@Sammy ******

I may be wrong, but in all fairness I don't think he is trying to prove anyone wrong. Rather find an official source in order to provide accurate information for this and future inquiries.

These pages are often filled with people giving incorrect advice and using arguments such as "I've been coming to Thailand for years and have never had a problem", etc as proof of a particular rule or law.

When covid restrictions first started so many people argued that the test HAD to be taken within 72 hours when in fact it was results within 72 hours. When questioned they would simply reply "why would you risk it, it is so easy to get the test in that timeframe". Those people failed to consider that just because it was easy in their country it was not in other countries, or even other regions of the same country. Where I'm from in the US I called every single place I could find within a 5 hour driving radius and not a single company, hospital, or clinic guaranteed results any quicker than 3 to 5 business days at the time. It also cost about $200 dollars at the time for results no quicker than the free one I could take just down the road. A significant cost if traveling with a family. All their incorrect advice resulted in was a lot of unnecessary stress and time wasted trying to meet a false requirement. So I appreciate Mr. Hays and others requests for official sources on often contended subjects.

I do agree though, one should absolutely look at the fine print of their insurance, especially regarding motorbikes considering it is rarely if ever covered unless you have a motorbike license in your home country.

@Sammy ******

when I applied, just prior to covid, typical times for the whole process were 9-12 months I believe. Covid changed that since embassies were closed for interviews and other services. Not sure if processing time has ever come back down since though.

An IDP is meant for the exact opposite. It's meant for shorter visits and to bridge the gap and give you time to apply for an actual thai license if on a longer term visa.

@Sammy ******

yes, we had actually applied for the K1 before I moved here. It took about 15 months before getting to the stage to even schedule the interview, which itself takes a long time to get an appointment. By then we were already married in Thailand so I had to withdraw the petition since she no longer qualified as a fiance.

@Ted *******

I ended up moving here and we married here. She applied for another tourist visa and we explained in one of the fields meant for something else that we had no intentions of moving to the US anytime soon, and we only needed a visa that allowed her to travel with me 1-2 times a year for 30 days or less each time. We thought it was still unlikely she would be approved but worth a try before applying for the cr1 visa (married less than 2 years). Which costs more money, takes longer, and I believe requires her to stay in the US while waiting for the green card. Luckily she was approved for a 10 year tourist visa.

Not sure if it was the explanation and change in circumstances or that we applied in Chiang Mai instead of Bangkok.

@Ted *******

fiance visa

@Albert *******

yes, we weren't even engaged at the time and she only wanted to visit.

@กะลาสี ****

she did at the time. Had a successful business, 2 kids in school, a home with land back in her home district, etc. Didn't matter. As soon as they knew she was coming to see her boyfriend she was denied and told to apply for a k1.

@Albert *******

it apparently can matter where you apply, Bangkok or Chaing mai, and who you get for the interview. There's a Thai Facebook group my wife follows and Bangkok is much harder. They even talk about a specific female that will almost guarantee deny it.

@Albert *******

fiance visa.