thenewgoo

Looks like the ZRH route is also diverting.

Yes

I have never seen queues longer at Chiang Mai immigration (outbound) last night. Stretching right down the top floor, almost as far as McDonalds.

So they have checked their scales, and can now accurately calculate excess baggage fees and this is going to bolster passenger confidence and enhance airline safety. Got it.

No, Daddy doesn't like it.

So people have been getting 'Student Visas' for online courses? Sounds like an inventive loophole.

Hey Captain - I ran "Where are the naughty foreigners" through that ChatGPT thingy. I think I may have found them! Great work Constable, let's roll. found in popular tourist destinations like Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. Bangkok: Areas like Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy, and Patpong are known for their nightlife and adult entertainment scenes. Pattaya: Walking Street is famous for its vibrant nightlife, bars, and adult entertainment establishments. Phuket: Patong Beach’s Bangla Road is a lively area with many bars, clubs, and entertainment venues.

Tourists who like to vape may want to consider alternative holiday destinations.

I love how avoiding legal proceeding against him is now considered a 'self imposed exile'.

Never before has Chinese New Year been a date to look forward to in Thailand for so many....oh wait....pending the completion of their digital payment system.

Got a broken pipe causing big issues. Anybody know a good company to help quickly?? A few Somchais have already failed. Please let me know, the problem isn't getting smaller!

Exit Thailand on the Thai passport, enter Australia on the Australian. Exit Australia on the Australian and enter Thailand back on the Thai passport. Pretty simple, done it many times with my Aus/Thai kids. If you are travelling with the mum, then no problem or need for Ampur stuff. Lots of conflicting info re; need for permission from mum letters. Personally, I have taken my son to Aust without it - and had no problems. If you are worried about it, then cover your bases with a visit to the amphur.

That's a harsh statement given the previous grants and background information. If you read it?

Apparently 2 years in considered enough time to no longer be 'settled' according to the policy interpretation of this visa case manager. It seems the 40+ years I lived in Australia don't mean anything. Yes, this contradicted previous visa applications which were all granted under the 'Sponsored Family Stream'.

So, just to add closure to this whole episode, my wife has now been granted a tourist visa. Hooray! She will join us as a tourist - not as my wife lol

You are right, promo flights are non-refundable so I really do only have another $200 to lose. All the best sir.

Yeah - thanks. It seems more likely I'll be taking the kids by myself. I am not even sure the timeframe before Christmas would allow but I'll look into it. Gutted. There is no appeal avenue that is feasible. Is it really just back luck or is this policy now consistently applied by the Australian Embassy in Bangkok? It must be much more far-reaching than my case.

This was meant to read 'outside of Australia' BTW.

Thanks for your reply and interest. I have snipped the ruling (nothing personal) for you. In answer to your questions: Yes, this was the only reason for refusal. Our last visit was Christmas 2022 same visa type. She probably wouldn't qualify for a tourist stream having been a non-employed homemaker for the last 15 years. I wouldn't have booked the air tix if I knew they were going to randomly pull out the 'settled' clause. I didn't expect any issues. Thank you again.

My wife has been refused a visitor visa to Australia to visit my aging mother for Christmas. Her application was fine except, me, the sponsor has not been deemed to be a 'settled' Australian. In short, they deem anyone who has lived outside of Australia for more than 2 years as not a settled Australian and illegible to sponsor a family member. Having been in Thailand for a number of years as a contracted international school teacher, this was a shock given that we have used this visa route before a number of times without issue. Needless to say all this has caused emotional distress to my family, and the impending financial distress that is looming with flight refunds etc is turning all this into a nightmare. I am beginning to hate my country. My question is has anybody seen such a refusal? There must be thousands of Australian expats out there that like to visit with their Thai wife, who have been outside of Thailand more than 2 years.

Mi pet kup.

Stoners trying to rush things through?! Now I have heard everything.

How about getting neither and putting some money into the education sector?

What does this mean - various potential social risks!? Maybe blindfolding the kids on the school bus?