SAWASDEE 2

[Tom and Teaw 1]

It would be nice if her cousin or step-sister or someone in her family bought me a beer or even a soda. That would really impress me, ya know? Her mom has two sisters that live over here and at one time she talked about her mom wanting to come here but she won't be doing that now. Oh, well, I'll be there late Sunday night and I'll see what she has up her sleeve.

[*Robert* 2]

It would be nice if her cousin or step-sister or someone in her family bought me a beer or even a soda. That would really impress me, ya know? Her mom has two sisters that live over here and at one time she talked about her mom wanting to come here but she won't be doing that now. Oh, well, I'll be there late Sunday night and I'll see what she has up her sleeve.

Well drink a few (okay, maybe more than that) Chang beers for me! I dearly miss the LOS, and can't wait till I can go back. From 2001 to 2006, I was going there at least 2 times a year, and have covered a lot of ground there. Everywhere from Chiang Rai, to Kalasin, to Phuket, to Koh Samui, to Pattaya, to Khon Kaen, to Udon Thani, to Buri Ram, and back to Chiang Mai, which is my favorite place of all. I definitely plan on retiring there, and can't wait till I can. I already have a couple of townhouses and various plots of farm land in Isaan, and I can't wait to get back there! Since Chutima came to the US, we have not left the country, let alone had a vacation for over 2 years now.

Another positive is; you won't have to worry about $1010.00 plus $80.00 for AOS, and you won't have to worry about $545.00 plus $80.00 for Removal of Conditions.

[Tom and Teaw 1]

I'll try to have a few beers for you but I have to watch my weight...hahaha!!! I do enjoy it over there but have not been around like you have. Mostly stayed in BKK due to her yoga courses but eventually I will be able to move around the country and see a lot more. Got a townhouse for rent in BKK for a good price?? She is looking for a new place since we were giving up the apartment we have now at the end of August. Will spend about a week up in Korat before I leave to come back. I always hate coming home but but the time I leave I miss my house here.

[Devkpaik 1]

Well, I am pretty pissed, more at the money part of it and the fact that her daughter came down last weekend and they went and did the medical exams which I paid for....so why didn't she tell me before I gave her the money for that??? I can survive the money part of it, although I'd rather still have it. But I guess I am at the point in my life where nothing surprises me and honestly, I kind of know what she means about not wanting to leave her daughter. If I had had to leave my girls when they were small I am sure I would have gone pretty nuts. Does not excuse the fact that if she was thinking seriously about it not telling me sooner.

As far as long distance, we talk so much on the phone, internet, email that we don't really miss each other that much other than the physical company sometimes. And I have been over there 8 times the past almost 3 years to see her.

She was here for 90 days in 2005 and got introduced to Christian religion and read the Bible and stuff so she has sort of moved that way. But there are actually more Thai women there that are Christian than you would think. One day on the skytrain I ran into two Mormon missionaries which surprised me. And I am past the point of EVER paying a sinsod or dowry since I have supported her totally for over a year and paid for he yoga training, etc. and paid for her daughter's private school and a few other things. So I don't feel I owe anyone in the family one friggin cent!!! Of course, whenever we go out with her cousin and half-sister...who live together...I am the one who always pays, the rich farang, you know?

Tom,

Once again, I'm sorry to hear this is happening to you. You're right, you're the only one that really knows your fiance and whether or not she will change her mind on this.

About spending all that money, that's really unfortunate as well. Just bad timing on her part I guess....

I was lucky enough to not have to support my fiance financially as her family is pretty wealthy. When we first started dating, I had heard about that sinsord (sp?) and was like "Yep, I'm a poor college kid, sinsord is definitely not going to happen" hahaa!

Although it's sort of the opposite way I guess when I go over there, as my fiance lives and goes to school in BKK and when we go down to Phuket (her mom lives there) we stay at one of the properties she owns and we use one of her motorbikes as well, so basically I'm the biggest freeloader ever when I'm there. When we are in BKK my fiance and I stay at her apartment, and I offer to help her pay for the rent for that month of course but she declines it.

But it seems like you've more than done your part Tom, and now it's up to your fiance to decide the next step seeing as how there's no changing her mind. My fiance is the same way. I'm stubborn, she's stubborn to a point that a new word needs to be invented to describe her level of stubbornness.

