Wondering about the type of visa to apply for my future in Thailand

[jphasia]

Hello, I am 47 years old. European passport. Been based in Thailand since 1991. Married and divorced (10 years ago) with a Thai woman. Have a 15 years old son from my ex-wife. My son live with me in Thailand. He has double nationality (French / Thai) but never been to France. I have actually never been back to France for the last 20 years. My son has of course a Thai ID card. I am not married (or re-married) at the moment but it is planned for next year with a Thai woman who share my life for the last 7 years.

When I say that I am based in Thailand since 1991, I mean this is where I officially live, where is my house, my family...but i am travelling a lot for business, mainly in Asia. I am not working in Thailand. I get my incomes mostly from business outside Thailand and investments in Thailand. So you might understand that I have no plans to leave Thailand and I am expecting to stay there for the rest of my life.

Since 1991, I have been on several visa types: 30 days exemption, visa run, tourist visa, visa B and WP when i used to work in Thailand...and since the last few years on Non O multiple entries based on child. I never made any extension of this Non O just because I am travelling a lot and not enough time in Thailand for the extension process. I just then get a new non O every year from a Thai embassy in others countries.

Now my questions are:

I will turn 50 in 3 years and my son will turn 18. I understand that you can apply for a Non O based on child only if your child is not older than 18. Is it correct?

As I mentioned above, I will be most probably married(not for visa purpose!) when i turn 50. I should then be able to get a Non O based on marriage. Is that correct?

when I will turn 50, i should also be able to apply for a retirement visa. Is that correct?

What type of visa then would it be the most convenient for me?

I am also considering Elite program. budget is not an issue for me. I somehow understand the requirements of fund to apply / extension of marriage or retirement visa (400k or 800k...). I have seen a lot of pros and cons about Thai Elite program and don't want to hear much about speculations regarding this program in the future. As it's look for me at the moment, it is an easy solution to get rid of the visa questions for at least 5 years consecutive but this is my own opinion.

Sorry for this long story but I am trying to give as much as details about my profile in order to get the best advices.

Thanks.

[paz]

You can obtain one year extensions based on your Thai child until he turns 21.

[ubonjoe]

There is no limit to the age your child can be for getting visas and extensions of stay based upon being the parent of a Thai.

You could get a one year extension of stay based upon being the parent of Thai now. You would need 400k baht in a Thai bank or proof of 40k baht income.

[jphasia]

Well, Paz said until 21 and ubonjoe said no limit to the age your child can be? Non O based on child will required 400k in Thai bank. Based on marriage 800k? Retirement 800k? Talking about the extension of stay

[Lite Beer]

12 Month Extension based on Thai Child needs 400,000 Bht in the bank.

There is no age limit for the child.

Marriage 400,000

Retirement 800,000

[jphasia]

Thanks. Then for me, over 50, and my son over 18, I rather keep 400k in a bank forever and apply for extension of stay every year based Thai child.

[Lite Beer]

2.18 In the case of being a family member of a Thai national (applicable only to parents, spouse, children, adopted children, or spouse’s children):
Each permission shall be granted for no more than one year.

(1) The alien must have been granted a non-immigrant visa (NON-IM).
(2) The alien must have proof of relationship.
(3) In the case of spouse, the relationship must be de jure and de facto: or
(4) In the case of children, adopted children, or spouse's children, said children, adopted children, or spouse's children must not be married, must live with the alien as part of the family, and must not be over 20 years of age except in case of the person hereof is of illness or disability and cannot live without support of father or mother: or
(5) In the case of parents, the father or mother must maintain an average annual income of no less than Baht 40,000 per month throughout the year or must have deposited funds of no less than Baht 400,000 to cover expenses for one year.
In case the father of mother requests to be under maintenance of children, the age of father or mother must be 50 years of age or over.

[Lite Beer]

When you reach 50 you might not need any money in the bank.

look at the last line in my post above.

Not very clear and yet to be tested.

[jphasia]

Thanks "Lite Beer". I will then come back to you in 3 years after tested it

To be on the save side, I might block in Thai bank account 800,000b.

1/ either they are not requesting any fund and that's fine

2/ either they are requesting the 400,000b and then I will present my bank statement

3/ either they are not accepting my application based on Thai child and then I will go for marriage visa

4/ either none of the above works and I will use my blocked fund to get Thai Elite visa...

[Lite Beer]

If you turn up with 800,000 in the bank and are over 50 they will give you a Retirement Extension wether you want it or not.

Much easier for them.

[jphasia]

Thanks.

[advancebooking]

You can obtain one year extensions based on your Thai child until he turns 21.

but if the marriage is not registered at the amphur office then he needs to go to court to legitimise? Is this correct?

[jphasia]

Yes, that's also why I wrote in my previous post that I am also considering Thailand Elite visa. I can understand from the replied above that it should not be an issue for me to get visa to permanently stay in Thailand (or to not be cut from my adopted country, my family, my house...) with extension of stay for child, marriage or retired....and also as mentioned, the money is not a problem. What I especially mean by money is not an issue, is that whatever I choose to go for child, marriage or retirement, I will need to ensure 400k or 800k in the bank every year, mean basically keeping the funds blocked in the bank for the purpose of presenting a bank statement every year to the immigration. And will need to do this process of extension every year. And as mentioned by "Lite beer" above, if my statement show 800k, they will go for the retirement visa whatever I want or not. For now, I am not bothering much; I have considered the Thai Elite this year but as I am not doing any extension, just re-applying for a new Non O every year in Thai embassy in a country where I am currently working, it cost me only a visit to the embassy one time a year and a fee of 200 USD (6,000b) for 1 year multi entry.

But when I will turn 50, and wish to stay permanently at home in Thailand, paying 500,000b for 5 year for TE and not bothering about extension, paperwork, immigration...instead of having 400,000 or 800,000 stuck in a bank account for xxx years, it's need to be seriously considered.

[dasboot]

In case the father of mother requests to be under maintenance of children, the age of father or mother must be 50 years of age or over.

When you reach 50 you might not need any money in the bank.

look at the last line in my post above.

Not very clear and yet to be tested.

I am 59,married but living and taking care of my two year old daughter on my own,my Non O is up in March is it worth trying this route ?

[paz]

You can obtain one year extensions based on your Thai child until he turns 21.

but if the marriage is not registered at the amphur office then he needs to go to court to legitimise? Is this correct?

The OP was married to the mother at the time the child was born, so no legitimization is needed. He will need the divorce papers however.