600k for 5 years isn't worth it, but for an extra 400k (so 1M total) you get 15 years extension so 20 years total, now, this is 50k baht per year instead of 120k, so 20 years is worth it. But only do this if you are really set in staying long term and have the cash. p.s: But I personally dont see the point. If you want to stay long term, you most likely have a Thai GF, so just married her and extend one more year every year. Its not more hassle than the elite visa and its much cheaper.

@Maxime ********

Ive been here 10 years... and never had an elite visa, only 1 volunteer visa, no ed visa nor marriage visa, so yeah, its possible. Now im getting on marriage extension so im pretty much set from now on. Pre-covid it was obv easier, all u had to do is visa run to another country, or border bounce.

@Kay **********

Its not cheaper compare to under the table visa, but I get your point. Elite visa make sense but its a big chunk of money so u need to be sure.

@Stuart ********

Well, if you dont meet requirement for marriage you dont have the cash for elite visa either. The only requirement for marriage that people stuggle with is the 400k baht.

@Lisa *******************

You do not need a passport to get bus tickets. My GF always buy tickets and I never get asked anything ever. For hotel reservation they need the passport for tm30, a passport copy is probably fine because the hotel make a copy anyways so you are basically giving them what they need.

From experience, even if its book under her name, they will ask for your passport because the hotel is legally oblige to fill the tm30. I would say cheaper and bad rating hotel might dont give a bleep, but any hotel with good ratings are probably going by the book.

This is obv Sandflies, not spiders. And yes, mosquitoes can cause blisters, etc. But no, u cannot contract Lyme disease in Thailand, it's not a thing here. I live in Thai countryside for many years with spiders, centipedes, snakes, scorpions, crabs, and every type of lizard and insect you can think of. I've had blisters similar to all the pictures above many times and it's always from insects/flies. No need for hospital, home remedies can do the job. In fact, here is a video of what the outside of my house looks like on certain nights.

@Terary *********

If you are not legally married then you are way too early in the process. Get married first, even if you don't end up using it for the marriage extension because you choose another visa, it will be helpful in the future and you won't have to repeat this process ever again.

Are you legally married? If so you can since you had a Non-O before (you needed that for your volunteer visa). But again you are re-entering the eternal bribery loop which is something that im personally trying to get away from.

@Terary *********

Im 36. No prenub.