bridge

Apparently the BIB rounded up a gang of Soi Dog's last night that have been causing trouble around the moat:

Dealing with Thai dogs is a lot different from dogs back in the west.

I find that when a soi dog comes after me barking and hollering, if I try and fight it off then more often than not its friends (other soi dogs) come from nowhere and will join in the melee too. Not uncommon for 10 on 1. So what I usually do is just smile at the dog. This causes the dog utter confusion as it doesn't know how to react to my big grin. The soi dog's just seem to wander off so as to avoid losing face. Seems to work.

Ps. Do not try this method in the west as the dog might attack you.

From today's Daily Telegraph (Australia)

Anonymous alcoholics? Study finds web trolls get a feeling of abandon similar to drunks Read more: http://www.news.com.au/technology/anonymous-alcoholics-study-finds-web-trolls-get-a-feeling-of-abandon-similar-to-drunks-and-dictators/story-e6frfro0-1226080815072#ixzz1Q9ChWktH

The Beef Randang was nice (not great) but I enjoyed it.

Hinlay now has Beef Rendang???? I never noticed that before. It's certainly not an Indian dish, but that doesn't mean it's not good. In fact, I'd settle for a mediocre version of an authentic Indonesian preparation.

I've had beef rendang in many Indonesian and Malaysian restaurants but I've never seen it in an Indian restaurant. Not here, not in the US, not in India. Beef Rendang is one of my favorite dishes when prepared properly. I much prefer the Indonesian version to the Malay style. Can you compare Hinlay's version to a Malay or Indonesian version. Thanks.

It certainly does:

ps. Snippet is from Mike's Meals on Wheels 4U website of which they deliver from.

You would definitely get the answer to your question on the migration forum.

After reading all the reviews on Hindlay I thought I would give it a try (first time).

Ordered:

Samosas

Malay Chicken

Beef Randang

Aloo Gobi

Roti

Firstly, I read in an earlier post that someone said the Roti tasted exactly like the Roti you can buy from Rimping. I would completely agree. That being said, I actually like the Roti from Rimping, and as such I enjoyed it.

The Aloo Gobi was very poor, and not a match on Spicy Bollywood's. The potatoes were undercooked and tasted liked they were thrown in at the last minute. Very disappointing.

The Beef Randang was nice (not great) but I enjoyed it.

The Samosas were as someone else has said done in a spring roll pastry, but I thoroughly enjoyed them nonetheless.

As for the Malay Chicken, that was FANTASTIC and I would go back just for that.

Overall I had a nice meal, great value and I would certainly give it another try. The fact that the Aloo Gobi was not up to scratch is probably not reflective of this restaurant.

8/10.

David,

Do you seriously want a fogger and the carcinogens that go in them?

Why not use a swatter. A lot better for your health.

I want to give a big plug to Nienke at Lucky Dogs who took "GREAT" care of my two cats for a week.

Lucky Dogs offers a great service to those who need their pets (Cats & Dogs) taken care of in Chiang Mai. I highly recommend them.

Thanks Nienke

Bridge

I am a Qualified Master Charletanopathist, Level 7. At the moment, my healing school is running at maximum capacity with a total of 4 dedicated students. However, It may be within my interest to make room for another High Quality, High Integrity disciple who's interested in mastering the Skills. Accommodation can be arranged, free of charge.

A modest donation of ฿75,000 would be required on the potential student's behalf, merely for the sake of displaying true commitment towards the end goal.

Regards,

Ben

QMC 7

That is a lot of money. What does one get for such an exorbitant outlay? I take it lunch is included.

4 things...

-bridge says "I confirmed with a senior case officer at the Australian Embassy today that for offshore partner/prospective marriage visa applications lodged after the 7th of February 2011 standard processing time will be up to 10 months now."

-What do you mean by offshore? as opposed to onshore? i was under the impression that partner visas had to be applied for in thailand.

