happyaussie

Looking for some advice and guidance please.

I would like my Thai wife to visit me in Australia for 6 months. And to avoid boredom, I was thinking she could do some work at my family business. It's also a way to earn some spending $$. The work would be cleaning in our hotel (accommodation)

She's 49 and we've been legitimately married for 11 years. 

Is this possible, and how difficult would the process be?

Alternatively, I'd bring her on a 3-month tourist visa? Is this difficult?

Our company could be the sponsor.

Appreciate anyone's advice.

Thanks

Having moved back to Aussie due to Covid. I noticed Fortuners are not very popular here, even though they start at 1,200,000bht. Why, there are better SUV's available and Fortuners get mixed reviews.

I've always been a Fortuner fan and they remain the best looking SUV on the road in Thailand. But it's time Toyota delivered a car that performs as well as it looks. And get rid of those hard plastics in the interiors.

I'd look at current and future Toyota SUV's in other markets to get an idea of which direction they will take. The new Toyota RAV4 has grown and gets excellent reviews. Chinese are selling an SUV called HAVAL for 860,000bht. Looks great and gets very good reviews. I'm not a fan of Chinese, but there's no denying they are improving and moving forward. 

Would my 2 year old Ranger Wildtrack still be covered under warranty? If so, does that cover 25000km service? I expect to pay for consumables, oil etc. 

I like the idea of using independent mechanics but may as well warranty if applicable. 

I read somewhere that the 2 policemen were customers. were drunk, unruly, abusive to other guests and asked to leave. Being arrogant police I'm sure they considered themselves untouchable.

However I do agree with most other comments about security guards.  

Applied for 30 day TV extension before 26 Sep, paid 1900bht got an interim stamp and told to return on the 8th. Returned and got till 30 Nov stamped.

My curiosity is that the stamp clearly states 30 Nov. But they attached a slip in my passport and told me to return again 19 October. When asked why the IO suddenly had poor English. No probs, I've got a repatriation flight home to OZ on the 18th. 

Can anyone advise how much I should expect to pay for a 25,000km service on my Ford Ranger Wildtrack at a Ford dealer?

Appreciate your help.

Mention the terms in the resignation letter and have the employer co-sign first. If he refuses then you know his "real" intensions. 

Probably best to bite the bullet and leave. I'm sure he is not alone.

 Teachers wearing military style uniforms doesn't help.  

I have a 12 month old Wildtrack and it's okay. Service has been fine but there are things I don't like. I know they sound petty. But it's the little things that annoy - I don't like the key locking. Have to press twice if you want all doors to unlock, I find the window controls too far back on the door armrest, Cabin is cramped, high beam is terrible, a lot of wind and road noise, bumpy ride (yes it's a truck and this should be expected). 

I should have bought an Everest. 

Mazda are soon to release a new truck which looks so much nicer than current BT50. 

Nissan are also doing some good things. Same as the Merc truck. Also good to have something different.

If your locked on the Ranger drive one first. 

Enjoy.

Heads up on my tourist visa extension at Chiang Khan today. Opens 8.30am and I was second in line. I took color copy of embassy letter but they wanted copy of entire thread from embassy. Luckily the IO was very helpful and we arranged to copy and print off my phone. They want 2 copies of everything, including passport size pics.

The interesting thing is that I didn't get immediate approval. I paid 2100 (includes 200 for printing and service?). Applications are sent to Kohn Kahn for approval. Which means I have a temporary stamp until 9 October. When I have to return for final 30 day stamp. Which will be dated from 27 Sep.

The American guy before me had to do the same. 

When I left at 10am there were about 20 people waiting.

Suggest going in the morning. Apparently it gets very busy after lunch.

The IO officer was very helpful. 

I received my letter within two days. Sent them copies of cancelled flights since March and the letter arrived shortly after. Perhaps it's because I'm on the Tourist visa amnesty. 

It is not the embassies fault regarding caps. That's bloody Scomo and his mates. Good news is that caps are being increased. Which should help...I hope.

Contrary to other posts I have found the Australian Embassy a great help. 

I had a rough time with Expedia. They would accept bookings and payment only for flights to be cancelled. Which can happen. But when it comes to refunding it was horrendous. They accept no responsibility for what airlines do and Expedia are very difficult to contact. As others suggest, go direct to the airlines.

I must say I like TV forums. Always great tips and chuckles. 

I've cleaned A/C filters and fridge door wasn't sealing properly. Let's see what happens. My original point wasn't the amount. It was why such a variance from one month to the next. With no additional usage. 

I'll get a A/C technician to give a proper service. 

If this doesn't work I'll take others advice and ask PEA to inspect.

Thanks again. 

If I apply for a 60 day Thai wife extension on my tourist visa (which complies to amnesty rules) could I ask for a 30 day tourist visa extension when that expires? Or am I better of doing the 30 day tourist visa extension with embassy letter?

If 30 day extension which form does that require?

The Australian Embassy are issuing supporting letters based on the lack of flights and 35 max passengers on repatriation flights. Apparently it can take up-to 6 weeks to get accepted. No idea what the selection process is. But they assure me it's not driven by business class passengers. I suspect returning diplomats would chew up the numbers.

37 minutes ago, dimitriv said:

So the 45000 Baht in the subject was just clickbait?

 

Oops sorry about that. Fat fingers.

33 minutes ago, johng said:

Check the fridge  it could be running full time  if the control panel went wrong  or the door seals are bad or too much stuffed in the ice box forcing the door slightly open.

Also check the aircon  if its very dirty or someone set the temp down to 19 degrees it will use a lot of power.

Great feedback, thank you.

This. months power bill was more than double last month at 4500bht. And we have done nothing differently. I run one A/C at night, one fridge, a little lighting, no TV, one fan and charge computer. I will take it up with the PEA and see what they say. Something tells me there will be a shrug and pay up.

Our 2nd house next door is 800bht. everything same except no so much A/C use. 

Has there been any increases? We're semi isolated so no chance of someone pinching our power, I think.

Look forward to your advice.

56 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

You will use a TM7 form  that is used for all extension applications. Download: Fillable TM7 form.pdf

You are a legend. Thankyou so very much. Now lets see what happens.

To be honest I've found the service at Chiang Khan immigration hot and cold. More cold than hot. Most officers Indifferent with a sense of anti farang. But I'm used to that now. Line up all the ducks, be prepared for a curve ball and most of all, stay cool.

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

You could also apply for a 60 day extension to visit you wife if you have not applied for one yet since you entered the country. Your wife would will have to be with you when you apply.

Best to use your designated office. Another office would want proof of residence for where they are located.

Thanks very much. Would you know which form I should use? Would it be TM 25?