eliotness

I got caught with a big queue on a Monday a few years ago.  Now I go mid week and there's minimum queuing. 

I went recently. As with the poster very quick and easy. No queues.  However according to the locals the Thai government's clamp down on tourist visas has reduced "customers" from about 100 a day to less than 30. If that is the case then they should be able to issue visas on the same day. Just hoping !!!

On Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 6:25 PM, Formaleins said:

Christmas is almost upon us, everyone likes to get a present! 

 

Most problems I have has is mail coming from the West, small packages etc. coming from China and the East, very little problem.

 

Also, send it by DHL and you are asking for trouble, you will probably get your package but it will probably cost you twice the value of the goods.

Not only will you get stung by customs using DHL , but any packing around fragile goods will be removed resulting in breakages.  Furthermore small items within the package may disappear.

Don't ever use DHL . They not only took off all the bubble wrap off my packages and then presented me with a 5000 baht customs bill ( for purely personal items). When the boxes finally arrived many items were damaged.

When I first came to live in Thailand my local Isaan radio station played some songs in English.  Since the coup there seems to be a total lack of such songs.  OK but this got me thinking, what songs in English would you think are most unlikely to be heard on Thai radio ?  E.g.

"The times they are a changin"  Bob Dylan 

" Leaving on a jet plane" Peter , Paul and Mary  .

Could be lots more. Any ideas ?

1900 Bht for the 60 day extension and no proof of income is required

UK passports are reported to be taking 3-4 weeks to process and when available have to be collect from the office in Bangkok.

It is extremely unlikely you will be allowed entry to Laos with less than 6 months validity remaining on the passport.

More like 2 to 3 weeks in recent reports.

I am pleased to learn that!

My passport will need renewing next month. It is always worth renewing in good time and the UK will allow up to 9 month 'unused' validity to be added to the new passport.

Now I know, thanks guys. Maybe I won't be around to need a renewal in 2026, but I'll try and remember, as long as dementia doesn't get me first ?

1900 Bht for the 60 day extension and no proof of income is required

UK passports are reported to be taking 3-4 weeks to process and when available have to be collect from the office in Bangkok.

It is extremely unlikely you will be allowed entry to Laos with less than 6 months validity remaining on the passport.

Cheers john, I've cancelled my hotel in Savannakhet and will go to Kap Cheong Monday morning. So if I go Bangkok at the end of June I might be a bit pushed to get my new passport by the end of July from Bangkok and then go up to Savannakhet again before the end of July. I rely on my works pension which is paid at the end of the month. Guess I might have to make some arrangements to fund the trips !

I too may have a problem with my non O visa based on marriage. For various reasons, my fault, I went to Savannakhet early this month and forgot some documents. So I intend to go again tomorrow, this time with all the documents. Trouble is I've been told because I have only 5 and a half months left on my passport (expires 16th Nov) that I may be refused re-entry and not get my visa. Please has anyone got experience of such matters, or maybe some good advice. Please guys help appreciated .

Laos requires 6 months of validity to enter and there have been reports of people being turned away because of it. Also 6 months validity is required to apply for the non-o visa.

You could apply for a 60 day extension to visit your wife to give you time to get a new passport.

Joe I live near Nang Rong, where do you think I can apply for a 60 day extention ? Another problem, ooops I had two 30 days extentions, so it looks like I'm in deep pooh. What can I do ? Serious panic mode setting in now !

You will use the Kap Choeng immigration office that is located in Surin near the border. It can be found on this map. Address and Google Map location of immigration offices

Your previous extensions will not effect getting the 60 day extension.

Your wife will need to be with you when you apply. You will need your marriage certificate plus a copy, copies of your wife's house book registry and ID card. You will need proof of residence unless you living where your wife's house book is for.

