Liquorice

AnotherOneAmerican, on 26 Sept 2014 - 15:16, said:

Time Traveller, on 26 Sept 2014 - 13:14, said:

khunpa, on 26 Sept 2014 - 11:54, said:

Before starting any separation process or involving lawyers etc., I would start by selling everything I could and hide the cash made from that. Then I would create more debt in both your names, so that the only thing you would share when divorced is debt.

khunpa, so you've got fraud and concealing assets. Any more crimes that you would like to add to the sentence?

Seriously, do people here think Lawyers are stupid? If you post on a web forum asking how to get back at your wife and the forum is littered with stupidity like, take out loans in your wife's name and sell joint assets and hide the money. You think they won't find out about it? They have this things call subpoenas (or summons) which allows courts to order the disclosure of email records and your web browsing history.

I think you will find the UK courts have no interest in recovering hidden cash.

If you can get it into notes (under the bed), or a foreign account (don't leave a paper trail, and not in Europe), it's gone and forgotten.

There is no penalty from UK family court for hiding assets, as long as you don't commit perjury while doing it.

So essentially, sell everything, take the money and hide it, then don't respond to any family court summons.

If you don't reply, you have broken no criminal laws. The worst they can do is give her maximum 50% of your pension (which she will get anyway), and award her all other discoverable assets (hopefully by that time none).

To add insult to injury, if you are working, you have to pay all your legal fees, and hers as well (can you believe that?).

PS

I'm a former divorce lawyer (USA), but with experience in UK cases (USA/Brit marriage and divorce).

(And I know every dirty trick in the book, to extract all the husband's money and assets, used them all)

PPS

You can also get out of child maintenance payments, if you give up your current employment NOW.

(And don't work in the UK again).

Your pension money (or future savings) cannot be used in child maintenance awards, only currently earned income.

PPPS

Uk is one of the worst countries in the world for divorce settlements, but at least they don't chase you for criminal charges if you're a 'bit naughty'.

PPPPS

@Time Traveller, I'm certainly not stupid, but I don't work for nothing, and once the assets are gone, she can't pay me, so my advice would be, "cut your losses". Once his money has 'disappeared', she can't afford me, and the case goes away.

UK divorce law (family court) is much easier than in the USA, in the USA every state has it's own laws, UK is completely clear cut to lawyers (essentially if she has a kid, man loses everything), but carefully hidden form the general public (men obiously) until it's too late.

Maybe the laws have changed a little since you practiced AOA.

If married the law states 50/50 irrespective of who paid for what, and who has the mortgage.

However circumstances are now taken into account and that can change any awards.

If children are involved the Court see's that as the residence of the child and you cannot force either party to sell before the child is 18.

The OP also has just as many rights as the woman to take sole custody of the child and stay put in his home.

Whoever takes responsibility and custody for the child in a divorce will inevitably be able to remain in the matrimonial home until the child is at least 18, unless they sell it by mutual consent.

I wouldn't wish this sort of crap on my worst enemy. My condolences to the OP.

On the brighter side she is sure going to regret her past mistakes in the future.

It may be her plan to take your son and get what she can, then return to Thailand with new funds and new boyfriend.

Without your written permission she cannot take your son out of the UK, so she's fcuked again.

Don't feel sorry for her, play hardball, seriously you'll be better off.

Estrada, on 26 Sept 2014 - 17:47, said:

Funny, I just received my renewal form for the Government Scheme for Company Employees, although I no longer need it.

That's an entirely different scheme.

Foreigners who are married to a Thai national who works for the Government are automatically enrolled in the government scheme as the spouse of a Thai citizen.

Psychic, on 26 Sept 2014 - 17:21, said:

gamini, on 26 Sept 2014 - 17:18, said:

It was not intended for "Farangs" but for poor migrants. Some Farangs took advantage of this and abused the system hoping to get expensive treatment for a mere Bt2,800 a year.

Would the treatment be cheaper for " poor migrants"?

Only if your a worker from Cambodia, Laos or Mynamar.

I reported on this issue some weeks ago.

See here: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/739396-health-cards-for-foreigners-ceased/

There is an excellent explanation by 'citizen33', post 24.

The scheme was introduced for foreign workers from Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, but somehow all foreigners were able to jump on the band wagon.

Since the junta takeover the scheme has been overhauled and amended, with clearer definitions.

'Foreign aliens' are not include and this should by now have filtered through to all government hospitals.

You can register at your local government hospital under the '30 baht scheme' and be treated and charged the same as a Thai.

A new scheme to cover Health issues for 'resident aliens' and 'tourists' could be introduced by the next government, but don't hold your breath on anything being introduced in the near future.

