Liquorice

Bloody annoying. Called the Amphur this morning hoping I could take the paperwork on behalf of my missus but no go. I'm sure if we spoke to the right person something could be done. Missus doesn't have any family here so the reallity for us is transport a newborn 3 hours and back in 40 degree heat and raving lunatics on the road...during Songkrahn. And we're lucky. Pity the poor buggers who don't have wheels and have to sit on a bus or in the back of a pick up.

Some of these people sitting in their offices should get out and try following some of their own stupid, pointless pen pushing rubber stamping rules. Anyone here ever ask why the Frk they do things a particular way? "Not want make proprem"

Whoever told you that was wrong. In many, many cases a family member goes to the Amphur to register the child, because the Mother needs rest after giving birth.

The pen pushing, rubber stamping is just the way the system works here, it's still a developing Country.

Even in your home Country there are procedures to follow when changes occur, but they can usually be completed by phone or e-mail.

Your wife herself doesn't have to be present.

You or someone on her behalf can take the Mothers Tabian Baan, ID card and birth certificate to the old Amphur to have the baby registered.

If the baby has your surname, then your ID will also be required.

Failing to register the child within the 15 days, technically means you've broken the law, but it's only punishable by a fine imposed by the Amphur.

It's usually less than a 1,000 baht for just a few days, however the longer you leave it the fine could be increased.

Recovery from a Caesarean section is usually 4-6 weeks.

As a law abiding citizen, your wife will be concerned and worried about breaking the law, she probably doesn't even know what the penalties are.

You could always get a letter from the hospital stating your wife isn't fit to travel for x weeks.

It won't avoid her paying a fine, but it sure as hell may put her mind at rest and stop her worrying so much.

I'd be willing to show you around and make a few contacts, but I'm going back to the UK 21/4 - 13/5.

Local Transport is the problem here. Know someone who may be able to rent you a bike and can recommend places to stay.

Apartment buildings usually have a shared internet. There are private apartments where you would need to install your own internet.

Houses for rent as well, 5,000 - 6,000 baht per month.

A man and his van would probably be the cheapest method of moving. Check for services in BKK.

Lots of motorcycle shops, spoilt for choice.

Roi Et has a large central lake and Park with a track around it for jogging.

There are government facilities providing gym and exercising facilities all around the lake and park area.

(Check google maps/ Roi Et/ zoom into the central lake and park then select street view for a look around.

Roi Et may be a small town but it has all amenities and facilities.

Parks, lake, moats, BigC, Makro, Tesco, Robinsons. 2 large shopping centres, a sports stadium (free activities) and 4 swimming pools to my knowledge.

If your seriously considering moving here I'd suggest you take a long weekend out, to view and find an apartment/house.

When you register in a blue book, they don't give you a new book, they simply add the name in the existing one for the address you want to register at.

If you are on someones tambian ban, and they sell the house, you don't have to surrender anything unless the owner let you hold on to their book. You also don't need to go get registered on a family members book. You could stay on that one if the new owners don't mind.

As far as immigration goes, the problem you might have if you live with a spouse who is registered somewhere else might be providing proof of address. You wouldn't be able to do that with their book.

You've been misinformed.

When you register in a blue book, they don't give you a new book, they simply add the name in the existing one for the address you want to register at.

That is entirely at the Thais choice. You can have as many people as you want registered in one book at the same address, or each person is entitled to have their own book.

If you are on someones tambian ban, and they sell the house, you don't have to surrender anything unless the owner let you hold on to their book. You also don't need to go get registered on a family members book. You could stay on that one if the new owners don't mind.

You don't have to hold onto anyone's book, or they yours. If the homeowner is agreeable each individual can have their own book.

You can have one address with multiple people registered at that address, but one person cannot register at multiple addresses.

As far as immigration goes, the problem you might have if you live with a spouse who is registered somewhere else might be providing proof of address. You wouldn't be able to do that with their book

That depends where Kenny wants to report to.

He can use his wife's blue book if he continues to use the local office for Chaiyaphum.

If he wants to use the Khon Kaen office he will have to use copies of the landlords ID card and Tabian Baan, although he should report his change of address first on a TM28.

Further down the line and where children are concerned it's important that the Mothers Tabian Baan has an address within the Province in which the children will attend school. It would make life easier all round for Kenny and his wife if she could therefore find someone in Khon Kaen who would allow her to use their address (if not the landlord). But for now she must return to Chaiyaphum.to register the child in her Tabian Baan.

