theoldgit

I am pretty sure it must be in the country of residence, which makes sense as an interview, though unlikely, may be required.

Just one point, she applies for her visa not you.

If she is in Thailand and has a UK Visa it's very quick and easy and almost guaranteed.

I don't know if your ID could get everyone a cheap price. Go try it and report back.

I have seen their ads in "The Bangkok Trader" which clearly state, in English, that foreigners will be charged the local rate with proof that they live in Thailand, it mentions a Thai driving licence as acceptable proof and I believe there are others.

I have been there a few times and have always been asked if I lived in Thailand and had proof.

You must have power of attorney form signed to collect her passport that's what my company have to do anyway as all applications come back to office via courier generally. Ask her to ring Regent house they will advise her accordingly.

OK, thanks for that. She is off out buying fish so I will get her to call them.

Is this a generic power of attorney form or do they only accept something specific?

It's quite simple really and I think it's explained on the receipt.

All you need is a signed copy of your passport and her id and a note from her authorising you to collect to collect her passport, and of course the original receipt.

As I say all very simple and straightforward, I did it recently, though for some strange reason they asked me for my phone number.

Have you tried to Google it? http://www2.citadines.com/en/thailand/bang...ukhumvit_8.html

I have stayed at their property on Soi 16 a couple of times and can thoroughly recommend it, though it did become quite difficult to get a booking, especially at a discounted rate.

Yes good old Google, try "UKNova"

This link to the CAB may be of interest, the most important line for me states that if you normally live abroad, and are receiving a UK state pension, and have lived in the UK in the past for at least ten years you are entitled to NHS hospital treatment, it's also interesting to note who else is entitled to free hospital treatment.

I think the bottom line is that any visitor to the UK will get free emergency treatment.

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family...from_abroad.htm

Good for you, it has the makings of a good evening for all who can make it.

5 Days to go!!!!!!!!!

I take it you are looking forward to this do, don't you get out very often?

The thing that concerns me a little is that if I win they will send the cheque to Thailand and I'm a bit wary of the Thai postal service.

Unless you have the maximum holding you can elect to have any winnings paid in the form of new Premium Bonds. Of course they will still need to be posted bu you haven't got to bother cashing the cheque.

Don't worry about winning the million. if you win over £5k they will contact you and ask if you want a cheque or more Premium Bonds.

Can anybody give me an idea of the servicing costs for a Honda Jazz?

Very well written post Mobi, hard times can happen to anybody for reasons out of their control, you never know what lies round the corner.

I have friends who work in the Embassy of a Western country, one deals with Visas and one with nationals who find themselves in prison or an IDC, both have said that their workloads have increased dramatically. The number of expats who are returning "home" with their Thai families, not really knowing what the future holds for them, has increased the workload on the visa section, with a knock on effect for all visa applicants. My friend who deals with those in custody has also seen his workload increase, especially in the IDC. I too have visited expats in various prisons and no way to I want to be on the inside looking out.

Warning, Warning - The Anti smoking crew are about to hijack the thread.

Well, I asked the question which was not, IMHO, unreasonable, and whilst I am a non smoker I am certainly not anti smoking I just don't enjoy smoke filled environments, if people wish to smoke, well that is their choice and right.

I was simply asking what the venue's take on the smoking laws were, so I could then make an informed decision whether to attend or not. I did ponder over whether to ask the question as I was worried about the reaction.

I have always enjoyed the get together's and have met some very interesting members, I hope you all have a most enjoyable evening, I am sure you will.

At the risk of getting my head bitten off, can I ask what the venues take on the smoking laws are?

We went to Yong Pyong in South Korea earlier this year, a purpose built resort and reasonably priced, enjoyed very much.

We arranged our own flights, using miles, and a local operator for the transfers and resort accomodation.

http://www.lifeinkorea.com/travel2/skiing

NanLaew, thanks for your report your comments were helpful.

The Hard Rock was ok last year, thought about going back for New Years Eve but they have imposed a three night minimum stay, strangely only on some of their rates, and a compulsary dinner at 6,500 Baht a head, clearly they are not affected by the global recession

Has anybody stayed here yet, or even ventured inside? just wondered what it's like.

Have booked a Christmas break at 1999++ per night, which I thought was pretty good value.

When my wife came back out after finishing her business, she told me that they (they being Thai security guards at VFS) had searched her briefcase and took her (sealed and unopened) sandwich, which she'd bought for her lunch, away from her. She didn't get it back either. The reason given: "No food to be eaten in here"!

Those security guards have to eat, they do not need to leave their posts to buy their own food when they can steal from the likes of your wife.

Me thinks that it would be a good wheeze to make them a sandwich from my own special recipe.

My girlfriend applied a couple of months ago, a very straightforward process and she collected her visa about three or four working days later.

Monthly income increased from Bt12,150 in 2000 to Bt21,135 this year, while expenses also rose from Bt9,848 to Bt16,255.

-- The Nation 2009-10-06

So how do they arrive at the figure that an expat retiree needs an income of Bt65,000 per month to qualify to extend their stay here?

What a plonker, looks like I just caught the tail end of a replay, I really must pay attention.

Hope you didn't miss it, it was on today, Saturday,and an early kick off.

I think the thing that still concerns me is that the official seems to have made his/her mind up without looking at the evidence that they ask for.

My partner and I could find ourselves in a similar position when we plan to visit the US sometime next year. My partner is substantially younger that me, we have a sustaining relationship and are in our our third year of living together in Thailand, she works and goes to college and we have travelled extensively out of Thailand, including the UK and Europe where she received her visas on the first application. You would think that she would have a good chance of being granted a tourist visa, but surely the official needs to look at the evidence before making a decision, and not making up their mind on first impressions.

Ben, I accept that you are the expert and I am most certainly not.

First of all well done with the first time success, it just goes to show that you don't need to use an agent for an uncomplicated visa application. I am a bit concerned that you used the term that you applied and that you made sure she went home on time.

My question is where are you based? are you in the UK and your wife in Thailand? if this is the case and your wife applies for a longer term visa, the ECO might assume, rightly or wrongly, that she is trying to circumnavigate the system and spend more time in the UK, remember she can only spend a maximum of 6 months in a year.

I personally would suggest you goes for another six month visa, and outline your plans for the future in the application. If however you are both living in Thailand and have plans for the future here, she might want to apply for a longer term visa, but again you need to make it clear in the application.

That's only my take, I'm sure others will have differing views.

Unfortunately, under section 214b of the Immigration and Nationality Act the Consular Officers are legally forced to presume that an applicant is a prospective immigrant unless the applicant can demonstrate strong evidence to the contrary.

Yes, but reading the original post the official was only concerned about the age difference and apparantly made the decision on that, the official doesn't seem to have looked at the evidence so wouldn't have known how strong the evidence was - or have I missed something?

The visa application itself is pretty straightforward, though it costs 33,930 Baht, a tad over £600, and currently takes about 12 weeks. There are further costs down the line should she apply for further leave to remain.

Though I say pretty straightforward, you have to supply a great deal of supporting evidence, there are plenty of other threads about others peoples experience.

Moving to a new country with a different social structure is not for everyone, many couples have succeeded and a few have fallen by the wayside, it's something that shouldn't be entered into lightly and you really need to talk through all the options.

Again please don't take this the wrong way but you are asking about the visa costs and processes and are considering the price of the flight tickets so I am wondering if you are really sure in your own mind.

Whatever you decide to do, good luck.