Nordude

1 hour ago, NCC1701A said:

how many people are you hosting?

It would be around 10 the first time.

9 minutes ago, HashBrownHarry said:

As i understand OP, it's only a meeting?

 

WP still required?

Yes, it's a meeting with some tourist activities in the evenings. But I would charge money for it, like the bodybuilder who got arrested.

Is getting a work visa incredibly difficult and expensive for a one-person company?

2 minutes ago, tlandtday said:

You want do to this with the covid virus situation in thailand the air travel? 

It takes time to organize, so it's not going to happen at least before next dry season. Plenty of time to observe the virus situation.

I'm on an Elite Visa with funds from my online business overseas. Usually, all interaction with my clients is virtual, over the internet. But I've been thinking about arranging a week-long mastermind event where we meet physically. Renting a mansion in Hua Hin and flying everyone in from Europe seems like a good option.

How can I do this legally, or at least without being arrested?

The story from last week about the bodybuilder working illegally in Pattaya is similar to what I'm thinking about doing (though, only once a year for me).

If the answer is "need work visa", then my next question is: how can I get a work visa for this?

4 hours ago, sallecc said:

So I guess he is in IDC for some days already, and without his phone... 

I hope he gets back online soon to give us an update. I don't like cliffhangers and what OP's silence implies.

4 hours ago, Metapod said:

Been about a month and still waiting to be approved for my TE visa.

To be exact, it took 21 days from I sent the application before I received the approval email. After that, it took 13 days for them to confirm my SWIFT payment. The Christmas holiday and new years was in between. Perhaps that delayed things. I was informed by them that it could take months, so it was quicker than expected.

3 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

Last year one photo from inside the IDC caused quite a kerfuffle.

Cozy! I don't understand why it's so hard for the authorities to put up a few new buildings or floors so that inmates can sleep. They even have free prison labour.

4 minutes ago, Nordude said:

If you have the money, fly to Oslo and get a new passport. I think it only takes a few days, that's what I've heard. Then, apply for a tourist visa at the Thai embassy, preferably a METV. That takes exactly one week. You will be back in Thailand within two weeks with a new passport and proper visa, and plenty of time to sort out the marriage.

I didn't read the last update from OP. Welcome back! ????

If you have the money, fly to Oslo and get a new passport. I think it only takes a few days, that's what I've heard. Then, apply for a tourist visa at the Thai embassy, preferably a METV. That takes exactly one week. You will be back in Thailand within two weeks with a new passport and proper visa, and plenty of time to sort out the marriage.

Should I purchase the Easy Access Membership from the official site or one of the agents? I'm confused by all the different sites.

There are several websites that offer the Elite Visa. What are the differences and which is the official one? Someone already mentioned thailandelite.com, is this right?

Anyone know if I can apply for a new METV before the other one has expired? I'm going home for Christmas, and was thinking about getting a new METV while I'm there. The one I have expires the 20th of January.

OP, you should have arrived in Bangkok by now. Was it a smooth entry?

OP here.

We didn't have any problems. The lady said nothing, just stamped our passports and let us through.

I'm looking into long term solutions. Thanks to all.

2 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

Then you are not really a tourist are you?

Well, I'm not working and earning money. If that was the case, it would be easy for me to get a work visa. I'm a skilled IT worker, but I'm not here for work. And I don't want to stay for five years, so the Elite Visa would be very expensive for something I potentially can get for free now.

3 hours ago, KhaoYai said:

if you are still only staying 2 weeks - in which case, why have a visa?

 

Or do you mean you've stayed since November 2018?

I've stayed since November 2018 with the exception of a few weeks now and then.

15 minutes ago, matt9998 said:

flying in from EU you will be forced to buy a ticket back to your home country or the country you departed from if they reject you. Changing your tickets doesn't work and hence you're risking a lot flying into any BKK airport these days

There are two direct flights from my home town to BKK every day. To go to one of Thailands neighboring countries I would have to change flights in BKK anyway. Seems a bit overcautious to make such a detour just to avoid a small possibility of being rejected.

I just want to have a plan B if disaster strikes, that's all.

My EU girlfriend and I will be arriving at BKK soon with fresh METVs. This is our second METVs since November 2018. Before that we have use an exemption for staying two weeks each year, nothing more. I'm not expecting any problems, but you never know.

My question is what is best practice if they decide to reject us for some reason? Which city in a neighboring country should we try to change our tickets to in order to get back to Bangkok as swiftly as possible?

Otto2910, did you get through?

I did it last month at CW. Took an hour after I had gathered all the necessary copies. I also got an extension. They required the supporting letter from my embassy, which they had given me.

A piece of advice is to hang on to your old passport because it will be tied to everything that you have used it for here in Thailand. For example your SIM card and bank account.

3 minutes ago, MadMuhammad said:

I don’t think it matters if you have a return leg to Thailand as long as you leave on it before the expiry date. 

Question: if you haven’t already, return to Thailand on the very last day of your METV expiry and get an extra 60+30 extension from your visa

Probably doesn't matter, I'm overthink things as usual. I know about the 60+30 trick. Actually I'm on my last 30 days now before I go back home for the summer. The METV visa is very convenient if you can get one.

Just now, Mai Mee Tang said:

You have already 2 in/out of Thailand to show them without including the last one. You can do that, just do not show your last flight when applying for the METV.

Then I have to manipulate the PDF because they are return tickets, except for the first one from Europe. I can do that, no problem, but it doesn't feel right.