Hi. I'm a U.S. citizen and my wife is Thai.  We are currently living in Japan on a work permit of sorts (completely legal).  We need to leave Japan for 91 days in January so that we can return for another year without having to get a Japanese drivers license which is crazy expensive & difficult.  In Japan, you can only use International Drivers Permit (IDP) for one year.  A 2nd one cannot be procured & used.  The exception to this rule is if you leave the country for 91 days, that resets the 1-year clock, so that's what we'll do. 

We will come to Bangkok in January, home of our extended family.  I will do a visa-exempt entry as it's not practical for me to travel to Tokyo to get a visa.  Under these circumstances, what are my best options to stay in-country for over 91 days?  Vital statistics: I am over 50 with a decent retirement income & investments, so I could do the Retirement extension of stay.  Or, extension due to marriage.  I believe I can do a 30-day extension after arrival, and then leave the country, come back & get a new 30 day plus another extension (total of 120 days).  Which is the easiest/quickest/cheapest alternative?  I want to stay 100% legal (no overstay) since I hope one day to live longer term in Thailand and don't want any "black marks" on my record.  TYIA! 

You could apply for a 60 day extension of your 30 day entry from the 30 day visa exempt entry to visit your wife. Some office will also allow you to apply for the 60 day extension after getting the 30 day extension of the 30 day entry which would allow about 120 days of total stay.

19 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You could apply for a 60 day extension of your 30 day entry from the 30 day visa exempt entry to visit your wife. Some office will also allow you to apply for the 60 day extension after getting the 30 day extension of the 30 day entry which would allow about 120 days of total stay.

Thanks Joe. Any idea which offices are so accommodating? We'll be staying in the Thong Lo area of Bangkok. 

You would apply for the extensions at Chaeng Wattana immigration and they have been reported as doing the 60 day extension after the 30 day extension.