ThaiDiamond

Remember that all the current visa types--or exemptions--are suspended.  In effect, right now they don't exist.

 

So the government can design new visa types with new requirements. 

 

What I look for is the effect vaccinations will have in 2021.  I see "proof of vaccination" as a requirement to obtain a visa at a Thai embassy overseas and enter Thailand sometime next year.  Independently. it will probably be required to get a seat on a airline as well.

 

If tourists can demonstrate that have been vaccinated, then a 14 day quarantine is no longer necessary. 

 

Vaccinations protect Thailand in two ways.  Tourist who have been vaccinated in their home country pose little risk in spreading the virus. And as the Thai population gets vaccinated, you will create herd immunity locally so there will be a greatly reduced chance of covid taken hold within the country

Why not choose from a handful of online companies.

 

"The Online Teacher" matches qualified teachers with the best online schools.  And it's free for teachers.

 

More info here: *Direct link to commercial site edited out*

There's a new platform called "The Online Teacher".  They signed contracts with reputable schools and then match qualified teachers for them.  

 

The good news is that it's free for teachers.  They get paid by the schools.  

 

You can teach from anywhere-- and anytime--but obviously certain time zones (read: China) have more students available.  The school will provide the teaching plan and materials and train you up in their system.  More info here: *Direct link edited out*

Most all English proficiency tests assess all 4 language skills of listening, speaking, reading & writing.

The research I did on this showed that the UKBA only approved 'global' tests, i.e. exams that are run in multiple countries. They also want the test providers to have substantial R&D budgets and exams that have been tested in the field so to speak.

I'm thinking all this indicates that there really isn't an exam specific to needs of a Settlement visa - particularly as all other UK visas like work and student related visas require all 4 language skills.

The married/spouse market is probably just a small niche to the global test providers.

Thaidiamond will be there!

4th vote for Saxaphone. If you want to hear some of the best Thai musicians around...it can be blues as well jazz oriented. A short walk from Victory monument's BTS station.

However, for a decidedly younger sound and very cutting edge, check out "Parking Toys". Located in the northern suburbs, not all that easy to get to if you don't have a car or take a taxi, but some great indie groups playing on the nights I went.

Google it up...Parking Toys...getting great reviews.,

A couple of quick thoughts directed to the posts in this thread.

First off; TOIEC and BULATS test results don't expire per se. Like knowing how to ride a bike, language skills take a long long time to wear off. It's the end user - in this case the UKBA - who typically set their own expire dates on when they will except test results. This is typically two years.

In stage two of the Settlement visa, the FLR stage, a second language test to the A1 level is not required.

An applicant has already passed the A1 requirement at stage one when the initially receive their visa. That box has been ticked off. There is no intermediate English test requirement. Another test at this stage would only make sense if a higher level was required.

At stage three, the ILR, you do need to show a B1 "lower intermediate" level. However, the ILR is now after more than 5 years of living in the UK. (You may want to see how much progress your wife has made in all that time.)

You can get up to speed on the CEFR system through this short, Cambridge-produced 3 minute video.

Finally as to the comments on regarding the CEFR "bands", to help people understand examination results, ALTE (The Association of Language Testers in Europe) has developed a series of "Can Do" statements describing what a person "can do" using the language at a particular CEFR level and in a particular context.

The four contexts are: general, social & tourist, work, and study. Here's one example. The table below shows the 6 ALTE levels (related to the CEFR levels), together with the ALTE "Can Do" statements (in the context of general language).

ALTE levels

ALTE "Can Do" SAtatements (context: General)

Equivalent CEF levels

listening/speaking

reading

writing

5

CAN advise on or talk about complex or sensitive issues, understanding colloquial references and dealing confidently with hostile questions.

CAN understand documents, correspondence and reports, including the finer points of complex texts.

CAN write letters on any subject and full notes of meetings or seminars with good expression and accuracy.

C2

4

CAN contribute effectively to meetings and seminars within own area of work or keep up a casual conversation with a good degree of fluency, coping with abstract expressions.

CAN read quickly enough to cope with an academic course, to read the media for information or to understand non-standard correspondence.

CAN prepare/draft professional correspondence, take reasonably accurate notes in meetings or write an essay which shows an ability to communicate.

C1

3

CAN follow or give a talk on a familiar topic or keep up a conversation on a fairly wide range of topics.

CAN scan texts for relevant information, and understand detailed instructions or advice.

