jackyseymour

I've asked this today in the visa forum, but as you've all recent experience - does the Thai National have to take the original Tabien Baan, or will a copy do? thankyou

http://www.dopa.go.th/English/servi/marry.htm

It appears to require the original

Thanks Lopburi. Yes it appears to require the original, but have been told a copy will suffice, as a lot of Thais travel to other parts of the country and don't necessarily return to their family home town to marry? I would have thought that an originalThai ID card would suffice, without that, after all, they're not considered Thai and have no rights as a Thai citizen.

Being able to actually take the family's house registration book, Tabien Baan, off the premises, so to speak, might not be pratical in a lot of circumstances surely? Anyone actually gone through this procedure recently?

I know this topic's been covered a thousand times, but have done a search and keep coming up with the list of documents needed by the farang part of the couple.

I know the Thai National has to have their ID card, but read something somewhere about the Tabien Baan. Can this be a copy? Partner's on family's Tabien Baan a lonnng way away. Thankyou for your help

You don't have to go to the CM bus station to get a mini-bus - there's at least one service that does pick-ups from CM hotels/guesthouses (and indeed other spots like Tesco Lotus on the Superhighway). They have several CM-Pai buses a day: 08.30, 09.00, 10.00, 13.00 & 14.00. They charge 200 baht for CM to Pai and 180 baht for Pai to CM - the 20 baht difference is to cover the pick-ups around CM........ whereas the all passengers travelling Pai to CM board at their Pai office.

I just checked with them and they can also pick you up from CM Airport (the taximeter area) for an extra 50 baht - but they probably need to have your cellphone number for that. BTW, you can pay the driver - just give them a call to arrange this and to sort out your schedule/pick-up location etc (the lady there speaks good English).

Pu-Chlee Travel (Chiang Mai Office: 053 449188/9)

Problem solved?

Thanks Steve! Great help, although think will still need overnight stay in Chiang Mai as doubt Air Asia flies from Phuket to Chiang Mai fast enough to catch the last bus, what with having to change in Bangkok and all. Also, read somewhere that the minivans drive a tad on the reckless side. Now I'm no wuss, but heard that road's a lonnnng ways up Still, some must've lived to tell the tale as the companies are still in business Thanks again.

Did it all earlier this year. You do need the Affirmation of Freedom to Marry from the British Embassy. download the form from their website and fill it in. As far as the references are concerned I don't think they bother to check with them, they didn't with me. I don't think they actually care, you are signing a legal document stating you are not married, if it turns out you are, that's your problem. The cost is 3500 baht and normally takes 1 day. Once you have got it back you then need it translated and stamped by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok. There are many agents around the Embassy that will do all this for you, and some in 1 day.

Once you have the paperwork the process in Phuket takes about 20 minutes and costs 100 baht.

Did you have to take two witnesses with you to the Phuket Amphur? I read somewhere that some places require this.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Agree the bus sounds the nicest (and probably most convenient) trip. I will be travelling up from Phuket so will be sick of airport lounges and check ins by the time I get to CM

Had toyed with the idea of taking the Air Asia flight up to Bangkok and then the overnight First Class sleeper, reason being Air Asia has a FIVE hour layover in Chiang Mai, or that was what I was told when I went to buy a ticket last year for the flora exhibition. I see from their website that they don't quote round trips Phuket/Chiang Mai anymore. Maybe they've found a way to get round this by selling you seperate tickets. Wouldn't have thought they'd have had a lot of take up if they couldn't offer something more convenient than that And if the bus from CM to Pai leaves that early, will have to revise plans and spend a night in some place near the bus terminal. Any suggestions? Thanks again everyone

Can anyone please advise on travelling from Chiang Mai to Pai. Possible to fly? Mae Hong Son and then a bus?Thankyou

Presently on Phuket and looking for a change, and what bigger change could Pai be? And thought would post on Chiang Mai forum, it being closest.

Just putting out some feelers as to the feasability of being able to rent something for two of us and our two dogs. Also internet connection a must. But have one of those little modems here on bustling Phuket, so am not expecting anything much. Just a nice big space and both of our being artistically inclined, views. Can this dream become a reality? Any thoughts gratefully received, although Pai only please. Love Chiang Mai, but want somewhere more secluded but also, interesting.

Photocopies of all Thai stamps in your passport as well as photocopy of id page.

Photocopy of his tabien ban

Photocopy of his id card

Photocopy of marriage certificate (if married in thailand--no need for certified translation)

2 id photos of you

Letter from Puyai ban

if you are applying in a local Immigration office you will need 2 copies of everything

Since it is your initial application I would also provide photos (wedding, house etc) and some financial information if possible--best to check with your local immigration office for what they specifically want as not every Immigration officer is up on the requirements for Thai men with foreign wives.

Also be aware that he must go to the Immigration office with you as he also must fill out an application requesting your visa be extended.

