2711

sorry on late return to thread. thanks for the tips on things.. much appreciated.

Didn't know phone cards were being out dated but by Skype why not, it's free as I think back on it - and better.

Seems like our italk card is not in service now. We need to do an online purchase for a phone card to call Thailand from US at best rates.

Please offer some suggestions on any good deals available.

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Thanks for the info guys. I got it all down now..!!

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Hey I need to know if the ATM Fee is still b150 for a withdrawal on a US bank?

I asked the SS Office in my U.S. State about Thai wife being able to receive my SS survivor benefits and this is all they told me..

"We have to be married for 10 years and wife must be present here to qualify. The documents needed are our marriage certificate (I have that from Amphur in Udon) and my death certificate along with wife's birth certificate that happens to be a piece of paper witnessed by a family member in her birthplace Amphur in Thailand (a long ride to get that!)

No mention of any opting for survivor benefits or anything else for that matter.

The only clue I have to offer then is that the OP's friend had best get to the U.S. fast with the documentations, and a lawyer for the best. I hope her green card is still valid. But a run could possibly turn out ok even if stay has been over the year time or two year which should have involved paperwork, i.e forms required for extended stay and money paid to USCIS @ $500.

The question I have is if the wife gets the SSS benefits monthly then is she able to live in Thailand afterwards and withdraw from ATM there??

I would imagine if she has duel citizenship yes, but not sure, and not sure about the non-citizen plight of doing the same.

I'm sorry this could have become a more rewarding and helpful thread if the main theme "two different mind sets and the A,B and C's of why a farang would live in Thailand" would stay in range of our focus.

At least it would be helpful to me as I am engaged in some very difficult situation myself.

I have no time now to expound on my own stuff at the moment, but the sensitivity of the original post possesses the opening for much better and fruitful discourse.

Maybe some more experience's that would be profitable to share.

I have to give praise that at least 80% of this thread I found captivating but stupidity has hammered it to pieces.

I suppose this was some's intention to begin with, but it would be better if you was not part of it perhaps.

You could start your own thread where maybe another would like to read about politics and slam each other. There are plenty like you out there.

I still hope that in a few days I will have an opportunity to participate here again, Our experiences and situations may be a little different but the parallel's within the context of the OP hold still an opportunity for growth and learning. Something always greatly needed.

Thanks.

QUOTE:

"I've never connected to an early morning flight, but I usually arrive late night from the USA like the OP and take a morning *bus* to either Hua Hin or Pattaya, so it's the same idea."

Ok wpcoe since you mention Pattaya Would you happen to have an idea of what the bus fares and schedules are to Pattaya from BKK Suvanabhumi?

We have booked a flight back to Suvanabhumi from Udon and plan to take the kids for a few days vacation at Pattaya. Arriving in Suvanabhumi at 9AM and need a bus from there to Pattaya..

Can you share any details re: your itinerary? Especially any details re: carrier(s) and final domestic destination. While it is possible to interline bags through to some domestic destinations, I'm not certain you can do this with such a long 'connection'?

I am pretty sure you will have to clear Arriving Immigration, claim your checked luggage, exit through Customs, where you will be on the Arrivals or Level 2. Maybe as early as 04:30 you could proceed up to Level 4 (Departures) to check in for your domestic flight, and clear security to get into the Domestic Concourse A.

In between you could head down to Level B, where there are some eateries - not sure what the opening hours are there - or to the Magic Point Food Court on Level 1/Door 10, or to the land-side eateries on Level 3.

http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/passenger_guide_transfer_inter2domestic_noBD_en.php

Currency exchange services should be available; especially in the baggage claim area upon arrival.

I'm not certain you can or should stay in the international transit area, so could not avail yourself of some of the possibilities others have mentioned?

For smoking you'll have to go outside the main passenger terminal building, on level 1.

Not carrying any checked baggage as we had run into problems in the past.

We are just taking 2 carry on allowances.

The Itinerary basic is flying Delta all the way, connecting to international at Detroit Wayne County (DTW) terminal EM, then to Narita Terminal 1 (both 2 hr. overlays) and then landing in BKK just past midnight.

At 7 AM departing from Suvanabhumi to Udon Thani on Thai Airways.

I think for the time in-between that level 1 looks the best as there is smoking outside and food court available (we are not looking to do a lot of walking around.)

I would guess there is currency exchange's near by on the 1st level that will be open.

Thanks for the links people and for the advice and facts in the replies....

Coming in on international flight at midnight and then waiting for domestic flight by 7AM in Suvarnabhumi.

It's been 2 1/2 years since I have been there...

Are there any places open to eat and relax at the airport in the early hours? What area is best to grab a bite to eat, and some good coffee, maybe even an early breakfast?

Will the currency exchange's be in operation during the early hours?

*Have to have a smoking room somewhere in route there as well, the closer to arrival the better and then near departure in domestic, or have they clamped down on smoking?

How's outside the airport after midnight, I know they have smoking areas outside?

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Nobody is normally asked for show of money unless arriving on a direct flight from Africa and even then it would not be likely. Your wife is Thai so totally not required.

