Seagull Sam

Probably not by a lot. Since Brexit things have become a lot worse and government seems to have entered a time machine where all imigrants are treated with suspicion and 1970s style strikes are in fashion again. Going back to the original question the lady in question isn't so young, although I am significantly older, I have no plans to marry her and she takes her family responsibilities seriously. We are only looking at tourist visas perhaps summer in UK, winter in Thailand.

It's not really in my nature to lie on official forms. I need a police form to get into Thailand from UK so it's likely we will need something similar travelling in the opposite direction. I don't think the Thais are sharp enough to keep information about minor offences, only the backhanders paid to the right uniform. I'll check with an agent or lawyer but I'm not holding out much hope. Thanks for your contribution nonetheless.

Do these kind of bureaucratic niceties have the same significance in Thailand, particularly in the entertainment industry? Put it up, pay the necessary backhanders and worry abut the paperwork later (although probably greasing the wrong palms in this case). Perhaps I am being unnecessarily cynical.

Not as I read it. It flies in the face of natural justice but I have 5 years to consider the matter if I am being optimistic. I voted Remain and would certainly never put my cross by the name of any of the self entitled public* school boys running the country now. * NB in England 'public school' means elitist private school.

Obviously not what I wanted to hear but thanks for your input. It looks like 10 years until the conviction is spent. I guess any solicitor / lawyer will gives us chapter and verse re details of the offence. True love will find a way. Err...perhaps ????

My gf of 1.5 years requires a tourist visa for UK but we have a problem. She receieved a custodial sentence for 18 months for possession of ice. She got out around 6 or 7 years back I understand. I won't go into the whys and wherefores here, suffice to say she has not been involved with this in the time I have known her and has no other criminal convictions. We can meet the necesary conditions comfortably, I am not afraid of long forms or interviews and have sufficient lovey dovey correspondence involving bunny rabbits and teddy bears on Line ID. Having been around Thailand for extended periods for the last five years I am more than happy that I have made a good choice and that she will return to Thailand as required. I think an agent might be useful for this job. We are currently in Pattaya, does anyone have any recommendations please? Please keep any general comments on the situation either factual or funny. Thank you in advance.

Cinematic art would surely be the worse without the implied sexual contact of the post coital cigarette.

Thanks Mike, only 30yo. I have a particular affection for this bumpy soi. I seem to recall it barely being developed only three or so years back. Perhaps you could PM with details of precisely how I can purchase this obvious labour of love.

My sentiments on the subject are clouded by being attacked by a drug crazed bar girl while I was living there a few years ago. Discretion forbids me to name the establishment she worked in. The point at issue is that there was no-one in earshot given the thin population. When the local hospital informed the police their attitude was 'do you still love her?' Lawang.

I told you my doctor was <deleted> but to give him his due you would need to present with obvious symptoms of the disease before further tests / biopsy. I make my points simply to note the random nature of the OA visa application. It would not be beyond the wit of man to ask different questions of different areas of the world. Leprosy, as an example, is not an issue in UK but might be if you were applying from another Asian country. The advice appears to be different, muddled and self-cintradictory on different countries' websites (and even within the same jurisdictions as in Wales & England).

Why, oh why, oh why do they complicate matters and contradict themselves? Going round in circles so you can turn up in Thailand to hand over your hard earned cash makes no sense. Try clicking on 'contact us' and you are directed to a full page message from the ambassador. There is no test for leprosy so why put it on the form? A few years ago I found a doctor in London who took a look at me and simply ticked all the boxes. That was an expensive 100+ mile round trip so I went to a doctor in my home town who took it all too far but no doubt it was a decent little earner for him. I can see a few ways in which my application may have been considered deficient but my OA visa was finally issued at 11.04pm UK / 5.04am Thailand. My guess is that the staff may have been indulging in Breaking Bad quality product. Start the proceedings early and use a doctor you know personally or by reputation. Now what did I do with that sun cream and phrasebook?

My need for insurance is a simple fact which unfortunately cannot be 'defeated' as you suggest. In addition I am allowed insurance from another company if I can get three directors to sign. I have a signed form which was issued by a Thai company which will cover most of my pre-existing conditions but is not on the list. Last time I bought the cheapest insurance which I did not use. It is obviously too late for that now.

My plans are a bit fluid. I have property back home which requires my personal attention from time to time. I need insurance regardless because I am not well in a number of respects. In Thailand it will be gf's family home in Phetchabun which gets pretty tedious after not very long then an apartment in Pattaya until that grubby city gets too much to deal with. In short I'm at the stage of looking for a base after a few visits. So the plan would be to go in without a visa, transfer to O, apply for a re-entry permit and then apply for visa extension in the last 90 days. It will mean a few visits to immigrations offices but should work out without too much trouble. Thanks to all.

Thanks. I already have 800k in a Thai bank so I'm covered on that. I understand the O visa is single entry only now. Any tips on a decent agent?

I'll try and keep this brief. I applied for an OA visa last Wednesday evening 12th and I'm flying on 25th with a likely return date of April 24 2023. The new online system is utterly hopeless and has said 'processing' since then. I have tried calling three times now but the call cuts off after an hour. I am wary of applying for another visa, instead of or in addition to, my current application. Background 0 I was expecting the doctor simply to tick the boxes for his £150 fee as previous doctors have done but he insisted on testing for everything. He reassured me it would all be done in 24 hours but had never tested for elephantisis before. This apparently takes 10 days but the lab didn't receive my blood sample so I had to send another sample, hence 20 day delay. I know the Thai Embassy don't work Thai (or British) holidays so suspect King 9 was duly honoured with his holiday on Thursday 13th & 14th. The end of the rains retreat / Buddhist Lent rules out Friday 21st (and a beer if you are lucky enough to already be in the LOS). IF they can manage to process the application by their own maximum 5 day suggestion that takes us to Monday 24th the day before I fly. All contributions gratefully received.