Pi Sek

I've just seen that SCB have updated their app... unfortunately my device only has Android 7.1.1, which is no longer supported. And I'm in the UK with my wife at the moment, don't expect to back in Thailand for a few months.

So I tried setting it up on my wife's iPhone (with a version of iOS that meets their requirements)... the app installed, I was able to remotely register it, and can login *sometimes*... when I try to log in, I either get the message in Thai "cannot process" and can't login, or I can log in but clicking on the bit I want to access (e.g. Account Summary, Transfer Money) opens a box telling me what that section does - but it doesn't open that section!

SCB's advice via their customer service email... "your device is not compatible, we recommend getting a new device". And their advice via their LINE support line... "fly back to Thailand".

1 hour ago, soi3eddie said:

Useful thread. We just submitted the application for my GF this afternoon and booked with VFS. We too, have to scan and upload all the supporting documentation in the next 2 weeks before the biometric appointment.

 

If taking the premium gold service, they will also do document scanning and upload for you too.

 

I recall seeing somewhere on the UK.GOV website NOT to book airfares in advance. I would not, unless it was cancellable and refundable.

 

OK, so the Premium Lounge service includes them scanning and uploading it for you... seems unnecessary in my case as I've already done all the scanning myself.

Still yet to see a clear list of what the benefits of this premium service are. For 3,490 Baht (that's what it says on VFS's Website), I'd like to know!

Good luck for your application!

9 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

You don't need a flight booking - in fact UKVI advise against booking flights until the visa has been approved......(totally the opposite with a Schengen visa).

 

The online application process asks if you are staying in a specific place. I always cover that off in my 'sponsor' letter by referring to "we will be visiting various locations in the UK and will book suitable hotels in due course - the financial evidence supplied provides more than sufficient cover for such accommodation".

 

If you are staying with relatives you may need a letter of invitation from them - and perhaps evidence that the accommodation is adequate for those visiting. 

Thank you, that covers my question #4 (I hope!).

I also stated during the application process (prior to the VFS appointment-booking) that we'll not be staying with my relatives, we don't have an address, and that we intend to stay at hotels throughout our stay over 5 locations. My sponsor letter specifically states a dedicated hotel budget for this.

For the benefit of others... I understand from a couple of friends who did stay with their relatives that they needed a letter of invitation. (No evidence of "adequacy" was required for the tourist visa, but I think it's different for longer visas.)

27 minutes ago, Upnotover said:

She should demonstrate that she has somewhere to stay but does not need to show bookings and certainly not flight bookings, I also think it is specifically mentioned somewhere not to do this.  3 or 4 successful visas for my wife, all without bookings.

I also saw the specific mention to not "book travel", but 1) I was told by someone in the village that we should; and 2) now I can't find it!

I *assumed* that a dedicated budget for hotels would be sufficient, as we are not planning on staying with the family and would prefer to plan our travel around different parts of the country based on how we're feeling at the time. Is this dedicated hotel budget an insufficient "proof of accommodation"?

3 hours ago, hotandsticky said:

I agree 100%

 

A friend's application was submitted on 10th March; on 27th March the processed visa was sent out by VfS.

17 days even? Great!

Also, if you can help out with question #4 in the post above, about flight/accommodation booking, great ???? I saw when making the application on the UK Govt site that it wasn't necessary, but I'd like extra informed opinions.

3 hours ago, theoldgit said:

1 - Biometric details can only be captured at the Visa Application Centre.

2 - The premium services are, in my humble opinion, totally unnecessary, the standard system works just fine.

3 - Applications certainly seem to be getting turned around in about three weeks or so at the present time.

 

If you’ve already scanned the supporting evidence, they can be uploaded directly to the UKVI website prior to the visit to the Application Centre, there is no service charge if you don’t need supplementary services.

Thank you very much.

1. Sorry, didn't make myself clear - I meant about uploading supporting documentation, not the biometrics.

2. So, what exactly is the difference between standard and premium? I'm curious either way! Is it just having someone to hold your hand and give you a cup of coffee? What about passport return - is it the same?

3. If it's three weeks - good, gives me a few weeks between visa approval and planned travel date.

... and ...

