ChrisKC

The seriousness of a coup and subsequent curfew and all they think about is themselves and MONEY. Image has nothing to do with it. Tourists are not allowed after 10pm and they understand the reason why. What about all the thousands of nights there hasn't been a curfew - when Bar and restaurant owners have been making a killing?

By getting married I would say you are both committing yourselves to sharing both your assets and your liabilities.

With a Thai girl and farang this has the effect of you sharing your assets with her and she passing on her liabilities to you.

I already have a paid subscription to 365Sport. Does that mean I can watch all the World Cup Football as advertised here? I ask this as only today, I received an invitation from their sister company thaiexpat.tv. to subscribe to them for exactly the same thing. Surely they know I am a Subscriber with their other outfit!

Yes, I was at Chiang Mai Immigration on the same day. I was with my wife who had booked an appointment for both of us at 14.00 for that day. (We actually arrived 11.30 to process an overstay of my wife of 20 days (she forgot her 90 day thing). Unfortunately, she had tried to book online (90 days earlier) for any date prior to 11 May when our retirement visa expired. This meant a 3 day overstay that we thought might be overlooked as the booking system couldn't accommodate the date we needed.

The three day overstay created a delay, B1500 fine for each of us and our passports endorsed accordingly!! Two hours later we eventually got our passports back but my wife needed a re-entry visa that couldn't be processed until getting her passport back. Because the passport was now endorsed the paperwork took another hour to process so they asked for her to come back the next day. We didn't want to do that so after some negotiation they agreed to do it. Another hour and we were on our way.

That was nearly five hours altogether but we did get everything we needed.. We weren't the last to leave and already it was 4.30.

Easily my worst experience there in 11 years but no real aggro apart from the irritation of all that waiting and no free WiFi to keep me occupied!

Even if you were not legally responsible, as the driver you can consider yourself personally responsible. No passenger travels in my car without wearing their seatbelt. The child should be in a safety seat end of story. Don't leave without one!! It's not your driving that will kill your passengers!!

Dear Colleagues,

I am nearing the completion of a substantial work about what Thai girls are really like. Whether I call it a book, an e-book or an article is yet to be decided. The following paragraph forms part of my introduction to what will eventually become about 13,000 or 14,000 (12,000 completed) words or approximately 35 pages of A4.

“This is not an academic study with statistical data; neither is it a series of personal experiences and boring stories of mine or others nor any stories in fact that might usually highlight only one aspect or characteristic of Thai girls or culture or living. No particular girl is cited here. Instead, it is a fairly comprehensive summary of cumulative experience that has helped me form what I believe to be reasonable conclusions and balanced (albeit generalised) judgments about Thai women: their culture, personality traits, philosophy of life, why they behave the way they do and what makes them who they are. What you read here is intended for those with a little knowledge of Thai girls, those with pre-conceived ideas and those who need to start from scratch.”

(removed).

If some of you wish to comment inside this Forum, that’s OK but serious offers of help and possible joining of minds, I would appreciate discussing through exchanges of private Messages.

Thank you so much for your attention.

Chris in Khon Kaen Province

Buddhism does not believe in a deity - no gods. Buddhists are Atheists. Couldn't be more un-Christian!

Thai women have enough problems with farangs without having the nonsense of Christianity to cope with as well.

When I lived in Lamphun 3 years ago I was burgled twice, both occasions during the day around lunchtime while I was away for less than an hour! It was obvious they were waiting for me to leave in my car before entering my house round the back where they sawed the iron bars from the bathroom window, not much more than an area of 1 square foot, They stole a laptop, a camera and my external disks on which I was careful to back up all my important files.

That was the first time.

I decided to lock the room that contained my new laptop so if they came again they would be out of luck. Six months later they broke the steel back door down plus the door of the room containing my valuables. They took the lot.

Actually, I had borrowed the money from a friend to buy my new computer and I was paying them back monthly so I hadn't even finished paying for it. Then I was without a computer for six months - I couldn't afford a new one.

The police came around on both occasions but that was it!

I lived in England for more than 50 years in Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, London and was never burgled!

Now I take precautions in my house that I can't make public here but I will say this: if any Thai person tries to burgle me again he will think he has been <deleted> by a train!!

Isn't this so sad and depressing?

I have been travelling on long haul buses for ten years in Thailand and had my fair share of accidents and incidents that have scared me: broken suspension going down a mountain, driver falling asleep, failing brakes, steering wheel stuck, drivers using mobile phones while driving, driving at 100kms per hour, less than 15 feet behind another bus and so it goes on.

Surely Thai people, especially those in important positions are not saying "mai bpen rai", though that is what it seems to me!

In May I have to travel to Chiang Mai from Khon Kaen and return, a journey I have made a few times but I don't want to do it again.

It's a long way round but I will go by train via Pitsanaluk.

What else can I do? I don't have a car.

Sawasdee my Friend,

You have done two things right so far:

You have acknowledged and admitted to a problem

And you are seeking help.

