ant1970

Astral - yes of course the RTE in London... British Embassy in London? Probably a Freudian Slip... ;-) What was I thinking.....

Thanks for all replies... Back in the UK now for a few weeks, near London.. Looks like I'll have to make another trip home sometime soon..

I just called the British Embassy in London regarding a Non Imm B Visa.. They told me that due to new regulations that I must also submit my work permit along with the other documents when I apply for the Non Imm B Visa..

This is news to me and makes things rather difficult as I don't yet have a work permit and many people I know have previously got their Non Imm B Visa before they applied for their work permit..

Is this correct, am I misinformed or were my assumptions out-dated?

Regards...

No offence to anyone, but if we all (and many who share this website are) are living in Thailand, I don't quite understand the resistance to Thai food! Part of the Thai culture we all crave (the reason we are all here) is the food. I don't quite understand why farang food is so desired.

Many of us, grew up in the west on quite a high fat diet (US/Europe), the contrast in Thai food (I know some Thai food is also high in fat) cannot be beaten.

I live on a a Thai food diet (Bangkok, Esaan, Northern, Southern styles) and I'm more than satisfied with the food Thailand has to offer. I have a friend from India who is also living in Thailand and he tells me he cannot stomach the idea of "rice" for breakfast and often insists on his bread and eggs dish. Like I said, I don't get it.

Thai people are often "bored" with the Thai food on offer and desire and search for alternatives. I can understand this. But us farangs? (pasta, pizza etc)

Frankly, I am bored of the meat, potatoes and two veg, the standard western staple. Most bland in comparison to Thai food. I regularly eat from the street vendors and the variety of fruit in Thailand has no comparison.

How Thai are you?

Actually I was referring to being stopped by the traffic cops, not for any motoring issue, but about being asked to produce passport on the street whilst walking.. In other words, are the traffic cops "interested" in asking those type of questions (assuming I am not behaving suspiciously for any other reason).

With immigration in Thailand being a police controlled department (unlike other countries). I was wondering if anyone had been stopped in the street by a traffic cop and asked to produce passport and get asked "where are you going?" "what are you doing?" etc.

I know that all farangs are supposed to carry their passport around with them whilst in Thailand, but lets be honest, who does?

Has any farang ever been stopped in the street by a traffic cop and been asked:

"Where are you going?"

"What are you doing?"

"Can I see your passport?"

I've been in Thailand for 8 months now and also visited previously on many occasions. I am currently working in BKK with just a tourist visa, as is the common story. Near where I live there is a police box/booth, where the traffic cops sit and monitor what's going on. Everyday I pass and wonder if/when they're gonna jump out from their box and ask me the afore mentioned questions..

Does anyone else have the same worries or have experienced this?

What was the outcome?

I am a British guy aged 33 currently in BKK. If I marry with a Thai national and eventually/ultimately get a visa for being married to a Thai national (is this called a marriage visa?).

Do the requirements to have a work permit to legally work remain the same? Or does having a "marriage visa" alter the situation with regards a work permit?

Angie - I did a visa run to Aranyaprathet / Poipet in December03. Total cost 1800baht

1000B for the Cambodian visa and 800B for the minibus to Aranyaprathet. The travel agency I used had a guy drive me to the border and then a local Cambodian walks you through customs and immigration back to Thailand.

The minibus left Sukhumvit 24 about 7.30am and I was back by about 7pm the same day..

Asianna Oriental Travel Sukhumvit 41-43