SirDougless

A 12 month multiple entry visa tells you on the visa itself when the last date of entry is. 12 months after the visa is granted. Utilising the visa for multiple 3 month stays is no problem, however, some suspicion would be raised at the point of entry (say Sydney airport) if the only departures were 1 day visa runs to New Zealand. Use the visa wisely. 9 months out of a potential 15 is OK. 15 months out of 15 means the risk of being refused entry is much higher and if that happens then further visas will be problematic.

PS, make sure you disclose the knockback and reasons on your next app. Don't let the knockback discourage you from doing another one soon.

The knockback reasons were the usual ones.

Post 27 sums up the financial requirements very well. I would add that you'll be getting her travel insurance.

Telephone records will enhance your 'relationship'. So will pics with the family. Note that at this stage the 'relationship' is only important to establish your moral obligation to support her whilst she is here. Love, marriage plans etc are not required. Neither is monthly support.

IMMI also have to be satisfied that she will return to Thailand and not end up in a brothel (the stats for SE Asian females doing that are OVERWHELMING!). She must demonstarte ties to Thailand. The fact she is a teacher is good. A letter from her school detailing that she has been granted 2 weeks leave would help.

Do not let the girl do the visa app by herself. Thais attention to detail isn't good. You do it and then go with her to the VAC to lodge it. Not sure why, but it does seem to help. They'll want to flick through your passport anyway and will want a copy of it.

Once you've done one successfully (and she went home) the others will be easier even if they are for 3 months.

Brief her on what she can and can't bring through customs and make sure she understands. She'll probably be the last one through on her first trip anyway.

Good luck.

A lot of interesting comments on this thread, but to get back to the OPs original question it's all about global sentiment and the health of the two economies. Today (and it may change tonight!) global sentiment is positive. Traders are, therefore, prepared to take risks. When doing so they will invest in the currencies of healthy economies. Many Asian economies are much healthier than the USA economy. Thailand is one of those, despite its political problems. Traders do not expect the political problems (including any potential military coup) to impact the economy.

At the moment if global sentiment is not positive traders flee to the stalwart USD. This is changing, however, because the USA economic empire is crumbling. This crumbling is due to many factors, not the least fighting wars (and losing) for no economic benefit. History has shown many times (Greek, Roman, Mongolian, British, Ottoman, etc) that if you spend more money trying to keep an empire than what you get in return, your empire (but not the country) is doomed. And it can (and will IMHO) happen in a decades, not centuries.

Thailand does have some future problems to confront. It's balance of trade has been very favourable due to a number of factors. Tourism is often cited, however, rice exports has been the star. This is under threat once India resumes Basmati (like Jasmine, a 'fragrant' rice) exports in numbers.

The currency of the future is (IMHO) the Yuan, after it is freely floated. China is the next empire and they know it. It manufactures tangible things that we want cheaply (iPhones etc). India provides valuable services but the're intangible and even now their value is starting to be questioned.

That's my 2 baht worth ...

A sub class 309 visa means they applied for a Partner Visa outside Australia. It usually means you are married, but a defacto relationship is OK if it has been going for a year. Either way the relationship must be genuine and continuing. A 309 visa is a 2 year temporary multiple entry visa so if she has the means she should hop on a plane back to Aus (see below). The Dept of Immi will not cancel a visa without making reasonable attempts to contact her as it was she, not him, that applied for the visa. As sponsor, he is within his rights, and is obliged, to inform Dept of Immi of any changes in their relationship (she is also obliged).

It is beneficial to her If she is in Australia (compared to being in Thailand) and applies for another type of visa, which she can do.

It is beneficial to her if she is in Australia for any Family Court / Child Support etc issues.

Personally I wouldn't want to get involved but I understand the injustice you see and that the woman is a friend of your wife.

Interesting pics, most of which pre-date my first time in Thailand. Thanks for sharing.

AUD 0.33. FMD! And you had time to complain here. Forum rules prevent me saying what I think. Get a life!

Here we go again with double pricing. This time at the market.

Several times a week for the past couple of months I've been dining at the local market. The menu there is printed in both Thai and English. And I've always enjoyed a number of tasty dishes that the friendly cook had prepared. That's why I continued to return: good food, delightful cook, oh, and of course, the cost was always only 25 or 30 baht for most things, an occasional 40 baht for something nicer.

