What do you think??? Excuse me officer.. I'd like you to move my expiry date forward 10 years...

If you don't want to spend money on a vacation to do it, you can fly out to any other country and fly backin same day , as long as you officially enter the country you go to (through passport control) . Pick a country that you don't need a visa for though.

@Larry ******

. . If the UK is the same as Australia, pensions and superannuation funds are protected because of standing tax laws between both countries. These "new " tax laws are nothing more than proposals at the moment and will have a much bigger impact on thais earning income and holding business interests overseas, which once the elite here realise, will be quickly shelved, like most of the bright ideas the govt here have..

Just guessing that money isn't an issue for you as your only real option as a young family to live here is elite visas unless working here is involved, which could effect your choice anyway. Why don't you spend 6-12 months living in both before making a long term home decision? Also unless one of you is Thai, owning a home/land here is near impossible. Big step without doing a lot of homework outside of Facebook.

@Ramlal *******

. Yes. And owner doesn't always count as one of them unless they work full time there,draw a salary and pay income tax.

@Stelar ******

. Basically.

If your aren't classed as a % owner of the business ,she will need minimum 4 thai staff on payroll and you must meet the qualifications to be hired as a foreigner. example degree if needed plus recieve minimum foreigner taxable income.

If you are a registered % owner of the business, must be at least 51% Thai owned on paper, you will get access to a work permit as part of it , but there will be restrictions on what you can actually do . Normally a management role only. No hands on stuff unless you are qualified to do so.

Spend an hour with a lawyer who specializes in this area and they can give you all the answers to suit your circumstances.

@Leland ***********

. Kasikorn and Bangkok banks are the most foreigner friendly banks here.

@Leland ***********

. House book. Every Thai in Thailand is registered on one. Basically proof of home adress. You'll also.need this for any long term spouse extension.

There's a lot of questions your wife can answer for you.

@Leland ***********

. Try what I did.

Go to the branch your thai wife uses with her your passport ,your marriage papers and her tabien bahn. Open a joint account with wife. (Doesn't mean you.need to actually use it though.) Then walk in next day with her and same paperwork, ask for a 2nd account in your name only. They'll have a tough time refusing you if you and wife already have accounts they approved.

There are plenty of foreign CHEFS working in Thailand . Cooks are an entirely different thing. Foreign workers have a different minimum wage set by thai law that determines wether a work permit will be issued or not. In most cases its higher than what you would pay a Thai chef. Eg usa chef 60k a month ,Aust/Uk chef 50k a month, Indian chef 35k a month. Qualifications are also mandatory.