Well done to the gentleman for complaining.

Used to have the same problems in the UK at the local Tesco, The worst offenders were middle aged women driving SUV's for some reason. If you politely pointed out they were parking in a disabled area most seemed to look through you and pretend you weren't there. One or two were abusive saying they would park where they liked. Charming. Eventually Tesco started taking action but the appalling attitude of some people who think a bit of money makes them mega important is unreal.

Here, at the local Big C I only use the disabled parking if my son is with us. Most times I manage to get one of the spots buts its annoying to have to struggle in a standard space and then see some prat and his tarted up mia noi waltz out of one of the restaurants and over to his car parked for convenience in the disabled area.

My wife tells me not to say anything here, as Thai people don't like to be corrected by a foreigner; and most like that wouldn't know right from wrong in any case.

Work is one thing. Recreational activities are entirely different if done for enjoyment, amusement or pleasure and are considered to be "fun".

@OP.

Unless you are familiar with the office and know the officers it's always better to take everything.

I made a comprehensive list here http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/740584-documents-required-for-retirement-extension/

I'm not saying every document will be requested, but better to be safe than sorry.

A visit to Amnat is a 4 hour round trip for me.

Within the list the only document that wasn't requested at Amnat was my Rental Agreement.

You will get a lot of conflicting reports because every Immigration Office and Personnel also conflict in what documents are required. 

Never heard of an extension being refused for supplying to many documents!

ParadiseLost, on 10 Aug 2014 - 14:14, said:

The entire re-entry permit process should be scrapped. At best it is just a nuisance tax.

 

Why is it that by extending your stay in Thailand it automatically means you will not want to leave the country at all? And if you do then you should ask permission first?

 

This makes no sense at all. Extensions should automatically remain in force until the end of the extended period, full stop. If the revenue is too tasty, spread the amount across all extensions and charge, say 2,500. I am sure few will have a problem.

 

Why have a permit in the first place? What is the worst that can happen - a person retired here spends a few weeks/months with family overseas? How can that possibly change his circumstances enough to render his original application void?

 

This is immigration's big chance to make some bold changes, so why not start with the most obvious...

Your stay in Thailand is only extended by 90 days at a time, that's why you have to report every 90 days to confirm your address.

The extension is valid for 12 months provided you report every 90 days.

Fail to report and your extension is ended.

A Visa is for entering Thailand.

An extension is to remain in Thailand.

A re-entry permit allows you to leave Thailand without ending your extension and re-enter provided the validity of your extension hasn't expired.

If you leave Thailand without a re-entry permit, your extension is cancelled and you need a Visa again to re-enter.

There is a very simple logic behind tracking your movements within a Country, registered address, re-entry permits etc and I'll give you an example that I experienced. The Thai Immigration actually has a responsibility and duty to Foreign Embassies to know the whereabouts of foreigners within Thailand. 

In 2008 I was touring China at the time they had a massive earthquake in Sichuan province which was a disaster on a massive scale, killing thousands and affecting the lives of hundreds of thousands. The news was broadcast to every Country in the world. Power, Water and Communication sources were disrupted throughout China. I had no electric, no telephone, no internet.

Unbeknown to myself, my family heard the news and contacted the British Foreign Office. Embassies of every Country in China were trying to locate foreigners from numerous Countries. Fortunately I had registered my address with the Chinese authorities as was their rules. It still took them 5 days to contact me and confirm my safety to my family.

Shit can and does happen................that's why the Thai authorities need to track your movements.

hyperdimension, on 07 Aug 2014 - 17:52, said:

I've just come across a post that states the wife did the translation herself:

 

Quote

 2. Translation of 'freedom to marry' document - 0 (wife did it herself)

 

It's in the thread How To Arrange A Fast And Simple Marriage @ Amphur ?

 

I'm also aware of similar cases where passports and affidavits were translated by Thai family members or friends with good English skills and accepted at the Amphur.

I suppose you'll never know if you don't try.

zib, on 07 Aug 2014 - 09:21, said:zib, on 07 Aug 2014 - 09:21, said:

Since you're legally considered a resident if you stay in Thailand for more than 180 days in 1 year.. Doesn't this solve the tourist vs non-tourist debate?

What's the source of that information. Link please.

That would make matters a lot clearer, but I never noticed any such Immigration Policy to that effect.

The UK for example has a clear policy in defining a tourist.

That is no more than 180 days in any 365 day period.

Thailand needs a similar statement within it's Rules. That would clearly clarify who is legally allowed to enter Thailand, whether on Visa exempts or Tourist Visa's and be classified as a 'Tourist'.

