@Molly *****************

though I haven't yet made a list of the Marriage Visa requirements (it's still almost 18 months before I could think about moving to Thailand), I have read quite a lot about them and what's required to get married in Thailand. It was just the question of whether the Thai Government required any record of communications between the couple for the Visa process as I mentioned in my post. Your comment indicates that it's not a requirement. Thanks

@Ree ******

yes, I understand that and have no problem there.

@Brandon ***********

ok, then that will likely be out for me, as I am almost at the qualifying age for the Australian Aged Pension and have intentions to relax and enjoy retirement, not work.

@Brandon ***********

thanks. I'm aware of the photos at the house & the financial requirement. I assume when you said "they", you mean the Thai wife accompanying you to the Immigration Office. Not having that same 'record of communications' that is required by Australian Authorities would save a lot of time in the application process. Downside is that, at least in the short term, once the Visa is granted, there's still conditions to be met, whereas in Australia, once the final Permanent Residence Visa has been granted (maybe about 2 years) there's no further dealings with Immigration. Thinking about that, am I right in my understanding that (currently) a foreigner married to a Thai can, after a few years, apply for Permanent Residence and maybe later for citizenship? Not that I'm thinking that far ahead right now.

@Ricky *****

that's the problem when people 'looking for love' look with their eyes.

@Bonnie ********

that's funny 🤣

Contemplating a future in Thailand myself, and having read many Posts on the subject, plus other sources including websites and a very good Thai friend who lives close to me, these are options I'm considering for about 18 months from now:

Two options; 1) a Non-O based on Marriage to a Thai. 2) a Retirement Visa.

Option 1 might suit you better if you aren't flush with money. The financial requirements are less, but from what others have said, there's a bit more expected in what you need to do/provide, to satisfy Thai Immigration.

Going on reading the comments of others, you are better off doing everything yourself, rather than pay an Agent to do things for you. The exception to that might be having an Agent help you open a Thai Bank Account, but make sure if you do that, that the account is opened in the Province where you'll live. Also the Bank Account must be in your name only, as someone else said.

Just pick out the best and most sensible comments from those who seem to know what they're talking about and ignore the idiots

@David ******

sounds like you have plenty of experience with bar girls...ohh wait...ladyboys are probably more your type, they like a**h*les

@Alistair *******

go ahead. I'm sure there's plenty of women that would volunteer to do that for you...as long as you provide plenty of antibacterial wash for them to use afterwards! On second thoughts, it's likely that women would flee at the thought of it!

Graham Crossley there's plenty of those types...most likely the type that cannot get a nice lady, or too stupid and selfish to hang on to one. Best option is to block those who just want to be rude idiots. I've blocked a few in the past few months, so they don't see me on Facebook and I don't see them.