Siamesepiggster

Get your travel agent to book seats with a basinette - this can be done a long time before you fly.

Many thanks for all the replies. Really appreciated.

SP

Yep, agree with Rice King, it's not difficult to do and even a cheapo sound card will have better noise figures than your original cassettes.

I use SoundLaundry (a very old version too), it works just fine for the few I have to do. Mainly do stuff for the Missus, some ancient tapes that she found somewhere, clean up well to MP3.

Rice King and Crossy, many thanks (especially for the links). Will definately have a go at doing it myself now.

Best regards,

SP.

Hi,

Myself, Thai G/f and our 13 month old baby will be flying back to the UK in a couple of weeks for a holiday. I have a few questions regarding the flying with infants. We will be flying with Emirates, so a stop over in Dubai for a couple of hours too.

1) Any restriction on taking baby milk powder on the plane.

2) Do you have to check in the pram at the same point where you check in your luggage, and if so do they provide an airport pram?

3) Will we have access to any pram in Dubai for the stop over?

4) Any restrictions on taking the baby's powdered milk into the UK?

Any other tips/advice on flying with an infant would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks.

SP

Hi,

I have 55 audio cassettes that I want to convert to CD's. I would be very grateful if someone could suggest where I could get this done. Many thanks.

SP

Sorry -duplicate post deleted

Already applied for British Nationality for the baby. There was a 2 month initial wait to submit the application and have a short interview at the British Embassy, now have to wait a further 5 months which is the processing time. My name was on the Thai Birth Certificate.

SP

Out of curiosity. When was your child born. I assume before 1/7/06 and you are relying on the "Home Secretary's Discretion".

My understanding was this was usually only granted when the parents subsequently married. Marriage is of couse no longer a criteria for births after 1/7/06 and I wonder why it wasn't made retrospective.

But a very interesting topic and I have little doubt relevant to other forum members who may be interested in any info given you by the embassy.

Edit: spelling -again! AND AGAIN

Hi,

Yes, the baby was born before 1/7/06 (by a few days!!) and I'm 'relying on the Home Secretary's discretion'. Don't know where you got your understanding that "this was usually only granted when the parents subsequently married". I have thoroughly researched this subject and never come across such a reference. I'm sure that Scouse could confirm this or otherwise. If what you say is correct it would be very useful if you could post the relevant text and the source/reference. Many thanks.

SP

Sorry -duplicate post deleted

Already applied for British Nationality for the baby. There was a 2 month initial wait to submit the application and have a short interview at the British Embassy, now have to wait a further 5 months which is the processing time. My name was on the Thai Birth Certificate.

SP

1) Does my baby have to go to the visa application centre with my Thai g/f or can my g/f submitt both forms without a need for the baby to be present? I understand that the baby doesn't have to have the fingerprint and biometric photo taken as she is under 5 years old according to the new rules.

Have you discovered the answer. It will be of interest to others to post here when you do.

The embassy website implies a child under 5 doesn't need to attend. Some other UK embassy's websites (Austria for example) say children under 5 must attend to have a digital photo taken which I find surprising. I can't find a definitive answer on UKvisas website. I have searched under 'biometrics'

Hi Ralph,

I rang the Visa Application Centre on Wednesday of this week to ask them if the baby (1 year old) was required to attend for the biometric photo. The Thai who answered the phone didn't know so she went to ask her colleagues. After a rather long wait she came back and said that she would be required to attend to have here biometric photo taken but no fingerprints were required. Therefore my Thai g/f, the baby and myself went to the VAC yesterday (Thursday).

Having been shut down for four days as you can imagine the scene was rather chaotic. We arrived about 11AM and were given a numbered ticket so as to wait our turn. We couldn't enter the centre as there were too many people inside and had to wait outside. Using the ticket I calculated that there were 172 people in front of us!! We were told that the wait would be at least 3 hours and that maybe at the end of this we might have to come back tomorrow!

