ajarnbangkapi

I am going to express my opinion as to why all this is happening. I will not reply to any comments on my opinion.

In order to place my opinion in perspective, please consider the following.

I have lived in Thailand for 21 years. I originally was invited to come as a technical expert. I am fluent in spoken and written Thai at the post-graduate level. From 1990-2000, I worked in 72 provinces on projects for the Ministries of Interior, Public Health, Education, and Communications, mostly in very rural areas.

In addition to my technical background, I have an MA in Religion, concentration in Buddhism. I have spent 3 years in monasteries, both in Thailand and my home country.

I lived in Issan for 11 years, and for the past 10 years have lived in Bangkok. In Issan, I used to attend the monthly meetings of my city's "informal" governing committee - the mayor, the provincial police chief, an army general, and 5 businessmen. In Bangkok, when I worked on government projects, I used to attend functions hosted by by the Royal Family.

The anti-government movement is largely funded directly or indirectly by Thaksin's clan. The balance is proved by certain other Sino-Thai business clans.

The goal of the Thaksin group is to attain control of Thailand once an inevitable event occurs.

Given that there is a kingdom at stake, the group is spending vast amounts of money in order to foment and sustain an insurrection.

Because so much already has been spent, the group cannot accept defeat; therefore, they now will employ any and all tactics in order to win.

The situation is complicated by the fact that the group's appointed local leadership are rapidly losing control over the entity that they have created.

Harold, I have refrained from posting for several reasons, but the sanity and clarity in your post have temporarily stirred me from lurkville. As another long time resident who is now out of the Kingdom I am aware of some other motivational factors at work that are not constructive to post, but considering the venue, that was a brillant post. Thanks for your insights, they are welcomed by all that have had the opportunity to see them.

Bad behaviour from girlfriend and her family.

Be very careful, the parents are obviously looking for "showcase house" money, not "happyness" or good live for the daughter. If you want a future with this girl, tell her it does not include her family, and settle down far away from KK. If she don't agree..............................walk away.

There are plenty of good Isaan girls - and parents

i agree with you"

I have plans to build a house, close to Buriram and many, many questions. A Buriram forum would help me a lot to find contacts to give me advise to find the right people for the right job(Builders, lawyer, building materials, etc.). Within 2 weeks I'll be there again for 1 month. I am really looking forward.

hope you will get nice advise soon ' my wife from Krasang' but i stay in Bkk full time , i think Buriram good place'

Buriram Big C ? SOUND NICE'.

Hi;

There isn't any. They tried to hide it but I think it's clear to all that this verdict was a done deal and handed down from above to judge Somchai.

**Yes, sure, this was a done deal back when the military took over. If they didn't find Thai Rak Thai guilty, then the forceful take over (and the blessing of same by the top guy) would have been seen to have been an error. This is simply settling the history books question with a reason for the military to be used for the good of the Thai people to keep things on the straight and narrow, with "guidance tempered with wisdom and compassion" by the guy on top.

Keep in mind, the military doesn't WANT stability. They actually want people in the North and North East to boycott (or vote against) the next constitution.. keeps them in power.

**I think Chuan's legacy will be returned in the form of Apachit leading the next govt. Chaun always had an in with the top guy and was trusted.

It's been an exceptionally sad day for Thailand, and you know what: we've not hit rock bottom yet.

**I disagree with the bad day portion, this was an inevitable day, the sooner the better, so the process can begin to replace the military government and their censorship with an elected govt. This is the begining of the end of the military revolution I think.

I do agre that things will get worse before they get better though, I see ebpty coffers waiting for the next civilian govt, with the sword of Diamocles hanging over their head.

Hot so obvious, two potential groups here, and remember that there were 7 simultaneous attacks, no one caught yet!

Troops moving into Bkk tonight, Siam Paragon and public transport locations. Also, troops on the move in Korat.

Stay at home, stay safe, it ain't over I fear!

