I must be really thick, but after reading the info about the new visa regs i am more confused than ever!!! If I marry my thai girlfriend of 5 years (ie:sign the legal stuff), how do i apply for the 'O' visa? I am disabled and get 50k (baht) every mnth in my english bank account.... does this cure my visa problems in that i can stay as long as i want with my wife and get a new 'O' visa every year? (as long as i fulfil the 90 day 'check-in' with immigration)??? do bank statement print outs from the internet banking section of my bank count as 'proof' of income?? Oh... and i am 51 yrs old! does this help in anyway? Thanx to anyone who can help!!

Edited September 30, 200619 yr by Boggy

The requirement is 400k in a bank here or income of 40k per month and believe they normally want a work permit with that (the assumption being you are working in Thailand). You should ask immigration what you need to certify your income/pension. Being over age 50 should make it a routine matter. With this 400k/40k you would request an extension of stay to support Thai wife. You would both have to appear at immigration each year with the normal list of documents for extension and you would have to do 90 day address reports (which can be done by someone for you or by mail).

I assume you do not have a non immigrant visa to start the process but that could be obtained from a Consulate outside of Thailand after marriage. Another option is converting a tourist visa (60 day stay) but that also needs to be obtained from a Consulate. For the past week or so they have allowed using a border run 30 day stay to charge but we are not sure if that will continue, so it may be better to do sooner rather than later. The extra step involved is a TM.86 form and costs 2,000 baht.

The requirement is 400k in a bank here or income of 40k per month and believe they normally want a work permit with that (the assumption being you are working in Thailand). You should ask immigration what you need to certify your income/pension. Being over age 50 should make it a routine matter. With this 400k/40k you would request an extension of stay to support Thai wife. You would both have to appear at immigration each year with the normal list of documents for extension and you would have to do 90 day address reports (which can be done by someone for you or by mail).

I assume you do not have a non immigrant visa to start the process but that could be obtained from a Consulate outside of Thailand after marriage. Another option is converting a tourist visa (60 day stay) but that also needs to be obtained from a Consulate. For the past week or so they have allowed using a border run 30 day stay to charge but we are not sure if that will continue, so it may be better to do sooner rather than later. The extra step involved is a TM.86 form and costs 2,000 baht.

Many thanx Lopburi ! you are a gent and a scholar! what a great medium this is!