indieke

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

Welcome to the "..how to make my life complicated.." club.

All complications regarding this kind of crap ceased when we (my Thai wife and I) got married and she adopted my family name.

Bet you had other crap instead.....

Well problem solved. I broke up. Enough ladies in Thailand.

You broke up with her because you couldn't get her a visa? Now I'm glad she was denied. Yikes!

Tired of these complications. Enough is enough.

Welcome to the "..how to make my life complicated.." club.

All complications regarding this kind of crap ceased when we (my Thai wife and I) got married and she adopted my family name.

Bet you had other crap instead.....

Well problem solved. I broke up. Enough ladies in Thailand.

you live in remote France, your girlfriend lives in the Phillipines and she was was refused a visa to visit you in Thailand. I wonder why

You find that any of their business, really? The issue is that I support her or not, and that it is a risk, she would work, stay in Thailand. If they are convinced I support her, the moral issue is private, as long as she is not used as a prostitute, and then they should give the visa. If I would NOT support her, she cannot proof she has means to travel. The stamps in her passport also proves, she came back in time.

The problem now is to pass Philippine immigration without visa for a stay of 45 days, nothing else. And our situation is not uncommon. Try to get a Filipina into France or Belgium, hardly ever granted. I know guys married already, where Belgian immigration, will find reasons to refuse entry.

Here it all makes no sense, as she not even NEED a visa to Thailand as she can stay 30 days and even get 30 days extension. The visa is only to leave the country without any problems with airlines and Phil immigration.

the op already give the reasons why pi immi refuse departure. if she comply with those reasons then she should be good to depart but arrival in thai is another story yet to reveal itself.

Not any concern about that. I let a gf come from Philippines 7 time now, never a problem or even question from Thai Immigration.

I will buy a second return ticket, 4200 bht, wasted money, but better then to be denied acess.

You may have a bigger problem with Philippines immigration allowing her to leave

That is exactly my point! She left without too much hassle 2 times, but then not extended the 30 days allowance. Note with the new extension rule, this should not be a problem, but we know all Philippine immigration and when you give them an opportunity to refuse!

If she already got out of the country twice as a tourist she will have more chance of not having problems with the immigration. I think better not to apply a tourist visa in the Philippines as for Filipinos getting a tourist visa is not that easy unless you can show them proof of funds (meaning lots of funds). Just do what I did, get a return ticket which is not more than 2 weeks (meaning she will be coming back to Philippines in two weeks time or less) that way the officers will really think she is a tourist, and bring bank statements (if she has some), and hotel booking. It will be more expensive coz I have to change my booking if I want to stay longer but if it means not getting problems with immigration then its worth it. And this way there is no need to provide any of your documents coz providing them will just make things even more complicated. And tell her to be confident. If she has done this twice then I'm sure she kind of already knows what it is like.

I agree, but when you apply for a visa, you already have booked the trip, and have to show the ticket. So that would mean changing it to prior date, to change it again after that. That would be a real loss of money, and immigration always have right to refuse boarding. And the dates on my hotels reservation not match any more.

You may have a bigger problem with Philippines immigration allowing her to leave

That is exactly my point! She left without too much hassle 2 times, but then not extended the 30 days allowance. Note with the new extension rule, this should not be a problem, but we know all Philippine immigration and when you give them an opportunity to refuse!

My gf applied for a visa to stay 2 months with me in Thailand. I provided her :

- 20.000 Pesos, proof of payment to her included.

- Affidavit of support

- To who it might concern letter, I am her bf, where we stay, and proof of stay.

- Copy of my passport, and hers

- Copy of my tickets and hers.

Now I had another gf, some years ago (no, they not know), who with this got her visa with no problem in Manila. Here refused for these reason

They don't want copy's

The Affidavit has to be issued by their Embassy in my country, and they need the ORIGINAL to be send by me.

They want a handwritten letter that I support her.

In fact the proof of support, the bookings should be enough. Original? I send once an original to the Philippines, and they never got it! Then I am not talking about the lecture my gf, 24, got because she was dating a foreigner, which was a bad thing.

I cannot go to the embassy. I live remote in France and am Belgian. Now way for me to furfill their ridiculous demands! Of course my actual gf is very shy and not confident, I think they should not have put the shit with my former one.

My concern is this. On itself, if not taking in account stupid officers, pleased to show their power to an innocent young girl, this is not a huge problem. She has 2 stamps to Thailand in her passport, and was hardly interviewed last time. But although, she would have a 3 week overstay, also no problem with the new extension regulation in Thailand (although wasting a day in immigration), the problem and stress it causes is:

For the airline company, she is abroad 7 weeks, has a return ticket, but no visa. Will they allow to board?

