IsaanAndy

Exactly the point, the reason nothing is done is that all the money being made is going to hi-so Thai business men/women and members of the forces (Army/Police). The ordinary tourist wouldn't see any sign of prostitution in the vast majority of Thailand it is only obvious in the main tourist resorts.

I live in a small town in the NE and there are several places here that just cater for Thai travellers (we have no farang touirists) and the locals.

This has been a requirement for a long time now, nothing new.

Not at Amnat , maybe other Im Offices which is why I made the post.

I've just completed (on 26th) by annual Visa 1 year extension based on a Thai (legal) marriage.

This year for the first time they required the marriage registry document KR2 along with the marriage certificate.

According to the official it is because someThai marriage cerificates provided by Lao nationals have proved to be fake.

All other documents remain the same as before.

Thank you for your replies.

I have a re-entry form downloaded on my computer so I can fill it in and take with me to Aranya.

I am still legally married as there is no mention of any divorce at this stage, so just living apart.

I am due to do a 90 day report on the 18th Oct, I can go 7 days pre/post to the 18th to attend the office.

I am on a 1 year extn to a Non-O, based on marriage (4 years of renewal now) that expires on the 28 Dec but because of a domestic dispute I am now living 700 Kms from my Thai Imm office in Amnat Chareon.

So now not living at the address on my previous 90 day reports, which I am aware is breaking the 90 day rules, as the 90 day report is to confirm I am still living at the same address. As far as I know.

Can I do a same day border run (on a re-entry permit through Aranya) to cover the period until my extn expires on the 28th Dec, instead of driving 1400 Kms?

I intend to apply for a Ed/Ret' visa prior to the 28th Dec to continue statying here.

Many thanks for any advice.

I have had to use new photo's every year (I've done 4) for my marriage Non O 1 year extension and on the last occasion I had to provide 2 copies of each, previously I had only supplied 1 copy of each photo, so take extra copies in case.

That was at Amnat Charoen for Roi Et and Yasothon residents.

When I applied for my proof of income letter I was told to return at 11am the following day to get it from the Consul in Pattaya/Jomtien.

I have completed 4 visa extns based on marriage, I am 56 and live in Roi Et, and I have never had to supply any Thai bank account details, which I don't have anyway as I only use my UK bank account for all my financial transactions.

The proof of income letter from the Embassy is the only document required, at the moment, for my age group.

I've a 4 door Toyota Prerunner and I have the fluids changed every 10K for 1400 THB, up here in Yasothon. The most expensive service I ever had was 6000 THB and that included new brakes and the air-con re gassed and the wheels balanced.

And as already been said there are Toyota dealers in all small towns even here in the bush, usually with see through service bays so you can watch it all being done, should you so wish, plus you get a free massage, coffee and Internet use while you wait.

I have done this 3 times now and I have always been advised to call 3 weeks after the application is accepted and in every case my local Imm' office have received the paperwork back in that time.

I realise there can be expceptions.

Also, you should have been given a 30 day stamp covering you while the application is being processed, I would have thought it prudent to have gone back to the office on or just before that 30 day expiry date to see about a further stamp to cover the delay and at the same time enquire about what is causing the delay.

I wonder if you are now here without any formal Imm' authorisation as it is (so you say) after your previous visa expiry date. I sincerely hope not.

Thank you for this report, Andy.

I'd like to ask you for your help in getting the GPS coordinates for this new location so that I can put it on the map. Please try and see if you can pinpoint it using this tool: http://foxy.thaivisa...map/geocode.php

The numbers are; 15.886302829779376 and 104.62164402008056

The Thai Imm' office in Amnat Charoen has moved from the police station to a new location on route 212.

You now have to go through the major crossroads in the centre of Amnat where the 202 and 212 meet and travel on the 212 to Mukdahan.

After you have passed the new Big C on your left the new office is located on the left set back from the road. The entrance is opposite the Mitsubishi Motors show room on your right.

You need to travel approx 4/5 Kms on the Mukdahan road before you come to it.

Want 6 @ UT IO

Last month I went to Amnat for my 1 year visa extn and I was asked to supply 4 photo's of me and the family around the house, on my previous 3 visits I had only ever supplied 2, so it would seem that in some offices they are doubling or more up the requirement.

I've always used the T.Restaurant at 78/12-16 Rajprarop Road, Makkasan.

Before this location it was located opposite the the Amari Wtergate hotel and moved when they redevelopedthe site there.

Same people and I've been going for 5 years and always be satisfied.

Hi Matt.

