@Steve ******

okay, it seems much better I agree.

@Steve ******

I thought that involved getting police checks and other stuff, but if it's as simple as applying then yes that makes sense.

Retirement visa is much easier to obtain than marriage, but you need to deposit 800,000 baht in your Thai bank account.

Get an online day tourist visa before you come, then you have plenty of time to get all the bank sorted (do this immediately) and your documentation ready.

Good luck.

@Dennis ********

I think that's his point. He is saying he can't get an IDP.

@Dennis ********

do you mean International driving permit?

@John *********

thank you John.

@Tony *******

thank you Tony.

Do you have a motorbike licence in your home country?

Seems very strange that immigration said you should have a visa given you are from USA and presumably don't have a history of entering Thailand without a visa, but this is Thailand as they say.

You do not state which IO you will use, but your wife should have no problem applying for the non O.

Good luck.

@Tony *******

apologies for joining this conversation, but your response is very clear, concise and well informed, so I wanted to ask a silly question as I am unclear.

I receive a work pension from the UK and I pay tax on it, so I believe the DTA applies.

Do I need to do anything in Thailand to show that I already paid tax?

Apologies if it's a silly question.