bangkockney

What visa was applied for in the first place?

Can't be either of the student routes as they don't attract full rights of appeal, except on race relations or human rights grounds.

Hope you are right Beano, it was the Apeal thing that got me worried, thinking that an apeal means that the first application has been refused?

Cheers, Lickey,,

If you have a any corrupted mail pop will fail.

Why the insistance on pop over imap? Do you enjoy deleting the same email multiple times?

Suggest you at least enable imap and try to fetch your email that way to at least isolate pop as the problem.

Their fax memory is probably full, hence the connect then disconnect.

Edit: sorry, just read you have problems with all Bangkok numbers.

You should also check the network settings in your browser.

TeamViewer can be configured to accept LAN connections only.

Be aware that any RD package is not stealthy: mouse and keyboard inputs are transferred as default, so be sure to disable these features whichever piece of software you go with.

Install teamviewer (its free), however both machines (yours and the one you want to view), should be able to connect to the internet

Thanks for the suggestion but I dont want it to be used via the internet as per post no:5

Just why are you here then osiboy if you have such contempt for Thailand and Thais?

Perhaps we should take a look at the roots of corruption. Without claiming to be exhaustive, here some reasons why corruption is rampant:

- Inefficient bureaucracy and government agencies with outdated business models

- Lack of education in basic civic rights, organization of communities

- Patronage system; the elders are not questioned, or challenged.

- Thai law against libel and defamation. Truth does not exonerate. Corrupt officials cannot be publicly blamed.

- as the poll shows, people don't think it's bad, don't understand the enormous damage to the country and economy. 20% of taxmoney wasted.

Please add yours...

- Low salaries of public servants

- Low education of people

- Big financial gaps between social classes

- Lacking transparency of governance

- Unstable political situation

- Lack of democracy

- Lack of freedom of word

- Heavy bureaucracy

- Centralized power

I keep seeing these stupid posts along the lines of 'Every country in the World is corrupt'. Referencing in the main, Wall Street/politicians/corporations. But I'm willing to bet you go report a crime in your home country, and something gets DONE about it.

And, by the way, not ALL Thais are 'happy' with corruption, they simply feel powerless to do anything about it. Which, given my previous post on other countries taking action, of whatever kind. This, I put down to the stupid amerta/'face' system here.

The 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index shows that nearly three quarters of the 178 countries in the index score below five, on a scale from 10 (highly clean) to 0 (highly corrupt). These results indicate a serious, worldwide corruption problem.

Interestingly, it is the countries that surround Thailand that are more corrupt (Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, Nepal,Cambodia, Indonesia etc). In fact, in the immediate region, only Malaysia, Macau, Bhutan and Taiwan score better than Thailand.

With reference to the West, Russia is considered to be more corrupt than Thailand (it ranks a full 76 places below Thailand). Russia comes in at 154/178.

There are other European countries that have a comparable corruption perception index to Thailand, such as Italy, Ukraine, Belerus, Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, Moldova etc

That said, I do of course agree that whilst corruption is certainly present in the West, it is in no way as endemic as other parts of the world. What is interesting, is that there are a large number of European countries that are neither squeaky clean nor riddled with corruption. Hardly a fine example to hold up for the world.

It should also be pointed out that Thailand is in no way the most corrupt country in the world; it ranks 78/178 (i.e. in the top 50%), so massively harsh criticism of Thailand is rather unjustified.

4.3.4 here and absolutely no problems. All apps still usable and no reduced battery life.

You need to add the Thai keyboard in Control Panel.

Control panel > clock, language, region > change keyboards or other input methods > change keyboards > add > Thai Kedmanee

Yes, Child Benefit is usually considered a Public Fund for the purposes of Immigration. However, there are several exceptions to the rule of public funds.

If a person is subject to immigration control and lives with a family member who is a British citizen or a national of a country in the European Economic Area (EEA) they can claim certain public funds if they have a right to reside in the UK.

Child Benefit is on this list. The full list is:

• Attendance Allowance

• Carer's Allowance

• Child Benefit

• Child Tax Credits

• Working Tax Credits

• Disability Living Allowance

• Contributory related Employment and Support Allowance - ESA ©

• Severe Disablement Allowance

• Social Fund Payment

When it comes to making her ILR application, she can safely tick the No box for the question are you receiving public funds.

It's when you turn your new computer on and start browsing the internet you need to start worrying. Just keep your computer patched, leave the firewall on, install a reputable antivirus package (the Windows one is fine), avoid sharing USB sticks and get a better browser. And think about turning Javascript off.

Just have a good backup process is all

Not really, if you're behind a NAT firewall/router, any software firewall becomes redundant and in the majority of cases, breaks things.

Turning JS off is just a legacy option left in place for the overly paranoid. Turning JS off completely can break cross-site payment auths. etc. Better to manage JS through a plugin, such a NoScript. In fact, most browsers now have built in options for what kinds of JS functions should be allowed. Having much more granular control is better than simple on or off.

Don't really spot the OP's issue? Why not just buy the 40k laptop and swap-out the HDD? Where's the drama?

I agree, but there is a discrepancy. The OP refers to a "certificate", the refusal notice refers to a "letter". Something that the OP needs to clear up, hence my question back to him.

The British Council may be an approved provider, but it seems that she did not provide a certificate from them.

From the part of the refusal notice quoted

The evidence that you have submitted comprises a progress report from St.john's bell language centre in bangkok and

letter from the british council in thailand stating that you sat a placement test with them. St.John is not on the UK Border Agency's list of approved language providers and a british council placement test is not an approved test under the rules

Seems pretty clear to me.

