pilgrim2505

TB Worldwide

11% increase

TB in UK

Sorry to be a little off topic, but these are just a few news items regarding TB in the UK.

I am a little surprized in certain reports stating it is not the in-flux of Eastern Europeans that was a catalyst in its re-emergence and increase in cases as was related to me by the TB clinic last year.

I notice that Thailand is not at the top of the list of TB infected countries but it is India, Pakistan and certain parts of Africa.

Scouse, do you know if the same controls are in place for the African and East European countries for TB screening at Ports of entry into the U.k.

As for the GP recommending the BCG for your lad, this is absolutely right and correct, youngsters are more vulnerable to infection than adults as their immunity is not completely in place.

TB unfortunately is still quite embedded in Thailand.

Moss

Dear Moss,

What is it u do professionally? If you don’t mind me asking, curiosity kills the cat and all that.

Pilgrim

TB may not appear that common, but when our son was undergoing his vaccinations/inoculations (I can never remember which is which), the doctor explained that even though children in the UK are not routinely given the BCG now, he would be given it as he is likely to travel to Thailand frequently. Apparently, according to the quack, Thailand's incidence of TB is above the World Health Organisation's threshold of 40 cases per 100,000 of population.

Scouse.

No major differences to what has already been stated.

Best not to have at any stage, but unlikely to cause damage in the early stages, this is in regard to a chest x-ray, but a stomach x-ray has a much higher danger rating.

Chest x-rays can vary in strength as well so this can be a factor.

CT scans also provide a much higher danger scale and MRI's are largely risk free.

It will all be dependent on the risk rating factored against the danger in allowing a suitable diagnosis and each patient will have a different scale of reasoning toward the x-ray.

For TB diagnosis there is no discussion, there are alternative methods so insist on there use, and refuse, in my opinion an x-ray.

So Pilgrim, relatively little new info.

Good Luck

Moss

Wow,

Cheers moss, no but you spent your time finding that out so cheers very much mate. Seems as if the sputum test; as romantic as it sounds is the only viable option so im told (my bird AKA fatty rung them up not you Scouse.)

It does send a poignant message that the only infectious disease they are concerned about is TB. Not to mention that this is fairly low on the list of diseases of concern in Thailand.

Some info taken from the CIA Factbook:

Degree of risk: high

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea and hepatitis A

vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and plague are high risks in some locations

animal contact disease: rabies

water contact disease: leptospirosis

note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified among birds in this country or surrounding region; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2007)

People living with HIV/AIDS 570,000 (2003 est.)

To me this reflects an inability to adapt to current demands and a failure to remain current in issues of transient health and modern virus ethics.

But hey, mine is not to reason why.

Pilgrim

There’s a possibility that my Thai fiancé might be having a baby in Pattaya its not guaranteed but I am doing the ground work now in-case I miss my visa timescale window so to speak, does any one have any previous experience / recommendations?

I have read many of the threads but none are too conclusive, Satahip Naval Hospital, BPH, Sriracha, and Phayathai hospitals are the most popular mentioned can any one tell me about there personal experiences, things to be avoided and, well anything useful would be better than what I know now.

Anything slightly geographically / subject related would be nice.

Pilgrim

To obtain the necessary certificate, applicants will need to attend the clinic run by International Organisation for Migration (IOM) staff at:

Kasemkij Building

8th Floor, 120 Silom Road

Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

Tel +66 2 234 7950-5

Fax + 66 2 234 7956

Email: [email protected]

Pilgrim.

OFFICE HOURS ARE THE USUAL 9 - 5 calling them UK lunch time would be silly.

as a pregnant woman please take my kind & advice & don't call your wife fatty to her face Fish brain is also a no no too as my husband has recently discovered

I had a chest xray for tb whilst unknowlingly 6 weeks pregnant, I was advised that although it was best to not have had it, as it was localised on the chest & not the stomach it should be fine & my subseqent scans have confirm that no harm was done. But as others said, a few days of sputum tests will be more acurate & safer.

