I suggest you follow Brandon's advice on obtaining a non-O before travelling to Thailand. Then apply for a one year extension of stay, make sure you obtain a re-entry permit and you can come and go as you please during the validity of the extension. A non-OA is valid for one year, if you buy another years insurance you can extend just before the visa expires getting you basically two years out of it. Then you're done. You apply for visas using the Thailand e-visa website.

@Mike *****

What exactly are your plans, how long do you actually intend on staying in Thailand? The more info you give the better the advice member can give regarding options. I note a couple of days ago you were promoting Mexico as an easier option to Thailand🤔

@John *******

It’s becoming the norm in many countries so get used to it if you’re planning on doing some travelling.

If you're financial situation allows I'd suggest looking at getting a Non-Imm O visa in Oz. Then arrive in Thailand open a bank account and deposit 800k baht. After it has seasoned for two months apply for an extension of stay (1900baht). At the same time get a multiple re-entry permit (3800baht), you can then come and go as you wish while your extension is valid. For the first year you will have to meet the banked money requirements but for subsequent years you can meet the financial requirements by transferring a minimum 65k baht each and every month for the 12 months leading up to your annual extension of stay. Once on that method you don't need to keep the 800k in the bank and the 65k you transfer every month can be used (just ensure it happens every month and is shown as an international transfer). I wouldn't recommend going down the marriage path, it would prove problematic for FIFO.

Just get a reentry permit at the airport before you leave.

I'm picking your from the UK so suggest you check out the Thai Embassy website and see what options are available. If you're over 50 there are more options. Good to see you're going to check it out before committing to a permanent move👍

@Lester ********

1. Go to the bank and get the account opened. 2. Deposit the 800k baht. 3. Wait 2 months. 4. While your waiting get the list of requirements from your local immigration office to apply for your extension of stay (they differ from office to office). 5. hen the 2 months are up go to your local immigration office and apply (with 1900baht cash).

@Tony ******

Single entry Non Imm O is $800. Why’d they want an interview when it’s all evisa now?

Just enter your country of nationality in your passport. When my wife enters NZ on her NZ passport her nationality is NZer, won’t accept Thai even though she looks Thai to me😂

@Paul ******

The bio page and mugshot may need to be in jpg/jpeg format. Other supporting documents normally okay in that or pdf. There might be a max like 3 MB for images.