I went to penang recently and only received 3 month SE instead of usual 1 year ME. Is this the new policy or just one of those things? Wondering if I go again will I be issued 1y or not? My last one year expired and I was on 2 month multi entry tourist as went to wrong place and would not issue, so wondering if the gap mattered.

What evidence to support your application did you present? Assume this included a marriage certificate etc. Penang has not been as likely to issue a multi entry these days as KL or Singapore from reports. But requirements seem to be increasing at all Consulates for additional paperwork.

Marriage certificate + translation and copy of ID card. I dont have any non thai bank accounts to show as been here a few years,, dont have enough to extend in immigration anyhows,, My wife works and I take care of our child, so i been relying on the 1 ME 'O's. Work dont seem so easy to find for a IT computer guy here. People keep talkin about teachin but I dont have a degree,, Only electronics/microelectrnics and computer quals but not degree.

In addition to marriage certificate and copy of ID card the latest reports have indicated a need for copy of home register, a litter of supporting your application for visa from your Thai wife and bank passbooks. Not sure if all is always required now but seems to be the trend.

when you say bank passbook,, will my Thai bank book do? does there need to be any money in it? Or my wifes bank book?

A Thai bank passbook but expect they will want to see some money in it if it is indeed required.

ok, how much about is enough?

on another point, I was wondering about extending a 3 month 'O', what is considered as proof of income? taken that the income would be abroad would wage slip suffice? obviously for most this would not invlove thai bank accounts as three months (less as must apply way before expiration) is not long enough to show any proof of income.