What are the current rules and options for extending a non-visa entry stamp and obtaining a Non-O visa in Thailand?

I wish to live in Thailand as fully as possible. Even if I also live and work in other countries, I would prefer that Thailand be my home base. My Thai friends seem to understand that naturally. Even local immigration officials seem to understand and approve, even though they have to follow rules set by other people in the manner that the officials (and their bosses) understand those rules. OK? (And I thought my feelings about this would have been clear by now; I have studied and worked for this a long time...)

Yes. When I checked the non-O visa types online this morning, I realized that none of the categories fit my needs (as of 2007, the non-immigrant visa was a lot easier to get, because I had one...). So I am not sure what kind of visa I am allowed to get. All I know is that if I go to Malaysia with the matter not yet settled, I will go to the consulate in Kota Bharu (not Penang or KL) and will also try to have a backup plan in place (going to third countries for a while and then coming back). Further input is of course welcome...

Total of perhaps 14 years, starting in 1980 (plus 3 years studying Thai formally at Cornell University -- in addition to grad study in anthropology) plus 1.5 years raising a then-monolingual Thai daughter who arrived at age 8, plus multiple years of marriage to a Thai woman who joined me in the USA (so I speak Thai pretty well and idiomatically, which probably helps me a lot). Most recent previous stay was nearly 9 years, first as Lecturer and briefly Chair of the PhD program in Asian Studies (now defunct) at Walailak University (5 years), then as an English teacher at a Thai government school, then as an official Volunteer at two Thai Christian charitable Foundations, and then several 90-day COVID era Visa extensions. Currently working on my next potentially long-term attachments, as I am clearly still very welcome back here in the place I consider my "home community." I hope those details help (smile)

Good point. I have been getting the impression from this Group that SA is more difficult. And both of those are reasonably close to where I want to live, so will try to remember to explore those options (especially Samui, which may be *really* close.. )

@Brandon ***********

Your question about my age (over 50) and my marital status (not yet, this time, and I do not yet have the needed financial resources anyway -- probably just short of the minimum income, and still lacking the required funds in the bank) reminds me of an additional question -- I had once (a few years ago) been told that on Marriage Visas and Retirement Visas it is not possible to work, not even as a volunteer. However, yesterday I met an old British (?) friend who told me that he is teaching in Thai schools on a Marriage visa and that work is probably still possible if obtaining the correct work permit. Is this true, and would it also be true on a Retirement visa? (I am thinking well down the road, and in addition one of the nice perks of working on a Marriage Visa -- should that be able to happen soon -- is that I would be able to stay in-country if the job should end abruptly...)

@Brandon ***********

Oh, that would be nice (changing to a non-O in-country) -- I will be sure to ask about that on my next follow-up with provincial Immigration (a second visit is something I was planning on doing anyway).