CAN make notes while someone is talking or write a letter including non-standard requests.

B2

2

CAN express opinions on abstract/cultural matters in a limited way or offer advice within a known area, and understand instructions or public announcements.

CAN understand routine information and articles, and the general meaning of non-routine information within a familiar area.

CAN write letters or make notes on familiar or predictable matters.

B1

1

CAN express simple opinions or requirements in a familiar context.

CAN understand straightforward information within a known area, such as on products and signs and simple textbooks or reports on familiar matters.

CAN complete forms and write short simple letters or postcards related to personal information.

A2

Breakthrough

CAN understand basic instructions or take part in a basic factual conversation on a predictable topic.

CAN understand basic notices, instructions or information.

CAN complete basic forms, and write notes including times, dates and places.

A1

Hope this helps..

Congrats Cat5,

Just wondering what level your wife score at? Was she higher than A1?

Did you get a separate score for the individual language skills?

We used Vantage's "Speaking Test Tips." You can download a copy from their website: http://www.vantage-siam.com/bulats.php?contantid=6&PageShow=.

They also had some free demo tests that we did at home and it really helped by GF to get familiar with what she eventually did on the real tests.

My GF just did her BULATS test at Vantage Siam.

They moved. There in the same building, but have moved to the 2nd floor. The manager there said they doubled their testing capactiy so they could take late "walk-in" bookings. The can be reached at 02-245-3632.

We have decided to take the TOEIC test.

It seems that your decision making process resting soley on what you percieve would be the easiet test for you partner to pass.

That's understandable, but a bit myopic.

Unlike TOEIC, the BULATS Reading & Listening test is computer-adaptive. According to Wikipedia, "An adaptive test can typically be shortened by 50% and still maintain a higher level of precison than a fixed version...Test-takers do not waste their time attempting items that are too hard or trivially easy." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer-adaptive_test)

In other words, BULATS focuses in more clearlly to a test-takers individuall level and, as a result, it's more accurate than TOEIC. (Indeed, many are surprise to learn that TOEICis an English langange proficiency test that was made in Japan.)

Perhaps many in the short term are just looking to get an A1 pass to show the UKBA. However, the Computer-Adaptive model has significantly greater "benchmarking" capabilities. By that I mean you partner can see her Englsih proficiency stregths and weakness more clearly. That's important for targeting future study to 1). obtain a B1 level at the ILR stage and 2.) even greater proficicency so you can communicate better with her and so she can better fit into British culture.

I share your cynicism.

As I see it the test providers in Thailand could easily provide just a speaking and listening test, but they choose not to.

The UKBA cut down its Approved Test Provider (ATP) list in April of 2011. The wanted to use major test companies that were offered tests in more than 40 countries. They also wanted to use only tests that had major reseach facilties behind them and that again meant major global test providers.

None of the three ATPs that offer tests in Thailand have a separate test for just the Settlement visa. Thailand, land of hot & cold running women, is agurably one of the biggest markets for Settlement visa, but even here the UKBA only typically issue some 2,000 to 2,500 of these visa each year. Meanwhile the market segments of for Tiered visas - work and student visas - can run into the hundreds of thousands.

It hardly makes a case for a special 'two skill' only visa for Settlement visas.

So yeah, evey major testing company has chosen no to...for market reasons.

I'm hearing conflict info on the bank account to deposit the THB400K for two months. One Thai lawyer said the account has to be in your, i.e. the applicant's account. As my Thai wife and I have a joint account, I asked if that would be OK and he said no, the account has to be only in your name.

What have you guys heard?

One central question: In which currency would such a card be denominated?

Thai Baht, US Dolllar or other. The answer to that would indicated the kind of interest rates the card charges.

As to the card's product features, one of the best things to add from both a consumer enduser viewpoint and from the card issuer's interest is some kind of marketing fullfillment program.

They are very "win-win."

Historically, some of the best programs to use are a major airlines frequent flyer plan. That is, everytime the card user spends (except cash withdrawals), he gains points which can be "redeemed" for flights, holiday packages, hotel and car rental discounts, etc.

Typically consumers "consolidate" purchases on this type of card - purchases that they may not have previously made with a credit card. I'm talking about essential day to day purchases like groceries. (I even used to pay my kids' school tuition on this type of credit card.)

