Madgee

Here, I have full medical coverage under my wife's government health insurance. Even if I didn't, heath care is very reasonable.

How is that possible.

I find health insurance the biggest obstacle, because once you get older the premiums skyrocket or they even kick you out at a certain age.

How is that possible?

Certain Gov. Depts. have a staff policy that enable spouse and children under 21 to be covered for full medical treatment and dental care. I'm not sure if the staff covered have to be of a certain rank but I do know that I'm covered under this policy as I had to register with the local Gov. hospital showing my marriage certificate and proof of residence. Age is immaterial.

After spending over 4 years in S-China within a well-known university institution teaching and advising on the speaking element of IELTS , which is extremely popular throughout China, I’ve now re-located to central Isaan to be with my beloved. I have only been in LOS a few months and already discovered by talking to some teachers in my area, they have no idea what I’m talking about concerning IELTS.

On a brief visit to Bangkok, I did bump into a guy who informed me that there were many institutions that used the fundamentals of the IELTS for general English study and of course for the actual test, but I’m surprised there are no institutions in my area. Maybe I’m wrong?

As these tests are world renowned and the leader in their field for students who wish to study abroad or even mature people that have to obtain a language certificate to immigrate, it really does surprise me that many teachers have no knowledge of what IELTS is or indeed the beneficial value to students, whether it be for the test or just for conversational / general English.

IELTS is not really suitable for children under the age of 16 or classes of 35+ students so maybe that is the governing factor in Thailand?

On a previous topic in this forum a poster did mention that IELTS is very popular but I presume that it is only in major cities and many students presumably re-locate to these areas for study?

I would really love to get back into teaching, advising or using IELTS but I think I’m flogging a dead horse in my present location ….Oh well.

Only three weeks ago, I recieved a letter prom the UK Pensions office informing me that "to prevent fraud" from April next year UK Pensions cannot be paid into an account outside UK, EU and commonwealth Countries. This will apply to new applicants only and existing foreign payments are not affected.

Can any one please provide a link or more info on this

I think this info concerns spouses who claim a pension solely on the N.I. contributions paid by their partner.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22423878

If less than six months remaining on the old UK passport, that time is added to the expiry date of the new passport.

Slightly wrong c m:

"Time left on an existing passport is added to your new one - up to a maximum of 9 months."

https://www.gov.uk/renew-adult-passport

Hi Daniel,

White House Paradise Hotel.

Tel: 080-196-8614 or 082-837-5633 or 043-518601

http://goo.gl/maps/c1kN3

Forgot to add: free wifi.

Just had a friend stay there for a week and no complaints!

I was there (Amnat) about 4 weeks ago to do my first yearly extension.

I enquired about the 90 day report and was told that they prefer people to report in person and not really keen on people reporting by post. The officer then pointed to a large pile of post suggesting it makes too much extra work. He did not say I couldn't do it by post, just pointed out the fact that documents do go missing in the post and it's safer to do it in person.

After reading some of the topics about immigration offices on TV I was dreading going ...........

Very clean, modern and spacious office with abundant seating in an air conditioned environment.

Plenty of parking spaces available.

Very helpful officers who are efficient and polite.

Overall, not the 'pain in the @rse' experience many say they endure in other offices around LOS.

Only negative aspect is the 250km round trip!

There is a kind of motel on the outskirts of Roi Et called 'The Whitehouse Hotel', it's more like a row of terraced bedsits. very clean, pleasant surroundings, air-con, fridge, tv etc. washing machines available but no cooking facilities. The town centre is only 5 mins away by bike, no public transport. Price around 4500 baht pm + utilities.

Will try and find a phone number if you are interested.

I just went to my local police station and got a certificate of residence ...no cost. This was accepted at my local DLC no problem.

Probably been said before; go to your local DLC first and ask them exactly what you need, as always, each centre normally differs in the requirements to fulfil, a lot easier than turning up and being sent away for something else.

