theoldgit

I think it's not only a possibility but they prefer you to do it, though as you say your wife will still have to pitch up to Regent House and hand in all her documents.

If she has had a number of previous visas why doesn't your wife go for a longer term visa, though they cost considerably more since earlier this month.

I read about this elsewhere and it's a sad indictment of the UK immigration policies and the way some staff interpret the Immigration Acts.

Thankfully after the intervention of Davies Khan the UKBA showed common sense, pity they didn't show some compassion in the first place.

You don't need to provide proof of medical insurance for a UK Visa, though as has been said you do need to provide proof for a Schengen Visa, travellers to the UK would be unwise to travel without cover.

Well done mate, really pleased for you both.

Arrived at 09.45 and left with my extension at 13.30.

When they went off for lunch I was two numbers away.

They reduced the Baht rate to take account of the value of the GBP.

Good luck, am keeping everything crossed.

It just says "phone number dangerous"

If the waiting time is one hour, would you prefer to wait one hour in the morning, or one hour in the afternoon?

Thank you for taking the time to post your helpful reply.

Need to go to Suan Plu tomorrow to renew my extension of stay, would be grateful for an idea of the current waiting times.

Due to other commitments cannot get there until after 10.00, am I better waiting until after lunch?

Thanks

Are you thinking medical here If so you won't need Insurance to get treatment in the UK

That is why you pay the high price for the Visa.

The National Health Service is funded By National insurance Contributions.

You are paying for this with your Visa Fee. Unlike The rest of Europe.

I am sorry but that's completely untrue, a tourist to the UK is not entitled to NHS treatment, though whether you would be refused treatment in an emergency is debatable but you would probably be billed.

The visa fee is a fee for processing the application and nothing more.

You don't need to provide proof to UK Visas, unlike for a Schengen Visa where it is a prerequisite.

You really need to have insurance if the trip goes ahead so it wouldn't hurt to include it in the pack, but of course it would be wasted if the visa was to be refused.

I have said before that I have opened a Kasikorn savings account with just a passport, no certified copies, no referrals from employer, I am retired so don't have a work permit, and no letter from my Auntie Lil.

Just walked into the Kasikorn branch near Sukhumvit 55, by Thonglor BTS, and it was sorted by very helpful and friendly staff. I could have walked out with a debit card straight away, but decided to wait a few days for one with my name embossed on it, though might have problems using the generic one in The UK. Whilst it's a savings account, so no cheque book, I have full internet banking and pay all my bills online.

The debit card is no good for online purchases, so I signed up for their web based card which is a virtual card and I have used it successfully online frequently.

The normal advice on this forum is usually go into a convienient branch and you will probably get your account, if not, go to the next branch and you will probably get what you need.

I took advantage of my Thai American Express credit card, as I have said before without a work permit as I am retired, because I found that I couldn't rent a car, even with Thai Visa Car Rental, and book into some hotels with just a debit card.

I was sent an application form because I am Royal Orchid Plus member, and all they wanted was copies of my last three months bank statements, no nod and a wink, no references from employers and no I have a friend who knows the manager, though I suspect I was just lucky to have the application assessed by the right person.

A car hire owner once told me that if a bank will not trust you to manage a credit card why should I trust you with a car.

I think if 50 people in a room all applied for a card and all had the same circumstances, there would be 50 different results.

I think the government has more to worry about at the moment than the value of the Baht so will not be rushing through any devaluation.

Tourists will be more concerned about their safety than saving a few Baht, so I doubt if a reduction in it's cost will having them queuing up to get in.

Cutting the value of the Baht would mean that imports would cost more and exports worth less, another reason not to devalue.

The world markets will determine the true level, so unless there is an unlikely increase in the value of the pound, in my case, the Baht will stay at it's current levels.

That's my take on it, though as I have said before, I will be happy to be proved wrong.

Didn't devalue after the coup or during the troubles last year, in fact it went the wrong way for me.

As a Brit I would be more than happy for the Baht to devalue, but I don't think it will any more than the Pound strengthen - I would be happy to be proved wrong

The British Embassy have updated their website to include the following advice, don't think they are, or need to, actually notify people

"In view of the deteriorating security situation anyone considering going to Bangkok should urgently review their plans. British residents in, and visitors to, Bangkok are advised to avoid any areas where demonstrations are taking place and to stay indoors as far as possible."

Well I maybe the first farang to be injured, my gf and I were in a taxi and going to a pub for dinner we past a heavily fortified house on Sukhumit 33, turns out it's the Prime Ministers house. The driver asked what I thought of him, I said that I think he is doing his best and should be given a chance, oh the injury, a jab in the ribs - I never learn.

Well I have both a yellow and a red polo shirt, I don't wear either of them these days.

In fact, now I've thought about that, I'm going to move them into separate drawers.... can't be too careful.

What about your blue one?

You will be passport checked in before boarding by French Immigration if you travel by Eurostar and your passport would be checked at the airport check-in if you travel by air.

You may well not be checked on arrival in France.

Thanks for all the responses, most grateful.

All is not lost, the police are still out in force stopping motorcyclists on Sukhumvit and Rama IV and extracting their Songkran money.

We are visiting Chiang Mai next week and want to visit the zoo, I notice that there is one price for Thais and another for foreigners.

Does anybody know if resident foreigners can receive the local price with proof, such as a Thai driving licence?

This has worked for me in Bangkok and other places as I am always up for saving a few Baht, but will probably still go either way.

Yes, they have to apply for a visa, and does not look straightforward.

http://www.boca.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1836&a...de=114&mp=2

Taiwan Embassy/High Comission/Consulate For Thailand20th Fl. Empire Tower, 195 South Sathorn Rd, Yannawwa Bangkok tel (66-2) 670 -0200~9 Fax (66-2) 670 0220 email: [email protected]

With the greatest of respect do you think it is wise the post the details of the investigation on an open forum?