nicholasmerwood

Sorry to be so vague.

What documents along with the application form will favour the approval of our application?

Is it favourable if i meet with her family before I ask her to marry me. Her Mum died several years ago, and she is not that close to her father so I havn't met him yet; however he does advocate our future marriage.

I'm going over to Thailand in November, to stay for five months while the visa gets processed. Is five months sufficient time to allow for the approval/decline of this visa?

Is it a better option if we get married during my next visit to Thailand; and directly apply for a spouse visa rather than a future spouse visa?

Ta

Cheers guys nok air seems like the go! And 2,000THB to fly anywhere internal in Thailand still isn't too much. I think thats very cheap. Especially considering the cost of fuel these days!

Hey guys,

does anybody fly with the discount airlines running in Thailand....namely Nok air and 1.2.go or whatever its called..how are they? I understand the obvious things like decreased leg room and less checked baggage, but any other significant negatives? Planning on flying with them a fair bit when I come over for internal flights. Saw on their websites that they do AUD $30 flights internally from HKT to pretty much anywhere within the LOS. considerably cheaper than airasia.

Hey guys,

soon we will be applying for a future spouse visa for my fiance to come to Australia where we will get married. Any general tips besides the immi URL?

cheers

Hi all,

thanks for your posts they are a help. I am a sucker for Phuket, and I feel like home when I'm floating in the Nai Harn swell, but I'm getting a bit concerned with all the murders/muggings/violence that is happening there frequently. Pretty much I can choose wherever I want to go in Thailand to stay for 5 months, and why would I go to Phuket when there is so much violence? I guess some of the quieter areas are not so bad....but a new post on a mugging in Rawai?? What is happening on this island....

I have a farung friend who has been living in Phuket for several years now and he said that although there has been previous times of violence in Phuket, Patong is getting worse and worse now. Ko Chang, or maybe even better Ao Nang (near Krabi) looks like it is going to be a good alternative. Chiang Mai is also desirable now that I think Phuket is having problems.

Correct me if I'm wrong

Anyone ever been to Koh Chang off the coast near Trat? Does it compare to Phuket? Seems nice from what I can see on the net.

Ah its definately between the following

Ao Nang (or alternative nice area near Krabi), Ao Sane (near Nai Harn), Chalong, or Phuket City. My missus is worried about living in Phuket - she rekons some famous budha predicted there was going to be another tsunami haha.

It was Chiang Mai, then Phuket, then Krabi...and now Ao Nang. I'm looking for a place that has beautiful beaches, fewer tourists (than Phukets main areas), cheap rentals (less than 10,000THB/month for a decent place), and moderate nightlife (pubs and a couple of small clubs). Gotta find a place in Thailand to stay for 5 months, from October 08 till March 09....wanna relax a lot but not get bored while doing it. My idea was Nai Harn/Rawai/Kata Noi in Phuket...but all are too expensive.. Is Ao Nang the perfect place for me?

Yeah I really can't decide between Chiang Mai and Phuket; but no beach in Chiang Mai is gonna be depressing. Prolly end up in Phuket - just hope i can still get some decent thai lunch for 25-30 Baht. I won't be coming till September anyway so prices may change by then. I'll come check out Chiang Mai and Southern/South-East Phuket before i decide. Krabi is another option.....oh well here comes google!

Well, 10,000/month is definately the higher end of my budget. I'm trying to decide if I will stay in Chiang Mai or Phuket - never been to Chiang Mai, been to phuket several times stayed there for a month last time. Phuket feels like my second home and I love the beaches there, but I know Chiang Mai is heaps cheaper. I guess another beach in Phuket would suffice...or an area close to another beach. Umm....any area within 5-10 minute drive from the following beaches -

Nai harn

Rawai

Kata Noi

Any other beach like this

I've heard Chalong is good. Close to everything. But once again, with only 10,000Baht /month for accommodation I guess I can't find much, and i would get much better in Chiang Mai.

Hey guys,

wondering how much for a rental in Nai Harn per month...pretty basic is O.K within five minutes drive to the beach would be good. Looking at 2-4 months rent. Don't need luxury, cooking appliances would be nice though. All the prices I can find on the net are expensive..Any less than 10,000Baht/month??

cheers.

Yeah that's the thing

I didn't wanna go somewhere too populated with heaps of tourists...but didn't wanna go somewhere with NOTHING. Maybe living 20 minutes drive out of Chiang Mai would be perfect?

I keep having dreams about drinking leo beer near some river...on my porch of a wooden house..and this place has a tree swing and a bit of forrest. LOL! Hope I can find this place or something like it, it looks great!

Obviouslly it depends on what one wants, but what are the disadvantages and advantages of both Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. I assume more expats choose Chiang mai, is this assumption wrong? And if not then why is this? Gotta delegate my 5 months in Thailand coming up.

Thanks

Prospective Chiang Mai/Rai visitor

Swimmers ear, or otitis externa is an ear infection in the external ear canal usually as a result of water. If the external ear canal does not dry properly, the warm water then sits there and can harbour many different types of bacterial or fungal infections (and viral). So the best prevention is

- stop the water coming into the ear in the first place either by avoiding putting your head under water, wearing ear plugs (try different ones - plastic ones or ones you can mould into your ear shape, the latter seeming more effective), wearing a swimming cap

After water has entered the ear you can use many different types of ear drops to dry up the water but make sure there is no ear pain..these drops should generally not be used if an infection or pain is already present.

Most of these drops contain ingredients like glacial acetic acid, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) etc which will help the water dry up quicker and PREVENT and infection not TREAT.

Otherwise - if their is already pain indicating an infection you should use an ear drop to treat known bacteria/fungal infections in the external ear. As mentioned earlier....neomycin, framycetin and gramicidin (antibacterials) and then steroids for inflammation and pain. If its really bad oral antibiotics (like amoxycillin with/without clav. acid) and oral analgesia can be used. Otoscope and trained eye gives best diagnosis!

