Lifer

Believe you must be an American citizen to make an appointment. The appointment system is for American citizen services. You will need your passport. The visa service for non-US citizens is scheduled on different days at set times. They may alow appointments for those days, but if they do, I am not aware of it.

Unfortunately I believe the following could be the key to this case.

Last year, Mr Spall returned to the Island to transfer his assets to Thailand and told friends he had no plans to come back.

With emphasis on transfered his assets to Thailand.

I confess that I usually get quite irritated, and occasionally even angry, at the amount of glib, wild, and unfounded, instant speculation; based on minimal facts, which seems to pervade this forum. Sadly, and unfortunately, I believe Pimay1 may well have stated the truth this time - but let us hope not, and that Mr Spall is found alive and well.

One other small peeve. It was stated that Mr Spall worked in maintenance for the Prison service. For a poster to suggest "I hope his past associations with criminals has not caught up with him" is........... Awg forget it, I'm starting to get stressed..

Sad, but get used to it. This is Thai Visa. Hope he will be found Ok. Everyone should be able to live his or her life as they choose.

I think their interpretation of seedy is any guys that are 50 or over. In they’re opinion they probably think that all male ex-pats should be dead and buried, or humanely put down or incarcerated and taken out of society by the time they reach 45.

The sight of so many young Thai girls walking about seemed to offend them. Perhaps they were afraid of the competition. Beautiful young Thai girls vs. Vegetarian, frigid, holier than thou attitude farang girls. Sorry no contest.

But the number one factor that they didn’t like about Chiang Mai was its location, as they much prefer the resorts with beaches. Why not construct a private women only beach resort on the outskirts of Chiang Mai? Where they can all be special friends together, shielded from the people and men beasts that scare and irritate them in the outside world.

I read the article and here’s what I think of it so far: Rubbish.

Good grief, you do manage to be a negative bitter mysogynist kind of chap at times ain'tcha..

Here's a topic on a wonderful experience two tourists had, with stunning pictures; really the ultimate answer to send to anyone who might ask "So.. why Chiang Mai?" and you manage to focus on the token piece of criticism, included to balance out the blog post.

Sheesh!

Totally agree. A really positive post of their experience in Chiangmai and out come the posters come to muck it up. Thanks Winnie for posting the article.

You just can't please all the people all the time.

Regular airmail to US takes an average of 10 days. If registered it may tqake a few days longer because everywhere it stops, it gets locked up and signed for. Expereience so far from mailing at airport has been good. Also, have not experienced any queues more than about 2 minutes in line.

I never was able to determine if the bar code reader was simply broken (and they plan to fix it), turned off because only one person was behind the counter or totally abandoned, never to be used again. The bar code scanner and the attached computer were at the work station next to the lone Immigration officer doing 90 day reports on Friday afternoon, but the computer screen was dark. I tried to ask a few questions, but my stunning command of Thai verb tenses (they do have them you know) failed to produce a clear response.

Nancy, Just completed my 90 day about 11:40 this (3 Sept) morning. Parked across the street and walked over expecting to see a queue, etc. I had a copy of the pages they required. I walked right to the window, as no one was waiting, and handed my passport with barcode page open along with my docs. He handed it all to the girl at the computer next to him who scanned the barcode. It opened up a page where she added some info (guessing a new date as i had just finished extending and had the new 30 day wait for Bangkok stamp) and handed back to the Officer next to her. He stamped the new 90 day sheet and handed passport back. Ten minutes total. I ask him about the machine, and the half intelligent answer was we still have the number machine over there.

This could mean we are not using it for 90 day report, or we have it but it is not working now. All in all a very quick experience. It used to be like that many years ago next door in the other building. So there's still hope that things will continue to improve. This time they kept the copy of papers, but the first time I used the barcode (last time) they gave me back the papers and said I didn't need to bring them next time. Go figure?

Yes, people are dead. It was horrible, but she is a minor, and now she will have to live the rest of her life knowing all the pain and suffering she has caused. It was an accident, and I am sure the mini bus diver was driving at high speeds as well. Just because the diver of the van is deceased does not mean they did not contribute to the accident. We all have done stupid things when we were teenagers, so it amazes me that everyone here posts as if they are all saints.

