Transcript of the above video:

To most expats, the question posed in this video is probably going to seem self-explanatory but I thought it was interesting because it was a question posed to the Immigration Bureau Deputy Commander, Police Major General Achayon Kraithong. 

It was posed in an article for the Bangkok Post. They did kind of a Q&A with the Deputy Commander and it is in an article titled: Grimaces replace smiles for retirees. There is a whole Q&A; this was really interesting. The Bangkok Post did a good job with this. I urge those watching this video to go check out that article, but quoting directly and it was done in a Q&A format: "Why must foreigners who are married to Thais apply for a Visa every year?" Quote, and this is sort of the answer: "Based on Section 37 of the Immigration Act a renewed visa is valid for one year."

As we have discussed in other videos on this channel, Non-Immigrant Visas are covered by a specific section of the Immigration Act. Immigrant Visas, so-called PR, Permanent Residence, are covered by a different section of the Immigration Act. Marriage Visas, notwithstanding the fact you have a familial relationship with a Thai national, your Visa status is what it is. It is what is dictated by the Immigration Act. A lot of folks have an issue with this in an American Visa context, "well I am married to my spouse, why can't I get a visa for her?" Well your marriage is one thing, Immigration status is another. That is at least how the law looks at it. So very similar in a Thailand context. Those who are married to a Thai can obtain a Non-immigrant Visa but Non-Immigrant Visa extensions are generally done on a year by year basis per the terms of the Thai Immigration Act of 1979.