lesdunbar

But, she is very aware that her Thai Passport / Citizenship is a real handicap for international travel.
We are going to also obtain her Australian residency soon.

To the above posters..... Australian Residency and Australian Citizenship are two different things, and the applicant must spend at least two years living in Australia on a temperary resident visa, to obtain Residency. Then the applicant must have lived/stayed in Australia for more than four years straight (Holidays under 90 days out of country are allowed) on valid visa,s to obtain Citizenship. Which they can apply for an Australian passport.
I know this as my Thai Mrs. will be applying for citizenship next month. And on becoming an Aussie,will apply for an Aussie passport.
I hope this helps,
lesdunbar

Well, I was very lucky. We were living in Bangkok and we travelled back to Australia for my medical reasons. I got my Thai wife  a 12 month multiple entry tourist visa. It took 3 applications and was granted on our third try... I thought that my third application (2 previous apps,2 different ladies about 15 years before.)Would put a kibosh on any other application for residency.

We fronted DIMA and recieved a bridging visa because of severe medical problems concerning myself.
On jan. 2007 we applied for my wifes residency, paid the fee of approx $2300-00 . We were told it could take up to three months to be decided.
We got called in only after 13 days for an interview. About 8 days later we recieved her residency.
Been back to Thailand for holidays but are well settled in Victoria.
My hat is off to the DIMA person who was our case officer, A couple of trips down to Melbourne, An interview that was straight forward and what we considered easy.,Some photos of us travelling to the Philippines/Hong Kong/ Singapore , Perth WA and around Thailand. No phone records as we lived together in Bangkok for 2 years previously.
Simple and easy.
Took a short while for my wife to learn proppa engerish.
We now have a loving/careing happy life.
Cheers,
Les and Kesorn

G,day,
      I use and reccomend "Robo form" I use the ealier version 6.9 . There is a new version out 7.5 or something. Very good software..
I hope this helps,
Cheers,
Les

Hello all,
          I constantly withdraw Baht 25,000  (fotnightly) from the "Bangkok Bank ATM" in Soi 98 Nawamin Rd Kannhayao BKK. Never a problem.
I have a limit of $1000 AUD per day withdrawl limit with my Australian Bank.( National Bank.) The only fee,s I pay are the 150 Baht the Bangkok ATM fee charges
I think you should have a chat with your bank and upgrade your alowable limit per day.
Cheers n Beers,
Les

Hi,
I brought my wife out here to Aussie on a tourist visa. Applied for a spouse visa in Melb. My wife was granted a bridgeing visa until the spouse visa was granted. why not give it a go and see what happens? Could save you lots of $$$$$$ on trips etc.
Good luck witgh everything,
Cheers,
Les