Oh my f*#@!*g god after all that, immi emailed me back and told me that they requested the insurance by mistake. They don't need to see a copy of an insurance policy......and I was just about to pay for it too! Lucky I left it for a few days (being a student means anything you don't have to pay for...dosn't get paid for)

We got the X-ray done yesterday, costs $80 which includes a digital photo being taken and the results being posted out to you (which I believe you cannot open and need to send directly to immigration in a Hobart office). $80 i thought was ok, i'm lucky i didn't score that $200 parking fine for parking where I did though haha...blood hay street.

Wow medibank private insurance is expensive....for me anyway

ranges from basic = $87.85/month

to essential = $171.75/month

optimal = $271.10

May not seem like heaps but on top of cost of chest X-ray ($80ish), extension fee payable to DIAC ($215), and everything else....

I mean she is young healthy etc etc...i know we can't avoid accidents but all we want is cheapo to satisfy visa requirements.. I might get a quote from some other ppl, see if we can knock it down

She's here on a 3 month tourist visa which has nearly expired (g-burns ...you actually helped me getting it granted through the forums).

There is NO 'no extension' condition applied to her visa and I have already checked this in her passport and double checked by directly contacting immigration.

I have succesfuly booked her chest x-ray for tommorow (which kinda sucks because she had one in Thailand which she didn't need before she came here which was negative for any problems)....costs $80 AUD,...cost her 60Baht in Thailand haha.

As far as the insurance goes....i guess i'll just get the best quote and go with that.

Sweet...all sorted guys. This forum never fails. Thanks everyone

Nick

P.S - Can't wait till all this legal paperwork is over and finished with and we can just live happily together....and I know we still have a long way to go.

Hey guys,

just received email from DIAC regarding travel insurance. My partner is already in Aus with me on a 3 month tourist visa, just applied online for a 3 month extension. Received an email back saying that she needs a chest X-Ray to check for TB, as expected.

BUT, they also want to see a copy of her travel insurance which covers health/medical costs or health insurance. She dosn't have any. Where can I get some travel insurance from so that she can stay another three months. I'm not sure if we can apply for some here with an Australian company now that she is already here, or if we have to do an online application from a Thai insurance company. Were DIAC expecting that she already had travel insurance from the beginning, because I don't remember it was ever a REQUIREMENT just a recommendation.

Sorry if this is a stupid question but I just wasn't 100% how I should go about this

Thanks in advance.

By the way...to stay in a condo such as the Baan Thai - would I have to call earlier and give notice that I will be coming...or is it a sort of walk in deal. I saw the phone and fax number from previous discussion but is their any pics or official prices anywhere on the net?

Cheers...can tase the Leo already

Hey Thanks Guys!!

I guess we don't need a DVD player but when were there for 5 months it'll be nice to watch a few movies...maybe go to the cinema? Might work out much cheaper if we can save 4000Baht/month on accomodation. I guess my main problem is i don't know where to stay in Chaing mai,..but i will find out when i get there.

Also happy to see that my costing wasn't an under-estimate; although I will always allow a little extra for the drinks

Hey everyone,

I'm coming to Thailand for about 5 months on a tourist visa in September. I have decided to spend most of my time in Chiang Mai after a bit of internet research (I havn't actually been to Chiang Mai before, just Phuket and BKK). My Thai fiance is also coming back with me (she is with me in Australia on a 6 month tourist visa at the moment), and I'm going to stay with her in Thailand while her prospective marriage visa gets passed.

I'm just wondering about some costs in Chiang Mai, from what I have read, it is cheaper than Bangkok, but not as cheap as other areas such as Khon Kaen and Nong Khai. I'm imagining I can get along fairly cheaply (correct me if I'm wrong) as the more expensive activities (girlies, renting motorbikes) will not be required. My fiance already has a little motorbike we will be using. I'm happy to eat thai food for breakfast lunch and tea, as I have been doing this for the last 3 months already...just love Thai food.

I'm planning about 200Baht for food, per day, per person - and because we both wont be working; we have heaps of time to buy from the markets/shopping centre(s) and cook ourself. Would this be enough?

How much would it roughly be for a nice cosy (1 or 2 bedroom) apartment, with a t.v, dvd player, a/c, hot water, and internet - in a secure complex which does not need to be located close to the inner city? I was thinking not more than 6,000Baht/month?

I'm allowing 1000Baht for drinks each month which we will be just buying in the shops and taking home (hope this is enough).

Previous posts have been very helpful in this forum...and I hope these questions aren't stupid.

Thanks in advance.

On a full time basis, I actually wonder if she would even get a better income working in business managment than working as a waitress or something in a Thai resturant, or doing manicures/pedicures in a beauty parlour. The difference is probably very small - although working in a business position i guess there is more room to grow. Maybe once we have saved up some money we can consider going back to Thailand to finish her studies...and I can have a nice six month holiday

Is there any value to a Thai degree in Aus. The specific degree is Marketing Business; my TGF has actually failed one unit and were just wondering whether it is worth doing another 6 months or just forgetting about it and getting her a job over here.

Hey Thanks that DOES help...but I can't find any specific amount that is required to sponsor my partner. The reason I ask is because I am currently studying full time and my income is compromised....if i could show i earn over a cpl hundred a week that should be ok? should i call immi?

My TGF and myself are planning to apply for a future spouse visa (after we are engaged). I realise that once a future spouse visa is granted (after 5-6 months processing and a hefty fee) she will be able to work in Australia. Does that still mean I need to provide documents showing that I can support her or not? Do I need to have a particular income for the visa to be granted, or is the processing of this particular visa irrespective of my income?