What are the current options for obtaining a Thailand visa, including for volunteering and homeschooling children?

I can confirm volunteer visas are being issued and extended both, there have been no changes for legit foundations.

If you just want to come and stay and not work, you can get the special tourist visa which allows 9 months total.

I received a message from Vanessa yesterday, which cleared up this post. She would like to volunteer in Thailand as an actual, legal volunteer.

>We've been told we could let our kids just overstay as they won't incur a fine.

That is correct. Children under 15 do not get fined, and children between 15 to 18 get a fine of up to 20K THB but are not blacklisted or deported. It is still illegal to have the children on overstay however.

>We've also been told volunteer visas are no longer allowed or being issued.

Not true. If you want to be an actual volunteer working for a non-government organization, those visas are being issued. You will be issued a work permit, a visa and the extension of stay. This group does not allow discussion of what volunteer organization would be best for your needs, and is a question that should be asked in a relevant Phuket group or searching Google.

I do not believe you can legally volunteer on an ED visa, since an ED visa is employment prohibited and therefore can't have a work permit. You can study and take classes on any visa though. My advice would be to contact volunteer organizations in whatever industry you want to volunteer within, and try to arrange for a volunteer visa before arrival.

In theory, your children can also enter, or acquire, a Non-O visa based on being a dependent for someone on a Non-O visa based on volunteering.

With regards to point 2, have you approached any volunteer foundations yet? They would be able to tell you which volunteer visas are available in specific areas.