What is the longest duration I can stay in Thailand, and how can I extend my stay?

Mar 10, 2023
2 years ago
Emma ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi everyone, I’m looking to do some travelling, I’ve been to Thailand before Covid and I really do love the place and would like to spend as much time as I possibly can there.

I’m British and was just wondering what is the longest over all that I can stay in Thailand and how would I do it please? Any advice would be amazing thank you.
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The length of stay in Thailand varies depending on the type of visa and extensions used. A British citizen can start with a 45-day visa-free entry, extend it for 30 days, and utilize visa options like the METV for longer stays. By planning strategic border runs and utilizing different visas, it's possible to extend the stay up to 270 days in total. There are also long-term options like the 5-20 year elite visa for a higher fee. Overall, staying in Thailand for extended periods involves navigating various visa regulations and timing.
Paul ********
You can spend the rest of your life here dude! 🕶 Where there's a will, there's a way!
Tony **********
I got here from uk about 10 days ago. Im jabbed but no 1 questioned didn't ask for insurance just walked through 3 airports. Got 45 days on arrival and im going to get q simple 30 day extentioned that looks simple and stay another month. In May I could may e do a border bounce
Jeremy ********
There is always the 5-20 year elite visa for a price of ฿500k to ฿1 million baht
Ralphy *****
Thailand has a very complicated visa process.
Alistair **********
Get a METV, you'll need to do some border runs but you can stay up to 270 days total if you time it perfectly. Probably the best / cheapest option to stay long term.
Jeremy ********
@Alistair *********
with the 6 month METV it goes live the day it’s placed in your passport…so to best maximize your days in Thailand it’s best to have a flight booked ASAP after you receive it
Emma ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Alistair *********
thanks 🙏🏼 this is very helpful!
Jeremy ********
this is a hard question to answers ill start at the beginning...1 you arrive and get a 45 day Visa free entrance stamp then you extend it for 1,900 baht at immigration giving you 75 days... 2 ... you go to a Thai consulate/Embassy in your country and buy a 60 day SETV that you extend for another 30 days In country giving you 90 days....3 you buy the 6 month METV and with strategic border bounces it gives you 9 months of stay in Thailand...4... you arrive receive the 45 days then buy the 30 days then you do a border bounce to give you another 30 days that brings you to 105 days... ..5... you arrive get the 45 days extend 30 days do a border bounce get another 30 days (75 days so far) you go to a Thai embassy/consulate get a 60days SETV with a 30 day extension that gives you 165 days.... 6...you fly out/In every 45 days until an Immigration officer says DENIED... I hope this covers what you are looking for, note you get 2 land border crossing per calendar year (Jan-31 DEC) if you buy a visa and do a land border crossing it does not count against your 2 land border crossings per year, fly Out/In no official amount of times you can arrive just be aware you will run into that one over zealous Immigration officer that will say otherwise... the 45 days of Visa free waiver will expire at the end of March unless its extended, from what we learned during COVID is that its never over until the last day...
Emma ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Jeremy *******
thank you so so much for your comment, this is exactly what I was looking for, different strategies to stay as long as I can. Really appreciate the time you’ve taken out to write this. I now understand better how the system works. Many thanks!
Stuart *********
The longest you can stay is theoretically until you pass away. How you achieve staying that long depends on a few factors. Your current age would be one. Whether you intend to marry a Thai or have half Thai kids or work would be others.
Paul *******
"Half Thai kids". Just call them Thai children, as that's what they are. Children of Thai nationality.
Stuart *********
@Paul ******
You could call them that but what if the mum or dad was Australian? Or British? Would you call them Thai or British/Australian?
Paul *******
@Stuart ********
Probably depends on the situation. I think for most purposes, it's good enough to mention their nationality as it relates to a particular country.

My children hold 4 passports, one of which is Thai. When it comes to Thai affairs, they're just Thai. I don't tell anyone about their other nationalities except if some curious person asks.

For the purposes of bureaucracy, in Australia, a Thai/Australian dual citizen is simply Australian. In America, they're simply American.

If you want to, you could refer to them as Thai/British or Thai/Australian or Thai/American (whatever applies) but for the most part, it's not information that is particularly relevant or necessary for most purposes unless it's some kind of school ancestry project.
Stuart *********
No inference of race intended. They are half Thai and half another nationality.
Emma ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
I just mean in general as a single 30 odd year old woman travelling what ways can I prolong my stay visa wise
Stuart *********
@Emma *******
A tourist visa would give you 60 days on arrival and a 30 day extension would get you to three months. A multiple entry 6 months tourist visa would get you to around 9 months if timed correct.

There are other options but limited if you’re 30ish.
Emma ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Stuart ********
ok great thanks
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