I don't know how well you know Bangkok. But there is only two Ibis hotels in Bangkok at the moment. One in Satorn and one in Sukhumvit soi 4 (Nana). I would have stayed in Nana. It is very close to the expressway, and the traffic shouldn't be that bad that time of day. Just remember to turn left into soi 6 about 100 meters from the hotel when you are going to the airport. When you get on to Sukhumvit Road you have to keep right so you can cross over to the right lane at the Nana junction. It is illegal to do this coming out from soi 4. The entrance to the expressway is 200-300 meters after the junction.

Cheers

Nana

Yes I agree the Ibis Nana, Soi 4 is the easiest to get onto the Expressway but you must turn right out of the hotel and turn RIGHT into Soi 6 not left.

When leaving Soi 6 you must turn left onto Sukhumvit Road and get into the far right lane and when you hit the lights at the junction with Soi 4

you must switch over to the 2 lanes on the opposite carriage way to enter the Expressway. You will need to have money ready to pay the toll

upon entry and another 2 before the airport.

To have a reasonable standard of living, 50,000 a month is approx what is needed, many will say you can live on less, yes you can if you stay in a small fan room and eat noodles till they come out your ears...that isnt a decent retirement. A small bungalow at 8,000, electric, water, transport, health insurance, dvds, televison, phone, internet, socialising, food, books and the ocassional holiday and there wont be much if any change from 50k, thats £1,100 a month and tax is payable on a U.K. pension over £6,400 p.a. at age 65, So anyone without a half a decent private/company pension will not be able to retire comfortably in Thailand at the moment. Food has gone through the roof the last few years with many items 50% more than only 2 years ago. 5 years ago I stayed here comfortably on 30,000...that was only £400......so with the figures now thats almost 3 times a much needed. I aint retired but I know of so many guys that needed to go home or elsewhere as it really isnt cheap here anymore.

I beg to differ, I live very comfortable retirement on 50000 THB a month and I don't eat noodles every day, I have a 3 bedroom house with air-con, a pick-up, a Honda 125, read books, magazines, socialise, have 2 TVs and go on at least 2 holidays every year.

You must have expensive tastes, it all relevant to your life style.

Prices ceratainly have gone up but then in which country have they gone down in?

Thailand is alot cheaper and offers a better way of life than most other places, especially IMO the UK where I am from.

No reason to have elections. Abhisit has the support of the majority. They are quite content to allow him to govern. Many of the current government's initiatives are good for the long term benefit of Thai people. (no, not all - the cyber scouts crap, is an example of stupidity).

How can a unelected PM have the support of the majority?

You only get the support of the electorate by allowing an election through the ballot box, which Abhisit has never had.

The only people who are content are the ones in BKK, the people where I live are most certainly not.

The election is being delayed as long as possible so they can continue to line their pockets as they know when it comes they will lose hands down.

What the poor up here in Isaan want is fairness.

They know they hold the cards when it comes to an election as this is where most of the population live and therefore governments decided.

That is why the currently unelected members don't want an election anytime soon as they know they will be on the way out.

As was stated earlier, most people here are too busy trying to make ends meet on a daily, weekly basis to have any mental anguish over events several hundred Kms away.

With regard to the British Embassy proof of income letter, the one I obtained for my 1 year extension last December only showed the NET figure, as in after tax had already been deducted in the UK. The prrof I showed showed both NET and GROSS figures so I guess you have to ask them to include the GROSS figure in the Embassy letter.

Flown EVA many times in the past but now prefer Qatar or Etihad with the break to stretch legs at the halfway stage. Also the cost of going via the Gulf saves money.

My Father came out in Feb with EVA, all be it 1st Class and he said it was excellent.

You're pushing it on 1000 THB a night, the Woraburi might scrape in at that price, in Soi 4 or the Ibis also in Soi 4 is quiet but maybe a fraction over 1000 a night.

As someone has already pointed out, when schools have a NO FAIL policy then it rather defeats the object of learning through test and examination.

Griser,

What you've encountered is the old 'Thai' problem of, I don't know the answer to your question so I'll say anything rather than have to admit, I don't know the answer. It's all about saving so called face than offering real customer service.

You will get the last updated rate from Fridays close of business.

hi thanks for the replys, yes i am looking for a debit card, i have been to asia over the the last seven years, four times a year, so am reasonably clued up over there, i do take alot of cash and as you say be careful, i am looking for a card as back up

I use Nationwide Flexaccount debit visa and have had no problems, most shops/businesses will also take it when buying goods or services. Their 24 hour helpline service is also very, very good if you do have a problem.