Well, yesterday after I ordered I got to browsing the menu and I noticed that one of the menus was in Thai only. Looking closer I saw that the dish I had ordered--chicken and cashews with rice--was only 30 baht. I had been paying 40, and was expecting to pay the same last evening. I picked up another menu, the one with English and Thai, and saw that, yes, the same dish was 33% higher.

I immediately asked the cook what the difference was (other than 10 baht), and she said that the higher price menu was for tourists. Grrrr. I told her that I wanted to pay the Thai price, but she continued to say that I was a tourist. After a bit more conversation she relented and said that I could pay the lower price, but this time only.

Unfortunately for her and me that was the last time I will eat there. She had always been friendly and attentive, but she'd been fleecing me all along. It's not the 10 baht or the 5 baht difference on a plate of fried rice. I just don't like the deliberate deceptiveness. Buyer beware.

A few bush lawyers on this forum. Makes fun reading though ...

I'm not selling it and I dont need much as i wll only be pawning it for a few days at the most...you see i work here with a good salary but i spent a wee bit too much this month as it was my 3 year old daughters birthday (spoiled her rotten), i have money but i just need an extra few grand or so as i am doing a visa run to Laos on 27th 3 days before i get paid....and i like to enjoy myself for a couple of days in Laos if you get my drift '-)

You are wrong as i have done it a few times myself when i used to live in Pattaya

A few extra grand in Baht I assume. Less than $100? Done it before?

Living the dream ...

... My recommendation would be the Australian Sports Bar in Soi Bangla.

Yes, the obvious venue, although there may be some German bars in Soi Crocodile that will televise it ...

It never ceases to amaze me the laziness of people to do some basic research. It is not difficult and asking advice here can never replace answering your own questions via the official AU government website. Everything is there.

Sweating whilst at rest could be due to a high heart rate (which alcohol can cause). You should seriously consider getting your heart checked.

When my wife applied for her 3rd tourist visa she was rung by the Embassy and asked why she didn't apply for a Spouse Visa. She just said she wanted a holiday at this stage. They gave her a 12 month multiple entry visa.

The Dept of Immi & Citizenship (via Thai staff at the Embassy) will look at 2 main things.

Firstly, her ties to Thailand. They want her to go home after the visa expires. A house, children, family and job all help. Obviously if you are seeking a 3 month visa, the job is less relevant as not too many employers will give her that amount of time off.

Secondly, she must be able to support herself and not end up working illegally (usually in brothels). You should provide a letter outlining that you will be supporting her, paying for return airfares, travel insurance including medical, providing her with accomodation, food, incidental expenses etc. You should provide evidence of your ability to do this such as a recent income tax assessment or group certificate, recent payslip, recent bank statements.

Your letter should also outline the nature of your relationship and provide evidence of it. You don't have to be bonking her, she can just be a friend. In your case evidence of communications, photos with her and family and friends all help. You do not have to support her financially whilst she is in Thailand so putting money in her bank account is NOT required.

I would not apply for a visa longer than 3 months on your first attempt. They will determine the visa request on the information you provide in the application so they will happily knock back a 6 month request when they may have granted a 3 month or less visa. They won't turn a 6 month request into a 3 month visa. You will probably get a 12 month multiple entry visa on your 3rd or 4th successful attempt.

Probably best to wait until your next trip to Thailand before applying as you will be helping with the form completion and you should go to the Visa center with her. For some reason it seems to help.

If she does get the visa, brief her on what she can and can't bring into the country. The visa does not guarantee her entry, especially if her bags are full of fresh Isaan insects for eating. Tell her she can buy them here.

Let's face it it's the crappy exchange rate that's putting people off Thailand not 1900B for a visa. People who came here 2 years ago find themselves 20-30% worse off if they come now.

Not currently a problem for Aussies.

It's a shame what it has turned into.

If only we could go back and start over.

I never understand this mindset..

So you want an unspoiled beach with no electric and services.. You know how long you need to drive to find this ?? A hour perhaps ??

My buddy runs a resort on Koh Phayam island, no electric, no cars, dirt trails etc.. Just a couple of hours up the coast.

If people really dont want any services, stick a pin in a map on the coastline and your more likely to hit a beach like that than one developed.. So go to one like your asking for.

My thoughts too. Still plenty of undeveloped areas in Thailand and SE Asia generally, so no point in complaining. No town/city is perfectly 'developed' as it happens over time and is controlled by different authorities.

