SAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

[daboyz 36]

Cool move I just read if you are not allowed inside is to hand her your passport to hand to them. They can inspect the entry stamp date.

I used one of my canceled passports to enter Thailand.I hope they don't give me a hard time coming back in to the US.

[HYENA 4]

Cool move I just read if you are not allowed inside is to hand her your passport to hand to them. They can inspect the entry stamp date.

I used one of my canceled passports to enter Thailand.I hope they don't give me a hard time coming back in to the US.

I'd say they would...

Try getting one when you're over there and say it's lost or bring your canceled one with you and your active one and say you made a mistake? That's a can of worms since the US is like the gestapo nowadays

[scandal 951]

Sitting in a hotel on soi 22. Can't sleep. Second interview tomorrow. Stressing out.

Cool. We (honey+me) spent the month of Sept at Liberty Apartments on Soi 22, near Queens Park.

http://www.cityphotoguide.com/node/404

Lots of good eats + stuff to do nearby. Great Mexican restaurant on Soi 18 as I recall, best guacamole in Thailand.

[Danno2 0]

I'll be there this Friday for a couple of weeks. If anyone wants to get together for a stress relieving beer or 3 let me know. I'm staying at my girls place Fri, Sat then going to meet the parents in Undan Thani. I'll be back in bkk (on Asoke and Sukhumvit) from 3/9-3/15. Just send me a PM.

Edited March 2, 2009 by Danny and Chada

[Mountain Climber 186]

Hey there all Thai-American VisaJourneyers,

When I started the original Sawasdeee VJ thread on the forums here way back in 2004, I never imagined that it'd still be going strong five years later. Wow! Though it's been a while since I've visited this site, it's nice to see so many happy couples keeping this thing active.

Sounds like the process is still as stressful as when my Thai better half and I went through it a few years ago, but don't give up hope -- as countless VJ posters have probably already said, and as I myself learned firsthand from my own experiences, the bureaucratic hassles you guys face now will quickly enough become just distant memories. As many here have probably heard from our Thai partners, cool heads..and cool hearts...truly do prevail. Good luck everyone!

Keep reminding us...I get cold feet, freak out thinking the US part is what really counts but she thinks the Thai part is what really counts...SOOOO many cultural differences.

I have a friend over there who s nearly as misunderstood as I was my first time. I keep trying to express farang doesn't mean I'm anything like a Russian or a German any more than they're like Japanese...it's difficult, that's for sure!

I gotta remember to have a cool head.

My friend was invited to a "surprise" so he thought they were footing the bill. Baiscally equivalent-wise he makes the same as many of them do but he doesn't feel footing the bill for friends and their friends is fair. I told him to roll with it one time, to "look good" but he responds with "Buddhists are anti-ego and Thailand is all ego" he's got an excellent point. I kinda get tired of worrying what "everybody" thinks...drives me nuts because there's soooo much focus on "everybody"....tiring.

I gotta remember to go next week with a cool head, cool heart and not to react but also not get myself into these 10 people outings (if not family) just to gain face and blow money. I told him once he commits to one over there, she'll protect his wallet but for now, he's on his own

Facing the fact I'll have to go back again and bring her here....such a headache when you'd think 7 months something would come visa wise....

The US system is so fruustrating...misinformation (they say they're working on April k1 cases but seeingSept OCt Nov people with their spouses already here and I can't get a NOA2 is very frustrating, indeed.

I gotta remember to coooooool down and roll with it.

If the economy were better, my fear would be gone but my entire future is so up in the air, it's a really bad time to be throwig around sin sod and doing a big ceremony, etc.....based on an astronomy date (again not buddhist) but I gotta roll with it...calm down (keep reminding me, keep reminding me)!

Thanks for starting this! Please do share (everyone) how is it (really) working out? How do those who married Isaan counterparts find the right fish sauce and sum tam fixings? I'm realizing the eat in that cuisine is addictive (endorphin producing) and smells and tastes remind them of home...very important, I understand.

What lengths have you gone through to help them and what has worked and not worked?

I love to hear stories (keeps my mind off reality). Thank you to those who have shared yoru lives here. it helps others more than you know!

