Let say I here on a O visa based on marriage.

Then my wife passes away.

I know I will lose the visa because the reason for its purpose no longer exists.

During the marriage, we have children that have acquired Thai citizenship.

let's say they are now adults ( over 20 years old).

Can I still get a visa by having family here in Thailand

or do I have to switch over to 800,000 in the bank and be on the

retirement visa.

You should be able to get a 1 year multi entry non 'O' visa for visiting/staying with family. Just need proof of your famial relationship and their Thai citizenship. Age of children should not be a restriction.

Or, you can do the retirement visa thing.

Actually most Consulates in region do not provide one year visas for child - only single entry - but some do and home country might. Retirement or visiting Thai family extensions of stay would also be available. There is no requirement that child be under age 20 (that is for the foreign child of a Thai family). Also note that even if not meeting financial requirements there is a provision to allow.

(5) In the case of a parent, one of parents must have an average

annual income of not less than 40,000 baht per month or a

money deposit of not less than 400,000 baht for expenses within

a year.

In other necessary circumstances, The Immigration

Commissioner or Deputy of Immigration Commissioner may

approve on case to case basis.

So, the way I read the above message, I can can get a new extension of stay 400,000 in the bank

and use the name of the children.

And all this time, I thought I would have to leave the country if something bad happen to the wife.

Thanks

Are the children your biological children or adopted? This might be of importance. There seems to be a vast gray aerea as far as immigration is concerned in cases like this.

As usual: It depends on the decision of the immigration officer handling the case. But more important is: How much money is in your Bank-Account? The question of kinship is definitely secondary. There are a couple of posters, that are in complete denial of this fact.

I had this explained to me by an Immi-Officer at Nakhon Phanon a while ago:

"To make a baby is a pleasant experience for a man. And by doing this, we would have farangs here only for this purpose, If this was the only consideration, it would practically give them an unlimited stay in Thailand," So we have to consider other things also! End of quote.

Cheers.

PS: Not to forget, the Visa-Border-Run Companies would probably have a lot less business.