4. I have another question, after speaking to someone that did this before - they told me that you should have a return ticket and accommodation booked, and have the booking confirmation with the rest of the documents. Is this the case?

My Thai wife has applied for a UK visitor visa to come with me on holiday for a few weeks... neither of us have ever done this before, so we're hoping to benefit from the collective wisdom here ???? We're now on the VFS appointment bit, which we'll be doing at their Sukhumvit 13 office.

Three questions:

1) The appointment is for biometrics and submission of documents. Is the biometrics just having a photo and fingerprints taken? Can scans be submitted on the VFS website (we haven't got to that bit yet) in advance of handing over the file of paper she's got (I've already scanned it all for her)?

2) What are the differences between VFS's standard appointment and the Premium Lounge appointment? As far as I can tell, the standard one is free (but I saw something about a 500ish Baht service charge), and the premium one is 3,400 Baht (and I'm not sure whether she still has to pay the 'service charge' from the standard one). As far as I can tell, the premium one comes with a more comfortable waiting area, "personalised service", free use of a printer, free refreshments (water? coffee?? beer???)... do VFS post the passport back with the visa when it's done for both the standard and premium services?

3) I understand this whole process takes about 3 weeks... has anyone here experienced (preferably recently) this?

Thanks in advance for any insight krub.

The plot thickens... still at Suratthani Immigration. 

In short, it looks like I will have to get a 7-day extension on Friday and do a border run next week.

Apparently I have been illegal ever since the first Covid extension in May 2020, and the Labour Department should have rejected my last 3 work permit renewals because the Covid extensions invalidated my 3-year non-B. 

I will be "legal" again the moment I come back in on an entry stamp!

A "TIT" moment, evidently. 

11 minutes ago, DrJack54 said:

Not up to rogue offices such as what you were told by Samui immigration.

Covid extensions have been made available untill July 25.

Just typical Thai immigration office rubbish. 

Samui Immigration have just flat out told me that Suratthani (and Krabi, as I saw above) are incorrect. They advised me to leave the country. 

1 hour ago, Pi Sek said:

Suratthani Immigration have just told me that Samui have got it wrong and they've extended the Covid extensions until 25 July. They said that Samui Immigration probably haven't got the news yet. 

 

I asked if I should go to them because Samui just told me "no". They told me it's better to stick with the Samui office, and they need an appointment anyway. I told them that I might get back in touch in a couple of days! 

OK - I decided to drop by Suratthani Immigration as I am close by and spoke with a police-uniformed Immigration Officer named Khun "Don" (his surname was "Hiemnan" or similar).

He had a look at my passport, my visa, all the extensions so far, and he told me that it is no problem to get another 60-day extension. He was surprised that I knew of the July issue, as it was only confirmed this morning. 

He told me that Samui probably hadn't got the news yet, but that they will issue the extension. 

As so many are stamped in until 24 May (tomorrow), I expect there to be a few people sweating at Samui Immigration today and tomorrow. Fortunately I have until 27th. 

Samui Immigration told me on the phone that there is no good reason to extend the Covid visas as the Hat Yai border is open. 

11 minutes ago, Pi Sek said:

I've just phoned Samui Immigration - they told me that the only extension they can do is a 7-day (so I presume the "7-day get out" one). 

 

For a non-B multiple valid until this July with a Work Permit valid until February (next year). 

 

I'm in Suratthani now, I'll give them the same question. 

Suratthani Immigration have just told me that Samui have got it wrong and they've extended the Covid extensions until 25 July. They said that Samui Immigration probably haven't got the news yet. 

I asked if I should go to them because Samui just told me "no". They told me it's better to stick with the Samui office, and they need an appointment anyway. I told them that I might get back in touch in a couple of days! 

I've just phoned Samui Immigration - they told me that the only extension they can do is a 7-day (so I presume the "7-day get out" one). 

For a non-B multiple valid until this July with a Work Permit valid until February (next year). 

I'm in Suratthani now, I'll give them the same question. 

I have not had to leave the country since Covid started, so am unaware of the ins-and-outs of ThaiPass, Test&Go, or any other of the seemingly fluid Covid-prevention measures that I have heard mentioned.

