tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.comments2022-06-25T15:39:06.289+01:00A Thailand Traveloguebifftastichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03276114753441561565noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-37392555207388972172012-01-30T06:13:10.545+00:002012-01-30T06:13:10.545+00:00Thanks Col ;-)Thanks Col ;-)bifftastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276114753441561565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-27036976769584214542012-01-30T06:03:16.250+00:002012-01-30T06:03:16.250+00:00Ray, firstly I need to apologise. I have neglected...Ray, firstly I need to apologise. I have neglected my blog over the past month or so and have only just seen your comment.<br /><br />As for which visa you should apply for, that depends on what you want to do. If your wife and child want to visit and then return to Thailand, then yes, a Family Visit Visa is the right one for you.<br /><br />If they want to come and live in the UK with you, then you need to apply for a settlement visa.<br /><br />I recommend that you join this forum http://thailand-uk.com/forums/forum.php for more detailed information.<br /><br />There are some very knowledgeable and helpful people there, and I'm sure you'll get the help you need.<br /><br />Good luck!,<br /><br />Biffbifftastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276114753441561565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-2543153265320587312012-01-29T23:06:45.708+00:002012-01-29T23:06:45.708+00:00Good stuff Biff.
colin 244Good stuff Biff.<br /><br />colin 244Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-77140997851261777592011-12-15T13:11:21.143+00:002011-12-15T13:11:21.143+00:00Congratulations to you!
I have just stumbled upo...Congratulations to you! <br /><br />I have just stumbled upon your blog while looking through the blogs on Thailand Voice. <br /><br />I also have a Thai wife that I would like to take to England. We are married and have a child. Do you recommend a family visa? <br /><br />Thanks in advance for any help :)Rayhttp://www.madeinthai.org/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-24528502200522819082011-12-10T04:45:23.193+00:002011-12-10T04:45:23.193+00:00thank you for sharingthank you for sharingbermviprealhttp://bb-wristbands.com.cn/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-28886492631704545332011-11-15T22:20:47.651+00:002011-11-15T22:20:47.651+00:00Thank you for taking the time to comment :-)
It...Thank you for taking the time to comment :-)<br />It's much appreciated.bifftastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276114753441561565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-45586102652019350582011-11-15T14:27:20.314+00:002011-11-15T14:27:20.314+00:00Congratulation!!Congratulation!!dikviprealhttp://bb-exporting.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-77118005162610977272011-08-26T23:09:34.015+01:002011-08-26T23:09:34.015+01:00Cheers Steve!
Will do! First stop is to buy her ...Cheers Steve! <br /><br />Will do! First stop is to buy her a big coat!bifftastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276114753441561565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-15578015673369466282011-08-26T11:06:13.342+01:002011-08-26T11:06:13.342+01:00Nice one mate. Get the heating cranked up to full...Nice one mate. Get the heating cranked up to full blast haha :)KhunStevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17456930168826445167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-62693230859453560002011-08-07T15:59:32.842+01:002011-08-07T15:59:32.842+01:00Lloyd, interesting what you say about never provid...Lloyd, interesting what you say about never providing the copy of the Tabien Baan. I think we're going to include it anyway, to show that my wife lives where she says she does. <br /><br />That's another personal gripe of mine, the UKBA don't tell you what you should submit and what you shouldn't.bifftastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276114753441561565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-31439742294029696282011-08-07T12:20:55.644+01:002011-08-07T12:20:55.644+01:00Indeed, once I got to grips with it, it is reasona...Indeed, once I got to grips with it, it is reasonably straight forward. What stressed me out a little, is just getting it all together in one place. Perhaps stress is the wrong term. It certainly had my full attention for quite some time though! <br /><br />Maybe after all this (assuming we're successful!)<br />I could become an agent! Oh, wait, I've just posted online how to do the application, ah well, another career idea up in smoke! :-)bifftastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276114753441561565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-65998170110169666182011-08-07T11:39:24.778+01:002011-08-07T11:39:24.778+01:00The language used is what is commonly referred to ...The language used is what is commonly referred to as Legalese, its written so that it is as unambiguous as possible although it certainly doesn't look that way to most people (ambulance chasers aside). I work with financial contracts on a daily basis and still had to read through it slowly, as you say it makes it hard for a lot of applicants and leaves it open for people to make a killing to help people fill out what is essentially a straight forward form.Lloydnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-26846703062379973852011-08-07T11:10:57.421+01:002011-08-07T11:10:57.421+01:00I should just add, for clarification, the 'loc...I should just add, for clarification, the 'local language' for my council, is officially English. What they are required to do is to have access to their information in a number of different languages.<br /><br />If a Thai person had already qualified for residency here, having passed the English language requirements, they would be able to have all the information provided by the council translated into Thai for them!bifftastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276114753441561565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-87912051613668029002011-08-07T11:06:45.655+01:002011-08-07T11:06:45.655+01:00Thanks for the comments guys!
