thecatman

I've eaten at the Crystal Grill Restaurant at the Baiyoke Sky, (82nd floor) and while others have given it a bit of a bashing in the past on this site, I actually thought it was very good value for money. I think we paid about 650bt per person for the buffet (drinks not included). This was a couple of years ago.

The outer 'walls' of the restaurant are 5 meter window panes, giving great views while eating.

I notice from their website that at the Stella Palace Restaurant (79th floor) they offer 100bt cashback when there's no food left on your table!!

Getting paid to eat....I can dig that!!

I feel extremely sorry for the OP. This is literally daylight robbery. If this happened to me, then that jeweler could expect broken windows tonight, to go with the now broken chains.

Not the answer I know, but would make me feel a hell of a lot better!!

Paul, firstly I would say, from the information you have given, that you'd have a very good chance of succeeding with your settlement visa application.

After 5 years together in Thailand (Similar to me and my wife), I'm guessing you must have plenty of information to prove your relationship. (Photos together, bills, hotel/flight bookings etc).

Your Girlfriend will of course need to pass a UKBA approved English Language test to the level of A1. Again, from what you've told us this shouldn't be a problem. I personally can recommend the EET (English Elementry Test) conducted by language solutions in Bangkok.

Also she will need to have an X-Ray at IOM to show she is clear of TB. More info on that in this link

Once the above are in place, the rest of the paperwork ought to be plain sailing (although still a pain in the arrrse).

You need to provide bank statements (at least 6 months), birth certificate photocopy, old and current passport photocopy and all stamped pages, letter of employment (from boss) 2 years tax papers, proof of any assets you claim to own. (house, savings, shares, car, etc) Photos of house (inside & out) where you plan to live, also bills in your name to that address, and bits like that. Anything that can help your application.

Your girlfriend will need to show current and old passports, photocopies of ID card, birth certificate, House register book, drivers licence (if she has). Savings and/or assets. Any University certificates/degrees all add to the cause.

I'm sure others can add more help. There is also much more info on this website

Good Luck, and post back if more help is needed.

There is also a lot of helpful info in the 2 pinned threads in this forum here and here I found the second one most useful as a template for my wifes application.

The Lomprayah ferry company offer an all in package.

I've looked into it before, but never actually gone through with the trip so cannot comment on their service.

There is no stamp issued by the British Embassy on marriage certificates. For me, the only reason to go to the British Embassy was to get my Affirmation of freedon to marry.

I'm guessing you are applying for a settlement visa for your new wife (in which case, you are now going through the exactly the same process that I've just completed).

As far as your marriage certificate goes, all you need to do for your visa is get it translated by a certified translator. Then include both the original and the translated marriage certificate in with your application papers.

I did however, get my translated marriage certificate legalized at MFA (along with a translated copy of my wife's birth certificate).

These legalized copies are not required for the visa, but they may be handy to have once in the UK.

You also asked 'Also what are the times we can hand our visa in on a friday morning? Is it similar times as to when you get the affirmation stamped?

Just to clarify, You hand your visa application in at Regent House, 2nd Floor 183 Rajdamri Road,Lumpini Bangkok 10330, not at the British Embassy. The offices at Regent House are open from 8.30am till 3pm for the submission of applications.

We got there bang on 8.30am, got our cheque from the Siam City bank on level 1, and joined the queue. The Mrs got out at 12 noon.

http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/index.aspx

thecatman, we told the district office we she won't be in the country in 2 months and they said it was fine for her mum or dad to collect the ID on her behalf.

Thongkorn, please could you elaborate on this? My understanding was you need to have the name changed in the district office to get a new ID card as you have to take that to the Thai embassy in the UK to get a new passport.

As 7by 7n has said there is no legal requirement to change your wifes name in the UK. All this can be done at your leisure later on . It Is essayer to get married (in Thailand) and use your wifes name which would be in her passport and Thai ID card. when you get to the UK just Add your surname to your wifes name. It is quicker and less hassel, as i have said it can be done later.

No worries Thongkorn, we've already done all the name changing (Passport, Tabien Baan etc). Just waiting on the ID card to be ready.

Kwon, I believe that if you take her original ID (in maiden name), along with the marriage certificate etc when applying for a new Thai passport in UK, then the name in the new passport can then be changed to you wife's new married name.

thecatman, we told the district office we she won't be in the country in 2 months and they said it was fine for her mum or dad to collect the ID on her behalf.

