I am an Austalian looking to get married in Bangkok to a Thai citizen in the near future - can anyone advise as to the steps and administrative costs involved in such a move. (and in what order one needs to do it).

Thanks.

People might be better able to help if they know a little more. Like who is moving where? Visa status is going to be a big player in any answer.

The requirement is a letter from your Embassy that you are free to marry (sometimes called a good person letter by Thai). The requirements for this will vary by Embassy but is basically some bio data and statement you are not married. You need to check your Embassy for exact requirements as some will require documents from your home country and others nothing more than your notarized signature.

You then have this letter translated into Thai by an official translation service and either have them or do a registration of this document at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to make it legal.

After you get this back you are free to take yourself, wife to be and ID to a District Office and register your marriage. There is a small fee to pay.

Once you have the marriage certificate you can apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa based on the marriage at any Thai embassy/consulate.

This will allow you to enter Thailand for three months.

If you want to stay longer you can apply for a 1 year extension.

You will need to show 400,000 in the bank or a certified income or 40,000 a month.

Immigration will also check that you are really living together.

It is a good idea to have the marriage ceremony with the monks as well, and get lots of photos.

The visa is extendable each year based on finacial proof.

Thanks for your info.