You may be able to get a 60 day " visit family" extension to bridge the gap but is only available if you have a Thai spouse or child, which you haven't mentioned.

@Ori ********

. It's UP TO 45 days before. Eg 45 days to one day before. You can do it any time during that period

Depends where in Thailand you are

Go to any imm office here and ask 3 people the same question. The chances of getting 3 identical answers is ZERO.

Return a week later and ask the same 3 people the same question and the chances of the answers being the same as last week is ZERO..

@Tom ******

. Ive done it at Changwatanna 6 times . First 4 it was required. Last two times they said " not necessary".

I kept it there anyway, because they have a habit of doing whatever they feel like at times. Every extension I did seemed to be different between the officer you get when applying. Ask 3 people there and you'll normally get 3 different answers to your questions.

The last two times i applied they said keep it there, only to be told on collection it wasn't necessary. Welcome to CW IMM

You can get a spouse visa once married which allows you to obtain a work permit. But you'll either need an employer willing to hire you or register your own business with your wife which halves the business registration requirements. Will still need 2million baht capital and at least 2 thai staff. Business must be 51+% thai owned on paper and you will still be restricted to what job title you can hold due to thai labor laws. Your current occupation is thai only here as it's a govt position.

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

. Would be interesting for those who choose to fly back to Thailand instead of a land border. Are they going to get the same response? I can't see how Laos can stop you from leaving without a legal reason (eg a wanted fugitive )but Any country can stop you from entering for any reason they see fit.

My opinion is it's a Thai influenced decision in that respect that also benefits Laos 2nd hand.

Wether this affects actual visa holders is another interesting question.

To be honest, the question is redundant .

Men ,forever , have been and are the gatekeepers to marriage. They decide if and when. If she complains or demands, a reassessment of the relationship is due.

Ironically , 90% of divorce is initiated by women..

@Nan *********

. Small amount in YOUR world.. for most thais its a lot of money. Sounds like you have had a very priveleged life. Lucky you.

@Kim ********

. That's why I said " basics" and "expect". Wasn't true for me either. The woman who posted this is claiming 2 million baht as the norm in her circles.

My mother in law requested 1 million but my wife refused and said no dowry. I could understand why seeing her mother abandoned her and her 2 younger siblings when she was 8 yrs old leaving her father to raise them. She resurfaced when the father passed away 2 years before we married. Of course there are exceptions.

I have a cousin who married issan girl. 400k dowry. Return was promised, still waiting 10 yrs later, occasional requests for "help" still coming though. Built them a new house on top.