Hi all you folks out there. My names Martin, married and residing in Thailand with my family when not working as a Scientific fisheries Observer (sounds good, but the pay is small and the work is fun, albiet long hours and at sea on average 3 months at a time). I am going to be here until the 16th Nov and then of to Antatctica doing what I do on board fishing boats to earn the necessary money to stay in Thailand, which brings me to my point. Can anyone explain the visa regulation here and the ever changing baht requirement

Sorry cant help but welcome to the form.My son is also at sea tankers good money but we do miss him not so bad now just got his masters ticket so 6 on 6off. He is in dry dock Shanghi so enjoying some shore time. hope you get help soon.Tricia

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Hi Oddball
I am starting to get the jest of things, but like you say it is not funny anymore. I reckon by the time I get it sorted I'll be past my sell by date. cheers. Martin

Welcome to the forum, and good luck with the Thai visa situation. It is in a constant state of flux. If your wife and children are Thai citizens, at least you don't have to worry that they will have problems. If they were required to make visa runs, you'd really have some concerns.

Hi Synthia

The family are Thai citizens and the children are grown up, which does make visa applications relatively easy. I understand now that as long as I have a category O multi entry visa issued from the embassy where I was born, I can stay in Thailand up to 90 days, then go to a neighouring country and re-enter and get another 90 days, or before the visa expires change the visa in Thailand for a retired visa. Anyway if its any consolation to know, I am not the only person. After four years here in between my work, I believe I am finally getting to grips with the visa issue. The tortoise gets there in the end and as a Buddhist monk said to me, do not worry, everything will be alright.......long live the faith.
Martin

When I was in Penang, I met a lot of people on visa runs, most of them confused, feeling that the rules were always changing and entry left pretty much to the whim of the immigration officer. I suppose what you are coming to grips with is the uncertainty of it all.

Synthia

My eyes are open and my mouth is shut. I look and listen and hopefully learn. I like being here, because it is different from the security of former residences that I have had. At the end of the day if everything is neatly packaged, the thrill of living, for me anyway would be diminished. I like the uncertainity of not knowing, albeit I will try to find out. Martin