Well they finally rubber stamped my passport following the rejection of my investment visa application.  They gave me 1 week to stay in Thailand.

Now the whole situation is really messed up.  Even in the Immigration office I was given 3 completely different opinions of what my best options are to stay in Thailand.  They dont even know the rules they are supposed to be implementing. 

It would appear now that you are only allowed to stay in Thailand for 90 days out of every 180 days.  But whether this applies for tourist visas that you get from a Thai embassy is still not clear.  FOr sure it applies to visas that you are issued on arrival (VOA).  So this weekend I am flying to Udon Thani in the north of THailand.  From there I will go over the border to Laos and apply for a Tourist Visa in the Thai embassy there.  I am not sure what their reaction is going to be.  Technically I should be entitled to a 2 month Tourist visa and be allowed to extend that by another month when in Thailand.

But the way things are going here its quite possible they will refuse me and perhaps even refuse me access back into THailand.  Now that would be fun.  After investing in 2 properties here - all legal - all above board - no fake companies etc.  And now there is a possibility that I wont be able to even stay in Thailand.  Add to that the fact that I can speak Thai, have paid taxes for almost 5 years and generally am very respectful to Thai culture ....... it really doesnt add up at all!....

So anyway, time will tell.  I am hoping to be back in CHa-am next Wednesday.  That evening we are due to play the 2nd leg of our pool competition.  Its unlikely that I will make it back in time to play.  BUt we are well up after the first leg so we should be OK!

I have almost moved to Hua HIn now.  I go there every day to use the Hi speed internet and then return back to CHa-am in the evenings.  It looks like the Villa in Cha-am will be booked from the beginning of December so I will have to move permanently to Hua Hin.  Thats all on the presumption that I am allowed back in after the weekend!

Father Ted is in Bangkok now.  Well Dougal is anyway!!!  I am going to see him live tomorrow night!  SHould be a laugh.

OK - enough about my woes. Keep in touch.

www.geroreilly.com

Expat Living in Cha-am Thailand.