mark51mark

great map. That's just what I wanted to see.

We have no flooding at all here in Thanon Samwa which is near Minburi and Ram Intra. So far so good

Cheers

Jack

Google's flood map of Thailand:

http://www.google.or...iland_floods_en

go to the one more bar and speak to rob, he will sort it all out for you.

well in lad, great work. got a daughter who'll be 1 next week, havnt seen her in the flesh yet,[ came outta work this year],[no dosh], going back to see them in november, were not married, i want my daughter to have dual citenzship, and was worried i'd have to marry the gf. . .[ if you'd seen her photo you'd know why], but i want to try and get the two of them over here [merseyside] asap. and to be honest the more i look into this visa business the more its doing me head in. but first things first, is it easier for me to get her registered here or over there, is it cheaper, here or there. what forms do i have to get and from where. if u can help with any of these, i'd really appreciate it. and thanks anyway for the work youve already done.

Where the father is a British citizen otherwise than by descent which, I would suggest, is more often than not the case in relation to applications likely to be submitted through the embassy in Bangkok, the decision is discretionary. However, the Borders and Immigration Agency has a policy statement which says:-

,so although it's discretionary, providing that the criteria are fulfilled, the child will be registered as a British citizen. Indeed, it would be perverse to have a situation whereby those born outside of the UK illegitimately to a British father on or after 1 July 2006 are automatically British, yet those born before this can't even register.

However, to be an absolute pedant, the guidance on the embassy website is still erroneous as there are different sections of the British nationality Act 1981 under which a child can be registered as a British citizen, and some are by entitlement; i.e. there is no element of discretion involved.

Scouse.

great work

H'i All BRITS that need help on the subject of getting their iilegitmate child/children registered as a British Citizen.

I can confirm, all written above by The Scouser is 100% correct.

My event with the British Embassy in BKK was fraught with despair as my heart sunk; only due to their total incompetence and the lack of knowledge of the British Law relating to registering children as British Nationals.

I can tell you all now, their website and the info they give is INCORRECT so don't read it and think you have lost before you have began.

If you want to register your children even if they are UNDER 18 years of age the process is there, but they just don't know it.

From the date of my return to the UK (without offspring) it took just under 1 month to get British Citizenship for my daughter.

I can't wait to walk into the British Embassy in BKK with my daughters UK registration certificate to get her BRITISH PASSPORT and show them how wrong they were.

Any of you out there who need help on this matter PM me or "the scouser" and we will tell you who how it was done and who you need to help you.

I would like to thank Davies Khan and "the scouser" for their help in this matter for minimal cost to help me get my daughters British Citizenship under British Law as she is intitled too. (but not according to the staff in the Embassy in BKK)

Note: I have just been informed that the UK Embassy in BKK are being instructed from the UK office to re'word their website and state the truth about child registration. Hopefully they will get it right this time.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A victory for the indivdual!

Illegitimate Children has a two-year-old daughter born in Thailand who, although not a British citizen through entitlement, had a rock solid claim to registration as such. He duly turned up at the British embassy in Bangkok to apply, only to be shown the door because the consular officer maintained that as his daughter was then over a year old she had missed the boat. In order to substantiate this claim she directed IC to the embassy website which states (though hopefully not for much longer):-

British Fathers, who are not married, can now apply to register children who are born abroad prior 1 July 2006, with the Home Office. It must be noted this is discretionary. All applications must be received within the first 12 months of the child's birth.

From his own research, IC established that this guidance is not only misleading, but legally incorrect, and, knowing that he was to shortly visit the UK, decided to make the application directly to the Borders and Immigration Agency (BIA) in the UK.

IC was aware that as his daughter was still in Thailand, there was always a risk that the BIA would reject the application as invalid, and sure enough the inevitable telephone call arrived: "Terribly sorry, but you're going to have to make this application via the embassy in Bangkok."

IC stood his ground and explained that the embassy had already declined to accept the application, so he could have no faith that it would now be duly processed. He also highlighted the website guidance. Phone calls ensued and the matter wound its way up the BIA's chain of command, when they relented. As a consequence of the British embassy's incorrect advice and refusal to accept the original application, IC's daughter's registration certificate is to be issued without further ado. Additionally, the BIA's Nationality Group has undertaken to contact the embassy in order to demand that their website accurately reflects the law (and hopefully train their staff, too).

There is no telling how many people may have previously been dissuaded from seeking registration for their children because of the embassy's inaccurate advice, but they should bear in mind that for discretionary registration the only requirement is that the applicant be a minor.

Hats go off to the BIA Nationality Group in Liverpool, in particular the caseworker who put IC's case to her management (she'll shortly be receiving a glowing letter of commendation) and isn't it refreshing to find a government department that perceives itself to be there to offer assistance and not to frustrate.

Mind you, what else do you expect from a bunch of Scousers?

Scouse.