There was a grubby looking oldish Farang ranting relentlessly at the security guard at the entrance to the VAC about various things, as if the guard was able to sort anything out, his job was to wave his metal detecting security wand at the people entering. I asked one of the other security guards politely if I could speak to one of the managers. Shortly after a nice young lady came out and I used my silky skills to tell her that we understood why there was a queue and while we didn't at all mind waiting like the rest (blatant lie) would there be any chance whatsoever that the baby could have her biometric photo taken first so that I could take her home and then my g/f could wait in line to have both applications processed. She went back in and within 2 minutes came back out again. We were ushered in and both my g/f and baby were processed immediately! Fifteen minutes later we were all on our way home! Very lucky I guess, but politeness never hurts. We'll get the decision on Monday. The irony was though that the baby didn't require to have her biometric photo taken after all!!!

One thing I was very peeved about though when we initially approached the desk, at the entrance I was told that I couldn't enter - only my Thai g/f and our baby could. This was by a VAC member of staff, not a security guard. I explained to them that I completed the application for my baby, not my g/f, and I had signed the form, not my g/f, as the baby would be travelling with me and that any questions that they would have I would have to answer, not my g/f. But they point blank refused. I think that this was totally wrong. But anyway, as I described above, this turned out to be irrelevant in the end.

Another irony and slight peeve I have is that since the British Embassy have now subcontracted out the visa application process, a bunch of Thais now decide whether or not I, a British national, can take my British baby (already submitted application and had interview at the Embassy for her to get her British nationality - 5 months processing time) can go to my country for 4 weeks. Ah well, rant over.

Hope the above answers your question.

Regards,

SP

Just noticed you said you will apply Thurs/Fri this week....the VAC is not accepting applications this week. Also I guess you do not have time to get a UK passport for the babe so you wouldn't then need the visa for it.

Many thanks for the information guys. Mahout Angrit, are you sure that the VAC are not accepting applications this week? I know that they open back up on Thursday and Friday. This is the notice on the British Embassy website (shown below). Please let me know if I have missed something mentioned elsewhere. Many thanks.

SP

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Important Visa Notice

We regret to inform you that the UK Visa application centre (VFS) will be closed to all customers between 15 June and 20 June 2007. Our continuing aim is an efficient, proximate service to you, therefore, essential administration will necessitate our short term closure. Bangkok is a busy regional hub and to continue to meet service delivery commitments we need to ensure our systems and legislative frameworks accommodate all our stakeholders' requirements. We are very sorry for the inconvenience this may cause, but the closure has proved unavoidable during office hours. The VFS centre will accept applications up until the close of play on 14 June and will reopen on 21 June.

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Hi,

I am a 40 year old Britsh National, been in Th for 8 years. Either Thurday or Friday of this week will be applying for a visitor passport for my Thai g/f and our 1 year old baby to visit the UK for 1 month. Thai g/f has had 3 previous visitor visas over the last 4 years.

I know that we need to complete two application forms - one for the baby and one for my Thai g/f, but questions are as follows;

1) Does my baby have to go to the visa application centre with my Thai g/f or can my g/f submitt both forms without a need for the baby to be present? I understand that the baby doesn't have to have the fingerprint and biometric photo taken as she is under 5 years old according to the new rules.

2) If the baby does have to go, could I take her there as her father/legal guardian rather than the mother?

3) Should both application forms be attached/submitted at the same time as they are in essence a joint application?

4) Would £7,000 showing in my Thai bank account be regarded as sufficient funds for a 4 week stay, as I don't have a job as such to demonstrate regular income (export but no registered business just yet - will set up later in the year).

Many thanks.

SP

I'm not particularly well acquainted with the watering holes in Liverpool, but I'd make an exception, and would happily meet up for a weak shandy or two

Scouse.

Will PM you to help aquaint you.

SP

Sir Scouse,

Many thanks for your lightning fast response!!

First class information as always.

Amongst the other places I shall also be visiting Scouseland during my visit to catch up with a few friends. If there's anyway of transferring a few beer tokens to you please pm me, as I've heard that despite Liverpool's teetotal reputation that you are partial to the odd drop?

Many thanks.

