greg67

I have Fujitsu U810. I love this little thing. Paid about $900 US after mail in rebate a month ago.

I've been getting non-O visa in the US based on the same circumstances for the past three years. Each time I was asked to provide a proof that I have at least $500 in my account.

You can also purchase "non-owners liability insurance." I have one thru my bank - USAA for only $5 per year.. A few years ago, before I opened account with USAA, I bought one from some company in Texas over the internet. It was under $100 per year but unfortunately I don't remember the company name. Try to Google for a "non-owners car insurance."

Last week, my wife had a nasty accident that left my car seriously damaged... Luckily she escaped without major injuries and, after a night in hospital, was allowed to go home. I'd like to ask you, fellow members for a constructive advice about the situation I'm facing: Since we didn't have a 1st Class insurance, is it worth fixing this car? It is 4 year old Ford Ranger with 100.000 KM and the price of repair was estimated at about 150.000 Bath.. The frame and the engine were not damaged and according to "experts" it looks much worse than it really is.. I'm currently outside Thailand and can't inspect the car myself. I'd like to hear your constructive input and honest opinion.

I just received my mail from the US and sure enough there was a letter from my credit card company informing me about a class action suit and possible reimbursement of foreign transaction fees. I clearly remember how, about six years ago, I called my credit card company and tried to have them remove these transaction fees. They wouldn't budge. I hope we'll get our money back with interest.

I you have strong ties to Thailand and can your GF can prove strong ties to you, and child certainly helps, it should be no problem.

I do wonder if the 3 years to get your child a US passport says something about your ability to negotiate a bureaucracy.

TH

Maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. I don't know how familiar you are with the application process but after initial application everything is done by appointment only. You don't get to schedule any appointment dates. Embassy does. Initial application is only valid for 90 days and if the process is not completed in this timeframe you have to start over again. Because of the nature of my job I'm in and out of the country quite often, sometimes for extended periods of time. Embassy doesn't take this into consideration and when you miss the appointment you are basically back to square one. The waiting time for an appointment was about three to four months. I was never given any specific date that far in advance, I was just told to be ready in about three months and then wait for the phone call. One time I received a call after three PM informing me to be in BKK the very next day at 10 AM... I should add that at one point the Embassy missplaced my paperwork for several months, and it took a strong letter to Department of State in DC for my paperwork to reappear again... I hope that this will give you some perspective on the whole application process and my "ability to negotiate a bureaucracy"

Non-immigrant "O" visa.

Greg,

Admittedly, I don't read all that comes along on this forum -- but most of it. And I don't recall seeing anything in the past that showed Thai consulates in the US -- both MFA and honorary -- nor the Thai Embassy -- requiring proof of money in the bank as a requirement for a Non Imm O visa. Yes, a Non Imm O-A requires money in the bank. And recently Singapore started requiring money in the bank as a requirement for a Non Imm O. But your report, while certainly not a show stopper, just an added irritant, is interesting. I wonder if Singapore -- and now Boston -- are reacting to some MFA wisperings -- 'cause there's nothing out there in writing about bank account requirements for Non Imm O visas, at least that I'm familiar with.

What was the basis of your Non Imm O? Maybe that's where I'm bogging down, as I'm married to a Thai, and use that as my basis for getting my Non Imm O from Houston -- which two months ago didn't want to see my bank book.

And only $500? What comfort would that give to MFA authorities?

Anyway, another wrinkle in visa requirements keeps things interesting around here.

The basis for my Non-immigrant "O" visa was support of a Thai child. I was also very surprised that all they wanted to see was $500. The bank statement was from my US bank account. I hope everything will be as easy when I try to get a new visa later this year.

Our five year old daughter is a US citizen after completing very lenghty process that took almost three years... Later this year I'll be traveling to US for a nine-week training and I'd like my daughter and her mother (my girlfriend) to accompany me in the US. Since we are not technically married can my girlfriend apply for a US visa based on having an american child?

They only required that I show $500 in my account..

What were you applying for that requires $500 in a bank account?

Non-immigrant "O" visa.

Gentleman,

Thank you all for the replies, greatly appreciated.

Do consulates have the same forms? Can I download forms from the Royal Thai embassy site ( http://www.thaiembdc.org/index.htm ) to be sent to Boston or Denver consulates?

When I talked to Consul in Boston, I was told that it doesn't matter where I get the application. She was very informative and helpful to the point of emailing me when my passport arrived at her office.. Believe it or not but she is not even a Thai, she is an American. I called the consulate first to ask if it is O'K if I delete account number from my bank statement that was attached to the application. I did it to prevent identity deft and she said it was fine. They only required that I show $500 in my account..

Yes it can. Last Nov. I Fedexed my passport/application, from California, to Honorary Consulate in Boston, and I had it back in my hands in six days.

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when was a motorist there ever stopped for speeding?

snowwolf :- I have been stopped and fined TWICE for speeding out in the sticks, on a fast dual carriageway road. Once at 100kms/hr once at 120kms/hr. Both times I had to show my Thai licence, and one time when I had misplaced it, it took some very fast talking from my Thai wife to avoid being taken to the police station, even though the licence did appear in the end.

