While enquiring at C M immigration as to requirements for first marriage extension, the officer informed my wife that there would be a charge of 3,000 baht for a home visit.

I had heard that some places did this, but not all.

3,000 Baht? You must live a long way from Chiang Mail

It's a scam.

There is no fee, tell them to send the local police to check that you live together.

3,000 Baht? You must live a long way from Chiang Mail

Lamphun actually!

I was just posting this to inform others that they may have an "extra" added to the requirements.

The officer did also tell my wife that it would be easier ( and no home visit ) to go for a retirement visa, which is what I'm going to do.

Edited September 21, 201114 yr by thaibeachlovers

I was just posting this to inform others that they may have an "extra" added to the requirements.

The officer did also tell my wife that it would be easier to go for a retirement visa, which is what I'm going to do.

They tell you that because it means less work for them.

Marriage Extension is not really that difficult.

I was just posting this to inform others that they may have an "extra" added to the requirements.

The officer did also tell my wife that it would be easier to go for a retirement visa, which is what I'm going to do.

They tell you that because it means less work for them.

Marriage Extension is not really that difficult.

Hmmmm. I said to my wife that very thing, but she's happy to go with the retirement extension, and anything for an easy life.

If you have no intention of working the retirement extension is ok. I like to keep my options open and go the marriage route.

If you have no intention of working the retirement extension is ok. I like to keep my options open and go the marriage route.

And an extension based on marriage means...Less of YOUR money tied up in a Thai bank account!

Your money is not tied up in any bank. If using income you do not even need a bank. If using bank account for all or part it only has to be at that level for 3 months each year and you have free access at any time and outside those 3 months can use without effect on extension of stay.

Your money is not tied up in any bank. If using income you do not even need a bank. If using bank account for all or part it only has to be at that level for 3 months each year and you have free access at any time and outside those 3 months can use without effect on extension of stay.

What you say is true but it is a difference of having 25,000 or 12,000 USD Thaied up.

For most people it would not mean that as a combination of pension and bank deposit can be used with the retirement extension but can not with the marriage.