RegularReader

So you tipped them for doing their job.Some of you blokes just can't help yourself.Do you tip at airports for immi officers letting you in and out of the country,yours and here.

No, it is not necessary.

However, when I did my extension, last year, we did give them a bag of longans, provided by the guy who came to the office as our witness, because they had been helpful. Nw we have left Thailand for a few years in Melbourne, I hope the same helpful approach is still there when we return.

Having done extensions previously in Bangkok, at both venues, Udon and it seems some of the other provincial centres, are much better to deal with, both fo extensions and 90 day reporting.

Just the same, treat them well and in most cases the attitude is returned. It's not all about money.

Always consider when you bring a thai natioanal to your country there no:1 goal is to always help there own family before they help yours as most thais come from poor family backgrounds

So much irony in this post...

Maybe so Grant.

But, I just found it insulting.

Sounds like you're travelling down a similar path to us.

We've been married for more than 20 years (15 of those in Thailand) and gone back to Oz several times.

But, as I was working, trips were always short.

Now we have more time, we are thinking the partner visa for next time as well.

Well, I haven't been married quite as long as you folks, but a very similar sounding situation. I live and work here and as my work is directly related to home, we roughly spend about 30-60 days in Australia per year, each trip is about 10 days.

Just as an update: Wife's visa was approved about 20 minutes ago. 10 days total "waiting" time.

The last time we went was in 2012. The application was done at the VFS office in Sathorn. We received approval within 3 days.

I'm sure you knew you'd get it, but there's always that "what if they ask for..." feeling until the deed is done.

Well done!

Yeah personally, I knew it was a matter of 'when' not 'if' we would get it, unfortunately, she who must be obeyed, didn't share my optimism which subsequently turns that glass half full approach to glass half empty approach..

To be honest, I haven't dealt with the crowd at the 'new' VFS Office, like your wife, my wife's previous visa was also approved prior to their relocation (having looked at the previous paperwork it was submitted and approved on the same day though I remember as it was around the festive season it took a few weeks to be given the green light)

My wife, in her own words, submitted (online) the same 'shit load' of paperwork she submitted the previous year to VFS.

I love how she's picked up Australian so quick

As the Thai saying goes..."same same, only different"!

But, in the end Grant, isn't this part of why we live here ?

We went to the Udon Post Office this morning.

The guy who looks after the Visas was very helpful.

I know he's only a clerk, but he knew what he was doing with the documents.

Fingers crossed, when they get to Bangkok on Monday, all will be okay.

But hey, T.I.T !

Sounds like you're travelling down a similar path to us.

We've been married for more than 20 years (15 of those in Thailand) and gone back to Oz several times.

But, as I was working, trips were always short.

Now we have more time, we are thinking the partner visa for next time as well.

Well, I haven't been married quite as long as you folks, but a very similar sounding situation. I live and work here and as my work is directly related to home, we roughly spend about 30-60 days in Australia per year, each trip is about 10 days.

Just as an update: Wife's visa was approved about 20 minutes ago. 10 days total "waiting" time.

The last time we went was in 2012. The application was done at the VFS office in Sathorn. We received approval within 3 days.

I'm sure you knew you'd get it, but there's always that "what if they ask for..." feeling until the deed is done.

Well done!

Thanks Grant, I'll try again.

Although seeing the forms are now completed and printed and we also have the "invitations", we might as well go the old "paper" route.

Was much easier when we lived in Bangkok and always seemed to be approved within a couple of days.

I agree, the old paper route, seems much easier. I think the biggest frustration my wife had (and therefore I had haha) was that it took Immigration a week to respond to the application with a request for additional documentation to be attached to the application. This isn't an issue when you go via VFS because you obviously have to have a complete application otherwise you're wasting your time.

I wouldn't expect to have these "teething" issues next time around though, but that will depend on which visa we apply for, applying for a Partner Visa is possibly on the cards next time..

Sounds like you're travelling down a similar path to us.

We've been married for more than 20 years (15 of those in Thailand) and gone back to Oz several times.