-TPI says "Maaaate! The fact that you have a partner application in cuts no ice in the embassy...If she isn't working then they're going to hit you up for the $15,000 security bond and the female officer dealing with the application will instantly assume that she's a "working girl"! Better to wait until she has her temp marriage visa then there is not so much nonsense!"

-is this true that you need to have around $15,000AUD in the bank in order to sponser your girlfriend to come to australia on a tourist visa?... assuming she doesnt have much money that is.

also do these people at the embassy in thailand really assume that most of the girls applying are prostitutes?

-finally, im wondering if you apply for a prospective marrige visa and your girlfriend gets a 3 month tourist visa after that and comes to australia is this taken into account when they review your prospective marriage visa?

my girlfriend is looking at getting a tourist visa to australia early next year for the sole purpose of strengthening our future applications for a long term visa

-also what is a bridging visa?

1. A partner visa can be applied for offshore or onshore. In order to apply onshore however, the applicant must be in Australia on a substantive visa which does not have the no further stay condition (8503) attached to it. Most people who visit Australia on a tourist visa from a high risk country, such as Thailand for example, will have the no further stay condition attached to their visa. The effectively prevents them from making any onshore application for any other visa. Note a prospective marriage visa (subclass 300) can only be applied for offshore. There is no onshore prospective marriage visa.

2. Any applicant for a visitor visa must have adequate funds or access to adequate funds to support themselves for the duration of their proposed stay in Australia.

Sikishrory my answer hasn't changed since you asked same question a few weeks ago: See Post #10

3. At the time of visa grant an applicant still needs to demonstrate that they satisfy the requirements necessary for the particular visa they are applying for. Any factors between date of application and date of grant are also relevant.

4. There are several types of bridging visas but the most common is a Bridging Visa A. This confers legal status on a person during the processing of a substantive visa application. For example, if an person was in Australia and able to make a valid onshore application for a partner visa. Then they would be granted a Bridging Visa A until a decision is made on their onshore partner visa application.

But at all times be polite and firm at all times.

+1 and also the earlier comment by someone telling people to research the matter and know what they are talking about. This approach will get you results (granted it may not be the result you want, but you will be giving it your best shot)

I hope the OP gets a good result and I can't help much there but can offer some general observations. I worked years in the public service dealing with people at all levels and their various complaints, and there is a way to get nowhere and a way to get a good hearing. Abuse and insults, especially when they are ill-founded will get you nowhere. Honesty, politeness and persistence goes a long way. But be realistic, for example, expecting an exception to be made to a rule because you are different ... hey, everyone is different but you can't have a separate rule for every person.

One of the comments that got up my nose was when people said "I put it all in the letter but they just ignored me" (when they didn't get the outcome they wanted). I can tell you that most agencies nowadays do not IGNORE people, in fact often considerable thought and time goes into trying to understand and consider the case that has been made. But hey, sometimes you don't get the result you want .. for reasons that may or may not be clear to you ... no-one likes it but that's life.

Read the literature and web site info about what is required & be organised ... keep copies of documents plus diary/file notes about what you have done/when/with whom you spoke. If you can't write a good letter (detailed, coherent, cordial, etc) then get a mate to help you put something together .. it will help

I agree. Good advice Chiangmaibruce. When dealing with any bureaucracy it pays to be polite. Sure I accept that things wont always turn out the way you want them and at time it feels like you are bashing your head against a brick wall, but getting angry and aggressive wont help your cause either. Knowledge of your rights too goes a very long way.

Doesn't Secret Recipe in Airport Plaza have some Indonesian dishes?

Not sure. They certainly have the best New York Cheesecake though.

My wife was here on 2nd or 3rd tourist visa in Australia,

she applied for partner visa here in Australia on 28th Feb 2011 got a bridging Visa Class A straight up

& a letter was sent to us a week later stating

CURRENTLY OUR SERVICE STANDARD FOR PROCESSING OF APPLICATIONS WHICH WERE COMPLETE AT LODGEMENT IS 6 MONTHS.

not bad service here if you ask me.

