Trevor72

Forgive me in advance for asking something I'm sure has been posed repeatedly. How are your college degree credentials checked or are you supposed to bring your own transcripts and degrees? Does the agency or school you're applying to do personal checks on your education and experience? I'm just curious what the procedure is there.

Thanks,

Trevor

I was just reading last night of how Thailand (and Israel) are allowing teachers to be armed in order to thwart possible terrorists. The threat as I understand it comes from Muslims wanting to start a seperate Muslim state in the south of Thailand.

I'd like to know more about this if anyone cares to share.

Thanks.

Thanks Scott.

Thanks for the comments everyone. Just to clarify with the first post: I'm not really the type who see's women just for fun. I've met so many Philippina's that have been done poorly and it's really solidified my mindset to find a devoted wife and be devoted to her also. No sense in leaving a trail of ill will and bad karma. Yeah, I guess I'll agree that I'd just have to see it myself.

Thanks again.

Hello,

I've recently started thinking about Thailand as a possible long-term or permanent destination. Among many things, I'm wondering what the people are like there? About the only experience I have with foreign women are one's from the Philippines (really like Asian women). I'm figuring that the Phil's is like the Mexico of Asia, so to speak. In other words, there are probably some really great places with a price, but overall it's pretty poor. People looking for employment elsewhere and such. One thing, the Filipina's are awesome women! I know this is largely 'cos ppl from the US and other "unstanding" nations are seen as a ticket out of poverty. What about Thailand, though? How does it sit with you all? I'd also like to know about the expat community. From what little I've heard, it sounds a bit like a haven for ex-offenders (no offense as I'm a minor one myself). But overall, what's the social atmosphere like? How well do you rate it in comparison to your home country. I'd like to hear some contrast between them and us. People and culture.

Jteems3,

I can actually offer you some advice. Since you're still in the States, see about having your record "sealed." It's relatively simple especially if it interferes with something like employment. Sounds to me like you'd stand a chance of getting it. One thing I don't know if is this will keep the FBI from reporting it because law enforcement will still have access. You can also consider petioning the Govorner for an expungement which WOULD take if off your record.

Now, I have some questions of my own. This thread is a mile long and started in 2007, so I want to get the "latest." It seems they are being persisistent about the FBI checks, yes? I wonder if a Federal charge with no conviction would show up on the report and if so would it disqualify me?

Thanks.

I appreciate the sharing of your experience. I too want to teach English there, so I'm supposing I'll need the background check. gk makes it sound like you take care of acquiring the report yourself as opposed to a Consulate doing it however way they do it.

Also, the pardon and sealing of records is slightly different in the US. A pardon actually deletes the record(s), but having them sealed means that only law enforcement (like the cop who pulled Cola over) has access. They effectively become off limits to employers, etc. This is why I ask since I do not know how a Consulate would obtain them and what if any procedure they'd use.

Wow, this Thailand stuff is puzzling. I read one thing one place and another thing at another. For instance, one site said that you needed proof of $780 (converted in Bhat)monthly to obtain a long term visa. Another place is saying 80,000 Bhat. I have 25,500 Bhat in pension and plan to teach ESL. How do I fit in considering this?

Okay, lets assume I want a Permanent Resident visa and wish to teach. Under these circumastances would the records still be safely sealed? I have no personal experience dealing with their Immigration, but all the info I've read indicates a background check.

Thanks for your reply(ies).

I'm hoping to expat to Thailand, but I'm aware that ANY criminal history is grounds for denial. I have some substance abuse-related things from my younger days that concern me, so I will try and have them officially "sealed." In America, this means that no one other than law enforcement has access to them. They're not supposed to appear on background checks unless being performed by a law enforcement agency. I'm unsure about this whole visa process, so I don't know how it operates. Will the records be sealed when the Thai Consulate requests a background check? I don't know how they obtain it or if it concerns a law enforcement agency. I know it's a tricky question, but it's very pertinent to gaining a visa there.

Thanks.