theoldgit

Flights originating from Thailand are always more expensive, there are many theories but I really don't know why, and a one way ticket will always cost more pro rata.

Direct flights are always going to be more expensive as there are only four carriers that fly direct from BKK - LHR, Thai, BA, Qantas and Eva, most of the decent prices will come from the indirect carriers, and the stop over is not that arduous.

The best place to look for one way flights is the Thai papers, there are prices starting at a tad under 11,000 Baht, plus taxes and fuel surcharges, but you cannot book these on line. You could also try the travel agents that advertise on this forum, they are pretty good.

Don't forget that your girl friend could encounter a problem if you book a flight with a credit card and you are not travelling.

I presume that you are not going to book a flight until the the visa has been granted.

In Morchit

No, the Bus Station at Morchit is for buses to the North East.

The Southern Bus Terminal is at Boromratchchonnani Rd, and a bit out of the way.

I used to live in Ekkamai and got taxis home from the Southern Bus Terminal, used to cost me under 200 Baht. The 556 bus route connects the bus terminal to Suvarnabhumi via Yommarat - Democracy Monument - Thammasat University - Pata Department Store, I'm not sure if any of these are near the BTS or MRT.

Many months ago I booked one of the Air Asia offers to Bali, for the grand total of 800 Baht each, all in.

Yesterday I noticed that I had made a typo when entering my girlfriends name, I wondered whether I should take a chance and hope it wouldn't be noticed at Bangkok or Bali check-in and been denied boarding or made to by a new ticket, the price is now 14,000 Baht each, or call AA and explain.

I have read many stories of AA's lack of customer services but decided to call anyway, mainly to put my mind at rest but also I didn't want any hassle at the airport, especially at 05.30 in the morning.

I got through to a real person pretty quickly and explained the problem, the guy understood the issue and quickly retrieved our flight details, he said he would correct the typo on the ticket, there was no suggestion of payment.

The phone call lasted a couple of minutes and a new itinerary was emailed to me a couple of minutes later.

Well done Air Asia, thank you very much.

For the IO at the port to have refused your girlfriend entry they would have needed to convince a CIO that there had been a material change in circumstances since Entry Clearance was granted or indeed that the visa had been fraudulently obtained, If entry had been denied she would have an in-country right of appeal, though there would be an outside chance of Immigration Detention, it is extremely rare for a Thai to be detained. The arrangements for her return ticket are perfectly reasonable as would would her stating that she was going to purchase a ticket in the UK, where tickets are cheaper, providing she can prove she has sufficient funds to purchase a ticket.

The vast majority of IO's are perfectly reasonable people, carrying out a pretty difficult and tedious job under a lot of pressure to clear flights with the minimum of delay.

^^^^^

Still well below what they charge for filling in the UK template.

I don't really understand the working of these things but isn't there also a problem with the compatibility of the new trains. As I understand it the current trains are controlled via signals through the wheels, that's why there are no lights at the stations whereas the new trains rely on "normal" signaling.

This is only hearsay so could be bullsh*t, I believe there are some experts out there, any views?

Furthermore, it is common knowledge inside the British Legation in Bangkok that the level of English acquirement in the Kingdom is not noteworthy. By simple reasoning the application of these culturally insensitive rules are a de facto immigration barrier to the Thai wives of British subjects. It is an insult to Thai culture and the Thai people. It is ill advised.

Can I ask where you obtained the information about this common knowledge, do you work there?

Can I respectfully point out that there is not a British Legation in Bangkok, Thailand warrants an Embassy not a Legation.

Can I also point out that government policy is set centrally and not by an Embassy.

You indicate that you are American so I will forgive you for quoting the Daily Mail as a font of knowledge, The Daily Mail is no more to be relied on for accuratly reporting facts about the UK than The National Enquirer would be relied on for accurate reporting within the USA.

The Holiday Inn is nearer Cha-am than downtown Hua Hin, and you would either need to rent a car or rely on taxis to get into Hua Hin, that said it's a nice resort and they do have deals sometimes.

If you don't want to pay hotels prices and want to stay in the centre of things there are plenty of guest houses under 800 Baht a night though you wouldn't get a gym. I normally stay at Jings, it is pretty good.

By use of the term "Spouse/Civil Partner" you seem to be referring to a family visit, you state that the lady is your girlfriend and you don't seem to be living together so she needs to apply for a tourist visa.

Basically she needs to convince an ECO that the visit is genuine and affordable and, probably most importantly that she will leave the UK at the end of her trip.

With regard to the purpose of the trip point out if she is staying with you or you are travelling for the duration, you have already mentioned the length of the trip, but possibly include a draft itinerary.

Explain who is paying for the trip, if it's her then all well and good, she just needs to prove that she can afford it. If it's you then that's also ok, again you need to prove it's affordable and reasonable for you to do so, you need to prove that you can afford it, bank statements are the norm with evidence of a consistent income and in your sponsors letter include details of why you are paying for the trip, and possible your future plans.

Evidence of employment should be regarded as a reason to return, especially when you say it's only for a three week holiday, it's amazing how many Thai employers seem content to allow their staff to have a six month holiday.

Not sure why you need proof of your house, this is a tourist visa and not a settlement visa, though if she is going to stay there for the duration then maybe ok.

You seem to have prove of your relationship make sure the photos and hotel receipts match up to your flight tickets and passport stamps, MSN logs might be helpful so I'm not sure why you didn't want to include them. Make sure you do a detailed letter of sponsorship outlining your relationship, your plans for the holiday and for the future, but don't re-write "War and Peace" make your letter two or three pages and easily readable.

You have probably seen the list of supporting documents required, http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/images/VisitSocial.pdf

You will not need a new passport, when they mention the bio data page they mean the page with your photo and printed details on, remember you are only sending a copy so they couldn't read the chip anyway.

