Dakhar

I started a thread a few days back, that may be related to this.

In a single day, I had two visitors show up

1) immigration officers.  I didn't speak with them, they only spoke with my wife. In fact I was home, but no one bothered to let me know immigration officers were at the house.   They stated that a falang was registered to the address, and asked if the falang still lived there.   Then they asked to see my passport, and they took a photo of the ID section.   Then they asked her what the monthly house hold budget was on living expenses, and after that, they left.

2) customs officers showed up 1 hr after the immigration officers, asking about a box that was sent from China two years ago.  They asked for my wife to give an accounting of the contents of the box, when it was shipped, from where it was shipped, and how much the duty fees where.    She gave her accounting, and they said her accounting matched their records.   Then they left.

(the contents of the box: an Iron (for clothes) and some old clothes)   All used items, all item purchased in Thailand, used in China while we lived there, and shipped back to Thailand   

So.....   I guess we experienced the "crack down" that day.

15 minutes ago, soalbundy said:

If legally married you are allowed to help your wife

Thanks, but do u have any proof of that?  (sorry, I'm not trying to question your words, but I'd rest easier if I saw something in writing to that effect)

Wish I'd have known this 3 weeks back....  as getting the seed money back will be a bit precarious.

wife wants to start a cosmetic company empire (her dream).   I spot her the seed money, and now I'm a threat?

The ratio of farang to immigration officers in my area is probably 5 to 1, and there is probably only 10 farangs where I am at.  So the visitation by an immigration officer, that has been told by his boss to make a spot check is not a surprise to me.

The officers also told my wife, that we no longer needed to drive to Chiang Rai to do my 90 day check in, that I could now check in with the local police department. (which is a new development for this area)   According to my wife, their visit was short, and they didn't seem rude etc etc.  Only odd question was how much our monthly budget is.   

My documents are all up to date, and I do obey the 90 day reporting religiously.  

It was the visit by customs that was a surprise to me.

Im not sure if u folks have seen this, but Ive seen cops show up at a red box in front of a 7/11, and one cop takes a photo of his partner in front of 7/11 by the red box

The photo is being used to prove they are actually doing their job and stopping by 7/11.

I wouldnt be surprised if the photo of my passport is being used for the same function, not necessarily being used for much more than that.

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I sure wish they would do a little more of this in my home country and I sure don't blame them for trying to clear out the criminals here. If you don't have a valid permission to stay here than you are a criminal. In these times of international terrorism I would think we should welcome some checking up.

One package from China 2 years ago, in my mind, doesn't constitute nefarious actions, and certainly doesn't constitute a visit to your own home....  

Further more, the contents of the package was already clearly known, as it was opened by customs 2 years ago.

keep in mind, the box was addressed to my wife, so this matter was a "Thai" on "Thai" issue, with a special twist, a Thai married to a foreigner, which then smacks of possible xenophobia, laced with harassment to me.

Or just possibly, an investigation going on within the customs department for corrupt activities. (one can always hope)

12 hours ago, Jack Mountain said:

Which immigration office?

I'm in Chaing Rias jurisdiction 

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an Iron, and a simple Tefal at that! -  that costs 20K ThB !!!  

- what was packed inside it?

it all sounds like some mislead Customs Sting action!! - expecting to find something BIG.

 

 

It is one of those quality Tefal pressurized irons you can find at Robinsons. They really cut down on the time required to iron, fast and does a nice job.   I don't really care about irons that much, but my wife likes a good iron, so she gets a nice iron.

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

 

If you shut the door on any government official, as well as refusing to show your passport, you might find yourself at the airport quick sharp, after a few nights in a cell. Apart from their loss of face, and nothing in Thailand trumps that, you are refusing to cooperate in what might be and probably is a legitimate query. And for what? Hmm?

My wife had no inclination to shut the door on the immigration officers, as I stated before, she recognized one of them from a past visit about 3 years back.  They didn't take my passport with them, they just took a photo of the front page (ID section) of the passport

1 hour ago, tifino said:

 I wonder what happens when the team arrives at your home,

- and you've already headed off on some all-over-thailand trip? 

- and nobody - neighbours etc know how you can be contacted, nor when you'll be back...

 

  Is there some time frame, after which - the hammer comes down on you? for you not making any plans to make yourself available/contactable, at all times?

 

(I never answer calls from an Unknown / Unlisted / nor Private numbers BTW)

 

SIM tracking is not yet up and going either 

 

I was actually in my car, in the drive way when customs pulled up.  My wife and I were about to leave to go to Lotus.

54 minutes ago, RogerP said:

If the stuff was worth so little; why pay to ship it in the first place ?

