Hugh Jarse

Sorry ,why do you need a certificate to prove that you are alive?I am on an old age pension, have never heard of such a document, if indeed that is what it is.I have to go to my Embassy ,to get Stat .Dec. certifying my monthly income,which I then present to Immigration, and then they issue me with a 1 year extension.I have to do this every year. There is NO document that can be issued by your Amphur, that is accepted by Immigration.That has been the law for many,many years. I repeat ,there is NO document issued by your Amphur ,that is acceptable to them. They need ,and will only accept a Stat ,Dec. , from your Embassy, certifying your monthly income,that is of a minimum of B 65,000 per month, or if you have B 800,000 lodged for a minimum of 3? months in a Thai bank account

Last year I had to prove income of 50k pcm or have 400k in the bank; I am married to a Thai. When was the increase announced?

Check out the Chiang Mai Forum and within this is a thread for education/childrens education. I found this a good place to start. Thai schools have very poor English language teaching, as do many of the so called bi-lingual schools. Do the background work and then go and interview the schools nearest to where you plan to live.Of utmost importance is to get thorough info. on the teaching staff, their qualifications and whether the school has native speakers who speak good English well!

Crime is heavily under reported in Thailand due to the fact that the police are either incompetent, involved, or likely to take advantage of the situation. I expect the real numbers are much higher. Can't comment on the missing people stuff as they don't say for how long or what efforts were made to find them. But we know stalkers do use the internet to find victims so no reason to doubt it happens here too.

Wisdom... dead on.

Any one know what the murder rate is in Thailand? It is rumoured to be the highest in South-east Asia. Does the govt. publish such figures?

Sometimes yes most the times no. Depends on the immigration officer.

I was at the Chiang Mai Imm Office recently and they insisted on keeping the original ,embossed, letter from Brit. Consul,. It really grates having to pay over 2000 baht for a simple downloaded template, signed by an official.

The 400k would be for immigration extension of stay - with 100k KL will issue a multi entry non immigrant O visa valid for one year of 90 day entries. That should like it would fit if you have the 100k. Take bank book, marriage certificate, copy of wife id and home register and normal visa application at KL to obtain.

Thank you for this info. I am visiting Vietnam soon and wonder whether the Thai Embassy in Saigon/HCM city would issue a multi Non I 'O'?

Thanks again.

KL or KL or KL. Sorry.

Is it possible to obtain a Double entry NON I O based on marriage to a Thai in the region?.

My multi entry visa runs out next month and do not want to return to UK for another 12 monthvisa.I do not have the 400k surety but wil have middle of next year.

Many thanks for any advice here.

If he is planning on dieing in the house sure go ahead and invest that 5 or 6 million, but if he has any idea of moving on do not do it. Rent. There are over 5,000 houses on the market in Chiang Mai and that is what is listed with the top 5 realtor's in the area. If you were to add in all the other realtor's and those that are private, oh boy. I can show you 12 beautiful homes, 2 story on a lake empty. You tell me.

Agree, advise that he rent first and then spend at least 4-6 months looking around for a place to call home. As a foreigner it is always difficult to live in a 'stand alone' owing to security issues and absenses from the house; you must have adequate security measures in place as there is so much poverty here right now. A relatively secure housing estate(Moo Bahn) may be the best option in the interim.

There is also the very real possibility of further political unrest, deterriorating forex rates and these could have a detrimental effect on re sale values.

In a nutshell:: Rent, rent, rent . If you have a Thai partner however they may think that you are a bit simple!

Good luck.

Another problem with Nationwide who l have been with for 10 years is that they will not send any correspondence to your Thai address but this is not to much of a problem as l use Internet banking. My main problem is that my flexi account debit card (Visa) expires in June next year so they will not send me a new card here Thailand. They send all correspondence to my sisters home as my registered address with them so will have to arrange for her to DHL/Fedex the new card to me. Very costly as not wanting to go back to the UK just to pick up a new debit card as l currently use the card to withdraw my monthly pension. !50 baht withdrawal fee and now 1 GBP and 2% fee on top is a lot to take into account but no option as there do not seem to be a lot of alternatives. Dissapointed with Nationwide but what else can us ex-pats on a pension in Thailand do?. Will try and get my pension companies to send the funds to my Thai bank account each month but not sure if they will charge. Any suggestions are welcome

At a time when the public's attitudes to banks and banking executives are at an all time low it is curious that N'wide are increasing their fees now. The gimmmicky free travel insurance ,is within the EU countries only, so pretty useless for those who travel outside the EU. It looks as though N'wide are losing their competitive edge. For Nationwide to take customer complaints seriously I would urge those who feel disastisfied/ outrage to write letters of complaint to :: Graham Pilkington, (Division Director, Banking) Nationwide building Soc. Swindon SN38. Nationwide continue to use a slogan ::Proud to be different' In reality they are proud to be like every other bank!

