Just came back from renewing my marriage visa. This will be my 3rd time and was asked to produce home pictures. They said it's a new rule for all renewals. After waiting 4 hours to see an officer I was told I would have to come back again with the pictures.

The officer tried to convince my wife to change to a retirement visa as I have enough money in the bank. She asked my wife if I am working and she told her that I am free lancing. She said I can have my one year stamp immediately but if I wanted a marriage visa I would have to produce pictures and come back 2 more times to finish the process. She said if you work part time on a marriage visa without a work permit or retirement visa it's the same meaning it's prohibited but it's sort of okay.

I opted for the retirement visa but worried would I loose my grandfathered marriage visa status.Did I do the right thing? It seems being married is a disadvantage in this country and the visa process is difficult. If you have money your are given a 1 year visa on the spot with no questions asked. So it seems they value money over marriage.

They push you into the retirement option as it is less work for them.

Same thing happened to me in Samui last year.

When I extended this year I went to Korat Immigration and asked about going back to the marriage option.

They said that it was possible and that is what I did. 400,000 Baht in the bank.

I do not thing many offices will do this but Korat is very helpful.

Actually it is an advantage to be over age 50 as you have the option to use the less invasive retirement option if you can prove a higher income level.

The photos have always been wanted by Bangkok, although it was not a set in stone policy. Recently they have been requested with most applications using family as a help to prove the real relationship.