For stays in Thailand beyond this given period it would be clear who needs a Non O Visa

If 90 day reporting is merely to confirm one's address, why can't this be done at the local Police station in ones Tambon or Amphur.

There is already a requirement to notify the local Police of a change of address and there is already a system for them to issue a Certificate of Residence.

This would give Immigration Offices more time to deal with Marriage/Retirement extensions and make confirmation of address reporting much simpler for all.

The local Police would get to know the farangs in their area and subsequently it would save a lot of time and expense for expats.

laolover88, on 06 Aug 2014 - 12:35, said:

Try this http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/old-vicarage-the-grantchester/
Particularly the lines about growing old!!!

For chri++++++akes we are old old old old old and on the one way train

Try this poem from a patients point of view.

Cranky Old Man 

What do you see nurses? . . .. . .What do you see?

What are you thinking .. . when you're looking at me?

A cranky old man, . . . . . .not very wise,

Uncertain of habit .. . . . . . . .. with faraway eyes?

Who dribbles his food .. . ... . . and makes no reply.

When you say in a loud voice . .'I do wish you'd try!'

Who seems not to notice . . .the things that you do.

And forever is losing . . . . . .. . . A sock or shoe?

Who, resisting or not . . . ... lets you do as you will,

With bathing and feeding . . . .The long day to fill?

Is that what you're thinking?. .Is that what you see?

Then open your eyes, nurse .you're not looking at me.

I'll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,

As I do at your bidding, .. . . . as I eat at your will

.I'm a small child of Ten . .with a father and mother,

Brothers and sisters .. . . .. . who love one another

A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. with wings on his feet

Dreaming that soon now . . .. . . a lover he'll meet.

A groom soon at Twenty . . . ..my heart gives a leap.

Remembering, the vows .. .. .that I promised to keep.

At Twenty-Five, now . . . . .I have young of my own.

Who need me to guide . . . And a secure happy home.

A man of Thirty . .. . . . . My young now grown fast,

Bound to each other . . .. With ties that should last.

At Forty, my young sons .. .have grown and are gone,

But my woman is beside me . . to see I don't mourn.

At Fifty, once more, .. ...Babies play 'round my knee,

Again, we know children . . . . My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me . . . . My wife is now dead.

I look at the future ... . . . . I shudder with dread.

For my young are all rearing .. . . young of their own.

And I think of the years . . . And the love that I've known.

I'm now an old man . . . . . . .. and nature is cruel.

It's jest to make old age . . . . . . . look like a fool.

The body, it crumbles .. .. . grace and vigour, depart.

There is now a stone . . . where I once had a heart.

But inside this old carcass . A young man still dwells,

And now and again . . . . . my battered heart swells

I remember the joys . . . . .. . I remember the pain.

And I'm loving and living . . . . . . . life over again.

I think of the years, all too few . . .. gone too fast.

And accept the stark fact . . . that nothing can last.

So open your eyes, people .. . . . .. . . open and see.

Not a cranky old man .Look closer . . . . see .. .. . .. .... . ME!!

khaowong1, on 06 Aug 2014 - 10:17, said:

Had the same happen to me in rural Lopburi.  Termites.  Impossible to get rid of.  Had to change out the whole ceiling. 

I tend to agree with this statement.

If dust is already falling from around the edges and you have 3 layers of bamboo, the lot needs replacing.

Sometimes timber is beyond repair by any kind of treatment. It's infected to much.

It may be a nice feature but if you do replace it with the same material, make sure it's pre-treated and as already mentioned it will need to be retreated every year.

It's a high maintenance product.

jinners, on 06 Aug 2014 - 10:45, said:

I see most if not all the comments on here refer to the extension of an existing retirement visa. I am hoping to begin my retirement visa on my return here in October. As I'm not yet at pension age, I'm assuming that statements confirming my rental income would be accepted by the embassy?

Would I be better going there, to the embassy in BKK, with this proof and receiving the letter for immigration?

 

Thanks very much for the help folks

As long as you can provide statements confirming an income of 65,000bt a month, it's immaterial where the income comes from. Pension/Investments/Rental.

You can go in person, or get it completed by post.

crazykopite, on 06 Aug 2014 - 09:04, said:

I can only state what happens if you are from the UK , to get an extension of stay by the 65,000 baht per month route you need to go to the British Embassy Bangkok internet site and download the form regarding confirmation of income , fill in all the details and supply copies of recent pension / other incomes to support your claim . Normally you would recieve letters in May of each year from the UK regarding pension increases I always take photocopies and sign them . You also need to include the amount of money specified it is in the region of 2,500 baht this now needs to be in the form of a postal order they no longer accept cheques. Send your completed forms along with postal order by EMS no need to send your passport but I always include a copy of the page with my picture on it they say you will get it back within 10 working days , when I have done it I have normally had it back in less than 5days and I live more than 800kms from Bangkok the letter you will recieve will give a breakdown of your pension in £s and not baht it is up to immigration to work out how much it is in baht !!

