sanooki

Go figure, right? But as seen here today, it looks like we were the victims of an over-zealous IO trying to scare us away for some reason. On the reverse, I guess it's possible they sometimes telegraph new rules with these behaviors.

Hey, thanks. Fingers crossed, tomorrow my landlord will show as promised with her daughter. They were kind enough to tell me that bit about two witnesses. I don't have much reference with Korat, but had not had any problems with notifications or info gathering prior to yesterday. But, as I was sitting waiting, I saw several people getting shaken down, including an Asian monk in full robes from another country! My first thought was I will be fine because they've already checked over all my paperwork at the desk outside. Then, I realized these others had gone through the same. :)

I have felt that is the case, for sure. But, it's my life, not theirs, ha. Part of the proceedings yesterday was that I habitually show a bank balance lower than the retirement requirements to try to avoid the discussion. Usually works, but yesterday I was forced to reveal that I had another bank account because I wanted them to understand that I wasn't trying to scam them to have a marriage visa with low funds, only that I wanted to keep my work options open. Also, that they weren't getting rid of me if they turned my marriage extension down.

Thanks a bunch for the encouragement. Also, the details on Savannahket are quite helpful, and I think I like that option more now that I've read your details. I agree with you on the retirement extension. It does seem a bit less of a hassle to get one, but it is significantly more limiting once had.

Wow, if true, and I have no reason to doubt you, that's great news. So, when the IO lady expressed "worry" and then accepted, she had made the decision. We had speculated that she was just flexing on us for whatever reason. But, I posted here to see if this was a thing or not. I hope not, but I know we can't assume anything here 100%.

Thanks much for the detailed reply. That's a good collection of the considerations. I probably wasn't clear in my OP that they did accept the application already, at the end of all the discussion. If declined, they say I couldn't apply for a marriage extension again. I don't know if that also bars applying for a new visa in Savannahket or not, or, if I did that, would I need to do the same indefinitely. Once or twice might be fun, but I plan to be here a long time. So, the best alternative seems to be the Retirement extension. I have enough funds, but was hoping to keep the work option open. I will accept that being closed off if I need to. I still have hope that those reviewing my app will look at the big picture and ask if there is anything that needs clarification. I have an ongoing fear of arbitrary decisions based on misunderstandings. I wonder why.

I surely noted that yesterday with shock. I also wish they wouldn't have such a love for changing rules and expecting us to read their minds about them. I follow rules as good as anyone --if I know what they are. :)

I was also considering some close version of that, thanks. As it stands, we have just received a call already, that we will get a visit tomorrow morning from the mobile police crew. Seems I might get my chance then, and likely late to go back to the office. I've never heard of anyone, at least that I can remember, successfully appealing the conclusions, intermediate or final, of IOs, but that might be something I might try to figure out how to do. My sense is all good should come out in the wash, if they examine my record. But, I like to be prepared for the worst.

I don't consider myself domiciled anywhere yet. I had been a lecturer at a Rajabhat in Chachoengsao for 7 years before being retired. These two years since, we are exploring where to settle. We occasionally stay for weeks at her family farm in Ubon. I'm just not ready to commit to being there full-time. Too remote for me. I must say I do notice (since the pandemic?) a new implied importance on the part of IOs to permanent locations. I don't recall that being so emphasized before. I still don't see the crime in wanting to stay somewhere for a year while contributing to the local economy just because I happen to like it there and want to know if it's a good long-term home. Are we required to have permanent homes? I never heard that and surely wouldn't have tried to move if that were the case.

I too was a bit ruffled with my wife's answer. "Tio" has different meanings. To her, it means visiting wats and shopping. What do people do when they're retired. Why is it a crime? We actually have a long-term lease and we're considering staying many years, since she has family an hour away in the province. But, I also fear there is some misunderstanding. I didn't want to come into the conversation heavy-handed to try to clear it up, and nobody seemed interested in talking to me, even though I was speaking to them in Thai.

I was considering something along the lines of the same. But, I wonder why they would use a different reason. Also, they will be able to investigate that easily with a phone call or two, I believe. I have trouble understanding why people need to justify liking living a regular life. There are no malls in my wife's moobaan, for instance. And, from here we can more easily travel to BKK, etc.

Thanks. Yes, I've been doing the same.

Thanks. It's an apartment, and it's in my name on the lease. I submitted the Tabien Baan of my landlord. I have done the same for all my recent extensions since it's been required. I was also trying to puzzle this possible connection.

Thanks for your reply. Are you hinting at some particular problem with Korat? My wife and I might actually fancy a trip to Savannahket. I have been skittish about leaving the country these past few years, and I don't see why I should have to. But, maybe it's a good option. The thing is, it seems to be setting up for the need to do that every year after. Oh, the other thing I didn't mention is that, as they were processing my paperwork, they said yesterday that if I was turned down, I would not be allowed another application of the same. I wonder if that would apply to an app made outside Thailand for a new marriage visa?

I've been living in Thailand over 13 years, granted 5 marriage extensions and 7 work extensions. I have not been out of the country for 8 years. Two years ago, I converted my work extension to a marriage extension when I was retired from my uni job. My current wife and I have been together over 5 years, since we were married in her home. We married legally over 4 years ago. Neither she nor my ex wife worked at the time of any of my marriage extensions, nor were the extensions ever granted in my wives' home provinces. We moved to Korat city 11 months ago, and inquired at my last 90 day report about requirements for marriage extension here. I have always done everything by the book with no real problems, other than the usual anomalies. Yesterday, we arrived at Korat immigration almost 2 weeks ahead of my extension expiration date. We went through pre-document review successfully. Once called to an officer's desk, I heard my wife being spoken to in an incredulous voice. My Thai is intermediate, but I surmised she was being asked why we were living in Korat. My wife explained that we came here on vacation and wanted to tour places here. I tried to help by reminding her that she also wanted to be closer to her family in Ubon, and that her father has family here in Korat, all true. Well, the officer on the desk called in her apparent supervisor, who grilled my wife on the same questions. I chimed in that I could live anywhere now, since I'm not working. My wife explained that she is a housewife, but is also exploring work ideas, and that we are also considering moving even closer to her family in Ubon. Sorry for the lengthy explanations, but usually you folks want the context, so here it is. Bottom line is that the two lady officers said they were concerned that our application would be rejected in Khonkaen due to the fact that my wife does not have a job in Korat, nor does she have her Tabien Baan here. In all my time in Thailand, I have never seen this as a requirement for a marriage visa extension. I can't find any mention of this requirement anywhere. Is it new? Is this a case of an over-zealous officer making a creative interpretation of some rule? If anyone can shed light, especially with references, I would be very appreciative. If I'm rejected, I would just get a retirement visa, but I had wanted to keep the option of working again open. Initially, I was waiting for the pandemic madness to subside before doing that. Thanks much for your attention and patience.