@Andy ***********

They should offer citizenship to those married to Thais and have children after x number of years, not immediately (as they do or used to do, when the foreign spouse was a woman).

I think it's fair to say that a foreigner married to a local has more of a right to be here than a DTV holder who has no connection to Thailand.

Don't get me wrong - I am all for the DTV but immigration should be looking after those who integrate into society and contribute the most, rather than just trying to boost tourism numbers.

@Tore ********

Best to ensure you have 3-5% more than 500,000 in your account at the worst possible exchange rate

@Myles ******

Xe uses mid market exchange rates, which are better than the ones you'll get in reality. I too use them but to be safe, I make sure I have above the minimum required funds in my account at the worst exchange rate. Like 510,000 Baht at the worst exchange rate out there, which may equate to 525,000 according to Bangkok Bank or 535,000 according to Xe.

@David *******

They most certainly have been cracking down on nominees.

Very easy at land borders. I exited at Nong Khai with a DTV.

3 months of funds banked. 6 months of statements. You qualify.

@Tod ********

I wonder why they don't check your documents first and ask you to come back to make payment only if they're accepted as is done in Taiwan.

@Andy ***********

Well, they haven't introduced 5, let alone 10 year visas for those married to Thais and the much hailed 3 year or 10 year retirement visas don't seem to exist anywhere but on some embassy websites.

Of course they could introduce any number of new visa schemes, but sadly, none seem to be made with those in mind who have the most right to be in Thailand: those with Thai families.

Why are they only granted 1 year extensions of stay?

Surely, short of offering citizenship automatically after several years of marriage, they could introduce a 5 or 10 year multiple entry visa with a 1 year stay on each entry, only a 12 monthly reporting requirement (or none at all) and showing 800,000 or 1 million Baht in the bank?

They were probably mistaken. I don't think a policy change would occur on such a new visa. Unfortunately, you'll have to try another way

Better wait until the visa expires first. That's what I did.