Worthy of a mention:

When you get your affidavit translated also get the I.D. page of your passport done at the same time. If or when you decide to get a yellow tabien ban it will probably be required and it's worth doing at the time, as the translation shops near the British Embassy are extremely reasonable and fast.

To find a vet that is able to treat termites will be expensive and very exclusive.

How do you know they're ill?

I follow this thread because you two make me chuckle ....thank you!

Can I be a mediator here or just go back to my chuckling?

http://bankexchangerates.daytodaydata.net/default.aspx

TT Rate difference 0.44%

Note Rate difference 3.00%

I win ......

Yep, simple things please simple minds and I'm quite happy to admit it.

Many carriers to choose from, around the £660- £700 mark BKK to MAN return, reasonable flying times too.

Ethiad, KLM, Air-France, Turkish Airways, Emirates etc.

Just check flights on Skyscanner or a similar comparison website.

"Thai jasmine rice promoted as quality gift for foreigners to take home"...

Yeah right. I can see Aussie & USA Ag & Fish and plant quarantine people

agreeing with this "gift" 100%...not to mention the same folks in the Euro zone.

Have these people who thought this up no education?

At one time, long ago I thought small Thai "Spirit Houses" very detailed &

made of wood boxed as a gift would be great....and even looked into having

these made for sale at duty free stores at a fair price. Then there was the

issue of wood...how could I guarantee that the wood I'd use was free of

"pests"? Couldn't argue with that so the idea went into hibernation. So

much for that.

Anyway I reckon this "scheme" (love the word) fits nicely with this....

Funny-Pics-14.02-7.jpg

There are many foodstuffs that are allowed through Customs, rice being one of them although it must be declared.

http://www.csu.edu.au/international/starting-on-campus/immigration-and-customs-regulations

The same goes for Europe and USA, Thailand is not on the Khapra beetle infestation list.

Of course, many people on TV laugh at the idea of Thai rice being taken back to a home country as a gift but to be honest, I can see it working!

It's the idea of something that is an original product from the country you have visited, regardless what it is and has LOS got anything original?

Thai jasmine rice IS a premium product in many western countries, rightly or wrongly, that is how it is considered by many shoppers who buy other makes because they are cheaper.

People visit Aussie and bring back a miniature boomerang or cuddly koala teddy etc. with a 'Made in China' label. It represents Australia.

But of course, unless you live in LOS then you're just a stupid farang who doesn't know what you are buying and with the stands located at check-in, a few baht in your pocket that you want to get rid of before you leave? I bet if someone done a survey of how many bags are sold they will be in for a surprise!

Good marketing idea, shame it's rice!

Edited for adding extra info about the USA

I could be wrong!

You can change the country using Kies, if installed on your pc/laptop but you cannot change the country in the Samsung app on your mobile, as it is network based and by default it will only take your current country where you live as default country.

Another way is to delete the account and open another setting the country you want as default. Some people have different accounts for different countries, this only requires different email addresses that do not necessarily have to be real, I think! Sorry to be a little vague but this is information I was given and researched when I had a similar problem in China.

BTW, Kies is rubbish and fails to work on my pc, many forum questions about this on the Samsung website.

No wonder so many people get confused about the correct terminology when applying for visas / extensions after reading on a reputable website:

'Conversion of Non-immigrant Visa to Marriage Visa in Thailand'

It comes of no surprise to me that other things are possibly wrong or misguiding.

Personally, I will always check with the Gov. office concerned about any matter that I require information and go with their guidance regardless. After all, they will be the one making the decision. JMO.

I just bought a slim line Panasonic unit 11,900 BTU unit from a little electrical appliance shop for a slightly smaller bedroom. Very neat looking, ultra quiet and more than capable of cooling down the room very quickly, no 'clicking and clanking' as it cuts in and out. As others have said, I think you will need something a little larger, especially if you have high ceilings which are a major factor in deciding the unit you require.

