Hi all,
First of all: thanks everyone for this group and for the useful advice given by many of you.
Next year (2018) my spouse and I would like to spend the entire year in Thailand; perhaps we will spend a couple of months during that year in another country in Asia.
We have no intention of working in Thailand (we can afford just to "be" there for a year), I am 52 by that time, my spouse is under 50. We are married but both non-Thai. We intend to buy a return ticket from The Netherlands (where we live) to Bangkok departure early January 2018, return late December/early January 2019.
In my current thinking I guess it would be best if we try to get an ME tourist visa for 6 months, then after that period do visa runs or apply for 2-month extensions a number of times.
Questions:
1) Would the airline except this given the fact that, on departure, we would only have a 6-month visa but stay for a year?
2) Do you think the visa schedule I propose is doable/the most appropriate one in this case?
Thanks for your help in this,
Nico
TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the best visa options for an expat couple planning to stay in Thailand for the entire year of 2018. The couple is considering a Multiple Entry Tourist Visa (METV) for up to 270 days and potential extensions or visa runs thereafter. Comments suggest that the over-50 partner is eligible for a Non-Immigrant Type O-A Visa, which would allow for a longer stay without needing frequent visa runs, while advice on applying for a tourist visa in nearby countries is also provided. The conversation emphasizes the importance of having a return ticket and sufficient funds in the bank for visa applications.
