richard peters

Having Problems With My Wife’s Visa Application, (Australian Embassy in Bangkok)

(They are asking for a ‘Police Report” or similar from a country where she merely worked)

In a ‘sworn declaration’ made by my wife, to the Australian Embassy in Bangkok, she stated that both herself and her lawyers had contacted the <deleted> Embassy in Thailand and have both been told separately that these ‘Police Reports, etc’ are not available! I have researched the “Migration Act 1958” [+ Amendments] and associated ‘legal requirements’ at length, but nowhere have I been able to find (in the case of a ‘Visa Application’), where a “Police Report” from a country that the applicant has merely visited [and NOT their country of residence’], is required. (These are not available from most nations in this region, including China, because they consider them to be totally unnecessary and very time consuming).

2) I have requested from both the Office of the ‘Federal Immigration Minister’ and the ‘Australian Embassy in Bangkok,’ that the ‘text’ and ‘sub-section’ relating to “Visa Applicants’ requiring a mandatory “Police Clearance” (or similar) from a country that they have merely visited, be sent to me for an “expert legal opinion.” (As I have never received this information, I am beginning to believe that it does not exist within the Australian ‘Immigration Act 1958’ or its ‘Amendments’). I cannot see that this would become legal, when it appears that as in this case, such requirements are not possible for the “Applicant” to fulfill.

3) The Manager of the “Immigration Section” in Bangkok, then stated in a phone conversation to me that a mandatory “Police Clearance” (or similar) from a country that a ‘Visa Applicant’ has merely visited, is contained in “Section 4001” of the Immigration Act, so I duly researched this document and found that this was NOT TRUE.

“Section 4001” only refers to the necessity for “A FEW” and NOT all ‘Visa Applicants’ to be classed as “Persons of Public Interest” and to fulfill this requirement it appears that they must be a “suspected terrorist” or be a known “international criminal.” I asked why my wife had been unjustly classed in this category, when in fact she was working as a “health consultant and senior health practitioner?” The reply was that this is now ‘mandatory’ for all ‘visa applicants,’ but this is NOT LEGALLY STATED in “Section 4001” of the Immigration Act, so again this comment appears o be UNTRUE.

Furthermore, I took strong exception to the actions of the “Immigration Section” in Bangkok, with their decision to list my wife as a “Person of Public Concern,” or a “Controversial Visa Applicant.” She has no police record what-so-ever and does not fit into even one of the twelve and / or thirteen criteria requirements [respectively], as laid out under “Section 4001” or “Controversial Visa Applicants” in the ‘Australian Immigration Act 1958;’ - It is therefore ‘Not Mandatory’ and ‘Without Legal Basis,’ so it appears to be ‘Unsubstantiated,’ and ‘Discriminatory.’

4) I asked Xx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx at the Australian Embassy in Bangkok, why she had threatened my wife and the lawyer's consultant, by stating that a ‘Visa’ would not be granted if my wife could not produce a “Police Report” from the ‘<deleted> Government,’ and that it was a “mandatory” requirement? I also asked why they continued for around 2-months with this impossible and impractical request when both myself and our lawyers had told them that the <deleted> Embassy does not issue “Police Reports” for its ‘Visitors.’ I suggested that they should have discontinued this impossible request and searched for an alternative solution to this problem.

5) At this point the Department Manager intervened and stated that there was the provision for a “Waiver” in such situations where a request for information could not be met. If this is so, then why did the Australian Embassy waste around 2-months of everyone’s time, expenses and resources, with absolutely impossible requests that in many cases were NOT LEGAL. I find this to be rather amusing (LOL), as how can a ‘request’ be nullified when it was never ‘legal’ in the ‘first instance.’ I was also informed by the Manager, that Xx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxx was still the “case officer” in spite of me having lodged a serious objection with Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection.

6) The question remains, - ‘Why did the Australian Embassy not take a few minutes on the phone to the <deleted> Embassy to verify everyone’s statements? Was it because they knew that they were acting improperly and did not want to be exposed? Has this has led to further lies from the Embassy staff concerned, in an effort to cover up their initial malpractices?

