I've read many times on this forum about having to submit several photographs of yourself and your wife in and around the home plus providing a map of where you live but I've never actually seen it stated in the rules and regulations.

Could someone point out where in the rules these requirements are stated? The nearest thing I can see in the rules is (777/2551 2.18 (2) Proof of family relationship) but no mention of exactly what is required.

It just so happens that my local immigration office (Kanchanaburi) have never asked me for photos or a map of where I live when I've done my yearly extentions (over 12 years now).

Is it that my local immigration office is in fact, following the rules more correctly than other offices in the Kingdom?

No. But after 12 years they probably know where you live and that the marriage is real. Most offices do want these items in there file now; but usually it is a one time thing.

Thanks Lopburi. You're most probably right about them knowing me at my local office....when I go there my wife and I often have a laugh with some of the officers that we've got to know over the years. Even their first names!

What I really wanted to know was where it actually states it in the rules about maps and photos.

You got it right: it can be part of the proof of family relationship. Photos to show that you really live together; map so that they can visit you or interview neighbours.

The immigration bureau probably issued guidelines with a list of things that they can choose from, in addition to the marriage certificate, to verify that the marriage is genuine. I’m quite sure that in the report the immigration officer has to send to Bangkok or the regional office he has to sign a statement that he is satisfied that the marriage is real and it is up to him what evidence he wants to ask for to make sure of this. Obviously, you clearly look happily married when you turn up for your annual extensions and that by itself can be enough for some officers, while others, perhaps less experienced and fearful of doing something wrong, may ask for everything on the list. Did you hear about the immigration officer who asked an applicant for wedding photos and when they were produced he said they wre too old and suggested they should get married again, for new photos? No joke; a member posted it in this forum.

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Maestro

What immigration are looking for perhaps is to satisfy themselves that the "marriage is genuine and ongoing."

But one wonders why a map is required. What is wrong with an address.

If the map is required a photocopy would suffice of the area one would think.

Maybe a silly question, but, going for my marriage visa soon and need to supply such map. Does the map need to start from the local immigration office to my home or?

Thanks.

All that is needed is a simple sketch such as you provide a delivery truck. The reason is that most location address is determined by land plot number which is not consecutive so extremely hard to find without landmark reference. As you proceeds down a street you may have 9/33 followed by 104/57 and such. And plot 9/?? may be found on several different streets. For emergency contact suspect they have found a map will get them there faster than checking with land office/post office to find the exact location.

First of all i am not married to a thai .(Lao)

So you would suggest no visit necessary....untill last friday....immigration Nongkhai at our doorstep.

Checked,very polite!!)if we where happy and asked for the kids as well.

took some photographs and left......no sweat.

As for the map I always use when apply for extension......

try the waterdepartment at your place...they must have a detailed map(like ours) from your area.

good luck

hgma

quote name='lopburi3' date='2009-09-29 07:55:52' post='3042542']

All that is needed is a simple sketch such as you provide a delivery truck. The reason is that most location address is determined by land plot number which is not consecutive so extremely hard to find without landmark reference. As you proceeds down a street you may have 9/33 followed by 104/57 and such. And plot 9/?? may be found on several different streets. For emergency contact suspect they have found a map will get them there faster than checking with land office/post office to find the exact location.

Thanks for your replies guys.

It seems that it is not stated in the rules that we, as the general public, can read.

Scenario: Guy doing his first annual extention (and doesn't know about this website) downloads the latest rules (ie. 777/2551). Gets everything together for the application. Checks and double checks that he's got everything...photos, wife's house registration book, bank book, bank letter etc. etc. with two copies of everything.....you get the picture.

He and his wife then travel the 200kms to their nearest immigration office only to be told that they need to have photos of themselves in and around their home plus a map of how to get there.

They then have to return home to get these things. That's a 400km wasted round trip.

I know that I would be pretty pissed off if I was this guy and would perhaps have asked the immigration "why don't you state that you want these things in the rules, I would have done this if I'd have known, I'm not a mind reader?"

That's the beauty of Thai Visa and the help you guys offer but although I've lived in Thailand just over 14 years, I only found out about TV last year. So there must be many out there that still don't know about this site.

I suppose what I'm getting at is if the immigration authorities listed all what they might need to see, it would make it a lot easier for all those concerned.