Anyways, let us know what happens with the whole situation man, good luck!

I'll try to have a few beers for you but I have to watch my weight...hahaha!!! I do enjoy it over there but have not been around like you have. Mostly stayed in BKK due to her yoga courses but eventually I will be able to move around the country and see a lot more. Got a townhouse for rent in BKK for a good price?? She is looking for a new place since we were giving up the apartment we have now at the end of August. Will spend about a week up in Korat before I leave to come back. I always hate coming home but but the time I leave I miss my house here.

Have you been anywhere else besides BKK and Korat? You guys should try to travel around while you're there (not sure how long you're staying out there). Maybe getting away from Bangkok (every time I'm in BKK I'm stressed for some reason. Probably due to the smog/hustle bustle of the big city) will help you guys sort things out.

[Tom and Teaw 1]

We've been to Chiang Mai, Koh Chang, Samui, Pattaya (Jomtien) but that's about it. The last 18 months about she has been doing her yoga first in Pattaya and then up in BKK for over a year. So since she is at yoga pretty much every day we don't stray far. I found out tonight talking to her on the phone she never went to the medical exam. The money I gave her for it she said she will use for my belated birthday present. I only wonder what other surprises she has for me when I get there. YIKES!! Since she seems so adamant not to go to the interview I am debating whether to add the weight to my carry-on with all the papers I was going to take for the interview. She insists she won't go now so I don't see me convincing her otherwise.

Her family had money too. Dad had a construction business and they built houses for farangs and Thais up in Korat. He gave it to the oldest son a few years ago and he has ruined it to the point they had to sell it. The house is on the property with the yard for the business and the bottom floor is partly a hardware type store. But I won't support any of the other family. If mom wants to live with us when I move there, that's fine with me, but that's the limit. Long story, but mom and dad are not together and she is not real close to her dad. Still married cause they both owned the business.

Oh, well, life goes on. I'll just go with the flow and see what happens.

[*Robert* 2]

We've been to Chiang Mai, Koh Chang, Samui, Pattaya (Jomtien) but that's about it. The last 18 months about she has been doing her yoga first in Pattaya and then up in BKK for over a year. So since she is at yoga pretty much every day we don't stray far. I found out tonight talking to her on the phone she never went to the medical exam. The money I gave her for it she said she will use for my belated birthday present. I only wonder what other surprises she has for me when I get there. YIKES!! Since she seems so adamant not to go to the interview I am debating whether to add the weight to my carry-on with all the papers I was going to take for the interview. She insists she won't go now so I don't see me convincing her otherwise.

Her family had money too. Dad had a construction business and they built houses for farangs and Thais up in Korat. He gave it to the oldest son a few years ago and he has ruined it to the point they had to sell it. The house is on the property with the yard for the business and the bottom floor is partly a hardware type store. But I won't support any of the other family. If mom wants to live with us when I move there, that's fine with me, but that's the limit. Long story, but mom and dad are not together and she is not real close to her dad. Still married cause they both owned the business.

Oh, well, life goes on. I'll just go with the flow and see what happens.

The fact that she didn't go to the medical exam is a concern, only because I knew of someone else I know who refused to go for a medical exam, and there was a definite reason behind it. For a Thai person not wanting to leave Thailand is not unusual, because most Thai people I know there love their country, love their culture, and love their King. Unlike other countries where a lot of the women are looking for a plane ticket out... Thailand is not one of those countries, in my humble opinion.

Sorry Tom, but no townhouses in Bkk! I do have an old Navy buddie of mine who has lived there in BKK for 20 years... maybe he may know of something?

Like littleasianman7, I hope that all this can be worked out, though it definitely won't involve your SO coming here to the states.

[*Robert* 2]

Tom,

Once again, I'm sorry to hear this is happening to you. You're right, you're the only one that really knows your fiance and whether or not she will change her mind on this.

About spending all that money, that's really unfortunate as well. Just bad timing on her part I guess....

I was lucky enough to not have to support my fiance financially as her family is pretty wealthy. When we first started dating, I had heard about that sinsord (sp?) and was like "Yep, I'm a poor college kid, sinsord is definitely not going to happen" hahaa!