But, as I was working, trips were always short.

Now we have more time, we are thinking the partner visa for next time as well.

Did you do your online Visa from here in Thailand?

I even contacted VFS by email and they replied saying it couldn't be done.

Anyway, we'll go to the Udon Thani Post Office tomorrow and hopefully all will be sweet.

We've been married over 20 years and I agree with you about the over protective "nanny state" mentality of Australian Visa applications and the "difficulties" of obtaining a more permanent "permit" to stay in Thailand, than annually extending a 12 month Visa.Karma may visit both...eventually!

RegularReader; not sure what tea the kids down at VFS are drinking, but, I can assure you the application can be completed and paid for entirely online.

http://www.immi.gov.au/Services/Pages/visitor-e600-visa-online-applications.aspx is the link to start the process, you'll need to create an "ImmiAccount" for the application.

And yes, I'm currently living in Bangkok...

Thanks Grant, I'll try again.

Although seeing the forms are now completed and printed and we also have the "invitations", we might as well go the old "paper" route.

Was much easier when we lived in Bangkok and always seemed to be approved within a couple of days.

My (Thai) wife and I are going to Australia next month.

We have been married for more than 20 years and she has been to Oz with me many times.

In the past we have usually done the visa by submitting forms etc initially at the embassy or VFS office in the "Trendy Office Building" (love that name).

We don't live in Bangkok now and I noticed Thailand is now included in the list of countries listed by VFS (but not on the Australian Embassy info), where you can do the application online.

However, when I got about 40% of the way through, it told me I could not submit the application online and will need to go to a local desk at the Udon Thani Post Office (where we live) and submit it there for couriering to Bangkok.

I know you cannot do an e-Visa, but does anyone know if you can submit a normal Visit Visa on line from Thailand ?

My wife submitted her Tourist Visa (subclass 600) application online last week. It's taken a bit longer than the VFS submit in person but this is probably due to the initial process not allowing her to submit all the normal documentation with the initial application. This was rectified today so expect a result within the next week.

What I find frustrating (almost embarassing) is that my wife can apply (and receive) a 10 year tourist visa for the USA that is only slightly more expensive than a one year tourist visa for Australia and going through the same song and dance every year is cumbersome at best. It's bad enough that we go through it with the Thai authorities when I have to extend my visa. Karma perhaps?

The process for the USA visa was also a lot quicker, given that her previous 10 year visa had expired within the 6 months prior to applying for a rewnewal.

But I digress...

Did you do your online Visa from here in Thailand?

I even contacted VFS by email and they replied saying it couldn't be done.

Anyway, we'll go to the Udon Thani Post Office tomorrow and hopefully all will be sweet.

We've been married over 20 years and I agree with you about the over protective "nanny state" mentality of Australian Visa applications and the "difficulties" of obtaining a more permanent "permit" to stay in Thailand, than annually extending a 12 month Visa.Karma may visit both...eventually!

My (Thai) wife and I are going to Australia next month.

We have been married for more than 20 years and she has been to Oz with me many times.

In the past we have usually done the visa by submitting forms etc initially at the embassy or VFS office in the "Trendy Office Building" (love that name).

We don't live in Bangkok now and I noticed Thailand is now included in the list of countries listed by VFS (but not on the Australian Embassy info), where you can do the application online.

However, when I got about 40% of the way through, it told me I could not submit the application online and will need to go to a local desk at the Udon Thani Post Office (where we live) and submit it there for couriering to Bangkok.

I know you cannot do an e-Visa, but does anyone know if you can submit a normal Visit Visa on line from Thailand ?

A Crazy Law that makes zero sense and accomplishes nothing! Except an inconvenience for a shopper.

Reminds me of the shops closing during Prayer Time in Saudi Arabia. You still always got what you wanted. You just had to sit their and waste time to do it

or had to wait inside until prayer time was over before you could leave...

I think these sales restriction laws are a lot of ridiculous crap. Just useless public officials swinging their dingalings, trying to convince themselves that they are actually solving a problem.