Your wife is 100% correct.

Under Thai law a new born child must be registered on the Mothers Tabian Baan within 15 days.

She cannot change her address in her Blue book as you are renting and she would need the permission of the land owner in order to get a new book, with the new address in Khon Kaen. That process may take longer than 15 days and only if the landowner agrees.

She must therefore register the baby (now) in the Tabian Baan she possesses at the Amphur where the address is registered.

If the landowner refuses, and as and when the house is sold, her old book must be surrender, and both she and the baby will then have to be entered on a family members Blue book, as all Thais must register an address somewhere under the Civil Registration Act.

Alternatively, she could find someone who would allow her to use their Khon Kaen address. She would then need to surrender her existing Blue book to the old Amphur in Chaiyaphum who would deregister her from the register and issue a form which she then takes to the new Amphur in Khon Kaen, who will then register her new address and issue a new Blue book for that address.

You rarely cut and run in Thailand, everything is dealt with Province by Province and there are procedures Thais must follow when changing addresses to a different Provinces..

You can register at any government hospital and receive care for the same cost as a Thai.....nothing new.

Child has father's English surname! The Thai passport just avoids another set of visa issues! Been suggested that child goes to Laos on ID card..no passport required, "loses" ID card and permit and re-enters Thailand on UK passport. Bet that is illegal!! What would the Laos do with an illegal 16 year old farang immigrant?

Wouldn't work, same scenario.

How did she get into Lao, no entry stamp or Visa in UK passport.

Thai ID card, lost, send her to the nearest Thai Embassy in Lao to get an emergency document to re-enter Thailand.

Doesn't solve her Thai passport issue.

All Thais must be registered at an address. Those details are entered on the Civil Register and they are issued a Blue house book detailing their name, address and ID number. They can be registered at a family members address and appear on their house book, but in all events they must be registered somewhere.

Their ID card and House book should detail the same address, but many Thais only change these details as needs must.

If you know her ID number, then any Amphur can check the register to find her registered address. There is no guarantee she is still at that address though.

Where Countries mutually accept and recognise a marriage in one of the Countries, you can divorce in either and the divorce will also be legally recognised in the other Country, although legalisations and translations may be required.

You are correct that under normal circumstances both parties have to be present to divorce at an Amphur in Thailand. In your friends case though they didn't marry in Thailand but the UK. He would therefore need to go through a Thai Court to get an order recognising his legal divorce before any Amphur or government office is likely to help.

I am really surprised that his lawyers at the time of securing his divorce, did not apply for sole parental responsibility for the Father as the child was remaining in his care. I've been down this road and I was given sole parental responsibility without any hassle. It was automatic. He could check with his lawyers.

It may have been awarded without his knowledge.

Another avenue is for the daughter to approach the Thai Police in helping to trace the Mother. They can trace her ID number through a number of government departments to locate her address. The British Embassy is also another source for help as she is also a British citizen.

Forgive me for saying, but it was pretty irresponsible to allow a minor to travel and allow her Passport to expire.

Did neither think to check the expiry date before she left the UK. It's a rigmarole that your friend has created for himself.

I partly agree. But appears the Thai Embassy in London told him when he was back in Thailand he could sort it out. Then ran up against the "need for appearance or notarised affirmation" of non appearing party. The official documentation is all there: ID/Tabian Ban just the mother not there and not been seen even by Granny. Is she even in Thailand. Mother had FLR for the UK but unless she is there that would have lapsed. I think, knowing what he knew the child should have re-entered Thailand on her UK passport as I understand minors cannot "overstay"?

He can sort it out in Thailand.

The Passport office rules dictate that both parents must be present.......unless there are mitigating circumstances why one cannot, such as deceased, in which case a death certificate would suffice as proof.

You cannot get a notarised affirmation from the Mother as you don't know her whereabouts.

Therefore the procedure is to take all the evidence and witnesses to a Thai Family Court and ask for an Order to allow the Passport office to issue a new Passport in the absence and unknown whereabouts of the Mother, in order that the child can return to her Father and resume her studies in the UK.

As Heng states, there is a reason rules are in place. The Passport office then has it's backside covered because it acted on a Court order should the Mother ever reappear and complain.

There not just going to take the word of Granny as proof of the situation.

Do you know how many ex SAS, Special Forces and CIA expats chose Thailand to retire ..............exactly!

