What is the best visa option for a Western Australian expat married to a Thai citizen considering a long-distance work arrangement?

You may want to consider a Thai Elite Visa

I'm also from Western Australia and work in the mining industry

I have a retirement visa here in Thailand and I also have a multi re-entry permit and my roster allows me to come over multiple times a year

My wife also comes to Australia on a tourist visa once or twice a year as well and this works well for the both of us

Good luck with what you decide but this is the best option for me until I move here permanently next year

If you're financial situation allows I'd suggest looking at getting a Non-Imm O visa in Oz. Then arrive in Thailand open a bank account and deposit 800k baht. After it has seasoned for two months apply for an extension of stay (1900baht). At the same time get a multiple re-entry permit (3800baht), you can then come and go as you wish while your extension is valid. For the first year you will have to meet the banked money requirements but for subsequent years you can meet the financial requirements by transferring a minimum 65k baht each and every month for the 12 months leading up to your annual extension of stay. Once on that method you don't need to keep the 800k in the bank and the 65k you transfer every month can be used (just ensure it happens every month and is shown as an international transfer). I wouldn't recommend going down the marriage path, it would prove problematic for FIFO.

The marriage visa there is alot of extra paperwork involved ok it's 400,000 in a Thai bank that is required the retirement visa is 800,000 Baht in a Thai bank but alot less paper work.

If you can afford it I would go the retirement visa as you are more independent on that visa which ever you decide you will also need a multi re entry visa that is 3,800 Baht and you can go in and out as many times as you won't while your yearly visa is valid

If u have the 800k just set your self up for the non O retirement visa intail is 90days and get the yearly extension with a multiple re entry permit u can fly in and out of thailand as u like just have to plan your timing for the yearly extension

I have OX and do 2 and 2 go home to Thailand every month

My colleague, from Australia, married a Thai woman who was there on a working holiday visa. They had a baby.

To get her fully legal, not a partner but wife, it is like 15,000 AUD and takes years (she is not fully recognized 2 years as of May 2024.).

Do tourist till they stop you, then change to retirement visa. Dare i say it probably better doing it with an agency. Thai visa center can get you visa and extension within your time frame. Problem doing extension some places can take more than a month.

You could also get OX or OA visa in australia you would have to check embassies website for more info. The OX is apparently quite easy from Australia

It's easier for her to go in and out on a Tourist Visa. Our boys have Aussie passports but the hassle and ridiculous expense of the Partner Visa is insane.

I'm thinking retirement visa with multiple entry so you can come and go as you please 🙏