It would have cost me 20K baht to replace the iron, and the clothes....   it was a lot of clothes.  The thing was, we lived in China, my wife became pregnant, and she left China at about 6 months pregnant, so she left a lot of her clothes behind that she no longer fit.   Once she had our baby, and regained her formal shape, she wanted her clothes back.

I wouldn't say the stuff was of little worth....

The "irony" is, the iron worked for about 16-18 months after we got it back from China and then died.   So when customs asked about it, my wife told them....    We still have it, and it is broken, and if they would like to see it, they are welcome to see it.   We purchased another Tefal (newer model) to replaced the broken one about 3 months back.

Another strange aspect about this tale is, customs (2 years back) opened the box that contained the iron and clothes and called us about the box, and they stated what the fees were going to be etc etc.   

So, I just find it strange, that customs officers come to our house asking what was in the box, as they already knew.....

As I said, my wife offered her account regarding the box, and then they said.... "Your account matches our records."   They also told her, that they were checking in on our box, as they wanted to make sure she wasn't bringing in goods from China and then selling them....

Which I think is strange, 1 box from China, over two years, makes a blip on the radar?

The more I ponder on this, I think they are ivestigating someone in the customs department (just a guess)

The immigration officials were legitimate, as my wife recognized one of the officers, that had done the first spot check after I applied for my first extension based on marriage.   But I have never had any subsequent spot checks, and I have renewed my extension 3 times.  (my 4th extension is due in a few months)

Regarding the budget question, it makes me wonder if they are taking a survey in order to increase the required monthly income demands for an extension based on marriage to a Thai. (I don't know, just a guess)

Regarding customs, yes, I wondered as well if they might be investigating corruption in the customs department.  We didn't do anything in the gray area, nor did we attempt to ask to pay off the customs officers etc etc.    

First round of Visitor

I had an unexpected visit from immigration officers today.  I was home, but unaware they were at the house, they spoke to my wife, asked if I still lived at the house, asked to see my passport, (took a photo) and asked how much we spent for a monthly budget.  

Second round of Visitors

About one hour after the immigration officers left the house, customs officers showed up, asking about a box that was shipped to my wife 2 years ago from China.  

The box contents:

1 - some her clothes

2 - a used Tefal iron  (the iron was 2 years old, and retailed new for 20K Bht)

We lived in China and moved back to Thailand, and we couldn't carry all of our belongings, so we shipped her clothes and the iron a little over a year after we moved back to Thailand.

Any how, the customs officers asked my wife to give her accounting of the box

1 when it was shipped

2 contents of the box

3 value of the contents of the box

4 the customs fees for the contents of the box

My wife gave a written account of the box, the officers told her that her accounting matched their records, and they left.

I have heard of immigration officers doing spot visits before, but never customs officers ?   Have any of you folks heard of such a thing? 

I have a BMW E36 M3 (purchased at 550K THBt)

1997 325 Sedan (donor body)

1995 Euro Spec M3 internals (280 Hp)

Basically every E36 has the potential to be an M if all the M spec parts are bolted on. So what is what some folks do in Thailand (in order to avoid taxes) is purchase an M3 that has litterally been cut in half, from Japan or Hong Kong. Then the destroyed M3 is shipped to Thailand, and the parts are transfered to a donor E36, transfering it from a nice daily driver, to a beast of a machine.

Thais also like to take an E36, and toss a Japanese engine it etc etc.... the advantage to this is the engine is essentially disposable, but the electronics do not match, gear box doesnt match etc etc.

Back in the states, I owned a 1995 E36 M3 Coupe (USA spec) (240 Hp) and my "Thai" built M3 is every bit as good, and in some aspects even better. The guy that sold me my sedan may still have a Evo spec E36 M3 coupe available. (It was blue with tan interior & I think 340+ Hp) The price for that car was around 900K. My wife and I wanted a sedan (family car) and I don't like tan interiors.....

So I purchased the sedan, and have zero regrets...... just ear to ear smiles.

if u think the aiport sucks.... just think of something more positive, like "Thailand is the hub of ......."

Fill in the blank. This is what the govt does, and it seems to work for them.

Thais DO expect farangs to be better than them so being respectable in dress is expected. So if confronted by a cop, especially an officer, which can happen any day, then one should be dressed to show respect and get respect otherwise it will upset. The beach is different.

My mrs won't let me out to town in shorts , says not respectable for farang.

I agree they probably do expect more from us, but they don't just pick on foreigners. My old girlfriend got sent home when she showed up in a pair of jeans and a T shirt to apply for her passport.

Wow, that is a bit strong.

But l have noticed that when the mrs and l go to government place they always give you the visual once over. Must admit l sometimes wear a pink shirt with the Kings crest on it and always get first class treatment. What's the saying, every little helps.