Thanks sbk. I thought you told me in an earlier post I did not have to show financial information? And if he does, what?! Photo of the buffalo? Or are you intimating they may want some tea money as well? The rest is no problem. Phew, good job it's not Greece, or they'd be wanting the post nuptial bedsheet too! Hey! Just thought! I won't have to provide them with a certified copy of the results of a pre-wedding virginity test will I?

By the way, do I get to go into see those nice waterfalls for the same price as he does?

No.

And when you get ready to apply for the one year extension feel free to post again, there is a tad more to it than just the marriage certificate and a letter from the puyai ban.

And photos ... and what?

You cannot build a permanent structure (house) on rubber tree land. The title doesn't allow it. If it were possible to build on this land, the Thai owners would have already upgraded it to Nor Sor Sam or Chanote and sold it for a nice big fat profit. That's why you're getting the blank looks. duh.

I've no intention of applying for Thai citizenship. Jump through all those hoops for what? You're still a farang whatever, and that's just fine by me. If we were to move to my country, he wouldn't be considered anything other than Thai. And I believe he'd be very upset if he wasn't . But probably with more rights than I would ever have here. As for the application for the visa/extension (whatever ...) on being married to a Thai national, my understanding is that all that is required is the marriage cert, photos, paper from Pu Yai. Doesn't say anything about having to change your name on your country of birth's passport.

By the way, do I get to go into see those nice waterfalls for the same price as he does?

Thankyou everyone for the replies. Aware cannot personally be on any tabien baan, but might help to use a Mrs and a Thai surname for any other official dealings, like when you have a prang in your car I don't want to change my name, and even Thais have a problem attempting to phoneticize into English potential spouse's surname. So far as the passport goes, can you get two? Suppose not if you're not a Thai citizen. Although a Thai friend of mine has hers and an Australian one from her husband, which she says she prefers to use whenever she travels.

When a farang woman marries a Thai man, is her surname automatically changed to his at the Amphur?

Thankyou for the advice re the Patong language school. It seems likely they may be of a more professional outfit than the one in Chalong. Sorry if my comment re the ladies from the entertainment industry sounded disparaging, I agree it may have come across that way. But if I'm considering spending time and money on a course, any course, I would prefer it presented itself a bit more professionally than the sight of a course leader with a drink problem hanging around outside the establishment sharing fags with a bunch of hos.

Thankyou to everyone who took the trouble to reply. I've been put off a bit by the school in Chalong, from what has been said. I drove past there a few days ago and saw some guy standing outside on a cigarette break with a bunch of ladies looking like they were from the entertainment industry. Looked a little seedy on the whole, and really don't want to waste money on a half baked course where the tutor turns up half cut half the time!

Have also been in touch with Text and Talk who tell me they are no longer offering TEFL courses on Phuket as they lost the lease to their building. Bit odd as I would have thought there would be enough work here for them to invest in leasing another building, but there we have it.

I'm rather committed to Phuket for the foreseeable future, and so am wondering if it would be worthwhile after all training elsewhere, as I would definitely need to work on Phuket. But my feeling is that there are probably an awful of of qualified teachers chasing available work on the island. Am I correct in this assumption? If so, would rather not invest time and money in something which I would be hard pressed to find employment with afterwards. Any thoughts, advice gratefully received.

Has anyone recently applied for and successfully obtained an extension to stay based upon marriage to a Thai man without said Thai man having to show an income of 40K per month? Would be only relatively wealthy Thai men being able to marry a farang woman if this was the case. Or is the Thai government attempting to introduce parity with farang men now via this route?

I was told yesterday by a visa operator here that the Thai man would have to show this amount. However, I wouldn't have thought he has many farang women customers seeking advice on this issue.

As to making enquiries at the local immigration office, I'm pretty sure you can go and ask about the requirements one day, and they will be changed when you show up to apply for the visa, the next. First hand experiences therefore preferable, as always.

I've posted this in the visa section before, but everyone assumes I'm a man and the application, as I understand it, is different for a farang woman.

Could anyone here on the Ladies Forum please tell me how long they were married before applying for the visa based upon marriage. Or, to be more precise, their Thai husband had to apply for the visa for them.

The reason I ask is that I would need to go to Bangkok to get the Affirmation to Marry anyway, and so thought it might be more convenient if everything, the marriage and the application for the visa could be done at once. Save a lot of to-ing and fro-ing. Thanks.

Surely the granting of a Visa Married to a Thai National would be up to the Immigration Office in Bangkok?

Does anyone know if it is possible to obtain the required Affirmation to Marry - Marry a Thai National and apply for a Visa Based Upon Marriage to such Thai National, within the week?

Hi all! New to Phuket and am thinking of studying for a TEFL certification. I have a DipAD from the UK - but a long time ago, and used to tutor part time there. No teaching formal teaching certification (all done on a wink and a nod in those days).

I live in a place called Chalong, and I've noticed a teaching school near the harbour (the small road leads to the docks). Does anyone have any experience with this particular school? I see from the local paper they have a branch in Patong too. Can it be recommended, would be convenient for me. If not, any alternatives?