The logic is simple: the consumer has to make these kinds of purchases - unlike discretionary "luxury" purchases like vactions and resorts many associate with credit cards - and they will very gladly do so on a card as long as they don't get hit with an extra commission (admittedly still a bit of a program with some retailers here) and if there earning some kind of points that can be later redeemed.

Everytime a card is used, a commission is generated for the card issuer. For the card company, their competition is not just other credit card products. It's also cash. And getting the consumer to use your card for every possible purchase brings in big bucks.

At least that's what happened in my case. As a former marketeer for a bank in the middle east, I repackaged their credit cards to tie in with Emirates Airlines FF program. Card usage from existing customers soared over 85% in less than six months. And our customers were very happy as they were now earning free flights. And our bottom line was getting fatter as they're usage increased.

Where are all the dead animals? Sri Lanka asks

COLOMBO, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Sri Lankan wildlife officials are stunned -- the worst tsunami in memory has killed around 22,000 people along the Indian Ocean island's coast, but they can't find any dead animals.

Giant waves washed floodwaters up to 3 km (2 miles) inland at Yala National Park in the ravaged southeast, Sri Lanka's biggest wildlife reserve and home to hundreds of wild elephants and several leopards.

"The strange thing is we haven't recorded any dead animals," H.D. Ratnayake, deputy director of the national Wildlife Department, told Reuters on Wednesday.

"No elephants are dead, not even a dead hare or rabbit," he added. "I think animals can sense disaster. They have a sixth sense. They know when things are happening."

At least 40 tourists, including nine Japanese, were drowned.

The tsunami was triggered by an earthquake in the Indian Ocean on Sunday, which sent waves up to 5-metres (15-feet) high crashing onto Sri Lanka's southern, eastern and northern seaboard, flooding whole towns and villages, destroying hotels and causing widespread destruction.

George:

Really like your fast action on all Thai-related news. keep up the great work!

Now for the bad news.

Your "blinking eye" moniker is the most anonying icon I've run across. It really distracts from the content of your posts. I'm also scrolling down as fast as possible and start reading from the second or third paragraph. Anything to get the bloody eye away!

My advice: Get rid of it!

'Many tourists missing' as tidal waves slam Thailand's Phuket: report

BANGKOK: Huge tidal waves struck southern Thailand's popular resort island of Phuket Sunday, sweeping many tourists out to sea and forcing the evacuation of several hotels, a rescue worker said on state radio.

-- AFP 2004-12-26

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

it seems to me that some posters here are taking a serious topic of conversation & turning it into a frivolous expose... 

Hardly "frivolous" Harry. Humorous? I hope so. But apparently you missed the "moral" of my little ditty.

I recounted a true story about a relatively young 42 year farang, who by appearances, was seeming fit and healthy. He - apparently like you - looked only to the so-called benefits of Viagra.

Sorry, but like everything else in life, there's no free lunch.

Viagra's "promise" comes with a price tag: a racing heart that can somethimes just get pumping a bit to fast is but one. People have died getting "their rocks off" on many difference kinds of stimulants like cocaine, and now viagra.

And I've comforted one too many "Noys" who've woken up next to some dead farang.

If that's a choice you choose to make, be my guest. But you may wish to do so in the full light of all the medical evidence.

I just hope we don't see you in the 'morning papers"

Late last year, there was a great story of a newly arrived American professor teaching here in Thailand. On a college break, he got himself a "Noy", enlisted some viagra and "somewhere in the middle of investigation" had a heartattack and went kaput. He was 42.

I don't know how Noy felt, but I'm sure many of his students were a bit suprized to see the photograph of their beloved "ajarn" splashed on the front page of Thai newspapers.

It was one of those photos that you can only run in Thailand!

There he was in full glory decked out in his best birthday suit. His"peter" - the only appendage the papers properly blacked out as an erect rectangle - stood standing straight up tall, proud and center. He left this world in a gesture that left little room for imagination.

He certainly got his Viagra's worth. This professor was still ready for action. Perhaps - like an Eqyptian mummy of old - he was preparing himself for what he envisaged was waiting for all good souls beyond the pearly gates.

Viagra? I'll think I stick to a couple of Singaha's. They seem to work just fine.

Second the recommendation for Villa. I occassion shop the one between Sukhumvit Sois 33 & 35 for western specities as a lot of farangs still shop there so there's a market that doesn't exist in Bangkok's more Thai neighborhoods.

