neilmc

Apologies if this has been posted already, it includes details from the injured victim :

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/01/07/thai-cdn.html

The idea of making applicants sit an english test has been talked about for a lot of years. Now it does look as if they will implement this in the not too distant future.

I feel it is a sensible requirement and as others have stated who would want to marry someone they canot have a conversaation with??

Too many Pakistanis and Africans? Seems also now there are many from the EU who cannot speak English also so I feel this is aimed at them too.

How can people expect to live and/or work in England if they cannot read / write / speak the language?

This doesn't affect anyone from the EU and isn't / can't be aimed at EU citizens - they have the freedom of movement right which allows anyone in a member state to relocate to any other member state regardless of language, etc

And quite right too otherwise most of us English people would not be able to leave England due to our general stubbornness in learning foreign languages !

There are restrictions on the newer Eastern European nations but they are time based and will be completely lifted in a few years. I know a Polish girl who used to work in a bar I drank in who needed to get a work permit just to work in the bar, now she works in a bank and needed a seperate permit for that.

Right now the government are making EU immigrants jump through a few hoops before settling, but none of them are Language based.

It's worth noting that you can get some excellent deals on the business and first class around the world tickets, especially if you are starting off in the USA due to the low value of the dollar. I know someone who does a first class around the world a few times a year using one of these and last time I checked it was running at under $8000 first class all the way, triple miles too !

I wanted travel to thailand next week , I cancel it ?

I would be more worry about thai busses then thai bombs !!!!!!

with songkhran going on everuthing that has wheels for vehicules and arms for driver will be on the road!!!!!

scary

I vowed never to return to Thailand during Songkran after my experiences 2 years ago.

Unfortunately I forgot to check the dates when booking a recent flight and I arrive this Friday - the 13th just as the madness begins - ###### - how did that happen !

This will cause problems for me as a tourist.

I arrive in Bangkok for 1 month in November and while I am there I am going to take 2 seperate trips out of the country returning to Bangkok after each one and then return to the UK before Christmas. In total I will be in Thailand for about 20 days but will have three entry stamps on my passport when I leave.

I also planned to Come on holiday to Thailand for a couple of weeks next April but under these new regulations I will have three entry stamps on my passport even though I am only staying for a few days and effectively using Thailand as a travel hub for my extended travels while I am away.

I tend to avoid going to countries that require advance purchases of visas becuase it's a hassle - I dont live near any embassies and I don't want to pay the often exphensive fees to some stupid embassy official to rubber stamp my passport.

So I won't come over in April - I'll just go somewhere else - when I am away I spend thousands of pounds in hotels, bars and restaurants and normally I travel in a group of like minded people !

Where else in Asia is a pretty cool place to go for a couple of weeks break ?

Hi,

I'm looking to rent a 2 bedroom house in the Hua Hin area. Must be fully furnished and have full AC.

Does anyone know of any good and reputable rental agencies or owners who have property to rent in the area.

I would like it from the end of June onwards for at least a year.

One thing is important - I need internet access, preferably ADSL so any information on this would be a plus.

Thanks

Neil