What are the best visa options for a British family of six wanting to stay long-term in Thailand?

Apr 13, 2024
8 months ago
Lara *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
I’m hoping someone can advise…British family of 6 looking to spend as much time as possible in Thailand. Education visa is a possibility, but apart from that - what’s the best way to stay? 60 day multi entry visa? 30 day and extend? Border runs? Any advice welcome!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
A British family of six seeks advice on the best options for long-term stays in Thailand, considering various visa types like education visas, 60-day multi-entry visas, potential extensions, and border runs. Tips include utilizing a 6-month Multi-Entry Tourist Visa combined with border exits every 90 days, considering dependent visas linked to international schooling, and recognizing the possible challenges of the Thai educational system.
Us *****
You can always put your kids in international schools and claim dependant visas. This way you are doing the right thing by giving them the best education money can buy. But 4 kids are gonna be peng maak maak. I know you guys are not the type of selfish parents that would just try to have a sabaai sabaai life by sacrificing the education of your kids.
Jim ********
@Us ****
The best education money can buy? In Thailand? How is it so easy to recognise sarcasm? 😆
Us *****
@Jim *******
Sorry, I meant the best education money can buy in Thailand. Their public system sucks.
Stephen ********
Go for a 6 month Multi Entry Tourist Visa. You can squeeze 9 months out of them though you'll still need to exit Thailand every 90 days (60 + 30) The land entry Limited to twice per year onky applies when entering without a visa, so once this visa expires, your land limit would only begin when leaving and entering again without a visa
Jim ********
@Stephen *******
Unlikely you'd be allowed entry on visa exempt after having spent 9 months already in the country. That would be "time to go home"
Stephen ********
@Jim *******
there's nothing to say it can't be done. Have you experienced being denied a visa exempt stamp after using a proper visa within its limits?
Jim ********
@Stephen *******
Absolutely YES! Immigration thought I was taking the piss out of them. I was given a seven day stamp directing me to leave the country. Trust me, you cannot live in Thailand on continuous tourist visa. They want you to buy an elite visa! 😆
Stephen ********
@Jim *******
so you were already inside thailand if you were given 7 days to leave. But I know it'll be down to the individual immigration offi er at the border as to whether they would let you enter. But there is nothing to say it cannot be done. Especially flying in as there is no limit to the amount of times you fly in without a visa in any 1 calendar year
Jim ********
@Stephen *******
No I wasn't IN Thailand. I was admitted (under sufferance) for seven days with the direction to leave the country within that time. You can kid yourself that you can spend as much time as you like on tourist entries, but that ain't going to happen. There's nothing to say it cannot be done, and there's nothing to say it can be done either.
Stephen ********
@Jim *******
fair enough, though not me planning it 😁
Jim ********
@Stephen *******
Things have changed since covid and since Elite went up to a million Baht. New landscape now. Lots of reports of denials
Stephen ********
@Jim *******
and that's without a visa, with a visa there would be less questions
Jim ********
@Stephen *******
Yeah, ok you've changed your stance. You were talking of visa exempt entries, that you can do as many as you like. Now you're taking tourist visas. You can believe what you want.
Stephen ********
@Jim *******
if you read my original comment, I talked about a METV, then doing border runs. That with a visa there is no limit, but also that by air there is theoretically no limit with a visa exempt (3 times in 6 months actually equals 6 months assuming 30 + 30).
Jim ********
@Stephen *******
"Theoretically" 🤣🤣🤣
Stephen ********
@Jim *******
well here is the official stance from thai embassy in London. So without knowing the circumstances, there could be other reasons why someone is questioned or refused entry. I e never heard of anyone being admitted with a 7 days to leave, until now 🤷‍♂️
Lisa ********************
60 day single entry visa plus 30 day extension. Then border bounces
Lara *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Lisa *******************
how many border bounces are allowed? Would these just give 30 days? Do you know if you can extend these too?
Lisa ********************
@Lara ******
you are allowed 2 land entries a year but unlimited entry by plane. Yes they can be extended to give you 60 days each visit.
Graham ******
Ages, passport nationality, Thai family?
Lara *******
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Graham *****
oh that would help! British passports. 4 kids aged 8-14 and 2 adults
Graham ******
@Lara ******
Because if you're over 50 (or have Thai family) you can stay longer and different passports get different entry stamps
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