Wheat germ, for example, can be found in botique shelves in a number of Thai-patroned supermarkets. But its a small pack and a not too cheap price. But Villa packs its own and I bought a fairly good sized bag for 35 Baht.

I believe I saw imported (OZ) flax products.

If your looking for herbs and such, just eat Thai food. It's herb energized. What Thai would buy lemon grass supplements? All that spice and herbs are typically loaded with antioxidents. And there's a lot more kinds of Thai soup than tum yum!

Ginko Bilbo (or however its spelled) the expensive $10 t $15 dollar per bottle in the west is fed to pigs here. Thais eat it too and I've seen it food center stalls place in baskets next to the nam pla prik and chilis as free condiemnts with the cucumbers and mint.

I too had LASIK by Dr. Ekktet Chansue at TRSC in March of 2003.

I had been researching the procedure on and off for the past 4 years or so, i.e. laser manufacturers, procedures, etc. etc. And that included consultations with my eye doctor in San Diego who is highly respected in southern California for LASIK operations.

I followed that up in early 2003 with a lot of local research –usually with a visit to each facility – on what was available here in Siam. Dr. Chansue was very familiar with the latest research, and as Radam mentioned in his post, my finds found that he is clearly the most experienced and most recommended doctor in Thailand.

I started wearing glasses when I was eight and had been wearing hard contacts for over some 35 years when I first consulted with Dr. Chansue. Moreover, I wanted a modified LASIK operation called “monovision.”

Monovision is one remedy for presbyopia – or the “reading glasses” condition that hits almost everybody in the 40’s. They still don’t know exactly what causes it and it typically comes on very suddenly. And while it very easy to correct – just go out a buy a pair of reading glasses – it is very inconvenient in that one tends to forget to have their glasses when the restaurant menu is handed to them or their checking labels and the supermarket.

In monovision, by correcting one eye to focus in the distance and one eye to focus for near, the vision part of our brain tends to suppress or filter out the image from the eye that is not in clear focus. After an initial adjustment period, some 3 to 6 weeks, you’re not bothered by the eye that is not in focus, the brain adjusts and when viewing far objects or when viewing close up objects like whatever your reading or viewing this computer monitor.

I should note that if you're younger, you would normally have both your eyes fully corrected and should (hopefully) see at 20:20 or so. But just like a normal person born with perfect vision, you would almost certainly experience presbyopia later in life and have to wear reading glasses regardless of having correctly your eyes by LASIK years earlier!

And my results? (drum roll, please...)

TRSC corrected my dominant eye to a bit better than 20:16 (I could actually read some chart letters at 20:12.5 but not consistently). My “reading eye” was only corrected to about 20:40 – again, as per design.

Today I’m quite happy as I can go around see most everything quite clearly both far and near. I never use reading classes when I read or when I spend 5 hours of more at a daily computer session.

But as Dr. Chansue (and my San Diego doctor) advised, monovision is not for everyone. It is a tradeoff. If I had to quantify this, I would estimate my vision is some 93% to 95% corrected as I can sometimes detect a slight bi-polar effect at distant objects. And, as the light fades, this bi-polar effect increases as monovision works least well at night or under dim lighting conditions. I have, however, simply bought a special pair of glasses that has a prescription lens for only the under-corrected eye for nighttime situations. However, for the great majority of the time I forget that I even have a monovision prescription and I can even adjust somewhat at night.

Importantly, it has not affected my tennis game!

And monovision is reversible in that I can always go back and fully correct my reading eye, but then I would always (again) have to have a pair of reading glasses at hand.

One final note on TRSC: I did their so called “wave front” technique which was not then FDA approved in March of 2003, even though this Bausch and Lomb procedure used that company’s approved laser and was considered as the next generation of their initial procedure did have American approval.

Wavefront had already been used in over 25,000 operations world wide outside the U.S. – with Dr. Chansue have done some 1,500 of those. The key difference wavefront is that it employs a customized reading and measurement of the eye to determine your eye’s exact deficiencies as opposed the then current method of assigning the same laser parameters to the same prescription. In essence, it added a greater amount of individual characteristic shape of the eye, which affects the amount of near sightedness and (in my case) high astigmatism. It was recommended for me and my research had found that many patients doing wavefront were seeing better than 20:20 with this revised method.

I should also note that while TRSC is inexpensive by international standards, they are the most expensive option in Thailand. You can easily save 20 or 30 thousand baht going elsewhere.