DrJack54

Easy for people to say Elite visa is your best option as it's not cheap, however at 42ish it's about your only option if wanting to stay ongoing in Thailand.

That's an issue. Obviously no children? Are you working?

The permission of stay would end once divorced. In reality if you or wife does not notify immigration then nothing would happen. If on good terms with current wife you could ask her to attend immigration at your next extension and switch to extention based on retirement. A tip would be in order. Naturally only possible if you are 50+

If he misses a month many immigration offices will not accept the application. Some mistakingly think it can be average of 40k+ per month. With his current extension running till Jan 2023 he could place 400k in his account 2 months prior to application for extension. ie money in bank method. Even then he has not met the income method for previous year. Think he would be advised best visit immigration now and discuss options

This is your best option for convenience. The 400k would need to be in the bank for two months prior to application for extension. The bank letter is a simple process and cost 100baht. That is not a problem as your non O marriage gives you 90 day stamp. You need to have bank account in your name only. After you receive the final stamp you can use the money as you wish.

You stated this earlier.... "3. Using the tourist Visa option to keep coming back and get married to a Thai woman. (easiest way but rather inconvenient)"...... you make sound like getting married is a trip to the 7/11.

I'm outta touch. Was not aware of that possibility

OP, to clarify ..your plan is to use income method.

You will have zero issues entering visa exempt.

One 30 day extension per entry. After that you would need to exit Thailand and reenter if you wish to stay longer. That exit and reentry can be a simple border bounce for a visa exempt entry. Will give you 45 day stamp from Oct 1.

Your example is very different to OP. When was your most recent visit to Thailand.

Read previous posts carefully as it's getting boring. It seems that you were warned at BKK airport flying in visa exempt after extensive stay. IMO you were lucky to be allowed entry. That has nothing to do with entries via land border You are allowed 2 visa exempt entries per calendar year via land. You can enter via air and land if you obtain a tourist visa. It is possible to be refused entry via air entry even with a tourist visa but that would be very rare. Also with repeated tourist visa applications at nearby countries such as Cambodia etc you may be refused a tourist visa.

Means very little. There is relatively new LTR. Requires huge financial requirements.

Does not satisfy requirements.

Be clear. Your posts contain riddles. If you are the parent of a Thai child you can obtain non O based on parent of Thai . In fact could change the reason for extension from marriage to parent of Thai child.

By all means you can obtain your non O retirement at Vientiane OR you could border bounce enter visa exempt that will provide 45 day stamp and obtain your non O at immigration. 800k in your Thai bank account on the day you apply. That will provide a 90 day stamp and time to season money for 12 month extension.

When divorce is final your permission of stay ends. The hard reality is that living in Thailand requires funds and you indicate thats not in abundance. Even if you were 50 and eligible for non O retirement, that has financial requirements. Tourist visas along with visa exempt entries can provide a stay perhaps a year + but it does have limits. You state this ... "What if a new marriage comes into the picture? " Slightly cryptic statement regarding"new marriage " but if you currently have a gf you are unlikely to receive much cooperation from current wife. It's called between rock and hard place. Unless you have a job available in Thailand and can obtain a non B then I cannot think of alternatives

New extension does not change your 90 day report or anything to do with TM30 They are not related.

He meant which land border gave you a hard time. If you meant was given hard time by io at BKK airport then yes...you were lucky not to be refused entry.

The immigration officer at border was a dill. Which border BTW. As for tourist visa from Phnom Penh, I assume this is your first from there. PP (pre covid) were sometimes rejecting second/third applications. Issue is the visa was stuck into pp with big VOID stamp. Not sure about flights from Samui (Bangkok airlines) to Saigon but that's a good place for tourist visa. Edit: just checked flights. Nothing direct from Samui to Saigon. Forget that idea.

With a tourist visa should have no issues. Where would you be planning to obtain the tourist visa and will you reentry via land or air. You mention that your tourist visa is soon to expire soon. Assume that you are aware you can make 2 visa exempt entries via land per calendar year. That shortly will give 45 day stay that can be extended by 30. Why not do a border bounce.

What I don't understand is why folk think that what they do is the bees knees for everyone. What suits one person does not suit another. BTW , you mention this..... "I am 63 as well - married - no work The only thing i do for many years is to obtain a NON-O (single ) which will give me 90 days + 60 days extension." That is only if you are married. No 60 day extension for non O retirement.

Yes it's a strict thing at CW and is an issue for those on tourist visa etc that do not do 90 day reports. Think most embassies provide letter that is accepted for TDL however not all. Oz embassy one example.

Whatever works for you go for it. However don't need to be interested in what some say and do in relation to the TM30 requirements. The "new rules" are very clear and just for others reading the TM30 in your personal example was not required.

Why do you need to make a TM30. Are you entering on a new visa.