Thread: Coming to train and then hoping to work

I was hoping someone here might be able to offer me some advice on the best way to handle the visa side of what I'm planning. I'm currently working as an editor/consultant outside of Thailand and would like to take six months off to train at an MMA camp in Chiang Mai. That alone presents a visa problem that I'm trying to work out now, but the fact that I want to stay in Thailand for work after I finish training makes things even more complicated. I'm hoping to be able to find a find an editing position through connections made during my time in Chiang Mai, but also have experience teaching ESL/EFL and could see myself going that route if a decent position arises. Qualifications-wise, I have a BA in English and a MA (distance, but through an accredited, brick-and-mortar state university in the U.S.) in Humanities, with what the school calls a "discliplinary focus" on English.

What would be the best way to go about planning this whole thing, visa-wise? The camp suggests getting a multiple-entry tourist visa prior to coming to Thailand (60 days + a 30-day extension) and then doing a border run to start the process over again. Will that have any effect on my being able to apply for another visa? For the non-immigrant B visa, will I be fine with just copies of my diploma and transcripts (for both degrees) or might they ask for more?

Thanks in advance for any help you all can provide!

On arrival my boyfriend did the above (60 day + extension) and had no problems then getting a Non B once he had the appropriate paperwork from the company - I would bring originals as some employers are not satisfied with copies.

do what the training center said. you needs documents from your new workplace to get a non b visa so might have to leave and come back again. it's as big of a pain in the as as it sounds.

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'll just follow the camp's suggestion for my initial visa and then hope for the best from there.