7) I finished my visit to the ‘Immigration Section’ of the Australian Embassy in Bangkok by commenting that I believed that they were both “incompetent” and very “unprofessional.” The Manager very diplomatically answered that I could lodge any further complaints with them (LOL); - Their department is the problem! I replied that any further complaints would be lodged at a “higher level” and he then stated that this would lead to further delays. My comment was that I was prepared to suffer this inconvenience, so he went on to remind me of their expected 12-month ‘decision making process.’ (I note that most ‘Visa Applications’ are processed in 6 – 8 months, so I suspect that some of the above comments were made as ‘veiled threats’). I strongly suggested that as a business and professional person with over 50-years of experience, that their ‘Department’ should lift their performance or I would be obliged to take this matter further!

Whilst the Embassy staff are very polite, one must instead, look at their actions: - They have a distorted ‘mind set’ of treating “Thai spouses,” (who have worked over seas), as particularly low class individuals. They should be regarding such applicants as superior, as they have more international ‘life-experience’ and have shown that they can successfully integrate into a foreign cultures. Regulations cannot be made ‘on the run,’ but follow a proper legislative process before they become “law.” Other cases show that this is a widespread policy of the Immigration Department and that they belong in the “dark ages,” as do many of the other practices in Australian Government Departments.

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Yes, - John Hinckley has made amazing mental progress and appears to be one of the few criminals, who is fit for re-integration back into society, according to a past, (and very gracious), letter written to him by Mrs. Nancy Reagan. As an "aside," regarding Tx22's comment; - It is rather informative to note that she suggested that he "may wish to investigate" the rumors regarding a liaison between "a favourite actress" and a certain leading famous political figure in the US. (Wow!)

82 Km / hour sounds a bit too optimistic and half of this may not even be achievable in adverse ses conditions. The last "fast ferry" ran at around 18 knots even though it was capable of around 30 knots. These 82 Km / hour estimates are obviously from the "Book of Bull."

A huge "White Elephant" that is probably designed to make someone very wealthy via subsidies. The very fast and extremely well managed, high speed catarmaran passenger service running from Oceon Marina to Hua Hin a few years ago, became uneconomical during the low season, so it is doubtful that any other passenger service would do any better. A 'roll on-roll off' ferry for vehicles may do better, but could only run one way every day, so vehicle owners may still elect to drive the distance. Sounds like there could be some big bucks in goverment (or other) assistance could be involved here somewhere?

Valid point Bernard! I lived in Pattaya for more than a decade, but now live a healthier life in the mountains of NW Thailand, but am visiting Pattaya for a short time on business. However, "Farang Baa" is making assumptions, but it is possible to live a relatively healthy life in big cities with a bit of improvisation: - with air quality being the main "sticking point."

I am looking for the following health products; - (preferably in the Pattaya region): -

1) Chinese "Kombucha Tea" (or a 'the fungal starter culture'), known as the 'Tea of Life,' as it has extremely wide ranging health benefits.

[Originated in Korea, probably thousands of years ago, and the base is simply a sterile mixture of boiled tea and sugar].

2) Rieshi (Siberian) or Chaba (Japanese) herbal mushrooms [or spores to enable them to be grown] for cancer treatment and general longevity / health.

[These are widely used in Chinese / Japanese herbal medicine, but seem hard to obtain in Thailand.

More infomation on the benefits of these is available on the internet at sites such as www.naturalhealthnews.com

Aliens are forbidden to wear any Thai Government uniform and no matter what they may claim, they have no legal rights to question , arrest, apprehend (etc.) anyone! Whilst some volunteers who assist police do provide a valuable service, others are just foolish "Wanna Be's" who were failures (or worse) in their country of origin and should have thorough background check before launching themselves into a "Psuedo Carreer" in Thailand. There are cases of some (often self appointed) volunteers having serious criminal records overseas; - This farce should have been exposed years ago!