For immigration in Philippines, Manila, same thing.

If she gets through, other problem is Thai immigration. But there I am more confident, never been asked my return ticket neither my companion's in 25 years. As it is legal to ask extension in Thailand for up to 30 days, going to local immigration and pay a fee, this should work also. But then it messes up my schedule.

So what do you think? Is there a chance she can leave anyway? Should I buy another ticket for return earlier? But that would be wasted money....

The problems with Russians is not only their behavior in public. Except the fact that they are invading in big numbers the place, the problem is they not mangle. Their promoters invade some areas, where you could have a good time before. RUSSIAN promoters. Even french, Germans, accept to speak the international language now. They don't. Everything is made in Russian. Go on Patranak hill, in Pattaya, there is no sign in Thai or English any more. Although there is a law about what foreigners cannot do in business, they find always a way around. You not travel with thai's any more, you not are served anywhere by Thai's, all Russians, who make a little Russia, everywhere. It feels much more like an invasion, not simple tourism. Even massage girls have to learn their language.

I have nothing against other nationalities. But leave Thailand to the Thais, I not want to be served by Russians, have them everywhere outnumber when I travel around. A mix is fine, not one nationality, that takes over a country.

At first I was shocked and couldn't believe it. Then I calmed myself down and re-read the text on the website. It actually doesn't look that bad. It is basically just removing alcohol advertising.

This will not really effect the common person. You will see less advertisements for alcohol. You will not see the beer girls or staff wearing beer tshirts. You will not see Singha logos on team uniforms. Really, that's about it. There will still be happy hours, you just won't see signs advertising happy hours. You can still wear your Chang tank top (unless you work at a bar/restaurant). You can still buy alcohol at nearly everywhere that you used to (except for those sidwalk bars that spring up at 1am). The only thing that looks worrisome, is no alcohol consumption after midnight at bars or restaurants.

Seems like this is going to be good for the family going on holiday here now. No more noise after 12, no more scream from drunk people middle of the night. People can be more tighter , no fighting so maybe in the long term this will be good for the tourism.

Like I stated before, people who Want to get drunk, will get drunk earlier.......

And believe me, they will find a way to get booze after midnight, not think that will be so difficult....

I support the initiative, but again, just like the immigration crackdown, it's too much to sudden. Introduce all measures gradually in a year or two and let the industry adapt. BUT the bottom line is that alcohol consumption must come down in Thailand and strong measures are needed. A heavy tax on spirits will be the most important.

And you think there is no heavy tax on it yet? People who want to drink a lot, always will. But the guy, just enjoying together with his partner a bottle of wine at home, are no danger to society, yet pay more for the taxes then the bottle itself!

The only place I been to lately where I really could not find anything to drink on a hot summer night was.....LONDON, after a concert, when I was really thirsty, and where pubs had to stop serving and night shops were not allowed to sell me anything.....

Again a lot to do about nothing. First wait what this all will do in real life. There was already an alcohol ban in stores. Russians are walking around with their bottle of Vodka at 10 am, they will do same.

No alcohol after midnight? Ok, when you can drink again then? I know something, that until midnight you can get really drunk. In restaurants, I not eat that often, after midnight do you? Is alcohol banned out of the Kingdom? No!

For the visitors of girlie-bars, guess you have to come earlier (the nice girls are gone before midnight also). And then after midnight, stock your alcohol in your room!

If these rules come effective, I know this for sure :

- I will drink alcohol when I want, maybe not where I want.

- There will be no less alcoholic drivers, maybe they just be drunk sooner.

- Water could be more expensive then beer at some times.

Taxes on alcohol, especially wine, what I like to drink most, are already sky-high. One of the reasons I not move to Thailand, not this stupid law, that will not change anything for me. Prefer this then a new increase of prices, tired to pay a lot for shit.

And if you want my opinion, there will be plenty of alcohol available, one way or another......

Listen on itself it is not a big deal. In Belgium you need your official ID on you all the time, but that is just a tiny card, that you put in your wallet. They not ask especially for an ID, except when you had an accident and driving too fast.

Problems to carry it in Thailand, it is big, you cant put it in your wallet.  I have an international driving licence all  ruined, by the heavy rain. And indeed loosing it, give more trouble, then you need on holiday. Then not so long ago, it was said that motorbikes-renters, should not ask for passports, to not have fake one's made from it. So carrying it, is putting yourself more on risk. If you not drive a motorbike, chances are small, someone ask for it.  But cops woul not want to enforce the law, but collect tickets.

So on the hole, just let us carry our copy's, the real bad guys will not be caught by this system......  And let open a post for every BM that has been asked for their passport, and under which circumstances, will help more then to cry!  At least we can see, what this mean in every day's life!