A number of posts comment on the girl's age. 16 is the age many people start work, are allowed to drink alcohol, and consent to adult relationships in various countries. This girl was illegally driving, late and on her own. The reports don't mention what her activities were before the accident, or wether any tests were taken for drugs. However, she hardly appears to fit the image of a "16 year old innocent minor" who made one mistake.

How do you know if the mini bus driver was speeding? There has been nothing reported to indicate the driver did anything wrong, or contributed to this appalling accident.

This girl chose to ignore the law and drive whilst underage and without a driving license, was known to enjoy speeding (so presumably had a track record of driving known to her mum), drove recklessly and dangerously, and was responsible for an accident resulting in 9 deaths. She has received an incredibly light sentence due to her family's prominence and influence. She has shown no remorse and this sentence is unlikely to act in a correctional manner or as a deterent for others.

Justice is different for the rich and the poor. Sadly, this is true in many countries not just Thailand. If this girl had been the passenger in a car, driven by a qualified driver, and had been killed or injured in an accident attributed to a poor person, I wonder what the sentence would have been then.

She was a minor, makes no difference what age some people start to work. The reports do not say either way if tests were done for drugs or alcohol, so you are making assumptions. She IS a minor who made a mistake, and that mistake was driving at speed with no license. The rest is called an accident. We have all had them, some more severe than others. I am pretty sure she did not intend to crash with the van and kill people. I don't know if the van driver was speeding or not, but, I have yet to be in a van in BKK that does NOT speed, or one that has safety belts where people actually use them. You say she has no remorse, yet after the accident she was on the news visiting the hospital, crying and begging for forgiveness from the parents of the deceased. No remorse? She is human, a teenage girl that just killed 9 people by accident, and you think she does not regret her actions?

Dont hate her or or family because of wealth. You have no idea of what kind of settlements were made. This is Thailand and this is how things are handled. This was between the families of the victims, the girl and her family, and the courts.

Another wise and mature post. Congrats.

Got there yesterday (Friday) around 2:30 pm and found the side door locked with a sign in Thai about don't enter. I don't think it said anything about where to go, but I didn't get that far in figuring out the Thai before someone pointed me to the front door, near the coffee shop. They really should put a sign in English on the door if they're going to start locking it.

About 80% of the chairs in the waiting area were occupied.

Ticket machine was turned off, but they were showing numbers over the 90-day counter. When I was looking at the dark machine, someone waiting pointed to one of the CMU interns behind the counter and said see him. When I showed him the 90 day paperwork, he came out from behind the counter, plugged in the machine, got a queue ticket for me and the automated announcer voice promptly called that number. Strange. Why not just direct me to go straight to the 90 day counter?

Went to the 90 day counter , with just one officer staffing it. Handed him passports (Hubby's and mine) and TM 47 forms. He said "copies". I said "mee bar code laew" and pointed to the bar code on the inside back cover -- we were told we wouldn't need to bring copies again once that barcode sticker was placed in our passports. Turns out the bar code reader and computer were either broken or simply turned off. But, he started to process our 90 day reports and I figured he was going to ask me to get copies after he was done. Nope, he simply said "bring copy next time". Again, rather strange. Why did he fuss at me about not having copies and then go ahead and process the reports without the copies?

Total time in Immigration -- less than 10 minutes. I barely had time to chat with the people I know who were waiting and to enjoy what I call "the happiest place in Chiang Mai!" I wasn't there long enough to see at least one human drama unfold. I feel cheated.

Thanks for the information, Nancy. Have to go on Tuesday. Last time (first using barcode) they specificlly said I didn't need copies. Now we do again. I was hoping for at least two 90 day in a row with just barcode!

I hate to say it but, if you are so terribly offended, stop prostituting your morals and go back to where you came from, where there is a justice system you understand.

I hate to say it, but, if you don't like what you read don't read the forum.... See my point ? The 'If you don't like it go home' argument is so fundamentally flawed yet overused it only presents its users lack of brain function.