Although it's sort of the opposite way I guess when I go over there, as my fiance lives and goes to school in BKK and when we go down to Phuket (her mom lives there) we stay at one of the properties she owns and we use one of her motorbikes as well, so basically I'm the biggest freeloader ever when I'm there. When we are in BKK my fiance and I stay at her apartment, and I offer to help her pay for the rent for that month of course but she declines it.

But it seems like you've more than done your part Tom, and now it's up to your fiance to decide the next step seeing as how there's no changing her mind. My fiance is the same way. I'm stubborn, she's stubborn to a point that a new word needs to be invented to describe her level of stubbornness.

Anyways, let us know what happens with the whole situation man, good luck!

littleasianman7, sounds like you've got a good gig going! I can totally relate to the stubbornness thing... just part of the culture I guess!

I really love the "biggest freeloader" comment though!

[Tom and Teaw 1]

The fact that she didn't go to the medical exam is a concern, only because I knew of someone else I know who refused to go for a medical exam, and there was a definite reason behind it. For a Thai person not wanting to leave Thailand is not unusual, because most Thai people I know there love their country, love their culture, and love their King. Unlike other countries where a lot of the women are looking for a plane ticket out... Thailand is not one of those countries, in my humble opinion.

Sorry Tom, but no townhouses in Bkk! I do have an old Navy buddie of mine who has lived there in BKK for 20 years... maybe he may know of something?

Like littleasianman7, I hope that all this can be worked out, though it definitely won't involve your SO coming here to the states.

I am not worried about anything being wrong with her and it being a concern not going to the med exam. She is healthy as all get out. Works out, exercises, does yoga. I know about her minor ailments and all. In fact, she is more broad shouldered than most Thai women, walks very straight and many times people think she is a katoy. She does not look like those weight lifting women but she is strong as an ox and could probably whip my butt good if we got in a fight. But I can vouch for the fact she is NOT a katoy..lol..and also has her daughter and had her by Caesarian and has the scar to prove it, although thankfully not real noticeable.

Ya, I think the interview is definitely off, unfortunately. But maybe it will work out best this way. I'll just have to wait and see how she is when I get there.

[George-Joom 0]

Hello Everyone

I have a new question....

When my Fiancee gets her Visa and comes over to the USA to get married she would like her father, her sister and niece to come over also... to travel with her and be with her for the wedding.

Her mother would be staying in Thailand as well as her sisiter's husband and her niece is 11 and still in school. So there is "plenty of reason" for them to return to Thailand.

What are the chances of them getting a tourist visa or some other single entry visa to travel along with her whe she comes over on the K visa?

She wants me to write a letter to the embassy requesting a travel visa for them.

Also I think this would help our case for the interview and K visa as it is more evidence supporting our intent to marry.

What do you guys think about the tourist visa at the same time the K visa is granted?

And any ideas about this letter?

Thanks so much

George

[*Robert* 2]

Hello Everyone

I have a new question....

When my Fiancee gets her Visa and comes over to the USA to get married she would like her father, her sister and niece to come over also... to travel with her and be with her for the wedding.

Her mother would be staying in Thailand as well as her sisiter's husband and her niece is 11 and still in school. So there is "plenty of reason" for them to return to Thailand.

What are the chances of them getting a tourist visa or some other single entry visa to travel along with her whe she comes over on the K visa?

She wants me to write a letter to the embassy requesting a travel visa for them.

Also I think this would help our case for the interview and K visa as it is more evidence supporting our intent to marry.

What do you guys think about the tourist visa at the same time the K visa is granted?

And any ideas about this letter?

Thanks so much

George

George, this is one of those times where I'm glad I'm not in your shoes right now. In order for any of her relatives to get tourist visas, they will have to qualify for them on their own merits. Writing a letter won't do anything, until they fill out the required paperwork and submit it to the consulate, and see what happens. Problem is, it costs $131.00 for each visa for the privalege of trying! It would also be partially based on your fiancee successfully getting her K-1 visa, or they would have to apply directly after she gets her visa. It is not easy, as I'm sure you've heard, to get a tourist visa from BNK.

My MIL had thoughts like that, and fortunately my wife put the kabosh on it. I saw nothing but problems and dollar signs trying to do that.