However, as the announcements from official sources are (as usual) as clear as mud and because I expect I will have to make my first visa run since Feb 2020 in a month's time, maybe it's time I asked for some advice here.

If it matters, I have a Covid-extension stamp until end-May and an existing non-B multiple valid for another few months.

20 hours ago, Pi Sek said:

Koh Samui Immigration NOT issuing these extensions, even though they acknowledge the reversal of the decision to stop renewing non-immigrant visas by central Immigration Office (they have had no problems extending tourist visas).

 

The Chief Immigration Officer told me Chiang Mai can issue them because they are a "Head Office", but Koh Samui must wait on a letter of authorisation from Songkhla - which they have not received yet. She told me that they expect it to arrive to be able to made the CEs as of tomorrow (which means Monday) - but then, she told me yesterday that they expected it to arrive this morning!

 

So, they suggested two choices:

1) overstay illegally on Monday and *maybe* they can extend for 60 days then.

2) get a 7-day extension (which means you sign away your right to get the CE, even if it's available, and must leave the country) and go to Malaysia when their border opens on 1 April.

 

There was another option - to get a letter requesting a 30-day extension from my embassy - but my embassy is no longer making these letters.

 

The Chief Immigration Officer asked that I contact my embassy and tell them to complain to Thailand about this poorly-though-out series of events. My embassy told me they have no ability to do this.

 

Not impressed, all-round.

Update: Koh Samui Immigration were only issuing 7-day you-must-leave extensions yesterday until the mid-afternoon; when they started advising people to overstay illegally ???? until Monday.

On Monday, these overstayers can come in and get their 60-day extensions (regular 1,900 Baht fee + 1,500 Baht for 3 days' overstay). There is another form to fill in, you have to submit a GoogleMap screenshot, and two sets of documents instead of one.

Koh Samui Immigration NOT issuing these extensions, even though they acknowledge the reversal of the decision to stop renewing non-immigrant visas by central Immigration Office (they have had no problems extending tourist visas).

The Chief Immigration Officer told me Chiang Mai can issue them because they are a "Head Office", but Koh Samui must wait on a letter of authorisation from Songkhla - which they have not received yet. She told me that they expect it to arrive to be able to made the CEs as of tomorrow (which means Monday) - but then, she told me yesterday that they expected it to arrive this morning!

So, they suggested two choices:

1) overstay illegally on Monday and *maybe* they can extend for 60 days then.

2) get a 7-day extension (which means you sign away your right to get the CE, even if it's available, and must leave the country) and go to Malaysia when their border opens on 1 April.

There was another option - to get a letter requesting a 30-day extension from my embassy - but my embassy is no longer making these letters.

The Chief Immigration Officer asked that I contact my embassy and tell them to complain to Thailand about this poorly-though-out series of events. My embassy told me they have no ability to do this.

Not impressed, all-round.

Anyone know... possible to get more than a (3-month) single-entry visa on a brand new company - i.e. no balance sheet from the previous year? The govt websites just say the previous year's Por Ngor Dor 50 & 30...

Reading the fiction here is great.All you keyboard players talking redshirt this redshirt that. Stating nothing will happen redshirts willnot die in battle for 500 baht. The redshirts are out of the picture they arenot players anymore.You are all barking up the wrong tree.

The real players are military also. It will be green against green.The troops are moving to protect territory. The troops coming to Bangkok will stay in Bangkok.not go home after childrens day. Wake up guys get out of your sandbox and take a look at reality.

Civil war is on our doorsteps.

The war isnot peasants with machetes against guns . It will be tank to tank,if it comes to blows..

It's likely something is going non.

Regards the guys fixated on Red shirts and sucking up to the junta .

Ignore them.

I ask a simple question if "" they thought it was a good influences in the Nation" ( but requested no reference to Thaksin in response)

To do so ( as he did ) highlighted the mans real beef.

I have also speculated the possibilities of Tank on Tank yesterday with the Watermelon reality.

That is sections of army loyal to the people.

The populace.

Cables have leaked regarding the army barracks in some. Regions having drills with live ammunition.

Could all be nothing.

Then?

What's amusing here is the echoing of the Junta thoughts by the "" little army boys here""

Proof is required when we routinely speculate .