I think you will be required to marry the mother of your child to move forward with her visa.

i hope not , i believe a dowry would be expected, and without sounding like a keeneeow, which i'm not, i havnt got it, unless there willing to accept an i o u . lol, she'll have to remain the old gf for the time being.

speaking from personal experience, my mother was allowed to stay in the U.K for over a decade, based on the fact that she was mother to a British citizen. She could have stayed indefinitely this way, but she eventually applied for citizenship after about 20 years and was naturalised very quickly. So i think getting your daughter a british passport is a big step. Also, i believe there are EU and UN directives against the seperation of mother and child, but i'll leave it for the legal boffins to inform you.

that sounds promising, maybe a letter to a euro mp maybe the next step. thanks very much

cannot offer any practical advice, but would like to wish you good luck, and I hope you can get your family to the UK very soon

thanks for your support kunash, its appreciated

got a thai gf and a 11month old daughter in bangkok, i'm back in england outta work and i'm racking me brains how i'm going to get them back here. dont want to waste what little money ive got, getting knocked back for a visa. i'm due to go back over in november and will apply for a passport for my daughter, [ another 400 quid ] or so i believe. but i'm told having a daughter who holds a brit passport, dosnt help the mother any. sounds ridiculous if true. obviously i'm hoping to find work soon, but dosnt look to promising at the moment, [ building trade ]. would appreciate any advice. thanks

Try Praht Thai School in Minburi -- new and very different...exciting too.

Very low fees for what you get.

www.prahtthai.com

sounds interesting. especially as i'm sitting at home in england and my 11month old daughters with her mother in minburi. came outta work 3 months ago and its looking bleak. . . any idea on the fees.

As well as the links provided already, have a look at:-

Maintenance and accommodation

Settlement; spouses.

Obviously, you should obtain a British passport for your daughter (see How to register a birth ), but doing so will not guarantee a visa for your wife; she will still have to meet the necessary requirements.

From what you have said, proving the relationship should not be a problem; so it is the maintenance and accommodation that may be.

You already own a house in the UK; you should provide proof of that ownership (mortgage statement, copy of deeds) as well as evidence that the property is big enough for you and your wife, your daughter and your mother.

If you are unemployed and claiming public funds, this is no bar to your wife applying. However, you must show that her joining you will not result in you having to claim any extra public funds. You will be able to claim child benefit for your daughter, but you can't use this as a source of income in the application, I'm afraid.

You should also, of course, provide evidence of any other finances, income or savings, that you may have.

I would explain the situation regarding your mother and work situation in your sponsor's letter, and include any evidence you may have of your job search.

you lads have been a great help, once again thanks very much

Hi Mark,

Not sure from your post if you intend to live in England with your g/f permanently, but I assume you are as you say you're g/f will take care of your Mum.

Obtaining a visitor visa for your g/f and child should be relatively straight forward for you I imagine as you should be able to prove relationship. However, these visa's are only valid for 6 months out of any 12.

Therefore, if you are all intending to live in the UK permanently that wouldn't be any good, you'd want a settlement visa. These can be issued for fiance and spouses but maybe you don't want to get married or don't intend to marry in the near future.

You probably need to read a bit more about the type of visa you want first and then come back on the forum and ask questions once you've provided more info. Here's a couple of links which should give you some info on the type of visa and also visa requirements.

http://www.vfs-uk-th.com/

http://www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/

You also need to plan your application as they can take quite a long time to process. Here are the stats relating to June on applications:

http://www.ukvisas.g...processingtimes

Just click on Thailand on the drop down box.

Best of luck,

really appreciate the advice coming from you lads, thanks a lot

I went through a similar process a long time ago. But laws and regulations are forever changing and I am well out of touch with it these days.

I do not know where abouts you are in the Uk, but what we did was to visit one of those free legal advice centres. There is always one located in a high street somewhere. I found them extremely helpful, especially with Immigration matters.

Next, I would be wary to let your girlfriend go for an interview at the British embassy on her own. My friend did this and his girlfriend blew it under interigation.

Good luck and hope you are together as one family soon.

thanks, its another avenue to look at, by the way i'm in merseyside

You all need a history lesson to understand this. It's a sad story of people be lied to trick and used as slave labor. I don't condole what they do it is wrong but when your backed into a corner and there is no hope, many will choose to fight. I only see a sad story becoming even sadder.

And as long the people responsible for the massacre in Tak Bai on October 25th 2004 are not behind bars, there will be not a chance of peace in the South. Have a look at Youtube.

i agree, well said

U would get a better responce in the visa forums ...

Hope everything works out for u

thanks, i shall take your advice,

What boater says is probably right advice.

If you are in the Uk and your wife is here in Thailand then get her to go to the sorce The British Embassy in Bangkok or any British consulate that is near her and ask.

It's a long procedure but possible, don't expect any quick solutions.

The six month holiday visa might be the first best step.

