kiwijack

Lopburi, Thanks for the succint & prompt clarification & assume communication problem at Immigration. Much appreciated.

Can anyone assist me? Dr. PP? I recently applied to extend my initial 3 months non Imm O visa & got the usual come back in 40 days stamp. Then I had to register address in Rm 4o1. My problem is I have to leave Thailand next few days for up to 6 months. I gather the need to return in person by the 40 day date is inescapable so resigned to returning then. But I have confusing details about what the requirements are if u are out of the country when the 90 days are up & I have to re register. My wife will be in Thailand but its my passport detail they require. I wanted to get in before I left so I am "grandfathered" before July changes but one Immigration officer categorically says I must be in the country when I register every 90 days. Another suggested otherwise. Can someone clarify. Many thanks as will have a big bearing on what I do.

My Thai wife, ( registered marriage ) of 3 years, has a 6 year old son from previous relationship,( never married ) but son registered under fathers name. A common enough situation. Wife left his father some 5 & a half years ago & has raised son exclusively, without any financial assistance or visit from natural father since. Current whereabouts of father not known though both mother (wife ) & the father know where the respective family homes are. Wife is fearful of losing son if she approaches the fathers parents re contact detail for father of her son. Totally loath to initiate any contact through fear also of "extortion" & other problems as he is/was a loser with gambling habit, a case of letting sleeping dogs lie. Problem is we want to get visa/ passport for son but require fathers consent or custody judgement. Has anyone been down this latter path? I would appreciate any advice re lawyers , processes etc to obtain legal custody. Or do we have to wait until he is 18 years old? Hoping someone can help. Thanks.

Just to add, we got married in small village outside Buriram, first farang marriage there. We had been together a couple of years prior to going to village to determine auspicious day for marriage. It transpired that 2 days later was very A, so we quickly organised buddhist ceremony. Every monk from the Temple attended & joined in simple banquet. Mum & Dad got 3 baht chain each, dowry 199 999 returned immediarely after wedding. Note parents impverished rice farmers. Locals/relatives all helped cook mountain of food & paid about 200 baht for efforts each. Monks all got 500 & Abbott 1000. Plenty of beer & soft drink provided . Arranged a disco for that evening, openair & everyone for miles came to dance. All in all a great time had by all.Total cost including gold, wifes also, & dress ,traditional for missus, around100000 baht, ie 50000 for gold , 50000 rest.

There was no need, mention , pressure for marriage to be registered & wasnt done for more than a year later & only  because of a visa related hassle that discriminated between de facto & married people ( the Buddhist ceremony having absolutely no legal status ) The marriage was registered in BKK & only required the above mentioned papers duly certified to do. We simply advised when we were married & paid small fee & got a certificate each, took 30 mins. I did all the paper work myself, minimum effort & just the hassle of going to Consular Affairs & the embassy a couple of times. Took 2 days to do it all. So, up to u when & if u register, the Buddhist ceremony is good face for the village & parents can show off a bit, but not binding. The wife might prefer it but it was not an issue for mine in any way, but then she is an non materialistic & basic, straight little honey. Incidentally , divorce is very simple too it seems as observed people who just both attended Amphur & advised & hey presto, but not sure about children issues as mai mee.  Have a good one.