What are the best language schools for visa options in Thailand and what happens after the first year?

Okay, after the "I mostly care about the Visa" comment I think the O/P can find a school in Pattaya that will meet their needs.

We're done

Like David said above, cheapest/best means different things for different people. Cheapest school to get a visa? Best school for Thai language Curriculum? You have to be more specific in your questions. You also did not state where in Thailand you want to study? I am studying on a SE ED Visa in Pattaya but you must know that there are rules that are different depending on where you study. At the moment I study x 2 days a week, 2hrs per class. I’m pretty sure outside of Pattaya you may have a minimum of 4 days per week to study to uphold immigration requirements as you have to present your attendance records when going for your extension of stay. Being Thailand things vary from province to province and very quickly and not announced either. I expected to study 4 days per week when I arrived. I believe according to

@Tod ********

you can get a maximum of 15 months? Studying Thai but will require you to get another ED visa after 12 months? I may be wrong.

@https://www.faceboo*******************

is good school and never had problems with papers. After 1 year go to Laos and make new visa. bt per year

No such thing as cheapest / Best. Try duke. You can take a free lesson there like most schools

There are (or was) two types of Non-ED visas. Single entry and multi-entry. I know only about first one. You get papers from school, go to other country, visit Thai embassy there, get your visa, come back to Thailand, get 90 days stamp at the border. After 90 days you get papers from school, visit your local immigration office, pay them 1900 baht, get another 90 days. Totally for 12 months of stay in country. That's all.