As said all you need is the normal 30 day visa exempt entry. There is no option to obtain a visa at airport. There is also no class of visa called reunion - there is a 60 day extension of stay from immigration once inside Thailand for visit of wife/family so perhaps that is what you recall. A normal visa for entry of spouse of Thai would be non immigrant O but that would have to be issued prior to travel and allows 90 day stay which you do not require.

Upon entering Thailand with 30 day visa exempt, (and getting a 60 day extension), would it also be possible to then do a border run to Laos and apply for a single entry 0 visa successfully?

I am thinking this if my wife decides she would like to stay there with her kids, and then I would stay.

How did you dress?

Seriously. The way you look smell and dress has a lot to do with acceptance still in the region.

Straight from the horses mouth, minutes before I read this, my Thai wife told me considering the issue of denial of visa could be directly related to appearance.

On my second entry at airport came close to a no go when the immigration officer questioned my appearance with long hair- a photo taken secretly on the departure of my first visit. Took him about 10 minutes to make up his mind and then said ok go ahead.

phew~

I emailed to Thai Consulate NY, the same as my OP here.

I did get a reply (Just adding the quote for humors sake for you here.)

All they answered is this... "Yes you can go to Thailand for 20 days as long as you have a return ticket."

I asked a bunch of questions that I received no response for. Their simplicity is overwhelming.

I never mentioned any thing about a return ticket. Is that what I need to get in??

You most likely will need it to board the plane is US, not normally a problem once you arrive.

Good Point~

I emailed to Thai Consulate NY, the same as my OP here.

I did get a reply (Just adding the quote for humors sake for you here.)

All they answered is this... "Yes you can go to Thailand for 20 days as long as you have a return ticket."

I asked a bunch of questions that I received no response for. Their simplicity is overwhelming.

I never mentioned any thing about a return ticket. Is that what I need to get in??

Nobody is normally asked for show of money unless arriving on a direct flight from Africa and even then it would not be likely. Your wife is Thai so totally not required.

As said all you need is the normal 30 day visa exempt entry. There is no option to obtain a visa at airport. There is also no class of visa called reunion - there is a 60 day extension of stay from immigration once inside Thailand for visit of wife/family so perhaps that is what you recall. A normal visa for entry of spouse of Thai would be non immigrant O but that would have to be issued prior to travel and allows 90 day stay which you do not require.

Thanks, good info.

I think visa exempt entry is what I fail to understand.

Does this mean I do not need passport photos, application fees, or forms to fill out? Just get off the plane and get the exemption stamp in passport on entry?

Yes my entries in past were type 0 visas, I recall reunion as that is what I applied for with proper documentation in own country.

Perhaps someone on the board can clarify what the conditions are for a short visit to Thailand in my circumstances.

Wife is a legal permanent resident (green card holder) in US for 2 years and holds a Thai passport.

I am a US citizen.

We would like to visit Thailand for 20 days, for me a brief vacation.

I would like to do a visa on arrival for myself at the airport.

I had entered the Kingdom in the past on reunion visas that are stamped in my passport.

If this consideration is acceptable then would I be able to have the passport photos taken at airport and fill out the needed forms for tourist VOA there? I am not sure if the forms are the typical visa applications one must do to obtain visa in the US.

The other kicker for me is when we arrive will my wife's Thai passport be sufficient ID for her entry, and does she being a Thai National have to show 20,00o baht on hand as sufficient funds for entry.

2711

Should hold up well on the car seat then!

It is better in a cup, especially if sitting at a table at the food court (I think they use cups too.) But it is the money war against tradition. When the manufacturer's of cups can under cut the plastic marketer's then tradition will change. Plastic bags will become obsolete. Maybe in 50 years you will see a plastic bag in the Thai Museum?

Plastic bags can be used for take out food too. No body wants hot food in a cheap soda cup. Plastic is a money saver.

Plastic bag safer than glass. Easy to handle and never cut your mouth. Cost less and no flat tire. But plastc can cause cancer, so what's easier?

Please keep posted. It would be good to see what time brings. A year or two more if it goes well and I will have second thoughts about what I am engaged with.

OK, good info from you all.

Just saying thanks for it!

The question was bothering me for some time before I asked for your input.

I'll try the cheap way certainly.

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I use a device called magic-jack available at most stores in the US. It attach's to your computer and you can dial anywhere in the US and Canada for only $19.95 per year plus friends can call you for free also. You get a local phone number such as Ore. 503-555-5555. Have someone pick one up for you and send it or get one next time on vacation.

Sounds like the magic-jack is a real plus. I 'm trying to use a mobile phone or landline if perhaps the computer fails though.

I'm not sure that I can dial a 1 800 number with a pin card and I don't see any access numbers for dialing out of Thailand on MOBIVOX.

I am going to search magic-jack on the it and find out about it.

What happens when the Thai wife spends more money than you have, maxing out her credit card and buying other things on financial agreements without the husbands consents?Is the husband legaly responsible for the debts in such matters?

Can 1 800 numbers be dialed to the US from Thailand.How do you do?!

Can 1 800 numbers be dialed to the US from Thailand.How do you do?!