Amras

i faced a similar situation myself. my advice is to never marry below your station. middle and lower class girls can appear cute at first but you will soon tire of their ignorance and lack of social standing. in my case i had an investigator vet all the candidates as to medical history, education, etc etc and also investigated the relatives. i then had a short list from which i selected my wife based on her looks, personality and suitability for child rearing. we have had a long and happy relationship due mainly to me doing my homework and i am very happy with the children she has produced.

Hey...aren't you the troll from the other thread...who had a wife (overseas) who was coming here to invest in 'condos' and annoyed at the protestors inconsideration for your plans. sigh....

Check out the video frame by frame from 57 sec on wards, she points what looks like a camera at the police man and when she passes behind him he lifts his left arm to knock the 'camera' away from him to stop having his photo taken. She then backs up on the pavement still pointing the 'camera' at him. he follows her and gives her a slap across the face.

Can't imagine what she said to him, but maybe he just didn't like his photo being taken.

Agreed. I can't see anywhere where she hit him. She's clearly holding a phone/camera trying to take a photo to report him would be my guess?

No idea how all these people see her hitting him when she clearly has something in her hand, ie a camera.

I would say she got off lightly. She clearly cuffs him around the back of the head at 59 seconds, she copped for a little slap which has got to be better than handcuffs to the police station, a night in a cell, charged and sent packing back to whereve she comes from. She got off lightly, he did the right thing.

She hit him in the head while holding her phone (camera) in the same hand? You didn't see her holding up her hand/camera for about 4 seconds before that obviously trying to take a photo?

I can't see her hitting him anywhere...although I'm guessing he wasn't happen about her trying to take a photo of him.

how long you can manage to stay in thailand on turist visas ? doing extensions and new visas in near by countries?

Mataleo, this is actually the most important point here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Those who have a lot of tourist visas will find it harder to get an ED visa. Most have missed this most important point. If you have a long history of tourist visas it will be harder to convince the MOE that you all of a sudden want to learn Thai and are a genuine student. So if you want to learn and get an ED visa do it, if you get a few more tourist visas you might be in trouble.

In any case Walen School will do our best to help all those who are interested in learning Thai or English and obtain an ED visa. Being a genuine school makes it easier for us.

We had a case of student recently who was refused an ED visa in Vietnam because he had too many tourist visas, these new forms confirm that that is the new thinking. Serial tourist visa runners do not seem to be good candidates for genuine students. Makes sense, doesn't it?

This is the biggest issue I think and one many people are missing. As an example, you're on a double tourist visa and go back home (to your home country) for a few months and then come back here on tourist visa's again and so on. So someone could be an extended (legit) tourist who returns home in between for a few months.

Now what if after doing this a few times you think, hmm really I should get my act together and study Thai, apply for an ED visa etc. How will they view your tourist visas, will they examine the exact time in and out of Thailand or only look at how many visas you have (passports are valid for 10 years). It becomes quite complicated if they just take a 'glance'.

People might be on tourist visas and then after time decide to invest the time into studying Thai (because they plan to get a job/open a business/ get married etc). How many people are going to genuinely come here after one-two tourist visas and say, sure I'll invest the years into learning Thai because I'm 100% sure I should do that.

You really need a good reason to learn Thai (wife, job etc) which would imply you want to stay here for an extended period of time. No one is going to casually learn Thai, it's not a universal language. I see this as a bit of either, we don't want people studying Thai and living here, or investing in learning Thai to stay here long term (which it implies you want to do).

No idea why they make this so complicated. It's simple. They have simple/basic reading/speaking tests based on how long you have been studying Thai when you go for your extension. If someone has been studying for a year they should be able to converse at least basic conversation (even if they are a slow language learner). 2 years, more and so on.

These are just complicated hurdles to make it harder for people to be here, invest the time into something that connects them to Thailand. The abuse thing is so much easier to see with simple testing.

Being from the States, Thais have to go through hell to get a visa or even try to get a visa, so I have mixed emotions on this issue.

I'm Australian, and they are the same.

Since when is it difficult? I've applied for 2 tourist visa's for my girlfriend with a little bit of paperwork and no issues at all.

Migrating is a different story, but always has to be. I wouldn't put Australia in the 'difficult' tourist visa basket. A small amount of work, yeh, but not painful.

I did, but fail to see how it relates to Thailand. An idealist vs PTP? You can't truly compare Abraham Lincoln with PTP?