100% correct!

This Dr. Samran guy from the Ministry of Health, got beaten and lost considerable face over his desire to outlaw alcohol sales during New Year and Thai New Year (Songkran).

General Prayut told him it wouldn't work in a very public way.

As a face saver, he got away with some sort of restrictions around the end of Buddhist "lent" and a couple of other special Buddhist days.

With this one, he "won" what is virtually a "Clayton's" Law change, when it comes to the public.

However, I'm not sure how all the wholesalers throughout the land will now cope with their out of hours "door sales". Probably,like the mom&pop stores nothing will change.

But, then again, no one thought the underground hi-lo, lottery and stock market venues would disappear, when this government said "stop". They haven't completely gone away, but they are not on ever street corner any more.

Note that income can be from abroad but money in the bank needs to be in a bank account in Thailand.

There is no requirement to transfer your income to Thailand.

As this will be your first extension, the money needs to be seasoned for only two months. After that it needs to be for 3 months prior to an extension.

Isn't it the other way around?

First extension 3 months.

After that 2 months

No, it is as I wrote.

The first time they give you time to open a bank account and transfer the money into your bank account in Thailand.

Sorry Mario, I might be getting a bit confused here. I am referring to extending a non-O-Immigrant Visa, Married to Thai Wife

Note that income can be from abroad but money in the bank needs to be in a bank account in Thailand.

There is no requirement to transfer your income to Thailand.

As this will be your first extension, the money needs to be seasoned for only two months. After that it needs to be for 3 months prior to an extension.

Isn't it the other way around?

First extension 3 months.

After that 2 months

So much needs to be done - such as proper enforcement of the laws and education.

More, it would also help if everyone stopped calling people "drivers".

From what little statistical information is made available, more than 75% of victims are on MOTOR BIKES.

Instead of the talk about banning alcohol and painting a picture of mad car/pick-up truck drivers, it would help to start at the root: MOTOR BIKES.

Although I am happy to remain on a Non-immigrant O Visa (Married Thai Wife), partily in the slim hope, that one day rules change for those who have been long term residents (15 Years) and allow a more permanent arrangement than the current yearly extension with THB400,000 etc, the Thai Elite does look interesting. My situation makes PR as it is now, highly unlikely to obtain, hence my interest in this.

I have just one question, we live in Udon Thani and I do my 90 Day Report here.

If I took up the Thai Elite card, can I still do my report here in Udon Thani, or does it need to be processed at Chang Wattana ?

Anyone know ?

The marriage certificate is a requirement by the rules. The Kor Ror 2 is an additional document they want to prove you are still married. Immigration requires you attach a copy of both to your application.

And that's why I said "it doesn't hurt" - didn't realise it was a requirement. Maybe my wife does, as she prepares most of the documents and does much of the talking at Immigration.

The point I was making, is that over the years experience has shown me it's better to be "over-prepared" when dealing with Thai paperwork.

I am Australian and we were married in Hong Kong, in 1994. We went through much the same verification process of our HK marriage, as you seem to have done for your US Marriage. About 5 years ago, an officer recommended we register our marriage in Thailand - which we did.

Although we still present our HK marriage documents (duly translated), more notice is taken of our Thai registration. It does seem to make life easier.

For the small inconvenience involved, I suggest this is the way to go.

Thanks for the info - very helpful!

One question: Is there any particular reason why you submit your original (but translated) HK marriage documents along with the Khor Rhor 22 when applying for your extension each year? I would think that a current Khor Rohr 22 would be enough proof that you're married.

We probably don't need to do it, but it doesn't hurt.

It's like showing the Yellow House Book to Immigration.

Officially they don't take any notice, but it does reinforce your situation.

I am Australian and we were married in Hong Kong, in 1994. We went through much the same verification process of our HK marriage, as you seem to have done for your US Marriage. About 5 years ago, an officer recommended we register our marriage in Thailand - which we did.

Although we still present our HK marriage documents (duly translated), more notice is taken of our Thai registration. It does seem to make life easier.