Hi chivasgeo;

Thanks, I will give it a try. I would suspect that I am not the first American to live here long term and want to bring a fiancee back to the states, so this could be useful information for some.

take care.

Will this be a problem for my fiancee visa, being unemployed? I don't want to go first and break up our family here, and I would really want to be here for the interview (strong recommendation from others that have been thru the process).

As I have been gone for 10 years I would hope this would be ok, but I don't know. Anyone know the policy here?

I dont have a answers to your question but I suggested posting this scenario in 2 other forums that deals with Visas to USA from Thailand....

1) the Thai Falang Board http://forums.delphiforums.com/thaifalang/start

2) Visajourney.com there is a specific thread (a LONG thread but very useful info)

Hi Steven;

Yes, the consensus seems to be, yeah it's illegal but so what? The school (Sbac) has "senyai", they offer free tuition to kids of senior police. I have met teachers from Sarasas that have the same problem, this seems to be a relatively new problem that is created because the MOE refuses to hear appeals now, if no license then tough. Therefore, no work permit, etc.

The President has quite a reputation, especially among the Thai staff. Last spring, before Songkran break, so many were looking fior new jobs that she called a mandatory meeting, and posted guards at the doors so they couldn't leave. She demanded that they sign new contracts for the year with a penalty clause, or they were fired that day with no pay for the month. They signed, all of them, but were very grumpy coming into the new school year.

This is NOT unusual in Thailand!

Ron

Technically speaking, the school is required to comply and give over the paperwork- but there are no enforcement clauses, either (TiT).

If you want to resolve this more quickly, I'd suggest hiring a savvy lawyer just to write a letter or two informing the school of their obligations. Probably won't go any further than that and the school will suddenly become much more cooperative.

Good luck. Let us know how the visa runs work out- I hear they're becoming more difficult.

"Steven"

Hi;

I did make one "entry with out visa" run in July at the request of my new employer, That was necessitated by my old school. They cancelled my work permit (after they said they wouldn't) AND cancelled my visa backdated to before I actually quit, resulting in a shock overstay and fine that I had to pay for. Long story, but my old employer's President told she wanted me to stay and I didn't, I served my notice and left.

So, I paid for a 1 week extension, paid the overstay fine, and went to Cambodia on the bus to start the visa/work permit/teachers license process over from scratch (didn't work, MOE still demanded the old teachers license). Horror story here regarding some schools, I know of two that are doing the extortion scam on teachers that leave, but the MOE is tacitly supporting the extortion. A BIG reason I am leaving Thailand.

DANGER for teachers that change schools!!

Thanks for the advice on the visas. For the 60 day tourist visa, what do I need paperwork wise? Is there a 90 day visa, or does the 60 day automatically allow a renewal?

Also, would PP Cambodia be the same, worse, or better to go get the tourist visa? never did this before, always had legal work permits .

Thanks;

Ron

Hi;

I have an expired visa coming up that I need to fix. Details are as follows:

1) Currently hold a nonimm-b that I got in Vientiene at the request of my new employer in anticipation of getting a work permit. It expires Nov. 24

2) Lost job, so no work permit and no income(no teachers license, my former school (Sbac) won't release it without extortion payment or 150,000 baht, MOE doesn't care and won't reissue without old one).

3) Made one 30 tourist visa on demand at Cambodia in July at request of new Employer (Lertlah).

4) Need to stay until maybe Feburary or March, I have submitted paperwork for a fiancee visa and it will take that long until we can get her visa go home. I need to be here for the interview.

5) My thai marriage was not registered, and doing so will complicate her visa to the USA.

6) Low funds

So, with no employer and no income no non immigrant visa is possible from my understanding.

I am thinking that a trip to the Penang consulate on airasia (cheap!) may be in order for a 60 day of if possible 90 day tourist visa until January or so, then 1 or 2 border runs for 2000 baht each. Or possibly, a border run first then the visa run to Penang. Long bus trips are painful with my VERY long legs.