And of course you don't (need education)..to see now. I think everyone can see what's going on now. But hindsight is a wonderful thing. Foresight is a different matter all together. That's what I'm saying they don't have. The ability to think about how these things will affect the future. Did they really think a promise of paying for rice more than what it was worth was going to work? Anyone with foresight can see it simply can't. In no world we live in.

Education makes a part of being taught how to think, laterally, cause and effect. Thais as a whole lack this ability, imagine those with minimal education (as a general rule).

Sure it's not the ONLY thing, but we all know Thailand severely lacks on education. It's a part. You only need to see where a place like Taiwan has come must faster than Thailand has...and the reason why. Education helps people grow.

I'm sure uneducated countries have voted for liberators (idealists), but surely you aren't saying PTP (Thaksin) is an idealist?

You wrote, " Education makes a part of being taught how to think, laterally, cause and effect. Thais as a whole lack this ability, imagine those with minimal education (as a general rule)."

Prove it. Be specific. How many college graduates from the State of Kentucky lack the ability to think laterally. Name me the courses at the Royal Academy of Dance that teaches lateral thinking. George Bush went to Princeton. Obama went to Harvard. You think either one of them thinks laterally? You do know Yingluck has an MA degree? Now tell me she knows how to vote?

Not being American, I can't speak for the state of Kentucky. I love your anecdotal, people can learn dance - equals all other study. Common. Just because people study doesn't mean they can't be morons (by the way I don't think Obama's an idiot, he had ideals and then got into office and was told where his place was and now he's stuck - but that's another topic).

If I need to show you that education develops thinking, than unfortunately, you need to go back to school, or read a bit about brain development, education and so on, or something. You know the reason we learn calculus (and maths) at high school is not really because 95% of people are going to use calculus in real life right? It develops problem solving and thinking skills.

If you don't have this, you don't develop those abilities (and before you go saying, people can problem solve anyway, sure they can but at different levels).

Dare I ask, did you not receive a lot of education (no judgement, purely asking/trying to understand, why you believe education means nothing/so little).

Do you know most of the people who voted for Abraham Lincoln did not go to high school?

Few slaves could read (they would have voted if they could). Do you think they didn't know slavery was wrong? Informed decision my putooty.

Education is nice and all that but in Thailand it doesn't take a weatherman to tell which way the wind is blowing.

So you're saying the rice pledging scheme was a great idea (buying rice above world wide market rates)? (populist policy), sure it gives the farmers more money, which farmer would vote against that? The free tablet to each child was (in principle it was, but another failed policy), let alone an amnesty bill to bring a CONVICTED criminal back to Thailand (who also stole billions from the very people he is supposed to represent).

Please....I love Thailand and it's people as much as most, but money brings food to the table and for many, who live day to day, it's critical. Sure there are some that don't fit into this, but they likely aren't in the high percentage of minimum wage staff (or below).

There's also a big difference between voting for an idealist (based on their ideals and what they will do for the people) and voting for those that promise money simply to gain power. PTP promise a lot only when they can benefit. They have done nothing that didn't benefit them in some way. It was all a means to an end to get someone back and they only tried it after 2 years in office, after they had attempted to appease their followers (of PTP) with their failed policies.

Education is not just a 'nice thing to have'. You only need to look at those who are and those you are not (back in the West) to see the stark difference education makes (on ones reasoning, thinking ability, problem solving, higher level reasoning skills and so on).

If all these people KNEW that PTP would do this, then why vote for them? You really believe that they are happy for their party to bring back Thaksin after he stole all that money from the people, and run the country into billions of debt with rice they can't sell, simply because he did a few nice things back in the day (oh hell he deserves the few billion he took). Common.

I guess you didn't read my post. I said you don't need an education to understand what is going on in Thailand. It has nothing to do with education. It has to do with a lot of things but not education. Too many educated countries have voted for dictators and too many uneducated countries have voted for liberators and democracy to think the difference was education.

I did, but fail to see how it relates to Thailand. An idealist vs PTP? You can't truly compare Abraham Lincoln with PTP?

And of course you don't (need education)..to see now. I think everyone can see what's going on now. But hindsight is a wonderful thing. Foresight is a different matter all together. That's what I'm saying they don't have. The ability to think about how these things will affect the future. Did they really think a promise of paying for rice more than what it was worth was going to work? Anyone with foresight can see it simply can't. In no world we live in.

