Can I apply for a Non-O visa in Thailand while on a visa exemption, and what are my options for staying longer?

@Andie **********

Okay. Assuming you were married in the UK, let the marriage certificate legalize in the UK about 1½ -2 months before you go to Thailand again. First at the UK Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then at the Thai Embassy. Apply for a Non-O visa and mention it's for marriage (not retirement). When you arrive in Bangkok, the certificate must be legalized by the Thai Ministry of FA. For that you need a Thai translation, done in Bangkok by a certified translator (you could do it in the UK, but then it's not sure that it will be accepted by the Thai Ministry). You can also authorise the translator to do the legalization; for that you need a copy in accordance with the original from the UK Embassy. But you can also go to the second floor of the MFA building, there is a translation office. Make an appointment beforehand online with the MFA for the day after (it's often busy, so for the same day is risky). After legalization register the marriage certificate in the Amphoe of your wife's address. You get a Kor Ror 22 which you need for extension of the Non-O visa based on marriage, which you can do after two months after opening a bank account (see below). Important: don't forget to let your wife register your stay on her address with a TM30 within 24 hrs after your arrival there . You could do that online, but the website is very complicated. Best go to the Immigration Office together, she can fill in a TM30 there. If the UK Embassy doesn't provide an affidavit regarding your income (I'm lucky because I'm Dutch, the Dutch Embassy does), you should open a bank account shortly after your arrival and put 400,000 baht on it. It should be clear that the deposit is from the UK. To be sure that the bank doesn't refuse to open an account, you can get a Certificate of Residence from the Immigration Office, which you can collect when you are there for the TM30.

It seems a lot, but when you prepare well, but it's doable.

For your present situation I wouldn't worry: normally two border runs are allowed, as long as it's clear you're a tourist.

@Andie **********

and of course, another good option that doesn't need any agent or any money in your bank account, neither in England nor in Thailand, you also could apply for the multi-entry 6 months Tourist Visa in England every other year. It allows unlimited entries during the 6-month visa validity. On each entry you get stamped in for 60 days. You can either extend them for 1900 THB with 30 more days, or you do a border run and get stamped another 60-days stay permit upon re-entering. If you do a border run shortly before the visa validity expires, you get stamped in for 60 days for a last time - and this would give you almost 8 months of stay. You might reach exact 180 days by this method, because as the 6-month visa validity starts on the day the visa gets issued, people mostly will lose a few days if not a week or two of the visa validity before they fly to Thailand - and you could catch up those days lost by doing a last border run before the visa validity expires.

@Andie **********

let me know how you get on with it,I haven't done a border run

@Andie **********

not sure how much it would be to do a border run,not done one myself,I would say possibly cost more

@Andie **********

sounds like you'll have it all sorted soon. Good luck in Thursday.

@An***

Take your UK licence (and IDP) if you have one and show to DLT. I took mine in years ago and did not have to sit the physical test - I did have to pass the reaction and depth of vision tests. The guy at my DLT changed my application to 'renew' even though it was my first Thai licence.

You'll need a cert of residence stating it's for a licence plus a health certificate that you can get from any Dr/hospital.

@Andie **********

sadly, you'll need a new residence certificate

@Andie **********

you seem confused. You don't need to report within 24 hours, the owner of where you stay must do the report, which it sounds like they have done already

Glad to hear. You are the exception to the norm of what’s happening these days if that’s the case