thecatman

If I could just hijack this tread for a quick question or 2...My wife's FLR began in May 2011. We went back to Thailand (together) for a couple of months...well, 58 days to be precise in Jan & Feb 2012 to visit family/holiday.

We don't plan on leaving UK again before applying for ILR.

Will the time spent outside of UK count against my wife when applying for ILR??

Is the a limit on the number of days you can spend outside UK on FLR with regards to then applying for ILR??

Thanks in advance.

Thanks for coming to my rescue 7 by 7 (I knew you would)

I did think after posting that it may be a case of 'either or'.

The Mrs is currently revising for the life in UK test so thought I'd better double check.

Once again, Thank You.

I'm confused now...I'm in a similar situation to Big Dave1960, my wife came here on a settlement visa in May 2011. I was under the understanding that she would need to pass the life in the UK test in order for her to apply for ILR when her 2 years are up next year.

But from what I read above it's the ESOL level 2 that is needed??

If this is correct, then who/what is the life in UK test needed for??

If a person where to get a settlement visa issued before the new rules come into force, then what rules would apply when you apply for ILR?

Good question,

My wife & I have been in the UK for a year now on settlement visa....under the proposed new rules her application would have failed, so we were lucky to have applied when we did, but what about our next steps??

Ultimately I'd like her to have a British passport.

Not quite so central but The Mayfair Bar inside the Emerald Hotel on Ratchada also has a good Filipino band. Nice relaxing lounge bar.

http://www.emeraldhotel.com/restaurant.php

I just got back from a long weekend in Samet, we stayed at http://www.samedvilla.com/ Our room there was 1600 a night. The buffet breakfast (included) was mediocre but adequate.

After checking out some of the other resorts and prices, I'd say that Samed Villa resort is very good value and I'd have no hesitation in booking to stay there again.

Aside from the breakfast, the food at Samed Villa was, I'd say better than most on the Island.

Night time action appeared to be mostly at the nearby Silversands Resort, although I'd imagine that during the week, even there is fairly quiet. From what we saw, Friday & Sat were lively...Sunday, not so much.

A long weekend on Samet is long enough for me, as there is very little to do or see during the day. (I can't lay on a beach for more than 5 mins lol).

As for your 'companionship needs' well I wouldn't normally recommend 'taking sand to the beach' but it might not be a bad idea when going to Samet.

If you believe your case to be 'strong' and you application reasonably straight forward, then there is no need to use an agent. The advice, help and support you will receive from this site alone is incredible, and will save you a small fortune.

I used an agent for my (then) girlfriends first tourist visa (to UK)...never again.

We then successfully (with the help from folks on here) applied for a 2 year settlement visa for my (now) wife (no agent).

P.S. The agent I used was NOT one of the sponsoring agents that helpfully post on this site. I would not knock the service they offer as I have no experience with them.

Anyone tried this place?? I don't recall the name but go down Loh Kroh, and take 'The Number 1 Bar' soi on the right...then it's just past Number 1 Bar on the left.

It's one of those open fronted townhouses... certainly not anything special to look at, and not a choice for the wifes birthday etc, but for a quick Indian fix it's bang on (and cheap).

Just thought I'd give this thread a bump now that Krispy Kreme have reached out to pretty much every Mall in Town.

After hearing all the fuss I just had to try one, (as any Baker of 20 years experience would)...uuuuurrrrggghhhh. No different/just as bad as the other big chain doughnut vendors we have across town.

However, I have managed to find a good un. Try the doughnuts from one of the 'Yamazaki' Bakeries that are located in various malls around town...now that's what I'm takin' about...they do cinnamon too!!

Their baguettes ain't bad either.

4 great posts from DavidSL

Hi,

Do you know any AEON or other ATM that doesn't charge 150 thb near RATCHADA, PETCHABURI, SUKHUMVIT ?

Only AEON and GHB and Bank of Ayudaya do not charge ?

Thanks.

Location Finder

I'm not sure what the situation is with Bank of Ayudaya nowadays but GSB or Government Savings Bank do charge (I suspect Ayudaya do too).

The AEON location finder kindly linked by Jiu-Jitsu is handy, but please note it's a tad dated. For example 16 on the list (Carrefour, Lad Phrao) is no longer there, also 24 on the list (Central Lad Phrao) is currently closed for renovation. There is however, an AEON ATM at Union Mall, Lad Phrao (not listed).

These are just a few alterations to that list that I know of so I'm sure there are more.

