I had been happily plodding on until I noticed last week that my visa will expire at the end of this week (Friday), so I started to gather up everything I need to get my visa extended.

First, my passport. I saw it on Friday, but today no sign of it. We hunted high and low, and ultimately had to call the British Embassy in Bangkok to report it missing. They say - come to Bangkok with two passport photos and a police report for the missing passport (obtained earlier for 10 baht) and they can usually turn a new one around in five days. I needed a new passport anyway, as there were only three months (and not many blank pages) left on it anyway. However, I’ve booked my train tickets and the earliest I can get to the Embassy is Wednesday morning, which means I won’t get my passport until the following week, but my visa expires on Friday. No problem, they say, just pay a few days ‘overstay’ at 200baht a day and explain your circumstances. That, plus 4500baht for a new passport and about 1000baht in train and taxi fares to make the application. Trip total 5500baht.

OK, so then I need various things for the visa itself, such as an up-to-date set of company papers (including a balance sheet for the previous year - 2004) and a valid work permit. Well, I’m in the process of moving my company from Koh Samui to Prachuab Kirikhan. As the lawyer is in Samui, and we’re in Prachuab, everything has to be done by post. The lawyer is also in the process of moving offices and has thrice forgotten to us send the necessary forms to fill out (we have to phone to chase every day now!). Also, I last renewed my work permit back in October when I got back to England, and it lapsed again in December. So, I’m expecting a bill for: 15000baht for 2004 Balance sheet, 2000baht to update work permit (Dec-Mar), 4000baht charge for moving company, plus 4-5 months service charge for the lawyer (1500baht a month) and a few thousand baht income tax on last years invoices that the accountant hasn’t seen yet. Total expected to be in excess of 30000baht.

Plus, Thai laws state that you must apply for a non-immigrant business visa from outside the country. For me, the nearest Thai embassy is in Penang, Malaysia, so it looks like I’ll have to head down there just like I did the first time, which takes 2-3 days. Overstay charges on leaving the country about 2000baht, one year multiple entry visa charge 6000baht, travel and accommodation expenses 3000baht. Total 11000baht.

This amounts to about 47000baht, and god knows how many lost days of productivity. This is around 650 UK. My bank account currently shows a balance of just over 200 UK, so I’m not even half-way there yet. I need to find at least another 450 UK in the next week. Although my main project is now near completion, it’ll still be a few weeks in preview/testing before I can invoice for it. I’m currently calling in a couple of outstanding invoices for work that’s done and dusted, but that still won’t cover it! Donations now being gratefully accepted :) Begging letters in the post.