Hi
I will be visiting Thailand (as a tourist) very soon and will be staying there for 6 weeks.
I recently went to my local Thai consulate in the UK and obtained a double entry visa (in the event I want to visit neighbouring countries and return to Thailand). This visa lasts until the end of Dec. So the visa for this trip is for 6 months (June to Dec 2012).
If this trip to Thailand works out and I decide to stay for longer, say for 1 year, what is the easiest way of doing this? I will be a tourist for the full duration and have no intention of working whilst there.
Bearing in mind the local Thai consulate in the UK granted me a 6 month (tourist) visa, if I were to relocate some time in the future, can I simply ask them a 12 month (tourist) visa?
There's no mention anywhere on FCO website or elsewhere about a 6 month tourist visa, yet that's what I got when I visited the Thai consulate. Will they grant a 12 month one?
The aim is to minimise any visa runs.
Thanks in advance to any replies to this query.