Lloyd, in our case...Thanks for the comments guys! <br /><br />Lloyd, in our case we're going for a visit visa because that's what we want to get. I don't really see it as a preparation for a settlement, although who knows what he future will hold? I believe that we should first decide what we want to do, and then apply for the visa that suits that purpose, rather than planning our lives around the visa that we think is best.<br /><br />If two people already know that they want to settle in the UK then they should go for that right off the bat, as it were. I am of the opinion. however, that there will be a massive 'culture shock' in store for the Thai person. This is something not to be underestimated. <br /><br />As for TV, I suppose because I've been using it for over 2 years and have gleaned much of the information about many aspects of the 'foreigner in Thailand' experience, it has been my first port of call, my knowledge base, if you like. <br /><br />I've just amended the first post about the visa application here to include another forum. I agree, TV has some wankers on it, but overall, I still think it's a good source of knowledge, if you stick to the information areas and don't dwell to much in the 'general' forum where if you ask a question like "I've just been to Thailand for 2 weeks and now want to marry my girlfriend, how can I bring her back to England?"... you'll get shot down. Whereas, if you just read what's already there, you'll get the information you need. <br /><br />Steve, I reckon the wording of the forms is like that with any British institution, it has evolved over time into a different kind of language. Thai is the same, the government departments use very different language to what you will hear every day. As for it being deliberate, I'm not so sure. <br /><br />I think it's deliberately vague yes, but all the language in official UK stuff is that way now, they don't want to be specific, just in case they accidentally prevent someone from 'being included'. Also the forms have to be the same all over the world, so it's easier for them to use the UK bureaucrat-speak in all of them. It's also 'developed' over the years, so if your British, you will have become used to it. <br /><br />What I think they should do is, like my local council have to do, provide a version in the local language. I know for a settlement there is an English requirement, but as you say, the level required to fill the damn form out is way higher than it is to come and live in the country! This helps to feed the 'visa agents' and doesn't help the applicants, perhaps it is indeed part of some kind of 'stern face' they wish to show to any potential visitors or residents! <br /><br />Imagine if you're a reasonably well off Thai person (you'd have to be to think about coming to Europe). You have a job, you have the money to come to the UK for a holiday, but you don't speak English (why would you?) and you don't know how to use a computer. Straight away you're looking at paying some berk 30,000 baht just to fill out the forms for you! <br /><br />Still, I don't suppose the good folks down at the UKBA have much influence over how their departments produce the forms or present the application process, as with any bureaucracy, these things tend to result from a process of evolution rather than one of intelligent design!<br /><br />All the best guys, and good luck with whatever is in front of you at the moment!<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Biffbifftastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276114753441561565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-76891614704578442622011-08-07T10:07:15.748+01:002011-08-07T10:07:15.748+01:00Hi Biff,
Totally agree about the wording of the f...Hi Biff,<br /><br />Totally agree about the wording of the forms. Being official government paperwork they're obviously going to be at a certain level of English but I think they could be "dumbed" down a bit. Or maybe put into an easier to understand format. I've read through the settlement application a few times just to get my head round it and I really can't see how anyone without a level above the required standard would be able to fill it in without a lot of help. But as with other things in the process, maybe this is intentional from the UKBA??<br />Good luck with the visit visa <br /><br />Cheers<br />SteveKhunStevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17456930168826445167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-84625783404973357362011-08-07T09:34:01.134+01:002011-08-07T09:34:01.134+01:00Interesting blog, I followed your profile from Khu...Interesting blog, I followed your profile from Khun Steves blog, I'll throw my two pence worth in here as well :-)<br /><br />I agree with getting a holiday/student/family visit visa as a starting point, everyone I have met who has done this before moving to a settlement or business entry visa has not regretted it, as I have said to Steve it is all personal and no two couples or people are alike.<br /><br />On "tv.com" I could not disagree with you more, the information posted on "that" forum is more than subjective and with the volume or rubbish posted there it often takes longer to find quality resources than if you simply "googled" on your own.<br /><br />Interestingly my wife has now applied for 7 holiday and short term visa's to the UK and has never provided a photograph or translated copy of her Tabien Baan, in fact she only ever gives a photo copy of her land title and current bank statements, even when her first application was rejected it only came down to a technicality from the applications as I am a non resident for tax purposes so they wanted more details about me.<br /><br />The "stress" most people put on themselves over a visa application is to me unwarranted, even if you are unsuccessful you are pretty much given a detailed reason why so you can quickly and clearly address the issues and reapply. <br /><br />Good luck!Lloydnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-85125742863098335302011-07-23T03:09:33.613+01:002011-07-23T03:09:33.613+01:00Thanks Gino! I hope you and your family are well.
