Alan:
I'm planning a trip to Thailand soon and I'd like to make a visa application please.
Alan:
There seem to be so many different types.
Officer:
You're right, there are.
Officer:
But there are two popular, more common ones.
Alan:
What are the main differences between them?
Officer:
The business visa lasts for 90 days.
Officer:
This is for people coming to begin work or do business in the country.
Officer:
The other one, which is for people going on holiday or for medical treatment, lasts 60 days.
Officer:
Are you planning on travelling for work or pleasure?
Alan:
I'm actually going to visit a friend who works over there, so for pleasure.
Alan:
I'll be doing a lot of travelling and sightseeing, I imagine.
Officer:
OK, so you need the tourist visa.
Officer:
There are several things you need to make the application.
Officer:
Now, depending on your situation, we might have to ask you for additional documents, such as a birth certificate or driving licence, but we do need to see a passport in all cases.
Alan:
I've got that here with me and I've also taken a copy of it for you.
Alan:
I thought it might be necessary.
Officer:
I'm afraid you will need to apply for a new one.
Officer:
This one runs out in November, which is in five months, and it has to have at least six left on it for the visa application.
Officer:
You need to complete this tourist visa application form and attach two photographs too.
Officer:
Do you have any passport photos?
Alan:
No, but when I apply for my new passports, I will get some.
Alan:
Do they need to be the same size?
Officer:
Exactly the same.
Officer:
They must be recent too, but that won't be a problem if you're getting some done anyway.
Officer:
Next thing is to complete the application form.
Alan:
Would you be able to help me complete it?
Officer:
Let's have a look.
Officer:
Right, so fill in all your personal information.
Officer:
Nationality is British, surname is Johnston and first name is Alan.
Officer:
Can I just confirm your middle name?
Officer:
It's not very clear on the form.
Officer:
Is that Senmore?
Alan:
No, sorry, it's my handwriting.
Alan:
It should say Seymour.
Alan:
That's S-E-Y-M-O-U-R.
Officer:
I've got that now.
Officer:
So we also need your mobile number.
Officer:
Could I make a note of it?
Alan:
It's O-7-8-2-2-9-5-3-0-0-7.
Officer:
OK, so that's O-7-8-2-2-9-5-1-0-0-7.
Alan:
No, sorry, it's 9-5-3-0-0-7.
Officer:
Everything seems to be in order in that section of the form.
Officer:
Let's have a look at the next part, about previous travel to the country.
Alan:
Yes, do I need to complete that section, or is that only for long-term visas?
Officer:
No, no, you have to complete it.
Officer:
So the first point asks if you have travelled to Thailand before.
Alan:
Yes, but it was many years ago, in 1992 and 1990...
Alan:
No, wait, that was the year I travelled to Vietnam.
Officer:
And when are you going to travel to Thailand this time?
Officer:
The date you give me must be no more than three months after the issue date of the visa.
Alan:
Well, I'm supposed to be there for my friend's birthday in September.
Officer:
And when exactly is your friend's birthday?
Officer:
Let's put down the first of that month.
Alan:
And what about this last part on the form, here?
Alan:
It asks about departure from Thailand.
Alan:
My friend and I are talking about going on to Bali after Thailand, but really, I think I'm going to come back home to England.
Alan:
He might go to Bali alone.
Officer:
OK, so we can fill that part in.
Officer:
And that's everything.
Officer:
Now come back again with your new passport as soon as you have it, and we can issue your visa.
Alan:
Thanks a lot for your help.
