What are the best options for extending a stay in Thailand considering visa rules?

If u can't afford 1900 bht for 60 days well. If u can't afford an agent be prepared a lot of hassles. With the 30 day n 30 day ext no insurance requirements just use ur card travel insurance. U travel when u want n not got a Thai visa has to coincide and use by dates etc. In my case Im a Thai wife so respect their culture but not the ever changing rules n tax n open hostility by Govt to farangs wanting to stay there I have seen over the past 25 years.

Im never out the place last 25 years had business the lot but I ensure my life left is not battling a foreign system. In this case I will let the agents do it and sit in the cold beer bar n relax

Never ever get an agent with a farang anything to do with them.

He's driftwood. The Thai agents are the ones speak the language n read it being key. I use a lady in Phk just a little shop she has n she brilliant when bringing Thai family on visits to oz even has the oz embassy contacts. It wasn't expensive at all to use her n she never fails to deliver.

As for doing it urself some just like to stand in lines in sun.

I got my wife Thai and passport and oz marriage visa from oz embassy in a one day visit to Phuket by agent but this was a long time ago. For me i think the 60 days are fine and people just get involved in all the idiosyncratic beuracracy of the fact that like banks one won't open an account the next one will. One immigration officer just decides different to all others.

All im saying. The good life can be had by purchase a Flexi ticket so u can change dates n travel when u like no dictates of a visa get full refund return portion to get over the onward ticket rule. Ur credit card insurance then covers u as long as u have a return ticket before leaving for 6 months.

Have the 60 days n then 30 days if u like it. That's 90 days easy as.

U allowed 2 border crossing a year but as many flights as u like.

Then if u meet or find what ur looking for. Only then go for it.

Stats are only 5% farangs retire Thailand are still there n most go home broke n having being robbed buying businesses you can never make money from Thailand ok. U always go bust

Im just saying nobody is right or wrong and each to their own.

But im very happy the last 25 yrs doing it my way. Also don't even think of selling up n going forever to land of smiles unless you lived there a year. Also i am very respectful of culture etc. I do everything correct. Im not the one looking every loophole. The thais get sick of it. So ok i will change it to if you have the money for the luxury of a Thai agent they have never failed me.

I been 4 times in past year n off again for 60 days in the quiet period get my hotel the price returning guests are valued. 😃