2 - Spouse visa 309 is valid for 2 years. My wife submitted application for 309 on 14/11/08, it was approved on 20/2/09 and it says must enter by 13/10/09 so I presume this is 11mo from the date we submitted the application.

It's actually 12 months after the medical.

I can understand the OP's frustration, but, his problem seems a little unusual in my experience. Is he being advised by the Embassy itself or the Thai's that work in the VAC?

My GF/wife has had 2 x 3 month Tourist Visas. When she applied for a 3rd one (as my wife) the Embassy rang her and asked why she wasn't applying for a Spouse Visa. She told them she just wanted a tourist visa at this stage. They gave her a 12 month multiple entry. This was in May 2008.

If you think the red tape for a Tourist Visa is bad, just wait until you apply for a Spouse Visa. They wanted a certified copy of my original Marriage Certificate, even though I've been divorced for 15 years.

May be more expensive than a taxi if there are 3 or 4 of you but hey don't forget the speed and comfort that the train will offer in comparison. One little worry is will you be able to get on these trains at busy times as waiting a further hour for the next express will be a big downer. Hope they are pretty long trains with plenty of seats as no way would I want to stand for the journey then a taxi would be preferable.

Anyway great news and a great positive step for Thailand

As I see things, it will be more expensive for 2 people than a taxi. 300 baht for the train and then a taxi to your hotel. I usually stay at the DIG on Suk Soi 6 and there won't be many drivers wanting to do it for less than 100 baht even though they just have to turn off Petchaburi into Suk Soi 3.

I'll still get a taxi from the airport even if I have to pay the 400 baht 'negotiated' fee. Saves lugging the luggage to the airport station and lugging it again down escalators to the taxi rank at the city end. And given my experience on the 'sardine can' BTS today (why don't they add more carriages to the trains?), the taxi will be more comfortable.

Tourists don't worry about saving a few bucks, especially when they pay the equivalent of 1,100 baht (my cost) to get to the airport in their home city. Could be good for the low income locals though.

As a regular visitor there (my wife is from the area) it would appear to have changed a lot in 10 years. English is spoken at various proficiencies by many locals, although obviously not to the same extent as say BKK or Phuket.

The city has some tourist attractions and an expat community but IMHO there are more interesting Isaan cities to live in.

Check the links on this site for maps and expat info:

Sakon Nakhon Live

How right you are! On the bright side, I hope this is the shot in the arm or ass that Thai has needed since they went half the distance of appreciating the King's Sufficiency Economy.

By focusing on education and industry (notice I didn't say industrialization), putting the under-utilized workforce of idle Thai, or wasted or worse, pillaged resources, to proper use - Thai could better regroup and redirect its potential towards self-reliance, opportunities and an episteme free from at odds with itself, depreciating infrastructure, and whoring their sons and daughters to earn a living. Back on track, the misguided strength in Thai people, now caught in the strangle hold of the rich greedy and selfish self-centered could bring them back in the fold of progress, to one day appreciate a standard of living on par with Singapore. Don't get me wrong or overly critical of Thai, next to Singapore I think Thai has done the best of the SEAsians. Compared to their neighbors Lao, Cambodia, and Myanmar, they are light years ahead and free of the yolk more noose of of their past, almost. This latest round of political instability, in a long line of doomed to repeat itself, proves that until Thai makes a commitment to true democracy, and not just illusion of a free-market's free-for-all, their hopes and dreams and reality will be at the whim of Politics more than the Buddha...

I assume you mean the sort of democracy that Singapore has? ...

About time Thailand returned to absolute monarchy. Thais have no idea about the concept of democracy. Be they yellow (PAD) or red (UDD) shirts. All are all sore losers. It really hurts me to say it, but they are all fcukwits when it comes to some basic concepts of life. They don't deserve what their constitution has granted them.

Even my Isaan wife (a Thaksin fan), who thankfully arrived here yesterday before anything stupid happens again, recognises the immaturity of her country folk.

If it gets rid of the riff-raff and deviants that plague Thailand, I'm all for it.

<deleted> me dead! Your about as focused as the Thais! This country has one of the worst road tolls per capita due to drivers ignoring simple road rules (just one example of a major issue that should be addressed IMHO) and yet they are testing random bar patrons for recreational drugs.

Get a grip on reality. Rant over.

I guess the OP is still looking for that magical place ...