You don't have to attend the Embassy anymore. It can all be completed by post.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/301359/Publication._Pension_2014._Master.pdf

gigman, on 06 Aug 2014 - 09:18, said:

 

plahgat, on 05 Aug 2014 - 16:34, said:

Agree.
Better to stay in your homecountry and just travel to Thailand every year,
once your too old, frail and senile to travel and enjoy life anymore
you can still benefit from your home country's social security system.
 
Plahgat

Totally agree.
Everywhere they just expect to suck out our money and savings for exchange of unknown future.
Better to be a just seasonal tourist.

 

@playgat.

Please explain, if your too old, frail and senile to travel and enjoy life anymore, just how do you travel to Thailand every year?

@gigman.

In the UK your pension, savings and home would be sucked out for an unknown future.

You wouldn't have any funds left to tour anywhere.

In most areas their are other farangs. I would like to think that some are kind hearted and considered friends, who would rally together in times of need to help each other out. A visit to Immigration on behalf of someone else, especially if you have to go yourself is no big deal.

In Roi Et there is a Thai lady, who will collect your documents and visit Amnat Immigration on your behalf for 2,000bt.

She is well versed on the documents required and speaks understandable English.

I'm sure similar Thai's will offer the same service in many locations.

In reply to the OP.

If you cannot attend Immigration because of failing health, a nominated person can do the extension for you, but you would require a letter from a Doctor explaining your illness and the reason you cannot attend personally. Immigration are humans.

Any nominated person can do the 90 day report without a Doctors letter, or it can be completed by post.

If you have concerns for the future, it's better to start training a family member or friend of the procedures to follow now.

IanSalisbury, on 05 Aug 2014 - 16:06, said:

 

RichardThailand, on 05 Aug 2014 - 12:02, said:

I will come to Thailand soon and entr on visa-exempt prior to trying to get a retirement visa.  My friend will come with me and enter the same way prior to trying to get an ED Visa. 
 
Is it possible to get at Thai driving license when having this status?  How much is involved. Note that we both have expired licenses from other countries.  Plenty of experience driving but as those licenses are expired if we can get a Thail license then what would be involved. 
 
Thanks

i just got a Thai driving licence. Bike and car. On a tourist visa. Without tells any lies.

 

Then you were very fortunate. The DL Centre made a mistake

PoorSucker, on 05 Aug 2014 - 23:22, said:

 

fxe1200, on 05 Aug 2014 - 20:39, said:

 

PoorSucker, on 05 Aug 2014 - 17:37, said:

 

fxe1200, on 05 Aug 2014 - 16:57, said:

The rule of the certified present residence address has been changed in Songkhla, may be in other provinces too. Today you just present the "yellow tabien baan". This paper can be obtained by your landlord at the government of the Tambon you are living.

Nothing have changed.
You have always been able to prove your residency in three ways at DLT.
1. Residence certificate from immigrations or your embassy.
2. Yellow Thabien Bahn.
3. Your work permit.

 

 

The residence used to be issued by the Amphoe in Hat Yai, they do not do it any more and refer to the "yellow tabien baan". That has changed in Songkhla. The embassy  is almost 1000Km away, an expensive solution, to obtain a certificate of residence.  A work permit is not necessary to obtain a drivers license in Songkhla, it is not logical anyhow. That is the way it works in Songkhla. And I refer to Songkhla only.

 

 

Residence certificate has never been issued at the Amphur, only Immigrations, at least outside Hat Yai,

A work permit is never necessary but if you have one you can use it, only stated the three options.

 

Only Yellow Tabian Baan will be issued by an Amphur, which is proof of address.

Certificates of Residence are issued by Police at Immigration or your local Police Station.

As the OP has no current licence, he cannot get an IDP, so he will have to take the full Thai Driving test.

The OP will have to wait until he gets his extension before he can get a Thai Licence. (Theoretically)

OP what concerns me most is that your using a Visa exempt to enter Thailand.

You do know you have to have funds of 800,00bt in a Thai bank for 2 months before you can get an extension based on retirement.

A 90 day Non Imm O Visa would suit your needs better.

rebelplatoon, on 03 Aug 2014 - 23:47, said:

PLUS of course this odd thing about reporting when you go to another province. And then on the same page:

Free visas for Chinese, Taiwanese tourists (up to 3 months)

 

Are we becoming a bit xenophobic, are we?