Education makes a part of being taught how to think, laterally, cause and effect. Thais as a whole lack this ability, imagine those with minimal education (as a general rule).

Sure it's not the ONLY thing, but we all know Thailand severely lacks on education. It's a part. You only need to see where a place like Taiwan has come must faster than Thailand has...and the reason why. Education helps people grow.

I'm sure uneducated countries have voted for liberators (idealists), but surely you aren't saying PTP (Thaksin) is an idealist?

Just to get that straight: there was an election here in 2010, as fair an election as Thailand ever will have one (which of course means: not fair at all, vote buying on either side, corruption running wild etc.) and parts of those who are now complaining, shot themselves in the foot with their brilliant "no vote"- strategy.

The outcome: one party more or less is the government, rules as they wish, fills their pockets, makes decissions mostly for their own...which simply every government since the stone-age has done...and all the (note: I am not saying "you"!) supporters of the opposition are now out in the streets and want to not only negate the outcome of that election, but are calling for a complete handover of power, to an un-elected government, to re-write the constitution and basically end all democracy, but at least "one man- one vote"...

From which country are you, where that is even slightly okay?

(Yes...I know! Thaksin= bad!)

You seem to be missing something. The REASON people are protesting. Because of this shame, probably illegal amnesty bill that the current government tried to push through. This was the spark of the protests, where the people said, ok we've accepted all the crap decisions you've made, rice pledging scheme and all, put the country into billiions of debt to fill your pockets, but this is the last straw.

If this happened in any other country, I'd bet there would be outrage as well. Trying to pass amnesty to convicted (not suspected) criminals and the biggest one at that. So it's all nice to say, accept what has happened. But being in power does not give a government the right to do as they wish. They are supposed to represent the people and for the last 2 years, they have worked with one main goal in mind................and people now see that.

Nope- didn't miss it!

I just happen to think, that this is only one reason for what is going on.

If you break down this whole mess, it starts with a country, that is per se not fit for democracy.

You can not just step up one sunny day and tell a feudal, hierarchic country that from now on it is a democracy!

One part of democracy is equality- do you see any equality here?

There is no real education, there is no freedom of speech...democracy will never work ina society like the Thai society.

So...if you want to make it easy (which many here seem to do) blame Thaksin and the present government for the chaos.

But you are just fighting the symptom.

The disease still stays!

I said it before: If this government steps down, if you really get rid of Thaksin and we meet here again next year, it will all be there: the inequality, the corruption, the injustice...there will just be another name on the cover!

They are playing democracy- a system, they don't embrace, they don't want, a system, they don't even understand!

Ahh looks like we are on the same page. Your original post seemed to be missing context. Never mind (maybe I misread it).

I agree with everything you said, democracy can't really exist here, not yet anyway. The education, gap in social classes and freedom of speech are all integral to becoming democratic and I can't see these 3 things changing anytime soon.

Thailand needs a government with vision, people who are qualified to lead a country and think about how to make Thailand grow in 5, 10, 20 years. Not this populist government that is going on now.

Guess we can hope for change. Maybe.

Or in Thailand, the majority who are uneducated and vote for whomever will put the most money in their pocket (or promise too).

Unfortunately lack of education makes influencing the 'masses' easy. Most policies that will develop Thailand as a whole, business wise on the international scale, unfortunately won't directly benefit the poor. Hence why they vote for populist parties like PTP who promise them a lot, but it's all empty and they can't see the lies behind the show. Democracy works in countries where people make informed decision on who to vote for, but in a country where more than 50% have minimal education it's very difficult for them to see the greater picture on what's beneficial to the development of Thailand. They just can't see it at that scale.

Thailand's a quite complicated situation.

Do you know most of the people who voted for Abraham Lincoln did not go to high school?

Few slaves could read (they would have voted if they could). Do you think they didn't know slavery was wrong? Informed decision my putooty.

Education is nice and all that but in Thailand it doesn't take a weatherman to tell which way the wind is blowing.

So you're saying the rice pledging scheme was a great idea (buying rice above world wide market rates)? (populist policy), sure it gives the farmers more money, which farmer would vote against that? The free tablet to each child was (in principle it was, but another failed policy), let alone an amnesty bill to bring a CONVICTED criminal back to Thailand (who also stole billions from the very people he is supposed to represent).

