You could just enter on 30 days then extend for 30 days at Pattaya immigration. It’s easy but you could make it easier by using an agent.

If your still in Pattaya at that point you could do an organised border bounce and repeat 30 and extend 30. Or do visa trip to Laos giving you 60+30

But this would take a few days. Most people can do this process for at least 6 months without any issue.

@Logan ************

out of Thailand anywhere. Google throw away ticket a lot of people have used them. If you are arriving on 30 day visa the flight has to be within that time period. Airlines / immigrations don’t entertain people’s plans about getting long stay visas they just follow back and white. Extremely unlikely you will be asked for anything when you arrive in Thailand if you haven’t got history of visits.

It’s very likely you will be asked even when you check in at South Africa by the airline.

@David **********

cash still second to transferring using wise to a Thai bank account but very close. If living here wise is best option.

@Peter ******

pretty sure I stated that when referring to “unique” but you mostly find they cut their fees to zero but not the Thais atms fees. Cash is also a good option for people wanting to get the best rate possible.

2.75% conversation fee plus 200baht is the minimum most people will be charged unless they have some unique bank accounts for atm withdrawals.

Just make sure Visa has been cancelled properly before doing the land crossing I’ve been told it can be an issue

You can extend at immigration for a further 30 days without any issue. You can then do a border a bounce by land , receive 30 days and extend at immigration for another 30 giving you 120 days in total. Without too much hassle. After this there is no concrete written laws, it’s up to the immigration officer, luck etc. if your a genuine tourist and travelling in the region for touristic things it will be a lot easier to prove. If you plan staying longer than 6 months on Thailand it’s probably best looking into ED visas or what else is available.

As long as you stick to the requirements should be fine.

@Franklin **********

last time I was questioned before I simply showed them my travel plans and nice places I’d visited and they could see I was genuine long term tourist. People up to no good or working illegally normally struggle to provide these things.