thaical

Autism is not "curable" but - as a number of you have stated - it can be controlled through medication and consistent management.

As far as computer games being addictive, this is essentially correct - especially if the child has a condition such as autism or ADHD. Be aware that there have been numerous scientific studies (with thousands of children taking part) that show that a person does not really understand "cause and effect" until that person is in their early 20's. A person's brain has not physically developed a true understanding until they reach this age. One may Google this topic to see these studies - please be aware that I am not speaking of anecdotal evidence ("I took this medicine and now I'm cured!") but actual studies done with control groups.

May Buddha have sympathy for this young boy and may his mother rest in peace

You're confirming what I've been saying all along. They don't have time to analyse the length of periods between visas, where they were issued and total time spent in Thailand. They are too busy and just quickly count the stamps. They were doing that in Penang too.

Of course people want to know how many they can get? No clear answer has ever come.

Perhaps in March after the free period ends things may change.

Please don't anyone hold their breath - the revival of the Tourist visa charges are nothing if not "nebulous" - there's no guarantee that they will come back into service next month.

To all ThaiVisa readers:

The following is to clarify my previous posting on ThaiVisa in regards to the further waiver of Tourist visa fees:

Firstly, I am not, and never have been, a formal "representative" of the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Calgary. My previous message was my own personal opinion and observations - they do not necessarily reflect those of the Honourary Consul-General in Calgary, the other Thai Honourary Consulates-General nor the Thai diplomatic posts around the world. I would like to forward my abject apologies to the Thai Government, the Thai diplomatic posts and Honourary Consulates-General around the world - again, the previous message was my feelings and opinions alone and I will accept all responsibility if I have inadvertently insulted anyone.

I did not expect such a reaction to my message - I was simply so incensed at the callous way some members of ThaiVisa reacted to the waiver of Tourist visa fees. Obviously they had no idea how Thai Honourary Consulates-General operated and I felt that someone should set them straight.

Thaical

Free tourist visas between June 25, 2009 and March 2010

BANGKOK (thaivisa.com): -- Continuing its efforts to expedite the revival of the Thai travel and tourism industry, the Royal Thai government has agreed to exempt the fee for tourist visa applications, effective 25 June 2009 to March 2010.

All foreigners who apply for Tourist Visa at the Royal Thai Embassies and the Royal Thai Consulates-General worldwide will be exempted from tourist visa fee from 25 June 2009 to March B.E.2553 (2010).

Such arrangement is for Tourist Visa single entry only.

-- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok 2009-06-24

To all Tourist visa purchasers:

Be aware that this decision will mean that all Honourary Consulates-General around the world will be closed down. Diplomatic posts (in Canada, this is the Consulate-General in Vancouver and the Embassy in Ottawa only) get paid a salary and it doesn't matter how many or how few Tourist visas are sold, this does not affect their salaries. Honourary Consulates-General, on the other hand, function only on the money they bring in by selling visas - both Tourist and Non-Immigrant. There are over 450 Honourary Consulates-General around the world and all will be affected - probably to the point of having to close their doors. Once these Honourary Consulates-General are closed, the only place to obtain a visa (and even if they are free, you still need to get one) are the Diplomatic Posts in your country. Also, this means that, unless you live in the same city as a Diplomatic Post, you must courier your package to the nearest Diplomatic Post and also submit a prepaid return courier envelope.

No same-day service, no "deals", no "service after the sale" (if you go to the Diplomatic Posts in Canada and say "I THINK I need a Double Entry Tourist visa" - that's what they'll sell you, wether you actually need it or not. They will not ask you ANY questions or discuss your trip with you at all. They will not give you information on Thailand - where to go, what to see, etc., nor will they ask you how long you will be in Thailand, whether you will be leaving and returning while you are there, or any other question that would give them more information as to what type and number of visa you really require.

This is a very sad blow to all Honourary Consulates-General. We here in Calgary service a Thai community of about 5,000 people. We assist them in filling out forms, obtaining various Canadian documentation, we deal with temporary Thai workers and their various issued, we assist and join the Thai community in celebrating Loi Krathong and Songkhran, assist in arranging for Thai Nationals to obtain Canadian Landed Immigrant status, Canadian citizenship and bringing friends and relatives of theirs to Canada.

We also dispense Thai visas, do certifications (Thai Police Clearance Certificates/certification of documents, both in Alberta and Canada, as well as a vast number of other services. We offer same-day service for persons who require speedy service, dispense information on travelling to Thailand, things to see and visit while there, and, with the assistance of the Ottawa Embassy and Immigration in Thailand, assist Canadians who confront issues such as having their visa stamped incorrectly upon entry, how and where to obtain further Tourist visas, etc.

SO--- for anyone who thinks this is a really good deal, you are greatly mistaken. A Single Entry Tourist visa for Thailand costs $35.00 Canadian - for anybody who is travelling to Thailand, this is chickenfeed - about the same amount that a person would pay for a fairly decent dinner in Calgary!!!

