I've just read in the BK Post that a Deputy Gov. of the BOT has said he doesn't believe gov. will open up for tourists until 2021 and even then only on a limited basis, he thinks normal service will not be resumed until 2022. If correct and I do agree that he's right, that means that leaving Thailand this year will make it very difficult to return, this year.

I know that's not much use to you Steve but it perhaps reinforces the difficulty of what you're up against. Some suggestions, most of which I suspect you will have already tried, but....: a different agent; a combination of money in bank and monthly income; borrowing; backhander? Another off the wall idea.....our Chinese neighbours maid is Burmese and she's been back and forth to Myanmar twice since the covid crisis began, she seems to use a paid for service which is mostly just a smuggling route where she rides across the border in a truck at some quiet location, with the kind assistance of immi. folk, if she can do it....! I can ask questions/find details if you like?

OK another idea. We are on the verge of selling some land. Now given that the money for visa must be an international deposit for a visa. Can my wife transfer 400k + to my family's bank, and have them send it back to me? If so what's the cheapest way, pay charges here or in the UK?

Are you sure about that? I thought it was only for the Investment Visa that the money had to come from abroad.

OK that is better news. Thank you AYG & CM

Dont want to rain on your parade, but isnt there a 2 or 3 month time period the money has to be in your Thai bank account prior to applying?

Marriage is 2 months I think. But once it's in it's staying for at least 2 years. I've about 20 months until my state pension, which added to my company pension gets me comfortably over the 40k per month.