So Joe, you really think (sorry maybe that should be a "you know") that with only 5 and a half months (16th Nov) I will have serious problems. As I was planning to leave early tomorrow, I'd have to cancel my hotel in Savannakhet and go instead to Kap Choeng on Monday. I was planning to go to Bangkok for a new passport in August, but from what you say I'd have to go maybe the end of June - I've no idea, but how long does it take for a new UK passport to come back do you have to go again to Bangkok or is it delivered to your door ?? Finally, what do they charge for a 60 day extension ? - sorry Joe, so many questions, I'm still learning the tricks of the expat trade, so your advice is most warmly welcomed.

And finally finally - will Immigration at Kap Cheong require proof of income > 40,000 Baht a month ? if so then I'm really really in the pooh.

Cheers Joe

I too may have a problem with my non O visa based on marriage. For various reasons, my fault, I went to Savannakhet early this month and forgot some documents. So I intend to go again tomorrow, this time with all the documents. Trouble is I've been told because I have only 5 and a half months left on my passport (expires 16th Nov) that I may be refused re-entry and not get my visa. Please has anyone got experience of such matters, or maybe some good advice. Please guys help appreciated .

Laos requires 6 months of validity to enter and there have been reports of people being turned away because of it. Also 6 months validity is required to apply for the non-o visa.

You could apply for a 60 day extension to visit your wife to give you time to get a new passport.

Joe I live near Nang Rong, where do you think I can apply for a 60 day extention ? Another problem, ooops I had two 30 days extentions, so it looks like I'm in deep pooh. What can I do ? Serious panic mode setting in now !

I too may have a problem with my non O visa based on marriage. For various reasons, my fault, I went to Savannakhet early this month and forgot some documents. So I intend to go again tomorrow, this time with all the documents. Trouble is I've been told because I have only 5 and a half months left on my passport (expires 16th Nov) that I may be refused re-entry and not get my visa. Please has anyone got experience of such matters, or maybe some good advice. Please guys help appreciated .

The Avalon has been mentioned in several posts as being good. It is near the bus station and within walking distance of the consulate.

Cheers Joe, I'll look them up. Are the required docs the same as last year for a multi entry non O based on marriage - sorry to be a pain, but you seem to have a wealth of knowledge.

Eliotness, what's your budget, plenty of horrible cheap places and a few good ones.

Paul, last time I stayed at the Savanah Vegas, 1,000 baht a night - never again, horrible experience. So looking +/- same price but in town, as I want to stay 2 nights and wander round the old town and have some french/lao food and resonably priced beer lao.

Has anyone got any up to date recommendations for accommodation in Savannakhet ? I've seen ones posted before, but like everywhere things can change. Please !

I'm going to Savannakhet next week for my new visa with my wife. She doesn't have a Thai passport, just an ID. As we only plan to stay 2 nights in Lao, is this now a problem ? - it was OK last year, I just wonder if the rules have changed. ?

A border pass allows 3 days of stay in Laos. No problem for her to stay 2 nights.

The consulate will be closed Monday May 2nd and Thursday the 5th.

Many thanks for the info. Planned to go Sunday, but now I'll travel up on Monday. Again thanks, especially about Monday being a holiday, kind of forget that sort of detail when in LOS.

I'm going to Savannakhet next week for my new visa with my wife. She doesn't have a Thai passport, just an ID. As we only plan to stay 2 nights in Lao, is this now a problem ? - it was OK last year, I just wonder if the rules have changed. ?

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Tinnitus/Pages/Treatment.aspx

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/living-with

In Europe we have good results with high dosage of Gingko. 240mg at least daily/twice daily. But to be honest you should have gone to a clinic to have a drip infusion with Gingko extract.

Acute Hearing loss might have happened with you.

I find a daily drink of ginko tea helps, twice a day. Available in many good supermarkets.

Many thanks for the info, but what happens if you're not quite lucky enough to be in that financial comfort zone ?

