Madgee

I'd be most grateful if anyone can provide an 'official' link for the financial requirements regarding the amount of time 800,000baht must be seasoned for the 1st yearly extension on the basis of retirement.

I have a single entry 90 day non immigrant 'O' visa.

Many people say on this forum, for the first extension it's 60 days seasoning but my immigration office requested 90 days and suggested a trip to Laos for another visa to give me more time. Eventually, after some friendly banter, they relented and issued my extension stating it was a 'special case'!

Before anyone jumps the gun, no 'tea money' was asked for and none given.

Just out of curiousity, I'd like to find an 'official' link stating this to see who is right.

Many thanks in advance.

Legitimation of Children in Thailand

http://www.siam-legal.com/legal_services/Legitimation-of-a-Child-in-Thailand.php

I'm no legal expert but according to the link above, the father has legal rights over the child as he is on the birth certificate. To me, it's not rocket science, it's not disputed that he is the biological father and unless there is some sort of court order against him, rightly or wrongly he has rights! To obtain what you want, especially as you are in the UK, is going to be a long, tedious and expensive task.

As you know, if / when you apply for her settlement visa you will be required to submit her birth certificate with a legalised letter from the father giving his consent or a Thai court order stating he has no custodial rights. IMO, those that say it is not necessary are wrong and failure to disclose all circumstances could cost you and your wife the reunion you desire with the child. The way the UKBA is, any discrepancy will give them the opportunity to refuse.

I'll agree with some other posters on this one, although not ethical, a plea about a better education etc. and some form of financial compensation could be the quickest and cheapest solution in the long run.

Just out of interest, what's the grandparents take on all this? Their influence could be crucial.

Another reason for going down the route of marriage extension is the missus!

In a few days I'll be off to immigration to get my first extension on the basis of retirement, which will give me time to get my paperwork sorted out from the UK and visit BKK, so I can get hitched in Thailand. Straight after that, on the wishes of my future missus, I'll change the status of my extension of stay.

She would rather see me here knowing it's for her, not just for retirement. Silly I know but there is some logic in her thinking.

Don't wish to tempt fate in your and the OP's cases, but, conversely, should one's marriage go belly-up for any reason, any extension of stay based on marriage would automatically lapse from the date of any resultant divorce, which would then mean one having 7 days max to leave the country.

An extension of stay based on retirement would, however, avoid such a calamity. For this reason I would personally never contemplate switching from retirement to marriage for extension of stay purposes unless I found myself no longer able to meet the retirement financial requirements, despite being in a sound marriage to my teerak.

Another point which might be worth bearing in mind is that, while it should be possible to accomplish a retirement extension with a single visit to one's local immigration office, one would need at least 2 visits in the case of a marriage extension (which might be a material factor if one lived a considerable distance from one's local immigration office as I do). This is because one is only given an interim 30-day "under consideration" stamp initially, after which one has to return for the final stamp - assuming, of course, that the local immigration Head Honcho has approved one's extension in the meantime.

Each to their own, I can understand where you're coming from but........

Thinking about plan 'B' before I even get married???

IMHO, not a good mental attitude to have.

I'm 120k away from the designated immigration office so it's a fair distance, so what?

It's not a hardship to have a day out and explore the surrounding area, you never know what you might come across. In my case, I prefer to be out and about doing something rather than stuck in front of a keyboard like today. (heavy rain for the last 6 hrs!) On the rare occasions an extension is refused on the basis of marriage then I still have time to go down the retirement route which would be what I previously had.

Again, everyone has a different perspective of things; good to hear you have a sound marriage.

Another reason for going down the route of marriage extension is the missus!

In a few days I'll be off to immigration to get my first extension on the basis of retirement, which will give me time to get my paperwork sorted out from the UK and visit BKK, so I can get hitched in Thailand. Straight after that, on the wishes of my future missus, I'll change the status of my extension of stay.

She would rather see me here knowing it's for her, not just for retirement. Silly I know but there is some logic in her thinking.

Welcome back Flamini!

well, he has been training at the club for the last 2 weeks.

Tears For Fears ... Everybody Wants To Rule The World

Absolute Radio 70's ... Fantastic radio station!

^^^ the Op

This is the link for the info I've supplied.

https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports/y/thailand/renewing_new/adult

I did notice they do ask for a copy of your present visa so it might be worth asking them for the letter you require?