You can not pretend that what the Thais do, and get away with, will be the same for you. Try claiming on your insurance without a Thai Licence!! They will laugh at you.</font>

I was reimbursed 100% on my insurance claim with Virayath based on my International Driving Permit issued in Florida. I never had a Thai DL.

been here 3 weeks and i see the first coup d'eìtat in my entire life. should have stayed in vietnam where its safe.

actually its the people getting pissed off and start rioting that Im worried about. there might be robberies, rapes...hel_l break loose

Don't worry Xk***** Thais ,as general, are less prone to violence unlike the folks in New Orleans.

It happened to me once about three years ago but I was able to use my card again after talking to WF rep and explaining my situation... After they raised their ATM fees to $5 last year I decided to leave WFB and transfered all my accounts to USAA.. I never looked back since. USAA has really great banking service with up to 15 free, overseas ATM transactions per month. Since most of their customers are military they have a great deal of experience and are customer friendly with people who are located overseas.

I'm having my mail forwarded once a month from the US to small village in Isan. This is going on for over four years and I never had any problems. My mail arrives in about 10 days and it is usuaally a large envelope (with several pieces of mail inside) or a small package. This works very well for me...

Does anyone know where to buy a good quality dartboard? I'm looking for a professional bristle board preferably with the wooden enclosure. I looked in several sporting goods stores as well as in Tesco, BigC, etc. The only dartboards that I've seen so far were the cheap paper ones.

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Hi Greg !

I bought a board 2 years ago at the Bangkok Open Darts Championships. I've heard, that on the 20th June there is also another event in bkk. They use brandnew Winmau and Nodor boards, which they sale after the tournament for 1000 Baht for one. When I do know the exact location, I'll let you know.

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Thanks. I'll be back in BKK around 28th of June and I'll be more than happy to get hold of one of these.

Does anyone know where to buy a good quality dartboard? I'm looking for a professional bristle board preferably with the wooden enclosure. I looked in several sporting goods stores as well as in Tesco, BigC, etc. The only dartboards that I've seen so far were the cheap paper ones.

My coworkers were puzzled when I told them that my wife has no desire to live in the US. They became suspicious of me after learning that I don't want to reside in the US either... For some silly reason they still think that the only reason foreigners marry americans is to get the "green card"

Does anyone know of a good shop in Bangkok where I can buy a second hand Honda Dream or similar?

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Try www.siamsuperbike.com ,Give them a call and tell them what you are looking for. They are very friendly.

Hmmm, I know this much concerning currency. If you take currency out of the USA, they allow up to 10,000 USA dollars or in same as thai 375,000 Baht. Also I see posted in and around Bangkok International Airport that they allow you to take out max 50,000 Baht or in USA 1,265 Dollars.

You can take out more than 10.000USD from the US you just have to declare it.

I am now getting the Post delivered to the house in the Moo Baan where I am staying. This is about 10K west of the center of Korat in T. Baan Mai. Cost is still 20 baht.

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Are you getting it delivered by a mailman?

Sorry about your wife. I'm a former devil dog myself. My wife lives 60km south of Surin in amper Buachet. We have a brand new bungalow avaliable next to our house. We'd be happy to welcome your wife and son and let them stay there free of charge as long as they have to. I'm curently back in the US and will be back in Thailand in late June. Our place is nice and quiet. My wife stays there with our two kids and a dog (no other relatives) The bungalow has modern western style bathroom and is ready for use. Let me know if you are interested.

greg67

I work on merchant ship for American company and I have four months vacation after four months onboard. I've been doing this for the past six years and managed to have comfortable life in Thailand.

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Well I guess that bellying up to the bar was a part of my life for about three years, didn't like it. I don't judge other people for that, just not for me. Most of my friends drink on occasion as do I. Your right I don't fit into the Issan culuture and pretty much excepted the trade off I needed to make a life here. Not perfect but niether was life in the states. I was much lonier in the States working six and seven days a week, then I am here. My social life is much better here. I do have my moments of boredom as I am sure that everyone does. Each of us comes from different experiences. I do a lot of things here that I never have had time to do in the states. I get an urge for something that I want to eat the search is on, to find what I need to get what I want, then comes learning how to cook. One time and I get the wifes way, because as a norm she does it much better then I do. I have absolutely nothing to do and most days I don't have enough time to get it done. I can't say that I enjoy Issan people I can't speak to them, they may or may not be the greatest people in the world I have no idea. But I carved the nitch that I'm comfortable with. Is this for everyone NO!!!!!!!!!!! it's not. The one thing I do wish for you is that you find that nitch in your life that does the same for you.

Ladies oh yes, it's a good thing

Excellent reply... I had serious reservations about moving to Isan (Surin province.) It has been four years since I live here, and I feel very happy and have time to do things that I never had time to do before.

I and my girlfriend (Thai citizen) just returned from trip to Poland. Yes, she had to get Polish visa. The process was fairly simple although she had to show a round trip ticket and prove of health insurance. We took care of everything in Polish consulate in BKK...