SP

Hi,

I'm 40 year old British Male, came to Thailand originally 8 years ago to work, stayed for 4 years at that time and then went back to Blighty to set up a business which I ran for 3 years. UK business relied heavily on using Thai subcontractors, therefore frequent visits by me to Thailand during those 3 years (4 or 5 trips per year). Closed business 14 months ago an I've been back in Thailand since that time on Tourist Visa's (since end of May 2006).

Took Thai gf back to UK first time in 2003 on 6 month tourist visa, then again in 2004 on second tourist visa, then finally in 2005 on third tourist visa (she returned to Th just before the visa expired in July 2005. She stayed for the full 6 months on each occassion.

We had a baby in May 2006 who is now 12 months old.

The problem I have is that I don't have any paperwork evidence (phone bills (as I use Skype), e-mails etc.) to show that we were in a continuous relationship.

My question is (to The Esteemed Scouser - in an ideal world); how do we get around this and what is the minimum supporting evidence/documentation that we would require to ensure plain sailing through the application process. Also, what's the turnaround time for an application these days if no hitches? We plan to travel early July and stay in Blighty for 4 weeks. (I'm aware of the Embassy shutdown period by the way).

Just a final note, we have got an interview at the British Embassy Bkk this month to apply for British citizenship for my child as he/she was born before the cut off date for the new law change.

Many thanks for any advice.

SP

There used to be a Scottish bar on Sukhumvit Road In Bangkok (near Sukhumvit Soi 22 but on the main road), don't know if they had food though but I would guess so. Apparently it's still in business but I think it's moved to one of the sois just off the Sukhumvit Road.

I think it was called 22 Bar a few metres down Sukhumvit Road from the entrance to Soi 22. They moved about 2 years ago and are now deep inside soi 22 itself. If your entering Soi 22 from the Sukhumvit end it's on the left hand side after you have gone past the massive Royal Queens Park Hotel also on the left hand side. There is a Scottish flag on a board on the pavement outside. The owner is called (Scottish) Ray. Nice chap.

You do not mention where you intend to get this but believe there are almost as rare as the dodo bird these days. The validity would be six months from day of issue and there is no getting around that.

I was going to try Hull, where i got it last year or Birmingham. Are they very difficult to get? I had no problem last year but I guess things have changed a little since then. What would you suggest as a viable alternative?

Whatever you will get fom Hull will be yor best option. Ask for 4 entry and see what they give you.

So could someone clarify if it's possible or not to get a second triple or quadriple entry tourist visa from the UK right now? I am British and I am currently on the last 60 day (+ 30 day) visa of my triple entry tourist visa (issued in Hull, UK) right now and was planning to back to the UK once this expires to get another triple entry tourist visa.

Many thanks.

Hi,

Could someone please answer/offer clarification my previous question?

Many thanks.

I understand Thais don’t like that type of vacuum cleaner because cleaning the filter is too messy. I was told that the Dyson brand is available in Thailand but I have never actually looked for it or seen it.

--

Maestro

I've tried all the obvious places such as Central, Emporium, Robinson & Tesco. I'm sure that I saw them somewhere over here (when I wasn't looking for one) but I'll be dammned if I can remember where!

Hi,

I live in Th bus want to form a UK Ltd. company. However I would like to sit down with an accountant in Thailand who is well versed on UK company tax laws and accounting practices in order to form the most suitable structure for legal tax minimisation etc. I would be very grateful if anyone can suggest or recommend someone, either in this thread or by PM.

Many thanks.

Hi,

Does anyone know where I can by a Dyson Vacuum Cleaner in Bangkok?

Many thanks.

You do not mention where you intend to get this but believe there are almost as rare as the dodo bird these days. The validity would be six months from day of issue and there is no getting around that.

I was going to try Hull, where i got it last year or Birmingham. Are they very difficult to get? I had no problem last year but I guess things have changed a little since then. What would you suggest as a viable alternative?

Whatever you will get fom Hull will be yor best option. Ask for 4 entry and see what they give you.

So could someone clarify if it's possible or not to get a second triple or quadriple entry tourist visa from the UK right now? I am British and I am currently on the last 60 day (+ 30 day) visa of my triple entry tourist visa (issued in Hull, UK) right now and was planning to back to the UK once this expires to get another triple entry tourist visa.