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I'm guessing it will be out of service until after 6th, until it's updated with the new Pension Scheme starting this month.

Some will only qualify for the older State Pension, but many like myself could be paid the new or old method, subject to which is the greater payment I would finally receive under each scheme.

I guess your new iPhone charger has brought you and your wall much closer together.

All Thais must be registered at an address. Those details are entered on the Civil Register and they are issued a Blue house book detailing their name, address and ID number. They can be registered at a family members address and appear on their house book, but in all events they must be registered somewhere.

Their ID card and House book should detail the same address, but many Thais only change these details as needs must.

If you know her ID number, then any Amphur can check the register to find her registered address. There is no guarantee she is still at that address though.

Where Countries mutually accept and recognise a marriage in one of the Countries, you can divorce in either and the divorce will also be legally recognised in the other Country, although legalisations and translations may be required.

You are correct that under normal circumstances both parties have to be present to divorce at an Amphur in Thailand. In your friends case though they didn't marry in Thailand but the UK. He would therefore need to go through a Thai Court to get an order recognising his legal divorce before any Amphur or government office is likely to help.

I am really surprised that his lawyers at the time of securing his divorce, did not apply for sole parental responsibility for the Father as the child was remaining in his care. I've been down this road and I was given sole parental responsibility without any hassle. It was automatic. He could check with his lawyers.

It may have been awarded without his knowledge.

Another avenue is for the daughter to approach the Thai Police in helping to trace the Mother. They can trace her ID number through a number of government departments to locate her address. The British Embassy is also another source for help as she is also a British citizen.

Forgive me for saying, but it was pretty irresponsible to allow a minor to travel and allow her Passport to expire.

Did neither think to check the expiry date before she left the UK. It's a rigmarole that your friend has created for himself.

Something missing from this story.

As UJ states if he divorced on the grounds of desertion then the reason for divorce on the documents will state that.

If it was on the grounds of desertion, then the Father should have automatically been awarded sole custody through the Court.

Social services don't get involved, unless the Mother objected, but if as you say she couldn't be found, then straightforward.

Been there, done it many years ago.

However for any of those documents to be accepted in Thailand as legally binding, they would firstly have to be authenticated by the FCO in the UK, then legalised by the Thai Embassy in the UK. In Thailand they would have to be translated and legalised by the MFA before any Amphur would accept him as the sole responsible parent.

Grounds for divorce award do not appear on UK Divorce certificates. UK courts operate a no fault/no blame policy. True the application for divorce must state a cause; but after that there is no record. Divorce was 6+ years ago. He was able to secure that from Thailand through UK lawyers, but I doubt that he could secure UK custody without a UK court appearance. Custody in the UK has become a minefield. The only issue is the passport. The mother was located for the last passport 5+years ago. I think your summary of the required process is otherwise right. Thank you

As I stated, something missing from the story!

You stated your friend married in the UK, then divorced, but you didn't previously make it clear he divorced in Thailand.

In this situation you need to make an appointment with the Thai Family Court.

The daughter, being 16, is old enough to confirm the facts, plus there must be correspondence still around from the Lawyers to support the reason for divorce.

The Court can grant full custody to your friend, or alternatively give an order for the Passport office to issue her a new Passport as a Thai citizen, given that the whereabouts of the Mother is unknown.

If you know the Mothers ID number, her registered address on the Civil Register could be traced, but that still wouldn't guarantee she is living there.

Something missing from this story.

As UJ states if he divorced on the grounds of desertion then the reason for divorce on the documents will state that.

If it was on the grounds of desertion, then the Father should have automatically been awarded sole custody through the Court.

Social services don't get involved, unless the Mother objected, but if as you say she couldn't be found, then straightforward.

Been there, done it many years ago.

However for any of those documents to be accepted in Thailand as legally binding, they would firstly have to be authenticated by the FCO in the UK, then legalised by the Thai Embassy in the UK. In Thailand they would have to be translated and legalised by the MFA before any Amphur would accept him as the sole responsible parent.

Because I reported my change of address, in person at Immigration, soon after I moved. This is a requirement. In fact I had to make two separate reports, on two different forms. The first as owner of the property to say that a foreigner (I) was now living there, and the second as the foreigner (I) who now lives there, to inform them of my change of address! This is something like schizophrenia, or perhaps multiple-personality disorder. I literally have to be two people at once!

Not much consolation Roberta, but I changed address after doing my first online report.

I've continued to do them online ever since.