...Thanks Gino! I hope you and your family are well.<br />One day we'll meet up on the sunny side of the world!<br /><br />Biffbifftastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276114753441561565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-87984667035343210902011-07-23T01:20:16.179+01:002011-07-23T01:20:16.179+01:00Hi, Biff. Just seen the link on Thai Visa and just...Hi, Biff. Just seen the link on Thai Visa and just seen the wonderful wedding videos and pics. Great blog site and thanks for sharing.<br /><br />GinoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-901018381941068332011-07-16T20:34:52.195+01:002011-07-16T20:34:52.195+01:00Thanks SiamRick! It took a while to organise, took...Thanks SiamRick! It took a while to organise, took even longer to actually happen! When the day came, I have to say, I enjoyed every second of it.<br /><br />Thanks for your kind words, much appreciated!<br /><br />Biffbifftastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276114753441561565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-84140719751320570132011-07-16T20:27:29.729+01:002011-07-16T20:27:29.729+01:00What a great report! What a great wedding! I'v...What a great report! What a great wedding! I've only been to two weddings (Isaan) and this one looks like the best 5555.<br /><br />Many happy days to you, Biff, and your wife, Bow.<br /><br />PS Been reading your earlier blog stories and enjoyed them thoroughly. As well as your earlier posts on Thaivisa on the Chiang Rai subforum. (I don't post much since I don't live there -- yet.)SiamRickhttp://ricks-eastasiablog.typepad.com/ricks_east_asia_blog/2011/07/hot-season-back-for-re-run-in-already-sultry-bangkok.htmlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-19422188803400296782011-07-14T04:22:10.038+01:002011-07-14T04:22:10.038+01:00Hi Trevor, thank you. I've not been on that pa...Hi Trevor, thank you. I've not been on that particular forum for very long, but it's already been very helpful. There are some great people on there!<br /><br />Thanks for taking the time to comment here.<br /><br />Anyone else reading this should check it out http://www.thailand-uk.com/forums/forum.phpbifftastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276114753441561565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-24632791576461071792011-07-14T03:58:14.017+01:002011-07-14T03:58:14.017+01:00Hi
Saw you photo on the Thai/UK forum ... Great p...Hi<br />Saw you photo on the Thai/UK forum ... Great photos and you look a lovely couple. Thanks for sharing your special day ...<br /><br />The very best wishes to you both<br /><br />Trevor (handyman)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-41599573207111121362011-07-02T00:35:52.231+01:002011-07-02T00:35:52.231+01:00Mate, we spent TWO DAYS in the Amphur up in Chiang...Mate, we spent TWO DAYS in the Amphur up in Chiang Saen getting the marriage certificates! Luckily it's only 5 minutes from the house. I knew it was a bad sign when I saw all the 'presents' on the window sill behind the person who had the power to decide if it was going to happen or not. Sure enough, two bottles of whiskey later, he was all smiles 'yes yes no problem you get marry here, come back tomorrow' <br /><br />Still, it's done now :-)bifftastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276114753441561565noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-29376745251526131882011-07-01T15:30:16.691+01:002011-07-01T15:30:16.691+01:00I'm thinking of investing in a cushion of my o...I'm thinking of investing in a cushion of my own. On my last trip to LOS I did my fair share of sitting around whilst trying to sort the legal side of my marriage...Thai MFA & Kathu Amphur both became very familiar to me :(<br />I'm sure there'll be more of the same on my next trip in September. I've tried adjusting to "thai time" and adopting the "mai bpen rai" attitude but sometimes I think they could do with a rocket up the #rse lol<br /><br />Its quite interesting about the house number allocation but again I guess thats "thai logic" for you. To be honest with all the superstition around in Thailand I thought it would have somehing to do with lucky numbers....something my wife is always on the lookout for, especially when its lottery ticket time :)KhunStevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17456930168826445167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3544167506761676226.post-37299897171339163192011-06-24T19:07:13.345+01:002011-06-24T19:07:13.345+01:00Thanks Peter, much appreciated.Thanks Peter, much appreciated.bifftastichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03276114753441561565noreply@blogger.com