Thanx Moss will be interesting to find out, as for the comments Boo I will try and refrain from calling Fatty “Fatty,” thing is though; being in her current pregnant state so to speak and I’m sure you can support this claim - it doesn’t matter if its fish brains, fatty honey, darling they all get received by the same set of psychotic schizophrenic ears… oh did I mention the mood swings?

I will try Boo. good luck 4u2

Pilgrim

I believe the sputum test is the only option, but your girlfriend is probably best off contacting the TB test centre and asking for their guidance.

Scouse.

As always Scouse delivers those golden apples, I have advised her to make the necessary calls to the people down at the IOM I have cut n pasted the details here for any1 else facing this dilemma:

To obtain the necessary certificate, applicants will need to attend the clinic run by International Organisation for Migration (IOM) staff at:

Kasemkij Building

8th Floor, 120 Silom Road

Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

Tel +66 2 234 7950-5

Fax + 66 2 234 7956

Email: [email protected]

It does look like she will have a 3 day stay in BKK shortly how terribly convenient, look out for the next exciting post titled “Budget hotels sought in Silom rd.”

I will also add comment to this post as soon as fatty has spoke to the people at IOM.

Pilgrim.

Does any one have any previous experience with the TB test with a pregnant woman? Can the X-ray still be done with abdominal shielding or is the sputum test the only option?

Clipped,

There are other important factors in working a remote location besides money and physical risk. I have been here in Iraq four years. First of all; it is important to be here with a well-established, experienced company that has a good relationship with coalition forces and who cares about their employees. There are plenty of companies here who do not meet that criteria. Having a side arm will do nothing to protect you from an IED, rocket or mortar attack.

There are many jerks here; chances are you will report to one. Some companies have many childish rules that defy common sense and create an oppressive work and living environment. You could be surrounded by incompetent and inexperienced personnel who got their job because of a buddy or relative. In an environment where decisions impact your personal safety; it is hard to tolerate that for long.

These are issues that affect how long you last here far more than the infrequent IDF attacks. If you are lucky, find a nice niche with a good company and great co-workers; you may actually enjoy the experience and stay long enough to build up that nest egg.

It is very easy to lose your job here; for a perceived transgression of the rules or just getting on someone's bad side or to make room for your supervisor's cousin or new brother-in-law. If you come; do not buy anything on time payments!

Calculate how much you can make where you are now if you work 14 hours a day, seven days a week and compare.

Good luck to you; maybe I will see you over here!

If you listen to nothing else listen to this post. I am fortunate not to have been sent to Iraq but constantly work in hostile environments in Afghanistan, Africa etc, if nothing else I am constantly looking at ways to avoid going to Iraq. I have lost 3 of my greatest friends in that but hole of a country and I personally consider it to be hel_l on earth there is not a more dangerous place on this planet.

If you do choose to go find out about the company that will be providing your security, find out the level of armour “your” vehicle will have, they vary from car to car and are rated using a B scaling system. find out specifically your working / accommodation locations and distance between the two. Time on roads is not fun time! If you need further information I suggest you could ask “casmeri” failing that I would be happy to help you further with company reputations etc.

Be very aware this is a dangerous place and if you don’t need the money consider alternatives. There’s no point being the richest man in the grave yard. As for walking around the streets alone just try and recall the stories of ken Bigley to name a few…

I wonder if anyone else has come across similar attitudes?

I have yes but back here in mainland UK

If you wish me to elaborate i'm sure i could. I believe that people are the same the world over and if anything Thais fair a little better than most.

Best of luck for you and your wife.

Pilgrim

It's general wisdom that withdrawing cash at ATMs using foreign Maestro or Cirrus compatible ATM cards is the most economic way to fill your wallet on a journey. That's also what I usually do when I travel to Thailand. During my last two stints to Bangkok the exchange rate that I was given through the ATMs made me question this though. I used my Austrian Maestro compatible bank card. The exchange rate Euro-Baht was hovering around 1 to 47. The rate I got through the machine was 42 Baht for a Euro plus the usual small amount of transaction fee (around 2 Euro). What's up with that? I tried it later at another bank's ATM and I got the same bad exchange rate. For all future money changing I resorted to changing cash at a money changer. A much better rate was had through them, and no transaction fee on top of it all either. Anybody have a good explanation for this ATM dilemma? I only ever experienced this in Thailand...TIT I guess...?!

