waters

Thanks Mario2008 - understood. In the spirit of 'not creating any ripples or disturbances' - I think going and getting a Non-B will likely be the best bet. My employer can then follow their 'regular' process. :-)

Hi All,

I've just received a job offer here in Thailand - however, I'm currently on a 30 day entry visa waver stamp - which expires on November 19th (I've just come back into the country as of this Sunday).

My questions are:

1) Will I need to take the letter of offer, and all supporting docs and leave again - applying for a 90 day Non-B business visa at one of the regional Thai Embassy's or consulars? (my employer would then continue as normal with the extension and work-permit application once I return)

2) Or can we simply go to immigration at Chaeng Wattena with all the required docs, and apply for an extension, and then work-permit without having to leave Thailand and apply for a Non-B visa?

If 1) then any suggestions on a cost effective trip to a local consular or Embassy for the Non-B visa would be much appreciated.

Best,

waters

Thanks ronz28 for the helpful and interesting links.

Another very helpful thread on ThaiVisa.

Here's my scenario.

• I've been working in IT (infrastructure as well as systems design and software development) for 18 years.
  
• I have lived in Thailand in two phases for 10+ years. Speak nearly fluent Thai (very basic reading/writing - although I'd like to sit the Por 6 exam one day).
  
• I have a master's degree in science from Royal Holloway, London University (MSc Information Security)
  
• I have a diploma in biology from a Canadian community college (with a high scoring diploma - and enough professional experience - UK universities will allow you to enroll in post-graduate education - which is what I did).
  
• I am about to marry my Thai partner - who is a professional with a good income.
  
• I'm 48
  
• I'm considering the CELTA program at International House
  

And so the upshot of the above - is that I'm considering a switch into teaching for the remainder of my working life here in Thailand.

My questions are.

1. General prospects? Opportunities? How do I fare?
   
2. How much does age matter? 48 now - a 10 -15 year teaching career takes me into my 60s
   
3. How best to get a sense of the 'lay of the land' here for teaching. A list of schools? Places to start?
   
4. If I'm serious about it - and don't mind a slow ramp-up, is there anything wrong with starting at a language academy (like ECC, Siam Computer) etc - to get some TESL experience first? Or should I head straight for the private schools, unviersities etc?
   
5. ABAC offer an M.Ed - which is taught in evenings for two years. At my age - and assuming I could keep up with the workload in addition to teaching (working) - would an M.Ed from ABAC help?
   
6. Is there any chance that having a diploma as opposed to a BSc before completing my MSc will confuse employers or the MoE here in Thailand? Or is my MSc degree and transcript (with distinction) likely suffice?
   

Any other tips or pointers greatly appreciated.

Hi beano2274,

We've had our Thai wedding ceremony - but have not yet registered the marriage.

Thanks ThaidDown - very helpful.

Hi All,

My Thai partner and I are planning on registering our marriage here in Bangkok.

Before we do - we'd like to know what if any implications there are for the home and land she owns in her hometown. Her family home and the property it is built on is currently in her name - although at some point in the future it will likely be split between her and her only sibling. The land is valuable and naturally her family would like to know if there are any issues that she should aware of before marrying a foreigner.

So our question is twofold.

First - are there any implications under the Thai Land Law that may complicate her ownership of the house and land if she marries a foreigner. I've read the following here http://www.thaivisa....thailand.0.html ...

... However, under current Land Office policy the Thai spouse can own land in Thailand, provided that the foreign spouse signs a letter declaring the property to be the separate property of the Thai spouse and waiving any interest in the property.

... which suggests that all that is required is a letter for the Land Office. Is this letter the same as a prenuptial agreement? Or is there a simple letter available from the Land Office that we can use?

Second, should she be concerned about preparing a prenuptial agreement to protect her ownership of the house and personal property?

Thoughts?

Hi Deserted - no I didn't - although having lived in Thailand for a while now, I went through the usual mental exercise of preparing myself for the worst, as well as preparing myself for the possibility of having to do it twice. I speak reasonably good Thai as well which helps a lot.

As others have commented in the forums - for the most part, the various ministries and offices in Thailand are very helpful and always willing to answer questions. Things tend to break down when one or more parties loses their cool - or if there is a genuine problem communicating.

So this is hardly an epic Visa run story - but I thought I'd post about my trip to the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday to have the translation of my marriage affidavit certified.

