@Andy ******

You can ignore anything any Embassy says about immigration rules. They have nothing to do with it.

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

A friend and his wife has done it for about 4 years now so I guess he’ll be grandfathered in. He meets all financial requirements etc but uses an agent for convenience. There might be a chance of an agent still to be able to do it, if no other way is possible?? Otherwise, the OP is stuck really, other than paying for Elite.

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

in that case an agent might be the only option??

Someone else can correct me but my understanding from when a friend did similar, in reverse:

F gets a Non O. M initially gets a TR.

Once in Thailand the F gets the first annual Extension then you can both leave the country and the M can then get the trailing spouse visa.

If you are willing, you could speak to an agent when you are in Thailand and then let them help you.

Thai Airways probably the most reliable, followed by Bangkok Airways. No guarantees but generally better than the budget airlines. Also, both fly from Suvarnabhumi so you avoid Don Mueang.

If you plan to move permanently, or semi-permanently, are over 50 and don’t plan to work in Thailand then it’s probably simpler in the long run to get a Non O ‘for retirement’.

It’s straightforward to get a visa and the an annual Extension of Stay so you could stay in Thailand indefinitely, or come and go as you please. If you are over 50 and don’t want to work in Thailand then it’s usually easier to get a Non O ‘for Retirement’ rather than one ‘for marriage’.

To start planning you should open a bank account in your name only the next time you are in Thailand so you can put the required funds when you need them.

@Mar ****

Each office can have slightly different requirements so check what they want. eg bank letter, updated bank book, photos, address proof, passport copy etc etc.

You just get an Extension each year. I assume you’ll have the cash in bank for a long enough period?

I’m not sure what country you’re from but I found it very straightforward to get a Non O ‘for Retirement’ from the Thai Embassy in London using the E-Visa website. I then got the first annual extension in Thailand. I used an agent, even though I met all the requirements myself, as it’s worth it to me to avoid dealing with immigration.

If you go on a Tourist Visa then, yes, an agent can do everything for you. If you don’t have a bank account, don’t have the cash in a bank there and want a multiple Reentry permit then the first time will cost about baht. That will see you right for 15 months before the next Extension is due.