davhend25

1 hour ago, Sheryl said:

Have you tried getting the records from Bangkok Hospital? Those are likely computerized. Even though the surgery itself was not fone there, the records sound like they specify thr diagnodis and the procedure which should be enough for the govt hospital to come up with a letter for her (if so inclined).

The scar you refer to is BCG. That she has proves she did get vaccinated as a baby. She will have received B G once and then 3 doses each of oral polio vaccine and DPT and then maybe a booster after that but can't be sure especially in a rural area. Not sure if she will have gotten Measles, it started here around 1982 so she might have just missed it. No harm in getting it now even uf she had it as a child (get MMR...measles, mumps and rubella).

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Thank you so much, again Sheryl, for this valuable and very helpful information. Your suggestion to contact Bangkok Hospital is a smart one that we will follow through with. 

The vaccination information may prove helpful as well.  The more we can tell her examining doctors, the better for her.

Best,

DH

26 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

She can get the hospital record but it may take some doing and some time, especially if (as is possible) records were not computerized then.

 

Earlier this year I had occasion to go seeking information from a Cambodian friend's hospital records of some 10-15 years ago at a major Bangkok hospital. I started off in the normal medical records department but soon learned that it only existed in hard copy in an archival office. Which after much difficulty I located along with the person in charge. There was a process to go through to request the document (including getting a doctor on staff to sign off on it) and it required I think several weeks.

 

Staff hate having to go through the stacks of old records to dig things out  and as you have no doubt learned "cannot" is the standard reply here when someone can, but does not want to. She needs to be very firm.

 

Another option and possibly easier would be to talk to one of the doctors there and explain what she needs and ask for a medical certificate/statement to be issued stating the nature of the surgery, why performed and that she made a full recovery (assuming she knows the first 2 things).

 

Re vaccination, if as I gather her family did not keep her childhood vaccination booklet then the best option is to also get this in a letter from the local hospital...presumably she got the vaccines that were part of the standard government program when she was a child. If you indicate her age I can tell you what these were.. Depending on her current age may have only been BCG, polio & DPT (diptheria, pertussis and tetanus) and measles, or might also include Japaneses B encephalitis (not that the US cares about that!) and Hepatitis B,

Thank you so much, Sheryl for your always helpful replies.

She was born in early 1971 in Chonburi/Pattaya.  But as a young child grew up and attended school in a rural area of Chanthaburi Province. She doesn't remember anything about vaccinations as a child. She does have that funny looking mark on one of her upper arms that looks like a smallpox vaccination, but that's about it.

Prior to the actual surgery, her case was worked up at Bangkok Hospital Chanthaburi, (Nov. 2009) and she was given an entire binder of information relating to that work-up and diagnosis. Because of extra costs involved with a private facility vs. a governmental one, her attending physician suggested she have the operation at Phrapkklao, the provincial hospital in Chanthaburi City.

The surgery was obviously, successful with no recurrence of the initial problem, but she came away with no records that she can remember.

Any ideas about vaccinations would helpful.

Thanks,

DH

Hello all,

I've applied for a U.S. CR-1 Visa for my Thai wife. One of the requirements for this visa is a medical exam prior to the final interview at the U.S. Embassy.

One of the things they want are records of past surgical treatments. She had major surgery at Phrapokklao hospital in Chanthaburi province about 10 years ago, and claims she has no record of it and can't get any records of it.  Is she correct?  Can you have major surgery at a large Provincial hospital in Thailand and not be able to obtain a record of it?

If she is incorrect about this and records are obtainable, how can we go about obtaining a record of her past surgery and hospital stay.

Also, any tips on getting her vaccination records from childhood?

Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,

DH

18 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Several generics now on the narket.

Note the increased risk of serious cardiovascular events with this drug. Use with caution and don't use without consulting a doctor if you have history of heart problems or cardiac risk factors.

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As always, thanks for the information, Sheryl...

DH

7 minutes ago, sotsira said:

Yes you can buy it over the counter at most pharmacies.

Don't think there's a generic version, but Pfizer brand 200mg

Celebrex CELECOXIB is available.

Thanks for the information!

DH

Is Celebrex available in Thailand without prescription?  By name or generically?  

New research data in 2016 suggests that it is safer than ibuprofen...Less renal and GI contraindications.

DH

10 hours ago, Jeffrey346 said:

I use Amazon all the time. Where it says "this item ships to Thailand" click details and it will show you the cost of VAT and Customs if applicable.

Most of the time I receive a refund on the customs charge as it is estimated. 

Amazon now uses UPS iShip that takes about 5 working days to arrive. Keep in mind, Amazon guarantees delivery. If you order a TV box you will get it.

+1....love Amazon U.S. Items arrive within a few working days if you use their global shipping program. I also almost always get a refund on the estimated import duties.

Lazada is fine and I always try them first, but I can't always get what I want with Lazada ....so Amazon is my plan B.

DH

3 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

Correct on both counts. No vaccine available for Chikunya and Dengue vaccine is recommended only for those who have already had Fengue at least once.

Malaria is close to being eradicated in Cambodia and transmission is limited to deep jungle/forest. Malaria prophylaxis is not indicated.

