Problems getting married - because of current amnesty ?

[fullofmax]

Hello,

 

I am from germany. My last entry to thailand was at the end of january with a re-entry permit for my ED Visa which was issued in Phuket and was valid, with a basic (non covid) extension till 1st May.

At the end of April me and my fiancee moved to Hua Hin due to the Phuket lockdown and everything being unclear. We planned to get married now for almost a year and I was getting all the paperwork from germany ready (which was alot as you probably know since mid 2019).

 

Today finally I was able to pick up the final paper which is a consular certificate from the german embassy. This will get legislated tomorrow morning at the Ministry of foreign affairs and then we should be able to marry immediately.

However we already visited Amphur Bangrak today to make an appointment and made sure we dont need nothing else. After they were talking quite long to my fiancee they did send us to the immigration Chaengwattana because I needed a "stamp" to confirm I am not on overstay. I already knew this would cause further issues...

We went to Chaengwattana where the friendly IO told us they wouldnt give me such a stamp and that they could do nothing when the Amphur doesnt follow immigration rules. 

We went back to Bangrak and told them we wouldnt get any of that and they then told me I would need a letter from my embassy (which they wont issue..omg..) that states I dont have criminal background (?). More eyebrows raised. I dont exactly know how this correlates to my "overstay" which of course isnt an overstay but I get that they only see my valid visa till 1st May.

 

Covid or not, I want to get married to my fiancee for more than a year now and we were very excited in the morning that we were finally be able to which then quickly turned into sadness because not only do we need more documents but also Bangrak just let us leave with a "mai dai kha", also stating that the german embassy wouldnt issue such a letter.

Both, Amphur Bangrak and the Immigration refused to give us a letter that states that they wouldnt issue any stamp or document and why.

 

I would be very grateful for some advice. 

 

Max

Edited August 5, 2020 by fullofmax

[AndyAndyAndy]

Every amphur has own rules. For example some requires copy of passport translated to Thai and verified at ministry of foreign affairs, some only translated to thai, some just the original passport itself... And it goes like this with every requirement. 

 

I got married on 9th amphur that I visited. Not kidding. Because on 8 previous I wasn't meeting criteria. Funnyly enough at each amphur I didn't met different criteria!!!!!

 

So I recommend going around and ask on different amphurs.

[jabis]

Note: on some amphurs there might not be a person authorized to marry foreigners, and you might need witnesses, that reside in that amphur (crazy I know).

 

You can get married in any amphur you like, but it's up to them to make up their rules lol.

 

I married at don mueang amphur, had a local "marriage agent" in trendy building, arrange for everything (translations etc, no need for own leg work) for a fee of 3000, including reserving our time to appear at the amphur, where we then were "questioned" for how long had we known each other, and what was the date we first met, how long we dated before we moved in together and who would take the name of who, and then we just sat and wait until the head honcho came to present our marriage certificates, and told a few words of wisdom, and declared we're married - all in about 30 mins of time

 

(this was in the beginning of covid outbreak, a day before they announced they would not handle any foreigner business there).

 

Good luck and if you want the agent/organizer details feel free to PM, I suppose they're eager for some business ????

Edited August 5, 2020 by jabis
wall of text prettified a bit

[SteveK]

Welcome to Thailand. If you are planning on staying here, then you'd better get used to this behaviour. "Mai dai" is also Thai for "I don't want to help you so <deleted> off". You'll figure that out.

 

Most headaches and obstacles in Thailand can be overcome by employing an "agent". In the west we would call them something else. 

 

The other way to get things moving is to have a powerful friend or family member intervene.

 

God, it's starting to sound a bit dodgy now, isn't it?

Edited August 5, 2020 by SteveK

[thaibeachlovers]

Take it as a sign and don't get married, at least till you read all the threads in the divorce sub forum. You have the perfect excuse.

 

Thailand has a wonderful institution of village weddings, which you should check out. No need for any stamps, embassy intervention, or agent's fees.

 

If the problem is related to anything Thai official related, then your ( presumably ) Thai beloved should be able to sort it out.

Too many farangs fall into the trap of thinking that they have to do it all, and their wife to be is too dumb to do anything. My wife sorted the problem we had when it looked like we would not be able to get married. Now of of course I wish she hadn't been able to, and she would not ever have been a Mrs to be an ex.