Onshore appliactions are treated differently to offshore ones! Obviously no 8503 condition on that TV. What country is ur partner from?

"got a bridging Visa Class A straight up" - that is standard procedure.

New time on Visas. Click on link below. Take note of Lodged in Australia -Lodged outside Australia.

http://www.immi.gov....r/visas/5.0.htm

Thanks Ozemade

So people are not confused that link is the same as per post #18. There are no new standard processing times since this thread was started on the 25/02/2011.

Standard processing times for the offshore partner (temp) visa is 10 months as is the prospective marriage visa too. Onshore partner (temp) visa is 6 months.

The info you have been given so far is absolute crap.

She must show that she is a "genuine visitor". She must also satisfy the decision maker that she is not likely to over stay.

Unless you are related, you cannot post a financial guarantee.

A full written submission (not simply a one liner on the 48R application form) detailing how she is a genuine visitor only and why she will not overstay as well as a written letter of invitation from your parents (done as a stat dec) will offer the best chance of success.

Thanks I thought as much, but was not sure.

My folks can prove history no problems with pics and things, stat dec is no problem. They are farmers and so can ofer her a home stay holiday. The only thing if she applies for a holday visa I worry she has only her own hanbag store in a market. She make a good living with money in the bank but as she has done this before, do imagration start to wonder whey she likes to come to Australia or do they then believe she is low or no risk after being her before.

Just for interest sake, if she was to apply for a working holiday would this be out of reach you think?

Cheers

Previous compliance is a plus. When was she last in Australia on the tourist & student visa?

Working holiday visa (for Thai nationals) are subject to a yearly quota and have strict eligibility criteria including age, English literacy and tertiary education requirements. She must also have enough money to support herself for the first part of her stay. See my previous post on this:

thanks for the link, good info there feeling a bit more confident.

yeah i did mentioned in the invitation letter that "we have made plans to marry in the near future".

i plan on coming back to thailand with her later on this year or early next year to marry in thailand, the time depends on whether or not we are granted a 6 month visa, if so then it will be after her stay with me in australia.

also with the inviitation letter i followed a template/example from another website, i clearly stated the purpose of her trip (holiday and to visit my family and friends), that she wont engage in employment, that i would be covering all expenses and providing accommodation and that she will depart prior to the expiration of her visa.

but yeah im just going to have a try, im pretty confident with what we've got, i think our case looks good.

probably would be better to apply for a 3 month visa but will see what happens.

thanks for your support mate!

Please tell me it (template letter) is not the one that says words to the effect "she will be under my control while in Australia". IMHO that is a very poor example and I have seen refusals where people have used that one.

Mike,

Douggie Style has raised some very good points. I agree with his comments regarding overplaying the relationship. Put simply to be granted a tourist visa, an applicant must clearly demonstrate that their intention is to visit Australia as a genuine visitor only. A genuine visitor is someone who wants to visit Australia for tourist purposes only, has adequate funds or access to adequate funds to support themselves for their proposed stay in Australia, and will depart Australia prior to their tourist visa expiring. So that the decision maker can attach weight to your accompanying letter of support (invitation) you need only demonstrate that you have known her for a sufficient period of time. From what you have posted in this thread, I don't think you will have a problem at all in that department.

As for what should go into a well prepared letter of support, have a look at:

Mike you have mentioned that you have an intention to get married, where and when? Be aware that in all likelihood (I would say all certainty) your TGF's visa will have the no further stay condition attached (Condition 8503). This will prevent her from applying for any other visa whilst in Australia. For example, if you both marrying in Australia she will not be able to apply for an onshore partner visa, but will have to apply back in Thailand, that is, make an offshore partner visa application.

