OK should be an easy one.

I have an aqaintance (UK male) who is married to a Thai lady. He will be arriving in Thailand on a visa exemption stamp (we won't go into exactly why, it is irrelevant but the Manila embassy has a lot to do with it).

So, can he change his 30 day stamp into a non-o type extension on the grounds of married to a Thai and will it work out cheaper than buzzing down to KL to get a multi non-o?

Paperwork is not a problem, money in a non-Thai bank is not a problem, money in a Thai bank IS a problem (no account yet).

Edited February 8, 200719 yr by Crossy

Money in the bank is no good any longer.

He will have to show a combined family income of 40K a month to qualify.

Money in the bank is no good any longer.

He will have to show a combined family income of 40K a month to qualify.

That won't be a problem, he's well covered on the financial front (jammy sod).

He's more concered about the mechanics (and possibility) of doing this visa change or whether going to KL for a multi is a less fraught option

Actually the 400k in a Thai bank account can be used for the conversion but for the extension of stay the 40k per month family income will be required.

If any problem he has the option of doing the KL or Singapore trip but I would try immigration first. But get a local bank account immediately and apply with 21 days or more remaining on the 30 day stamp.