For the small inconvenience involved, I suggest this is the way to go.

Whenever these silly and totally unworkable ideas are floated by civil servants, it shows just how out of touch with real Thailand they are.

There is not one mention of the myriad of mom & pop stores who pay no attention to the present stupidity, of not selling alcohol before 11am, or between 2pm - 5pm, lest they "corrupt" little children.

Enforce that law, with that group of shopkeepers and there would be riots in every soi in the land.

Pass this law and these people will love the powers that be, forever.

If the reason is to try and cut down on the horrendous road toll, then it will be a major fail. Stats show two things 1. the majority of accidents are motorcycle related and 2. they happen on minor sois (where the mom & pop stores are usually located).

Perhaps the motive is to give the "grass roots" Thai a chance, against what are anachronistically called, "modern-trade" such as Big C, Lotus, Makro and so on.

I'm not sure this is what the "good doctor" had in mind...

our local mom & pop store here in Udon Thani has a great deal on Beer Chang Classic (much better than Leo IMO)

2 Bottles + Ice THB100.

Seeing Tops and Big C near us are now THB 50 per bottle - that's a pretty good deal!

Over the last week I have been having connection problems Skyping between Thailand and Australia.

The calls will just not connect.

This goes on for a couple of hours and at different times of day.

During these non-connection times I have had no problem calling Hong Kong, Tokyo, or within Thailand.

Has anybody else experienced this problem?

I first came to Udon Thani in 1994 to ask my wife's father for her hand in marriage. We were only here for one day, but my impression of the place was that I had come into some backwater place, like I had only seen before in movies about India, or parts of Africa.

Now, 20 years later, after spending time in Hong Kong, The Middle East and from 2000 until early last year, Bangkok, we are happily ensconced in Udon Thani.

My wife had been pushing the idea of a move for many years, but until about 3 years ago, I railed against it. All I could see was my "original" impression. Then about 2 years ago, following the end of a job I was doing in Bangkok, we somehow found ourselves up here, for an extended period of a few weeks. It was during this time, I started to see the good things about the place.

Over the 20 years there has been so much growth. The infrastructure now is pretty good for a city this size (around 400,000). The internet is as least as good as Bangkok and from my experience, matches most parts of my home country, Australia. The roads are now good. There are lots of good eating places - not just Thai tin shacks beside the road. The malls (Central Plaza, Landmark etc.) and shopping in general (including several excellent Falang style food stores) offers a wide variety of Thai and international products. Food is excellent and cheap.Imported food and booze is about the same price as Bangkok.

We don't have a lot of money, but we get along quite well on far less than we ever did in Bangkok. More, the air is clean (except when some locals decide to burn plastic!). I go running on tracks and roads around the rice fields nearly ever day. We grow our own vegetables. The family farm is only 5 minutes from our house. The centre of Udon is around 4kms (as the crow flies) from our house, which is in what you might call, a "semi-rural" area.

My mother in law is 86 and my wife is able to now spend quality time with her and the family (as do I).

If you set ground rules that both you and your wife agree to(which you would do, no matter where you live),being surrounded by family can actually be a pleasant experience.

For the moment, this is as near as we can get, to having an "ideal" life style.

Of course there are threats on the horizon, such the growth of Udon overtaking the farm and area we live in. Sudden changes in economic conditions, poor health and lots of "black swans" one cannot prepare for.

I suggest anyone, who is contemplating a move to any where in Isaan, must understand, it is not the same as "Farang-land" or "Falang-land"(as it is called here). There are lots of compromises (its not all beer and skittles). But if you are able to see this, you'll have a great time and an excellent life style.

At least it keeps "something" up there.

Then, when this mob are kicked out (after one term hopefully), a new government puts enough resources into bringing the channel back up to full strength.

But of course, because there are not many votes in this, it will be up to us expats to make a noise so it is not forgotten.

looks like moves are afoot to back door morph Australia Network into Australia Plus

see http://australianetwork.com/announcement