SAWASDEE 2

[ThaiStyleUSA 1]

Thanks Thai Mom for everything.

[hilton 0]

Hi everybody

well its been a while since I last posted but nothing really has been going on. I've just been in the hold pattern waiting on the ebasy to to do there thing. I went to Thailand at the end of Sep to see if I could get any more info from them in person....what a waste of time, but any way I still had a good time.

Well the latest news is that my Fiance ( Noy) received a phone call from the embasy about 3 weeks a go they asked her some question about our relationship like... did she know my home phone number, had I meet her parents and did they like me, how big is the house you will live in how many rooms and how much do we talk and how do we comunicate ect. and then said we will be in contact with you.

well yesterday after I sent an e-mail to the embasey (using the special email address) I received the following reply

"Dear Sir:

Thank you for your email. The IV Unit is now processing the K-1 visa for Ms. Suphan Saenghiran at the moment. Please allow some days. Once the visa is issued and ready for pick up, we will contact the applicant by telephone as soon as possible.

Regards,

Correspondence Unit"

and then a few hours after getting the email Noy called me to say the embasey called her and said her visa was ready to be picked up could she come today (which was friday at 12pm her time) she told them she couldn't because she was home in Phichit and there reply was ok how about Monday and she said yes.

I am cautiouly optomistc at this point because what happend after her 1st interview. and I don't want the jinx us so I wont relax completly until she calls me and says she has the visa in her hand!!!!!

I'll keep you all posted... cross your fingers!!!!!

[ThaitoUSA 15]

I have already posted this in the Consulate section, but thought it couldn't hurt to place in the Thai thread as well. For anyone who has already gone through the interview, Packet 3 Checklist asks for:

Verification of Unmarried Status: Required if you have not registered a previous marriage

Does this mean some form of verification is needed only if one was formerly married but never registered or does it mean that all single applicants, who have never married, must bring some form of proof?

If it is only required for those who have been married, but never registered, then it does not apply to us.

If it is required of all single applicants, how would one go about obtaining this documented proof?

Thank you for any clarification.

[Kang Lang 7]

hilton,

that sounds like you have finally gotten some good news i'll keep my fingers crossed until you say she's received her visa in hand!

thaitousa,

your fiancee must get a certificate of being single, it is required of all. it's a document to prove that one has never been married or is officially divorced if previously married. the aumphur is where it is obtained my husband said it was easy to get.

GOOD LUCK!!!!

[toma1 10]

I have already posted this in the Consulate section, but thought it couldn't hurt to place in the Thai thread as well. For anyone who has already gone through the interview, Packet 3 Checklist asks for:

Verification of Unmarried Status: Required if you have not registered a previous marriage

Does this mean some form of verification is needed only if one was formerly married but never registered or does it mean that all single applicants, who have never married, must bring some form of proof?

If it is only required for those who have been married, but never registered, then it does not apply to us.

If it is required of all single applicants, how would one go about obtaining this documented proof?

Thank you for any clarification.

Hmmm... I see what you mean. Given the customs in Thailand, it's confusing. I believe that means all single applicants. Anyway, we did it.

Her parents had to sign a form saying that she had never been married and that she was free to marry me. I BELIEVE that she took that to the Office of Bangkok Noi District at 31/1 Jarun Snitwong Road, Siriraj Sub-district, Bangkok 10700. They have her a document (in Thai, which we then had to have translated) with a Royal seal that said that she had never registered marriage. I know that's not totally clear--at least it isn't to me--but I hope it helps!

Edited November 9, 2008 by toma1

[jer 08 0]

hi evrybody !

my fiance arrived here on oct 29, we were married on nov. 8

and all is well.

question on the new medical exam for TB

i hear there is some place to get it done for free,

like at the health department. we have no health insurance now, so it would help us.

any ideas?

thanks!

[ThaitoUSA 15]

Kang Lang and toma1,

Thank you very much. Your responses are invaluable. I shall have her contact the amphur office.

jer 08 Congratulations!

[Thai family 0]

hi evrybody !

my fiance arrived here on oct 29, we were married on nov. 8

and all is well.

question on the new medical exam for TB

i hear there is some place to get it done for free,

like at the health department. we have no health insurance now, so it would help us.

any ideas?

thanks!

