I am 67 Years of age and originally from the UK, I moved to Thailand 3 years ago and stay here with a Thai retirement visa. I had been dating a Thai lady “Ong” for about 2 years before I came here to live and finally married Ong in the first year. We live together in Pattaya and are very happy.

Me and my Thai wife going back to the UK

We plan on going back to the UK just to visit my family and grandchildren; I am concerned with the age gap, me being 67 and Ong my Thai wife being 23. Will the UK embassy grant a UK Tourist visa for us to travel together?

This question is asked many times with the men in Pattaya. Most men in a relationship with a Thai lady or Thai man are much older, sometimes by as much as 40 years or even more. The British embassy operates when considering visas with a no age discrimination policy. You are married and live together with Ong, as long as this can be demonstrated then you are half way there.

The British embassy operates when considering visas with a no age discrimination policy

Giving a Thai wife a UK visa

When the British embassy is considering giving a Thai wife a UK visa, if it is only a tourist visa, they must feel that your wife will return to Thailand within the given time. This is a much bigger area of concern for you to fulfill and answer.

When you are issued with the Visa and arrive in the UK, be patient with family members that find the age gap more difficult to understand. The UK culture is very different to that of Thailand.