what is the Pattaya to samui prices? they are probably choosing a route from Patts to Singapore/phuket to samui as there are no direct flights to samui
You could actually stay in the UK if you left every 6 months for a short holiday overseas for 10 years for 35,000 bht on a 10 year tourist visa. In Thailand would need to have 2 elite visas at 500k x 2 😜😁
Thais need visas. If it is just for trips back to visit family, I recommend getting the 10 year tourist visa, just so your Mrs can go when she wants without having to submit each time. They can go in as many times as they like but each stay is a maximum of 6 months.
Edit : I don't think any visas are being issued at the moment for thais wanting to go to uk