fergus

Always, always so much misinformation about PR. 80,000 baht salary for three years? Tea money?

I did mine a couple of years back and I certainly wasn't on 80,000 per year (50K). And the tea money, bribes, etc are a crock. All above board and if you satisfy the requirements you'll get it. I did it myself (with the missus) and I got it.

If you're interested and you'll think you've got a chance my advise is just go ahead and put it in.

And despite what people say, there is a big advantage: you have a permanent visa and are pretty well immune from future immigration changes.

Everyone keeps mentioning 65 as being eligible for the Oz pension. Spare a thought for us born 1964 and after -- we'll be working stiffs until 67!!

Today marks exactly one month stopped for me!!! Didn't use anything. Have tried quomem and as some other posters noted, it can affect your sleep patterns. So this time just promised myself I wouldn't smoke and it's working. Still got cravings, but getting very manageable now. Good luck everyone . . .

Yeah, well done Jockstar. As you saw from my earlier thread, I stopped Dec 21 -- and still going strong! Perhaps we should periodically check in here and keep each other on track

Please read this before you make any decisions.

Well, <deleted>, at least give us a hint as to why we should put off any decision until we've read it

Guys, thanks for the advice on potential probs like dirt on the golf clubs, camping gear, etc. Will be sure to thoroughly clean this end first.

Have some recommendations for shipping so I'll report back if any of them are worth passing on to the forum.

Cheers . . .

As this is not visa related....can it be moved to a more appropiate topic.

Well, it is related to migration to another country though . . .

Anyone got an advice on shipping stuff from Bangkok to Melbourne, Australia? It's not that much, perhaps half a dozen boxes, but includes stuff such as a desktop computer, golf clubs, camping gear and household goods. Is it too small for a removalist?? Anyone got any companies they can recommend??

Any advice appreciated . . .

Anyone got an advice on shipping stuff from Bangkok to Melbourne, Australia? It's not that much, perhaps half a dozen boxes, but includes stuff such as a desktop computer, golf clubs, camping gear and household goods. Is it too small for a removalist?? Anyone got any companies they can recommend??

Any advice appreciated . . .

Just found this forum -- brilliant idea. The more support to stop the better. I actually stopped on Dec 21 last year (didn't want to do the usual Jan 1st reso). So far so good, though still grumpy and still plenty of cravings. But as an experienced quitter (done it many, many times) I think the important thing is being mentally sure you want to stop, then just being plain pig-headed in seeing it through. This method doesn't require gum or tablets.

Anyway, first three weeks are done and still going strong . . .

The "Spoken Thai" package has a big ebook called "Basic Thai Lessons" with 100 lessons, 22 of which are teaching you about the Thai letters and how to read them.

You can read more details in ThaiVisa page below:

Spoken Thai - Learn Thai

There is a Free version of the lessons book but this includes other lessons. Anyway it is free and you can download it here:

Free Lessons Download

B

Thanks, actually was thinking more of the Speak Easy Thai CD. Really interested in just focusing on learning the alphabet (have smatterings of spoken Thai, but haven't passed kor-gai in the alphabet). Any other suggestions?

Anyone used the CDs that you can order from TV to learn to read Thai? Any good and are there any other good CDs for learning the thai alphabet that are good and easy to find in BKK?

Well, if you weren't a criminal before this process, you most likley will become one because of it.

1. AFPsite horrendously slow ( when it works of course , which is seldom )

2. There is some basic info on the cost of a finger print check, but not how to freaking do it from 5000 miles away

3. Embassy ( both consular and AFP ) pretty hopeless too ( very good at saying " we dont do it"- seems to be standard On-job-training when u get a job with the Govt. )

http://www.afp.gov.au/business/criminal_history_checks

I got my fingerprints done at the local Thai police station and then posted them to Oz federal police. I then emailed the feds via the address on their web site and they were back to me next day with answers to questions and to say how it was all going. Hardest bit was getting the Oz currency money order. All worked in the end though.

I knew some one about 10 years ago who claimed his application was facilitated by a B300k deposit made in cash to the sister of a police general. He said it was a lot of trouble getting introduced to the right person and organising the gratuity, as they were very scared of foreigners blowing the whistle on them, but once it was done he only had two interviews of five minutes each and no requests for further documents. I cannot vouch for the authenticity of this story but it seems quite possible. However, I assume there is more competition amongst Chinese and Indian applicants as there are usually more than the country quota of 100 applicants, so they are more likely to look for ways to bribe their way in than farangs who never bang up against their country's quota.

For those going through the front door, which is most, testimonials from civil servants, specially senior policemen, are worth a lot more than those from businessmen, academics etc however prominent the latter may be. Apart from the police and of course Immigration itself the most useful would be senior officials from the Interior Ministry, Tourist Authority of Thailand, Labor Ministry, National Intelligence Agency. This because they sit on the committee for permance residence that decides on your application, assuming you were not turned down at Immigration without referral to the committee. I think the most important thing is working for a large company in Thailand with lots of paid up capital that pays a lot of tax. I have known people working for large firms get it without difficulty when their testimonials and evidence of contribution to Thai society looked weak to me. But these are critical if you work for a small company. If it is your own B2 million company, most of these are automatically rejected, so up your capital to at least B5 million before your apply and raise your own salary to at least B150k a month before your apply. You can always drop again afterwards.

In addition to the benefits already mentioned you are allowed to apply for a gun permit which I am not advocating anyone does but just so as you know. More importanly anything you normally need a work permit for e.g. opening a bank account, buying a car, you can do as a permanent resident without having to show a work permit.

All this about testimonials and bribes, personally I think it's a crock of <deleted>. It's always I know someone who knows someone who did it. I got mine in the 2004 batch and didn't provide any testimonials or references, didn't show any contribution to thai society, and saw know obvious way of bribing anyone even if I wanted too.

My advice -- get the basic documents right and if you fit the criteria and you're not scum of the earth, you'll get it. Simple!

Peugot 405 for sale. Manual transmission. Abt 70,000km. Good condition and well maintained by Peugot Thailand (Yontrakit)

One farang owner. Bought new 2000.

180,000 baht o.n.o.

Email: [email protected] or call 01-8434122

I'm interested to hear from any Aussies who have put in their apps for Thai PR and how they went about the police records with fingerprints check.

I"ve already put the app for PR in, but they didn't accept the police check because the Oz authorities noted that "Not accompanied by fingerprint, Name check only".

According to the Aus police, they will require an authorised fingerprint set to do the full check, but according to the Oz Embassy, they don't provide this service. Thai immigration says the fingerprints have to be done at an embassy OR you have to do the whole thing at the home country.

My question is, does anyone know a way around this, like getting them done at a Thai Police station?

Any info would be gratefully received, especially if it saves me a trip back to Oz.

-fergus