Any advise?

Hi;

I have worked in Thailand for 10 years, and have decided to return to the states for a USA wedding ceremony (already had Thai ceremony, unregistered), and live there for a while before I retire. The papers to apply for a fiancee visa were mailed to the states today (my mom and sister will forward them to homeland security).

HOWEVER, this means I will be getting a fiancee visa to bring my wife to my mom's place in the states (81 years old and living alone in a big house since my dad died), and I have no job in the states. I will look for one when we get there.

Will this be a problem for my fiancee visa, being unemployed? I don't want to go first and break up our family here, and I would really want to be here for the interview (strong recommendation from others that have been thru the process).

As I have been gone for 10 years I would hope this would be ok, but I don't know. Anyone know the policy here?

I was at Immigration in the srintorn bldg2, next to the embassy (NOT the embassy or consulate), the Thai lady there rarely went to the window to see who was there, and just seemed to be bothered that anyone would want her to work the day b4 the 3 day holiday. Any American employees may have been in the area were not to be seen.

Things have changed there, I used to have a friend that worked in the consulate, had lunch at the embassy a few times. The state employees were very nice and professional (same for marine security), used to be the head of citizen services would presonally respond to email questions. Now, auto responces and Thai employees blocking us from seeing a consular official.

I know and understand (and agree) that they follow (and sometimes interpret) the procedures and do not create them, but a little helpfulness in providing forms and allowing citizens to try to do what we can do do things right and quickly to move the process along for the benefit of all is not so much to ask for, I think. I get the feel of a "bunker mentality, us vs. them" approach now, and it is frustrating for all. That is a change for the worse, possibly a resuly of the 2/3 yr rotations.

Why NOT help move the process along?

Today, I mailed the fiancee visa paperwork to the states, so the clock is ticking! Just wish I could start the paperwork collection for part 2 while we wait

Ron

Hi;

I am at the start of exactly the same process, and have been accumulating info. My particulars are:

1) Village mariage ceremony in Thailand, but not registered marriage

2) Lived in thailand 10 years, but just lost job so no work permit.

3) No job or residence in USA, but I can use my mom's address.

4) Non-b visa expires late Nov., so will need to get tourist visa to continue process here.

I am told macro that fiance visas are 4-5 months start to finish in thailand, marriage visa 2 years sometimes.! So, I am going fiance visa

My understanding at this point is:

A) I CAN NOT apply in Thailand thru the Embassy (I saw where someone did a I-130 successfully here, but Ijust get grief from the embassy). I am mailing the papers to my mom today to send to Texas for me.

Advice from someone that did this a year ago was to get the fiancee packet of forms here to work on while the I-129F is being processed in the states. BUT, when I went to get the forms Friday a Thai lady manning the only open service window REFUSED! She said they won't give the forms until the invitation letter is received and an appointment is made. Very haughty, like she is better than citizens that come there for anything. Two other processes going on at the time and both parties seemed to be pissed. This was the INS office in the Srindhorn building2, where they told me to go via email for info.

She DID tell me to go to the internet to download what I need, then gave me an incorect URL.

C) I am told around one month to proces the stateside app, and maybe 3 months in Thailand (from someone that went thru the proces last year).

Frustrated now, so I will be happy to see what you find, i will watch with great interest.

Hi;

I am at the start of exactly the same process, and have been accumulating info. My particulars are:

1) Village mariage ceremony in Thailand, but not registered marriage

2) Lived in thailand 10 years, but just lost job so no work permit.

3) No job or residence in USA, but I can use my mom's address.

4) Non-b visa expires late Nov., so will need to get tourist visa to continue process here.

My understanding at this point is:

A) I CAN NOT apply in Thailand thru the Embassy (I saw where someone did a I-130 successfully here, but Ijust get grief from the embassy). I am mailing the papers to my mom today to send to Texas for me.