The Legalisation and Naturalisation Division,

Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (www.mfa.go.th)

123 Chaeng Wattana Road, Laksi District, Bangkok 11120

Tel. 0– 2575 1056–59, 0–2981 7171

The main ministry building opens its doors at 7:30am - so there's no point in being there earlier than that.

Once inside the legalisation section (certification of translations) is on the 3rd floor and it opens at 8:00am - so if you're early - there are seats and people who queue up on the second floor before going upstairs to the legalisation section at 8am.

Once you're upstairs there's a screening counter - where you will be told which form to use. You'll also need a copy of the photo and ID page of your passport (although strangely it will be given back to you when you're done).

For a single page document (a marriage affidavit in this case) there's simple form to fill in, with your name and address and signature. You then go back to the screening counter and they'll tell you to go see the supervisor around the corner. There are yellow A4 sheets stuck to the pillars on the way out of the legalization area that you follow left down the hall, turn right, and walk into the supervisors office on the left. It's a drab room, with a carpet, a few empty desks and a little old lady who sits there and examines your document, and form. She then signs the form and tells you to go back to the legalisation area.

Once there, you go back to the screening counter and you'll be asked if you would like the regular (400 Baht), or express (urgent - 800 Baht) service. You'll be given a number, and told to wait for your number to be called. When you're called - you present your documents and then sit down again. Next, your name will be called and you will pay your certification fee at the payment window. You'll be given a receipt. If you chose the express service - you can come back and pick your certified document up in about 3 hours.

If you have nothing better to do - you can eat in the restaurant on the ground floor, or head back to the main intersection at Chaeng Wattana Road (by taxis) where IT Square is located. At the back there is a Foodland - which is an excellent place to have breakfast.

Just before noon I went back to the ministry to collect my certified translation. By this time during the day the legalization area was very full - there were a lot more people there than in the morning. So I'd recommend if you are doing this yourself, get there for just before 8am (or even earlier if you want to miss the worst of the traffic). Sit in the second floor waiting area and relax before the 8am opening.

And that's it.

Lite Beer - true - and that would be fun to watch :-). I wonder if it would have to be the 'seasoned' money route to the tune of 400,000 Baht or whether I could claim she was a source of income - lol.

Okay understood. Thanks lopburi3 and kotsak for your replies.

Hi All,

I'm guessing this is unlikely - but does anyone know if my Thai wife's income can be considered in support of a 1 year extension to stay based on marriage to a Thai national?

I understand that on my own - I would need to show a 'seasoned' bank balance of 400K, or a minimum income of 40k to qualify for the one year extension.

My wife earns a substantial monthly salary (well above 40K). Could this be used instead? i.e. Does spousal income count?

Best

waters

Okay well that was easy. The Phaya Thai District Office is just around the corner from us, and so I popped-in and asked one of the officers at the registration counter if a translated and legalized version of my divorce certificate would be required.

It is NOT required, as the affirmed affidavit sworn at the Canadian Embassy (translated and then legalized at CW) states that I am eligible to marry.

And that's it.

:-)

Hi All,

I've just had my marriage affidavit affirmed at the Canadian Embassy as well as translated - so in theory - I'm all set for a trip to Chaeng Watthana to legalize the translation.

In my affidavit I declared that I am divorced, and provided the Canadian Embassy with a copy of my certificate of divorce.

I was told by the consular official that this was the last time I would need my divorce certificate, however, in a previous thread - I have seen that the divorce certificate may actually be required at the marriage registration (in addition to the letter of affirmation and my passport). Is this true?

In which case does this mean I must have BOTH the letter of affirmation (affidavit) AND the divorce certificate translated and then legalized at Chaeng Watthana?

We'll likely register the marriage at Khet Phayathai here in Bangkok.

Thoughts or advice greatly appreciated...

waters

Thanks ubonjoe - the sleeper train to Ubon and crossing at Chong Mek sounds like it might be fun. I'm a shutter bug as well - and so a trip like this might make for some nice photography.

Thanks lopburi3,

I've also just seen an AirAsia flight to Nakhon Phanom for 2,326.50 THB all-in.

So maybe the following is an option: Fly to Nakhon Phanom, then a bus to Mukdahan, cross to Suvanakhet - cross back to Mukdahan (within the same hour or so). Take the bus back to Nakhon Phanom - spending a night there before flying back to Bangkok the next day.

Hi All,

I'm looking for a relatively comfortable option for my 90 day in and out visa run.

I posted earlier concerning a marriage extension - but have only a week left on my current 90 day stay, and doubt we'll get all our docs together in time.