[thaibeachlovers]

3 hours ago, SteveK said:

Welcome to Thailand. If you are planning on staying here, then you'd better get used to this behaviour. "Mai dai" is also Thai for "I don't want to help you so <deleted> off". You'll figure that out.

 

Most headaches and obstacles in Thailand can be overcome by employing an "agent". In the west we would call them something else. 

 

The other way to get things moving is to have a powerful friend or family member intervene.

 

God, it's starting to sound a bit dodgy now, isn't it?

Indeed. It's like talking about some third world country where the rule of law can be subverted by those with "influence".

[thaibeachlovers]

4 hours ago, jabis said:

You can get married in any amphur you like, but it's up to them to make up their rules lol.

Indeed. I couldn't get married in Bkk, but Pattaya would ( perhaps with some incentive from my wife to be, but she never said how she managed it- desperation to land the ATM no doubt had some part in it ). The best part of it was the cost- about 20 baht, if I remember correctly, and no witnesses required, or any questions about anything.

Edited August 5, 2020 by thaibeachlovers

[greggraham]

I'm on Amnesty. I got my affidavit from the British embassy, translations, MFA certified papers, and then everything processed by the Amphur in July. We were officially married on July 20th. That part did cost 20bht @thaibeachlovers, the plastic folder cost as much as the marriage certificate. 

 

Sadly my local immigration won't offer my a non-0 or 60 day extension though, as of yesterday. So even if you achieve the first 5 steps, doesn't mean it gives you legitimacy to stay here. 

[OJAS]

13 hours ago, fullofmax said:

However we already visited Amphur Bangrak today to make an appointment and made sure we dont need nothing else. After they were talking quite long to my fiancee they did send us to the immigration Chaengwattana because I needed a "stamp" to confirm I am not on overstay. I already knew this would cause further issues...

Maybe try another Amphur (or Khet, as I believe they're known as in Bangkok)? My wife and I got married several years ago at Sathorn. If, for instance, they were also to say no in your case, it would probably then be worth your while employing the services of an agent to achieve the desired outcome.

[Wongkitlo]

If you search Thailand diy marriage you will find a site with lots of info. 1 poster went to Lak Si and the lady at the translation desk can organize appointments at Don Muang for a fee. I live in Pattaya and an agent offered to pick me up, drive to BKK organize the certificate and drive is home for 5000-6000. We ended up going to a small island where we had friends who helped. If your fiancee is Thai maybe go to her home amphur.

Edited August 6, 2020 by Wongkitlo
Edit

[Knocker33]

There is a very good agent in Bangkok who can probably sort this for you. I and a few friends have used her. Can pm you details if you want to chat to her 

[MICHAELDUTCH]

I live in Min Buri and i am on amnesty till 26 september.I will leave Thailand on the 24 september.
I also will get married and all my papers have been approved.
If i d ont marry then i will be a regular tourist and have for the time beiing NO chance to come back
If i marry BEFORE i go back.....i can go back to see my wife *with all the requirements.


 

[shy coconut]

15 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Take it as a sign and don't get married, at least till you read all the threads in the divorce sub forum. You have the perfect excuse.

 

Thailand has a wonderful institution of village weddings, which you should check out. No need for any stamps, embassy intervention, or agent's fees.

 

If the problem is related to anything Thai official related, then your ( presumably ) Thai beloved should be able to sort it out.

Too many farangs fall into the trap of thinking that they have to do it all, and their wife to be is too dumb to do anything. My wife sorted the problem we had when it looked like we would not be able to get married. Now of of course I wish she hadn't been able to, and she would not ever have been a Mrs to be an ex.

The OP doesn't say how old he is. If he is too young for the retirement extension, then

a marriage extension may well be his only route for long term stay (unless he goes

through the elite visa)

 

Not every marriage ends in traumatic divorce, but I'm guessing that the majority of

people who lead an incident free life don't have the need to post their good fortune,

unless they are bragging about their western educated hi so wife to make the rest of

us mere mortals feel somewhat inferior!

[Peter Denis]

50 minutes ago, MICHAELDUTCH said:

I live in Min Buri and i am on amnesty till 26 september.I will leave Thailand on the 24 september.
I also will get married and all my papers have been approved.
If i d ont marry then i will be a regular tourist and have for the time beiing NO chance to come back
If i marry BEFORE i go back.....i can go back to see my wife *with all the requirements.