Advice from someone that did this a year ago was to get the fiancee packet of forms here to work on while the I-129F is being processed in the states. BUT, when I went to get the forms Friday a Thai lady manning the only open service window REFUSED! She said they won't give the forms until the invitation letter is received and an appointment is made. Very haughty, like she is better than citizens that come there for anything. Two other processes going on at the time and both parties seemed to be pissed. This was the INS office in the Srindhorn building2, where they told me to go via email for info.

She DID tell me to go to the internet to download what I need, then gave me an incorect URL.

C) I am told around one month to proces the stateside app, and maybe 3 months in Thailand (from someone that went thru the proces last year).

Frustrated now, so I will be happy to see what you find, i will watch with great interest.

Hi;

Respectfully, speaking first hand from two days driving around Buriram, Huarat, Nam Om and assorted other small places that I don't know the name of, that is a load of buffalo manure!

The road from Buriram to HuaRat is full of DEEP potholes, axelbusters. Today, some kind soul put tree branches across some of the worst. It is an obsticle course that scraped the bottom of my Toyota vios on several occasions regardless of where I tried to cut thru.

Past HuaRat, on the road to Satuk (don't know the name of the road) there is a turnoff onto a dirt road to Nam Om and several other villages. This is the only way in from HuaRat, one other deeply pitted road to Krasang. This road is WASHED OUT! I went thru 3 or 4 creeks now crossing the road, and again scraped the bottom of the car. I was likely the first car to try to get thru despite warnings that the road was out, but my sister in law just had a baby and we brought in supplies. High body pickup trucks and kwai are really the only ones safely getting thru (motorbike drivers get a bath).

There is NO work being done to repair these roads, none. This is first hand, and talking to reesidents.

From an internet cafe in Buriram;

Take care

"Buriram Governor Yai Rojsuwanichakorn (ใหญ่ โรจน์สุวณิชกร) has assigned relevant units to quickly repair roads damaged by the influences of Typhoon Xangsane."

"Mr. Yai inspected the roads being repaired in Lampraimas (ลำปลายมาศ) District. The roads have been inundated and obstructed. He has ordered Buriram Department of Rural Road to construct water barriers and help renovate the damaged roads, which is expected to finish today. "

Hi;

My first (best) suggestion is the Carlton on Silom, across the street from the hongkong bank, between the Dusit Thani and CP tower on that side of the street. It is just behind an elevator for the BTS going up to the sala daeng stop. I recommend the kobe steak and cream french onion soup with fresh baked bread, my favorite. Lots of family gatherings here, I have never been disappointed (or my guests). Extensive Foreign, Thai, and Chinese menus. Interesting story behind this place, been around over 30 years.

Another choice may be Bourbon street, quite family friendly, a gathering place for their holiday buffets. Sukumvit, behind mambo (used to be washington square theater). Good redfish here, but also some New Orleans and southern favorties as well. I like the country fried steak with mashed potatos, but the fish is a VERY close second!.

Hope that helps!

Hi;

I just moved to the rama2 area of Bangkok, and have NOT been able to find any foodland, villa, etc. in this area - but I AM new. Rama 2, Ekachai, and to a lesser extent Petkesim are all in this area.

Anyone know of a good source in this side of town for western ingredients? Any foodlands or Villas on this side of the river? The locations I know of are VERY far away relatively speaking, over an hour by taxi and I DO NOT want to drive downtown.

Thanks

Hi; That is the 6th, Friday! want me to bring some mexican chips from Bkk? Also, may need to visit that hospital that your friend went to for similiar tests for father in law. So, may have a visitor. Take care

Hi Cent;

I love chess as well, and will be in the area soon. If there are any other chess players in the area perhaps we can set up a tourny! Is the farang connection a good place to play? Adequate space for me to place your pieces as I wipe them from the board? ;-)))