young thai/american relationship

[mrtnmccn]

hey everybody, my first post.

i am a senior in highschool and so is my thai girlfriend. we met as juniors in washington. we have been dating for several months and she recently went back to thailand because her student visa expired. we have been very close since we met. we spent nearly every day together while she was here. its very difficult being so far apart after spending so much time together. its difficult to communicate because of the 14 hour time difference. i plan on visiting her in thailand in the near future. i have never traveled before. how much would a plane ticket and visa to thailand cost me? or where might i find this information? i plan on staying in thailand for a few weeks or maybe months. thanks for any help.

[Sved]

American citizens can stay in Thailand up to 30 days without a Visa, under the Tourist Visa Exemption. If you wish to stay longer it's probably easiest to apply for a visa in your country.

Check the Thai Embassy

For tickets I suggest contacting a Travel Agent

[Khun Don]

Also suggest you do your homework thoroughly on the culture of the country-it is very, very different to USA & Europe.
For example,
Holding hands with your girlfriend in public in her home town/village is a no-no (but you might get away with it in Bangkok-but never with her family around!)
Greeting people
Attitudes towards the King,
Behavior towards her parents
Your girlfriend may have told you a lot already-but there is still a lot to learn for a happy visit.
This site is the very best place to ask.
Do a search if you have a particular question-and don't be afraid to ask if you can not find what you are looking for.
You will be helped as much as possible.

[paul_au]

Just remember the Thai parents, they start making the rules of engagement and if you don't comply you will become the enemy, so be strong and don't let your self be railroaded on every thing.

[khonrai]

Hi

ah to be young and in love. and so naive.

If you meet this girl here in states then her parents either have money or the thai government payed and they will be looking for a financial well off educated man for her.

does she want you to come visit her.
prepare for an emotional roller coaster
if you go to visit her.

depending where she lives it will be nothing like you have seen before

Airfare is around $1000
all you need is a passport and you can stay for 30 days
A $1000 should be enough for a months stay

My wife has no problem with the 14 hr time difference call in morning or at night
Have you been intimate with her or expect too when you visit her in Thailand.
If so do not tell parents.

good luck

[Nymue]

good luck young man.. i hope your stay in Thailand would be nice as mine.. have fun and be polite to every people around especially to your girl's family...

[Khun Don]

See what I mean about the help?

[mrtnmccn]

thanks for all the help guys.i understand it will be different over there. im sure her mother will be fine with me. we've talked over the phone and she seems to like me and appears to be very understanding. i plan on asking her if something is appropriate before i do it anyway. shes not incredibly well off. she was in an exchange program. ive seen a lot of emotion from her . should be fine. thanks for the help and luck.

[Khun Don]

Stay in touch-complete the registration process and become a full member-you should have received an e-mail when you signed up -it may be in your spam folder-tell us about your trip if you want to when you get back.

[Susana]

I'm glad to see that you have spoken with her mother. It's good that you have the opportunity to get to know her a bit before you go for a visit.
If your girlfriend also has internet connection in her home maybe she can send you pictures of her family and the community where she lives. In turn you can send her pictures which she can share with her family, so that they can get to know you a bit.
As others have told you, you need to be prepared for cultural differences and this is an excellent place to educate yourself. When you meet, her family will be impressed that you have taken the opportunity to educate yourself about Thailand.
Am I correct in guessing that you are on summer vacation now and that you will graduate next spring? If you have that amount of time before you go for a visit you will have a good opportunity to learn about Thai culture before you go.
Are there Thai restaurants or shops, or maybe even a Thai temple near you? Maybe you could visit and even make some new friends at those places.
In any case, I wish you well.