What a dopey cop out answer. I have never once whinged about Tv...only some dopey comments. You are trying to impose your values into a completely foreign culture. I have followed Tv for years but never bothered to post because of the habitual Thai bashing. Yep the go home attitude comes up all the time. I wonder why? Because so many of you (from reading posts) can say nothing positive about Thailand that the only intelligent response is ... 'Take your hand off the hotplate if it is getting burnt'. Do I like everything here? Hell no, there is so much dopey stuff going on but.. I choose to stay here and I will go back to where I came from when I decide. Maybe these whingers should go and live in China or Afghanistan... but they don't because (and here is the point) life is too good for them here.

Spot on.

It is good to see that Thailand protects children and adhere's to the treaty on the rights of the child. Especially regarding youngsters the aim of the law is not to punish, but to correct wrong behaviour.

Let's not forget this isn't murder, as some seem to want to make out of it. It was a very, very tragic accident. And don't forget that driving by minors is not exactly rare in Thailand and it are often the adults who fail to act against it.

Finally a poster that talks like a mature adult. The nasty vendictive, negative posters that want blood and executions should just disappear. It is amazing they have something negative and angry to say about almost every single news article posted on TV. If you want to know whats happening in the world between countires, just listen to the people talk.

Nobody is calling for blood, just justice!! She is 16, she knows the consequences of her actions. When somebody drives a car drunk they dont go out with the intention to kill someone but they understand the risks involved.

Its not murder but it is manslaughter. The sentence is a disgrace and anyone who disagree's needs to seriously question their own mindset! How would you react if the victims were in your family??

Quite frankly, its time that expats living in this host country let the Thais take care of their affairs and country (including the politics) without the help of all the foreign experts on everything that happens. When something directly involves you and your family, then give your opinions with the proper people.

I am not defending what she did, but her punishment is not our business, or does it deserve the kind of comments that are made public on this public blog. This is a very different culture here, and either we can enjoy being here or we have a choice to find a cculture that causes a more enjoyable experience.

It is good to see that Thailand protects children and adhere's to the treaty on the rights of the child. Especially regarding youngsters the aim of the law is not to punish, but to correct wrong behaviour.

Let's not forget this isn't murder, as some seem to want to make out of it. It was a very, very tragic accident. And don't forget that driving by minors is not exactly rare in Thailand and it are often the adults who fail to act against it.

Finally a poster that talks like a mature adult. The nasty vendictive, negative posters that want blood and executions should just disappear. It is amazing they have something negative and angry to say about almost every single news article posted on TV. If you want to know whats happening in the world between countires, just listen to the people talk.

A lot of the counterfeit goods on sale here are actually from China, not Thailand, and transported in by plane. This isn't about people flying from Europe or the US. So laugh it up but it is actually useful if it ends up being enforced and they start confiscating goods

Would someone really bring a suitcase of fake goods in from China to sell here? Wouldn't they bring them in by container? Or even over land borders. It would be much cheaper and easier with the volume.

Most uniformed post yet. The Asians are experts at bringing in goods, unreported at customs, of every kind of commodity you can thing of, including gold, to sell. They claim they are bringing in items for relatives, friends, or personal use and then sell them or use to get somebody interested in their goods. Come on people wake up. Most of the posts make fun of new requirements to curb use of illegal fake goods. Anything they can do is good for all countries. How many fake items have you or your friends bought and used in your life. If the answer is none, then you are a very honest person.

This news really brought the idiot comments out!

This article reminds of the Seinfeld episode about the TV sitcom about nothing....Must be slow day at the Nation, an article about a body which does nothing, has no real opinion on anything in which Thailand plays a low key role

Also reminds me of a popular Thai blog, except there is an opion about everything, but not a lot of substance. Lets hear for Seinfeld!

Uptheos:

I like your post/question comment on someone tipping less because the cost went up. It seems to be typical here, and it's a pitty they make hardly enough to live on as it is.

Everyone would like to see Chiangmai turn into their little city, town, or country back home with all the conveniences they used to have before coming here. If the service and other things aren't just what they are used to, they complain. It would be nice if most would just accept the things here, and go home when they want the niceties at home. Chiangmai has already changed for the worse from when I arrived many years ago. We are starting to look like every other big city with the traffic, concrete buildings, large billboards everywhere, etc. etc. Many of us come here to live and raise families because they don't have all the trappings of the West. Try to find some of the uniqueness here while there is some left.