A mosquito borne disease that one should get vaccinated for is Japanese B encephalitis.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

A mosquito borne disease that one should get vaccinated for is Japanese B encephalitis.

I got this vaccine, for the first time, in the fall of 2017.  Do I need to get it again or get a booster?

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

The copies should be black and white. Some offices will reject color copies.

A 4 X 6 cm photo is the official size. The box is a little smaller and it can also depend upon the scaling when the form is printed.

Thanks, "ubonjoe"

DH

I've never seen it discussed here on the forums, but do most IO's prefer black & white or Color photocopies??

Also, has anyone noticed that the photo box on the TM7 form on page 2 is really only about 3.5 X 4.5 cm...not the 4 X 6 listed inside the box itself.  I sent my wife to get new photo's yesterday and the processor cut hers 4 x 6, and they are way larger than the box outline on the TM7 form??

Any thoughts??  Going for extensions tomorrow...want everything right!!

Thanks,

DH

13 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

Once you get the I-130 is approved, things move fast, Id posted this a while ago, but it might help you with some of your travel and visa timing

 

Wow!! Really fast... thanks for posting this. It's great information. I hope ours moves along like your's did...

Thanks, again.

DH

25 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

So she'll do a port of entry, then I'm assuming you'll be flying within the United States to your final destination.

The transfer, be it Inchon, Taipei, Narita or wherever will be fine. I'd fly to wherever she is going to clear immigration in the US, because then when she leaves the International terminal, meet her and then you can navigate the domestic flight.

 

Without getting the basics sorted out, car, house, furniture, and don't underestimate how long all of that takes, it's sorta traumatic, especially if your lady has no experience of living outside Thailand.

 

On a totally tangential subject. My wife lived and studied in the US so her English is perfect.

You say your wife speaks broken English.

My wife volunteers as a tutor at the Black Hills of South Dakota Literacy Council, where she teaches non English speakers, and it's all free, and she has several Thai and Lao students.

 

Try to figure that kind of stuff out too, before you hit the ground.

 

The sooner she becomes fluent and can read the easier the transition will be.

 

No matter where you live there will be Thai's. Remember 25% of all overseas Thai's live in the US 

Thank you, again, for this really helpful information. I hadn't thought of flying to her port of entry. Yes, that would simplify things considerably. Also an interesting statistic about the percentage of overseas Thai's living in the U.S.

I do think I would like to stay here at least until we get the first approval notice, probably in about 3 months or so. Make sure our lawyer has everything she needs to file the additional application packets. Then I may consider leaving to set things up in the U.S.

Thanks for your insights on this, it definitely gives us some things to consider.

DH

10 hours ago, elviajero said:

At the end of each year you can leave or apply for any extension you qualify for; so instead of requesting another ‘retirement extension’ you can request a 60 day extension to visit your wife.

 

The requirements can vary, but here is a basic list;

• Original marriage certificate plus signed copy.
• Signed copies of wife's ID and Tabien Baan.
• Signed copies of your passport pages: ID page, visa, entry stamp, departure card.
• 1 x photo 6 x 4.
• Maybe they will want form TM30. This is the form used by the Owner/House-master to report that you are staying with them.

With regard to copies of the "Marriage" certificate, do they want the English translations, or just the Thai versions? The actual certificate (ornate) plus the Ror 2 official document form??

The translations are all stapled and taped over to insure validity and discourage tampering I'm assuming, and also have information on both sides.  Would be very difficult to photo copy the translation pages. Hope they don't need those.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

DH

3 hours ago, GinBoy2 said:

The other thing to think about is this.

 

If don't if you have everything set up back in the US, house etc, might be worth going home before her visa is approved to get everything ready.

 

The process when she gets to the port of entry is simple if tedious, she'll be fine without you.

She'll present the sealed packet to the immigration officer, then proceed to another desk where they will open it, check the docs and stamp her passport with the temporary I-551. It's not difficult.

 

But having a home to go straight to, will be a lot better for her to adjust to her new life, than a few weeks in a hotel, or bunking down with family.

 

So I personally wouldn't jump through flaming hoops to extend past a regular extension of a tourist visa, and would leave her in Thailand while you go home and get things ready 

 

 

 

I

Your point is well taken, GinBoy2...I have already considered that as a possibility and somewhat of an advantage over bunking in with my brother and his wife for a few weeks. I also need to buy a car.  So yes, I think there is a definite case to be made for going back now and getting things ready....

But I'm still concerned about her making that trip with no traveling experience and speaking only broken English. She'll be fine at Suvarnabhumi, but once she leaves there she won't see any Thai language signage or people speaking it. That's what I'm afraid of. She's pretty smart, and think could figure things out, but I would still be worried for her on a long distance flight with 2 stops. Total travel time with layovers can be north of 48 hours for some itinerary's. 

Thanks for the thought...it is good advice, and I have considered it.

DH

1 hour ago, GinBoy2 said:

You might be overthinking this.

 

You didn't say how far down the CR-1 process you are, but since you did a DCF, it'll only take ~100 days from start to finish assuming all the paperwork is filed correctly.