I presume there'll be some visa-run companies around Koh Chang ferry area too.

I can't remember to be honest CHANGOVER, it's been a long time since I went, Sorry.

You'll pick a bus up from Trat, which is the nearest Town on the mainland to Koh Chang. You then go to the Hat Lek - Koh Kong border.

Beware - I've heard many a story of overcharging at various points on this particular visa run and at this border.

It may be best to book with a 'Visa Run' company from Trat in an attempt to avoid this.

These links may also be useful

http://www.thaivisa.com/387.0.html

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/148389-visa-run-to-koh-kong/

This is not a situation I have come across personally, but I would think that as your UK Marriage Certificate is already a legal document in the UK, then there is no need to have it certified here at the UK Embassy in Bangkok. (I'm not even sure if they certify documents anyway).

My thoughts are that you'd get it translated, then legalised at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (The translation would then become a legal document).

Is there any need to register an overseas marriage here in Thailand?? I really don't know, but I guess if your wife wishes to change her name, ID card etc, then she'd need these documents.

Also, just to clarify, I take it that you married a Thai National in the UK.

Hopefully someone else can confirm/correct my thinking.

thanks again for your answers just one more question, do i need to have our marriage certificate and other documents translated from Thai into English?

Thanks again

On the VFS site it says:

• Translations
  You should provide translations of any supporting documents that are not in English to ensure your visa application is considered fully. Any translated documents need to be submitted with the original document for verification. All translated documents must include the following information:
  
  • confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
  • the date of the translation
  • the translator's full name and signature
  • The translator's contact details

But despite it say this, others on this site have stated that translations ARE NOT necessary, See this thread

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/439604-translation-of-documents-for-uk-visa/ (a bit of a grey area I feel).

Personally, I'd reccommend getting them done anyway and include them with your application as they'll probably be handy to have at some future date.

If the appointment dates shown on the website don't suit you (or don't show up) then just turn up at Regent House once you've got everything in order and wait in line (no appointment necessary).

Ah, Sorry POMCHOB, As rawhod's post above suggests, it would appear that this has/is now about to change

If the appointment dates shown on the website don't suit you (or don't show up) then just turn up at Regent House once you've got everything in order and wait in line (no appointment necessary).

The 'Language change' drop down menu on the main/home page is about a third of the way up from the bottom of the page over on the right in grey.

No such problems for me, once it's changed it's all in English.

The site is actually easy enough to use without changing language (if no luck).

does anyone know if we can get our marriage certificate translation which was done in bangkok certified in the uk.

we got married in thailand nearly 3 years ago, did everything to the book but did not get the official translation certified by the british embassy in bkk.

can the foreign and commonwelth office in london do it?

kind regards.

I'm a little confused here as I've never heard of the British Embassy in Bangkok 'certifying' marriage certificates before.

I had my translated marriage certificate 'legalised' at the Ministry of Foreign affairs in Bangkok. It was previously stamped as a 'certified translation' by the translator themselves.

Sorry, but your post as thrown me slightly. Maybe somebody else can clarify.

Apologies for not being able to help you find a solution to your original question..

I recently had some friends visiting Bangkok who were very much into Salsa dancing, so the wife & I checked the net and found a Salsa club for them.

We went to La Rueda, which is located on Sukhumvit Soi 18.

It struck me then that this would be a fantastic way/place to meet people whilst learning something new & different.

From the outside it doesn't look much, but it's very popular and was well packed on the Thursday evening that we went with a whole range of ages.

Check the link here

http://www.truemove.com/en/Inter-SIM-Prepay.rails

This should do you nicely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTLVMKtn0Ew&feature=player_embedded

If she wishes to change her name, then this has to be done at the Amphur where she is registered (usually, but not always, where she was born).

The changing of names is not compulsory.

She does not have to register the marriage as this has already been done at the Amphur in which you got married, therefore will not be nulled after any time lapse.

There is a bit about it in this link under 'What are Affidavits/Statutory Declarations??' that suggest 3 months.

However, please note that this website/information appears to be a general guide on marriages overseas and is not solely directed at those wishing to marry in Thailand.

There are others experiences listed in This forum with one guy stating 5 months had passed before he finally tied the knot!! (bear in mind the age of these posts).

But in This forum (dated this year) only 30 days is quoted.

More here too...but still no real solid answers.

Sorry...this hasn't really helped much!!! A bit a of a grey area I feel.