Everyone is getting a bit over-excited here! It is a fact that most meat eaters kill to survive and some, such as felines, go through a strange ritual of playing with their quarry before actually killing their victim. As a former professional hunter, I considered it my duty to kill as quickly and painlessly as possible and would often 'pass up' a "risky" shot if this could not be achieved. One of the cruelest acts that I saw on an Asian video, was bludgeoning dogs to inflict more pain and then skinning them alive. Sometimes the dogs would regain their senses, only to find that they had no skin left. This very misguided practice seems to be mainly carried out in Asia, but killing with cruelty exists all over the world and the human race has never been an exception to this, if you research torture throughout history.

Most food additives are the same as pharmacuetical products, and have some adverse affects. For reliable information go to one of America's leading independant researchers at www.naturalhealth.com

I strongly suggest that 'Folk Guitar' does some research and www.alieninterveiw.com is a good starting point. He correctly surmises that it is a pre-weakening strategy, but not by aliens as such; - Instead by those who seek total world dominance. "I have identified our enemy, and it be us." We have to look at "the big picture" and small local events are only part of a much bigger 'jig saw puzzle' for the uninformed.

This was a 30 - BILLION DOLLAR heist that will take about 5-Years for a National finance recovery, - but in retrospect, the other ones were no better!

Thursday 10^th Feb. 2015, 18.30 hrs: - Looked S.E and saw (plus photographed) four huge vapor trails up high going in different directions (not commercial aircraft), but seemed to terminate near Phitsanulok City and probably started around 18.00hrs. or earlier. Never seen this in the NW region of Thailand before, but more common in the south, so maybe they are chemical based per courtesy of a well known western government, who started to experiment with this around three decades ago to cause flu-like symptoms. These pharmaceuticals(??) are now so advanced that there are about 600 in the form of viruses that can disable or annihilate even to the point of being race / genetic selective. Another form is a micro-fine dust that mechanically infiltrates and disables the lungs.

(For more general information go to www.coalitionagainstgeoengineering.org).

PS. – Two years of intensive American research proved that natural Influenza is simply a symptom of ‘lack of Vitamin-D;’ - Easily rectified by sunbathing each day or taking Vitamin-D tablets.

I have tried all the tricks like updates, resets, letters of complaint, etc, etc. Seems to indicate that they have made a major mistake, so their next option is to "hide under a log" and hope that I will stop bothering them. Anyone got a better idea?

PS. -I also have been getting ever increasing manual audio interference for many months, especially when I call an associate in Australia. It is clear to us that this is Government inspired on a 24 / 7 survielence time frame, mainly directed at politically oriented phone calls to various countries. When we make dorrogetory remarks, aimed at their operator, they immediately increase the volume and variety of interference sounds to one or both parties, which indicates that they are probably hacking into the Skype system as well. Several decades ago these agencies were given the name of the "Thought Police" for those of us who have 'politically incorrect thoughts' but quite often no strict political affiliations. (They even tried to push my very astute 70-year old business friend into a "retirement home" even though he is fully capaple of living alone).

Early in January, Skype locked me out of my own address by not recognising the correct password, so when I tried to reset it, I was directed to a new address that they started (without my authorisation) in my name. The problem is that the new address does not have my extensive list of contacts and Skype ignore my reqests to restore my original adress, in spite of daily requests for the last 6-days. They have either lost the information, or have some hidden agenda for not releasing my interlectual property, so I feel like demanding compensation for this very inconvenient loss of personal and business contacts, which has forced me to start a third adress with Skype. Maybe this is linked to their takeover by Microsoft? Has anyone else had similar problems?

The official US $18 trillion national debt is actually $127 trillion, when all the forward projection expenditure is taken into account. Getting out of it by printing more money is not the answer, as interest has to be paid to the (non American Govt.) FED, so a major crash is probably unavoidable unless the Chinese intervene?

Got mine in Phitsanulok early last year and no problems with documents etc; - They just charged me the grossly exhorbitant fee of Bt.5,000 (must be a new Thai overcharge record). In retrospect i has saved me a lot of additional expense etc.