If you understand what your problem is: are you an Alcoholic or an habitual drinker? Then you can consider your options.

This is the first day of the rest of your life. Something has to change.

Sit down and make some kind of plan that demonstrates you know what your objectives are.

This is you, not me but if it were me I would first want to know how much I am drinking - make a note of it.

Then decide on a regime that reduces this by an amount (say, 10%) per day/ week/ month

Write it down, commit yourself to it

The important thing about all of this is that you will be doing something to help yourself. It will give you self-confidence and self respect and you will feel good that you are succeeding at reaching your objectives.

If you want me to help with this, send me a message.

Kind regards from Chris

It's probably a bit late to offer this now but for what it is worth and for others who are in a similar position, I wholeheartedly recommend a website called www.couchsurfing.com When you go there you will see what I mean. I recommend it because I was host to many young people from around the world as well as being a guest with some fellow Couchsurfers in China and USA. We all had a rewarding experience and felt 100%safe.

It is a safe way to get accommodation and usually free and with people who you can trust.

Chris

Well, I am moving into a house and would appreciate some "stuff". I wonder if you will send me details of what furniture and kitchen appliances you have together with other knickknacks, I might like to have.

If you could take some photos of the main items plus a description of their condition, I might wish to pursue this.

You can contact me direct please at *removed*

Thank you for your time and patience.

Chris

It would be my suggestion, that the three of them draw up a basic business plan that includes a preliminary budget. Known fixed expenses and operating expenses against anticipated income. Do they have a lot of equipment to buy? Are they sure there is a market for their services?

I think also it would be useful for each of them to know and agree on what their particular responsibilities and duties might be.

Assuming everybody's intentions are honourable, it is still crucial to prepare and plan before starting the business. Even intelligent Thais don't realise the importance of this! As an experienced business owner myself, I know!

With due respect to your story, it is a variation on a theme! You are falling in love with her and she is falling in love with her economic future and from what you have said it does seem like a thin end of a wedge.

If you were telling us how often you both talk of honesty, sincerity, respect and love and your future together making a home, rather than dowry, which by the way is not remotely a facilitator in many Thai families, I would have more faith in her stated motives for wanting you.

Some Thai women are exceptionally skilled at nurturing a relationship that will get them what they want.

For me, you said one thing in particular that would offend my principles: that she didn't have time to discuss the matter but would have time to buy the gold! That shows me she is impatient and selfish and doesn't respect you enough to allow you the time to feel good about your decisions. That attitude doesn't coincide with my ideas about a relationship now, let alone for a committed future. If you smell a rat, there is one!

I can assure you, as a fellow farang, that young Thai women are so easy to fall in love with; they (appear) to be so charming, beguiling, demure and innocent. But be sure you are falling in love with a woman who will make you happy in all aspects of your life. If you have concerns (which you do because you are writing here) at this early stage, the signs are shouting at me to be extra cautious.

I have rejected ALL Thai women who demand dowries and there are still thousands and thousands you can choose from.

And another thing, don't make a permanent decision because you have to go home, soon! If you are worth (to her), real love, you are worth waiting for!

As a general rule, Thai women will take any farang! But farangs should be very, very choosy; the odds are stacked in your favour.

Go with your heart but take your brain with you!

This is not about money; it's about honesty, honourable intentions, contentment. A real, brave man will see the light and make a bold decision.

You only need to be wearing a seat belt or a crash helmet if you have an accident. Problem is, you never know when you will have an accident. Therefore, you need to wear them all the time - not to mention that is the law! Thai people only wear them when there is a Police purge and often they know in advance when and where that will be.

Most motorbike owners carry a helmet in their shopping basket. After they have been shopping you can almost hear them asking, "now then, where can I put this crash helmet?"

If it were up to me, drunk drivers would have their vehicles impounded and a heavy price to pay for their retrieval. If they get killed walking home, so be it! Thai driving is down to a 'don't care and totally selfish attitude' so I will make them pay enough to make them care! And until they do, their vehicles are off the road!

Would this work? I don't know but, B5000 to retrieve every vehicle would provide plenty of Government income to pay Police a decent wage to enforce the law and probably reduce corruption, whilst ensuring that dangerous driving is treated with the urgency, vigilance and serious attention that is lacking currently - and has been for many years!

I have had the experience of overstaying in Thailand for about six months. It was not due to lack of personal diligence but to my passport expiring -- and hence my Thai residence visa since visas are only valid up to the passport's expiry date -- and to my embassy not providing me with a new one on account of a spurious judicial case against me in my home country which was subsequently dismissed in its totality . Upon getting my new passport I went to the Thai immigration and explained the case. They were sympathetic but indicated that their rules do not provide for my case and was told that the only way out was to exit Thailand and pay THB 20 K at the airport. They added I would have no problem in getting a visa on my return to Thailand. So I went to the airport, paid the sum, no questions asked, the processing went smoothly and quickly ( about ten mins. ), was out of Thailand for a month, returned and obtained a new one-year visa without any problem.

