masuk

To receive the age pension upon reaching the age of 65 you must have lived in Australia at least 2 of the years between 60 and 65 . . . . . .

To get the full age pension and live overseas, you must have lived in Australia a total of 25 years.

Look up Centrelink on the internet, and then download the information. http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/publications/int019.htm

There are some reductions, such as phone and power supplements. Also the Medicare card is cancelled once you leave permanently.

I was advised to keep my pension going to my Aussie bank until I really wanted to make the break.

I've had a KIA Rio in Australia for almost 3 years. Can't fault it, needs little servicing and has a 5 year warranty. I really enjoy the air con too!

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Hi,

I am renting my studio in Chiang Mai, it is in the Hillside 9 condo, near Carrefour shopping Mall, about 4 km from Tha Pae Gate, close to all amenities. You can stay as long as you want, 10.000 THB/month. Free cable TV, free adsl. Everything inside the condo is new (32" Sony LCD, dvd player, shower cabin, kitchenette, free golf equipment...). This is "farang" standard condo, not some cheap place you can find here.

Please send me an email if interested or want more details.

Thanks.

Sounds great. where do I find your email address

Last year I joined a large number of expat teachers who were going to do 12 months of volunteer teaching in Chiang Mai. I was issued with an ED visa from Brisbane, and headed off to Chiang Mai. The program had been cancelled and I was told I could NOT do any volunteer teaching, but HAD to do 12 months of Thai language or leave!

I chose to leave, and hopefully one day we'll all get our 'program fees' returned!!

I was issued a Thai ED visa, good for 12 months, so that I could do volunteer English Teaching in Chiang Mai. ( I had been teaching in Asia for 6 years prior to this) As most readers would know, the volunteer program with Chiang Mai university did not eventuate. I was told by the acting head of Department in the language school, that I had to study Thai, could not do any teaching on an ED visa, and if I stopped studying, I'd have to leave the country.

I chose the latter, as I had intended teaching, not learning Thai.

Since I returned, I've read a lot of contraindications about having to leave.

Any new comments?

I have been swimming here for 20 years, must have missed something... I bet it's much more dangerous to cross the street

THis subject has been broached several times ob=ver the last few years and the lack of action - even cover up - has been suggested.

comments like the above are extremely unhelpful and show a lack of appreciation for the people killed and the risk involved.

A box jelly sting - attack is not really the right word - is very often fatal.

THey are not at all easily visible by swimmers and without simple emergency treatment and basic warning and advice there will be more needless deaths.there are some simple precautions that can mean the difference between life and death.A few years ago, I even asked the company I was working with if they were interested in sponsoring a campaign to educate people about these animals and provide first aid in the form of vinegar on beaches around Thailand - it fell on deaf ears.

Anyone who has lived in Queensland will know that the threat of "stingers" is real and serious.Whether there is a change in population or habitat as not yet been made clear.there was a conference on it in Phuket a while back but as expected virtually no concrete action has resulted.

BTW - I think that the pictures are not all of the box jelly one appears to be a portuguese man-of-war - unpleasant but nowhere near as deadly as the box-jelly or stinger.

Deeral is right on the ball with his comments.

A couple of years ago when I was in Khao Lak, a Scandinavian guy came out of the water, covered in a jellyfish rash. I poured on vinegar, even though the staff at the beach side resto said it shouldn't be used.

Later I was told by a jellyfish expert in Townsville that it was mosty probably a 'sheet jellyfish' that caused the sting. Vinegar was the correct first aid.

If there are box jellyfish around, then that is bad news. Northern Queensland beaches are full of warning, bottles of vinegar every 200 metres and parts of the beach netted off to keep out the stingers.

Box jellyfish have long tentacles, and where they hit you, a large rash is left like a burn. It is a painful way to die I'm told.

The term Irukunji' is aboriginal, and means something like 'painful death'.

I came to Chiang Mai under a 'cultural exchange program' run by a certain university, where it appears I've done my dough. The main problem though is that the visa I arrived here with is an ED VISA.

I have been advised by this Uni that if I fail to attend Thai classes, my visa will be revoked. Having to pay an extra $100.00 to do the course is not big problem. Actually, I came here to be a volunteer teacher, as a result of their advertisements, and did a helluva lot of preparation for course materials before I left Oz. . I'm not so sure at my age that I can take in an intensive course in Thai over the next 8 months.

So the question is this: how much of a problem is it likely to be to change my visa from an ED visa to maybe a non-immigrant visa, which apparently will allow me to do the volunteer English teaching I came here for?

I qualify age-wise for a retirement visa, but the loot is locked up in a fixed deposit for another 8 months.

I don't really want to go overseas and start the whole visa thing again.

Comments/advice appreciated.

any ideas on why the prices recommended for Thailand Hondas seem to be a lot more in Chiang mai showrooms.

is this usual? where's a good place to shop around.

newbie

I'm in Chiang Mai on an Ed visa, but long-term plan to move to a retirement visa.

