Nobody forces u to marry. IV 3 kids 22, 16 and 1. If u want to compare like for like try your luck with marriage outside Thailand. Doesn't seem to be a lot of success there or there wouldn't be so many of us here.
U would come in on a 30 day on entry, after a week apply for a 90 day non 0 extension, run that down , 1 month before it expires apply for your yearly extension... Retirement visa... On being over 50. Requirements will be. Seasoned 800 thousand baht in a Thai bank account transferred in from your country's bank account. The paperwork after that is not complicated , check conditions online. More or less it's your rent lease or residence in Thailand. U will need covid / insurance for 30 days when u enter, after that u need no insurance unless u want it it's not a condition of the non 0 .I would make sure your here for 4 months to let everything go through. If u leave the country after u get stamp for your yearly extension u leave by getting a re entry permit . That Keeps the visa alive when your away. Every 90 days u have to go to immigration and show them updated bank book and funds. Don't forget attend immigration right away and register where your staying u need it for extension.
Come in on a 30 days on arrival, after 10 days go and get a non o 90 days based on married to a Thai, paperwork not that bad..... Then change with 1 month left to a 1 year extension based on your marriage. Same paperwork. You report every 90 days to immigration. Paperwork including... At least 6 to 10 photos of you and your wife at home , a up to date paper saying your marriage is still active, up to date bankbook 400 thousand needed, that u must not touch during application.letter from the bank along with the a updated bankbook on the day u apply..... They will visit where u stay and take a couple of photos. I've just been through it all , it's not complicated at all. If u own a house u need the house book , if u rent the lease agreement. Any children of yours need to attend immigration with u when applying.
Al let u into a secret don't tell anyone. Every single person will have covid in there lifetime. If u don't believe that there is no hope for us if u think I'm wrong. If you think paper masks stop a virus spreading