Any advice on how to stay in Thailand the longest without taking the ED route? Will border runs just have to be the solution? Open to all advice
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TLDR : Answer Summary
Several alternatives to the Education (ED) visa for long-term stays in Thailand include using a 2-month tourist visa followed by extensions and border runs, obtaining a marriage visa, starting a business with a Thai partner, or applying for a METV visa which allows multiple extensions. Some suggest the Thai Elite visa for those without financial constraints. Border runs have become more difficult and may lead to denial of entry after repeated use, so legal options are recommended.
When I first got here, there were people I met who were full time living here, with illegal, off-the-cards teaching jobs in village schools, wives, everything - just doing limitless border runs.
Those days are gone. There are of course some individuals in denial of this fact but it is no longer possible to *live* here just on short-term stays. Eventually the point *will* come when you get denied.
If you don't want to teach, or get married, then Ed visas really are your best bet.
when I first moved here in like 2012, I did 16-18 months of limitless tourist visas, every two months I’d head to Vientiane. Those days are definitely gone, you are right.
How long? Ed is short option. For living here long time my opinion is Open company or get child or get married. Company plus b visa easy and cheapest. If no money issues go elite route?
Enter on 2 month tourist visa, extend for 1 month, then do boarder runs once every 2months with local company for up to 6months, then repeat the process
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