There is nothing written anywhere in Thai law prohibiting this approach. Because there is nothing written in the law about any overall maximum amount of time one can cumulatively stay in Thailand on a tourist visa. Unlike for example what the EU clearly states in law, stating that tourist visa stays can only apply to a maximum of 90 days in every 180 days. Unfortunately, that does not mean that some officer at either the consulate or with immigration does not make up some non-written rule or procedure ... happens all the time with Thai authorities.

What they do however can potentially question is, whether your stay is actually based on tourism. They could assume you are (illegally) working or else questioning where your funds are coming from for such extended stays. In theory, they should have probable cause for that. I real life, they will just deny and it would be up to you to prove otherwise and / or somehow muddle your way through.

Keep in mind: The METV does not grant you 9 month consecutive stay. Used "right" you can squeeze out up to 9 months with border crossings every 60-90 days. So, more so than not being issued a METV every year, your much bigger concern should probably be being denied entry at the border crossing at one point sooner or later - even while holding a valid METV at the time.

6 month to a year? Without leaving the country this can only be done on a Non-Immigrant visa. There is several categories of those. The most likely that could apply to you is the ED (Education) category. Meaning you would have to sign up for e.g. a Thai language school or something similar.

If you don't mind leaving the country in between, you could also check the tourist visa route. TR Single Entry would give you 60 days and can be extended within Thailand for another 30 days. So roughly 3 months. You would then have to leave the country (e.g. to a neighboring country) and start over with a new / fresh tourist visa. Alternatively, you could also get a METV (Multi Entry Tourist Visa), with which you could enter Thailand unlimited times during a six months validity period and stay 60 days (+ potential 30 days in country extension) each. With the latter you would still have to leave Thailand at some point, but would not have to bother with needing to obtain a new Singe Entry TR.

Cheers.

Depending on your travel / entry history, they might give you a hard time even if it can show all the 3 proofs (flight, money, accommodation).

There is no technical limit of entries written in the underlying law: the Thai Immigration Act. So, occasional they make reasons for denial of entry up, then while writing down a paragraph of the immigration act (more precisely Section 12 of it) one supposedly breached / didn't fulfill to justify their denial of entry.

Common breach they construct is Section 12.2 lack of funds - irrespective of funds having been asked for or demonstrated or not. If they really pick on you, only three ways left: leave, pay or appeal. For the last point you need a special form (TM.11 - APPEAL AGAINST THE ORDER OF THE COMPETENT OFFICER TO LEAVE THE KINGDOM) and the process can be lengthy. Too big of a topic for me to fully get into right now.

Buy a) cheap flight, b) “onward” flight, or c) refundable flight. Be prepared to also show proof of funds and accommodation.

@Ed *******

It is sort of an edge case. But what isn't with Thai immigration. Many of their requirements don't exactly ever meet the real lift situation of applicants. Good luck.

@Ed *******

Sure. During this eVisa process, they will make you upload proof of residency in the UK ... just upload your UK driving license. That should make them think they are responsible for you. eVisa in Italy might go through as well (given the address in the bank statement). But I would guess UK is the safer bet in this case.

I'd apply with the consulate in the UK, if most of your documents (especially passport and driving license) and even your flight are out of the UK.

@Joe *****

Almost. But the METV gives you 60 days, each (on every entry). So, if you were to leave and re-enter a day before it’s expiry, it would give you 239 days. With one final extension then a day short of 270 days.

Wrong country, if you are looking for reasonable explanations in matters of bureaucracy. Either play their game, or beat them at their own game. If the obstacles get too much: find away around them - there usually is.

@Steve ******

doubt it. But if so: flex-ticket and refund.