Extending O Visa In Support Of Thai Son

[simon43]

I have been trying to extend my 3 month O visa for a further year, based on the support of my Thai son, (who carries my surname and was born when I was legally married to his Thai mother).

Although I now live in Jomtien, my registered address is still in Phuket. So 3 weeks ago I went to Phuket Immigration to apply for a 1 year visa extension. My visit to the Immigration office was very short, because they insisted on seeing the Tabian Bahn blue house book with my son's name in it. Duhhh! Oh dear, that document was not on the list of required documents and was in BKK!

Anyway, 2 days ago I made another trip to Phuket, this time with Tabian Bahn and all other documents. The process went much better, with lots of smiles and jokes (from the immigration officers) about how bad Issan women are.....

But there was one surprise! The immigration officer produced a 2-sided sheet of paper written in Thai out of a drawer and proceeded to complete it, asking me questions in Thai as he worked down the list of questions on his sheet of paper. After completing this document, he asked me to go outside and make 1 copy (since he has to send the original docs and a copy up to BKK for approval). Since this looked an interesting questionnaire, I made 2 copies and kept one of them!

The questionnaire consists of sentences such as 'Ask the person his age', 'Ask the person the names of his mother and father' etc.

But there are other questions to be completed 'Does the applicant understand and speak Thai?', 'does the applicant normally live in Thailand?', 'does the applicant have sole custody of the child?'(they wrote 'no' without asking me....) , 'Is the applicant able to look after his child?' (they wrote yes without asking me)

I don't know if this document is only used by Phuket Immigration. I wonder if it's a points-scoring system to decide if the visa should be extended. I wonder how I would have scored if I didn't speak Thai and was tattooed all over. Would I be considered unworthy of this type of visa extension.

All in all, a little concerning to me.

Simon

[Mario2008]

This is the frst time I hear about this form.

I can only tell you that they have a form with questions for an extension based on a Thai wife, which you have to sign. Seems they now have a similair form for exention based on having a Thai child.

[simon43]

Hi Mario, it was a bit of a surprise for me. Perhaps it actually indicates that the immigration office is 'serious' when it comes to visa applications on this basis and therefore want to ensure that they have all the correct details from the applicant. In my case, I would have preferred if the officer had asked me all the questions and not completed some details according to his own ideas.

Anyway, I got a 30 day under consideration stamp, (actually up to mid November cos I applied early for this extension). So I will see what happens when I return for my extension.

But the question about understanding and speaking Thai is interesting. I can speak/write reasonable Thai and this is a necessity because my son currently speaks little English. But would one be marked down if one didn't speak Thai? (There is no question to ask if the Thai child understands the mother tongue of the father).

Also, now that I am looking at this form in front of me, it specifically talks about 'wife' in Thai. The form is intended for foreign fathers, not for foreign mothers.

Simon

PS - the 30-day under consideration stamp in my passport was annotated by the immigration officer with 'support of Thai child' written in Thai just above it.

[Mario2008]

Since it is a new provision we don't have much information about it. If you can scan the form and deleted your personal details it might help others.

Of course it is strange that they didn't ask you. But it seems they check if there is a real relationship and if you are able to support the child financialy and practically.

[simon43]

Mario - I should be able to scan and upload it tomorrow

Simon

[ubonjoe]

It sounds like the a similar document they are using now for extensions based upon marriage instead of the interview. My wife had to sign a statement and swear that it was true and correct when I did my extension last month. The officer even informed her that there would be a fine of 500 baht for making a false statement.

They don't have a point system. It is just a statement confirming some information.

Your extension will be approved it they took your application. The paperwork just goes to Bangkok as a double check that the local office is not doing anything shady.