Hi,

I lived and worked in Thailand for 9 years up to Jan 2001. I had work visas and permits as necessary. I have been married to a Thai for nearly 10 years - we have lived in Singapore and the US since 2001.

We are considering returning to Thailand to live, not work, for a few years. Our marriage was in Hong Kong and is not registered in Thailand - we had concerns about land ownership, voting etc.

What are my options? I can meet the financial obligations for and investment visa, but don't have much of the rest - contiguous work permit for three years etc.

Please let me know what paths are open to us and the implications for my wife's legal status.

Thanks in advance.

Hi,

I lived and worked in Thailand for 9 years up to Jan 2001. I had work visas and permits as necessary. I have been married to a Thai for nearly 10 years - we have lived in Singapore and the US since 2001.

We are considering returning to Thailand to live, not work, for a few years. Our marriage was in Hong Kong and is not registered in Thailand - we had concerns about land ownership, voting etc.

What are my options? I can meet the financial obligations for and investment visa, but don't have much of the rest - contiguous work permit for three years etc.

Please let me know what paths are open to us and the implications for my wife's legal status.

Thanks in advance.

There is no Investment Visa.

Your Wife is Thai so will have no problem. She can own land no problem.

If you are over 50 you can get yearly extensions of stay if you have 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank OR 65,000 Baht monthly income OR a combination of the two.

You can also get annual extensions of stay based on your marriage if you have 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank OR 40,000 Baht monthly income.

You can also get annual extensions of stay based on your marriage if you have 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank OR 40,000 Baht monthly income.

First you must have your marriage certificate translated to Thai and authorized by Ministry of Foreign affairs (MFA).

Then go to the local Amphur and register your marriage in Thailand.

First you must have your marriage certificate translated to Thai and authorized by Ministry of Foreign affairs (MFA).

Then go to the local Amphur and register your marriage in Thailand.

And just to confirm, registration of our marriage at the local Amphur does not restrict her entitlement to land ownership, voting etc?

Thanks to you both, again...

No restrictions, she doesn't have to worry.