IsaanAndy

Hey Richard, I may have somewhat good news for you. I just returned from the "big" tesco here in ubon ratchathani and saw oat milk ( see attached picture ). If you need any other info, let me know. I actually bought a liter to try it. Am curious what it tastes like.

Also, have you tried giving your son some different versions of soy milk? I do enjoy soy milk too sometimes, but have found that there are big variations in flavor among the brands.

Anyways, hope it helped.

ImageUploadedByThaivisa Connect1424883387.427734.jpg

I think you can get the same brand or something close at the BIG C in Yaso.

I did my usual 1 year extn based on marriage yesterday and I submitted 4 photo's which I've been required to do for the last 6 years at Amnat Chareon, 2 for my application and 2 to go with the supporting parallel application (Thai wife). It seems to be the usual story of different requirements at different offices etc ...

BTW they have never seemed to bother if the pictures are of outside or inside in my own experience but I take both just in case.

Just returned from Amnat Chareon Imm' after submitting my annual 1 year visa extension based on a Non O married to a Thai.

I was asked to complete and sign 2 forms that I was not given last year, to declare that I was aware of the overstay regulations and being foul of the Thai criminal justice system, the overstay list was on a sliding scale from a 90 day overstay being the smallest ban to a life time ban from Thailand, apologies for not being able to recall the exact details of the sliding scale.

Also, the TM7 form has been updated/changed and the old version I took along was rejected but without fuss. I was not interviewed but my wife was, in previous applications we were both interviewed.

It would seem not to apply to new UK passports, I recently got my new passport and the visa stamps were re-entered into the new passport without any other documentation being asked for.

I think I've found it: [email protected]

You have,

Also you need a certified English translation of the Thai police report, if you are applying on lost or stolen grounds, you can get this for 1000 THB at one of the companies on the ground floor of the Trendy Bldg, it takes about 1 hour so you'll need to arrive early. Good luck.

I applied for my appointment yesterday and received a confirmation email one minute later and my appointment for next Tuesday the 25th today.

As I am renewing my passport I contacted the helpline in the UK and asked if I needed a counter signatory. They said no as long as my appearance had not changed radically.

Has anyone submitted an application recently without a counter signatory that can confirm this?

Many Thanks.

Yes, I have on the 5th Nov.

I was asked to write a letter to HMPO in Liverpool explaining that I have lived in Thailand for 6 years following my retirement and therefore had no, lawyer etc to act as a counter sig' here.

I also supplied letters from HMRC with my Thai address on confirming my UK Govt pension etc.

Also for lost or stolen passport applications you need a certified English translation of the Thai police report for Liverpool, 1000 THB in one of the companies on the ground floor of the Trendy Bldg will provide in around 1 hour.

This was sufficient as my passport arrived within 2 weeks.

My 2 story house in Roi Et is cool, use heat reflecting paint, open the doors to let air flow through, I have 3 sets of doubles downstairs and use top quality marble flooring.

I use wall mounted and large ceiling fans downstairs and only use air-con at night in the 3 bedrooms to sleep, usual electric bill is around 2300 THB for this time of year.

BTW, it can take 2 or 3 weeks to get the appointment at VFS and you can only apply for one via email via their site.

If you get an ETD (emergency passport) from the British Consular Facility in Bangkok, you should be able to get the extension stamp(s) restored to the ETD by Thai Immigration (depending on the area you live in it may also require the pro forma from the Embassy as well as the police report) and possibly even get a re-entry permit as well.

Only problem wit this is that the Embassy will normally only supply the ETD for travel booked in the very near future, plus thespecific itinerary must be provided and is printed/written into your ETD.

You need to list a return journey to Thailand to ensure you still can have the ETD in your hand for transfer of details to your new UK passport, but hopefully you would be able to show a re-entry permit in the ETD but get the entry stamp in your new passport.

Just a thought, currently almost no-one in the UK is applying for passports and the backlogs are pretty much clear; there have been some recent reports of relatively 'quick' (2-6 week) turnarounds for applications through trendy Bangkok.

I can confirm that the current turn around for a UK passport through VFS, Suk Soi 13 is under 2 weeks, providing of course your application includes all relevant data. I applied for my replacement on the 5th Nov and was emailed and called on the 17th to say it was ready to collect.