Mike, the form you require to submit is the 48RTH. From my experience in obtaining Australian visas I suggest you obtain several supporting letters from family and friends both in Thailand and in Australia. These can be scanned and e-mailed you for printing. One of the most important things they will be looking for is the letter from the employer stating that she has a job when she she returns. It usually takes from 10 - 14 days for the application to be processed. Good luck!

Sounds like a very solid application to me.

Either the 48R or 48RTH is fine. I would definitely include a copy of your residential tenancy lease. If you are offering accommodation support to your TGF whilst in Australia then back it up with supporting documentation. Rule of thumb is that everything you put forward to DIAC in support of any visa application should be backed up with supporting documentation that evidences that assertion.

I have to agree and disagree with Theo007. Agree - ongoing employment is just but one factor that DIAC will take into consideration when determining on an objective test whether an applicants intention is to visit Australia as genuine visitor only. Any factor that would encourage an applicant to return to their home country prior to their visa expiring is equally important. For example you might want to mention that your TGF does not have any network of family in friends in Australia (other than you) and that all of her family reside in Thailand (if that is the case of course). Strong family ties is all a good way to demonstrate genuineness.

With regards to "several supporting letters from family and friends both in Thailand and in Australia", I have to disagree with that one. They would carry absolutely no weight in the determination of your TGF's tourist visa application. If you were however applying for a partner visa this is when they would be useful. In that situation you would use the approved Form 888 for that purpose.

Processing time is usually 5 business days, but as your TGF is applying for a stay of 6 months she will need to have a radiological examination and this will delay processing a little. In accordance with new eHealth guidelines she will be notified by the Embassy when she needs to undertake that examination. She cannot have the examination prior to been advised by the Embassy.

For tourist visa applications submitted in Bangkok it is currently not a requirement for translations and certified copies to be submitted. Original bankbooks must however be submitted at time of application.

Good Luck

Blue Diamond has great vegetarian food.

I had to teach my family that rule just a short while back - they seemed surprised by the logic...

It all comes down to what you are taught, and unfortunately common sense is not very common in the LOS.

Good for her. Doing the hard yards paid off - well done.

I would be happy to help. Should I send to your Nigerian bank account, or would you prefer Western Union.

My wife has had 2 x 3 month tourist visas granted this year in Bangkok.

I know another aussie in Bangkok who's Thai wife has had 5 tourist visas in 4 years.

So it is a guessing game depending on who is in a good mood in the au embassey andif they get your application.

The Migration Regulations do not provide for the maximum number of tourist visas someone can apply for. That being said, any application must clearly evidence that the applicants intention is to visit Australia as a genuine visitor only. It may be seen after multiple tourist visas that what the applicant is intending to do is somehow attempt some sort of de-facto residence through multiple tourist visas. This is particularly so if the applicant is in a relationship with an Australian citizen/permanent resident. DIAC may therefore advise that a partner visa may be the more appropriate visa to apply for.

My fiance just got her prospective partner visa so here was our timeline, note we did apply just before the processing time officially changed:

Jan 27 - Lodged

Apr 21 - First contact from case officer

Apr 29 - Phone interview + request for an updated "free to marry certificate", the one originally submitted was over a year old as we had got this for previous visitor visas.

May 9 - New free to marry cert + translation lodged

May 12 - Case Officer sends me confirmation email that application is complete and has been passed on for final decision but expect this to take 4-6 weeks due to the large volume of applications

May 23 - Visa Approved

May 25 - Passport taken to Embassy for stamp + info pack given to fiance.

Now one question I did have was previously we always got return tickets for visitor visa's. Can we now just get a one way to Aussie land without any drama from thai airways or immigration?

Thanks again to everyone on these forums the information I gained here was invaluable in making our applications over the past couple of years.

Well done.

A one way ticket would be fine. Although a prospective marriage visa is a temporary visa it does lead to permanent residency.

Bridge

Lindsay, yes indeed you overwhelmingly contributed to the forum with your sound advice to leave a question unanswered on an application form.

With respect leaving a question empty is just silly.