What are the pros and cons of applying for the Thai marriage visa extension compared to the retirement visa?

Applying for a long-term stay in Thailand can be approached through either a marriage visa extension or a retirement visa. The marriage visa option is often seen as less financially burdensome, requiring a minimum of 400,000 Baht in a Thai bank account, compared to the 800,000 Baht for a retirement visa. However, many expats report that the marriage extension involves more paperwork and a higher level of scrutiny from immigration, including potential home visits to verify the legitimacy of the marriage. This can create a more cumbersome application process. Some expatriates suggest that while paperwork requirements can be repetitive after the initial experience, the added obligations—such as needing witness signatures and detailed proof of relationship—make the marriage extension daunting for some. Conversely, the retirement visa is described as more straightforward with fewer immigration interactions and less annual paperwork, making it appealing to those eligible for it. Overall, the choice between these options entails weighing the initial financial advantages of the marriage visa against the potential annual hassles associated with it.