Madgee

"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.

He should have the regulations in Thai. It's his job.

Here they are in case he does not.

RTP777_2551.pdf

Thanks, even better!

Officially, two months for the first extension is correct. Subsequent extensions are three months.

There is NO DOUBT about that.

But that doesn't matter to you at all if your local immigration officers say differently!

If he says their office INCORRECTLY enforces three months, you are stuck with that.

You aren't in a position to challenge their error.

This isn't unusual. Many cases over the years of provincial offices enforcing the official rules incorrectly.

Cheers.

From my several years of experience dealing with the PSB (Public Security Bureau) in China concerning visas, I didn't expect LOS to be any different!

Different days, different officers, different rules.

Must admit, this young guy was very amicable and helpful, a lot better than what I had been led to believe. He answered many questions I wanted to clarify but maybe not with the answers I was hoping for, oh well.

Rules are in police order 777/2551

Link: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?app=core&module=attach&section=attach&attach_id=153821

Many thanks .... clarified.

Link: http://www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/doc/temporarystay/policy777-2551_en.pdf (Same link)

clause: 2.22

The officer I dealt with did ask me to email him the link if I found it contained on an official site but I don't want to rock the boat!

I'd be most grateful if anyone can provide an 'official' link for the financial requirements regarding the amount of time 800,000baht must be seasoned for the 1st yearly extension on the basis of retirement.

I have a single entry 90 day non immigrant 'O' visa.

Many people say on this forum, for the first extension it's 60 days seasoning but my immigration office requested 90 days and suggested a trip to Laos for another visa to give me more time. Eventually, after some friendly banter, they relented and issued my extension stating it was a 'special case'!

Before anyone jumps the gun, no 'tea money' was asked for and none given.

Just out of curiousity, I'd like to find an 'official' link stating this to see who is right.

Many thanks in advance.

Legitimation of Children in Thailand

http://www.siam-legal.com/legal_services/Legitimation-of-a-Child-in-Thailand.php

I'm no legal expert but according to the link above, the father has legal rights over the child as he is on the birth certificate. To me, it's not rocket science, it's not disputed that he is the biological father and unless there is some sort of court order against him, rightly or wrongly he has rights! To obtain what you want, especially as you are in the UK, is going to be a long, tedious and expensive task.

As you know, if / when you apply for her settlement visa you will be required to submit her birth certificate with a legalised letter from the father giving his consent or a Thai court order stating he has no custodial rights. IMO, those that say it is not necessary are wrong and failure to disclose all circumstances could cost you and your wife the reunion you desire with the child. The way the UKBA is, any discrepancy will give them the opportunity to refuse.

I'll agree with some other posters on this one, although not ethical, a plea about a better education etc. and some form of financial compensation could be the quickest and cheapest solution in the long run.

Just out of interest, what's the grandparents take on all this? Their influence could be crucial.

Another reason for going down the route of marriage extension is the missus!

In a few days I'll be off to immigration to get my first extension on the basis of retirement, which will give me time to get my paperwork sorted out from the UK and visit BKK, so I can get hitched in Thailand. Straight after that, on the wishes of my future missus, I'll change the status of my extension of stay.

She would rather see me here knowing it's for her, not just for retirement. Silly I know but there is some logic in her thinking.

Don't wish to tempt fate in your and the OP's cases, but, conversely, should one's marriage go belly-up for any reason, any extension of stay based on marriage would automatically lapse from the date of any resultant divorce, which would then mean one having 7 days max to leave the country.

An extension of stay based on retirement would, however, avoid such a calamity. For this reason I would personally never contemplate switching from retirement to marriage for extension of stay purposes unless I found myself no longer able to meet the retirement financial requirements, despite being in a sound marriage to my teerak.

Another point which might be worth bearing in mind is that, while it should be possible to accomplish a retirement extension with a single visit to one's local immigration office, one would need at least 2 visits in the case of a marriage extension (which might be a material factor if one lived a considerable distance from one's local immigration office as I do). This is because one is only given an interim 30-day "under consideration" stamp initially, after which one has to return for the final stamp - assuming, of course, that the local immigration Head Honcho has approved one's extension in the meantime.

Each to their own, I can understand where you're coming from but........

Thinking about plan 'B' before I even get married???

IMHO, not a good mental attitude to have.

I'm 120k away from the designated immigration office so it's a fair distance, so what?

It's not a hardship to have a day out and explore the surrounding area, you never know what you might come across. In my case, I prefer to be out and about doing something rather than stuck in front of a keyboard like today. (heavy rain for the last 6 hrs!) On the rare occasions an extension is refused on the basis of marriage then I still have time to go down the retirement route which would be what I previously had.

Again, everyone has a different perspective of things; good to hear you have a sound marriage.

Another reason for going down the route of marriage extension is the missus!

In a few days I'll be off to immigration to get my first extension on the basis of retirement, which will give me time to get my paperwork sorted out from the UK and visit BKK, so I can get hitched in Thailand. Straight after that, on the wishes of my future missus, I'll change the status of my extension of stay.

She would rather see me here knowing it's for her, not just for retirement. Silly I know but there is some logic in her thinking.

Welcome back Flamini!

well, he has been training at the club for the last 2 weeks.

Tears For Fears ... Everybody Wants To Rule The World

Absolute Radio 70's ... Fantastic radio station!

^^^ the Op

This is the link for the info I've supplied.

https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports/y/thailand/renewing_new/adult

I did notice they do ask for a copy of your present visa so it might be worth asking them for the letter you require?

The key word in your quoted text is "if". When you are renewing a passport and submitting the old one you do not need it countersigned

>

@#post 2

It's important that only 1 photo is countersigned, the other must remain blank.

Quote from UK passport renewal guidance notes:

'If your application needs to be countersigned, please

ask your counter signatory to certify only one of your

photographs.The second photograph must be left

blank.'

I do know of someone who made this mistake and he was requested to send another photo!

You say the key word is 'if' but if you are applying from Thailand then it's highly advisable NOT to submit your old passport as it should be available for inspection by the Thai authorities at all times. This advice is also recommended by the UK Embassy.

Quote:

'Keep your existing passport for security and ID purposes - dont send it with your application.'

@#post 2

It's important that only 1 photo is countersigned, the other must remain blank.

Quote from UK passport renewal guidance notes:

'If your application needs to be countersigned, please

ask your counter signatory to certify only one of your

photographs.The second photograph must be left

blank.'

I do know of someone who made this mistake and he was requested to send another photo!

The modern day English language derives from a mix of many languages from different countries. Northern Germany and France are the leading contributors, add to that the Roman influence and Latin from the influence of the church and now you can see why English is such a hard language for non-speakers to learn.

Who is the rightful owner of the English language?

The Angles = British!

I'm no expert but I just found this:

http://www.phuketgazette.net/archives/issuesanswers/2012/article1350.html