Good luck

thanks will check it out, im a bit new to these forums and trying to find my way around at the moment

i wonder if anyone can help. . . have a gf of 5yrs standing, we have a beautiful baby daughter of 10months, and i would like to bring them back to the uk. now i know our child will qualify for dual citizenship, but i dont know if that garanties entry for my gf. . here lies my problem. . i own my own house but i lost my job this year, im currently out of work, my mothers now living with me as shes not capable of looking after herself. so it seems im stuck between a rock and a hard place. . . if i can bring them here, it would allow me the opportunity to get back to work, as my gf would be more than willing to care of my mother, i am 51 she is 44, i m a skilled worker she s unskilled, i have been paying for a mortgage on a house in bangkok for 3 years and will keep doing so whatever the outcome. so thats my current circumstances, and if anyones got some information that may help. i would be most grateful.

I think many of you have either been sucked into the stereotype or need to get out a bit more.. My missus has a great relationship with her parents.. They live down South near Surat Thani but my girl went to School/Uni in BKK along with her younger sister. Her older sister is married to a BKK Thai guy, the younger one to a Scottish fella and lives in the UK. All call each other on a weekly basis but seem to have litte interest in gossip or the 'my farang is better than your farang' games. Their Mother is friendly and unassuming. She calls for a chat once or twice a week and I often hear her laughing on the other end of the line. So far after three years together my girl has never asked for a satang. She runs a small factory and is self sufficient. She had a house and car when I met her and likes to contribute to our living costs.. She does help her parents out if they need something specific but they run a small shop and have all they need.. All in all the family are well adjusted and content.. My girl has no interest in gossip or the usual Thai style 'money number one' discussions.. Guess like anywhere you find good and bad people. I've been lucky...

Just to buck the odds further.. Her friends and relations from BKK appear to be of similar ilk... I've never been put in the 'farang can pay' situation when out with them... They are solid middle class people and have too much self respect to go begging to a farang..

The thai people they meet in the hotels and resturants ... are paid to smile

...That comment is right on target.

"Carmine" explained above, that it happens when a financial transaction is taking place.

I would expand that to say, smiles happens when value is moving to them -- financial, food, gifts, learning a few English words, a new house, etc.

Anything to their benefit, they will smile.

...And, we should keep in mind, they are trained to smile and they practice how to do it.

A recent girl friend worked in a 5-star hotel where the training program included how to greet customers.

She demonstrated for me what she learned in the training.

It was like a bright light suddenly turning on: the smile, the body language, the soft and sexy voice, full attention focused on the customer.

Then, when she finished demonstrating what she'd learned that day, the light switched off.

The performance suddenly stopped.

The face went blank, the body language slumped, and attention evaporated.

The change was dramatic and stunning.

The smiles are a well-practiced "act".

...Another way to observe this is to watch Thais with other Thais when no farangs are around.

Recently I found myself at Morchit bus station with a few hours to wait.

I found a quiet place almost hidden behind a pillar, and just settled in.

It was the perfect location to watch Thais with each other, when the others are strangers, not friends or family.

There are no smiles.

The faces are universally bland; no expression.

They show none of the excitement or focus we farangs experience in hotels, restaurants, shops.

With each other, Thais are in neutral.

What i dont get is people who have lived here a couple of years keep calling it the land of smiles. ... So why do people who have lived here a long time just fail to see what the real thailand is like.

...Many -- perhaps most -- long-stay farangs here are either (1) not "awake" or (2) drunk most of the time.

Most don't understand any of the language beyond a few words for food and beer.

They simply aren't aware of what's really happening around them.

But they do get the smiles ... because ... they have money to spend.

...On the other hand, something different happens often to me and probably to you:

Whenever I go into a shop or restaurant where I've never been before, the smiles flick on, the body language focuses on me -- just like they are trained to do.

If I speak English, the performance continues.

But if I speak Thai -- and my Thai is fairly good -- the smiles turn off, the body language turns away, the performance comes to a screeching halt.

They immediately realize they have little to gain from a farang who "knows too much".

...So, it this the Land of Smiles or not?

After 5+ years, I still enjoy the performance, but I understand it's purpose.

But, what is more important, I find the fundamental gentleness and kindness of most Thai people to be far more desirable than the sullen, self-interest which now pervades our Western home countries.

I have no complaints.

-- Oneman

Chiangmai

.

Some good points.

I would add though that I join in the game with the fake smiles now if I am speaking in Thai. When in Rome.......

My partner says I should not be two faced and smile when I don't mean it but I explain it is only a Thai smile. She appreciates the difference but still thinks I should behave more like a farang.

I just won't let the bastards grind me down. And I'm certainly not dropping any civilised standards to accommodate them. And I have no problems living in Thailand with that mind set. I actually like the place and most of its ordinary ( down to earth) people. But yes I play games with the so-called hi-sos and those who feel they are something special in the hierarchy.

caf

just tell her where to get off. . i to have a girlfriend from songklah, and believe me pal, never in her wildest dreams would she act like that. . . it always comes down to the same thing. does she love u or not, and i/m sorry to say in your case she dosn/t. generally girls from the south are more conservative in there attitudes than the north. [ predominant muslim population], and flashing porno images of themselves across the internet, doesn/t add up, unless of course she had previous bar experience.