Plenty of canucks do the same. Metv is the way to go and easily done at the Thai embassy in a city near you. You will make plenty of expat friends in similar circumstances. Recommend you do a tour of Thailand the first time and then figure out if and where you want to stay yearly. Look for activities for you and the Misses to do. Lots of Facebook groups for that. Just do it and don't look back. Don't overplan. It's all easier than you think or read