Thoroughly Agree JPEG, - I have been totally ripped off twice in the same manner. First time by the Thai apartment owner who got a copper to get my residential adress and they "fixed" my bike for an accident; - Then in spite of an admission of guilt, paid the prosecutor to rule "No case to answer." Second time a German tenant ("friend??) sold everything while I was overseas and in spite of being found to be 4-years overstay the police did not detain him. His brother (known as Mr.Chris Paesel) paid the BiB to let him leave Thailand, in spite of an 'arrest warrant.' Even though I am acquainted with a few very good police officers, there are many others (together with their associates), who are totally corrupt and make their big profits out of releasing high level criminals, so traffic fines are just "tea money" for them. It is pointless complaining to the police about criminals, (as maybe some are also criminals?); - My advice to anyone is that perhaps it is better to get one of the "local mafia" (Thai, Russian or German?), to assist you with any problems.

Here up north in Phitsanulok the well dressed local bus drivers often take off their shoes and drive barefoot; - Possibly to get a better feel for the mechanicals of the "ancient" buses that they so expertly drive!

There are a lot of questions now being asked in Australia. Unanswered questions as to why it was so badly conducted, right from the time they let this mentally unbalanced killer into Oz. Then they granted him Social Welfare, citizenship, gun licence, etc, plus bail when he was a suspected accessory to his former wife's murder; - Also the more professional army special forces should have handled this one! The police and other Govt. officials have been harassing old geriatrics, pensioners & law abiding citizens for financial gain, but not spending enough time investigating some of these foreign immigrant 'Nutters' so they are partially to blame for the problem.

Like yourself I was a bit unsure when I started this same project earlier this year, but 'UbonJoe' and others on this Forum gave me some invaluable advice from their many years of personal experience; - It truly was a much needed blessing!

Spot On, - "Jdiddy," - Australia is just a 'police state' where for many years the traffic officers are expected to return more in fines than their monthly salaries, and it is posible for traffic infringement cameras to return more than $1 per annum! My friend was just booked for having an unlocked car door in the supermarket car park: - (It was an old model that theives had attacked and parts are too expensive and / or not available). "Viva La Revolution."

You are correct "Ubon Joe" and in the case of an Aussie declaration it is often taken on the honesty of the applicant, without further proof being required. In Phitsanulok the Immo officer insisted on keeping my original 'Declaration' saying that it was a directive from their Chiangmai office?? I objected an stated that it is normal practice for them to veiw the original document and simply keep a photo-copy, plus I also had copies of my Bank and Pension statements. Very inconsiderate, as I will have to waste several days to get a new declaration from the Bangkok Embassy; - Was this 'Juniour Ossifer' being an 'Ass---e' by exerting what little authority he had, as he absolutely refused to process my visa extension without keeping the original "income declaration"?

Unfortunately there is a large element of truth in "Aussie Steve's" comments, so choose your Thai partner wisely and not in haste. Worse than a double cross is when they stay in Thailand and disappear with another 'Farang' while the husband is back in Oz making Visa arrangements. This is just one sad case that I encountered and the wife of the handsome young 'well heeled' Aussie was from a highly respected Chiang Mai family; - Refer again to my fellow journalist Eric Huchison's book very aptly titled "Money No.1." At 69 I was very lucky and I am happily married to an older Thai lady, but my advice to younger men is NOT to marry, and to older men, - Be very, very careful and research everything slowly, plus extremely thoroughly. "Act in Haste and You May Repent at Liesure."

Methinks that Danial Boon is jumping to conclusions, as my letter was based on my own personal experiences (as a political target of the Oz govt), plus other anecdotal evidence that I have received from other citizens. Many are quite capable of a DIY spouse visa, but I correctly surmised that I would have more than the usual political problems, as I was previously the Branch President of a political party in Oz. The legal firm concerned offered me a competitively priced 'package deal' covering a couple of services, (not associated with me, other than I am just another client), but their correct advice has saved me about $1,500 when the DSS tried to "stab me in the back." After 10-months of continual harrassment (involving unsuccessful attacks by 7-separate beaurocrats) I have won and it is certain that other government and a non government organisation were all behind these very "dirty tricks." I would not expect the average citizen to have so much trouble, unless they have politically upset the government and / or other shady organisations. Remember that all books, writings,letters etc are the writer's own opinion, unless the writer is being directed in a certain way for ulterior motives, which is not so in my case as a former independent Invetigative Journalist.