Please....I love Thailand and it's people as much as most, but money brings food to the table and for many, who live day to day, it's critical. Sure there are some that don't fit into this, but they likely aren't in the high percentage of minimum wage staff (or below).

There's also a big difference between voting for an idealist (based on their ideals and what they will do for the people) and voting for those that promise money simply to gain power. PTP promise a lot only when they can benefit. They have done nothing that didn't benefit them in some way. It was all a means to an end to get someone back and they only tried it after 2 years in office, after they had attempted to appease their followers (of PTP) with their failed policies.

Education is not just a 'nice thing to have'. You only need to look at those who are and those you are not (back in the West) to see the stark difference education makes (on ones reasoning, thinking ability, problem solving, higher level reasoning skills and so on).

If all these people KNEW that PTP would do this, then why vote for them? You really believe that they are happy for their party to bring back Thaksin after he stole all that money from the people, and run the country into billions of debt with rice they can't sell, simply because he did a few nice things back in the day (oh hell he deserves the few billion he took). Common.

Or in Thailand, the majority who are uneducated and vote for whomever will put the most money in their pocket (or promise too).

Unfortunately lack of education makes influencing the 'masses' easy. Most policies that will develop Thailand as a whole, business wise on the international scale, unfortunately won't directly benefit the poor. Hence why they vote for populist parties like PTP who promise them a lot, but it's all empty and they can't see the lies behind the show. Democracy works in countries where people make informed decision on who to vote for, but in a country where more than 50% have minimal education it's very difficult for them to see the greater picture on what's beneficial to the development of Thailand. They just can't see it at that scale.

Thailand's a quite complicated situation.

It is pretty cynical to believe that just because the majority lack a comprehensive education that they lack the sense and judgement to see"pork barreling" for what it is and therefore sell their vote to the highest bidder. Plenty of these people that I have met over the last 20 years or so are savvy and know a croc when they are fed one. If anything, they have a better sense of right and wrong and a stronger moral compass than their city cousins.

Cynical? No, fact. Education is critical. People fall for populist policies in the west and for the most part, the majority of people have completed at least high school education. There's also a vast difference between moral compass and growing business and a country. Your suggesting that one predicts the other or that simply having a moral compass (which will usually be at the level of to your fellow man) means that people can effectively decide on the larger picture and what's the best way to develop a country. They are unrelated.

At the end of the day, when you work to have shelter and food (and not much more), these are your priorities. You don't care if the country prospers as long as you have money to live. Hence populist policies will win, day in and day out. It doesn't mean that those policies are for the greater good of Thailand though.

I don't understand what's this protest for.

Do this people realized that it will be new elections soon and that PM is dissolving the government?

Yep. And that's what they are scared of. The Democrats can't win elections. They haven't won one in over 20 years. Elections means that they will lose. They want a power grab without elections.

And there's a good reason for this. As I said before...when more than 50% of the population is uneducated, it's very hard for them to see further than how much money is in my pocket, or to see the complexity of politics, promises and lies and thus choose which party will benefit Thailand and thus them (in the long term). Populace policies will ALWAYS win elections (they do even in the west), but that doesn't mean the governments that promise them are good for the country nor the people. As can be seem by the current government. Failed policy after policy. Maybe they deserve it in some karma way, but when people can't see the forest through the trees (ie the big picture) like most of the regional poor in Thailand, it means other's need to step up for them and the good of the country. Democracy only works when people are on a level playing field, in terms of the ability to make educated decisions. This is not Thailand.

As long as populist policies win, Thailand will go no where, because the people making them are only trying to line their own pockets. You only need to look at the qualifications/experience of most of the current governments bench to realise that most of them shouldn't even be there, ie they have no experience whatso ever in anything they are deciding on.

Well it is nice to see all the pro red/Thaskin farangs finally making a showing.

What boggles the mind is that all you supporters of the corrupt come from real democracy's that would have put

the PTP to bed a long time ago. So could it be that you all are dabbing in heartless heart of no morality?

Just to get that straight: there was an election here in 2010, as fair an election as Thailand ever will have one (which of course means: not fair at all, vote buying on either side, corruption running wild etc.) and parts of those who are now complaining, shot themselves in the foot with their brilliant "no vote"- strategy.