Is it possible to open a Thai bank account for whatever reason, but eventually will have to have the retirement amount in there?

Ideally, I'd be looking at a day to day account and leave the retirement fund well alone.

Any ideas of who pays reasonable interest while all that money is sitting in there?

Speaking of ED Visas, I'm about to approach Chiang Mai uni once again to see what is going on. If the Professor concerned is not out on another 'doctor's visit', I'll try and find out what's happening and will let this forum know.

I have been warned that the visa/attendance is checked each 30 days.

I was in Phuket/Patong last week, and it was interesting to see that there were a great many tourists driving past the beach areas, and stopped by the police for passport checks.. Seems they're pretty tough if you don't carry your passport . Don't know if a copy is sufficient or not.

It is getting towards the end of the month when funds run low.

I have spoken with both Matt and Prof. Rien.

All those affected by this should know that:

1. Matt is leaving Thailand this week in an attempt to raise funds in Australia and refund students (and perhaps also employees) he owes money to.

2. Prof. Rien has told me in the presence of witnesses that CMU accuses Matt of illegal visa selling activities as the head of IUS and that they intend to try to bar him from entering Thailand.

3. Matt has told me, via email, that he intends to sue CMU for crimonal libel against him.

A very very messy situation right now. And the money I paid to IUS is nowhere to be seen

Do you have Prof Rien's email address?

I think I should email him and try and see him in the next couple of days.

This is the reply I got from the email address I was given by Matt:

Delivery to the following recipient failed permanently:

Put a hold on the knife, fork and motorbike helmet!!

I just looked at the address that "Matt" emailed me from last night, and it's possible that his mails are being replied to by others.

Mysteriouser and mysteriouser....

ad

3rd October

Dear Adrian,

I am no longer employed by LICMU.

All classes are running as scheduled. Please contact:

Professor Rien

Director

Room 127

Language Institute

Chiang Mai University

Mob: 081 950 9733

Masuk, if that email is form Matt I'll eat my motorbike helmet! Someone at the LI is playing silly beggars.....

Signed. Mathew Kay

(I was given an email address, but it does not work. Adrian)

OOOPs, got that wornk --I'll try again! Masuk, if that email is from matt, I'll eat my motorbike helmet -- someone at LI is playing silly beggars...

This whole CMU disaster became known to me for the first time last Sunday (26th September) when I received an e-mail from CMU advising that the course was closing on September 30th.

The forum seems to have been going well before that, and I have only just picked it up.

My situation is that I leave Australia for Chiang Mai this coming Tuesday, armed with an ED Visa, having paid out 18,000 THB for the course, and $250 for the Ed Visa. It would be nice to think I'll get my course fee back, but I'm not holding my breath.

The Thai Consul in Brisbane seems to think that I should have no problems entering Thailand as the visa is legitimate, but I don't want to find out otherwise at Immigration, BKK.

Does anyone have any ideas on this?

The Conul is correct... You will be admitted for 90 days... So you have 90 days to decide your future.

Once here you can contact ILCMU and see if you still have a class to attend. If they don't give you a satisfactory answer you can contact one of the several other Language schools in Chiang Mai that sponsor Ed visas to find another program. If you choose another school, in order to be strictly legal you may have to do a little paperwork to notify Immigration that you've switched schools. You should talk to your new school about that, it may not be necessary, if it is it should be easy. Getting your deposit back from ILCMU/IUS becomes the problem then, and none of us are clear where we stand on that.

thank you for that information. I'll be there as soon as the jet lag is over!

Here's the emails I received last Sunday, 8 days ago. first I'd heard of any problems.

I was advised in a following email that all Immigration queries are to be directed to Immigration Dept.

September 26th

Dear all Cultural Exchange Program Participants,

I'm very sorry to inform you that the Cultural Exchange Program at the Language Institute, Chiang Mai University has been closed down.

Without much forewarning nor consultation with the IUS (International University Services) office, it was decided by the executive management of the Language Institute, CMU (LICMU) to close all IUS programs. IUS was contracted by LICMU to run several programs including CEP.

I apologize for not informing you of the situation sooner; however, we ourselves were not fully informed of the situation and wanted to wait until we could offer you firm information about any changes. IUS has done everything in its power to safe the programs or at least get more time to close or transfer the programs in a proper way to ensure that none of you would become the victim of this but unfortunately this hasn't worked out.

I was employed by IUS to run the CEP and now that the program has closed down I am no longer an employee.

I'm incredibly sorry having to bring this news to you and there's nothing left for me other than to offer you my sincere apologies.

For any inquiries I will need to refer you to IUS.

For any questions and/ or refunds please contact Dr. Matthew Kay on the following email address: [email protected]

I thank you for all your great input in the Cultural Exchange Program and wish you all the best.

Yours Sincerely,

Carmen Rademaker

From: Matthew Kay <[email protected]>

Date: Sun, Sep 26, 2010 at 2:50 PM

Subject: email for CEP students

To: Carmen Rademaker <[email protected]>

Dear 1 Year Thai Language students & Cultural Exchange Program participants,

Firstly, let me begin by saying how sorry I am for the interruption to your studies and placements, your visa uncertainties, and for any financial losses you may have incurred.