Hi Jer

Congratulations on your marriage! Give your local health department a call and ask them what they charge, if anything. Often times they will use a sliding scale and some do do it for free. They can also give any needed immunizations and give you official documentation. It still has to be transcribed by a civil surgeon onto the USCIS's form, though. There's been info from others on this site about a doc who will sign off if you fax or mail the documents to them in Texas for about $20 or so.

Thai Mom

Edited November 10, 2008 by Thai family

[Devkpaik 1]

Hi Everybody!

Well Joom and I are married!!

October 20.

Her family was able to attend.

Believe it it or not her Father, Sister and Niece got tourist visas to come over and witness the marriage.

We were married by a JP and everything went very well.

Her family returned to Thailand Oct 26 and we are settling in.

All is well and life is good

Now what is the next step for us?

Thanks much everybody!

George and Joom

Congrats George-Joom!!

I have already posted this in the Consulate section, but thought it couldn't hurt to place in the Thai thread as well. For anyone who has already gone through the interview, Packet 3 Checklist asks for:

Verification of Unmarried Status: Required if you have not registered a previous marriage

Does this mean some form of verification is needed only if one was formerly married but never registered or does it mean that all single applicants, who have never married, must bring some form of proof?

If it is only required for those who have been married, but never registered, then it does not apply to us.

If it is required of all single applicants, how would one go about obtaining this documented proof?

Thank you for any clarification.

Hmmm... I see what you mean. Given the customs in Thailand, it's confusing. I believe that means all single applicants. Anyway, we did it.

Her parents had to sign a form saying that she had never been married and that she was free to marry me. I BELIEVE that she took that to the Office of Bangkok Noi District at 31/1 Jarun Snitwong Road, Siriraj Sub-district, Bangkok 10700. They have her a document (in Thai, which we then had to have translated) with a Royal seal that said that she had never registered marriage. I know that's not totally clear--at least it isn't to me--but I hope it helps!

ThaitoUsa,

Yes Kang Lang is correct. This is required for EVERYONE, not only those who have been married before.

Good luck.

Hi everybody

well its been a while since I last posted but nothing really has been going on. I've just been in the hold pattern waiting on the ebasy to to do there thing. I went to Thailand at the end of Sep to see if I could get any more info from them in person....what a waste of time, but any way I still had a good time.

Well the latest news is that my Fiance ( Noy) received a phone call from the embasy about 3 weeks a go they asked her some question about our relationship like... did she know my home phone number, had I meet her parents and did they like me, how big is the house you will live in how many rooms and how much do we talk and how do we comunicate ect. and then said we will be in contact with you.

well yesterday after I sent an e-mail to the embasey (using the special email address) I received the following reply

"Dear Sir:

Thank you for your email. The IV Unit is now processing the K-1 visa for Ms. Suphan Saenghiran at the moment. Please allow some days. Once the visa is issued and ready for pick up, we will contact the applicant by telephone as soon as possible.

Regards,

Correspondence Unit"

and then a few hours after getting the email Noy called me to say the embasey called her and said her visa was ready to be picked up could she come today (which was friday at 12pm her time) she told them she couldn't because she was home in Phichit and there reply was ok how about Monday and she said yes.

I am cautiouly optomistc at this point because what happend after her 1st interview. and I don't want the jinx us so I wont relax completly until she calls me and says she has the visa in her hand!!!!!

I'll keep you all posted... cross your fingers!!!!!

Hilton,

Great news! Any updates for us?

Congratulations everyone! Well, my fiance Aoy arrived here at San Fran Int. this past Sat. Nov. 1st with no problem. Sorry it took awhile for me to check-in on this thread. (You get the big picture) lol Anyway, our wedding will be next month on Sunday Dec. 14th. (a day B4 her B-Day)

Today, we had just went and applied for our marriage license. Things are coming right along. I know there are several threads here about name changes but I was wondering if anyone knows the process of doing that w/o me trying to dig through the threads? She wants to change her first name.

Thanks,

Luke

ThaiStyleUsa,

Incredible news. Congrats to both of you!

[George-Joom 0]

Hi Everybody!!

Congrats to everyone!! It is good to see everyone moving along ok.

We are doing great.

We went to the Social Secrurity Office yesterday to get Joom her number.

I think everything is OK.

However they asked us if we notified USCIS that we have married.