The outcome: one party more or less is the government, rules as they wish, fills their pockets, makes decissions mostly for their own...which simply every government since the stone-age has done...and all the (note: I am not saying "you"!) supporters of the opposition are now out in the streets and want to not only negate the outcome of that election, but are calling for a complete handover of power, to an un-elected government, to re-write the constitution and basically end all democracy, but at least "one man- one vote"...

From which country are you, where that is even slightly okay?

(Yes...I know! Thaksin= bad!)

You seem to be missing something. The REASON people are protesting. Because of this shame, probably illegal amnesty bill that the current government tried to push through. This was the spark of the protests, where the people said, ok we've accepted all the crap decisions you've made, rice pledging scheme and all, put the country into billiions of debt to fill your pockets, but this is the last straw.

If this happened in any other country, I'd bet there would be outrage as well. Trying to pass amnesty to convicted (not suspected) criminals and the biggest one at that. So it's all nice to say, accept what has happened. But being in power does not give a government the right to do as they wish. They are supposed to represent the people and for the last 2 years, they have worked with one main goal in mind................and people now see that.

The situation here, unfortunately, will not get any better as Suthep and the Dems do not want an ELECTED government. They want to be appointed by who knows who. They want to go back 50 - 60 years ago. That would not be a democratic government.

Well, in all fairness, the Red-shirts wanted Thaksin back and installed without an election, so they are no better. In case you haven't read the history on Thailand, the election process hasn't been a perfect bed of roses for the country. There are countries that don't have elections (e.g. UAE, Qatar, Vietnam, Laos, China, etc.) that have far more peace and security than many countries that do have elections (e.g. Malaysia, the Philippines, Greece, etc.). Elections do NOT bring peace and security! In Thailand, they spell disaster!

Are you serious? In most countries people want to vote for who runs their country.

Or in Thailand, the majority who are uneducated and vote for whomever will put the most money in their pocket (or promise too).

Unfortunately lack of education makes influencing the 'masses' easy. Most policies that will develop Thailand as a whole, business wise on the international scale, unfortunately won't directly benefit the poor. Hence why they vote for populist parties like PTP who promise them a lot, but it's all empty and they can't see the lies behind the show. Democracy works in countries where people make informed decision on who to vote for, but in a country where more than 50% have minimal education it's very difficult for them to see the greater picture on what's beneficial to the development of Thailand. They just can't see it at that scale.

Thailand's a quite complicated situation.

You guys are all so nice for helping this OP pick a bike. However his budget (that he told me he could buy my Ninja for) only allows for a second hand CBR250. As ninja's are still more expensive second hand, his budget won't get close to the second hand (few years old) price of a Ninja.

Hence for him, it's a bit of a moot choice. Since your budget allows for a CBR go with the second hand CBR and be done with it. Don't pine over choices when your budget doesn't allow for it. We all need to work to a budget, the CBR will be a fine bike for the money you have to spend.

Whichever one I choose, what guys do recommend me to pay attention to when I'm buying it? That is to say, what necessary documents must it have, which parts of the motorcycle do I have to pay attention to especially more carefully, etc?

Just buy my bike and be done with it at least someone will be using it.

Seriously though...I'm not sure if you know what you want.

CBR was great for two people, but I could not stand the single cynlinder engine breaking...it drove me insane, so I got a ninja. As well as the sound, it sounds like a scooter. But that's secondary.

I love my Ninja, but just don't use it anymore, so the only reason I'm getting rid of it is because it's pointless having it just sitting there.

If you are thinking of a second hand Ninja, let me know, if you're going to go with the CBR, there are heaps second hand around.

Either way, you'll be pretty happy.

Funny how they leave out Aust & NZ.

Wikipedia: "ASEAN stated that it aims to complete all its free trade agreements with China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand by 2013, in line with the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASEAN

Australia one of the few countries with a "free trade agreement, at least it is "under investigation" since Barnaby Joyce bought up the Thai - Aust agreement 2 weeks ago as an example of how not to make a Fre Trade Agreement and used it as an example how some countries can not be trusted on ABC Q&A show while discussing the Chinese free trade agreement that the libs are trying to get done. He specificly mentioned how the Thais went against the spirit of it by manipulating CC engine sizes of vehicles to abuse it and it is all one sided due to this.

Go Thais Go alt=w00t.gif width=18 height=20> alt=bah.gif width=19 height=19>

Very interesting indeed. I missed this. It would be about time Australia realises how Australian exports in the FTA are being screwed into Thailand and they aren't abiding by the agreement. Would be nice to see Thailand questioned internationally for once and Australia start to re-neg on some of the agreements for Thai exports in Aus. Maybe they will wake up?