Thailand  Immigration Act, B.E. 2522

Chapter 4. Section 37.4. If the alien travels to any province and will stay there longer than twenty – four hours , such alien must notify the police official of the police station for that area within forty – eight hours from the time of arrival.

Not changed since 1979.

I'm amazed at the lethargic attitude of some who live here without first knowing the rules.

If you move residence, your also required to notify the local Police Station within 24 hours.

Chapter 4. Section 37.

2. Shall stay at the place as indicated to the competent official. Where there is proper reason that he cannot stay at the place as indicated to the competent official, he shall notify the competent official of the change in residence , within 24 hours from the time of removing to said place.

3. Shall notify the police official of the local police station where such alien resides, within twenty – four hours from the time of arrival. In the case of change in residence in which new residence is not located the same area with the former police stations , such alien must notify the police official of the police station for that area within twenty – four hours from the time of arrival.

I bet many didn't know that either.

paddyjenkins, on 03 Aug 2014 - 12:59, said:

 

Faz, on 03 Aug 2014 - 11:59, said:

Every Country has it's own Immigration Laws.
Thailand hasn't changed it's laws, just enforcing the laws already in existence.
 
Define a Tourist?
 
If your married and have family in Thailand then you should be on a Marriage Visa.
Sounds like the complainers are the ones who have taken advantage of the slack Immigration rules in the past.
Do you reside in Thailand..............Yes! Then your not a Tourist and shouldn't be using back to back Visa runs to remain.
Very easy to blame someone else for your own mistakes and ignorance.
 
An average tourist who wants to take a 2/3 week vacation twice a year isn't going to have any problems.

You say two trips of 2/3 weeks.

How about a tourist who want 3 trips of 4 weeks?

Or 6 trips of 4 weeks? There are many and they are genuine and legal and legally using the entry stamp as this is most convenient for them

Where is the magical line that separates the good tourist contributing to the Thai economy and the criminal abusing the system?




Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

 

What isn't clear yet Paddy is the timeframe to be out of Thailand before you can re-enter on another Tourist Visa. 30/60/90 days?

It's early days yet and certain issues need clarification. Maybe TV can get an answer to this question as they seem to be in direct contact with Immigration.

To answer your question, I don't think 3 trips of 4 weeks would be unreasonable as they could hardly be classed as back to back Visa's.

6 trips of 4 weeks is pushing the boat in my HO. For one that amounts to a total of 24 weeks, which could almost be classified as residency. Two, that is the type of activity that drug smugglers, human traffickers and other undesirables tend to make, constantly in and out.

So 6 trips of 4 weeks would be viewed as highly suspicious.

Unfortunately some genuine tourist with cash and time to spare will be affected by the clampdown, but there are no changes, just an enforcement of what was already in existence. What they are saying is get the correct Visa for your purpose of stay in Thailand.

If you can afford 6 visits of 4 weeks, your hardly classed as an average Tourist, but if you can afford flights etc to cover that many visits then you can probably afford the Elite Card. Multi entry, valid for 5 years.

The biggest whinge is because in the past many were able to use the Tourist Visa as a means to remain in Thailand without any financial proof because of poor enforcement of the Immigration rules. Now that is being corrected and what most members mean, but never actually say, is that now they have to get the correct Visa and that's going to cost them money.

Every Country has it's own Immigration Laws.

Thailand hasn't changed it's laws, just enforcing the laws already in existence.

Define a Tourist?

If your married and have family in Thailand then you should be on a Marriage Visa.

Sounds like the complainers are the ones who have taken advantage of the slack Immigration rules in the past.

Do you reside in Thailand..............Yes! Then your not a Tourist and shouldn't be using back to back Visa runs to remain.

Very easy to blame someone else for your own mistakes and ignorance.

An average tourist who wants to take a 2/3 week vacation twice a year isn't going to have any problems.

Swamp Thing, on 01 Aug 2014 - 10:47, said:

I went to GT Rider and the Kawasaki shop yesterday, both in Pattaya, and found two versions of alarmed disc locks from Xena. I will get one of those. I also found an alarmed d-lock from Kovix which might be useful if when I park, I can find a secure point to lock on to.

There were a couple of cable locks for sale, but both looked pretty flimsy. Does anybody know of a shop which sells heavy duty cable locks, preferably in Pattaya?

I looked at the chains in HomeWorks, but they didn't look very strong. I'll continue looking around for those.

Home Pro do an excellent thick shrouded cable with strong padlock. 2m length, about 600bt.