I guess none of the complainers have ever queued up at Immigration or movies at Airport Plaza. Same there. They open when their ready. Also try and get the banks to open until exactly time to let customers in. They might be standing behind the counter, but don't open the doors nomatter how bad you need your money.

Your analogy doesnt work my friend!! If youre queuing inside a bank in CM, any bank, and theres a long queue at one desk point, you dont get staff at the next desk point sitting filing their nails or sending texts!! Professionalism and customer service (also known as common sense) generally kicks in and the other workers share the load to prevent people queuing for 40 minutes when there are staff there.

I m not saying people shouldnt get their break, what I m saying is if its your break, clear off to the canteen or wherever so your not in eyeshot of queuing customers who then have no reason to get irritated!!

First of all, your not my friend! Second of all, nobody is saying the queue is after the bank opens! Next, the poster indicated that the window where the girl was sitting plainly said she wasn't open until the set time. I believe she could sit behind a closed window if she chooses (maybe finishing her lunch or break time). Go to immigration and get them to take customers or issue numbers before the set time, but everyone complains about that too! I've clearly seen them Chatting with their colleagues while waiting on people that has nothing to do with their service. So please don't lecture me on analogies.

Don't know what kind of account he keeps his money in, but my money I use from my Thai Savings account used for marriage extension pays interest. Granted, not a lot, but twice a year I get interest.

I guess none of the complainers have ever queued up at Immigration or movies at Airport Plaza. Same there. They open when their ready. Also try and get the banks to open until exactly time to let customers in. They might be standing behind the counter, but don't open the doors nomatter how bad you need your money.

Try getting the banks or anything else to open before their time to open here. It's not unusual to see bank employs waiting for doors to open behind their desks or counters, if their preparatiions are ready.

I guess it's obvious that none of the complainers have gone to the movies and queued up for a ticket when they first open. Most of the time they don't come out of their little office until it's almost time. Set up, then disappear until the time they are to open.

Foreigners complain and bitch about every little thing here. The same things happen at service counters everywhere.

The young lady has a right to sit wherever she wants if its not time to open that window without being subjected to rude, aggitated customers making remarks. It doesn't make any difference if it's her lunch time or just not open until 2. Complaining to her about the window not being open is not the place to make rude comments. You must go to the administration office or somebody higher up who has the autority to open a second window or direct the young lady to do it. Don't like Air Asia, complain by not using their airlines. Simple as that.

I do not understand why so many people have problems with money in the bank.

I just ask an officer at Chieng Mai immigration many years ago , wat is the best thing I can do about this.

She just answered just keep 5K in a fixt savings account in your own name and you will never have a problem with this. And you will have your interest also.

Why 5K, well she said may be in the future its more be on the safe side. It easy to open such an account by SCB.

And indeed for many years I have no problem with this......Immigration in Chieng Mai are very helpfull and nice people.....

That's a crock!! Never been the way you are telling everyone. Even 16 years ago it was 200,000 Bht in the bank before it got change a number of years ago to 400,000 Bht. Gone through it for 15 years in country, and never been like your conveying.

Posters on TV, withthe exceptions of the long time moderators put out ALOT of false rumors and information.

As for the original questions. They get ask over and over and over again. Posters don't bother to gather their own information or do their own research. Why bother whenyou can post a question and people have the time to give the same information over and over and over.

At least if you make statements, be somewhere near the accuracy mark.

When will all the internet users understand that this is Thailand, not some super modern country you may be from. Expect it to act up once in a while, and eventually it will go back the faster slow speed we are uded to.

Rule of law here? There is no rule of law here. It's also Democracy by blaming others and sueing as many agencies, and people as each party can. Having said that, I have onjly been stopped one timeby police at a police check. I had everything in order on the bike, plus a helmet. The only thing he ask is do I have a license. I showing and he waved me on.

Many posters seem to have more difficulties with the police than I've experienced in more than 15 years here. Maybe hanging out in the wrong places at the wrong time that gives them the itch, even though your innocent and just trying to have fun inthe LOS.

Why don't you ask your company? They are the ones to tell you. One University I worked at had a two month before the end of the term notice requirement.