@Dean *******
To give this the time it needs to see if this is a good decision, from back in the UK, he can get a multi-entry tourist visa, METV, that, if timed right, he can stay in Thailand for almost 9 months, with only crossing the border twice, and getting the 30 day extensions. This gives him time to see if this future "marriage" is real, and for the right reasons. There is always going to a four year university here, and getting his degree. That particular ED visa covers four years, as long as he attends classes, and passes. These are options he has to give himself time to think, and that won't have any negative impact on his future here, if things work out.