Thanks Kwon, that's interesting, as we also asked but was told no one else could collect.

Maybe we will try to send her sister down to collect afterall.

Another very good Issan Restaurant that I once went to is Isan House. It's down one of the Sub sois down Sukhumvit soi 4 (yes, I know).

It's the last place you'd expect to find such a great, relaxing little place.

If I remember rightly, you go far down Sukhumvit Soi 4, and it's down the Sub Soi on the left just before the Woraburi Hotel (which is on the right).

Sorry I couldn't find a better link to Isan House as this one is more about the cooking classes they offer, rather than the restaurant.

Hi there

we have everything we need from the embassy and translation to visit the MFA tomorrow morning.

One thing that i am still unclear of after reading all the advice is do we need to get the translated affirmation stamped as well as the original one as it will mean another visit back to the embassy in the morning before we can go to the MFA. Alternatively can we get the translated affirmation stamped at the MFA if needed at all.

Kind Regards and thanks in advance for any replies.

Hi, Do you mean, do you need to get the translated affirmation stamped at the Embassy??

No, you just take the translated affirmation to MFA, along with the original, and get it certified/legalized there.

Wow...I was expecting more people from 2011 on at this point? Where is everyone?

You can add me to the list....applied for settlement visa for the Mrs today!! (22nd Feb 2011).

Sorry no need to reply. Managed to speak to VFS and they said it's fine to change name, which we've just done. Found out though that the new ID won't be ready for 2 months for some reason by which time she will (hopefully) be in the UK so we have to get her family to post it to us.

My wife also recently changed her name and got the new ID paperwork (but not the card). There is a problem/shortage of the ID cards at the moment, That's the reason your partners won't be ready for 2 months. It looks like you'll have the same issue as my wife has. The new ID isn't going to be ready for collection until mid May, we plan to fly to UK in early May. If her ID is not ready by then, she'll just have to go without it until she returns, as it has to be her, not a family member or anyone else, who collects the ID card.

I was just having a look around the UK visa site when I came across this English language test form. It appears this has to be printed off, filled in (no big deal) and added to the applicants settlement visa documents to be submitted.

Like I say, it's no big deal, it's just that I had seen any mention of this particular form on here before.

Here they are

ChildSettlement.pdf

SpouseAndCivilPartner.pdf

There is still no mention in the list of the A1 (or equivalent) English pass certificate that is now required!!

The Norwich and Peterborough Building Society currently offer free withdrawals abroad on their visa debit card. (Account can be opened online/via post).

I've not looked in to it too much to be honest, but I believe certain conditions may apply. I'm sure you can find out more details on their website

Failing that, just bring back a huge wad of cash and change it here.

Or you could ask Big Earl to stitch you one

As mentioned in the post above, you need to firstly amend and print off the affirmation form. Then just go to the Embassy, armed with your passport. If you submit your application in the morning, then it should be ready for collection that afternoon.

I got my affirmation of freedom to marry form translated (Along with my wife's birth certificate) for 300 Bt each. This was done at the small mall almost directly opposite the British Embassy. Wave place I believe it's called. There were 2 translation companies operating there on the second floor (small units side by side). I used Ploenchit Translation Center. So, as soon as you have your affirmation to marry, you may as well just pop over the road and get it translated there and then.

There are a couple of other threads on this topic that may be of interest to you here :

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/435682-getting-married-in-thailand/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/420346-do-your-affirmation-of-freedom-to-marry-in-24-hrs/page__p__4062755__fromsearch__1#entry4062755

I used Ploenchit Translation Center. They are located on the 2nd floor of Wave Place, the small shopping mall almost directly opposite the British Embassy on Wireless Road. There are 2 translation companies operating in Wave Place. (small units side by side). I paid 300bt per document. I was pleased with them, but always check any translated documents thoroughly before leaving any translator's premises.

!

Just booked the Mrs in to do the UKBA approved Elementry English Test (EET) with Language Solutions Ltd. The test is taking place this Saturday (29th Jan). The test will be at 'The Connecion' which is located at Lad Phrao MRT Station (Exit 4, can't miss it). The test is 6,500 bt and I believe they still have places available so anyone looking to get their partner though this test asap can contact Mr James Beere on 0844348080. There is also a sample test to try on the language Solutions company website.

