Hello! Thailand Newbie Here.

**Bangkok Phil** · 14th June 2012 07:21

Originally Posted by 5anuk

is CM tougher to find a job then Bangkok would you guys say?

A well-paying job yes.

---Update---

Originally Posted by hilary8706

We also just got TEFL degrees so we're qualified (at least on paper) to teach English

No, you've got TEFL certificates. Those are not degrees - which you need to secure the vast majority of teaching jobs in Thailand these days.

**hilary8706** · 14th June 2012 12:38

alright, certificates. i heard ya the first time.

**cluezo** · 14th June 2012 12:41

Originally Posted by 5anuk

I read this and got my popcorn read, then saw the serious replies

It's the newbie forum. If she posts in the Pub, then we can play ...

**Getorfmoiland** · 14th June 2012 14:12

Originally Posted by hilary8706

Thanks for all the info so far! Not polyamorous now but I'll let you know if anything changes. A couple new questions: currently in the process of filling out my tourist visa app. It asks for length of stay- should I just put 60 days even though I plan on staying there much longer? Is 60 the max you can put on a tourist visa without raising eyebrows or should I put 90 (or more) in order to get those extensions? Also it asks for a reference person in Thailand.. can this just be anyone I know who's living in Thailand? i.e. the guy who runs the hostel we're staying at when we first get there?

Heh Looow. You should put that you are intending to leave prior to the expiry date of the 60 days and then what you do, well, that's a different thing entirely. As for the reference, the form is standard for many different types of visa and that section is not applicable to the tourist one although the official you deal with may say otherwise (Hedged? Tick). Just put your address in Thailand as the hostel.

As for the one-way ticket, I'm not sure about the airlines out of the US of A but some embassies ask for proof of onward travel before issuing the visa and others don't so I would play it by ear. I would guess that if you have the visa stamp already, the airline won't stop you travelling, but I have been known to be wrong.

Anyhoo, welcome.

**typ123** · 15th June 2012 00:07

Originally Posted by ttompatz

Also, be aware that they won't let you board the flight (in the US) going to Thailand on a one-way ticket unless you can show onward or return passage from Thailand (visa waiver restriction).

How do you show onward or return passage without purchasing a return ticket?

OP, make sure you are aware of the scams: http://www.thai-blogs.com/2008/08/05...s-in-thailand/ http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand...articles/75907

How much money do you guys have? IMO, I would say you need at least 10k between the two of you.

**hilary8706** · 15th June 2012 05:05

So, after a lot of stressing and back and forth we went ahead with the "better safe than sorry" route and just purchased AirAsia tickets to Kuala Lumpur departing about 50-something days after our arrival in Thailand. Killed me a little inside to cough up $80 on a flight we might not use but ultimately I'm glad we went ahead and got it because the Thai Consulate lady in Atlanta DID ask for it. She asked for our visa app, passports, 2 passport photos, bank statement (proving that we have at least $500 each to our name), and proof of travel into and out of Thailand. She was pretty chill about everything else. We just put the contact info of a hostel in Chiang Mai as our "Thailand reference."

Since we got that flight for about 2 months after entering Thailand, which is around the time our visas will be expiring anyway, we could use it as our visa run if we dont have jobs yet, right? We can either get another Thailand tourist visa in Malaysia or another automatic 30 days upon re-entering Thailand? Plus a trip to Kuala Lumpur. I hear its pretty cool over there... although unfortunately we will miss this fun event: World

**cluezo** · 15th June 2012 05:37

Originally Posted by hilary8706

She asked for our visa app, passports, 2 passport photos, bank statement (proving that we have at least $500 each to our name), and proof of travel into and out of Thailand.

Wow. Things have changed.

Well, come on over and prepare to be amazed ....

**5anuk** · 15th June 2012 06:27

has OP got a degree? or just a TEFL, im confused.

@ OP, yes you can get a toruist visa in Malaysia , in either KL or Penang.

**happynz** · 15th June 2012 10:11

Originally Posted by hilary8706

Since we got that flight for about 2 months after entering Thailand, which is around the time our visas will be expiring anyway, we could use it as our visa run if we dont have jobs yet, right?

Yup, for a visa run, or to pick up your non-B visa at the Thai consulate if you do get a job offer.

Whilst in Malaysia do stop in and have a feed at a mamak stall. The Indian food in Malaysia won't disappoint you.