Fred Sanford

The 1st thing to post in any accomodations ad is the size of the unit. In reading this ad, it could be anywhere from a 25 sq meter studio to a 400 meter 4 bedroom. I'm quite sure it's a tiny studio and have no interest in that. Anyone else can assume that's what it is cause it couldn't possibly be anything else. Also it would be nice to see pics in the ad rather than having to pm for them. It just makes it one more step that I have to do when I'm in a hurry. As a person seeking a unit, I'd pass it over based on these reasons

Hi- I think the standard visa to go to the USA is now a 2-year visa. I requested a 6 month for my Thai wife and got 2 years. Later I requested a 6 month, bth for my Thai wife and for her son and got 2 year visas for both. My oinion is to get the person a 2-year B1/B2 (Tourist) Visa and then change it to a 10 year in the USA.

This is possible? you mean change to diff visa type i suppose. that doesnt sound overly kosher

I bought one off the street in Pattaya in 2000 and still going strong. Fake? maybe but doing the trick for a decade

Anyone know why my wife can't seem to secure an appt for a USA tourism visa online? We went to the PO and bought a pin but after 2 weeks of checking pretty much continuosly, she has not found an open day or time. Very frustrating indeed as these pins expire in 3 months. Anyone have any info on this?

PP is always a morning dropoff, wait a day and pickup 2nd day afternoon as far as I know

Maybe someone from overseas is using huge foreign wealth (i.e. selling foreign currency) in order to "buy" baht (i.e. demand for baht) in order to "distribute" that baht in Thailand?

Protestor payoff explains it sure

"In the long run however Thailand will remain politically unsettled until its elites and military give the Thai people full democracy. That means Mr. Abhisit must embrace the idea that his party could lose in a popular vote. While that might not be an appealing prospect for Mr. Abhisit, that's how democracy works.

Even if Mr. Thaksin never returns to Thailand, he has set off a democracy movement that isn't going away. The sooner Bangkok realizes that, the better. "

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Thanks for posting. Let's hope the WSJ site isn't soon on Abhisit's censorship list!

Let's hope it is

Nothing to do with the fact that the price of four cans of Chang from the 711 just went up 12.5% in one fell swoop last month, from 88 to 99 baht of course, isn't it then?

*********** For The Four Pack

The Thai girls that I have met don't seem to know how to be responsible with money.

I used to think there were all like that until I met my wife. She's a uni grad and amazing with cash. Far better than I

Hi John, I have a feeling that Monday will be the day you get passport back. Btw, I'm jumping the gun here but congrats dude

thanks a lot john, that is helpful stuff. I think wife will present herself well as an intelligent, well dressed uni grad. some good pointers there and we both appreciate it. she was concerned that the embassy will think we are going after the wrong visa but i tell her that we have no desire to relocate to usa and we need to show that. another thing is that i have 2 condos here purchased by my brother. there are no names in the homebooks. dont know if this can help us prove anything. we live in one of these condos and rent out the other. cheers and thanks

Just a few more days for you Johnny. My wife is worried she will get denied. Ouch.

Thanks Mario. Yes they have stamps on em

So I will need to copy all 55 pages of my passport?

Thanks a lot John. what you're saying makes a lot of sense. I've been here 8 years and have no desires to move back to USA and wife wishes to remain here and yes we were married here. We do have a 48-25 age diff so hopefully that wont matter.

John, thanks for that info. I will be trying for a tourist visa for my wife this year also. Our feeling is that you will get passport back with visa in 3 days.

My wife was wondering what questions they asked your gf in the interview. Thanks

John, what documents did they keep exactly?

Oh and can I apply for this visa in Bangkok even though she has house book from a southern province?

Thanks for prompt replies gents. So for that housebook thing, is a copy of her page from the book ok?

I'm getting married next year to a Thai and want to get the 1 year extension after that happens. I'll be on a tourist visa beforehand. How many days left on that do I need so I can do this in Bangkok?

Ok now on to the requirements. I'm clear on the income thing so no need to discuss that. What is this whole wife's house book thing? She will have been living with me for nearly a year by the time we're married, in my rented condo.

What else will be required? We're marrying here in Thailand. Thanks a lot experts

Thank you for your input Peter. These wait times are something we expect for sure. I don't think we will go for citizenship but certainly we will consider everything.

Thank you Ben, that is helpful indeed. I just didn't want to go for the K-1 if it meant we would be pressured to settle in the USA. this we dont want to do. Now if we want a long term come and go as we please situation to US, do we go for the unconditional residence status after the 2 years is up?

I want to bring her to USA. She's a college grad, no job now, no property ownership. I will marry her but not sure that K-1 is right. We want to settle in Thailand but also want to go to USA at anytime. What are the options? She is 25 if that is relevant.

Well in a way you are doing something illegal, you are cascading as a tourist, when you are really an expat/non-immigrant resident. All countries have their rules for example a Thai cannot go to UK longer than 6 months unless married going to marry, special occupation, education, etc. The Thai government has turned a blind eye in-order to reap the rewards for so long, but they will systematically reduce the number of illegal tourists as it suits them and as they can afford to do so. 1st they choked the 30 day travellers with the max 90 days in 6 month, now that's even gone to no more back-to-backs, they will eventually reduce the 60 days to 3 entries (6 months) this is inline with most countries, then if you want to stay longer they will insist that you meet their criteria, married, education, volunteer, working, retired, etc. What's the matter the Thai lady to ugly to be your wife (lol)?? There is another one have a kid with a Thai lady and support the child. Good luck to anyone in this situation, but it's gonna get worst, and you gotta sort of agree it's right! So a few people may have to adjust their life-styles a little (OK A LOT).

agree with tropo that posts like this are enormously helpful regarding the Vientiane red stamp issue. I'll be going there in mid Oct. and will report back in detail.

thank you very much guys. glad I got that sorted beforehand