I think your girlfriend is right in not wanting to use an agent on such a straightforward application, proper agents would probably tell you the same.

LOL! OK. I want to hear this story!

It's going to be in his book which is due out in a few weeks, it's in the chapter just before the one about the giant killer flying cockroaches.

I asked Kasikorn recently, and this was their reply, hope it helps.

In case that you would like to buy draft, you can contact any branch to buy it that the fee 200 Baht and stamp duty 3 Baht. For documents to buy draft is your passpot and documents to show purpose of this money. Then, you can send draft to beneficiary by postal mail.

They have a small branch at Phrom Phong BTS Station, Asoke end, but there are more.

http://www.thebangkokshoppingguide.com/super_rich_money_exchange_bangkok

Seem to recall paying about 600 Baht a night.

I don't know of a Chang's Guest House, but I do know of a Jing's Guest House, it's centrally located and I have stayed there a few times and can say that Jings deserves it's rave reviews.

Doesn't mean there isn't a Chang's though, just that I have never heard of it.

Jing's Guesthouse, Salon and Spa Hua Hin

Soi Selakam, Hua Hin, Prachuap kiri khan

Tel/fax: 032-516594, 087-9220434 Thai 086-1089271 Eng

Email: [email protected]

Edit there is a review of Changs Guesthouse on Tripadvisor, but doesn't give contact details and the review is five years old.

I have never read such an awful thread with such callous boasts from the OP who seems to take great delight in boasting that he has benefited from somebody else's misfortune.

Enjoy your bargain, I suspect it will come back to haunt you.

^^^^

Yes, Air Asia from Bangkok.

PS - I like the Mr Pastry avatar.

Looking forward to our flights to Krabi in September, 260 Baht each, and that includes the 100 Baht "Convenience fee" for using a credit card online - how else can you book online? and 150 Baht Airport Tax, oh and the other 10 Baht is VAT.

OK we booked last November to travel in September, but if you are flexible and are prepared to book way in advance you can get some really good deals. Sure beats the bus, and it's cheaper.

I would say any carrier with the exception of Thai, though they fly direct you specifically mentioned in-flight entertainment and Thai don't have seat back tv's, so you cannot while away the time watching a movie of your choice.

I agree that Singapore takes some beating, or even Virgin via Hong Kong, though that adds to your journey time. If you are happy to go via the Gulf then Qatar, Emirates and Etihad are good bets. Eva are a pretty good direct carrier, especially in their premium economy class.

So it really boils down to your class of travel and whether you want to fly direct.

7x7.................no criticism, but they have actually moved into the digital age in numerous ways, eg, those biometrics are checked in UK and returned to the Embassy within 24 hours ! If you were printed in the UK at any time ( and in some instances, elsewhere) then the result will be with the visa officer very quickly. The reason the visa section will not accept CDs, portable media, etc is because the FCO don't want their systems messed up by hackers and others who would enjoy putting a few viruses into the system.

Do you mean that they check biometric details against fingerprint captures on Eurodac, the European system that records the fingerprint details of all asylum applications in the EU, or anybody who has had their fingerprints taken by the police?

Seems to be some pretty good deals, and no, there doesn't have to be two people travelling, think the OP was just saying he booked for two people.

http://www.airasia.c.../rr1070205.html

If you can be flexible with Air Asia, and can book early enough you really can get some good deals. We are flying to Bali with AA next month, we booked in February, and it's costing the grand total of 800 Baht each (fare 0 Baht, tax 700 Baht, Credit Card fee 100 Baht) though we do have to pay the airport tax for the return journey, as everybody does.

I stand corrected, but there are some good deals from Bangkok

Well for a start the government of the day needs to have a will to start to drag the police force out of the mire they stuck in.

When I moved to Thailand I was told by long term expat, if you have a problem never go to the police, because they are the problem - in the years I have been here I have seen nothing to prove him wrong.

I was the victim of a fraud, I went to a lawyer (who advertises on this forum) and was advised that whilst I had a clear cut case the police would not be interested unless I paid them a substantial amount of money, so it seems that lawyers are aware of the corrupt police but are unwilling or unable to do anything about it.

I see the police regularly shaking down motorcyclists on Sukhumvit, I also see money being passed over and put in the Officers pocket, with no paper passing hands, how can that be anything other than corrupt.

I personally think that the Police force is rotten to the core, and the government seem unwilling to address the issue - I speak with a background of 40 years of law enforcement.

I donot see any probelm with the thai police. I find them to be very helpful. I meet them at social events all the time they give me their phone number,invite me to go socialize with them etc.

I have only been stopped once on my motorcycle at a road check they were polite and they checked my drivers license and let me go. They offer to assist with anything and everything I do. I am a single guy and it appears they cannot do enough for me, which is great I will never need a thai wife do the things for me the police do. I think people who have problems with the police here will have problems everywhere they go. It isnot the police who are the problem.

Well said officer.

What nationality is your girlfriends husband, if he is from the UK or another western country has she visited his country? if so that will be on record, even if she submits a new passport.

If she is still legally married she should say so in her application, she shouldn't leave out material facts otherwise she could be in trouble. I have known for UK Citizens who have previously taken their wives to the UK to advise UK Visas that the relationship is no more, this will be on file.

So tell the truth and tread carefully.

Super Rich consistantly give the best rate; http://www.superrichthailand.com/

You can compare the rates from a number of banks on the day: http://bankexchangerates.daytodaydata.net/default.aspx

If your atm will not allow you to draw out sufficient you could, as you say, bring cash, or go into a bank and make an over the counter withdrawal, I think most banks will allow up to 100,000 Baht.