I have a 1 year multiple entry non-B - and this next 90 day in and out will bring me up to the end of the validity period of my visa. I have not been working in Thailand for the period of this visa and so do not have a work permit (at the moment).

I recall there being differences between land crossings - vs. international air.

So my first question - is whether there is any reason to be concerned about doing a land crossing - say to Savannakhet, or Vientiane? A very long time ago in Phuket - doing a 90 day visa run on a Non-B - and coming back by land in the South of Thailand without being able to show a work-permit could have potentially got you a 30 day tourist visa waiver instead (they were cracking down on dive masters and dive instructors at the time). Is there any chance that could happen now?

My second question is what would make for a relatively pleasant journey - just to cross the boarder, maybe stay a night (on either side), and then come back to Bangkok.

I've read several of the Savannakhet reports (although these are mainly for new visa applications) - including a recent poster that flew to Nakhon Phanom via Nok Air. This might be fun. Fly to Nakhon Phanom, take a bus to Mukdahan, cross the border and then come back immediately - taking the bus back to Nakhon Phanom and then Nok Air back to Bangkok the next day? I've left it late - but Nok Air offer 4,800 Baht return to Nakhon Phanom. Bus fairs and visa on arrival to Laos plus one night in Nakhon Phanom and this option would cost about 6-7,000 Baht I guess.

Thoughts?

I also don't mind the idea of taking a VIP coach out of Bangkok, and doing things at a relaxed pace - again spending a night on either side.

My last boarder run was a rather dull flight to Changi Airport and back on the same day - and flights are anywhere from 8,510 Baht (Air Asia) to 11,000 Baht (Thai Airways) to Singapore - all more expensive now since I've left it late.

Any suggestions, tips or advice greatly appreciated...

Thanks everyone for the replies. Great - and understood on all counts.

Does anyone know if being employed locally on a salary greater than 40,000 Baht would meet the income requirement for the 1 year extension of stay (for being married to a Thai national). If it does then I'm assuming proof of income would come from my employer, and not from my Embassy or anyone else. Correct?

I'm currently in Thailand on a 1 year multiple entry Non-B (Business) visa with in/out trips required every 90 days - although I'm NOT currently working.

I have however, worked in Thailand before and so am familiar with the process of applying for a 1 year extension from immigration and then keeping this in sync with your work-permit (requiring a small mountain of paperwork).

I'm also recently married to a Thai national.

There's also a chance I will be working again soon - and I believe it is now possible to apply for a work-permit while on a Non-O (Thai Spouse) visa - hence my desire to convert to a Non-O.

My question is whether anyone believes it would be possible to apply for a Non-O (Thai Spouse) and 1 year extension all in one go at immigration over on Chaengwattana? (assuming the minimum finance, or income requirements are met). I'd effectively be showing up at immigration with a Non-B, but applying for a 1 year Non-O (Thai Spouse) extension.

Will this work?

Or would it be better/easier/simpler to use up my Non-B first and then apply for a Non-O (Thai Spouse) in Savannakhet or elsewhere as described in the forums - and then apply for the 1 year extension when I'm back in Thailand on a Non-O.

Thoughts?

You could try speaking with Scott Davies at American-Thai in the jewelry tower in Silom near the Holiday Inn Hotel. His shop is on the ground floor and if he can't help he may be able to recommend others who could help. Hope that helps.

Thanks!

How can a ring mean a lot to you....its a thing.!!! Get a life for Gods sake.. sing sing and show your ring... and I bet you will find out its a spinal...... just because its Red does not mean its sapphire... spinal looks just the same as red corundum...(ruby) And a jewler would not be able to tell unless he is a gemologyst.. Only very recently it was discovered that the Black Princes ruby in the British Queens crown, is in fact a spinal. not worth a ha,pence , but a very nice stone.... Buy your chick a new ring ..

Well - it was given to us by my mother, and it was actually my father's ring - who has since passed away. He would have wanted us to wear it on our wedding day. But then maybe you're struggling to understand the sentiment, and feeling - given the psychopathic nature of your reply.

Hi All,

My fiancé and I are looking for a good jeweler in Bangkok. We have an old family ring, gold with a ruby that we'd like to have re-made into a smaller band with a ruby and perhaps diamond inset. We know absolutely nothing about jewelry - and only what we've read about gold (Baht value etc) here in Thailand.

Any suggestions? The ring means a lot to us - and we're a little nervous about having this done here.

Thanks,

Waters