The key word in your quoted text is "if". When you are renewing a passport and submitting the old one you do not need it countersigned

>

@#post 2

It's important that only 1 photo is countersigned, the other must remain blank.

Quote from UK passport renewal guidance notes:

'If your application needs to be countersigned, please

ask your counter signatory to certify only one of your

photographs.The second photograph must be left

blank.'

I do know of someone who made this mistake and he was requested to send another photo!

You say the key word is 'if' but if you are applying from Thailand then it's highly advisable NOT to submit your old passport as it should be available for inspection by the Thai authorities at all times. This advice is also recommended by the UK Embassy.

Quote:

'Keep your existing passport for security and ID purposes - dont send it with your application.'

@#post 2

It's important that only 1 photo is countersigned, the other must remain blank.

Quote from UK passport renewal guidance notes:

'If your application needs to be countersigned, please

ask your counter signatory to certify only one of your

photographs.The second photograph must be left

blank.'

I do know of someone who made this mistake and he was requested to send another photo!

The modern day English language derives from a mix of many languages from different countries. Northern Germany and France are the leading contributors, add to that the Roman influence and Latin from the influence of the church and now you can see why English is such a hard language for non-speakers to learn.

Who is the rightful owner of the English language?

The Angles = British!

I'm no expert but I just found this:

http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/issuesanswers/2012/article1350.html

Hi Lefty,

Yes, I believe your friend can do everything in CM.

https://www.gov.uk/notarial-and-documentary-services-guide-for-thailand

Scroll down to:

'Guidance for British nationals wishing to marry in Thailand'

A guide for the AFFIRMATION OF FREEDOM TO MARRY

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/188293/Affirmation_of_freedom_to_marry_in_Thaliand.pdf

Don't forget to change the wording accordingly and substitute CM for Bangkok at the bottom if doing this at the British Consulate in CM.

This has to signed in front of the consular officer.

Get approved translation etc. etc.

Congratulations to your friend.

This is a little blunt but truthful!

When I was advising about IELTS at Guangxi Uni in S-China, they had several young interns over the summer months to fill the gap left by the contract staff, who were on their summer holidays.

It only took a week for the guys and gals to discover where the nightclubs were, how cheap the local beer was and how easy it was to have a good time into the early hours ... every night! Teach? Most of them couldn't even stand up in the morning and it was left to the few of us who continued to work during the summer to cover their <deleted>!

TBH, I don't blame them, especially the guys. Having a few weeks in a different country surrounded by little beauties

and cheap booze, knowing that you are only there for a few weeks? Irresistible for a 20 something year old.

Ok, irresponsible but what do the people expect who arrange this kind of thing?

What's with all this sniping about British English?

Aussies, Brits, Americans, NZ's etc. all have their own dialects and different words for different things, so what?

I just feel sorry for those trying to learn English from a prejudiced teacher who is unwilling to be a little universal with the language.

2400 Baht??????????

I'd certainly question this!

I've recently set up two accounts with Bangkok Bank, one fixed account and one savings acct with a Be 1st card for daily use with SMS notifications on any transactions and a weekly SMS balance on a Monday morning. Registering for internet banking was easily done online with no hassles.

No fees if you use BB ATM's, in fact you can register for online banking (free) at an ATM using the other services option.

Total cost 300 baht.

Relatively easy to do, even with non-English speaking staff in the depths of Isaan.

No problems so far.

Didn't you read the title of the thread ? The OP said he was "set up".

Touchy - Touchy ..... had a bad hair day?

A Schengen visa in general needs to be applied for in the country the applicant resides in.

An application while in the UK on a visitor status is only possible when the applicant is able to justify why an application from home was not possible.

You may try to apply for a visa, but be prepared that it can take several weeks before a decision is made. The consular officers of the country you intend to visit, stationed in the United Kingdom are able to check the genuineness of documents originated in the United Kingdom; they are not able to check documents from Thailand, hence the application with the supporting documents will be sent by diplomatic courier service through the Spanish Ministry to the Embassy of the country in Thailand for recommendations.

It's worth enquiring at the Spanish Embassy in person.

Many international students in the UK, who were unaware of the need for a Schengen visa to visit Europe, are successful in obtaining a visa by using an appointed agent of their educational institution. I know from experience that Spain is one of the most tedious to deal with.

I've heard it's a nice place so would to give it a try but where exactly is it?

Thanks in advance

2400 Baht??????????

I'd certainly question this!

