@Kevin ********

No, it's not. Going home for a few months is a meaningful amount of time. Anything less than a month just looks like someone trying to get a new 60 day stamp.

@Eric ****

If that's an option, it reduces the chances of trouble.

I doubt you're on any visa. You are most likely on an extension based on being over 50, which is not a visa, it's an extension. When you purchase a re-enter permit, the end date of the permit is the same end date of your extension. You must be back in Thailand before your extension ends to apply for your next extension, or you must start over.

Yes that will most likely be considered a border bounce, because you did not spend any meaningful amount of time outside of Thailand.

What that actually means for you is completely up to the immigration officer that you will be standing in front of when you return.

You'll need your Thai wife to attend immigration with you, along with proof of your marriage that's registered in Thailand. Some immigration offices might start the extension the day you apply, and some might add it to the end of your entry stamp. This is a generic list of requirements, as each immigration office sets their own requirements.

Do note: not every immigration office offers the 60 day visiting Thai family extension.

Because 90% of the people that book classes for soft power are never even going to see that school, let alone attend a single class. And some of the classes are only like 4-5 classes across 6 months, which hardly necessitates a 5 year visa. This is the reason many people think things will tighten up at some point, like requiring proof of ongoing courses or attendance when re-entering after the first 180 days.

Need a TM30 for pretty much anything at immigration

Anonymous participant yes, exactly this.

But you can find out if your immigration office allows you to file by mail. Many do and it counts as an in-person filing.

@Florian *********

Just because you say it's all legal does not make it so

Tell them you are traveling to Thailand and you want a tourist visa as you are traveling as a tourist. It doesn't matter that you qualify for something else.