Is it better to obtain a Thai visa before arriving or while in Thailand?

@Jacques ****

why not? Visa you normally apply for outside before travel

@Dmb ******

The visa is a one year Non O-A visa. Each time you enter within a year you’ll get stamped in for one year, also short time before the visa expires if you also update your health insurance for another year. Voila you’ll get two years in Thailand on a one year visa. Sorry but this basic knowledge mister. Same system for the six months multiple entries tourist visa which gives you up to nine months in Thailand. Learn your lesson mister or stay away with all your misinformation.

@Jan *****************

never heard of the fuck-stickery you talk??? Prove it show you visa in your passport that gives you a 2 year stay

@Dmb ******

You’ve had extension of stays for five years based on a 90 days Non O visa and it has to be extended every twelve months. No disagreement so far.

BUT

If you apply for a one year Non O-A multiple entries visa at the Thai embassy of your country of origin. (Not a regular Non O visa). The one year multiple Non O-A Visa itself allows you to stay in Thailand for up to two years before you’ll need to apply for your first yearly 12 months extension of stay.

SO

Regular 90 days Non O visa gives you 90 days before you need to apply for your first 12 months yearly extension of stay.

A one year Non O-A visa from your embassy at home gives you up to two years before you’ll need to apply for your first yearly 12 months extension of stay.

IF

You don’t know or understand this I’m sorry but I can’t help you.

@Jan *****************

mate I have had a multi entry visa based on retirement for 5 year's AND IT NEEDS TO BE RENEWED EVERY 12 MONTHS where do you get this crap it lasts for 2 year's from??? Give your head a shake

@Dmb ******

For your own and other peoples sake you should stop your comments until you’ve learned your lesson in order to avoid incorrect information.

@Jan *****************

bollocks

@Dmb ******

Sorry mister but this is correct ✅

@Jan *****************

wrong

@Dmb ******

Yes, but we are not talking about extension but the visa itself.

A regular Non O gives you 90 days in Thai. This is single entry, so you only can enter once and get 90 days.

A one year Non O-A visa with multiple entries gives you one year each time you enter within a year.

If you want to continue your stay you’ll need to apply for yearly extension of stay. This is equal for both visas.

@Jan *****************

you sure???? Retirement visa need to be extended ever 12 months

@Alan *******

what kind of visa?

@Alan *******

like Brandon already mentioned - a visa is a document for entering a country - i.e. you apply for a visa before you travel there. In most cases that is the ONLY way to obtain a visa.

You won't get any other answers... especially not since you don't provide any more info. There are a bunch of visa types, but no one can guess what type of visa you should apply for! What's your age, how will you support yourself, are you retired, are you going to study, are you married to a thai, have you been offered a job in Thailand etc etc.

@Alan *******

if you need a visa, then you must get it before you arrive. Otherwise you'll get a visa exempt stamp for 60 days when you arrive (assuming you have American passport?). Once you're here, you can sort out a longer-term visa option or search for a visa agency.