IsaanAndy

Great to see this happening but I rather doubt it will be expanded across the country as the resistance to change from within the current teaching establishment to protect their vested interest in the status quo is just to entrenched.

There seems to be a little confusion here. My colleagues and I, report by post to Amnat. I have found the staff there helpful and polite, i also found that in Mukdahan too. These two areas are the best i have found here in the North East. I would actually compliment the Amnat office with being one of the best i have ever dealt with anywhere in Thailand.

I wouldn't send my passport in the Thai mail and therefore I prefer the security of appearing in person, after all it is only one day every 3 months and the hassle of then getting a new passport if it never came back far outways a 4 hour trip.

I agree the staff there are very good and I've never had a problem in 5 years since the move from Mukdahan.

Regarding the postal reporting, I can only mention what I was told by the officer whom I have dealt with over the last 3 years.

It may well be that they discourage postal reporting.

I for one would attend in person as mail is often torn open upon arrival at my home as people handling it search for anything of value to steal, a common problem in Thailand with farang mail I have found.

I have just returned after reporting my last 90 day for 2013 at Amnat.

I inquired if 90 reporting could be done by post.

I was informed a 90 day report could be made by post for medical conditions that prevented the reporter from coming in person.

The postal report needs to include a signed medical certificate from a doctor or consultant at a hospital.

This is the only exception, all 90 day reports have to made in person if you are reporting to Amnat.

3 Brits were recently arrested in Phuket on overstay... so to say it's no problem is being very optimistic but I certainly hope that the 20000 THB fine will be paid and your sent on your way without any further to do.

To the best of my knowledge you have to get the visa at a the Embassy or a consulate for land crossings, there is no online visa. Online is only for flights.

I only know of the Bus from Savan to Danang which 2 of my mates have used and it's a long and bumpy ride i've been told.

There might also be a bus from the new bridge at Nak Phanom but I know you can hire a mini van to take you from the Lao side to Danang.

I am doing a 90 report this week, probably Friday so I will ask.

Even though I have just under a 200 Km round trip I personally prefer ro appear in person rather than be at the mercy of waiting for them to turn it around and depending on the mail service.

It is after all only 1 day every 3 months.

The personal service I have recived at Amnat has been excellent and I am usually in and out within 5 minutes.

For proof of income on a extn of marriage you must get a notarized letter from the embassy (UK) if using the per month method.

I built 5 years ago 40 Kms south of Yaso and got most of my materials from Global House in Roi Et, my wife got a discount card from them (not sure if they still do one) on the basis of what was going to be spent there. Also they were the only place selling UPVC windows at the time.

Now you have Thai Watsudu just up the road as well and I think their prices are quite competitive.

Good Luck

Extn of stay based on Non O marriage is only 1900 THB with reduced travel costs by far the cheapest way to stay in LoS.

I tried to make a payment through Paypal using my Kasikornbank Visa debit card last week and it was refused. No explanation as to why so I will be taking it up with the bank and see what they have to say.

Yes, the financials for Non 0 based on marraige to a Thai are a minimum income of 40,000 THB a month or 400,000 THB in a Thai bank.

I live in a small village outside a small town, Suwannaphum in Roi Et but knew what to expect as I had visited the village many times before building a house to live in. A recce is always a good thing to do.

Also, having a hobby or 2 or 3 to help you pass the day is a must, IMHO. So playing Golf, Gardening, walking the dogs etc always gives you something to do between meeting the other ex=pats for a beer.

Good Luck.

I have used Agoda on many occasions and found them to be very competitive and often better than dealing direct with the hotel, the hotel deals vary depending on who you are talking too and how much say they have in any discounting. In low season I just turn up and barter at the desk.

I've done 5 visa extns based on marriage from Amnat Charoen and never had a visit but that doesn't mean to say someone has come to the village just to check up without letting me know.

I get the impression they don't venture out of the office at all.

EPL on CTH is a 3 year contract as was the one with True which finished at the end of last season, no rugby but they may add additional sports as there audience grows much like True did.

Yellow book is good but I would take as much documentation as you can muster including photo's and 2 or 3 copies of them and other documents, this is Thailand and you never know if the Imm' officer is going to be having an off day ....

I love sonic booms ...

Then there's the first time you drive on a road or highway and crap your pants when you see traffic coming towards you on the hard shoulder and you wonder if you are on the right side and the first time you see someone reversing back along the highway as they have missed the junction or reversing back down the junction to the highway as they have realised it's the wrong one.

I too am puzzled about only getting a 12 month passport, when I lost mine I was reissued with another 10 year one (UK).

Then there is the first time you find a 1.5 m snake in the kitchen and all the family run upstairs to hide while leaving you to do the necessary as if you are a snake expert of many years standing ... likewise for scorpion.

I recommend the Thai Hotel in the centre of Buriram just a 3 minute walk from the train station, last time I stayed there it was 400 THB a night and the room was nice and clean, check out their website.

To the best of my knowledge you can book upto 333/334 days (11 months) from the date of your return flight and get confirmation using sites like Expedia etc..