Another problem with Nationwide who l have been with for 10 years is that they will not send any correspondence to your Thai address but this is not to much of a problem as l use Internet banking. My main problem is that my flexi account debit card (Visa) expires in June next year so they will not send me a new card here Thailand. They send all correspondence to my sisters home as my registered address with them so will have to arrange for her to DHL/Fedex the new card to me. Very costly as not wanting to go back to the UK just to pick up a new debit card as l currently use the card to withdraw my monthly pension. !50 baht withdrawal fee and now 1 GBP and 2% fee on top is a lot to take into account but no option as there do not seem to be a lot of alternatives. Dissapointed with Nationwide but what else can us ex-pats on a pension in Thailand do?. Will try and get my pension companies to send the funds to my Thai bank account each month but not sure if they will charge. Any suggestions are welcome

Easy for you - pop into AA Insurance Brokers next to Big C on S'vit Road (the South Pattaya one) and they will help

Mitiyon on the Sukhumvit gave me mine for the second year, they were also the cheapest with comparable cover.

They use Lockton insurance.

Failing that go to E & I insurance brokers on the third road just down from Exzyte, they do all my other insurances, great service and English speaking and reliable.

Keep those good times rolling.

Norman W

Are E & I on the same side of the road as Exyte? When you say 'just down', is that south or north? Thanks.

Hull are usually very good at replying to emails in my experience.

A related question? My Non Imm. O by virtue of marriage runs out in November. Where, in the region, is best place to go for another one ?. I would ideally like a double entry visa this time round, until I can return to my home country for another Multiple entry ,1 year visa.

.

One thing worth pointing out is that Prem is the only school around Chiang Mai where the students get an International Baccalaureate. This is a great help if you aspire to further studies at university abroad.

/ Priceless

I believe that APIS (American_Pacific) also offer the IB.Not sure how good the school is though.

There is a current debate about the usefulness of the IB V. (The British) A level system. What kind of education do you want for your children? will you be moving to other countries before your childre complete their studies?

You could also consider some of the Bi-lingual schools too . For example Wichai Wittaya (a Thai, Turkish foundation) Check out the posts in the education forum here as I found these very useful.

Good luck you have a major decisions ahead of you.

"I did not intended to hurt him. I apologise to his family," he told reporters.

Well, that makes it all okay then. Condolences to the family of the slain boy. It did not have to happen. There is plenty of blame to go around here, but it starts with these two punks. Life without parole. Done. Next time we hear anything about them is in 2060 when its reported they've died in prison. Next in responsibility are the heads of the schools. For years their line has been "boys will be boys" and they have refused to come down on the rivalries between these schools, they have even promoted the rivalries. Give the headmaster of this school the word - shut down the school if he does not resign. The education minister should be called in front of the governor or PM and have a plan within 48 hours to clean up the rest of the schools or he's gone. Word goes out to all schools, next sign of trouble, they all shut down, for good.

Social control begins in the family (I'm assuming these yobs have a family or some kinsfolk), and that is where right and wrong must begin. Don't just blame the schools and those running them.It is much more complicated .We all learn more out of school that in it . Poverty and chaotic family life leads to all kinds of social disintegration .The elites and power wielders of this country have a monumental job ahead of them improving childrens access to education, along with financial support for (poor) families to help them send their children to school without incurring debts to userers(sp?).

My deepest sympathies to the parents of the dead.

well for sure he had a passport cos you cannot board a plane without it

escape phuket is easy, hire a boat or take a boat trip to Langkawi and get a visa stamp

then fly anywhere.

I think you would need an exit stamp from Thailand before Langkawi Imm. would give you an entry stamp into Malaysia.

Well fortunately you were insured !

Sorry to read this bad news, but glad no one was hurt or worse. I keep hearing about an increase in burglaries and break-ins but how serious is it in Chiang Mai.? Is it becoming more common? Are there any figures published (probably not) or source of crime stats for the province.?

This is a wake up call anyway and rams home just how desperate some people are for money and goods.

Try the High fi shop at Central Kad saen Kaew Its up on the 3rd floor. I have used him for a service as well as purchases. He has a good supply of good amps etc.

But really great minds like a think!

Great minds think alike.

Dirty ones too.

Anybody have info. concerning science/lab facilities at the bi-lingual schools here in Chiang Mai? Witchai Witaya does't have any lab facilities.

