MartinJ

On 7/13/2018 at 12:27 PM, White Christmas13 said:

I read most of the pages but found no answer to the question I have

She has never been to Australia and like to apply for a tourist visa we

know all the requirements but the question I ask you do we have to

prove we are involved with each other or can she just apply to visit

a friend I will fill in a declaration form stating that I will provide

accommodation and any other expenses arising for the duration

of her stay in Australia. Do I need to prove my income or just hers

We met on social media a couple of years ago after I separated 

from my wife so basically I am still married according to the law

will this situation cause any problems with her application I can

not provide any e-mails that we know each other for a long time

since she has no e-mail account I did spend a few weeks with her

in Bangkok not long ago so she likes to visit me now

So what problems will she have when applying for the visa

it will only be a single entry visa any help appreciated

I've had some female friends make visas to Australia recently.
If the visit is short, 1 week or 10 days - 2 weeks , and she has money in her account and a job to return to , she will have no problem.
If she has a stable job to return to and a  letter from her employer confirming she is using her annual leave, and she has no money in her account, that's okay as long as you say you will be supporting her trip. 
If she says she visiting a friend, id ask why you would be on the application form
Better to say she is coming to visit you and you will be supporting her while she is staying with you and covering all costs

On 5/29/2018 at 5:52 PM, Lacessit said:

The OP is making a big mistake by shouting.

I talk to my GF in basic Thai, and she talks to me in basic English. I can't recall ever having raised my voice to her. We can make each other laugh with the language barrier.

She thinks she is lucky to have me, and I think I'm lucky to have her. She is older than the average trophy wife. Very street-smart.

We've both been round the block a couple of times. Perhaps experience counts for something.

As you get older choices made should be better.
I've learnt plenty from past mistakes

On 5/29/2018 at 9:27 AM, phetpeter said:

Me too! 3 times! gave them a child, problem was having them learn to drive and buying them a car, The giving of more freedom was a bad mistake! Still good friends all 3 came to my wedding of with Thai wife and they are all friends still! 

Had you tried chaining them up?

On 7/20/2018 at 9:09 PM, Days Off said:

72 m2 for 2 bed 2 bath on Pahonyothin between Sanam Pao & Ari BTS for 30k.

That is a decent enough size and reasonable price

You mentioned you used an agent, was there any particular advantage to doing it that way?

4 hours ago, Days Off said:

I just moved to Ari.  I had rented a condo on Ladprao Rd near to the Ladprao MRT.  While that wasn't bad (convenient to work), there's not much in that area for food and entertainment.  Personally, I couldn't do Asoke.  That whole stretch of Suk from Nana down to Thonglor is just too much for me.  It's nice for a visit on the weekend but wouldn't want to deal with it on a daily basis.  Ari seems to be a pleasant compromise so far.  I definitely seem more farangs in Ari than I did on Ladprao...but still very local scene.  

 

Good luck whichever area you choose.

DO

What is your approx. size and price of your condo in Ari area?

15 hours ago, owenm said:

I live in Bang Yai, about 25km outside of Bangkok in Nonthaburi. About 30 min, 18 Bht by bus to Bangkok. I'm renting a 3br, 2 bthr, 2 level townhouse with large living area, kitchen and outdoor carport and small garden area in a local baan hosing estate with 24 hr security at 5500bht per month, unfurnished. So yes had to buy some furniture, TV, bedding, fridge, lounge sofa etc, but shopping around can source most things relatively cheap. I'm 2km from the city centre, and besides 2 local Mama Papa shops in the estate, am close to 7/11, Central Westgate, IKEA, Homepro and 2 large Big C and a Tops supermarket. 25bht by motorbike taxi to town, and 50bht for a taxi with my fortnightly shopping and grog supply. Not many farangs, which I don't mind, a MRT purple line and buses going everywhere in Bangkok. With aircond, fans on all day about 1000 Bht for electric, and water 150bht with myself and GF. 631bht for 50/10 internet with 3BB, and Netflix for entertainment on the TV box. Night Market for food and shopping, McDonalds, Pizza Hut and company, and a few local drinking bars, perfect. I'm Ozzy and have Austrian mate in the village. Love it, inexpensive and can do lots of exploring around BKK still. 1 Yr lease, and ready to extend. PM me for more info.. 

Thanks mate
I'll send you a message over the weekend

4 hours ago, Aussieroaming said:

I live in Saphan Kwai, perfect for me. Close to BTS and MRT. Close to Big C Extra for grocery items, close to many restaurants and close to Chatuchak for running. 