You have to send the application to the passport office in Liverpool, see UK gov website or BKK embassy website. No renewals in BKK for sometime now 2-3 years.

I am on a Non O, multi and marriage extn using the 40000 THB a month option by getting the UK embassy to verify my income for Thai Imm'.

Before the extn I only had to report to my local office every 90 days and not cross any border, which is the case when you have the extn approved.

The yearly renewal fee for the extn is 1900 THB plus the fee for the income letter.

As previously stated, all the info is available either here or elsewhere on the Internet, it's all about research ... such a waste of time but then if you are retired then you have all the time in the world, surely?

Go Yaso go!!

I'm on the Roi Et, Yaso border so go to Yaso all the time as Roi Et is too far for everyday stuff.

Always get good friendly service whether it be taking the pickup in for a service or just shopping around.

IMHO the OP is not a tourist, is he? As he admits to coming to live with his TGF for a month 5 times a year, so I guess you can't be a tourist if you aren't going about doing tourist activities so technically Thai Imm are right, although I do sympathize with the OP. As he himself states he needs to get the right entry visa.

I went in to do my 90 day reporting , the female immi officer told me my yearly renewal is up in October , please do not forget all the docs. photos etc. She did not say anything about the age changing. ( I am 56 )

this is only on visas issued not extensions of stay in country.

The UK seems to have put 'retirement' into 'claiming a pension' and will not issue retirement 1 year multi entries for the 50 - 65 range. Its been that way for months now.

You can of course still extend incountry with 800k in the bank.

Or get legally married in Thailand and then you only have to put 400000 THB in a bank account or prove income of 40000 THB a month and get a 1 year visa extn with a Non O. This is my choice as I don't want 800k stuck in a Thai bank. I'm 58 and been here 6 years and have not left for 5 years. It's only 1900 THB a year to extend so cheap as chips as they say.

It's easy to blame the teachers because they're the most visible.

I believe the (invisible) administrators, at all levels, are what's rotten in Thailand's education system.

The teachers are as much of the problem as the MofEd, e.g encouraging parents to let children attend their paid w/e sessions of the curriculum that they don't teach Mon - Fri so they can pass onto the next level.

Yawn, yawn. We've heard it all before ... besides nobody fails in Thailand.

As far as I know, getting a notarized letter of income is a simple procedure. You can even do it where there is an embassy outreach in your local community. I also remember reading that they don't verify the amount that you claim you earn. (hint, hint, hint)

Good luck to you, and may you live the rest of your days with peace and happiness in the Kingdom.

To get a PofI letter you have to supply the UK Embassy with a yearly pension or other statement showing where you income is coming from, IMHO I am sure they are able to spot originals from some dodgy scrap of paper. In my case I supply a branded statement from the trustee's containing monthly and yearly income. Even if your income is private I would have thought it would have to be along the same lines.

I use both skyscanner.co.th and momondo.com and they are both good and you can set up email alerts for the date you want to travel when the price changes.

I'm travelling on the 19th Aug and got a one-way to LHR for 16000THB last week with Jet Airways.

Yes I've seen Lacoste in the new Central Robinsons on the edge of town.

You can also buy English language books at Asia Books in the Central Mall.

Let's hope they do this and get rid of all the whingers and moaners who can't be bothered to live by the rules, do it by the book and you've nothing to fear.

I live in the bush and get down to Patts a couple of times a year (although I did live there for 6 months once) and I love it, especially the last 5 years with the numbers of tourists dropping off leaves more room and choice for those that do want to go. Once you know the place you can avoid the scams and the places and people that aren't so attractive to having a good time.

I think some people don't realise that all places change, OK, granted it can be sometimes for the worse and sometimes for the better.

I'm going back to London in August for the first time in 5 years so it wil be interesting to see the changes there ...

Your money, your choice ...

Many thanks OXO1947 for the info, I shall be going down to my local hospital and making the application as soon as I have recovered from the pulled muslce in my leg and can drive.

FYI, I had an X-Ray (2) of my knee and tablets yesterday all for the cost of 359THB so I can't complain about that. Also earlier in the year I had an in-growing toe nail removed for less than 500THB.

The Mai Tai definitely has a more adult type of entertainment, so I have been told, hurrmmp!

Also a nightclub there on my last visit, don't know if that's still open.

I also like the Phetcharet Garden as is a great pool for the kids. There is also a water park behind the market opposite Makro.