Subaru has been delivering the wrx and stis official to Thailand. However this year they dropped the standard wrx and are only importing the sti.

If you wanted to check if it was a grey import or not..get the vin and engine number. Subaru thailand will hbe able to tell you if it was officially imported or not. You will also be able to tell if its a legit car ie real sti as well.

Stis come out of Japan tuned on 98. Id say that subaru is detuning them to 95 when supplying them to thailand. This is something that would be important to check as if they are grey imports without being detuned, they'd be pinging like crazy and well you could end up with a dud. After 2006 subaru went backwards and the internals of the stis were no longer all forged..unlike the gdb sti, which was pretty hard to break.

If you can find a Thailand delivered one that was bought from subaru thailand originally, you'd probably have better luck with it. I'm always keeping an eye out, but no rush as yet.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Thaivisa Connect App

Capital punishment is a difficult one. I think there are few circumstances where it should be applied (people who torture and murder, serial killers etc). But the penalty for drug trafficking, the death penalty? It's insane. Unfortunately, many people in this world are naive, stupid, down on their luck, believe they can get away with it, just the one time, so they can fix their other major issues in life and on and on. Are they stupid, sure...but they don't deserve to die for it.

All you pro capital punishment people (for trafficking drugs), disgust me. People need to pay for their mistakes, but not with their life. Things like this deserve a second chance. They aren't the big drug dealers, they are the patsies. Don't be so hasty to sentence someone to death...don't be so angry and realise people (including yourselves) can make bad judgments.

Really I do not understand why there are so many persons opposed to the death penalty---perhaps they are chiefly ignorant christians who suffer under the illusion that this present body is the only human life we will ever have,while in fact even their own scripture recognizes eternal life.It is a fact that no living being can ever die.The spirit or the life power within the body cannot die so in fact death is just a change of body,so what is the problem in killing a person who richly deserves to be relieved of the human form.That person has willingly risked losing it and so be it.That person will gradually evolve through the species to one day again have the opportunity to enjoy a human body and perhaps the next time he does have it he may use it properly, to get the hell out of hell and not come back.Read Bhagavada Gita AS it is if you dont believe me.It is online and free.

What are you smoking?

Just a tip on opening a Thai Bank Account.

I opened one when I didn't even have a Visa ... just a Visa exempt stamp.

Try this ...

I went to a Thai stockbroker and opened an account.

She then introduced me to the Branch where they Bank (SCB Silom Rd) and done!

That was 5 years ago ... though maybe worth a shot?

I already have a Bangkok Bank account (one of the only ones that will, but I have been on a non-immigrant visa). Just depends if they let us open a dual name account. Or amend one of her's or mine with both our names. Will see on Monday.

Thanks nightwatch. A little different as we have been living together for 18 months in Thailand. All the emotional, other stuff will be no issue at all. Her first visa to Aus was applied for in November last year (where we stated we have been living together since February 2012). The issue I potentially foresee is that, I don't need to send her money (we live together) and have only been apart for 2 months in March/April 2012, she did use my Thai ATM card while I was away (the first month after meeting and moving in together...we were fast...well probably me... (guess that could be something, but so long ago). Since then, TOT told us, they can't put the bill in two names (going to try again), True won't let me put my name on anything as I don't have a WP, could open a bank account, which we will do now (usually used cash, so never thought about it before), and started to pay electricity online, but it's easier to pay at 7-11 in cash, so we have been doing this the whole time. Have a rental contract in the same place since the beginning, which we supplied with her first tourist visa application. I guess things like, her dental expenses sometimes where paid by her (on her ATM card (I think) and sometimes on my credit card from Aus, when her business was slow (and before she opened it).

I might go and chat to the embassy or call them to get a bit more info. Thailand's a bit unique in that utilities are in the owners (not renters) name. And without a WP, some business won't put a foreigners name on anything (ie True and even most banks).

Other than that, we receive no mail to our address (except an Ikea catalogue in my name), but she receives nothing, as banks don't send out statements.

(Suprised yours was approved (based on not actually living together continuously, which is a general requirement of defacto relationship (not criticizing, just suprised, positively though), even if claiming things in Australia (ie centrelink, not immigration)). But good to see, that they look at more than just that.