spoon1967

I'm going to reply quite straight, bearing in mind the relationship issue and the fact the poster has good intentions, not knowing the full background if his partner, but there's obviously some love here - this is a truly objective reply. My issues would be. 1. If his partner becomes his adopted son, he may well be open to some kind of repercussions with having relations with his son. 2. I'd be wary of the poster making himself a target, not saying his adopted son/partner would consider anything illegal, but family influence/actions can be strong. My advice would be to limit his on Thai soil assets. Best of luck, and a great post.

Thankfully most Thai parents are not like the parents of these poor kids. I have a son (now 9) in Thailand, I got divorced when he was 3, I work overseas and had only seen him 4 times a year, when we got divorced my son and I would go way alone, and still do - we have a great father/son relationship. When he was about 7, we were in Loei, his home province. I had packed everything in the car while he was sitting at breakfast - downstairs room, right near the car park and main door. After breakfast, I nipped back to the room with my son for one last check before handing the key in - the manageress was watching me walk down the corridor with my son (I had no bags with me, as they were all in the car), she stopped me and asked " why are you in a room with a child and you have no bags" - I knew straight away what she was thinking, I explained as above, and said it was my son and she could speak to him in Thai if she wanted, the receptionist then spoke up in Thai and the manager apologised, I said - no need for an apology, and thanked her for her concerns. I always tell my son to bring his ID with him now, he has my surname and I keep a copy of his birth cert with my name on with me when we travel.

"Can I book my return flight back to UK for 60 days" - I tried this only a few days ago, as my return flight was over 30 days from arrival, they would not issue the CoE, I had to get a 2 month visa, + insurance must cover until return flight date, other option is book flight to return within 30 days and change it when you arrive - I didn't want to lose my booked flight on the 46th day so went for the visa option.

And the UK Mrs Craig will be at LHR to meet him, I bet she has some questions about his 2 weeks holiday with the lads, what excuse can he possibly have for being 11 months late home. All jokes aside - these people are fools, whatever the reason - why'd you want to be looking over your shoulder every minute, not the way to enjoy Thailand.

I got my CoE within a few days in Feb this year, done the same process this month with the addition of uploading my vaccine certificate, even though I was going to ASQ in Bangkok, as I had a feeling the 14 days might drop to 7. I'm due to fly 13th October, flights, hotel all booked and uploaded onto the site, that was 5 days ago and no updates, but I'm not concerned, as I'm hoping it's because things may change next week and I just need to do 7 days ASQ - finges crossed.

My sympathy would stop at "if he was indeed suffering financial hardship", those who have never experienced that won't understand - I was there when I was mid 20's, but I managed to turn things around, good luck to the guy if he's genuinely in trouble. However, I think any expat who decides to live in Thailand, should have at least 500k-1M Baht emergency cash for hospitals, repat flight, etc. those who live on the bread line, get an agent visa (no own funds) are asking for trouble - just my thoughts.

I believe, she can renew her Thai passport at the Thai Embassy you still have time, although I agree with a few others, Thailand will not refuse entry on her expired one - I think that maybe international law, a country can not refuse entry to one of their own citizens, or she can apply for an emergency travel document at the Thai Embassy.Consulate Emergency travel document is valid for 30 days from date of issue and for single journey to Thailand only. After returning to Thailand, emergency travel document is expired and cannot be renewed.

I agree the cost of UK quarantine is high, and I have some degree of sympathy for those on limited income who have travelled to Thailand, however - I have been on the edge of me seat waiting for this to happen, you didn't need to be a fortune teller to see it was on the cards. Anyone who has travelled abroad in the last 18 months, without some emergency access to funds and/or adequate holiday insurance (if any will cover this sort of event) is a fool. These people are not "stuck" in Thailand, change your flight and go home, if that's not an option then there's always - credit cards, loans, family, friends to acquire UK quarantine funds.

Get a CoE, go back - Thailand is open.

As we all know Thailand had became too expensive (not in contrast to EU countries of course) since 2006, when we enjoyed 72/74 Baht to 1 GBP. Most Expats / retirees / tourists now hold onto their purse strings a bit tighter, at 50+ to 1 GBP I think lots will benefit, mega rich will complain about their overseas investments, with respect to import cost rises, but they will survive, as for locals noodles at 30 baht, will still be 30 baht regardless of international rates. Without going too deep into international currency exchange fluctuation issues, with I admit I'm not an expert - the THB is due for a welcome drop. the more THB I get, the more I have to spend.