@Kool ******

that's funny since I've been here almost a year. My "legitimate" school offers most of their classes online (you can choose), does all my paperwork for me, but requires an extension every 2 months (not 3).

So I can assure you it's "true". I have been doing exactly that since Feb 2022 and will continue to do it until Feb 2023.

@Charles *********

I am not sure, I'm pretty sure you can do a year of thai language and a year of muay thai, but I think that might be the end of it.

Then you can volunteer, you can also get a company to sponsor a work visa.

yes medical visa and age exemption are two good options I've heard listed in this thread. Both worth researching

@Charles *********

it varies widly by school. The actual cost to the government is 1900 baht per extension and most extensions are 2 months at a time so 6 extensions times 1900 baht divided by 35 baht per dollar.... $350 for the year.

The school I went to was a total of about $1200 US for all their fees... but they do offer online thai language classes if you want to learn it. That is in addition to the 350 to immigration

make sure to get in touch with the school early though it takes time to process the paperwork and if you sign up too late you'll over-run your tourist visa extension and be fucked

@Charles *********

ah, I see. So specific reasons for Thailand yeah I understand.

Look man my personal approach to this would be to figure out the best way to get started and then figure it out once I have boots on the ground.

I would get a tourist visa online (do not enter visa-exempt). That can be extended and can also be transitioned into other visa types, but as soon as you arrive find either a thai language school or a muay thai school and get a visa that can be extended for up to 12 months.

The timing won't be perfect but that will be you around 14 months or so of time in country. Sign a 1 year (or shorter) lease on a condo, and figure out your next step during those 14 months

@Charles *********

consider cambodia... it's quite different, but if you set up a home base there (which you can do very cheaply) you can travel in and out of thailand when you want for periods of time on tourist visas. And you may end up loving it there.

It's quite easy and cheap to do a 12 month visa there without any documentation other than your passport and you can do it every year forever

The truth is it might be a little difficult. Another option might be to stay in Cambodia instead. Right next door and it's very easy and cheap to get a 1 year business visa there.

@Charles *********

plenty of legit language schools you can enroll in. I've never heard of a single one that requires you to actually go to class. Most are online now. You learn Thai if you want.

The only school being "cracked down on" are the ones that don't actually have thai language classes

@Bobby *******

Only problem might be this is beyond his budget. Also you need to be REALLY sure you want to stay if you're going to put up that kind of cash up front.