Joom decided to take my sur name and the crerk said her name will not match the documents from the USCIS.

I am thinking the visa was to get married so the USCIS should expect a name change. Also the clerk said that the USCIS has her first name listed as "Miss".

Should I call the USCIS and do we have to notified them that we are married?

The USCIS will now that we are married when we file the AOS.

How was your experience at rhe Social Security Office?

Thanks much

George and Joom

[HYENA 4]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to let you all know my fiancee and I got our noa2 oct23! Now it is on to the next step of waiting. I feel we are ahead we just got medical and police report done and now waiting on nvc case number. How long approx will it take to get interview date. I have thai attorney to help us. good luck to everyone in there

journey.

That's EXCELLENT considering I have been bummed out reading the problems with VSC and serious delays. I was wondering if it would take me 9-11 months for NOA2 (plus) like some people have been waiting (and getting nowhere).

I'm two months behind you so this is exactly what I needed to see today. The separation is KILLING me!

I plan to go over there all of Feb and March hopefully catching the interview while I'm there (I don't want to go home without her). Just hoping and praying NOA2 will come on time.

We're getting married at her house (it will be interesting to say the least-she's one of the poorest houses in the poorest region, poorest city (something like that) LOL! Anyway, it will be a simple walk down the dirt road with tacky music on the way to her house-ceremony. I'm saying tacky right now but I'm sure I'll be all choked up when the time comes. Wish I could do the big kabang but this will ne nice and personal (and save money for her family versus pissing it away for a one time party...for what-they say).

I've got to check a little sin sod customs and I don't mind doing a bit of that, maybe some gold for mom and wife. I'm thrilled about the usd/thb direction lately BUT IKOBO closed (it conly cost $5 to send a thousand...now I'm stuck with expensive methods of transferring money (moneygram, etc) which makes me sick ebcause their exchange rate isn't accurate. Oh well...I'm bringing cash when I go since cash was the best decision I made my last visit (don't get killed by fees for accessing your money).

I'm praying waiting hoping for a NOA2 on time (early would be 'da bomb!) LOL!

[toma1 10]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to let you all know my fiancee and I got our noa2 oct23! Now it is on to the next step of waiting. I feel we are ahead we just got medical and police report done and now waiting on nvc case number. How long approx will it take to get interview date. I have thai attorney to help us. good luck to everyone in there

journey.

That's EXCELLENT considering I have been bummed out reading the problems with VSC and serious delays. I was wondering if it would take me 9-11 months for NOA2 (plus) like some people have been waiting (and getting nowhere).

I'm two months behind you so this is exactly what I needed to see today. The separation is KILLING me!

I plan to go over there all of Feb and March hopefully catching the interview while I'm there (I don't want to go home without her). Just hoping and praying NOA2 will come on time.

We're getting married at her house (it will be interesting to say the least-she's one of the poorest houses in the poorest region, poorest city (something like that) LOL! Anyway, it will be a simple walk down the dirt road with tacky music on the way to her house-ceremony. I'm saying tacky right now but I'm sure I'll be all choked up when the time comes. Wish I could do the big kabang but this will ne nice and personal (and save money for her family versus pissing it away for a one time party...for what-they say).

I've got to check a little sin sod customs and I don't mind doing a bit of that, maybe some gold for mom and wife. I'm thrilled about the usd/thb direction lately BUT IKOBO closed (it conly cost $5 to send a thousand...now I'm stuck with expensive methods of transferring money (moneygram, etc) which makes me sick ebcause their exchange rate isn't accurate. Oh well...I'm bringing cash when I go since cash was the best decision I made my last visit (don't get killed by fees for accessing your money).

I'm praying waiting hoping for a NOA2 on time (early would be 'da bomb!) LOL!

My bank (Charles Schwab Bank) doesn't charge foreign ATM fees and I didn't notice many ATMs in Thailand that did. Why not just open an account at a good bank and send her an ATM card?

Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bride_price

I wrote the section on Thailand and that photo is OUR sin sot payment... haha. In general you should pay at least 100,000 baht and 5 baht of gold, but that can vary upward quite a bit. As you can see, mine was a bit more, LOL... Be careful going much lower (unless your fiancee was previously married) as you might create a lot of problems for your fiancee and her family... the sin sot is VERY public in Thailand.

