haha I'm sorry to tell you that I haven't got my driving licence yet. But I'm planning to get one very soon. Perhaps I can ask the people there (will expect 10+ different versions of answer 🤣)
Thanks so much for your advice. What I'm worried is that I have to go through thr painful process for acquiring the yellow book and pink card again. I had to legalise my passport once by embassy and then legalize one more time by consulate of foreign affairs. I just don't want to go through those processes again
Technically I guess TM30 is always required when you enter Thailand. However, whether it is really put into use depends on you. If in the whole course of stay you don't need to deal with immigration, you may ignore it. However, if you have to convert / extend your visa, they may ask you to provide it.
I think it is easier to get a 60-day TR visa before your trip, which is open to certain countries (a lot of countries indeed). You may refer to your local Thai embassy website first. The whole application process is done online. It'd be a lot easier than spending a whole day in immigration department, it won't be a present experience.
IMO, you may consider retirement visa. All you need is to prove your financial status. If you go for non-o spouse visa, there will be a lot of other documents of your spouse to be presented to the immigration. Even your spouse has to be heavily involved during the application process.
I think you don't need any visa before getting the marriage visa. But after you got married, you can apply for a non-o spouse visa. It'd be a lot easier if you get married in Thailand which will save you a lot of time from doing translation / legalisation of your documents.