A quick update on Language Solutions UKBA approved Elementry English Test (EET). The Mrs went and sat the test yesterday, I accompanied her. I was very impressed with the set up and team. Basically it was Mr James Beere and his wife, taking care of everything, there were 16-18 people sitting the test and everyone was made to feel very welcome & relaxed by the Language Solutions team. I believe they do these tests once a month in Bangkok, (at the location linked the my previous post) the next one being torwards the end of Feb. The Mrs left very happy & confident of passing....fingers crossed.

Highly reccommended.

Final update Re Language Solutions Ltd UKBA approved Elementry English Test (EET). As previously mentioned, the wife took this test on 29th January. We received a call the following Wednesday (2nd Feb) telling her that she had passed and her certificate was ready for collection (or posting). We then picked up her certificate the next day. So from sitting the test to having the certificate in hand took only 5 days!! (we did not pay extra for any express service etc).

The Mrs scored 100% in all 5 sections of the test

Fantastic service all round from Language Solutions and their team.

this is one of the better sites for exchange. http://bankexchanger...et/default.aspx

Only exchange what you need at the airport to get into town never any more. You will get a better rate in town.

Agreed. The bank exchanger website is most useful, although it always seems to be Superrich that offer the best rates of exchange. So, If you happen to be in Bangkok for a day or 2 at the beginning of your holiday then it's worth a trip to one of their branches. As far as I am aware, they only have branches in Bangkok, most of which are located in some small soi's opposite Central World. There is a map in this link

I agree with the previous statement about only changing what you need at the airport to get yourself into town.

Just booked the Mrs in to do the UKBA approved Elementry English Test (EET) with Language Solutions Ltd. The test is taking place this Saturday (29th Jan). The test will be at 'The Connecion' which is located at Lad Phrao MRT Station (Exit 4, can't miss it). The test is 6,500 bt and I believe they still have places available so anyone looking to get their partner though this test asap can contact Mr James Beere on 0844348080. There is also a sample test to try on the language Solutions company website.

A quick update on Language Solutions UKBA approved Elementry English Test (EET). The Mrs went and sat the test yesterday, I accompanied her. I was very impressed with the set up and team. Basically it was Mr James Beere and his wife, taking care of everything, there were 16-18 people sitting the test and everyone was made to feel very welcome & relaxed by the Language Solutions team. I believe they do these tests once a month in Bangkok, (at the location linked the my previous post) the next one being torwards the end of Feb. The Mrs left very happy & confident of passing....fingers crossed.

Highly reccommended.

The Soi 8 Pub (Sukhumvit Soi 8) does a great breakfast for the price & has a decent outside area for smokers & people watching...actually, it may be one of the few pubs that still allows smoking inside (I know they did for a long time after the new laws came in).

The bexst place I have ever been in Bangkok is Tenderlions on soi 33 Sukhumvit . You can have all you can eat from the morning til the night, including bacon eggs, roast pork, lamb' beef plus all you can drink from 1000 Baht, or 500 if you dont drink. The best buffet in BKK without doubt.....

If you are for real Waza you should try and get out more, specifically; it is ok to wander away from the Farang Ghetto in Sukhumvit once and a while.

Man up and venture out from time-to-time.

+1 for previous recommendations for the Trader Vic's Sunday brunch. It's just great wherever you are from. But if price is an object Tenderloins isn't bad.

While on the subject of Tenderloins, there is currently an offer via Tik Tok Thai to go to Tenderloins. 2 people can eat AND drink as much as they like in their Sunday brunch for 980 bt....that's a mere 490bt each!! Vouchers must be bought within the next couple of days, but once phurchased, are vaild for 3 months. While Tenderloins may not be the best buffet (quality wise) in Bangkok surely it is currently the best value for money buffet with this deal.

I can put you in touch with the designer/maker of the jewelry shown here. If you're interested then please PM me.

This is a fantastic offer....count me in!!! :licklips:

Just booked the Mrs in to do the UKBA approved Elementry English Test (EET) with Language Solutions Ltd. The test is taking place this Saturday (29th Jan). The test will be at 'The Connecion' which is located at Lad Phrao MRT Station (Exit 4, can't miss it). The test is 6,500 bt and I believe they still have places available so anyone looking to get their partner though this test asap can contact Mr James Beere on 0844348080. There is also a sample test to try on the language Solutions company website.