Do you need to leave Thailand?

When you have all the papers, an official thai marriage at the Amphoe will provide you same day with the required thai marriage certificates, and you can then go next day to your local IO and apply for the 60-day extension of stay to visit your thai wife.

Returning to Thailand (even when married) will be a headache...

 

[richard_smith237]

One of the officers at Bang Rak is being obtuse - Go to a different Amphur. 

 

That said, Bang Rak is usually one of the easiest to deal with. 

 

My Wife and I tried a local Amphur who seemed quite impolite and put up some road blocks. We walked out and drove straight to Bang Rak and were married in 15mins !

 

So... As others have said - different Amphur offices have different systems and rules - Just try a different Amphur office.

Edited August 6, 2020 by richard_smith237

[Myran]

Just try a different one. I can personally recommend the one in Cha-am, PKK. Very easy, smooth, and fast, and they even helped us arrange some witnesses. Not sure if they're open now, though, so best call ahead.

[MICHAELDUTCH]

14 minutes ago, Peter Denis said:

Do you need to leave Thailand?

When you have all the papers, an official thai marriage at the Amphoe will provide you same day with the required thai marriage certificates, and you can then go next day to your local IO and apply for the 60-day extension of stay to visit your thai wife.

Returning to Thailand (even when married) will be a headache...

 

Thats correct.....but unfortunely i have to go back for personal reason.
Anyway i can return with or without a headache.I am also aware of the 60 day extension
I hope to return quickly..but the requirements are at this moment crazy.I hope in the next 6 month the borders will open and maybe the requirments will be less

[sometimewoodworker]

21 hours ago, fullofmax said:

I would be very grateful for some advice.

Go to the Lak Si Ket, it is the closest to the MOFA, almost walking distance, they do a large number of foreign/Thai marriages, you are likely to have the least problems there. 
You can marry at any Ket/Amper.

[fullofmax]

1 minute ago, sometimewoodworker said:

Go to the Lak Si Ket, it is the closest to the MOFA, almost walking distance, they do a large number of foreign/Thai marriages, you are likely to have the least problems there. 
You can marry at any Ket/Amper.

We were there today and they said they still need the "immgration signature/stamp" that was also mentioned at Bangrak. They also wanted my passport "translated" (whatever that means) and that document then legislated by the german embasssy - he mentioned however that Bangrak doesnt want that passport translation (which is true).

 

I emailed the german embassy about this situation and they normally respond quite quickly. - however I received no answer in 24 hours. What a surprise.

 

I have tried to contact the Agents mentioned by people in this thread today and we will also call the Amphur in Cha-am tomorrow since me and my fiancee live in Huahin.

 

I will update this thread if I manage to get married or atleast a step closer to it.

If you know another agent or an Amphur that might not need that Immigration letter/stamp please let me know.

 

Thank you for the help and suggestions @all !

 

 

[sometimewoodworker]

1 hour ago, fullofmax said:

They also wanted my passport "translated"

That is your passport translated into a Thai 

[OJAS]

39 minutes ago, sometimewoodworker said:

That is your passport translated into a Thai 

Would be OTT IMHO, though, if Lak Si Ket specifically require all stamps and visas, past and present, in the OP's passport, including the Thai ones, to be translated into Thai as well - and, in this connection, for all years included in these stamps and visas to be expressed in the B.E. (rather than A.D.) calendar format, regardless of whether said stamps and visas were of Thai or non-Thai origin! But, hopefully, they are not insisting on the OP going to such ridiculous lengths, I trust.

Edited August 6, 2020 by OJAS

[ubonjoe]

5 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Would be OTT IMHO, though, if Lak Si Ket specifically require all stamps and visas, past and present, in the OP's passport, including the Thai ones, to be translated into Thai as well - and, in particular, for all years included in these stamps and visas to be expressed in the B.E. (rather than A.D.) calendar format! But, hopefully, they are really not expecting the OP to go to such ridiculous lengths, I trust.

Only a translation of the passport photo page is needed. Some Amphoes and Khets also want a certified copy of it done at a person's embassy.