Secondly, let me explain to you what has happened briefly and how this situation arose:

For a number of years, IUS/International University Services has administered in partnership with LICMU a number of programs for foreigners. Some of these programs have been running for as long as 5 years or more. The nature of the partnership between IUS and LICMU was a 40% (IUS) - 60% (LICMU) split of profits after costs. Recently, it was decided by the incoming new director of LICMU that they did not wish continue any more programs for foreigners at LICMU. Unfortunately, this decision and the procedures by which this transition could be smoothly conducted was never discussed with IUS/International University Services by anyone from either LICMU nor CMU. Instead, what happened was that LICMU ceased to sign any visas necessary for foreign students to study and gave notice that all LICMU classrooms for foreign programs would no longer be available after 30 September 2010.

IUS tried on a number of occasions very hard to convince LICMU that this was not a workable solution, and one that would cause much hardship to our students. However, once IUS realized that there would be no change to these decisions, IUS began to try to solve the situation in some other way, and when that could not be done, IUS began to refund money, pay for overstays, and pay bus fares and air tickets for those students most immediately affected. We then began to try and find other places which may sponsor our students visas. We were able to secure an agreement with another university in Chiang Mai. However, suddenly, and so far, inexplicably, that agreement was discontinued by the alternative university.

So this is how it stands at the moment:

* LICMU will still not sign visas.

* LICMU has said there are to be absolutely no classes for foreigners at LICMU after 30 September 2010.

* IUS has exhausted all its funds in the refunding of courses fees and other expenses due to students because of lack of either a visa or classes.

* LICMU is refusing to refund any money to students.

For the last few weeks, as the director of IUS, I have felt that I was justified in telling affected students that the rest of the refunds must be now paid by LICMU (from LICMU's 60%) and that IUS had met its responsibilities by making payments well exceeding the 40% of income that it had received.

I was wrong.

In this type of situation, where one partner (LICMU) refuses to meet their obligations to students, it was wrong of me to think that that excuses IUS (or myself) from its continuing responsibilities to our students. It was wrong of me to allow affected students to get handed around like a "hot potato" from IUS to LICMU and back again, with no one taking responsibility for the situation that students - by absolutely no fault of their own - had found themselves in. I am very sorry and I will do everything in my power to rectify my mistake.

Therefore, IUS (and myself) from this point forward takes full (and personal) responsibility for the further refunding of any fair claim from students either in the Cultural Exchange Program or the 1 Year Thai Language Program.

IUS (and myself) will need some time to refund all monies owed to all students (there are currently close to 300 affected students). However, I believe that IUS can clear ALL monies owing within 180 days.

Please email at: [email protected]. In your email, if you could tell me what you believe you are owed and why, I will compile a list of all monies owing to our students. Once I have a total amount, I will then be able to work out when you may receive your refund. I will then email you with the latest date that you can expect to receive your refund.

IUS begin to replenish its funds during October. Therefore, students can expect the first of their payments to be made by IUS during October.

Again, I am very very sorry for the inconvenience and hardship caused to all our students; and I give you my promise that I will do everything I possibly can to resolve the situation honorably and responsibly and in the shortest time possible.

Your Sincerely,

Matthew Kay

Director

IUS/International University Services

3rd October

Dear Adrian,

I am no longer employed by LICMU.

All classes are running as scheduled. Please contact:

Professor Rien

Director

Room 127

Language Institute

Chiang Mai University

Mob: 081 950 9733

Signed. Mathew Kay

(I was given an email address, but it does not work. Adrian)

Your visa remains valid and you will get a 90 day permission to stay.

Only an EXTENSION of stay would become invalid.

Thanks.

I received an email 5 minutes ago, advising me that courses are still running and for me to contact a Professor Rien.

I used the email address supplied, but it has just been returned as incorrect.

quote: All classes are running as scheduled. Please contact:

Professor Rien

Director

Room 127

Language Institute

Chiang Mai University

This whole CMU disaster became known to me for the first time last Sunday (26th September) when I received an e-mail from CMU advising that the course was closing on September 30th.

The forum seems to have been going well before that, and I have only just picked it up.

My situation is that I leave Australia for Chiang Mai this coming Tuesday, armed with an ED Visa, having paid out 18,000 THB for the course, and $250 for the Ed Visa. It would be nice to think I'll get my course fee back, but I'm not holding my breath.

The Thai Consul in Brisbane seems to think that I should have no problems entering Thailand as the visa is legitimate, but I don't want to find out otherwise at Immigration, BKK.

Does anyone have any ideas on this?

I'd be interested to know where you have been working. I have asked the university in Chiang Mai for an Ed visa (volunteer) and paid $600.00 up front for this. However, it's only weeks to go before my plane flies out, and i haven't heard much at all from them.

do you know if it takes a while to get this through?