• A Type A Sociopath to be sure... This guy needs permanent incarceration or removal. Stats show 1 in 25 people in the US are secretly a Sociopath - read the traits below and I am sure we all know one or two. And there is no cure!!! But the difference between a sociopath and a psychopath is the latter pulls the trigger and the former will anytime soon...
• 
  
• Glibness and Superficial Charm
• Manipulative and Conning
• Never recognize the rights of others and see their self-serving behaviors as permissible.
• Appear charming, yet are covertly hostile and domineering, seeing their victim as merely an instrument to be used.
• Dominate and humiliate their victims.
• Grandiose Sense of Self
• Feels entitled to certain things as "their right."
• Pathological Lying
• No problem lying coolly and easily and it is almost impossible for them to be truthful on a consistent basis.
• Can create, and get caught up in, a complex belief about their own powers and abilities.
• Extremely convincing and even able to pass lie detector tests.
• Lack of Remorse, Shame or Guilt
• A deep seated rage, which is split off and repressed, is at their core.
• Always has a substance abuse of some kind
• Does not see others around them as people, only as targets and opportunities.
• Instead of friends, they have victims and accomplices who end up as victims.
• The end always justifies the means and they let nothing stand in their way.
• Shallow Emotions
• When they show what seems to be warmth, joy, love and compassion it is more feigned than experienced and serves an ulterior motive.
• Outraged by insignificant matters, yet remaining unmoved and cold by what would upset a normal person.
• Incapacity for Love
• Need for Stimulation
• Living on the edge. Verbal outbursts and physical punishments are normal.
• Promiscuity and gambling are common.
• Callousness/Lack of Empathy
• Unable to empathize with the pain of their victims, having only contempt for others' feelings of distress and readily taking advantage of them.
• Poor Behavioral Controls/Impulsive Nature
• Rage and abuse, alternating with small expressions of love and approval produce an addictive cycle for abuser and abused, as well as creating hopelessness in the victim.
• Believe they are all-powerful, all-knowing, entitled to every wish, no sense of personal boundaries, no concern for their impact on others.
• Early Behavior Problems/Juvenile Delinquency
• Usually has a history of behavioral and academic difficulties, yet "gets by" by conning others.
• Problems in making and keeping friends; aberrant behaviors such as cruelty to people or animals, stealing, etc.
• Irresponsibility/Unreliability
• Not concerned about wrecking others' lives and dreams.
• Oblivious or indifferent to the devastation they cause.
• Does not accept blame themselves, but blames others, even for acts they obviously committed.
• Promiscuous Sexual Behavior/Infidelity
• Promiscuity, child sexual abuse, rape and sexual acting out of all sorts.
• Lack of Realistic Life Plan/Parasitic Lifestyle
• Tends to move around a lot or makes all encompassing promises for the future, poor work ethic but exploits others effectively. Criminal or Entrepreneurial Versatility
• Changes their image as needed to avoid prosecution.
• Changes life story readily.
• 

A most useful and concise definition of the characteritics of a socio/psychpath. The Thai's obviously dont need people like this in their jails. He is better off back in Oz where authorities there have the resources, facilities and skills to deal with them.

The Nation reported this morning that 1 red leader has over 100 mill recently put into his acc, plus that he has recently purchased 2 mansions and a few high worth vehicles. Surely the gov can use this to their advantage. Circulating on mass this information to the reds who would never see or dream of this amount surely would put his integrity into question. More importantly question his true motive.

On Thai news tonight a report that 30 red shirts and backers as well as some companies have had their accounts frozen.Agree this should get more coverage by international mass media corps. The BBC(World) has been pathetic with their analysis on their coverage, particularly Rachel Harvey's weak and pudding-like despatches. CNN have also been pathetically inadequate in their coverage.

Thaksin is a malicious/savage egomaniac who I hope will one day be called to account for his actions.

Perhaps things will change but outside of Bangkok, I do not see any anarchy at all. In fact nothing has changed in the least.. It does seem sometimes that Bangkok is separate from the rest of Thailand. Personally, I hope there is no more violence in Bangkok or anywhere else. But if their is violence in Bangkok, I do not believe this will necessarily lead to a civil war. As long as farmers have crops and vendors can sell their goods I think life will just go on.

Wrong, my friend, their is a strong UDD force here in the north; Thaksins home pace. For e.g there were 10 or so bombs up here (no injuries) in Chiang Mai. over the Song Kraan. Reds are everywhere. Do not underestimate their organisational abilities and financial support from a former PM.

Very helpful info. here about this important matter. About to build a house so reading these threads and the inputs greatly appreciated.

It's about time! Totally justified for all the world to see.

A message to the good people of Thailand.

I can tell you with confidence the vast majority of foreigners support your honorable PM Abhisit in his valiant effort to fight anarchic red shirt's illegal attempt at revolution and the rule of a violent mob. Good luck to and best hopes for a PEACEFUL resolution.

Here,here ,well said . The current administration must be commended for their handling of the demo's so far. I cannot recall any other administration here being so patient and diplomatic. The Reds are messing on their own doorstep by this approach to conflict resolution. They are ridiculed the world over and the blood demonstrations recently illustrate their vulgarity ditto their puppet master thaksin S.

Thanks for the info. I guess I booked my trip down south during the wrong week. I'm back tomorrow so let's hope that the air quality stays relatively good.

Its late friday here at the Hang dong end of town where usually the pyromaniacs are in full fire mode. There is a high pressure , the stars are visible and not as much as a dog end whiff of smoke. Im off to the far south soon so hope you have some relatively fresh air to breath also , in this usually great part of the world.