TBH, I was very impressed by the service offered and the very professional installation. Ordered at 3pm, fitted by 5pm. The fitters even cleaned up after themselves and used dust sheets where necessary.

Total cost was 11900 baht (after a little bargaining) including installation.

I did price up the same unit at major retailers who offered it at a similar price excluding installation so opted for the local store. Since then, every appliance I have bought has come from the same shop who will match the price of any store, including 'special offers' and if they haven't got it in stock, they will get it within 24-48hrs.

For me, it's not just about price but 'service' and the sellers attitude as well, a hard thing to come by these days. It's nice to go in a store, be treated as a customer, greeted with a smile and get good knowledgeable service. Have a look inside some of the smaller retailers, they might not look too good from the roadside but once inside, they often turn into an Aladdin's Cave.

Just checked on several calculators and all recommend between 14,500 - 15,500BTU units.

I checked my measurements with the shop who basically said a unit too big will under-perform causing it to be less efficient.

Obviously your decision!

I genuinely feel sorry for you and hope that the future bodes you well, it must be heart-breaking to see not only your property but others as well under water. As you say, 'will have to start again', so I really do wish you well in the future and I'm sure my sentiments are echoed around anyone who hears about your plight.

Looking at those photos makes me feel very lucky that I'm in an area not prone to flooding, sort of brings home the reality of living in LOS.

All the very best and thank you for the photos.

No 'official' sites will reveal the current topics, that's obvious. They are a good source of information relating to the format and give an insight as to what an examinee should prepare for and expect in the test.

As regards 'blogs'.

IMO, they are a major source of information, especially for speaking topics, providing you check the information offered with other 'blogs' to get an idea about what topics are in current use. I'm not saying they are truly accurate but if several 'blogs' report a similar worded topic then there is a very good chance it is in the test.

This is an example of a Part 2 retired speaking topic that has been re-introduced, as reported on several worldwide sites.

It probably has revised Part 3 questions which are related (but not about) the topic.

A Work of Art (Sep. 7, 2013)

Describe a statue or other work of art that you have seen.

You should say:

where you saw it

when you saw it

what it looked like

and explain your impressions of this work of art.

Yes, it takes some research and preparation but I think it is worth it to give your students an edge when it comes to the test.

Are you enquiring about all four modules or a specific one?

Test taker or teacher?

The IELTS examination board is constantly modifying its test content, especially speaking, so no book will ever be relevant to the current topics in use. However, most books are suitable for student practise which will help them with the format and timing aspect of the test; crucial for test takers to understand this.

There are some brilliant Chinese and Indian 'blog' websites that share the current test questions if you can decipher some of the English and be bothered to take the time to note the subtle differences between questions. It's a very involved test, hence why most students under achieve in their first attempt.

Probably get more help if this was in the teaching forum?

Game over ...good result.

Maybe some of Manures luck is coming our way this season?

Man of the match for me was Flamini.

The guy never stopped running and made some crucial stops and brilliant passes under pressure, well done that man!

If you are not in Thailand and are applying for a visa to enter Thailand, how is it they expect you to already have money in a Thai bank account before you get the visa when Thai banks require you to go there to open it in person first?

Do Thai embassies really expect something that is impossible or are the people posting here incorrect?

Sorry if I sound pedantic but the OP makes no mention of his finances having to be in a Thai bank account.

He is applying for an 'O' visa outside of Thailand, not an extension of stay.

From my own experience of applying for a non imm 'O' visa (albeit in China) I was asked for proof of funds (equivalent to 800,000baht) in any bank for over 3 months, the bank statement must have both the address of the bank and applicant. This was 4 months ago.

Maybe they are now being more strict in the UK about issuing visas under the non imm 'O' category?

One advantage of having a Thai driving licence is it can be used as an I.D. card when booking in at domestic flights and hotels etc. I find it's a lot more convenient than having to show a passport.