Where'd she say that? Anyway I reread and she takes a non-stop from So. Korea. I misread it as Korean airlines non-stop to BKK. I've taken that flight before.
JAL has a non-stop to Narita, Japan from Dallas I usually take. It's 17 hours but it goes pretty fast. What I don't like is a bunch of short flights connected with long layovers.
It appears you are a same sex marriage and per Google Thailand recognizes same sex marriages now as of earlier this year so I'm assuming that would include for non-O marriage based Visa's also.
For family of 4 or a single traveler on a tourist 60 day visa. For shelter, food, transportation, any medical if necessary, you can easily do it for 40% less.
Because rural Thailand village life is exponentially cheaper than city or touristy area life.We have a house in Baan Chok village Sisaket and Cha am. Both houses and automobiles are paid for. We probably live 40% cheaper in Baan Chok and maybe more