For those in this forum that are quick to blame the lawbreakers, please note : THERE ARE AT TIMES LEGITIMATE AND UNAVOIDABLE GROUNDS TO OVERSTAY , and by extension, to break laws. Legal systems have many loopholes which can either turn out to work positively or negatively depending on circumstances; the complexity increases when, as in my case, one has to deal with two legal systems that were not only not conceived to work in coordination but which furthermore intently ignored each other, with the affected person left in the middle to bear their disfunctions.

If I was in that position, I'd be on the doorstep of the Thai authorities one day into the overstay, or before if that had been possible, explaining why I couldn't leave/extend my visa, but that's just me.

Perhaps I have a greater appreciation of 'doing the right thing' than many.

Hear, hear! Yes, that IS the right thing to do! I would do exactly the same. If an over-stayer has good reason and doesn't tell Immigration of his special circumstances as soon as his visit is due, then they don't know and might perceive them as no better than the "no show". It is better to prevent a problem than to wait until there IS a problem.

About a week ago, I went for my regular 90-day visit to Immigration and for the first time (in 10 years) I saw the Officer processing it through the computer. Surely this means they can monitor over-stayers as, when the 90 day visit or other visa limitations are due and the foreigner doesn't show, it can be programmed to flash up on the screen - constantly - until he DOES show.

When he doesn't, he is emailed or telephoned or contacted in some way through his last known address.

It is going to get more difficult playing Russian Roulette with the Immigration Authorities in Thailand as articles in these pages remind us.

If I was an Immigration Officer, I would interpret an overstay of more than a month, (unless there was some damned good reason, backed up by evidence) a serious violation that seems to give the impression the foreigner doesn't care about the Immigration laws or their consequences when flagrantly disregarded.

Yes, I am a goody-goody when it comes to my paperwork - I hate unnecessary trouble!

You could try contacting Simon Bradshaw at Perfect Homes (website) He and his (thai) wife were both teachers here and have a school age daughter, so can probably give you the lowdown on education options, as well as accommodation if you need that too.

Best of luck with your adventure-great life experience for your daughters.

Wouldn't it just be easier to contact the schools ! rather than someone who use to be a teacher, not unless your just trying to drum up business for him of course

Of course it wouldn't be easier or - better! A recommendation or referral is far better and can form part of an introduction to a school that the Referrer may know of that fits the Enquirers circumstances and very likely avoid contacting numerous schools, who's Receptionist might not speak English too well or give confusing information, even supposing the Schools are open when they try to contact them.

Regarding a recommendation because it might mean business for his friend is not remotely inferred by the kind gentleman who took time out to help a stranger and, like me, knows many people in many areas of life in Thailand who can give quality information quickly and doesn't offer that help to someone for personal gain!

There are several areas in Chiang Mai that are very suitable for your requirements. My suggestion is that you come and see for yourself. You can't make an informed decision from afar. There are few "high rise" in Chiang Mai, certainly there are no skyscrapers as in Bangkok.

From an accommodation point of view, you can stay in a nice hotel, many of which offer a fantastic monthly rate over the normal daily rate.

Befriend a local Thai person (when you get here) who knows the Chiang Mai "ropes".

The advice about not going through an Agent is excellent - don't do it. it's not specially because there are scams but you WILL be taken advantage of re rent and long tenancy agreement.

In my opinion with 11 years of living in Thailand, 8 of them in Chiang Mai, some houses are cheaper than condos to rent. You have to look around but you can find something modest but with a garden and a few rooms that makes the whole living a more attractive proposition. Up to you of course.

A few of the replies here have very good content - re-read them.

I now live in Isaan where you can find a house in the countryside with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sitting room, kitchen large garden and furnished B2500 a month.

20 miles outside Chiang Mai with regular transport B20 into Chiang Mai you can easily find a large house for B4000 a month. Whatever you want now or reflected in a change of mind later, Thailand has a lot to offer.

It's not WHAT you know but WHO you know in Thailand!

There is no general point. Only that purpose or point you determine for yourself.

Happiness and contentment are a state of mind not situation. Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, indeed, anywhere is not the important issue here.

In one of your replies you stated that your volunteer work left you discontented - how did that happen?

To be "fair", how many Thai Nationals go abroad to those 17 countries compared with tourists FROM those countries. It surely is miniscule!

Dear PA,

It's clear from the replies I have read that you aren't going to learn anything about Farangs here. Send me your email address to *** and I will give you good quality information about Farangs from Australia, Western Europe, USA and England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Not all farangs are the same

Chris

I have had joint retirement visa with my English wife for 8 consecutive years. For 5 of those years we showed joint income from separate accounts. For the last three years, my wife has been the one showing the entire B800,000 for us both. In my case, it is the husband tagging along with the wife, not the other way round!

But are the new regulations for first-timers only? Which I think would be fair.

I am not sure what the point of a joint application would be if the new ideas come to pass!