Of course, the ECO could have completely misread the evidence, but, to be frank, I think it more likely that Geordiephil's wife misunderstood what she was told about the documents she was being given by the language centre and the British Council.

Geordiephil, if you do post copies of any certificates etc., please remove her name and any other identifying info first.

In one post the OP states a placement test, this is used by language centers to determine a students ability before putting them in a class.

I know what a placement test is, and BC Thailand does offer them (in order to provide recommendation as to which courses to study).

The BC placement test includes a 40 minute written test and a 5-10 minute speaking test, costs 600 Baht. The combined test should not take more than 1 hour.

The refusal notice references a BC placement test, but this has not yet been confirmed hence my question to the OP. It seems the details the OP has provided do not match the description of a BC placement test.

OP should confirm this was the test taken at BC Bangkok or provide details of what is on the "certificate" his partner was issued.

Agreed waiting for VAT invoices is annoying. If it was made compulsory, life would be much more frustrating. No more choice.

If saying 3 words to a taxi driver in Thai to get a receipt is so AGGRAVATING, I'd love to know how much it takes to send you over the edge completely.

What is this? Pedant's corner?

It is a PAIN IN THE ARSE having to ask for and wait for a VAT receipt. Good for all Thais if all VAT registered businesses have to issue VAT receipt automatically.

It is an AGGRAVATION to have to ask taxi drivers in Thai to get a receipt at the toll booths.

AND it pisses me off to have to ask for a receipt after paying a four figure sum for parking at Phuket airport.

What test did she supposedly sit? What does it say on the certificate? Better still, scan and post it.

The BC is an official test centre for IELTS. They don't offer own branded tests as far as I know.

I agree with all that has been said. I don't see how you can get around the fact that you did not provide a test pass certificate from an approved provider. The visa officer has not made any error in law, nor has he misused his judgment. The refusal was based on fact. Regarding the accommodation, that should be easy to get right for the next application. I also don't think any appeal will succeed, although you can submit the appeal and a new application at the same time. The appeal will take longer to resolve than the new application.

the test centre was an approved provider and still is on the list ie British Council, i was with my wife when she enquired and she made it quite plain what test she required i went with her for the test she was there 2 hours in which she sat the 2 modules she was privided with the certificate and told that was the right one for ukba????

Never had a problem getting a VAT receipt for a company purchase. Just annoying to wait for them to write the details out.

I've always got receipts from expressways when I've asked for them. Hardly a rigmarole to just ask for one now is it.

All I can conclude is that no one in the country has realised that the costs to society of corruption ALWAYS outweigh the benefits. But then that would need someone to teach people this concept, and we have had a thousand threads about the state of the Thai education system, so there we have it. Pure and simple.

It's a bit hard for the teachers to teach that corruption is bad and why corruption is bad, when generally they are just as everyone else.

Says it all doesn't it.

The problem is that people in Thailand know that the government is as corrupt as them, so why on earth should they bother to pay their taxes? It is a vicious circle, and whilst it is nice to talk about subsidizing fuels and rice and healthcare, any government would be swimming in cash if they could simply get out of the economy what is mandated by law.

I would take taxes on SMEs and halve them but lock up anyone running an SME who didn't pay his tax. Close up the ludicrous loopholes that Thaksin drove AIS through and the such, change the 51/49 ownership rules to allow more medium size FDI in the country, and slowly weedle away at the informal economy in the country. One way, although it isn't popular would be to reform the VAT system in the way that China has done. Everyone wants a VAT receipt because the government runs a lottery on the receipts. Very very smart. For a 100 rmb VAT receipt, and individual can win up to 50k USD approx.

When was the last serious review of the tax law in this country? 20 years/30 years ago?????? This is what I was hoping that Korn would get around to doing, so that closing tax loopholes regularly would become part and parcel of political life in Thailand.

Great idea re-VAT receipts. What a rigmarole it is to get a VAT receipt!

Same with tollway receipts. I'll bet there's enough money trousered in that scam to buy a jet airliner!

Have used efax for years with no problem. Instant signup online.

I'll bite. How did you get them to proove their Id before releasing your own personal details?

It's impossible for Data Protection reasons.

Who has ever challenged a call from say a credit card company, who asks you for personal details to verify your identity? Very few people I bet.

Er..I thought pretty much everyone did. Maybe not the really really stupid. That's like life 101 stuff.

Yet Apps customers still can't use Google+....fix up!

I don't use voicemail in Thailand.

In the UK where I do have pin-access services, I always change them. Kind of a no brainer, or not as it seems.

I think the article misses the point somewhat; no need to bribe an operator to call and get info when it can be done yourself with social engineering.

Who has ever challenged a call from say a credit card company, who asks you for personal details to verify your identity? Very few people I bet.

Had she actually been convicted of an offence? And has court documents?

Establish this first and then see an immigration lawyer.

Why pop and not imap?

I don't understand what all the arguing is about. There is already the kind of structured approach you desire.

Applicant has solid income, money in the bank, obedient travel history = application less scrutinised, less documentary evidence required.

No money, no home-country ties, romantic relationship with UK-based sponsor = application further scrutinised, more documentary evidence required.

I don't see what all the fuss is about.

And yes, clearly, if you are considered an important person - Diplomat, Royalty - visas can be fast-tracked, as you'd expect.

It happens based on nationality. It happens based on work-load. It happens as a fact of life.

Manarak, you seem to feel that as a sponsor, your good standing she expedite the applicant's visa application. This can never happen as you are not the one main focus of scrutiny.

The bullet grazed the back of the Ms Cody's skull is in no way the same as shot in the head.