@Brandon ***********

thanks for the heads up. We are talking to a school right now who have places and they are taking me through everything that is needed. We plan to go visit them with passports, paperwork, photos etc literally the day we land.

Thanks everyone for all your inputs. We think an ED visa is best suited to our needs. It’s too late to get one in KL as we are leaving here on 8th Oct heading to Sri Lanka for a month. The Thai Embassy in Sri Lanka not answering emails and website won’t let me book an appointment so if I can’t get an ED visa via Sri Lankan Thai embassy, then we will enter Thailand on the standard 30 day tourist visa and apply for an ED visa directly with Thai immigration to start when the 30 days have elapsed.

@John *********

I think we got a few things misunderstood on how I used the term “border run” - I didn’t make myself clear. I take on board what you are saying as this is really useful to know. It’s helping to shape my thinking on what I do. Thanks again.

@John *********

yep I accept your point on doing a border run without the kids.

But why would we be denied entry to Thailand if we have a valid approved visa?

@Brandon ***********

I’ll get onto the Onward ticket thing and book a flight through one of the agencies that will have us departing around 60 days after entry into Thailand.

Context… we plan to stay for 6 months as a family in Thailand. We intend to apply and pay for 60 day tourist visas for myself and the wife only. Our 4 children will go in on 30 day visa exemption. When we extend for 30 days and do the one border visa run, it will only be for me and the wife (the kids won’t come to the immigration centre or go on the border run with us). When we leave Thailand after 6 months, the kids will be classed as overstay.

Question… Do you think the embassy will have an issue with us showing them inbound flight tickets (which have the kids itemised) but then seeing the outbound flight tickets with just me and the wife on? Perhaps I should just create the outbound flight tickets with all of us on to be consistent?

And your other point on accommodation. We are staying in 2 places over the 60 days. First place is 8th Nov to 1st Dec. I’ve paid a deposit on that but don’t have to pay in full until I arrive so will the embassy be happy with that? 2nd place is 1st Dec to 5th Jan which has been reserved via Booking.com. The terms of my booking don’t require payment until arrival. That’s just how it is 🤷🏽‍♂️. How can the embassy not accept this?

Let’s talk on the phone tomorrow. I’m calling Jon at some point.

Thank you everyone for all your helpful advice. I’ve learned more in the last couple of hours than I have in the last couple of months! 🤣

@Ron ******

@Alistair *********

I can apply for a 60 day visa at the Thai Embassy in KL but it’s the same 2 appointment application process and scrutiny as a 90 day ED visa?

@Alistair *********

so METV is out of the question. You and

@Ron ******

have confirmed that.

What about the 60 day visa?

All.

My objective is simply to stay in Thailand for 6 months at minimal cost and inconvenience if possible. It would be nice to learn Thai language and culture whilst I’m there but the ED visa application seems to be quite complex for my current situation.

Maybe there is an easier way? What about the 60 day tourist visa? With 30 day extension? And then repeat until we get to 6 months? Is the 6 months multiple entry visa a better option as I only need one border run? I assume I still need to apply for the 60 day or 6 month tourist visa at my local embassy or can I get these online? I have 4 kids under 12.

I can still learn Thai language privately whilst on a tourist visa.