What are the visa options for expats in Thailand, especially concerning gay marriage and tourism?

May 25, 2024
6 months ago
Jeffrey ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
Hi all!

I’m moving to Thailand in September and I’m thinking about the several visa options.

For instance: if gay marriage will be legalized, what are the basic requirements to get a ‘partner-visa’? Do you really need to have a shit load of money to be able to financially support your Thai husband?

And, if I won’t get a work permit as a teacher of English, for how long and how often can I renew my tourist visa?

Thank you!
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TLDR : Answer Summary
The discussion revolves around the various visa options available for expats moving to Thailand, particularly in light of potential future legalization of gay marriage. The participants express uncertainty about the requirements for a partner visa, including whether a significant financial commitment is necessary. Current requirements suggest a need for at least 400,000 baht in a Thai bank account. Concerns about renewing tourist visas are raised, clarifying that while one cannot renew a visa indefinitely, extensions may be possible. The importance of understanding local customs and financial expectations in relationships, notably the concept of 'sinsot', is also discussed.
Matthew *******
If you have a degree you will get a teaching job
Jeffrey ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Matthew ******
Yesss I have my TEFL certification and 20 years of teaching experience.
Matthew *******
@Jeffrey *****************
you won’t have an issue getting a position

Start looking online now
Giorgio ******
I've heard that sinsot for gay is very high too
Ken ***********
Giorgio ******
@Ken ******
I don't care of whaT's written

in your comment it's written too small anyway .

I care and I know what I see and verify .

the written s*** mean's peanuts . compare to real life ..⁰
Giorgio ******
@Ken ******
since " sinsot , or sinsod " is a thai word there are different ways to write it in ABC writing .it seems like anyway you understood what I talked about , which made you give a totally fake info .

Sinsot or sod as you like , is an old tradition that is still practiced everywhere . I've been attending quite a few marriages , never saw one without sinsod .

the farangs who pretend it doesn't exist anymore don't know what they talk about . of course some of those pretend they escape from shinsot forget to say they already bought the house , the car , the gold necklace and ring , eventually a small business for the wife or who they call " my partner" , sometimes a motobike for the young brother , ....... and these jerks laugh at you when you talked about sinsod.
Ken ***********
Sin sod discussed at 1:41

************************************************
Giorgio ******
Frank **********
Gay marriage has not been made legal yet. With a conservative majority of old timers in the Thai Senate who knows if it will for sure.
Andreas *********
If I want to build a livelihood in a foreign country and €
*****
to €
*****
is already a lot of money, I might think seriously about it again.If you also have to support a partner with it, I had concerns about the financing.
Jeffrey ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andreas ********
I don’t really agree with that. As a TEFL-teacher it shouldn’t be that difficult to get a work permit.

And as you know, the cost of living is really very low in Thailand.

If it was Japan, then of course it would be logical to have €20.000 upfront.
Giorgio ******
@Jeffrey *****************
cost of LOW living very low in Thailand

cost of living not low at all .
Andreas *********
@Jeffrey *****************
I live there 6 months a year. My partner has her own house car...everything is there. But in total everything costs a lot of money. And the sums you're talking about are the depot alone For the visa if you want to call it that. So no amount that is not available and must be there.
Jeffrey ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Andreas ********
yes but that’s when you want to have a VIP-visa or partner visa indeed. Not when applying for a work visa.
Glenn *****
Please define "shit load"
Steve *******
@Glenn ****
A large amount 😂😂😂
Jeffrey ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Glenn ****
€10.000 - €20.000?

But I guess that question has been answered already….400.000 Baht, which is a bit over €10.000.
Ken ***********
As to the question about how expensive is a Thai spouse, it all depends. First, do they have a job ? Second, you need to discuss about their immediate family and if they expect you to help support them. These all depend on the relationship.
Jeffrey ********
ORIGINAL POSTER
@Ken ******
great, thank you
Pascal ********
You cannot renew a visa. You can extend it one time.
Brandon ************
No one really knows what will happen visa-wise once gay marriage is fully passed or when. There's still a couple more steps.

Will it allow a foreign spouse to get a visa? Maybe. Will there be a financial requirement since currently a woman married to a Thai man doesn't require proof of funds, who knows.

The amount of money required is 400,000 baht in a Thai bank account.

You cannot live in Thailand without a long term visa. After a couple of tourist visas you're likely to get pulled aside at the airport and grilled.
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