Hi folks, sorry if this has beaten to death, i've searched and found some answers plus a lot of trolls. My understanding is:

Requirement to apply (in ASEAN consulates):

a) Marriage Visa:
1. Documents showing proof of marriage.
2. Need to have 400k THB in Thai bank for 2months prior to application or 40k THB monthly income verified by my country.

b) NON-Immigrant O based on marriage
1. Documents showing proof of marriage. (that's it?)

Benefits with each route:

a)
1. Can work with wife's business, but cannot work outside that.
2. Can extend visa at local immigration rather than driving to nearest border to exit and re-enter, but wife has to accompany.
b)
1. Cannot work at all, even cleaning the house (as much as i like this restriction, i like freedom to do it sometimes)
2. Cannot extend visa at immigration, have to do a border run to nearest border (in my case i'm in Chiang Mai, that's Mae Sai, i don't mind an excuse to ride my bike).

If any of the above assumptions are wrong, i'd be delightfull to know. Also as a bonus question, if i'm staying on any of the above mentioned visas, can i study Chinese in my own freetime ?

Thanks in advance
Cattle 55

All are incorrect.

The only visa issued for marriage is non immigrant O either single or multi entry.  Visa entry is limited to 90 days unless extension of stay from immigration (60 days or with financials one year).  Depending on Consulate used if there is any financial requirement for visa issue.  There is no "marriage visa".  You can not work on any visa unless you have a work permit.

5 hours ago, cattlenumber55 said:

a) Marriage Visa:
1. Documents showing proof of marriage.
2. Need to have 400k THB in Thai bank for 2months prior to application or 40k THB monthly income verified by my country.

By "Marriage Visa" you mean a Stay Permit granting you a 1 year extension of stay.

 

Proof of marriage and income are the most important, but there are other requirements that are straightforward to organise.

 

5 hours ago, cattlenumber55 said:

b) NON-Immigrant O based on marriage
1. Documents showing proof of marriage. (that's it?)

Depends on where you apply and whether you are applying for a Single or Multiple Entry Visa. You might have to show a bank statement with up to 400K.

 

5 hours ago, cattlenumber55 said:

a)
1. Can work with wife's business, but cannot work outside that.
2. Can extend visa at local immigration rather than driving to nearest border to exit and re-enter, but wife has to accompany.

1. You can't work for your wife business without being formally employed and having a work permit.

2. Yes, you can extend your stay every year at immigration.

 

5 hours ago, cattlenumber55 said:

b)
1. Cannot work at all, even cleaning the house (as much as i like this restriction, i like freedom to do it sometimes)

2. Cannot extend visa at immigration, have to do a border run to nearest border (in my case i'm in Chiang Mai, that's Mae Sai, i don't mind an excuse to ride my bike).

1. You can work, but only with a work permit. Because you are married you can get a work permit with a category 'O' Non-immigrant visa.

You can clean the house or anything else as long as it's not your occupation of job.

2. If you have a ME visa you have to do a border run every 90 days, OR extend your stay. You can extend by 60 days and leave OR extend by 1 year and renew in country every year.

 

5 hours ago, cattlenumber55 said:

Also as a bonus question, if i'm staying on any of the above mentioned visas, can i study Chinese in my own freetime ?

Yes. You can study anything with any visa.