However when they say "" the army has everything under control "" no proof required.

Division may well be real.

But ignore the thought crime fools here.

And enjoy the discussion on TVF

You just got caught out for shamelessly spewing UDD propagandist lies ("they killed over 100 red supporters in the streets of Bangkok").

So I don't think you're in much of a position to say something like, "Proof is required when we routinely speculate".

Just mix a few armed militants amongst the protesters to initiate the shooting, have your mercenary agitators stirring the unarmed to violence, and you have a great electoral ploy, claiming the government of the day are murderers. Worked once, why not again?

You might need to raise the per diem to B1000, but the jackpot payoffs for dead and wounded will ensure a good turnout.

BTW my g/f's NE family are still waiting the 10 times payment promised for the "donation" extorted from them. Apparently Yingluk winning wasn't good enough.

No one disputes they killed over 100 red supporters in the streets of Bangkok.

It's puerile at best to spew pet hatreds and try casting the army ( of all people ) as the good guys

I certainly dispute that figure. But don't let that stop you revising history.

I dispute it too.

The total number was, what, 92? Of that number (which includes soldiers, emergency services, civilian protesters & passers-by and armed insurrectionists), I've never been clear as to how many were shot by the Reds/MiB and how many by the security forces. Anyone have any accurate (i.e. not from the likes of Michael Yon or Nick Nostitz) figures?

Bought a Honda CB400 Super Four last year, and looking to change the muffler. I very much like the look of the Yoshimura Cyclone.

But... I have no idea as to suppliers in Thailand, and Google isn't being very helpful, other than getting some example images...

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rg6zewNrwuY/maxresdefault.jpg

http://shop.yoshimura-jp.com/files/img1/1417154155_3b07e9aa234f27aa93fb9d35bf976414.jpg

http://img.youtube.com/vi/KM0M6Er6kBk/0.jpg (Akrapovic)

Any decent suggestions to where I can look? I'm in Suratthani, but can order/travel.

personally I think the violence between the israelies and the Palestinians will continue as long as Israel continues to expand its borders .

I wish Israel would just level that encroaching mosque, run the usurpers off and get the argument over with.

That would be great...for anyone that hates Israel as it would ensure Israel's destruction, or at the very least tens of thousands of dead Israelis.

Not a smart thing to wish for. Not smart at all.

Also in the story: "Two Palestinians were shot and wounded while throwing firebombs at Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem, police said."

This is suicide on the part of the terrorists. This is holy ground to Jews and Christians. Remember this whole area is focused in The New Testament surrounding the birth and life of The Christ. Christians worldwide will be incensed. These terrorists are bent on riling up millions of people who have a lot more interest in this than they may realize. This is a way to mobilize power against Muslims that the Muslims may have underestimated.

It also just makes Muslims hated even more around the world. If you can't see the growing hate, you aren't paying attention.

One of these days there's going to have to be a worldwide extermination of Islamists. They won't stop bombing sacred Christian and Jewish places and artifacts especially in the ME and the hatred grows deeper and deeper. They won't stop... 9/11, Never Forget.

Every time they conduct an act of terror or an overt act against Jews and Christians and Others the blood boils just a bit more. I don't know why they seem to revel in it but it will end up with their demise in a worldwide cleansing. They are fools.

Cheers.

My goodness, I don't think I've ever seen a better example of a display of thinking that will lead to World War 3 than this. I'd be willing to bet you have a very sturdy lock on your front door.

And the 9/11 remark just tops it off...

the burning of BKK

A real tub-thumper. A bit like 'The great mass of the people'.

No matter how delusional, there's always some cruet who'll believe it.

Silly me, to believe what I saw. I must be delusional, I'm sure I saw Bangkok getting set alight. In fact, I could have sworn that's exactly what the UDD said they'd do, so my ears must have been playing tricks as well as eyes.

Some of the replies here are truly pathetic.

There is zero evidence as to who was responsible for this bombing - it could be the junta itself...

If Thaksin said nothing, you would condemn him. If he speaks out, you condemn him.

You are right, it could be all sorts... it could be UDD or affiliates, the Junta, separatists from the Deep South, it could even be Anglo-American black ops (a la Blackwater). Actually when I heard about this, I assumed it was Thaksin-affilates but, you're right, it is wrong to point fingers at this stage.