I think the ultimate answer is carry wads of cash with you but thats hardly practical, i cant help too much but i can tell you that i use nationwide and they offer a higher rate than most exchange rate wise and they let u withdraw from an ATM machine for free...

I have a fiancé in Thailand and I spend all day on the phone to her but generally speaking it costs me either nothing or I do so by using inclusive minutes. The reason I am posting this is because I saw the massive “Skype” advert on the home page of this site. Having travelled extensively through out the world with work I previously found this service excellent but I have discovered I can use other companies for free.

I am not sure if I will get into trouble for doing this post, if it breaks any rules I apologise now and hope I don’t get removed from here permanently however I do feel its important to share this information as staying in touch is so important.

Voipdiscount have a voip software and you can call Thai mobiles and landlines for free using the internet. There’s several 08445 and 0774 numbers that can be used with inclusive minutes. I am sure that typing any off the above mentioned into a Google search would help get more info… A word of warning with the inclusive minutes thingy Is get written confirmation from your phone provider that the rates / allowances will be allowed don’t trust the websites or at least call your network provider confirm, I found out the hard way ££.

If I have helped one person stay in touch with a loved one then I haven’t wasted my time posting.

Pilgrim

Pilgrim,

Any application for a visa is governed by a particular paragraph of the immigration rules which sets out what the applicant needs to achieve in order to get the visa. The criteria for a spouse, for example, are stipulated in paragraph 281. In order to qualify for the visa, the applicant must attain the balance of probabilities; i.e. s/he does not need to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt which is the standard that pertains in criminal matters, rather solely that what s/he is saying is likely. In order to demonstrate the likelihood of what the applicant is saying, and thereby qualify for the visa, various documents have to be provided.

Scouse.

Dear scouse,

If i should ever happen to meet you FREE BEER!

The visa officer is as equally bound by the immigration rules as the applicant is, so providing that your wife can demonstrate that she meets the requirements, there's no reason why she shouldn't qualify, whether she lives in Pattaya or not.

Scouse.

Scouse this is pure GOLD...

More like pure Bronze i would say. The visa officer operates under guidelines which are just that , and they are given considerable latitude in their interpretation of the bundle of documents in any application. You only have to search this forum and you will be swamped with posters saying "we provided the proof but they ignored it "....etc etc.

Now Pilgrim i am not saying she does or doesn't have a good chance , and certainly i agree with Scouse (for once) that her being in Pattaya should be totally irrelevant , although Pattaya does conjure up the wrong image in some people's minds (maybe in the ECO's as well)

The key word here is "demonstrate ". She must demonstrate (to the ECO's interpretation) that she qualifies. So its not good enough that she does qualify, she must also "demonstrate" that she does. Can be trickier than you think depending on the mood of the ECO on the day.

Good luck anyway

Atlas

Atlas,

i'm sorry i don't follow, what do you mean, demonstrate what and how exactly?

im sorrry i'm new this is all in riddles to me.

cool news

The cost of a visa application, whether as a fiancée or a spouse is £500.00. However, if you were to marry in Thailand, this would obviate the need to apply to the Home Office to extend the visa post-marriage in the UK, so would save £395.00. The process takes approximately one week unless your wife-to-be is deemed to require an interview, in which case the embassy will give her a date to attend. She can fly until circa 30 weeks pregnant, although different carriers have different rules, so you'll have to check with your intended airline first.

The visa officer is as equally bound by the immigration rules as the applicant is, so providing that your wife can demonstrate that she meets the requirements, there's no reason why she shouldn't qualify, whether she lives in Pattaya or not.

Scouse.

