ChangMaiSausage

Yes we (my wife) had to carry a letter signed by her ex husband saying that her daughter could leave Thailand with her.

I also had to have a letter saying that she could travel with me without either of her parents (I was asked once for a letter at the airport)   

I just completed the adoption process last year, below is some background (my circumstances are probably a lot different to most)

• I'm a UK citizen
• Wife's daughter was seven years old when we started the process.
• I lived and worked in Qatar (Doha) / Taiwan at the time.

When I married my wife I decided that I wanted my wife's six year old daughter to live with us, we had spent some time together as a family over a couple of the years and I felt that it was the right thing to do.  We completed all of the required paperwork required by the Thai Child Adoption Centre in Bangkok, her biological Father had agreed and understood that she would have a better life if she was adopted by myself so he willing agreed to sign over responsibility to her mother prior to starting the adoption process  (Note: he had to provide an official letter to allow her to travel outside of Thailand). 

We made an appointment to see a case worker at the Child Adoption Center in Bangkok.  They explained what documentation was required to start the adoption process, this was relatively straight forward.  THEN we hit a problem one of the requirements was a Home Study Report, basically they required someone to come and see/interview us at our home in Qatar.  Unfortunately Qatar does not recognize inter-country adoptions, I had letters written by solicitors, Thai embassy and UK embassy stating this fact to the Thai Adoption Board however they refused to accept this (we even had the Qatar Thai Embassy visit and provide a report)

We then moved to Taiwan with my Company I thought this would be an ideal opportunity for us to complete the home visit, guess what Taiwan fell into another governmental bucket.  Taiwan is not recognized as its a Republic of China??  We then returned back to Qatar to face the same problem! 

Cut a long story short her adoption was completed in 2016, its taken ten (10) years to complete the only reason that it was finalized was because the majority of the adoption board members knew us by first name/face as most of them had played a part in her adoption (prior to their promotion to a more senior position) eventually we received an email saying that we had to be in Bangkok on a specific date/time so that the adoption could be completed.

End of the story is that it was worth it but she will never have a UK passport as she has not resided in the UK for any significant duration.

Ps. and I have sole responsibility for her (even over her mother)

Acted as a guide for my family and friends in Chiang Mai, Krabi and Bangkok no issues as I knew what they enjoy (most of the time) 

The only  complaints came from my older sister who wanted to sit and sunbathe all of the trip, rather than checkout the sights in CM.  I explained that the week in CM was more about sight seeing and that Krabi (one week later) would be the best place to sun bathe.  Nah, she complained daily the whole week only to go to Krabi and burn her ass off on the first day, she spent the next two days in her room after that!

Bangkok there is so much to see in the surrounding area, first time weekend market or even a nighttime market a meal/trip up the river.... the list is huge.   

Just returned from Hanoi free visa (15 days) for UK passport holders.  This was found out after I filled out a form on arrival and patiently waited to speak to one of the unhelpful immigration guards. 

First living and taking a holiday in Thailand cannot be compared in the same way. There is no way that I could live the lifestyle I do when on vacation (unless I have a drink problem).

Its all about the individual how old you are, do you drink, smoke, do you like to eat in European restaurants etc... (the list could go on and on)

I would like to think I can live on a steady 50,000 a month when older (this is with out any real out goings apart from annual heath cover)  

I am very fortunate in my life - because of the way I think!

1. I like beautiful things, I like good food, I like to go places, I like a nice car. If I can't have any of those things I am disappointed but not hurt.

2. My philosophy is simple: When I have everything I need, what else do I need?

1. wonderful words of wisdom and balm for the soul... for those who believe you.

2. ??????

You wouldn't expect me to write words of wisdom if I didn't know what they meant.

"When I have everything I need": For me, the essentials: food, water, shelter, health, freedom, love! Everything after that is desire; I don't NEED the things I desire.

Many Contributors on and off this thread consider desires as their essentials!

If you really want to understand the word "surviving" in this world, ask anyone who is always close to the threshold of not surviving.

My previous remarks about surviving on B15,000 per month allows me a level of comfort and contentment that I am genuinely happy with.

ChrisKC I like your approach to life, if your happy that's what matters.

Everyone has a different outlook to life and the definition of happiness will be different from person to person.

I find this thread interesting as one day I would like to settle down in Thailand with the family. The health care seems to be the major issue once schooling is out of the way.

How long could I like on 3M who knows, I'll respond once I make the big move I'm sure things will be different by then (more expensive)

Jeezo this thread dragged out some real cheapskates.

I'm with Don Mega on this one, but fifteen months for me on current lifestyle.

Much different story when the oil industry boots me out the door though!