Much to do about nothing.  First as said, the hotels do the job and will continue when you travel around.  The brownies when mostly checking on the foreigners with bikes, will have another reason to give you a "contribution". I carry in my bike copy of my passport for ages.  Stronger, I have an international Drivers licence, but every time, I was checked and presented my Belgian Licence (with English on it DRIVERS LICENCE, among other languages), everything was fine!

For someone renting houses while travelling, it would be more difficult. But then, how can they check easy and fast that you  left another rented house more then 48 hours ago?  They are not going to check you on every corner of the street. And for those coming as a tourist to Thailand, as myself, a lot, how much have you been checked on this?  I think if you are, you will have really bad luck.  I never been checked in 24 years, and asked for my passport, or a copy. So maybe now it will happen more often, but nothing to worry about.

So many alarming news, but in fact not that much changes except for expats, that use tourist visas. 

YAY time to try to rewrite things to suit yet again....

If you cant win ... cheat

Or to stop cheaters continually winning by cheating. There should be section in the new constitution in which should be clearly stated whoever is caught bullying political opponents, bribing and cheating their way into politics should be automatically banned for life. I guess that leaves current red side of the political spectrum without a single suitable candidate. If this country is ever to move forward now is the time for complete and exhaustive cleaning.

Except the 2011 was a legitimate democratic election. ANFREL pointed out that there was vote buying on both sides but overall, as an independent agency, with international observers, they concluded that it was a good election and a step

forward for democracy. It was not a perfect election but they were convinced that the Thai people had been able to freely express their political opinion and PTP had won plain and simple.

ANFREL carefully observed all aspects of the election and their report was very detailed. Also the Election Commission did accept the result (after investigating complaints from both all parties about any irregularities)

The one person who did not want international observers was Khun Suthep. One can guess why that was.

I don't have an opinion about this except I am interested in knowing that facts of the matter, or at least coming as close to them as possible by conducting independent research and looking for information that has some basis in reality and which can be verified.

Thank you for pointing this out. Is is the closest to the truth, I read here for a while.Not one election will be good, if the Yellos shirts will not be elected.

All very confusing. "In and out", yes but what time-limit? I give an example, I am planning a 6-7 week holiday in November. There is a good chance I would not stay all the time in the Kingdom. My plan is after 2 weeks, to do a tour in Burma/Myanmar, for 6 days. Then go back less then 30 days to Thailand. Could that already put me in "trouble"?

If I just apply for a tourist-visa and stay in the Kingdom all the time, that would be no problem.

Just explain all that when you apply for your double entry tourist visa in the Thai embassy/consulate in your country.

A Single entry Tourist Visa is appropriate for that itinerary, as you get permission for 30 days on your return.

If he wants to leave Thailand and come back after a week or so -- he needs a double entry

No he wouldnt because he can use one visa exempt entry (allowed) and one single tourist visa..

------------

I take your point, but I believe the Permit-to-Stay given on entry will depend on a travel plan, tickets and funding, which might fall foul of the "plan" to get a visa in an adjoining country - which may or may not be granted..

Well here, you not agree already. I done this, last year, first a week in Thailand, 5 days in Philippines, then back to Thailand, leaving then before next 30 days were over. No problem at all.

So why should it be a problem now? If I remember well, in and outs, keeping the 30 days stay without visa, as long as the total days not exceed a certain amount per year.

EDIT : This confirms my way of thinking :

Furthermore, foreigners who enter the Kingdom under this Tourist Visa Exemption Scheme may re-enter and stay

in Thailand for a cumulative duration of stay of not exceeding 90 days within any 6-month period from the date of

first entry. - See more at: http://www2.thaiembassy.be/consular-services/qa/#sthash.xAQNOzqo.dpuf

All very confusing. "In and out", yes but what time-limit? I give an example, I am planning a 6-7 week holiday in November. There is a good chance I would not stay all the time in the Kingdom. My plan is after 2 weeks, to do a tour in Burma/Myanmar, for 6 days. Then go back less then 30 days to Thailand. Could that already put me in "trouble"?

If I just apply for a tourist-visa and stay in the Kingdom all the time, that would be no problem.

Just explain all that when you apply for your double entry tourist visa in the Thai embassy/consulate in your country.

Why? I am a tourist not staying any time more then 30 days? Why should I for a stay not exceeding 30 days apply for a visa? So I would ask for a double visa for 2 stays that neither one exceed those 30 days? And if the Officer believes I am not there for touristic purposes, I would be blacklisted for the rest of my life? C'mon!

