Trying To Be Together

[pwmister]

hi all,

i apologise in advance if i seem stupid, naive or just a bit crazy as this is my first post on this forum and my first dealings with long distance relationships.

i am currently living in the UK in full time employment. i met my girl friend while she was here studying but she has now finished her studies and had to return to thailand. she wasn't on a scholarship so she isn't tied into any payback to the thai government. she has found herself a full time job there now.

the problem is that we want to be together either here in the UK or over there in Thailand.

We want to marry but not sure what the best steps are to do this if it makes any difference or not.

Can i go there to get married and if so does this create any problems if we want to come back to UK to live or is it better for her to come here first.

if i go there to be married what steps do i need to take to stay there.

many more questions but that'll do for starters. i would appreciate any help or advice anyone can give.

[lopburi3]

You really need to examine your financial future (as much as it seems minor) as your employment in Thailand is likely to be limited to teaching English (if you hold a degree) unless you hold very special abilities. She can likely find employment in either country.

Marriage here is not a big issue (you obtain a paper from your Embassy of bio data - have it translated and registered) and then you and she visit a district office to register the marriage. That is the official marriage but customs can mean much more activities and expenses will be required.

[CharlieH]

You really need to do a lot of research on what you are contemplating.

Huge difference in cultures and expectations without the added complications of finance and jobs etc.

Have you ever even been to Thailand ?

[Shaktam]

You really need to decide which country you would prefer to live in first as this could be the biggest decision.

If you havent been to thailand I suggest you spend a decent amount of time there before packing up and moving.

Your career should play a part in the decision too. Can you find work in Thailand? Will the salary be enough to continue a generous livibility?

Can you find work elswhere in asia ie. offshore oil work?

If you marry in Thailand you could obtain Non Imm O visa (Spouse Visa)

[pwmister]

@lopburi 3 thank you for your interest, we have spoken regarding customs and yeah your right there is more to it than just registering but that's OK as i wouldn't want it to be a paper exercise if you know what i mean, we want it to be a special day that we will be proud of and not something that was done just for visa purposes. i do realise that comes at a price tho.

thanks i do some research into what i need to be able to do the bio data unless you can tell me now?

[lopburi3]

Go to your Embassy web site (below) and click on link for affirmation at top right or below and fill in with your information and have the embassy motorize your signature on it and have translated into Thai and then registered with Thai MFA (translation service can do both).

http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-thailand/how-register-marriage/

http://uk.sitestat.com/fcoweb/ukingov/s?si.tha.en.help-for-british-nationals.living-in-thailand.how-register-marriage.p.pdf.affirmation-of-freedom&ns_type=pdf&ns_url=http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/2011/affirmation-of-freedom

[pwmister]

@Charlie H, i ve been to Thailand 3 times now for a month each time, ive spent time with my girl friends family and met most of her friends there, i get the picture of how she lives and starting to understand the cultures but not all the expectations as ive heard of stories about having to look after all the family and stuff like that but my girl she doesn't want to take from me all the time she is very independent. so what might be expected?

[pwmister]

@Shaktam, thanks for your interest as well and to CharlieH i forgot to thank,

the Non Imm O visa (Spouse Visa) is this for me to stay in thailand or for my girl to come here to the UK?

[Lite Beer]

A Non Imm O Visa allows you to enter Thailand unlimited times for a year.

Each entry has a limit of 90 days which means you will have to leave the country every 90 days.

You apply at a Thai Consulate for this.

A 12 month Extension of Stay allows you to stay in Thailand for a year without having to leave the country.

You apply at Thai Immigration for this.

Details as follows:

(6) In case of marriage with a Thai lady, the husband who is an alien must have an average annual income of not less than 40,000 baht per month or a money deposit in a local Thai bank of not less than 400,000 baht for the past 2 months for expenses within a year.

Letter from your Thai Bank showing balance and up to date bank book.

OR.

Letter from your Embassy showing income. Now may also need proof of income as back up.

Marriage Certificate

Marriage Registry entry.

Wife's Tabbien Baan and ID Card.

Your Passport.

Copies of everything.

Photos of you and your Wife in and around the house.

A map showing the way to your house.

Passport size photos and 1,900 Baht fee.

Take your Wife to be interviewed.

You will be given a 30 day under consideration stamp.

Go back in a month and get the remainder.

[PattayaPhom]

@Charlie H, i ve been to Thailand 3 times now for a month each time, ive spent time with my girl friends family and met most of her friends there, i get the picture of how she lives and starting to understand the cultures but not all the expectations as ive heard of stories about having to look after all the family and stuff like that but my girl she doesn't want to take from me all the time she is very independent. so what might be expected?

Although not all but many..its not the case of your gf/wife taking from you, its the family and the pressure they put on her to support them....and its not just a few quid for food...gold, land, new pick up..the list is endless...as said not all are like that but make sure first befor you get married

[brit1984]

@Charlie H, i ve been to Thailand 3 times now for a month each time, ive spent time with my girl friends family and met most of her friends there, i get the picture of how she lives and starting to understand the cultures but not all the expectations as ive heard of stories about having to look after all the family and stuff like that but my girl she doesn't want to take from me all the time she is very independent. so what might be expected?

I think the "stories" you have heard are probably about farangs who have married very poor girls (often prostitutes) whose family is desperate for cash (hence why their daughter is a prostitute) as there is no real social welfare system in Thailand... I assume, as your girlfriend studied abroad, she is from a normal middle-class family who can support themselves... really you should be able to judge this