Back To Where I Belong (Part 1)

It has been such a long, long time since my last post here (laughs). I got so busy with my family life these days... Speaking of which, we had planned to visit my home town.. "Pilipinas" also known as Philippines and with so much pride I will bring our newborn, baby Sofia.. to meet and visit her granny and great granny, aunts, uncles, close relatives and my friends. This is really awesome for we will be having family reunion then. It is only sad that my hubby couldn't be able to join because he has to attend things at work. He just signed a work contract and it is not practical indeed to have a vacation with us. He would probably will next year.

I was just thinking what to prepare on our way home like what can I give them as a souvenir in Thailand as well as the documents that we need so we could go back without hassles from the Philippine immigration check point at the airport. I mean, there's no need to worry about the round trip ticket it was already booked online by a good friend of mine. It is so much cheaper to book a ticket online.

Here are the documents I must prepare for the Philippine Immigration Check point:

♥ Original and Photocopy of Passports (Sofia & mine)
♥ Birth Certificate of Sofia (English & Thai translation)
♥ Certified Report of Birth(from the Philippine Embassy here in Thailand)
♥ Photocopy of my hubby's work permit
♥ Photocopy of my hubby's passport
♥ Family Photos
♥ Photocopy of House Lease Agreement
♥ Original copy of Satellite TV, Internet and Telephone Bills
♥ ATM international debit card
♥ Letter of Invitation (from my hubby to write down that he's inviting us to go back in Thailand to live with him)

These are just my thoughts and maybe the Immigration desk officer will be satisfied to allow me to go back to Thailand with my daughter.

I have a long list because my husband and I are not married yet. We are working on it very soon. It is only one of my many reasons why I need to go back home. That is to arrange pertinent documents or means to have my annulment approved. I should have thought about this thing before I went to Thailand and live with him but I haven't got clear ideas as to how and where to go about it.

The next thing that I am planning to do is to get an ED Visa so that my stay will be longer as it used to be. That is what we have agreed. But I am also thinking of taking the TESOL or TEFL course. It would cost so much but I am pretty sure it will be worth it!♥:)

Going back to Philippines is such a pain in the ass. Remembering how I was questioned and got pissed off by these people at the immigration desk. However, I am positive that I won't be dealing with this again next time (my fingers crossed, lol). Plus the fact that I need to give presents/keepsakes for my family and close friends. That would be so much expensive! I must remember to travel lightly although, it is impossible to do so (laughs).

I am getting so excited NOW! So... Philippines, here I come with my baby Sofia!♥

My Visa Renewal @ The Thai Immigration Office

I went to the new Thai Immigration Office last February 26, Friday to renew my visa because it was due to expire on February 28, which fell on Sunday. I woke up at 5am and left the house at 6am. It opens from 8:30am to 4:30pm, Mondays thru Fridays only except official holidays. I arrived there at 9am already due to traffic and because I had to find the place, knowing that it is indeed a challenge to travel around the place you aren't familiar and specially if you're in a foreign country wherein you couldn't speak and understand their native language.

From my place, I took the bus #26 and went off at Chatuchak Mochit by the MRT station and cross the footbridge on the right side, then got bus #52 which will pass by the TOT and CAT (Thailand's Telephone companies) on the left side of the road.



I was dropped off in front of the CAT. Just beside this building is the street sign Chaengwattana Soi 7, the street that I was looking for going to the new Thai Immigration Office. From there, I took the motorcycle (back ride) which cost me 20.00 baht.







This is the new Immigration Office building, of course I didn't have the courage to take photos inside the building because for sure they won't allow me to and if I insisted, they may put me in jail (laughs). The new building is beautiful, clean, huge and extravagant, it looks like an airport to me hehehe.

So when I got there, I didn't need to stand in line because there weren't many people that time. Although, I had my qeue number but I didn't wait very long to be served.

The requirements they're asking from me were as follows:
♥ Passport
♥ Photocopy
-1st page of passport (the one with the photo)
-last travel visa sticker
-the page which has the last stamped (due date)
♥ Medical certificate (from my doctor stating that I'll have my 90 days not to travel because I am 8th months pregnant)
♥ 1 pc. ID picture
♥ 1,900 fee
♥ Accomplished visa extension application form (this form will be given at the immigration office)
♥ Identification card (will be surrendered at the entrance gate in exchange of the guest ID)

Two applicants were served ahead of me, that was quick and easy. The immigration officer told me that I won't be able to get a 90 days visa according to my medical certificate which was dated December 28, 2009. If I was going to use it I'll only be given 30 days and I'll be back again on March 28. They based their counting of 90 days on the day stated in my document I submitted to them. The immigration doctor guaranteed that if I'll come back on Tuesday which was March 2, Tuesday and with my updated medical certificate, they will give me 90 days and that I won't even have to pay one day penalty (which is 500 baht) as my visa expiration was on the 28th.

March 1 was a legal holiday in Thailand and that day was scheduled for my pre-natal check up. I was happy because they were very accommodating and concern about my situation.

I went down stairs and ate at the Immigration canteen. I ordered pad thai or their own version of stir fry noodles with shrimps (40.00 baht); a plate of four kinds of fruits (pineapple,melon,guava and papaya for only 20.00 baht); and iced cold chocolate drink (15.00 baht).



On March 2, 2010, Tuesday, I went back to the Thai Immigration office with my sweetheart. I had my complete documents with me and they stamped my passport stating that I have a 90 days visa extension. They only asked me to pay 1,900 baht for that and I am so happy. I found out from them that the fee is still the same whether it is a 30, 60 or 90 days extension. Plus, they didn't ask me to pay the penalty of one day. Thank God! I stated there in my application that I will change my visa from tourist to student before it expires so I will be able to stay longer.



My sweetheart took a picture of me inside the car, in front of the new Thai Immigration Office :D

I felt so relieved and happy about my visa renewal. It only took me 30 minutes to process my papers.