Best way to “live” in Thailand is to have two home countries. 6 months home/6 months in Thailand (Tourist Visa). Can even stretch it out up to 9 months in Thailand. Go back and forth during the appropriate times, and immigration will almost surely let you back in.

Many people do this year in, year out, for decades.

I had no problems with using tourist visas until I hit just over a year. This was in 2018-2019. I first entered Thailand on July 26, 2018, and (with border runs, trips, etc) left on Aug 19, 2019.

It was at that year mark that they asked me if I had a flight booked to go to my home country, upon departure, which I did (but went to Australia first). I wouldn’t have been able to re-enter Thailand from that moment on without going home, thus why they asked.

If you have the “6 month” METV, you’ll be fine for up to 9 months as long as you re-enter Thailand just before the 6 month visa expires.

@Russell **********

Smart. You did vacation style border runs. Immigration will love entering you back in if you do that. Enjoy 👍👍

@Jan ***********

Some visa companies can possibly handle that for you or help. HD Visa, etc.

@Klaus **********

“Study the visas available” definitely helped me stay there for so long.

“Lived” there in a monthly rented house, not in hotels. And used the address of that house on all immigration papers. No questions ever asked.

@Brian ********

Accurate

@Klaus **********

This is correct. I spent 2 years in Thailand (METV, border runs, etc.), with a 3 month gap inbetween to visit my home country. No issues whatsoever with immigration.

@Mehmet ********

Definitely not.

@Jan *****************

This is the safest bet.

Yes, very possible. Some risks, but usually small. A few border runs and extensions will be needed.