They left 30 minutes ago and checking on farang again. From what I can gather they came from Udon and are checking on ALL of us. TW was out in the rice fields so they had a long discussion with TW's mum. A lot of pointing and smiles so I can only guess all is OK in my court, my name was ticked off the long list they were carrying.

From what I understand, as part of the Visa Reform, they are checking on all falangs to make sure that they (a) are living where they say they are, and (b) to make sure that they aren't working if their visa does not permit it.

There is also the suspicion that there are a few - to many - falangs in the villages who have failed to renew their visas or do their 90 day check ins.

My experience with the police here is that if you haven't done anything wrong, you don't have anything to worry about. Just cover your ass - and everything will be all right.

I understand this type of thing will happen more frequently now. Its part of the confirming that you are actually cohabiting with the wife named on your marriage visa.Not just when you get it, but at intervals throughout the year.
Then again, he could just simply be preparing a guest list for the New Year party

Then again, he could just simply be preparing a guest list for the New Year party

As long as the New Year party isn't at the Monkey House - might be an interesting event to attend.

So are we talking about a visit from normal police or those working in immigration?I ask because the local bobbies visit me six or seven times a day and night to sign the book.

I have a few questions.

Can a farang work legally at internet cafes when the result of the work is e-mailed to a foreign company and the money comes from abroad as well?

I have read at the net that you can convert a tourist visa (a real 2 months one) to a non imm. O (if you have the neccesary wife related documents)?

Somebody wrote that the first time you apply for a non imm. O, write purpose 'Visit wife' - no documentation of income needed. For the one y. ext. write 'Live with wife'' and bring money documentation 40k+. Is this correct?


In Vientiane they stamped my passport with an unreadable' The holder of this passport ..... several times ... refused in the future'. Does anybody now if this warning will have an impact on the non imm. O? (I am now really married and have a letter from Aek Udon that my wife is going to have a child in early March).

Would be happy to hear from you. Thanks.

Well, they haven't got as far as me yet!!!
And no problems if they do, curent 90 expires 27/11 non O expires 21/02/07

businessman wrote:So are we talking about a visit from normal police or those working in immigration?I ask because the local bobbies visit me six or seven times a day and night to sign the book.

The verification is carried out by the local police unless there is cause to believe a false declaration has been made, then Immigration police from Bangkok investigate.

That explains their visit the other day, although I didn't make any contact with them, or even know they visited, until ex called and asked what I had done wrong. Ex ma called her to inform her of visit and questions, which they asked ma and pa about me, who of course reported to me to find out if I did anything. I blew off the visit completely, as I know I'm a good little boy, but did ask Ree to call ma and pa to see what they asked. All I got from it was 'why does farang have big wall around house', 3meters in front, tapered to 2 meters the rest of way. The obvious answer, so I'm not disturbed at all, by anyone. If you don't call ahead of time, I don't answer the door. Peace and quiet. Of course ex called back to see if I contacted them and if in some type of trouble, which I again simply said, don't care to know as I have nothing to worry about.

Nice to know they check up on things once in a while. Although they have not returned to actually talk with me personally. Pa is a well respected and well known villager, who they can trust to be truthful. If he says I'm a straight up kind of guy, then I have no worries.

philo wrote:Can a farang work legally at internet cafes when the result of the work is e-mailed to a foreign company and the money comes from abroad as well?

What you mean is <without getting a work permit>, right? It seems plausible, as you get your income from abroad and pay all your taxes abroad, so you don't need to have anything to do with the thai tax system.

Unfortunately this is not the case, as we could read here some weeks ago:

----------------
G) Business Visa for short term

Worldwide most countries allow foreigner to visit for a short period of time with a business visa and attend meetings, congresses, exhibitions, marketing promotions, short working periods etc/ without having to obtain a work permit. Thailand is the only country in the world which requires every foreigner to obtain additional to the Non B Visa also a work permit, even he attends a meeting just for 1 hour.

It was suggested to abolish this requirement in Thailand (in order to prevent that every honest business man coming to Thailand behaves illegal from the time of entry).
Thailand should either accept the short term working under the Non B Visa, or issue easy obtainable Business Visa to such business man.
It is understood that this business visa shall NOT entitle this foreign person to gain income or employment in Thailand under this business visa.
-------------------

Thai style...

BobHelm wrote:Well, they haven't got as far as me yet!!!
And no problems if they do, curent 90 expires 27/11 non O expires 21/02/07

Don't worry Bob. Its nothing to do with overstaying your visa. Its simply checking that your marriage visa hasn't been issued using a marriage of convenience. It also is to make sure your marriage is still active, not divorced , seperated etc. It is all very casual and only applies to those staying here on one year marriage visa.As the guys who have had a visit comment, they are satisfied with an answer from a relative, neighbour etc, and don't have to see you.

As a postscript, its one more reason for obtaining a retitement visa for those of sufficient age. The marriage visa is only valid as long as your wife wants it to be. You could be out on your backside if you fall out with her. As I previously reported one disgruntled missus actually notified immigration she's no longer living with her husband. result 14 days for him to get out of country.

Thanks Val, that explains the non visit...

After reading this article I wonder if I should like the Thai Immigration Police and Immigration Officials more ???

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Rude immigration officials and long delays in processing visas have turned the United States into the world's most unfriendly country for international travelers, according to a global survey released on Monday.

The survey showed that the United States was ranked "the worst" in terms of visas and immigration procedures by twice the percentage of travelers as the next destination regarded as unfriendly -- the Middle East and the Asian subcontinent.

The survey, of 2,011 international travelers in 16 countries, was conducted by the polling firm RT Strategies for the Discover America Partnership, a business-backed group launched in September to promote travel to the United States and improve the country's image abroad.

More than half of the travelers surveyed said U.S. immigration officials were rude and two-thirds said they feared they would be detained on arriving in the United States for a simple mistake in their paper work or for saying the wrong thing to an immigration official.

"The entry process has created a climate of fear and frustration that is keeping foreign visitors away," said Geoff Freeman, executive director of the Discover America Partnership. "The survey shows there is more fear of our immigration officials than of terrorism or crime."

Interesting that Cookie. Last year I went to Us embassy in Bk to get visa for my wife and was told I needed a visa, this despite my passport being stamped with a lifetime visa waiver note. It seemed to be a bigger problem to get one for myself than for the wife. In the end I said forget and went somewhere else.