I went to Savannakhet because proof of finances wasn't required, but the visa they give you requires re-entry every 90 days. Not too much of a problem, but fills up your passport pretty quickly. Now, as stated by the original poster, if they are only issuing single entry visas does that mean I've got a problem or was that issued in a specific case ? HELP !!!

I see don't see where it is written a multiple entry visa is no longer available in Savannakhet. The OP got one without a problem.

Sorry, I read it wrong. In his last paragraph he mentions single entry "tourist" visas, guess when I read it the first time I just assumed he was on about his visa, which obviously wasn't the case.

Many thanks for the info, but what happens if you're not quite lucky enough to be in that financial comfort zone ?

I went to Savannakhet because proof of finances wasn't required, but the visa they give you requires re-entry every 90 days. Not too much of a problem, but fills up your passport pretty quickly. Now, as stated by the original poster, if they are only issuing single entry visas does that mean I've got a problem or was that issued in a specific case ? HELP !!!

How does that work for your 90 day across the border ? I thought you needed a multi-entry visa, 5000 baht, so you can go (or at least in my case) across the Cambodian border every 90 days to get your stamp. As I need to go again in March, advice from the experienced expats would be invaluable. Cheers

With a non-o that has a 1yr extension based on marriage, there is no leaving every 90 days only 90 day reporting.

Thanks for the info. I got my first non O based on marriage in the UK, then the 2nd one in Laos, now that expires in mid March. From what you say, can I go to Immigration and apply for a 1 year extension and thereafter only have to report every 90 days, not cross the border. If that's the case it would save so much hassle. Please can you or any expat with experience confirm or not that that is what happens ! Cheers once again

How does that work for your 90 day across the border ? I thought you needed a multi-entry visa, 5000 baht, so you can go (or at least in my case) across the Cambodian border every 90 days to get your stamp. As I need to go again in March, advice from the experienced expats would be invaluable. Cheers

Lights in the night sky, too early for Christmas, could be an omen for something else, need to go and ask the monk at the local temple what it all means.

Christmas?

There is no stinking Christmas in Thailand.

Thailand is a Buddhist country.

Haven't you heard?

Guess you don't live in Thailand as even the shops in remote Isaan have all the Xmas goodies for sale. So bah humbug to you sir where ever you are.

Lights in the night sky, too early for Christmas, could be an omen for something else, need to go and ask the monk at the local temple what it all means.

Hottest year in Isaan since they started record keeping and very little rain this year.

So when do you think they started keeping accurate records in Isaan ?

El Nino is particularly extreme this year due to Global Warming. Thailand forecast is droughts and heatwave conditions. Hot and getting hotter. Drought warning has already been issued for Thailand.

"the world is always in a constant change. Impermanence is permanence." Yes, over thousands of years climates gradually change. Not over 50 to 100 years. That would be unprecedented.

"More concrete, fewer trees?" No effect, unless someone has started concreting the Oceans.

"Or as you said, an outlyingly hot year." Yes it is going to be a hot year globally due to El Nino and Global Warming. Over the past 50 years the Earth has warmed by 1.7^OC by the end of this century it is expected to warm between 6-8^OC. Not many people will be living in Bangkok. It will have sunk by then.

OK so you think deforestation has no effect and concrete manufacture doesn't release pollutants +CO 2, big statement, but up 2 u.

It is worth mentioning that you should look closely at the UK.GOV website for the supporting documents that are required.

Notably, you need to photocopy every page of your current passport (including blank pages) and address verification documentation is quite specific.

Appointment first - email Vfs with 3 dates/times (never usually a problem getting what you want).

And, the passport photocopies need to be in colour too!

I tried to use my Thai driving license as proof of address, they will not accept it without a translation - which you can get in the lobby for a pricey 400 Baht. 100 Baht per line of text, seems a bit of a scam as the translation offices are hardly what you would describe as "Official".

That does sound a bit of a scam. At the British Embassy I've yet to see a Brit, they all seem to be Thais working there, so that being the case, why on earth do they require a translation ?