As you were previously successful,it sounds as though when you submitted your TM28 and TM30 an officer has changed/misspelt some of your basic personal information.

As UJ stated, your address details aren't required until the 2nd page.

Next time you have to visit your office, have them check your name, nationality, DOB, arrival date, and arrival card number for any typo errors, as those are the key points of information that must match in order to allow you to proceed to the 2nd page.

1981 (previously pruned) posts suggests otherwise.

Just where are all these financially secure retired expats, most I know rely on their State Pension as their main source of income.

Come to think of it Faz, any people I know have also got private pensions, I wrongly assumed that they only had the state pension.

Most yes, but not all.

Unless you were fortunate enough to be in a final salary Pension scheme, then most additional Pensions will be less than your State Pension, which makes the SP their main source of income.

most I know rely on their State Pension as their main source of income

I think some misread that as only source of income

Customer services yesterday admitted to me these 'improvements' are ongoing in many areas and when completed it should provide a faster and more stable system. However they cannot advise when normal services will be restored. They apologised for the inconvenience.

1981 (previously pruned) posts suggests otherwise.

Just where are all these financially secure retired expats, most I know rely on their State Pension as their main source of income.

As an aside, Big C phoned the g/f last night to say my card has been returned.

We went to collect it this morning. They were very apologetic for the inconvenience and trouble it had caused and gave me a pile of freebies, toothpastes, hair shampoos, Nivea cream sachets, Comfort conditioner sachets and a nice Mug, all loaded into a very nice zip up bag with handles.

They can misplace my card anytime.

The problem of contacting my g/f in an hour of need has been resolved, the son has accepted her phone is off limits now and hasn't mentioned it again.

Well how did you fix it dear Henry dear Henry?

With a lecture dear bgrassboy, bgrassboy, with a lecture dear bgrassboy, with a lecture, we fixed it.

@rocketboybkk.

in reply I can tell you that my g/f does not mug me off while I do the shopping.

She has her own business, and works 6 days a week, 50-60 hours and asks for nothing.

I raised 4 kids alone, 3 daughters so I guess I'm a feminist and taught them to demand equality and stand on their own feet.

Your the exact type I warned them about.

Women can be a Mother and a wife, but a maid and a slave............guess your still single.

You place more importance/value on a Big C card than I would have, therefore the situation wouldnt have arisen to start with.

As for the phone issue, for me, it would be "sort the boy out" he has to learn, or the wife buys him his own and he learns not to touch hers.

You and he presumably have a "relationship" (because of yours with the Mother), they are a package deal, so stop being a bystander and help/teach him what's appropriate and acceptable behaviour.

Your probably right Charlie, but I think you got the idea about going round in circles.

The boy has been spoken to and accepted the situation.

I expected a tantrum but he remained very calm.

He hasn't touched his Mothers phone since.

He has his own phone, but not the expensive one his Mother has and not the same games.

Until he reaches an age he takes care of things his Mother won't waste money on expensive items for him to break.

True are carrying out improvements to their service, or so they say.

I received a text 3 days ago apologising and saying my service would be disrupted that day due to improvement work.

Since then my speed has dropped and I'm having trouble connecting to websites (TV included).

I often just get a blank page even though the address is in the bar, or it times out trying to connect.

I'm just about to call them!

You have more holes in your bucket than you realize.

Your post is full of problems that only you yourself could and should remedy.

I will not waste time listing them.

Oh Willy, your just jealous of the holes in my bucket.

Go on, a man of your experience about Thai culture and people should be able to list a few holes.

The forum is waiting with bated breath to learn from your infinite wisdom.

Even Liza could tell Henry how to fix the holes in his bucket.

Your not going to be defeated by a woman are you?

The solutions for the problems.

Girlfriend phone: buy her another phone for exclusive use between you and her. Or if she refuses to control the brat, find another girlfriend.

Store cards: these are a con. Each time a customer makes a purchase the details of what is bought goes into a database. Then the customer is targeted by advertisers in their emails, junk mail and phones with products they know the customer buys frequently at the stores. This is why I won`t have one.

As for the other customer being given your card: tell Big C that you want a new card with all the credits on the old card forwarded to the new card, then how they retrieve it from the lady becomes their problem.

You won't own a Store card, so how do you know you'll be targeted for advertisements by mail or phone.

I own several, never been targeted.

What a shame you weren't there, You could have spoken your 3rd paragraph out loudly in fluent Thai so they understood.