Edited November 11, 2008 by toma1

[eric_f 0]

I second you "talk to chuck" That's the bank I have for my play money and couldn't be happier with their incentives.

[eric_f 0]

When we got married in Thailand, all I did was buy dinner for the (very) extended family, provide a few cases of Thai hooch for those that wanted to get wasted and dance to the deafening music, and generally make a good impression on all the folks there that have never seen a white guy before. They like to prod you a lot It all depends a lot on the input of the parents though, as my in-laws are very laid back Isaan folk. The sin sot is most definitely negotiable, and no face will be lost because of it. Talk it out with your future wife, you may be surprised at her reply.

[HYENA 4]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to let you all know my fiancee and I got our noa2 oct23! Now it is on to the next step of waiting. I feel we are ahead we just got medical and police report done and now waiting on nvc case number. How long approx will it take to get interview date. I have thai attorney to help us. good luck to everyone in there

journey.

That's EXCELLENT considering I have been bummed out reading the problems with VSC and serious delays. I was wondering if it would take me 9-11 months for NOA2 (plus) like some people have been waiting (and getting nowhere).

I'm two months behind you so this is exactly what I needed to see today. The separation is KILLING me!

I plan to go over there all of Feb and March hopefully catching the interview while I'm there (I don't want to go home without her). Just hoping and praying NOA2 will come on time.

We're getting married at her house (it will be interesting to say the least-she's one of the poorest houses in the poorest region, poorest city (something like that) LOL! Anyway, it will be a simple walk down the dirt road with tacky music on the way to her house-ceremony. I'm saying tacky right now but I'm sure I'll be all choked up when the time comes. Wish I could do the big kabang but this will ne nice and personal (and save money for her family versus pissing it away for a one time party...for what-they say).

I've got to check a little sin sod customs and I don't mind doing a bit of that, maybe some gold for mom and wife. I'm thrilled about the usd/thb direction lately BUT IKOBO closed (it conly cost $5 to send a thousand...now I'm stuck with expensive methods of transferring money (moneygram, etc) which makes me sick ebcause their exchange rate isn't accurate. Oh well...I'm bringing cash when I go since cash was the best decision I made my last visit (don't get killed by fees for accessing your money).

I'm praying waiting hoping for a NOA2 on time (early would be 'da bomb!) LOL!

My bank (Charles Schwab Bank) doesn't charge foreign ATM fees and I didn't notice many ATMs in Thailand that did. Why not just open an account at a good bank and send her an ATM card?

Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bride_price

I wrote the section on Thailand and that photo is OUR sin sot payment... haha. In general you should pay at least 100,000 baht and 5 baht of gold, but that can vary upward quite a bit. As you can see, mine was a bit more, LOL... Be careful going much lower (unless your fiancee was previously married) as you might create a lot of problems for your fiancee and her family... the sin sot is VERY public in Thailand.

Thanks for the info. She'd been married before (ceremony, not on paper). I was thinking about what you mentioned for sin sod. I've read a lot about it...some say don't do it, mentioning greed, etc (obviously not understanding the culture and on my part some good will) etc. Bottom line is no matter what I do, they'll be light years dirt poor compared to me. I don't give money to churches or organizations (I'd rather see it at 100% effectiveness versus everyone taking a cut). I do look forward to them being my family, also since my farang family is fragmented and couldn't give a ####### like man farang familes near me.

The wait time is killing me. I am VERY concerned about the vermont service center problems widely posted here. I'm saving all I can. she wants to go to work at McDonalds (right now I'm supporting her) but she'd only make $240 a month. Not sure if this would help the visa process or not. I read about that one member's delays because she worked for a massage parlour. My Tilac has a spotty work past (supported for 3 years by a bf prior to me, worked in a beauty salon and at home growing rice, then she met me).

My thoughts were to lay down 600,000 and about 5 baht gold and they'll return all but about 100-150,000 (likely her mom would return more but I want her to walk with at least 5-6k if I can...or less if we can save and give her a house with running water and a/c sooner. We'll have that discussion when the time comes, I guess. I've got 2 kids and child support and I have to buy a house here (once I sell this one but bad market complicates with advantages and disadvantages alike)

So Schwab charges nothing when you used ATM in LOS? I'll change my account tomorrow, then