s the link for the Phuket requirements. Your local office may differ.

When applying for a Non O do your initially have to state the reason or is that at the extension stage?

To answer the second part, a Non O visa obtained in country or an extension of stay due to having Thai kids is not multiple entry. You must buy a reentry permit before you leave Thailand in order to keep the remaining days stamp alive. 1,000 baht for single or 3,800 for multiple entries.

Maybe explain what visa you have at present ?