[sometimewoodworker]

22 minutes ago, OJAS said:

Would be OTT IMHO, though, if Lak Si Ket specifically require all stamps and visas, past and present, in the OP's passport,

As mentioned above, that is not the requirement. It is a standard request For the data page, by many/but not all/most Ampurs/Kets. F

Edited August 6, 2020 by sometimewoodworker

[RotBenz8888]

4 hours ago, Knocker33 said:

There is a very good agent in Bangkok who can probably sort this for you. I and a few friends have used her. Can pm you details if you want to chat to her 

Could you please Pm me about that agent? 

[Jack Hna]

Seems people did not realise that this amnesty puts everyone in limbo and there is no fix. Get married get visa not happening if you on an amnesty. Got a kid and want a non O and on Amnesty, not happening. There is no precedent. The absolute best thing you can do is get your affairs in order so when it does return to normality and borders are open you can get your old style 90  day take another 60 and then get the 1 year. Or maybe that's now too risky and best to get a 1 year and forefeit 5 months. 

 

I have had to realise this recently, my 90+60 5 year affair is over and it's time to up the anti and get the 1 year job.

 

Preparing the Mrs for a period of seperation these next months. Maybe it will come maybe not and we will get further amnesties but I am keeping a look out for possible relocations for a short wait it out period. Very open to hearing others plans b & c. Yes maybe the period will not be short so plan accordingly fellas. It's a rough ride.

 

 

[chainarong]

On 8/6/2020 at 3:42 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

Indeed. It's like talking about some third world country where the rule of law can be subverted by those with "influence".

Thailand is regarded as an emerging economy and has been since the nineties, it never achieved the dizzy heights it and others hoped for,  in other words its third world .

[Shannoblic]

I noticed someone mentioned it briefly earlier, but when it comes to an Ampur I have always found the Ampur in my wife's birthplace the most helpful.

[Peter Denis]

4 hours ago, Jack Hna said:

...

Get married get visa not happening if you on an amnesty. Got a kid and want a non O and on Amnesty, not happening. There is no precedent. The absolute best thing you can do is get your affairs in order so when it does return to normality and borders are open you can get your old style 90  day take another 60 and then get the 1 year. Or maybe that's now too risky and best to get a 1 year and forefeit 5 months. 

 

I have had to realise this recently, my 90+60 5 year affair is over and it's time to up the anti and get the 1 year job.

 

Preparing the Mrs for a period of seperation these next months. Maybe it will come maybe not and we will get further amnesties but I am keeping a look out for possible relocations for a short wait it out period. Very open to hearing others plans b & c. Yes maybe the period will not be short so plan accordingly fellas. It's a rough ride.

Most IOs will accept your application for a 60-day extension of stay for reason of visiting your thai wife / thai dependant child, even when you are on the Amnesty.

If you already used that 60-day extension of stay, there are even IOs that will accept your application for a 1-year extension of stay based on your Non Imm O Visa, even when on the Amnesty (e.g. recent case at Kanchanaburi IO).

It is of course possible that your local IO is of the 'hardliner' kind and will not accept your application because you not being on a 'valid' permission to stay (e.g. Nonthaburi IO).

In that case temporary relocation to a more accomodating IO in a different province is an option.

See link to a different thread addressing that option >

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/1175928-application-for-60-day-extension-on-multi-entry-non-o-effective-26th-september/?do=findComment&comment=15689764

 

[French mate]

Best advice have already be given here : go to another amphur.

When i married i got to do that, my local amphur simply refusing to marry us.
We have go to pattaya where the local amphur is "specialised" in farrang marriage, there thing have be smooth without extra complication.

[thaibeachlovers]

14 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

One of the officers at Bang Rak is being obtuse - Go to a different Amphur. 

 

That said, Bang Rak is usually one of the easiest to deal with. 

 

My Wife and I tried a local Amphur who seemed quite impolite and put up some road blocks. We walked out and drove straight to Bang Rak and were married in 15mins !

 

So... As others have said - different Amphur offices have different systems and rules - Just try a different Amphur office.

Pattaya would probably have most Farang/ Thai marriages so I'd start there, and if lucky enough to be not accepted there I'd try the wife's home amphur.

Wherever I went I'd send her in to check it out first. She's part of it, so might as well do something to earn her allowance.