^^ Whilst these comments may be true, they are entirely irrelevant to this news story. The Thai government is offering foreign embassies the option of repatriating their own citizens who have broken the Law in Thailand. When they get back to South Africa, it is not implied they will walk free.

I know this person very well. RIP.

Jatuporn was quoted today as indicating something to the effect that if young people don't stand up for what they deem to be in their interests, then there is no future for the country.

I understand social media is alive and well within the scenario described in this article.

Nuff said.

Nuff said is wrong. Too much said would have been better when you are quoting Jatuporn.

What i can not figure out is how those kids made a 7 hour standoff unarmed and without using hostages. They should have been handcuffed and hauled to jail quickly.

Jaunta lover, are we?

Don't believe in things such as Freedom of Speech and Civil Rights? Sure sounds like it from your comments.

The history of anti-democrats demonizing their opposites.....comparing them to Genghis khan, over-the-top criminality and anything else they can think of to malign them with venom beyond the pale....Is seen by many as a demonization program demonstrating weakness.

In this case, the mere mention of Mr. Jatuporn elicits such commentary.

I suppose one could retaliate by maligning the Suthep's, Abhisits, Chuan Leekpai, etc. in a similar fashion.

But as much as one is on the other side, it seems to me their leadership ought to receive some respect...Challenges over their politics for sure, but at least be considered human beings.

In this case. I have no problem quoting Mr. Jatuporn, Nathawut, Dr. Weng. Thaksin. Yingluck, Thida, leadership of the PTP, etc., and speaking respectfully about them, I hold them in high regard,.....No amount of anti-democrat rhetoric and will change that....Least of all an orchestrated demonization campaign waged against those that anti-democrats consider their most formidable opponents. As mentioned above, that emanates from a position of electoral weakness.

Mr. Jatuporn spoke in support of these students, as he shares their Democracy ideals, as I do.

Eloquently put. I have a slightly different view on that and, since we all hold democracy in lofty esteem, I'm sure noone will disagree with my right to air it.

It is indeed true that part of the fascist ethos is demonizing their opposites. But I'd have to add that Jatuporn is certainly also guilty of that, and he always supported the idea of setting up Red Shirt villages and the like so; his Democracy ideals are "questionable". In fact, I am quite sure he holds fascist beliefs. Believe me, it takes one to know one.

Despite the fact that Fascism is directly opposed to Democracy, "Democracy" is usually the fundamental aim of Fascism (in speech marks because it was democratic by name not nature, much like Giovanni Gentile's stance of fascism - "authoritarian Democracy"). Personally I have noticed Democracy in Thailand becoming more autocratic each year since I've been here, and I got here in 2001. It was OK back then, but it's never been a "healthy Democracy". Democracy stands on the pillars of Law and Education. Thailand has never been strong in either, which is why we have come to this point in Thailand's political history (again).

These kids are standing up for their right to free speech... where the right to free speech is limited by Law. You break the Law, you must expect to face the consequences. Sure, they shouldn't have been kicked or whatever, and the cops shouldn't have tried to stop them... but Thai cops unfortunately tend to be pricks, especially when someone questions their integrity. The question I have is why they weren't rounded up again along with the group that joined them in numbers with a loudspeaker truck for "moral support". But I suppose the police decided it's better to let the army arbitrarily detain some of these violence-seeking rabble rousers (sorry, my opinion) in their homes over the next few days under Article 44 rather than facing them all at once and having the risk of a "third hand" shoot an M79 somewhere. Who knows, maybe it was a good decision.

Prayuth took responsibility for breaking the Law by installing his Junta and postponing his own retirement to personally take charge of a mega Spring Clean. OK, he's totally messing up diplomatically all the time and I'm sure he doesn't know that much about economic policies, but these things are of minor significance in the long term when compared shaking up a downward "democratic" spiral and trying to establish a sustainable system of stability, peace and prosperity. So, yes, I like Prayuth, he's cool. Some might call him mad, egotistical, paranoid, whatever else, and I would neither agree nor disagree with them, but I think he's at least a patriot and I think he did the right thing.