Does Anybody Know What Our Options Would Be?

[Bugs2009]

Hi all,

I've been a lingerer to these great forums for a while but only registered recently.

This is my problem: for the second half of this year, I'm going on exchange to Chulalongkorn University (August-Feb is the full-time I plan to stay in Thailand). I'm coming from Australia and the uni will sort me out with ED visa for the duraiton of my study and I imagine for the extra month or so, I'll be able to extend into a tourist visa or something (if i'm mistaken on this, please let me know).

I'm really looking forward to this adventure as I plan to travel a lot around SE Asia during the semester (on weekends, etc) and after the semester as well. My girlfriend Jacqui is also coming with me, however we're not sure what visa she should be trying to apply for so that she can live in the country the same as me, and have the same freedoms to travel to Cambodia or Laos or others when we choose to.

We're happy to pre-organise things with the consulate in Australia but we're just not sure which visa will actually be right for her. I've read in some places about a Double entry or Triple entry tourist visa. Will we qualifiy for this if we go apply together and explain that we're in a serious relationship, etc. Another option we might have to take is enrolling her in a Thai language school to obtain an ED visa. If we took this option, would travelling around SE asia still be an option?

Anyway, I do appreciate any response on this issue, thanks heaps.

Peace, Steve.

[Lite Beer]

Hi all,

I've been a lingerer to these great forums for a while but only registered recently.

This is my problem: for the second half of this year, I'm going on exchange to Chulalongkorn University (August-Feb is the full-time I plan to stay in Thailand). I'm coming from Australia and the uni will sort me out with ED visa for the duraiton of my study and I imagine for the extra month or so, I'll be able to extend into a tourist visa or something (if i'm mistaken on this, please let me know).

I'm really looking forward to this adventure as I plan to travel a lot around SE Asia during the semester (on weekends, etc) and after the semester as well. My girlfriend Jacqui is also coming with me, however we're not sure what visa she should be trying to apply for so that she can live in the country the same as me, and have the same freedoms to travel to Cambodia or Laos or others when we choose to.

We're happy to pre-organise things with the consulate in Australia but we're just not sure which visa will actually be right for her. I've read in some places about a Double entry or Triple entry tourist visa. Will we qualifiy for this if we go apply together and explain that we're in a serious relationship, etc. Another option we might have to take is enrolling her in a Thai language school to obtain an ED visa. If we took this option, would travelling around SE asia still be an option?

Anyway, I do appreciate any response on this issue, thanks heaps.

Peace, Steve.

She should be able to get a double, probably a triple entry Tourist Visa. Each entry gives 60 days and can be extended for a further 30 days. A total of 6 months for a double and 9 months for a triple. Contact the Embassy and ask. Sidney consulate here http://www.thaiconsulatesydney.org/index.htm

Once in Thailand it is straight forward to get another Tourist Visa from a neigbouring country.

Information on Thai Language Schools at the top of the page.

[MTLae]

Dear bugs2009,

to enroll in a Thai Language school is a good option for her and in that case, if she wants to travel outside thailand she can ask for a re-entry permit and not lose her visa.

[Bugs2009]

She should be able to get a double, probably a triple entry Tourist Visa. Each entry gives 60 days and can be extended for a further 30 days. A total of 6 months for a double and 9 months for a triple. Contact the Embassy and ask. Sidney consulate here (thai consulate sydney)

Once in Thailand it is straight forward to get another Tourist Visa from a neigbouring country.

Information on Thai Language Schools at the top of the page.

Thanks Lite, we'll definitely look at trying to get a triple entry or double if we can't get a triple. Can you tell me with the triple entry what circumstances do they award this in. I.e. Should we indicate how serious how relationship is, or show that we have sufficient funds in her bank account? Also, she's planning on studying externally through Open Universities Australia while we're over there, do you think that would be worth mentioning?

I noticed there's a Thai Consulate in Brisbane (where we live), this is as good as the sydney one right?

Thanks again, cheers Steve & Jacqui

[neverdie]

Bugs,

You will get great service from the Brisbane Thai consulate, they are very fair there, as in Sydney and Perth.

[Lite Beer]

Thai Consulate Brisbane http://www.thaiconsulate.org/index.php?opt...&Itemid=109

Don't worry too much. If they issue , they will issue whatever you supply to them.

[Jimjim]

I don't think they care much about how serious you relationship is or how much you love each other. They just care about the money for the tourist visa. Most likely, it will be easy as pie to get.