..... and do u put ur balls in wife's purse

Dirty black truck with NO taillights, van shielded with pitch black window films (maybe some peepholes), overworked driver, maybe stimulated by drugs. Just guessing. But this is the reality I have experienced on my frequent trips between BKK and Krabi. And this is well tolerated by the police. I have no idea what those checkpoints are good for. Even the most obvious junk cars can pass.

Checkpoints are to check your wallet. They need coffee and donuts.

I have been riding the busses and vans in this country for 12-years and never seen the police steal from anyone at a checkpoint inspection. FYI the inspections are to check traveller ID's because interprovince travel is restricted for the native population. Your post is pure ignorant speculation. Typical.

I have seen the claimed event, and I have been here for 6 long years. I guess I am "lucky" or just more observant???

So less visits to thailand with the wife.... = less visits with the in-laws....

This could have saved my marrriage

those problems are minor when compared to "Child support" payments for a child that is not yours to begin with....

but suit yourself

Most folks say Thais believe in "family first" but yet we see here a mother that is willing to agree 1K Baht a month for the welfare of her child is enough.... simply amazing

Things may be really tight for the OP back home, I don't know his situation..... but 1K seems like a pitance. I feel for the guy, most folks want something back for their money. So maybe better communication between the two famileis or something.

regardless, I wish him luck

picked this up on BBC

"The Cambodian government has called it an "invasion", while the Thai military said it was a misunderstanding."

Sounds like the Thai's started it.

?

I'm no psychologist, but to me it sounds like Cambodians wants war and not Thais ................

PS: To me, the real question seems to be "are the Cambodians always railroading the Thaïs so easily ?" (

Please go back to school and learn English again!

But you are right, the Cambodians did railroad the Thai's in this skirmish by taking down a few soliders and tanks. I'm surprised a lot of members here who most likely in their 50's and 60's would have known about the Vietnam war???? Clearly all the advanced military technology in the world didn't help the Americans back then and even now. Experience counts, one would of assume this was just common sense...i guess not and can only presume that many now have developed Thai thinking and mentality .

Edit-SP

America did not use "all the advanced military technology in the world" or what advanced military technology that was contained within America during the Vietnam war.... if America had.... Vietname would still be glowing today.

What do I think "his story is"

my future if I dont get out of here

Is this what happens when u marry a girl 30+ years your junior?

"Help, my wifey needs to go to XXXXXXX and I need to pack her a lunch box, where can I find an adult size sippy cup?"

Honestly this type of stuff makes me never want to get married if one has to worry about such small matters....

I didn't pay Jack Shet in Sin Sod....

But at the time of divorce she got 7 million baht...

Trust me, they will get it now, or latter...

sounds like a good discription of marriage to me

update

have been talking to mario and michael about my problems in private, they have been such great help, and will make public as soon as i can

i have had no contact with my daughter now since 25th october, later i found out the mother flew back to england on the 27th oct , with out my daughter,

the police who have been good seem to be not knowing what to do now, as the kidnapper has jumped bail and can not be found,

but i believe that 84 days after the arrest of the kidnapper the police have to send the case to the court for the judge to look at, so around 28th jan there should be so news on where my daughter is

i have two questions

1 can i ask the court to have a hearing even if the kidnapper is still on the run, with the other family members as 1 they know where my daughter is and 2 they know where the kidnapper is ,

2 i have my daughters passport but as the wife is now back in england, can she get my daughter a new passport with out my help or knowing,

This is a all a guess, but:

The fact that the mother of your child left the country without your child is a very big PLUS for you. It is easy to establish an intent to abandon the child. I would also guess that "Yes" it is possible to have the court proceedings, in order to establish custody without the mother.

As far as her having the ability to get your child a passport with out your help, I know American Law would not allow her to get a passport without your assistance.

My x-in-laws stole my childrens passports. They still have them to this day. I can not re-apply for new ones due to the fact my wife or x-wife will not assist in doing so. Thus, my children will always remain in Thailand along with the 7million baht worth of property they got out of me too....

Great people, I wish I could say a "rare find" but I don't think they are.

If you want to work with the only Doctorate level American trained ASHA certified Audiologist in Thailand, PM me.

The OP's friend should take his total outlay and divide that by the number of times he's porked his gf. If the result is less than a 1000, he's come out ahead. If it's 3000 and she's got super star looks, he's still out ahead. If he got regular BJ's, he' definitely come out ahead. If all that and she's a gymnast half his age, he should stay with her a while longer and continue paying the mortgage. It's important to be fair.

this is a 5 star post. i'm inclined to believe this is the best way to look at it. throw in a few points for laundry and cleaning. probably break even.

Loz,

You just made my day