All very confusing. "In and out", yes but what time-limit? I give an example, I am planning a 6-7 week holiday in November. There is a good chance I would not stay all the time in the Kingdom. My plan is after 2 weeks, to do a tour in Burma/Myanmar, for 6 days. Then go back less then 30 days to Thailand. Could that already put me in "trouble"?

If I just apply for a tourist-visa and stay in the Kingdom all the time, that would be no problem.

let me get this straight newbie possible shill; because this government was elected, regardless of how they got "elected", they are in 'power' therefore they have the right to destroy the country and because they were elected it's the duty of the people even if they don't get their wishes fulfilled to let the government do as they wish no matter if the majority objects. Is that about right?

Noop, but the story repeats itself, without any sollution. You claim they "destroy the country". Maybe because they won too much elections? You think only money bought the voters in the first place? Was there no corruption before Taksin in Thailand?

You are taking party for the democrats, that is your right. I think that corruption is everywhere. But by overthrowing time and time again an elected goverment, taking hard actions is for me not the way to fight it. I am not sure there is more or less corruption then before, I claim there has always been. I have no proof that with another goverment things would be so much better.

I have no sympathy for any of both parties, but taking side, when you not really know what is cooking underneath, makes no sense to me. I wish just more stabilty for Thailand and more common sense!

I understand that as everywhere, some of you people are in favour of the reds and other the yellow shirts.

I not say one is better then the other, for me BOTH are corrupt, in one way or another. Maybe all the red votes are been sponsered, but nobody can make me believe, it not happen on the other side.

Thing is, the elections are won by the reds. Thing is also, that instead of finding a better strategy to WIN elections, the country is put in an instable position, time and time over again, by overthrowing in one way or another an elected goverment. How would you feel if opposition would all these things in your country, France, GB, Germany, Australia or whatever! Would you laugh that airports would be blokked, goverment force to stop functioning, the army used to break the power?

Sure Taksin family are no saints, both are playing a game of power, but at least the actual Goverment got itself elected. So for me, please yellow manifestors, find a way to get elected, then to overthrow a goverment, time after time. If you want to maintian a democracy, it is impossible to be the the only party in the country, and that is exactly what they wish for!

Never had any problems at the airport. But to the airport, my oh my! Don't let your hotel take care of the taxi everyt time he refused to put the meter on! Once, I was then with my wife, I urgently asked him to turn it on, he stopped threw our luggage out, and left us on the busy street!

Why raise those taxes again and again? Thailand has become less interesting with the years. Look at the prices of everything imaginable, and you come to the conclusion, it becomes difficult for retired expats as well people escaping the cold of winter. Look at prices of rents, taxi's, and yes for the single person of girls keeping you company.

I am NOT a beer -drinker, far from that. But I like in the evening on the terrace outside, to finish the evening a nice bottle of wine. Indeed for 600 bht (would cost me 300 here), I have far from prime wine. Now this will cost me even more.

I understand that people are turning to other countries. The Philippines get more and more guys from Thailand, for example, so will Vietnam and Cambodia. In the Philippines, wine is reasonable priced and when an effort will be made to get infrastructure a bit better, maybe it will be a better place. Yes safety is an issue, but I not feel as safe in Thailand as 10 years ago either.

And then people on this board, know a bit about the country. Go in a bit tourist places, and see what is charged to the tourist now, who not know sh*t about the prices. I not like to say things are going downhill, but compare everything with 15 years ago makes you cry. Everything is done, not to make life better, but to worship the holy Baht! And I am not talking about alcohol, but nature that is destroyed, bribes being taking to destroy that same nature, corals, houses being build on places, that are not made for this, and provide human disasters.

And then I am not talking about the rude attitude of the Thais, that was not there, when I discovered the country 25 years ago.

This boy, is seriously thinking spending his time somewhere else...

Riding a scooter/motorcycle alone after sunset and before sunrise is something to avoid in most places on the planet. Add in the age factor, a few drinks and you are setting yourself up to fail. Get a decent used car, share with a friend or just ride during daylight hours.

I don't think the alcohol was the reason he go mugged. When in Phuket, I stay in Kata, and have a friend that has a restaurant in Nai Harn. It is known for years that the road that goes by the ocean, is dangerous by night, and expats confirmed it is to be avoided at night, as well as some places in Nai Harn.

Saying Phuket is worse then Pattaya and so on, will not help anything. All over the world, where tourists arrive, the place gets unsafer, because they are an easy target.

These gangs also have been operating between Patong and Karon, but there are too many witnesses there.

Touristic spot or not, this could be avoided, by regular patrols. Tourists bring enough money into the island, to at least make these places safe. And if you not like Phuket, then stay away from it. Yes,, it is not the paradise it was 30 years ago, but it stays a place to pass a good time, every beach its own atmosphere, shopping, and many styles of food to choose from.