I had to google Gite also. Still not sure I fully understand the meaning.

The biggest thing I learned about Thailand after living here a few years... It's never what you expect.

I would encourage you come here for year, hang-out, get to know different areas (Phuket, Chang Mai, Hua Hin, etc) then decided what kinda of living situation will suite you best. Rent here is cheap it can be even cheaper if you are thrifty. I spend $500/month for sizable condo near the sea.

30 days is not likely enough time to figure-out a employment situation and a living situation. If you rush it you may end-up in some unpleasant situations. However, you can get a 30 days extension which gives you 60 days, which maybe enough time.

You can not get a tourist visa while in Thailand but you can get one from most of the neighboring countries. It takes a couple of days plus transportation you will be out $200 probably. Getting a tourist visa while you are in your home country takes about 1-2 weeks ( I recently did it). Tourist visa can be extended for 30 days giving you 60+30 days. I am not that familiar with different types tourist visa. I *think* some can be converted to non-o (work visa).

Hint:

"Non-o" means "Non immigration type O visa", Almost all of your long term visa are 'non-SOMETHING'. I think I am on a non-o, marriage visa, as example.

@Giorgio *****

Several places are going electronic.

@Socrates ***********

Sadly, I am buying the place

@Kay *****

Yeah - I live in Thailand but have a US Passport. I also have a legal residence in the US. My legal residence is a mail box which seems to be good enough. Therefore, while living in Thailand and visiting Indonesia i applied for a Thai visa, from the US embassy. Maybe you can do the same.

You can apply for a METV from the Thai Embassy in the United States. I just pulled a Non-O from the US Embassy while I was in Indonesia. They can deny you and you will be out your money or they may provide you the Visa, as they did with me.

@Bruce ********

Another fun question is to ask people's opinions about riding motorcycles.

" and they will not issue the visa once we left France ". I suspect, if you are doing eVisa, they will continue to process your visa. The Thai Embassy in US says they will not process the visa unless the individual is physically in the US. Twice I have gotten visas from the the Thai Embassy US, while being outside of the US. It's been my experience what they say on the website is a 'guideline' and not an absolute rule.

I would continue to jump through the the hoops and see if you can't get your visa while in UAE. You've already spent the money.

Agencies pay crap. And they only pay crap eight months of the year. However, they can find you a job easily and they can work out your work visa. You need to be careful about the agreement you enter into. If you having a falling out with the school they can effectively boot you from the country. Once you are fired your work visa is invalid and you must leave the country quickly, a matter of days I don't recall, maybe one week.

I would try to find a agency that will provide you a 6 month contract if possible. 12 months is ok, if you going to be paid for the full 12 months. The idea here is to get into something short term until you figure out your best next move.

Once you are here you will develop contacts and have a better understanding of the job market, rules and options.

Yes you can. You can get another tourist visa at any of your border bounces or many most other countries.

Also you can get an METV which gives you 9 months + a couple of border bounces.