Thanks
I have checked out some stops along the BTS line since i moved to chatuchak. Saphan Kwai, Ari, Phaya Thai all had some appeal and I've moved it onto my list to consider

1 hour ago, fathersicksendmoney said:

Not sure why you quoted my post at all but anyhow I agree people don't socialize here like back home so no need for a palace however 80-100 sqm in an absolute prime area in a 1st class condo is a good size and spacious enough. Thats gonna be close to 50k and yes you can rent cheaper On Nut but OP said price isn't the issue

 

On the fip side I dont get how expats lived there whole lives never having lived in a studio only to jump into a shoe box as soon as they get here. I stay 3 times a year in jomtien/pattaya for a break in a studio and after a month Im chomping at the bit to get back to my spacious BKK condo

2 hours ago, philcon said:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/toml.str.ss.bangkok/

 

in case anyones interested

2 hours ago, philcon said:

Hi, Have you checked out take over my lease(TOML) on facebook ? Lots of good condos with pools and Gyms.

I will be moving to Bangkok also, TOML is a very good site to visit

 

Cheers

I'm in research phase still and not looking to take over someone else's lease. Having done some searches on property sites there is an obvious oversupply in the thousands of condos and homes in bangkok, so supply is certainly not something I am concerned about. 

It is the choice of area I need to pin down. There has been some interesting suggestions so far and ill look into those more.

The holiday mindset is different from being here permanently. I want some space, but it doesn't have to be over the top. At samut prakan my room was around 24sq and that is far far too small for me for a permanent stay. I'll be 55 and retired and I want my home surrounds to be comfortable and a place i enjoy relaxing and coming home to. Somewhere I can keep some personal belongings and tat has a small kitchen
I'd need around 60sqs+ to be satisfied and happy

5 hours ago, lamyai3 said:

Lots of interesting areas around the city ranging from upscale and full of hiso types, artsy and full of hipsters, raunchy and full of night time venues, all appeal to different people for different reasons. Most of these will be close to the bts stations, so they're all convenient and have a decent buzz, it depends on which type of thing you prefer. Sukhumvit and Silom side are quite different in feel for instance, and Thonglor is very different to Asoke or Ari. It doesn't take long to explore the central zones, so best to spend a couple of weeks doing this while in some temporary accommodation. 40-50k is a decent budget and rental contracts will be no problem since you're planning on staying awhile (many places are less willing to draw up a rental agreement if under 12 months, or sometimes 6) so first is to narrow down the choice of area by personal preference. Incidentally, Chatuchak (and Samut Prakan even more so) would be thought of as being way out of town for most people, and for that reason tend to be much cheaper for renting, but on your budget most districts will be affordable. Take your time and enjoy getting to know the different parts of the city. 

Thanks for that advice.

I had a walk around Ari one lunchtime and the place was packed with restaurants and food stalls and had a real buzz going on and I would certainly consider that area.  It was nearly all Thai people from what I could see, not so many tourists and I'd enjoy that longer term
I must check out Silom and the other side of the river along the train line there
 

4 hours ago, bigginhill said:

Hi, Asoke is great, and I have a small condo to rent! Soi 15, end of soi by the boat stop, infront of the school.

65sqm small balcony, 2nd floor. Pool on the roof, fitness ,sauna. 25,000 Baht. If my email is visibile in profiles contact me , not sure I.m allowed to put it in the post 

It wont be until mid next year that I make my move, ill let you know closer to the time if I'm interested in that area.
You said boat stop? Is there a ferry service on the river?

13 hours ago, fathersicksendmoney said:

ASOKE is a great area for westerners. Loads of 5 star hotels, restaurants, bars , and shopping malls.

Its very busy and vibrant with a large expat presence and also very touristy (a turn off for some). Its sort of a melting pot one BTS station away from Nana. Soi cowboy is there and again that could be good or bad but its tucked away so its not in your face

I live here and love it but its not cheap however 40k will see you in a nice newish condo say around 70 sqm or so.

I've stayed at a couple of hotels in that area. I thought it was mainly a tourist area. Looking on google maps i can see a park close by
I might need to go for a walk around that area

39 minutes ago, fathersicksendmoney said:

errrm budget? A house in Bangkok you can rule out unless living 40 miles out in the burbs if being surrounded by only thais is your thing

did I mention budget?

Up to 40-50k baht a month is fine
I don't want to get hung up on money, its the areas and experiences I want to hear about 

3 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

Dude I'm in the same position. I'm gonna head over for 6 months soon and am looking at Victory right now and chatuchak. I don't mind busy, but need access totranspirt....

 

What's your budget? 

The airbnb is about 25k baht for one month
Longer term i am okay with up to 50k baht for a nice house or up to 30-40k for a nice large condo
 

I made the mistake of a cheaper smaller room in samut prakan. I didn't enjoy the room or the area and i wouldn't try and save money like that again

Some background: I’m retiring and moving to Bangkok next year

Interested to hear opinions on places people enjoy living in Bangkok and surrounding area

After watching some youtube videos from an aussie guy I stayed almost 3 months in Samut Prakan close to bang pu area. That area is unlivable for me, a classic shi**hole. I’ve since moved to Chatuchak  on an airbnb for a month. Its busy here but i like it okay

I’ll take as many different opinions as I can and check out what I can

I’ll be renting for a couple of years  at least. I'm used to a house, a townhouse or Condo is fine too.

Love to hear what people like about their areas or what areas would be good to live