Good luck!

[Devkpaik 1]

Hello Everyone

I have a new question....

When my Fiancee gets her Visa and comes over to the USA to get married she would like her father, her sister and niece to come over also... to travel with her and be with her for the wedding.

Her mother would be staying in Thailand as well as her sisiter's husband and her niece is 11 and still in school. So there is "plenty of reason" for them to return to Thailand.

What are the chances of them getting a tourist visa or some other single entry visa to travel along with her whe she comes over on the K visa?

She wants me to write a letter to the embassy requesting a travel visa for them.

Also I think this would help our case for the interview and K visa as it is more evidence supporting our intent to marry.

What do you guys think about the tourist visa at the same time the K visa is granted?

And any ideas about this letter?

Thanks so much

George

George, this is one of those times where I'm glad I'm not in your shoes right now. In order for any of her relatives to get tourist visas, they will have to qualify for them on their own merits. Writing a letter won't do anything, until they fill out the required paperwork and submit it to the consulate, and see what happens. Problem is, it costs $131.00 for each visa for the privalege of trying! It would also be partially based on your fiancee successfully getting her K-1 visa, or they would have to apply directly after she gets her visa. It is not easy, as I'm sure you've heard, to get a tourist visa from BNK.

My MIL had thoughts like that, and fortunately my wife put the kabosh on it. I saw nothing but problems and dollar signs trying to do that.

Good luck!

George,

I unfortunately have to tell you roi aggie is correct. A tourist visa is damn near impossible to get. Basically, they have to prove strong ties to their home country, as well as a solid financial situation. I have heard of a woman being denied a tourist visa when she owned a business, had a car, had a home, had lots of family, was fairly well off, and still she was denied.

About the letter, that won't do anything.

To be totally blunt with you, if I was you, I wouldn't even waste my or your fiance's money attempting a tourist visa for the fam.

[Devkpaik 1]

Tom,

Once again, I'm sorry to hear this is happening to you. You're right, you're the only one that really knows your fiance and whether or not she will change her mind on this.

About spending all that money, that's really unfortunate as well. Just bad timing on her part I guess....

I was lucky enough to not have to support my fiance financially as her family is pretty wealthy. When we first started dating, I had heard about that sinsord (sp?) and was like "Yep, I'm a poor college kid, sinsord is definitely not going to happen" hahaa!

Although it's sort of the opposite way I guess when I go over there, as my fiance lives and goes to school in BKK and when we go down to Phuket (her mom lives there) we stay at one of the properties she owns and we use one of her motorbikes as well, so basically I'm the biggest freeloader ever when I'm there. When we are in BKK my fiance and I stay at her apartment, and I offer to help her pay for the rent for that month of course but she declines it.

But it seems like you've more than done your part Tom, and now it's up to your fiance to decide the next step seeing as how there's no changing her mind. My fiance is the same way. I'm stubborn, she's stubborn to a point that a new word needs to be invented to describe her level of stubbornness.

Anyways, let us know what happens with the whole situation man, good luck!

littleasianman7, sounds like you've got a good gig going! I can totally relate to the stubbornness thing... just part of the culture I guess!

I really love the "biggest freeloader" comment though!

haha, yep, I'm a 23 year old college student, meaning Im broke as a joke. I'm just glad her family isn't like into that sinsord ####### or I'd probably be in trouble haha.

[Tom and Teaw 1]

Well, I am off in the morning to BKK. I don't think I am going to haul the papers with me. I thought about taking them anyway but I really doubt I can talk her into going to the interview. I wish there was some hope but I just don't see it happening. I think she is more set on just getting married when I am there.

[birch- phuk_beer 0]

Well, I am off in the morning to BKK. I don't think I am going to haul the papers with me. I thought about taking them anyway but I really doubt I can talk her into going to the interview. I wish there was some hope but I just don't see it happening. I think she is more set on just getting married when I am there.

Ive been reading Tom....Holy s**t. your much calmer than I'd be right now......

good luck to you and hope things work out ok for ya......

[ThaiStyleUSA 1]

Does anyone knows the average waiting period for a case on Administrative Processing from Bangkok Embassy? My case is over 5 months of AP since the interview.