Hi again from a newbie.
WOW!! what a great site. I doubt that I'll get to ready every post on Udonfriends but what I have read so far is most impressive. You will probably gather by my first post seeking advice on relationships that I'm pretty much of a novus to the whole Thai scene. I am still as keen as ever to pursue a relationship but have certainly gained much after joining this site.
One point I should clarify in my original post is that I hope to bring my future partner / wife here to Australia for a few years prior to possibly returning to Thailand to retire. While I have a comfortable life here, not extravagent, working a few more years will provide for a better retirement. I also have a family committment, elderly mother, I am her only support base.
Anyway, just a thankyou for all the great advice and insight how things and people work over there. No doubt I'll be seeking more advice as time goes on.
Thanks again.

Do not forget to look at your aussie website here www.austembassy.or.th with regards to how long you need to have known your partner ie 12 mths b4 applying for visa.
From a Pom to an Oz best of luck.

Hi Pompui.
Thanks for your reply. What do I need to look for on that site ? What criteria is needed to justify how long I have known my Thai lady ? Is a portfolio of all correspondence, e-mail & MSN chat sufficient to verify how long that I have known her ?
Welcome any advice or info.
Thanks again.
Mal.

From what I recall under the visa applications section,subsection about relationships etc,all the info their for an oz so that you have all the relevant info before applying.Seems like Oz is just as strict as Pommyland for letting people in.
Best to customize yourself anyway about what type of visa you would want when coming here.

Just because you won the ashes this time round, a Pom a slave to an Oz!
www.austembassy.or.th/bkok/DIMA13.html under evidence of relationship.

mal thornton wrote:Hi Pompui.
Thanks for your reply. What do I need to look for on that site ? What criteria is needed to justify how long I have known my Thai lady ? Is a portfolio of all correspondence, e-mail & MSN chat sufficient to verify how long that I have known her ?
Welcome any advice or info.
Thanks again.
Mal.

Your portfolio of correspondence does help to jump through the flaming hoops. Include all the photos you have together with your snail mail, and email. Only knowing your girlfriend for a few weeks will get a reject stamp. The British Embassy put a lot of emphasis on solvency and want to make sure your wife won't recourse to public funds.
They will want to see three months of wage slips and three months bank statements. They will want to see evidence that you can support her. Money in the bank. Get plenty of your girlfriends family in the photos.
I even had to show them a house plan of my gaff with pictures of all the rooms.

Try to keep hold of everything I have plane tickets,e.mails (sent and received) phone bills (land line and cell phone) bank statements showing all transactions in Thailand,house bills (Thailand) copies of house papers ,rental agreements or hotel bills,car rental or purchase etc etc..it all helps in the long run!
I've been saving these and more for over the last 2 yrs which will help no end with visa and passport applications (I hope) as the wife only wants to Visit England..Not live there..