Revised residency bar & new visa hikes

[enchanted]

Ok..fellas...let's not press the panic button yet.

Let's put all the latest changes in foreign policies in perspective and guess what could really be the undermining reason for the VISA fees hike.

Personally, I think this could be to due to the recent recommendation to revise the residency bar for foreigners. Assuming that this policy is revised to allow foreigners married to a Thai to assume her residency, then wouldn't it make sense for the Thai govt to profit from this change?

Let's see..if a foreigner marrys a Thai lady, what does he need to apply?

1) First to go there to prepare for the marriage registration, he needs at least a Non-O VISA ---- Cost = 2000bht (single)

2) Knowing that it will take quite some time for him to register his marriage with the amphur and to have a Thai wedding, etc...he probably needs to leave and come back with a new VISA/re-entry VISA or extend his current VISA in LOS

Cost = 5000bht (multiple Non-O entry - 1 year)

Cost = 1000bht (single re-entry)

Cost = 3800bht (multiple re-entry)

Cost = 1900bht (VISA extension)

3) Once marriage is done, if he wants to stay in LOS, he needs to apply for residency

Cost = 7600bht (Application for a residence permit)

4) If his initial application is not approved, he may need to re-apply. Cost = another 7600bht

5) Assuming his application is approved...

Cost = 95700bht

Approval of a residence permit (spouse of Thai or holder of residence permits, and children).

And we have not even add what the foreigner needs to deposit into a Thai bank....

Possible trade-off for a more relaxed policy to attain Thai residency?

Comments?