Scouse this is pure GOLD...

Nail completly on the head, your an extreamly knowledgable bloke and this is the kinda stuff that keeps forums alive in my eyes.

Thank You kindly !!!

Atlas, as ever, selecting the little snippets which suit his argument, without looking at the broader context.

Scouse.

I think you'll find thats a tactic used by just about everyone to make their point.

Its what the quote facility is there for !!

You use it , so does Mahout , and of course the lovable lamented GU22 (who was perhaps its greatest user) plus hundreds of others.

Perhaps I should have named it ..

“I’m Intending Marrying My Fiancé Soon, I feel The Time Is fast Approaching, I Do Have A Few Issues About Geography And The Whole Visa Application Process Is There Anyone Willing To Offer Any Advice. Oh And I “Dun” The Stupid Thing Of Impregnating Her.”

maybe thats just silly!!

I Felt the Main post would have lost all momentum if I had. I’m also sure there’s a million and one stories if we look closely between the lines, I could list a few:

• Where do I source the forms from

• How do I get the health cert for the missus

• Is an electoral role necessary

• Is it necessary to circumcise my cat before my wife comes to the UK

Shame you feel you have to marry to "aid the flow of visa application" . It has been flogged to death as a search will show...and i expect it will be a matter of days until we have yet another poster considering marriage they would not otherwise be considering just so their girlfriend can get a visa. Nice system we have

It must be extremely hard work for Atlas to contrive to skew every post in an attempt to substantiate his viewpoint.

It is clear that the OP already intended to marry his girlfriend, it being just a question of whether in the UK or Thailand.

On a separate note, yes, the OP's girlfriend may apply for an unmarried partner's visa, but they will have had to have been living together in a relationship akin to marriage for the 2 years immediately preceding such an application and whilst the OP continues to live in the UK and his girlfriend in Thailand it is unlikely they will have fulfilled the requirement.

Scouse.

I think I must at this point continue to thank each and everyone for their support, guidance and respectful comments to date, I also think it’s important that the posts in general focused on the origin and we attempt to glean as much topical and relevant information so that we can apply as effectively as possible.

On that note atlas…I would like to draw your attention to this updated post I cant quote to well so here I cut n pasted it for your attention.

“Second point is I wouldn’t even consider marrying someone if I didn’t LOVE them Duhh…maybe I should have explained that more thoroughly at the beginning. My partner has been my partner for 3 years already and marriage / visa has been on the cards longer than this post has.”

If you had read on maybe you would have seen that comment. I’m sure its an honest mistake.

So I would thank everyone for their valid comments so far they have alleviated some doubt and raised a few more questions respectfully. Ok here goes… firstly I placed this post in the Pattaya section and rightfully so it was moved to the visa bit however; there were questions in that sentence although not obvious, like do other Pattaya residence feel that the woman there suffer with visas applications and if there’s anyway of avoiding this.

“respectfully” employed or not; woman in this area are still Thai residence are they not.?

Second point is I wouldn’t even consider marrying someone if I didn’t LOVE them Duhh…maybe I should have explained that more thoroughly at the beginning. My partner has been my partner for 3 years already and marriage / visa has been on the cards longer than this post has.

And on a reiteration thank you all kindly for your help and encouragement s far, I will endeavour to keep u posted. Fingers crossed!

This has probably been flogged to death but i'm in need of guidance with regards to getting my pregnant fiancé back to the UK ASAP before she delivers. I’m troubled by horror stories of visa applications and the notorious reputation Pattaya has for being full of get rich visa businesses whose main focus is cash flow. My fiancée is 1 month pregnant, I am 28 she is 24 I have a respectable job and so does she, we plan to marry to aid the flow of visa application. Any previous threads, advice and or guidance on this matter would be greatly received. Oh and what does this all cost?

No degree!

I was in the military for 9 years, I now work for a training company delivering Eng, maths, and IT to adult learners. I have references to support this.

My question is would I be likely to secure teaching jobs in Thailand if I were to acquire a tefl / esol cert?