kwilson76

I have just come from a short stint in Mae Hong Son and found a new bar set up there called 'The Jungle Bar'. They sell Aussie Meat Pies, and they're fantastic! As an Aussie expat I've come to miss the good ol' Aussie Pie and found this place that serves them up with chips and sauce. Great little bar with ice cold beer (which if you've been here long, know it is hard to find) and also steak sandwiches.

I asked where they get the pies and they told me they buy them off another Aussie who makes them in Thailand - could be Lady Pie.

Great atmosphere too - they play western music and have comfy laid back chairs. A young Aussie couple run it too.

I recommend checking them out if you're ever in Maehongson. They're right in the centre of town - not easily seen - but just follow the music!

I am living in Northern Thailand and am about to commence work as a volunteer English consultant with a school within a Shan community. I have a work permit in process that the school has instigated (only upon my request and insistance) and the work permit has been completed but I have been advised I am to pay 3000 Baht myself when I collect the permit. Although I had done my research before moving here I find there are many conflicting stories associated with work permits and visas. I obtained this position by sending out resumes and application letters to secure a work permit prior to leaving my home country, so I could live here permanently. I was lead to believe the school should pay for the permit.

Any advice (constructive and about the permit cost only) would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

kwilson are you over 50 if so retirement visa works for you.

No, I said I am under 55. I wouldn't be searching through this forum for help if I was over!

Huh??????????????????? Then why don't you just say I'm under 50?????

Why don't you have a look a little further up the page....I DID....????

kwilson are you over 50 if so retirement visa works for you.

No, I said I am under 55. I wouldn't be searching through this forum for help if I was over!

DegenFarang, I am in a similar position to you. I want to move to Thailand on a permanent basis, but because I don't have a job or study lined up, I am under 55 and am I not married to a Thai, I can't seem to find a reasonably simple way to do this!

I plan to move in February, but I am finding this visa issue so difficult, it is almost making me change my mind. I take no comfort in extending tourist visas, to one day be denied renewal. I am leaving Australia permanently, I have quit my job and sold all my possessions. Unfortunately I don't have unlimited funds and the town I will be going to is one of the poorest in Thailand. This is something I dearly want to do, and end up teaching English to the children there, even if it is unpaid. This process is way too difficult if you want to do the right thing.

Good luck for you, you seem to have found a way.

Has anyone had to use Siam Legal International to obtain a visa? They tell me they can organise a non-imm O multiple entry, but I'm a bit paranoid that it might not get me through immigration...?

Hull in the UK and Perth in OZ will normally issue a multi entry non immigrant O visa to those visiting friends in Thailand. Perth will require copy of the Thai ID card for there records.

Thanks Lopburi. My only problem is obtaining a Thai ID card! Anyway, can I obtain one in Myanmar after coming over on a tourist visa, as they have to be obtained outside Thailand - does this work?

Lopburi, I have a question for you. I noticed on another thread that a gentleman from the UK was planning to visit Bangkok and he did not have work lined up for the visa. He was advised to obtain a Non-Immigrant 'O' visa and state he was 'visiting friends'. I have investigated this visa on TV and it appears to be only for visiting family in Thailand, for a Thai national or a sport coach/contestant/witness. I want to move from Australia to Northern Thailand and I have only found a Tourist Visa will suffice, that is until they decide not to renew!

Thanks for the advice Capealava. I have been to Mae Hong Son many times and stayed there for up to a month over the last 8 years. The western amenities I have already thought about and investigated. Yes, I will be doing without some of the luxuries of home, but this plan has been 2 years in the making and I'm not giving up yet! And then of course I can always check out the south...

Easier to get a 1 year Education Visa, 24kbht for the school

Or 1 year volunteer worker Education Visa, 15kbht placement fee for school.

Thanks Pjclark1, excuse my ignorance, but don't I need be enrolled to study in school/uni or apply for a job with a school?

BTW, WOW that's expensive!

Thanks Lopburi3. I forgot to mention I have a TESOL qualification, but the info you provided is of great help.

Thanks again!

AY AY AY AY AY should have said 2 x 90 day non immigrant visa.

Thanks for the replies y'all. The problem is I am 33. Can I apply for a tourist visa and then look for work when I'm there and have them organise the visa and work permit?

My partner and I plan to move to Northern Thailand near the Myanmar border in February 2010. We have investigated the Visa issue, but I cannot find the answers I'm looking for.

We will start with a tourist visa (we are Australian) and then renew it as necessary. Some Thai visa sites say it can only be renewed for only 30 days at 1500 Baht, is this correct? Do I have to go over to Myanmar every month/ 2 months? Or do I go to Chiang Mai to an Immigration office?

Also - is it do-able? We have been told by Thai locals in Northern Thailand that it won't be a problem to keep renewing the visa. That's fine for them to say that, but they don't know the immigration officials!

We plan to live there permanently and I hope to obtain a work permit further down the track, but can someone tell me from experience what they have done to renew tourist visas? I am under 55 and not married to a Thai....please help!

Thank you