 

So as others have stated there are plenty of short term options that should get you over that 100 days , or whatever is left of it

We just filed a week ago in Bangkok. So we pretty much have the whole time period left to wait. However, your observation about short term options seems on point, as I've received several ideas today from other forum members for extending my stay for at least several months, maybe more. 

I'll try the retirement (income letter) extension first, if that doesn't fly, I'll submit a request for a 60 day extension based upon staying with my Thai wife. That should buy me some valuable time to come up with some other short term option.

Thanks for the positive post...

DH

7 minutes ago, david555 said:

They don't care , local law is followed …,as we all should know ! Even when new police orders are out 

Unfortunately, for me and many other expats, I know you're right...

8 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Apparently a typo since a TM47 form is for 90 day reports.

That's what I thought too...

But I'm thankful to all the kind people, including yourself, who have responded to my dilemma...this has turned into a very happy day for me and my wife....

Thank you to all who have replied with very helpful information.

DH

3 minutes ago, elviajero said:

Quote

And what application form do we use to make this application?

TM.47.

Thanks again for answering all my questions....but ubonjoe thinks it's the "TM7."

Thanks,

DH

5 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You would use a TM7 form that is used for all extension applications.

As alway, thank you ubonjoe for this wonderful information!!!  

I can go ahead and fill out the online fillable version like I have for the Retirement extension. Just use "60" instead of "365," and use "Stay with Thai wife" instead of "Retirement."

Thanks, again!

DH

1 hour ago, elviajero said:

At the end of each year you can leave or apply for any extension you qualify for; so instead of requesting another ‘retirement extension’ you can request a 60 day extension to visit your wife.

 

The requirements can vary, but here is a basic list;

• Original marriage certificate plus signed copy.
• Signed copies of wife's ID and Tabien Baan.
• Signed copies of your passport pages: ID page, visa, entry stamp, departure card.
• 1 x photo 6 x 4.
• Maybe they will want form TM30. This is the form used by the Owner/House-master to report that you are staying with them.

Wow!! Thank you so much...you and "overherebc" and "ubonjoe" have been extremely helpful to my situation.

Is there a specific form # I would use to make this "60 day" application?

Thanks, again!!

DH

1 hour ago, overherebc said:

You need your passport your wifes ID your mar' cert and house book, copies of all of them, fill in the application form with the reason to stay with my wife and 1900 baht.

Some offices will check for TM 30/28 as well.

It's a simple process

Edit

Photos of you and wife and she must go with you. Some offices take the photo thenselves.

Thank you, overherebc, for this great information.

A few questions:

Would my Thai wife's tabbien baan not suffice for the "TM30"? She owns the house.

When you say photos of me and my wife, do you mean headshots or just casual photos of us together? Could we use wedding photos?

And what is a "TM28?" 

And what application form do we use to make this application?

Thanks again for this wonderful advice!

DH

14 minutes ago, elviajero said:

If you’re unable to renew your ‘retirement extension’ you could try for a 60 day extension to visit your wife. That can be issued without financials.

 

At the end of the 60 days (or at the end of your current stay) you could go to Thai embassy in a neighbouring country and get a Single Entry Non ‘O’ visa as the spouse of a Thai. That gives you 90 days on entry and is extendable by 60 days if required.

How would I go about getting the 60 day extension?  It's possible that that may be enough time for my wife's U.S. visa to come through.

I'm aware of the "Non-O" option, as there was a recent thread about going to Savannakhet or HCMC to get one, with no financials being required. But that would be costly and I would have a hard time getting to either of these places from here in Chanthaburi province. I don't think there is bus service to Savannakhet from here. And certainly no air service to try for HCMC.

The "60 Day" extension sounds like a great option, but not sure how to go about getting it. 

Thanks for the very helpful reply...

DH

Just now, NancyL said:

But, aren't some offices requiring documentation that the income claimed in the Embassy letter is valid?  And even being deposited into a Thai bank, in some reports monthly for the past twelve months?  Perhaps this is what the lawyer means when he says that the Embassy letter is "no longer accepted", i.e. that is not accepted without additional documentation.

Thank you, NancyL, for your kind reply.

As I did when I applied for my extension last year, I will supply official award statements from U.S. Social Security and my other two pensions. I will also provide my U.S. bank statements clearly showing these specific amounts being directly deposited on a monthly basis. These total amounts will exactly match the dollar/baht amount on the embassy letter of income.

If you have evidence of monthly payments being deposited into a Thai bank account for the past 12 months, you don't need the embassy letter. This corresponds with the letters from the U.S., Uk, and Australian embassy's no longer being issued.

My understanding was that an U.S. embassy letter issued in December 2018 would still be honored, within a six month time period, which would enable me to extend my retirement under the old policies, i.e., not needing money deposited or transferred into a "Thai" bank account.

Thanks, again for your kind reply to my question.

DH

26 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

The 6 month rule has been in effect since May of 2013. 

Download in Thai and English. Embassy letter seasoning rule 20130529.pdf

From that file.

As alway, thanks, ubonjoe, for this information. I will certainly take this letter with me to the IO next week. It may help... Thanks!!

DH