. Do you really think this kind of "tourism" would have any impact on the percentage of people visiting? I blame the country for loosing hugh incomes by sticking to an outdated visa regime which makes tourists chose other countries. What a few oldies trying to get a foothold in Thailand do wasn't even in my mind.
Maybe she don't NEED your money, but she and her family still benefits big time from what you bring in, and there is a big hole in your bank account in some way or another leaking to your new family. And the hole only grows bigger and bigger as the years go by.
Thai people have weird ideas spun on lack of education and knowledge. Most farang wives have high school or less. Same goes with the rest of their family. I know it's difficult to fight stupid stubborn people at their home ground, but sometimes you just have to.