We have submitted letters, facsimiles and e-mails to the Consulate-General in Vancouver, the Embassy in Ottawa and various government departments in Thailand, with no replies and no answers to our queries.

This decision, as well as the previous decision waiving Tourist visa fees for 90 days,has been a great disappointment to us here in Calgary. It seems as if Thailand is attempting to get rid of all Honourary Consulates-General around the world, no matter how helpful and successful they have been in dealing with the visitors to Thailand they issue visas to, the Thai National communities in their areas, developing and assessing current and future business investment in Thailand and assisting whenever requested (and we get "requested" a lot!!).

I realize this is a particularly long post, but this situation is vital to the ongoing existance of all Honourary Consulates-General around the world.

So, don't think that this is simply a cheaper way to visit LOS - it means the closure of a majority of the places around the world that have assisted innumerable visitors to Thailand to ensure that tourists and business people can visit the country safely and that they are aware of the rules, regulations and laws of Thailand.

Sincerely,

Thaical

RE: Cancelling Single Entry Tourist Visas for 3 months - yes, this will be extremely hard on all Honourary Consulaates and Consulates-General - we depend on these fees to keep operating. This will mean a lot of Honourary C-G's will have to either close down or shortne their hours (which are short enough already, 3 of the 4 Honourary C-G's in Canada only operate 4 hours a week now! Also, as the Calgary C-G is extremely busy (and therefore is open from 8:30 am - 11:30 am Monday through Friday) and we have had to hire 2 part-time assistants. This will mean that 2 people will not not have even a part-time position, as we depend on visa fees to pay our expenses!

Also, this will NOT assist tourism. By the way, the 30-day "Visa upon arrival" rule (with no prepaid flight out of Thailand within the next 30 days, which is the requirement for farangs who enter for less than a 3-day visit) doesn't really make it clear that, after 3 up-to 30 day visits (when you get a highlighter drawn through the stamp) one will not be allowed into Thailand for 6 months - visa or not! The only comment we have ever had about our visa fees is how cheap they are compared to other countries.

It's a real shame that these rules (not only in Thailand, but in many other countries as well) are made up by people who have seldom, if ever, had to obtain a visa to visit a country! Hopefully, somebody in the Thai Government body who has a say in this matter will "see the light" and realize that offering free Single Entry Tourist visas for Thailand will NOT encourage tourism. In answer to Ian Forbes - all you really need is a Double Entry Tourist visa - you may apply to purchase a 30-day extension at the end of each visa, so you only have to do 1 visa run because each 60 days is now stretched to 90.

Sincerely,

Thaical

Dear Thailand Forum:

As the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Calgary, Ablerta, Canada, I get a number of "outre" questions. This one deals with a gentleman inquiring about medical insurance while he is in Thailand teaching ESL. Could anyone assist me by giving me the names of medical insurance companies, either in Thailand or in Canada, that deal with this issue? Contact e-mails or websites would be appreciated.

Love your forum - I have saved almost all the postings!

Cheers!

"Thaical"

As an issuer of Thai visas in Calgary, Canada, I constantly remind my clients that Thailand is run SUBJECTIVELY! This means that how the Thai official feels (mentally, physically and emotionally) has everything to do with whether they give a tourist what he/she requests. I always try to ensure that the client has the correct number and type of visa(s) PRIOR to entering the country - this is the only way they can be sure they don't need to travel to a neighbouring country to obtain further visas. Not surprised with the decision of the Embassies/C-G's in the neighbouring countries - working in these places gives them power - something most regular Thais don't often get to use!

Keep up the good work in reporting from LOS - your comments and articles have helped me immensely with information I cannot obtain from any other source (i.e.: the Thai Embassy in Ottawa or the C-G in Vancouver)

With very kind regards,

Francie Lorren

PA to the Consul-General

Royal Thai Consulate-General, Calgary, Canada

RE: visa debate: One can purchase up to a Triple Entry Tourist visa in Canada (3 60-day visits); however, a visa run MUST be done at the end of the 60 days or extension thereof, as the Thai Government looks at each visa as an entity unto itself. You must show at the end of this timeframe that you have exited Thailand and entered another country. In regards to "Visa upon arrival" as opposed to "entry without visa": Canadians are allowed to enter Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa (we call it the "30-day rule); however, the caveat is that they MUST have a confirmed, prepaid flight out of Thailand within that 30-day timeframe and, when entering Thailand under the 30-day rule, the next time they leave the country MUST be on their flight.

There are other countries that allow 15 days upon arrival, and some countries that allow their citizens to purchase a "Visa upon arrival".

The above is for Canada only - hope this clears up the situation for some of you.

Cheers!

"Thaical"

Royal Thai Consulate-General, Calgary, Canada