Troebal

2 hours ago, gjoo888 said:

I've done 14 marriage visa extensions in Bangkok, and have never had a visit from immigration

I've done 19, the last 12 in Pattaya, and this year was the first time they did a home visit. We had our witness lined up for a Thursday appointment. They called and said they were busy and would come on Monday morning. They showed up and no witness. She had a death in the family over the weekend. The three Immigration Police said, no witness, no extension. My wife held them off for a few minutes, found a neighbor who happened to have a copy of her ID and house book. They didn't go in the house because we have dogs. All turned out OK but it was a bit frantic for a bit.

20 hours ago, sussex said:

So lucky. Still waiting, more than 5 weeks now. Someone else pointed out that the registration process seemed much quicker for Thai applicants. Is your wife Thai? 

Yes. Tried it out last night and logged right in. Need to find what documents are needed to report. I would assume at least the picture page from the passport and the TM6.

I did an application for my wife yesterday. This morning I got the message to verify the email. An hour later I got a user name and password. Haven't tried it out yet but will when I get home, using the wife's phone. I was amazed.

In Pattaya I was given the choice of two neighbors or B1000.

I find the constant call for a new election, as the thing which will turn the country around and bring true democracy to Thailand, to be pure nonsense. There will not and cannot be free and fair elections under the current conditions. How many places in Isaan and the North can a Democrat candidate go and campaign without fearing for his life. How many places in the South can someone from Peua Thai party go. Votes will be bought with money, lies or extortion. The latest election story I have come across if from two of my in-laws. They each bough a condo in a government built low income complex in Samut Prakan. These developments were started by Thaksin and they loved him for letting them be able to purchase a place of their own. They have recently had their electricity rates raised significantly. A Peua Thai representative has come to see them and told them that if they want to reduce their rates support Peua Thai. If the district does not suppot PT in the next election the rates will go higher. Just anther example of how free and fair the system really is.

Why do so many people think that because you are against the reds you must be for the yellows. They should all be in jail. None of these people seem to understand that their rights stop when they start depriving other people of their rights.That goes for shutting down airports, smashing through the windows of a hotel, taking over government buildings or assaulting the prime minister. They seem to see no problem in denying people access to their jobs, their homes, hospitals or government offices.

Thaibkk- we farangs are interested because we live here, have families here, and what ever happens in Bangkok this weekend effects us all.

Guess I gotta start moving some money.

Marriage. Done in Pattaya last year. 5th or 6th extension. They only wanted 2 months.

I thought the money in the bank period was changed last year to 2 months. I was last March and that was not my first application.

My wife recently bought a 2.4l Captiva for me to drive. Didn't actually ask me if I wanted to drive it but now it is mine. Here is my view after driving it a while.

It is a very comfortable car to get around in. Great visibillity, reasonable seats and driving position. Lots of room for the 8 brother and sister in laws and their broods. The car has had no problems, is quiet with no squeaks or leaks. Loads of space in the back, especially with the seats down. The dogs love the back where they have room to walk around. Nothing but good things to say, except....

For the difference in gas milage between the Honda City she sold to buy this and the Capitiva we could have paid for a new City. The advertised fuel consumption is something like 14 kpl highway, 11 overall. I drive mostly highway and so far have never had a tank of gas where I got more than 9kpl. The overall average has been slightly over 8kpl. In the US I think I would have to be paying gas guzzler taxes.

Don't completely understand why the fuel economy is so bad. Had a 2.7l gasoline Toyota Vigo, 4x4, that averaged over 10 kpl. It was heavier, 4 wheel drive and certainly not designed as a green vehicle yet it did better than the supposedly more modern designed Captiva.

Yesterday I went to Suan Plu to get my annual extension of my married to a Thai variety Non-Imm visa (5th year). Was told that since my house was 1KM inside of Samut Prakan I would have to go to the Samut Prakan office. They were bvery nice and provided some paperwork for transfer of my records.

The Samut Prakan office has no que system. Whoever can get into a chair first gets served. The lady doing the processing was pleasant, slow and kept trying to sell my wife a medallion that was suuposed to help poor people. We had to make a second copy of everything and the nearest copy machine was on the other side of the government office complex in a tent. Not a big problem, I can use the exercise. She stamps my passport and sends me to her boss. In discussion with him he asked if I worked. I said yes and produced my work permit. I was told that it was illegal for me to work and that I should not have a work permit. He said that if I wanted a visa I would have to bring him a cancelled copy of my work permit showing that I had quit my job. He also said that since I was working in Chonburi I must be spending most of my time there and shouldn't be in the Samut prakan office anyway.

I called my company office and they said, no problem working with a non-imm O if you have a Thai wife. They called the Samut Prakan immigration office and asked them if it was leagal for someone with this type of visa to work and were told that it was. This one guy took it on himself to change the law.

We also own a house in Pattaya so I went there this morning. They decided that there was no problem with me getting the extension and working and all I had to do was drive to Sri Racha and get a new letter from my bank, because the letter I had was 3 days old. I also was supposed to have a neighbor, with documentation to show they lived near us, come to immigration and testify that I was actually living in the house. My wife told me to get lost for a while and got it all sorted out. I have not asked how but I have a pretty good idea.

The whole system is broken and made worse by the new requirements forcing you to use a particular office. I guess I am OK for another year but I am already dreading next March.

I just stumbled across this issue today. Been kinda buried in other things lately. Was planning on going to Bangkok immigration on Thursday, extension expires on the 31st. Have gone to Bangkok for the past 4 years. I live about 1KM inside of Samut Prakan.

Has immigration moved files between offcies? Do I need to go to the Bangkok office and have files transferred? In the past this took a while to do. Sounds like I would need to go just to check and see where the files are.

Like most, I am not happy with this at all. Tried using Samut Prakan in the past and was greeted by a down right belligerent staff who told me I would need to leave the country. Got in the car and drove to Bangkok and was told by the staff there that Samut Prakan doesn't know what is going on and they processed my papers with no problem.