when you say “if you’re married in Belgium there are a few added steps” I assume you’re referring to having our marriage registered in Thailand? Correct? Or is there something else?
I’ve heard conflicting stories about this. Some say it can be done, some say it can’t, and the wording on the Thai immigration websites is frustratingly vague. One thing I do know is that embassies are not good sources for reliable visa information (at least the Belgian one doesn’t seem to be...)
they said that a) no retirement visas are being issued for now (which is not illogical if you look at the different types of people that they allow to come in right now) and b) for getting a retirement visa, you have to request it in your *own* country, can’t do it while being in Thailand.