abrahamzvi

I have been transferring regularly US$ funds from my bank in the US to The Bangkok Bank in Chiang Mai for years and have never experienced any difficulties. The rate of exchange as well as the fees charged by them are always fair and adequate. However, you may know that in accordance with Federal regulations in the US, a US bank must use the services of a US entity to transfer funds overseas. For transfers to The bagkok bank in Thailand, US banks normally use Bangkok Bank in New York and that is where charges occur. Up to a certain limit, and irrespective of the amount transferred within this limit, they charge US$ 10, so that in your case the amount received in Thailand was only US$ 340. In addition the bank here add their normal usual fees, and together it is a considerable portion of as low an amount as US$ 350. However, having said that, I still consider Baht 800 to be exaggerated and if I were you I would ask IN WRITING for the full transfer calculation from the bank. They are obliged to do this.

Although I do believe in freedom of speech, of press, and I really do not believe in censorship of any kind, journalism and any media, such as YouTube or Google and others, should use their own judgement in deciding what clips and other items they would be wise, in the interest of the public, to "publish" . This so called film should have never been shown, but it is too late now. All that can be done now is to try and limit the damage, by not condoning this "film". Having said this allow me to empasise that I strongly condem the wild reactions and unaccepted behaviour of uneducated and violent masses. They cause more damage to their religion than they can imagine.

What is said about a circulation visa in the EU is not quite correct. I am a German and when my wife, who is Thai, and I travel to the UK she has to go to the British Visa Service Agency, provide a heap of documents and then gets a free 6 month multi entriea visa, subject to her travelling to the UK with me, or joining me in the UK. They don't issue even a one year multi entries visa.

Germany allows on line applications. Provided all reqired information is submitted, a Schenegen Visa is granted.

Try an on-line application for a German or French visa.

As far as I know (unless things have changed) Germany allows on-line visa applications and France will (or did) allow on-line applications if you live in certain counties a long way from London!

Once issued you are allowed to change your mind as to the country you visit and for a married partner much of the form does not need to be completed anyway.

According to the rules applying anywhere in the EU, or EEC, a citizen of a member country has the automatic right to settle down in any other member country, unless there are well defined reasons for refusing this (high criminal record, infecting serious diseases and the like). On arrival an application has to be made to the applicable authorities and a residence permit valid for 5 years (allowing any employment or other activities) is issued. This automatically applies to a non EU citizen spouse of an EU citizen. The result is that it is easier for a citizen married to a non citizen to reside with his/her spouse in any other country in the EEC, than his /her own country, which may have more stringent entry regulation for non citizen spouses of its own citizens. This situation applies for example in Germany, Denmark, UK and apparently now also in Italy. The paradox is that a Thai wife of a German citizen will obtain automatically a 5 year residence permit with her German husband in Denmark, whereas a Thai wife (or husband) of a Danish citizen would only be entitled (subject to various regulations, such as a certain command of the Danish language, proof of Danish spouse's earnings etc) to a more limited (time wise and quality wise) permit. This is the situation from a legal point of view, at least for the time being.

May I ask a very naive and simple question - If Bangkok and Thailand are that awful, leading people to committing suicide, why does this Senior member stay here? Nobody forces him, or other "westerners (I am one) to stay here! I for one am not going to leave, as I simply feel well here!!!!!!!!

The only advice I can give you is to get your friend's wife to consult a British lawyer. There are a number of Law Offices in Thailand, which are either part of, or asociated with a Law Office in trhe UK. Such Law offices can then advise and if necessary and possible take the legal steps to get British Citezenship for the boy and a Widow Pension for the wife, if legal and possible.

As an American you should know that when dealing with authorities in complicated matters, normally the right route to take is to consult a lawyer. My own experince in the US (I am not an American, but worked for many years for an American company) showed me that this is probably the only way to get things togo through rapidly and legally in the US. I am sure the same applies in the UK and in most other countries, particularly where citizenship. Immigration , Social.benefits etc., are concerned.

Thanks to you aall and to all

MERRY CHRISTMAS

How does one make an on line appointment - by just ringing the Immigration office in Chiang Mai. I have a residents permit, but I need an endorsement every year to allow me to leave the Kingdom without losing my status, as well as a multiple re entry visa. I have been getting this every year for the last five years, but at times one has to queue for hours. If i can avoid this queueing I would prefer to get an appointment. Can one get an appointment for January (next months) as my current Endorsement and reentry visa expire in January 2012?