Can't believe the 15k a month post, my electric bill, gardener and pool cleaning costs that.

Everyone is not the same!

Different locations / cheaper cost of living

I'm sure a guy who is in his late 60's/70's has no desire to go out and party every evening or even every week.

Lets hope that you keep your job.

Thanks 7by7

Sorry I have another question that I can't find the answer too

What is the maximum period (visa validity) of time allowed before entering the UK once settlement visa is granted. If my contact was extended for another couple of months would this be okay?

Thanks to 7by7 I have received some clear answers to some of the questions I was struggling to find answers too.

I have just started to plan/look into what is required by the UK government for my family to return to the UK with me at the end of the year.

Q. I just read that it takes from 12 to 24 weeks for a UK settlement visa to be approved/rejected. Has anyone had good/bad any experiences with this?

Q. For my wife and her daughter to join me in the UK I need to provide evidence of a minimum 72,000gbp in my account in the UK. Does this need to be in my account when I apply for the settlement visa before it can be approved?

Thanks for any advice.

Dave

_{Thank you for the responses appreciated.}

_{I did not realize that I had added to the pinned posting.}

_{Thanks again.}

I've just been informed that my contract will end shortly in Qatar, so I'm trying to find out what is possible and what is not for us returning to the UK.

• Married 10 years
• Mother Thai (10 year UK visa in passport)
• Child 1 - 16 years old living and studying at a international school in Qatar (starts prep for her A levels in Sept) currently going through formal adoption process (hopefully this will be complete before we leave Qatar so that I can apply for her UK passport)
• Child 2 - 8 years old holds UK and Thai passports (no worries for him)

I'm trying to find answers but struggling, maybe some one here can advise?

1. Will my wife and daughter (adoption finished) be able to move to the UK with me? Even if I don't have a job, I have access savings in the region of 110,000GBP and own my property in the UK.
2. What is the stance with adopted children continuing with their studies in the UK (same as any UK Citizen?)
3. The intention is that I will apply for their visa's to stay in the UK once we arrive.

Any advice / guidance will be greatly appreciated.

Regards

Plenty of crap posted but also some interesting observations. Keep them coming I find it interesting.

"Could"

First sorry for you and your wife's loss.

Second let your wife deal with the Police once you have reported it to the NCPO (the more this happens the quicker it will stop)

Out of interest do the NCPO put up posters in Police stations for reporting this type of blackmail?

Wife went last year and she really enjoyed it (probably because it was in Thailand rather the Middle East)

Hope to do it next year. Let us know what you think about the event.

I don't know about the legalities for the child to travel without his fathers consent (if awol). I had to arrange a consent letter for my wife's daughter to travel with me, he had to sign agree etc...

Children travelling alone can be arranged through the airline carrier (most provide this service) the child is taken care of once passing through immigration and escorted to the plane where handover to a steward(ess) will take place, the same then applies at the other end on arrival.

Depending on the massage school/shop if its a normal oil / Thai massage shop I go for an hour. If its at one of the places I like and feel as if I'm getting something out of it (not a happy ending) I normally ask for one hour Thai followed by one hour oil.

The best thing about Laos is that the people don't like Thais, unless they have family in Isaan. Well that's my wifes opinion anyway. People overall are a much friendlier and are a happier bunch. Cheap beer and cigarettes. Good western style food from many parts of the world situated in the center of town. There aren't as many fights, scams pretty much unheard of, caddies are much younger and more sexy.

Overall just great people to work with.

Sounds good to me, and I agree.

But , what is a caddie?? I am curious.

Golf Caddies a person who assists with your golf clubs when playing golf.

As mentioned in an earlier post http://www.eta.gov.lk/slvisa/ we arranged all of our visa's (Thai / UK) online before travel (less hassle)

Galle great place and great cheap accommodation (slowly going up in price) in the Unawatuna area.

Must be an impressive bag of clubs(2,500GBP).

Unfortunately this is what happens he will have to pay to release them, if he paid the above amount another 500gbp will not make much difference. Better than paying another 2,500 for new ones.

This was discussed in great detail last week.

Simple answer don't drink Chang change your brand I have.

We bought most of our furniture in Baan Tawai over the last twelve months, as pointed out things seems to be very quiet there at the moment, however the prices we received are very reasonable.

Take your pictures with you I'm sure someone will accommodate you and I would prefer a handmade piece than one from Index

No matter the location of the picture it still looks so clear and nice.

So Mum Dad and three children will have to take two taxis, I think someone in authority needs to have an urgent word with the insurers, and in the meantime re introduce the airport bus so families can travel together

its not the best way to start a holiday is it?

We have had to do this several time, easy answer it to arrange a proposer mini bus collection from the airport (no big issue)