TiltedTables

Thanks JayClay. The agent told me 30, but when I picked it up its actually for 60 days (until June 17th). As long as my court date doesn't get pushed out should be ok. Not sure I should listen to the officer who told me to go to Immigration if I wanted the 90 day Visit Thai Child Visa. Tempted to do it to see their reasoning for rejecting a visit Thai family request based on not having parental power.

"Or perhaps a heads up text or phone call warning was received." Probably a warning text. Most likely sent by the guys in uniform to protect their higher-level connection.

Just an update in case someone else in the same situation finds it helpful: The Thai Family Visa was rejected at Savannakhet today as well. He instead gave me a 30-day tourist visa. He asked for my divorced wife ID card and then for her tabiaan baan - I had only ID card but said I'm divorced and don't need to carry all the records my ex-wife acquired since birth. He then asked for divorce certificate and agreement and then took issue with the same Parental Power line that the officers in Nonthaburi did which stated that my wife has exclusive parental power. I reminded him that I'm now a mere visitor - and that visiting thai family doesn't require me to have guardianship (or if I'm wrong, it isn't stated anywhere that I could see). I thought I only had to show his original birth certificate with my name on it, and all the other docs showing his tabiaan baan at my home with me. He told me to take it up with Immigration when I get back. Not feeling very confident about that since being downgraded from Guardian ->Visitor ->Tourist. A 30 day tourist visa won't help me stick around to attend my court date in June for the judge to resolve the troublesome Parental Power problem. At this rate, I'll be allowed one more tourist visa before I have to sell my son to the gypsies and swim to Kamchatka. I'll update if the situation improves later. Doubt this applies to many people anyways, but hope this is able to help somebody.

Thanks BritTim, very good to know. I booked a room for 17th and 18th and will queue up before it opens. I notice the van thaivisaservice is sold out for their Tues trip so no doubt the visa groups will make for some long lines.

Thanks. So, I guess this wouldn't apply to land crossings? Might take Dr Joy's advice and just go on the 17th although I'd prefer not to spend extra time there.

I had my work visa rejected because some problems with the school paperwork. The officer told me to go back to the school, get the fixed papers and return on Tue the 18th and they can process it then. Even though my visa expires on the 17th, he said there would be no overstay fine. But he wasn't sure if my visa was rejected again on the 18th if the overstay waiver would apply. My school is closed and cannot get me the papers so I will have to exit Thailand and go to Savannakhet and return with a Visiting Thai Family 90-day visa. Does this mean I can leave the country on the 18th as well, and not be given an overstay fine? Or will I need to exit on the 17th as maybe the waiver of overstay doesn't apply if you're not getting your extension?

Good to know, thanks again. I think I will try there. From what I can see, the documents generally required for the Non-Immigrant O Family Visa are below, if anyone knows anything different about that Savannakhet Consulate, I'd really appreciate your info. Required Document: 1. Passport or travel document with validity not less than 6 months. 2. Photograph of the applicant, taken within the past six months. One 4 x 6cm picture 3. Financial evidence (e.g. bank statements, proof of earnings, proof of sponsorship from a third party). Proof of financial means (10,000 baht per person/20,000 baht per family) 4. Proof of relationship to a family in Thailand. Parent of a Thai national Birth Certificate A copy of a ID card of a Thai child Details of accommodation in Thailand: Proof of Hotel or private accommodation booking. Travel Booking confirmation - Round-trip air ticket or e-ticket (paid in full) Visa application form (filled out)

Yes, thanks I did. I considered getting a temp address in BKK, so I can switch IMM centers but for Guardian Visa, you need to show pictures of us in the new apt and get the owners info etc - alot of work and no guarantee that they won't overlook the 'Parental Power' line in the Divorce Agreement this time. His tabiaan baan is for my home in nonthaburi and his school close to us - so thought it wasn't going to look legit that I'm a proper Bangkokian.

Thanks for the replies guys, My current 1-year extension to stay to care for my child expires next week. Nonthaburi will not renew until the Judge rules that I have parental power, but that won't be until June (hopefully). Last year I lived in BKK, and Chaengwattana overlooked the supposed 'lack of parental power' when I applied for it. I thought the signed court documents would be enough for them to provide an extension until the court date but they told me my only option is to leave the country and come back on a new visa. That is why I have to return only as a visitor to my thai child, even though he still lives with me and I take him to school, etc. The O-type Family visa is not ideal, but three months should give me enough time to attend the court hearing and hopefully switch back to a Guardian visa. The mother is willing to help with any documents I need. You mention Savannakhet, do you think they can do the same in Vientiane or Poipet?

I am almost in the same situation. My Guardian Visa from BKK Imm was rejected at Nonthaburi this year at the time of renewal. A line in the Divorce Agreement stated "allowing the mother to exercise parental power". Needless to say, my Ex and I initiated a court case but we won't get a judgment until June. Until they get the judge's stamp, Nonthaburi will not approve the visa extension, and my visa is almost expired. I thought as the parent of a Thai you qualify for a Non-Immigrant 'O' visa that gives permission to stay for 90 days per entry, then an option to extend a further 60 days (for a total of 5 months) before having to leave and do over again if needed. My plan was to cross land border at Savannakhet or Laos and apply for a Non-Immigrant 'O' visiting family visa (not the actual name) and hopefully the first entry is enough time for me to get the judgment I need from the court. Does anyone know if that is still (or ever was) correct? Wouldn't the OP also be able to leave and re-enter with the same visa?