Many thanks.

Hi,

Additionally next week I shall be applying for a British passport for my daughter as she is entitled to one (as well as a Thai Passport), but the process will take up to six months.

Why do you think it will take up to 6 months ? What is your british nationality status ? Are you british by descent or "otherwise than by descent" ? If you were born in the UK then most probably you are british "otherwise than by descent" and your child will automatically be british (by descent) and you can get a passport (and UK birth certificate) in 2 weeks from the embassy in bangkok.

There is a pinned thread on this forum that explains about this in more detail.

Hi,

Thanks for both replies.

Sonicdragon, I am British by descent, however the immigration law regarding obtaining a British Passport for a Thai baby born to a British father who isn't married to the mother changed from July 1st 2006. My child was born a few weeks prior to the law change (typical!) which facillitates automatic British citizenship and therefore the following applies (extracted from the British Embassy website);

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

British Fathers, who are not married, can now apply to register children who are born abroad prior 1 July 2006, with the Home Office. It must be noted this is discretionary. All applications must be received within the first 12 months of the child’s birth. Those applying should expect to receive a decision in approximately 6 months. The fee for this will be £200 payable in Thai Baht plus a Consular forwarding fee of Baht 2,870. Please ask us for form MN1 or obtain it from the Home Office.

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The full text is shown in the following link;

http://www.britishembassy.gov.uk/servlet/F...d=1068717512679

Regards.

Hi,

I am 40 and British and have been with my Thai g/f for nearly 5 years and during the last 3 years she got 3 x 6 month tourist visas for the UK (one per calendar year). We are both currently living in Thailand. We now have a 10 month old baby that was born in Thailand. I am named on her Thai Birth Certificate as the father. Additionally next week I shall be applying for a British passport for my daughter as she is entitled to one (as well as a Thai Passport), but the process will take up to six months. In the meantime, would it be straightforward applying for a tourist visa for my daughter so that the three of us can visit the UK (my girlfriends tourist visa application should be straightforward). Additionally, what would be the process - can I go to the British Embassy on her behalf or does the mother have to go? Many thanks.

Hi,

I've got a double entry Thai tourist visa from the UK and I have about 3 weeks left before the 60 days are up on the first of the two entries. My questions are as follows;

1) Can I go to the Immigration Department right now to get an extension or do I have to wait nearer the end of the 60 days? (I don't want to leave it until the last moment in case they don't issue an extension and I then have to hastily arrange a visa run.)

2) How many days extension will I get, 15 or 30 days?

Many thanks.

Siamesepiggster.

1) If I get a 2 month (with 1 month extension) tourist visa in the UK before I leave and if I don't find work within this time in Thailand can I do a visa run each month and get a 1 month visa on entry each time to buy me more time?

You can do visa runs to get a 30 day stamp once your tourist visa has expired no problem. A better solution would be to get another tourist visa from a local consulate (Penang, KL, Sing etc).

...and, Siamesepiggster, remember that when you do what you and Crossy call visa runs, i.e. cross the border and re-enter Thailand to get a 30-day stamp on arrival, this stamp is not a visa and therefore not something that you can locally apply for to get changed to another visa.

--------------

Maestro

All,

Many thanks for your quick and clear replies. Just what I wanted.

SP

Hi,

I've trawled previous posts for many hours but can't find an answer specific to my situation so here goes;

I am a 40 year old British graduate Engineer (manufacturing). I have previously lived in Thailand for 5 years and held an engineering job with 2 international manufacturing companies out there. I have been back in the UK for the last 3 years and a venture I set up here has flopped.

I now plan to return to Thailand and after a month of re-charging my batteries out there I plan to find work again (I have a lot of good contacts).

My questions are as follows;

1) If I get a 2 month (with 1 month extension) tourist visa in the UK before I leave and if I don't find work within this time in Thailand can I do a visa run each month and get a 1 month visa on entry each time to buy me more time?

2) If/when I find work is it a hassle for my employer to change my visa to one that allows for a work permit? Is there much involved?

3) Should I consider getting another type of visa before leaving the UK?