If you do not have lots of money to throw around (who does these days) then I suggest you be honest with your SO and explain the situation. You need to be in control of your finances from the beginning because there will be more expenses coming down the line (plane ticket, civil wedding, AOS, ect). You need to have a sit down with your wife to be and explain to her that you can not pay for every Thai custom, family member or friend that comes along. You need to help her to understand that all western men are not rich (contrary to what many Thai people believe). When she gets to the US and sees for herself how expensive things are here and how hard you have to work for your money, she will get a better understanding of the real world. Until then, she need to understand that spending must be done in moderation. Remember this is the woman you will be spending the rest of your life with.

Just my opinion.

Edited March 2, 2009 by Mountain Climber

[daboyz 36]

I'll be there this Friday for a couple of weeks. If anyone wants to get together for a stress relieving beer or 3 let me know. I'm staying at my girls place Fri, Sat then going to meet the parents in Undan Thani. I'll be back in bkk (on Asoke and Sukhumvit) from 3/9-3/15. Just send me a PM.

Depending on what happens today. I'll go to Si Saket Thursday. If she doesn't get the visa, not sure what I'll do.

[daboyz 36]

She got the visa. It only took 3 trips to the embassy. I really think the fact that I was there pushed them over the edge. I want to thank everyone that helped me through this:

Pushbrk

Rebeccajo ( even though I know she hates me)

Mommy

Raymond Bodemer

Richard Diran

Birch Beer (Frank)

I paid a lawyer $1800 for no good reason. When I got the 221g, he was no help at all. This was her third trip to the Embassy this week, my first. I really could not have done this without the help of everyone here.

For that I thank you all.

[rebeccajo 14]

She got the visa. It only took 3 trips to the embassy. I really think the fact that I was there pushed them over the edge. I want to thank everyone that helped me through this:

Pushbrk

Rebeccajo ( even though I know she hates me)

Mommy

Raymond Bodemer

Richard Diran

Birch Beer (Frank)

I paid a lawyer $1800 for no good reason. When I got the 221g, he was no help at all. This was her third trip to the Embassy this week, my first. I really could not have done this without the help of everyone here.

For that I thank you all.

Congratulations!

PS - I don't hate you. We just got off to a rough start.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

Like some of my students and myself. We really don't hate each other at all. We just have patchy starts and fits. In the end we celebrate each other's successes and do care for each other.

That's awesome!

[Danno2 0]

Daboys

Way to go! When I have my first beer in Thailand this week I will toast to your success! When do you and your girl come home? Be sure and let me know how the POE works. Hopefully I will be doing the same in 3 ~ 4 months.

[scandal 951]

She got the visa. It only took 3 trips to the embassy. I really think the fact that I was there pushed them over the edge. I want to thank everyone that helped me through this:

Pushbrk

Rebeccajo ( even though I know she hates me)

Mommy

Raymond Bodemer

Richard Diran

Birch Beer (Frank)

I paid a lawyer $1800 for no good reason. When I got the 221g, he was no help at all. This was her third trip to the Embassy this week, my first. I really could not have done this without the help of everyone here.

For that I thank you all.

Congrats, man! Way to go You must be so happy.

[ladywhite 0]

She got the visa.

Congratulations...

Have a safe trip back home soon.

[afisher 0]

Wow, pretty quite here.

[ThaitoUSA 15]

We are coming up on the interivew stage for K-1 visa at Bangkok Consulate. I am about to send off the completed I-134 along with evidence of our relationship. She should be able to complete the rest of Packet 3 requirements in the next 3 weeks. We are praying for an interview in April or early May. She intends to emigrate in July.

I appreciate the collective wisdom of this forum and all those who have, are and shall undergo the journey.

[*Robert* 2]

Sitting in a hotel on soi 22. Can't sleep. Second interview tomorrow. Stressing out.

Cool. We (honey+me) spent the month of Sept at Liberty Apartments on Soi 22, near Queens Park.

http://www.cityphotoguide.com/node/404

Lots of good eats + stuff to do nearby. Great Mexican restaurant on Soi 18 as I recall, best guacamole in Thailand.

You're in Thailand eating Mexican food?!