What is the best visa option for staying in Thailand for 6 months as an expat?

@Nick *********

as

@Ian *******

correctly pointed out you have to show WHY you need a 6 month METV or they're gonna only sell you a single entry

AND

they're going to keep the difference in price; £150 for the METV versus £30 for the STV (so if they think you don't 'need' an METV you lose £120 😮 )

Just for info, a 6 month METV is £150 to buy.

A SETV is £30 to buy. For me, because I'm tight, I would rather go to another country after 90 days (60 days on the visa and a 30 more day extension for 1900 baht ~£45) and buy a second SETV OR come back into Thailand on a free Visa exemption that gives you 30 days +30 extension for 1900 baht (£45 at current exchange rate).

The eVisa system also states that you have to give good reason why you wish apply for a multi entry tourist visa.

I'm not sure what the 'correct' answer would be to satisfy Royal Thai Embassy in London to issue a METV. 🤔

Can't read your whole post.

get a 6 month METV from the thai consulate in the UK using the online eVisa system website before you wing your way here.

That visa is good for unlimited 60 day entries for the 6 months it's valid for. When the 60 days runs out, go to the border, stamp out of thailand, stamp in&out of another country and back into thailand to get another 60 day entry stamp.

You can also extend each of those 60 day stamps by 30 days too at the immigration office for 1900baht.

It's either that OR once you're here on a 60 day single entry tourist visa you take the 30 day extension for 1900baht, border bounce for a 30 day visa exempt entry and then extend that by 30 days for 1900baht but that only gives you 5 months here.

I assume 6 month multi entry one