Many thanks for your advice.

Siamesepiggster

Hi GU22,

Thanks for the update.

As for your last point, agree with what you say, but;

1) I'm not dragging her here until I tire of her. I believe that we are being responible, taking our time - where is the urgency for marriage if we are to be together forever? However I think it is more irresponible the farangs that marry the first bar girl that they see (mine isn't a bar girl by the way), they can't speak the language to communicate (I am fluent in Thai), they don't know anything about the culture and subsequently the marriage breaks down.

2) You say that you can't understand people that 'plan for divorce', I don't plan for divorce and I reckon we've got a higher chance than most of being together forever. I do recognise however that there is a 50% divorce rate, which is no doubt higher amongst Thai- Farang marriages.

Anyway, each to their own, and I respect your opinions. Thanks for the other points once again.

SP

SP,

My previous reply regarding your chances was based on the following

Where a couple claim that they have maintained their relationship during the 2 year period by merely visiting each other as often as they can, this will not be sufficient to satisfy these provision of the Rules.

I must admit that I was unaware that the rule went on to say

However where a couple have been living together in a committed relationship for the preceding 2 year period, barring short breaks, but have been dividing their time between countries (for example, by using the "visitor" category), this will be sufficient to meet the requirement.

My apologies for the confusion, and thanks to Scouse for pointing out my error.

For more details of the Civil Partnership Act, see Explanatory Notes to Civil Partnership Act 2004. However, I have to offer another apology. My knowledge of the provisions of this act was based on readings from other sites. It wasn't until I actually looked at the explanatory notes that I saw one very important proviso:

The purpose of the Civil Partnership Act is to enable same-sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship by forming a civil partnership. They may do so by registering as civil partners of each other provided:

they are of the same sex;.......

So it's a non-starter for you, I'm afraid.

As for what would happen if you married and then divorced, sorry I don't know. I suggest that you ask a solicitor. However, I must admit to being surprised that your thoughts are going in this direction. Do you love her? do you trust her? If the answer to both is "Yes" then why are you worrying about divorce? If the answer to either is "No" then what the <deleted> are you doing? Dragging her over to the UK until you tire of her? That may seem harsh, but I cannot understand people who plan for their divorce before they're even married.

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GU 22,

Thanks for your reply. A few queries though,

1) Can I ask, with respect, why you seem so sure that we wouldn't stand an earlthly chance? I don't dispute what you are saying but being as I'm new to this forum all I know is that Scouse used to be an immigration officer (from reading a previous post where he mentioned this) and would therefore be very grateful if you could explain what you base your opinion on. Past experience etc? I need to make an educated decision as to whether I make this application, because as you rightly suggest, you only get one chance with these things.

2) On the 3 previous 6 month tourist visa applications I have described her as my 'girlfiend' and that we were living together. To me, girlfriend & partner mean the same thing, as I am not a lawyer. Would the embassy regard these

two terms differently?

3) Could you expand on the 'Civil Partnership' option. Would it be practical to pursue this?

4) To put all the cards on the table, the main reason I don't want to go the marriage route is that I don't want to lose half of everything if it goes pear shaped. Any protection if we get married in Thailand rather than the UK? I understand that where your domiciled dictates which laws the marriage operates under, i.e. if you normally live in Thailand the marriage falls under Thai law, regardless of where the marriage tool place.

Many thanks.

SP,

With respect to Scouse, you don't stand an earthly of getting her a settlement visa under the unmarried partners rule.

You either patently have not been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for at the least the last 2 years; or if you have, then you have lied to the embassy in order to get her visit visas.

If you are unwilling to marry, then waiting until the Civil Partnerships Act comes into force is an option you may want to consider.

See Statutory Instrument 2005 No. 1112 (C.47). The Civil Partnership Act 2004 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2005 and IMMIGRATION CONTROL AND FORMATION OF CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS

As Scouse has said, if you were to marry then getting her a spouse visa would, in the circumstances you describe, be a doddle.

BTW, even when sponsors were allowed into the visa section, they were not allowed to be present at the interview; except in very exceptional circumstances.

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