How can I switch from a Non-B visa with work permit to a tourist visa in Thailand?

Nov 24, 2020
4 years ago
Maliek ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hello. Does anyone have any experience or advice for attempting to switch from a non b with work permit to a tourist visa? I finished working but am looking to stay in Thailand still.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the difficulties of switching from a Non-B visa with a work permit to a tourist visa in Thailand. It is noted that due to COVID-19, one cannot apply for a tourist visa while in Thailand and must do so from outside the country. Alternatives mentioned include utilizing a visa amnesty extension or applying for an extension based on being unable to travel due to COVID-19.
Bo ***********
60 days covid visa
Tod *********
You would take paperwork from your former employer, cancel your current extension of stay, and immediately apply for an "unable to travel due to covid" extension.
Duncan *******
You might qualify for an extension of stay under the visa amnesty (note - this is not a visa) but there's zero way you can apply for a tourist visa within Thailand even with all the others things going on due to COVID-19. To get a tourist visa you have to apply outside the country.
Bobby ********
@Duncan ******
. Visa amnesty finished on October 31st. People now have to pay for a covid extension.
Duncan *******
@Bobby *******
my bad - COVID extension or whatever they're calling it this week ;) Op here obviously is coming off a Non-Imm B so is in a different situation but what has me beat is with all the amnesties and now COVID extensions, anyone stuck here has had ample time to find alternative visas or leave the country. With some exceptions most claiming to be stuck here can leave the country now but they don't want to.
Bobby ********
@Duncan ******
. I agree. Believe it or not, there are still people here who believe they should not be paying for further extensions as they are "helping the economy", and think that the 1900 baht for two months is a "rip off". There is ample opportunity for probably 95% of those still here to return to their homes, but you are right, they don't want to. I have an acquaintance here, (I wouldn't call him a friend) who continually claims that covid 19 is a hoax, and yet will tell immigration he can't return home because covid 19 is out of control in his own country! Immigration should take a closer look at some people's Facebook pages. They'd get a surprise!
Duncan *******
@Bobby *******
even before I had two year visa extensions and a work permit I was always looking out, well before COVID as to the best way to stay here long term legally for longer periods and I've been through multiple visas since 2013 :)

I don't want to be unfair - there may be a few who are legitimately stuck here but many of these people are not even trying at this point. In Chiang Mai, it's not that expensive to enroll with a Thai language school or even a self-defense class with the equivalent of a year-long ED visa (90 days + 3 x 90 day extensions) if people really wanted to stay without drama. For those over 50 I believe Non-Imm O's are available within Thailand now as well.
Wylie *******
@Duncan ******
im not positive but I remember reading quite often on here and other sites that they are not granting education visas for language schools at the moment. Only if enrolled in an actual university. Like I said, I'm just going off memory, so I could be wrong.
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