Bring Family To Thailand

[glowbull]

Hi

I have a wife and kids and we would like to relocate from the US for a while. I am wondering what would be the best visa setup. Also, we have decided on staying in Phuket and I was wondering if that would be a good place for kids (4 & 5).

I really don't want to do the 30 day visa for 90 day deal but it seems like that is the only option.

I will more than likely be going to language school but not for a visa or anything like that.

And since I have a family I know that even if I tried to get a student visa it wouldn't work for my family.

Money isn't a problem and I will continue to work offshore.

I would really like to stay for at least 6 month if possible.

If anyone in a similar situation has any helpful advice it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[brianmarinus]

Hello!

I just read your comment and I dont know how it is in USA.but I am from Denmark,and I get a 1 year non immigrant visa+where you have to stamp every 90 days+but now I change it to a retirement visa and then I only have to stamp once in a year+but must fill out a living papers every 3 month,so the goverment can se that you are still alive and so+but as I said,I dont know if you can get this kind in USA-but I think so.

About having to kids in Pattaya,I dont know becourse I live up north in Chiang rai.but I cant think that wood give eny problems at all.

Brian Marinus Soerensen

[glowbull]

Hello!

I just read your comment and I dont know how it is in USA.but I am from Denmark,and I get a 1 year non immigrant visa+where you have to stamp every 90 days+but now I change it to a retirement visa and then I only have to stamp once in a year+but must fill out a living papers every 3 month,so the goverment can se that you are still alive and so+but as I said,I dont know if you can get this kind in USA-but I think so.

About having to kids in Pattaya,I dont know becourse I live up north in Chiang rai.but I cant think that wood give eny problems at all.

Brian Marinus Soerensen

Hi Brian, sounds like Denmark has an excellent deal with Thailand. From what little I have read ( too much information) it seems like getting anything longer than a 30 day visa requires a lot of paperwork and hassle. Also, I actually was considering Phuket as Pattaya seems too wild of a place for small kids but I honestly don't know as I have never been to Thailand.

[Mario2008]

You can get a two entry tourist visa. Each entry will give you 60 days and each entry can be extended by 30 days, so you would almost get 180 days out of this.

Extensions cost 1,900 baht each. After 1 entry (60 days) and 1 extension 30 days) you will have to elave the country and can just come back the same day. Just cross any border. On your return the second entry starts, which also can be extended for 30 days.

[glowbull]

You can get a two entry tourist visa. Each entry will give you 60 days and each entry can be extended by 30 days, so you would almost get 180 days out of this.

Extensions cost 1,900 baht each. After 1 entry (60 days) and 1 extension 30 days) you will have to elave the country and can just come back the same day. Just cross any border. On your return the second entry starts, which also can be extended for 30 days.

Now that might work. Do you know where I could find some more information about that type of tourist visa at? (I didn't see anything of this website I think) Also, hypothetically after staying 6 months and ever wanted to come back, do you know how long I'd have to wait? Thank

[Mario2008]

No waiting time to get a new tourist visa. You can go to Laos and get a new double entry tourist visa there.

List of Thai embassies and consulates:

http://www.thaiembassy.org/

[thaiphoon]

Mario's link does not include the honorary consulates. Believe you may be in Texas, in which case would suggest using the honorary consulate in Houston:

TEXAS (Houston)

ROYAL THAI CONSULATE-GENERAL

600 Travis, Ste. 2000

HOUSTON, TX 77002-2911

Tel : (713) 229-8733

Fax : (713) 228-1303

E-mail : [email protected] and [email protected]

Honorary Consul-General, Mr. Charles C. Foster

[glowbull]

Mario's link does not include the honorary consulates. Believe you may be in Texas, in which case would suggest using the honorary consulate in Houston:

TEXAS (Houston)

ROYAL THAI CONSULATE-GENERAL

600 Travis, Ste. 2000

HOUSTON, TX 77002-2911

Tel : (713) 229-8733

Fax : (713) 228-1303

E-mail : [email protected] and [email protected]

Honorary Consul-General, Mr. Charles C. Foster

Thanks Thaiphoon (Friend), I actually am in Texas. Everyone that I talk to in Thailand seems so happy and friendly. I always knew it was a nice place, we love Thai food.. etc. but having young kids you are constantly worried. I definitely am excited and looking forward to going though. This is a great forum too, very helpful stuff.

[mizzi39]

Mario's link does not include the honorary consulates. Believe you may be in Texas, in which case would suggest using the honorary consulate in Houston:

TEXAS (Houston)

ROYAL THAI CONSULATE-GENERAL

600 Travis, Ste. 2000

HOUSTON, TX 77002-2911

Tel : (713) 229-8733

Fax : (713) 228-1303

E-mail : [email protected] and [email protected]

Honorary Consul-General, Mr. Charles C. Foster

Thanks Thaiphoon (Friend), I actually am in Texas. Everyone that I talk to in Thailand seems so happy and friendly. I always knew it was a nice place, we love Thai food.. etc. but having young kids you are constantly worried. I definitely am excited and looking forward to going though. This is a great forum too, very helpful stuff.

Very good advice. you will find the honorary consulates in the States are very flexible and should give you all of the options available.

As far as Phuket goes, you will hear different opinions on the place. Expect to pay tourist prices for almost everything ,even though you may be a long term visitor, in the eyes of Thais you will still be looked upon as a tourist and this is no generalization. Reason?I am sure that you already know that Phuket is a very touristy area. There are other places down south that you may want to research prior to coming.

Good luck to you and your family.

[TerryLH]

"I actually was considering Phuket as Pattaya seems too wild of a place for small kids but I honestly don't know as I have never been to Thailand."

You've never been to Thailand, and you're planning on moving here with 2 small kids?

And - you're going to work offshore, leaving your family alone for periods of time?

Amazing Expats.