I've recently set up two accounts with Bangkok Bank, one fixed account and one savings acct with a Be 1st card for daily use with SMS notifications on any transactions and a weekly SMS balance on a Monday morning. Registering for internet banking was easily done online with no hassles.

No fees if you use BB ATM's, in fact you can register for online banking (free) at an ATM using the other services option.

Total cost 300 baht.

Relatively easy to do, even with non-English speaking staff in the depths of Isaan.

No problems so far.

Thunderbirds Are Go!

Just listening to the theme tune brings back happy memories of Saturday morning cinema for kids.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xx63gk_thunderbirds-opening-and-closing-theme-1965-1966_shortfilms?search_algo=2

Sorry, I forgot to add that even with a multi-entry F visa the duration of each stay is normally 30 days. Depending on where you are situated, a quick trip off the mainland and back in is sufficient to satisfy immigration.

Hi M & D,

You do not need a work permit so don't worry about that.

What you do need is an 'F' Visa (business visa). No age limit.

This can be easily obtained by your company and if they require you to go in and out of China then it's quite feasible for them to apply for a 12 month multi-entry F visa, this will allow you to come and go as you please. Failing that, a multi-entry 6 month F visa is the norm.

Don't believe what you read on the 'official' Chinese websites as they are normally not up to date, the regulations change very frequently in China.

It's worth mentioning that when you get to China, if you are not staying in an authorised hotel, make sure you obtain a temporary residence permit from the local police station within 24 hrs, this is stated on your entry card. Also, you need to do this every time you enter, even if you are staying at the same place.

Second and third point, hardly, except if there is a large age gap between you, then sure. But for those with partners around the same age, this doesn't come into it. It also depends on how the girl dresses, acts etc. Body language is everything.

Nope, most Thais will assume any girl with a foreigner is a hooker.

Doesn't matter what their relative ages are or how either of them dresses.

That's just the way Thais think.

bullshit ,

+1

All I can say is you (AOA) must have a serious attitude problem with Thai women.

I just showed my GF your ludicrous post and she chuckled, called you pathetic and asked me if you were gay!

Color me perplexed but what is with all this 400k in the bank stuff? I go back to Melbourne every time my visa is up since it coincides with a few other commitments I have there I just do it at the consulate.

Last week, I redid my non o for the 4th or 5th time and all that is required is Marriage Cert, letter from missus in Thai stating we're married, her ID card and the completed form. That's it.

Is it a case that different consulate/embassy requires different things?

http://www.thaiconsulatemelbourne.com/non-immigrant-visa.php

No mention of funding on the above website!

I got a non imm O visa in China (reason given: retirement) a few weeks ago and I definitely had to show funding in a bank equivalent to 800,000k baht along with an onward flight.

Different requirements from different consulates in different countries? ..... Looks like it.

I've witnessed this insane phenomena in Roi-Et.

When I asked my GF why I got a very simple answer; sun protection.

A lot of research and debate was done on another forum not long ago about this dilemma a short time ago.

The basic consensus resulted in the simple fact of 'Westerners' tend to book their flights well in advance using the so-called discounts available from many airlines who then can manage their bums on seats more efficiently, where as in Asia, travellers tend to book flights with short notice or at the last minute.

In fact, many international flights that originate from an Asian destination are hard to book satisfactorily several months ahead because itineraries frequently get changed, especially China Southern!

JMO, supply and demand will always have some influence on pricing policies.

I'm sure there are common sense approaches to ATM use which reduces your of skimming (i.e. using ATM inside well lit buildings, shopping centres etc and taking note of the condition of the card entry point etc... )...

I would like to have the Chip and Pin option in Thailand. This option has been available in the UK for nearly a decade. Customer / consumer protection is not high on the list of priorities for Banks in Thailand. At least not until the customer starts to care about this.

I had a large amount in my SCB account (which I've had for 15 years or so). When I asked to open a second account and explained that I want one which is card free to keep most of the money in it and another with a small 'user-balance' with a card I was told that I couldn't open a second account without a work permit (I'm now working overseas).

SCB recognised the risk, they even agreed it was a good idea to have a second account. But couldn't help me due to red tape.

Thus: Reading threads on similar subjects before it might be worthwhile roaming a few Bangkok Bank Branches until one accepts to provide me with an account and ATM.

I am new to Thailand and had no problems opening two accounts with Bangkok Bank.

With security the key issue, I opened one with an ATM card for daily use and one without to hold the main balance with both accounts linked using internet banking to transfer funds. Easy Peasey!