can I just say I appreciate how Tod Daniels is consistently so helpful to people in challenging life circumstances by providing relevant and accurate information that is hard to come by in any other way

@Ellie ******

what type of property can foreigners own using this route? is it just condos or can you own landed residential property or commercial property?

@Thomas *****

this is the English text on that web page ....

Non-Immigrant Visa "O" is issued to applicants who wish to enter Thailand for the purpose of visiting family member of a Thai nationality, a spouse of Thai national. The validity of visa is 3 months. The permitted length of stay is up to 90 days from the date of arrival in Thailand.

Required documents

Visa application form [Download] which is completely filled out and signed by the applicant

Original and a copy of passport or travel document (must not expire within 180 days and contain at least two complete empty visa pages)

Two (2) photos of the applicant (3.5 x 4.5 cm, taken within 6 months)

Original and a copy of marriage certificate (for spouse/parent) or birth certificate (for child).

A copy of Thai identification card (for spouse/parent)

A copy of passport (for spouse/parent)

A copy of Thai House registration

Visa Fee: 2,000 Baht (Single Entry)

Notes:

Consular officers reserve the rights to request additional documents as deemed necessary.

Visa Fee must be paid in Thai Baht only, Visa Fees are not refundable in any cases.

Legal migration procedures: In case a false or forged document is submitted in the framework of a visa application the visa will be refused and may be prosecuted.

The applicant must sign on each page of copies of documents.

In the same situation I was told by immigration that first 90 day report had to be in person. Subsequently it can be online. The first 90 day report doesn't have to be in the same province that issued the extension of stay

@Bobby *******

This is a significant difference in times of high inflation

@Bobby *******

I'm interested in what is required by immigration. There are individual circumstances where this is sensible, for example if you have a long term home in Thailand and intend to be in a third country for an extended period during the 2 years. Bear in mind insurance can be expensive depending on circumstances and saving say 9 months payment is a significant sum

@Howard *********

I have done it many times and never been checked. But maybe the current policy of the airline you choose will differ. When the land borders are open it is possible to buy a cheap bus ticket online to a neighbouring country to use as evidence that you have a ticket to leave the country in case you are asked

@Bobby *******

with the OA is it required to keep the health insurance going throughout the 2 year period or can you cancel after obtaining the visa stamp? Similarly are you required to keep a certain amount of money in a UK bank throughout the 2 year period?

@James *******

I need a new passport soon anyway - pages running low. And if I get the new non-O visa in the new passport I think this is what they will stamp when I arrive at the border

Thanks for your advice everyone, very much appreciated. I will take the safe option and come in on a new 90 day non-O visa and a new passport (to make sure I get stamped back in correctly).