What you say is quite correct. You have to look at it from the other perspective.

"Hey I want to retire to a beach paradise and support my wife from overseas, and I want the Australian taxpayer to subsidise my chosen lifestyle"

There's no work-around. The reason the 2-year condition was introduced was specifically to stop people living overseas coming back to Australia, claiming the pension, and then leaving again straight away. It's a hard one, but it is what it is, so the only real workaround is to return to Australia with your wife and spend the two years there

@Dror ********

Don't know where the jealousy comes into it. Some people are simply troublemakers who want to make life difficult.

@Jo**

is correct. Working without the correct visa, like overstay, is actually a criminal offence, not a misdemeanor, so it's best to stay well under the radar if working here illegally

There are still a few agents selling fake ED visas, but keep in mind, get one of these and your card is marked for the foreseeable future.

@Henry ***********

I'm assuming you mean visa-exempt, as visa-waiver are not eligible for extension. Easy to do yourself. Make an appointment at IT Square, fill in the form when you get there - it's very simple - pay 1900 baht, in and out in about 30 minutes

!!!!!! SERIOUSLY??? A renewal costs 1900baht!!! Good to see farangs here throwing money into the wind

Never going to happen.

@Leo *****

Surprised you didn't know considering how long you've been in Thailand. I thought it was common knowledge.

@Leo *****

Big difference

If you've no recent history of multiple entries you'll have no problem. Border bounce or border run is the same thing, just work on your spelling! 😆

@Shaine ***********

There's now more agents in Thailand than there are farangs (many farangs are also agents). Always remember they are not licenced and need no registration. They have been known to disappear with customer's passports. Business is being squeezed. They'll fill you up with buckets of bullshit in order to squeeze a few more baht out of you!