Fact or fiction?

Post by **hhfarang** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:40 am

Crazy88 wrote:

Just recalled that I do see a lot of people here that use as little physical and mental energy as possible .Perhaps they are just following the letter of the law .

That's me!... and when my wife tells me to do something around the house, I just tell her that my retirement visa does not allow me to work!

Post by **Takiap** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:45 pm

Just a little curious and while I know I could start phoning the embassy, I thought I'd just post the question on here first.

Does anyone know if the Thai embassy in KL will be open between Xmas and New Year. As my visa expires on the 30th of this month I'll be going to KL for a 1 year visa (thai wife) which I should get unless they have changed their tune since the last time. Anyway, I intend leaving here on the 27th and then applying for the visa on monday the 29th, collecting it on the 30th and then return back to HH.

Of course if the office is closed then I'll be happy to stay down there for a while as I love the food. In fact, whenever I'm down there, I tend to spend more time eating than anything else.

While on the topic of Malaysia.............are any posters familiar with visa regulations there. I know I get a 3 month stamp on arrival but what I am wandering is, if one stayed there, would it be possible to do a border run as one can do in Thailand? Just feeling the water really as the missus and I have played with the idea of moving there at some point.

Look forward to the replies
S

Post by **lomuamart** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:08 pm

Takiap,
Your choice of KL rather than Penang is a good one IMO. 6 and 9 months ago, I went to Penang and could only get a single entry non O on the basis of marriage to a Thai. I have heard that KL is a safer bet to get a multi-entry, but it's not guaranteed. Single entry will be though.
If I were you, I'd take the following:
You and your passport!!
Marriage certificate and copy
Copy wifes ID card
Copy wife's tabien bahn - those four mandatory. Also:
Letter from your wife confirming you are still together, that you support her and a request that you be granted a multi-entry Non O to stay with her - in English, signed by her
Any financial documents you may have - bank statements from home, Thai bank book. Any or all of them showing overseas income and/or lump sum savings.

All copy documents should be signed and dated by your wife.

What I always did to find out holidays was simply Google Thai and Malaysian public holidays 2008. The Embassy will be closed for both.
Afraid I don't know much about Malaysian visas.
Good luck.

Post by **Takiap** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:27 pm

Thanks lumo

Yes I'll be taking all the paperwork with me. As with you, the last time I went to Panang, I only got a single entry and then I did a few visa runs after that expired before heading to KL. When I applied there a year ago I had all the paperwork but all they were interested in was a copy of the wife's ID card and a copy of the marriage certificate and obviously my passport. Apart from having quite a long wait on the day I applied, the rest was very efficient and hassle free.

Of course it's always fun and game at the immigration on the Thai side because I lost my passport once about four years ago so whenever they swip my new passport, it shuts the system down. Luckily the missus pointed out that there is a stamp in my passport which explains the new passport so the last time I went through, I simply pointed to the stamp and no problem. The time before that was hellish though as I was interogated for about an hour....lol

Anyway, like I said, the trip is worth it if only for all mutton curry, etc, etc, etc.

Will keep you all updated as soon as I return.
S

Post by **Takiap** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 3:49 pm

Well, I did say I would give an update so here goes...............

Step 1: - Went to the travel shop along the road from All In Hua Hin restuarant and inquired about a bus ticket to Kuala Lumpur. Was told the ticket would be 1550 baht.

Step 2: - Went back two days later to pay for the ticket but was told that that specific bus service is no longer available but that I could go on the VIP bus for 1750 which leaves Hua-Hin at 22h00 and arrives in KL the next day at 20h00. Agreed to this and paid the money.

Step 3: - Waited for the 22h00 bus which arrived at about 23h30. Just as promised, nice comfortable bus so was on my way. Arrived in Surat at about 06h00 the next morning and was told we had to change over here and that the bus would be at about 07h30. At about 10h45 left Surat in a VIP minibus with no aircon, broken windows and certainly ready for the scrap heap.

Step 4: - Arrived in Hatyai at about Gone alone knows what time but were once again kept waiting there and eventually left at 20h00.

Step 5: - Arrived KL at 05h00 the following morning.

Okay, as far as the rest is concerned:- Checked the Thai embassy website which stated that the embassy will only be closed on the 31st and the 1st. Went along on the 2nd but hey, they had decided to take the second off as well. Of course having lived here for long enough, this did not upset me because well, that's just how things work in Thailand and a Thai embassy is not much different. Anyway, there was somebody there at least who informed me that when I come to apply on the 5th, I will need a bank statement showing at least 400,000 in a thai bank. Apart from the fact that I don't have 400,000 in a bank, I also never took any bank statement with me.

On the 5th went I went and applied for the visa, I was indeed asked for a bank statement. When I asked how much I needed in the account, I was told I needed 100,000. Anyway, I was allowed to apply for a 90 day visa so I was okay with that. The next day when I went to collect the visa, I thought it would be best to check again as far as the financial requirement and when I asked, I was told I need 800,000. So here we go, as in Thailand, one cannot seem to get the same answer to a simple question. I asked three times and all three times I got a different answer....400,000 - 100,000 - 800,000................TIT

Anyway, got the 90 day visa (Non 0) and am back in Hua-Hin until April when I'll just have to do the trip again. Of course I'll phone the embassy before I go to ask how much is required in the bank and just to be on the safe side, I'll phone four or five times and see which amount is quote more than once.....lol.

Not sure if this anyone but like I said, I did promise to post some feedback.

Post by **lomuamart** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 4:21 pm

Thanks for the trip report. Glad to hear that you got your single entry Non O. However, it's depressing to hear that KL weren't giving the multi-entry. I thought you might have had a chance. There's been a big turnaround with neighbouring Thai Embassies and consulates over the past few years. The accepted practice is to give the single entry and therefore try and get you to apply for the annual extension here.
Embassy staff can be pretty clueless when it come to Thai Imm matters. To have been told three different savings amounts is testament to that. Don't take it as gospel, but if I were to go for one figure, I'd go for the 400K as that's what's necessary for an extension based on marriage here in Thailand. The 800K is for retirement. I've no idea where 100K comes from.