capital

The only thing we all agree on is that a dowry is only for the first marraige, second husband pays zero.

Spot on. I add one more thing, Hooker or ex hooker: NOTHING!!!

Government schools, some good some bad. Thai parents will normally try and get their children into satit-Chula, Satit Thammasat, demonstration schools they call them. It's all about prestige apparently. Most teachers possess MA's "made in Thailand" and are often clueless putting theory into practice and provide students' with a good student centered learning session. These schools are all about prestige.

Normal private schools for the Thai middle class are ok, some good some bad, a bit of a mix just like gov schools. Class size can be a problem too. But facilities ar definitely better, and management at these school do generally try and get their teachers to do a good job. Those Christian Schools are especially popualr. One semester = 6,000 to 9,000 Baht!

Private Bilingual schools, the majority, a lot of crap so I hear. Around 50,000 a semester!

The top schools, patana and the like. Extremely expensive, something like 1/2 Million Baht per semester, only for the fortunate. International curriculum taught!

I once worked as a science teacher here in los.......

For more info check www.ajarn.com

Indo-Siam,

God, you seem to know more than most farangs here in los when it comes to legal issues, and the info you're giving is 99.9% accurate if not 100%, me thinks. Pure curiousity, are you a lawyer?

No offence, just curious... you have answered a question I had in the past and I really appreciate it.

Wow. I travel around Bangkok in taxis, I'm no woman but still slightly worried...

First the two English professors almost hacked two death by their driver, then the Japanese Air Stewardess and now this Chinese lady... how far are these "criminals" going. I for one, avoid all conversation with any of them, I can't tell the good from the bad, and it's usually the supposedely freindly ones that try to scam you into taking you to some jewelery shop or massage parlour....

Anyway, anyone know where I get myself a pocket size cannister-spray for self deffense purposes?

Thanks

To all the Anti-Bush & Anti-American polocies people:

I respect your opinion in regards to peace and not creating violence within the world. I too, feel that sacrificing young men and women's lives for something I'm not quite sure of myself is pointless. But first, before I opined someone else's view on making the world better, I not only give my reasons for my opposition, but also add a solution of my own. So...

You are free to express your point of views with or without validity since freedom of speech is something we all cherish. But I would like to ask those who continues to blast Bush, Americans, and their polocies, "What is your solution to this ever growing problem called...terrorism?" And how should have the American government respond after witnessing their citizens, normal, every day life people jumping off the World Trade Center to morbidly escape their burning office? And finally, what intelligent information do you have in regards to Iraq and the Americans' suspicion on the country's possesion of WMD and the suspicion on Iraq's relationship with terrorist that would lead you to think that none of that exists? Please elaborate.

Thank you,

SS

You are making some very valid points and I appreciate that. But is violence the answer to what happened in Sept 11? IMO no matter how painfull, negotiations with Arab countries as how to tackle the terrorist problem more effectively is the way to go...

My two cents

now that saddam has been captured, the door is open for all the other extremist muslim groups to enter iraq and make a nuisance of themselves. the saudi wahabis will probably be the first. now that saddams power and that of his followers has been severely curtailed, all the other american hating trouble makers will do whatever they can to prevent the american led coalition from having any success in iraq.they will fight the americans and they will fight amongst themselves.

i predict very hard times for the unfortunate people of iraq for a long time to come.

Excellent post. Thank you Sir!

Good riddance! Now, insn't it time to get rid of the other two tyrants:

1. Bush, for making war not peace. Having lived in the Arab world for many years, his capture will I garantee you, fuel more hatred and terrorist attacks against innocent Brits, Americans and especially Israelis...

2. Sharon, for not making concessions and "sticking to his guns" most o the time. He could in theory stop these settlements in occupied land as a gesture of goodwill...

peace!

Normally, the contract will state a one month minimum from either side. Check your contract. If say, you got no contract at all then you could report your employer to the Ministry of Labour and he/she can be in for some serious explaining + pay a hefty fine and in some instance even face closure of business!

Good Luck!

Oh ok sorry. So, it's still 200k... great. Thanks for the replies. A friend of mine is depositing the money in my account "temporarily" that's why I needed to find out for how long, just 1 day I understand from your replies, great.

One more question: after having obtained the one year marriage visa to legally reside in the country, will I definitely have to leave the country every 3 months or will it be possible for me to extend it at immigration Bangkok?

Thanks

In Thailand you gotta be very careful. I don't think you know the person well enough to even consider looking into a possible partnership. I'm being a little pesimistic, but heard so many horror stories. Personally, I would not go into business with anyone in Thailand, Thai or foreign. Unless the guy is a trustworthy former high school friend of mine whom I've known for donkey years, then it's a different ball game of course...

Hi folks,

A good friend of mine has agreed to deposit 400,000++ in my Bangkok Bank account. I will need to show this to immigration. The questions I got, for how long will the amount have to be kept in my account prior to receivng my ok stamp from imm?

Thanks

Nope: Just send them a fax. They will fax you back a tourist visa application form. Fill it in. Courier it and your passport, along with a bank-issued cheque, have a beer, and in a week or so, back comes your passport and a shiny new one-year, multiple-entry visa . . . hooray!

Pretty much the case during my frequent trips to the Middle East, and it's perfectly legal as well. So... what's the fuss all about?

My two cents,

A friend of mine a Thai businessman had to travel to Mauritania a country in Western Africa, to attend a seminar. He needed a visa, however, there is no Embassy or even a consulate in Bangkok representing that particular country. He had no other option but to FeDex his Thai passport for a 1-week visa to the ministry of foreign affairs in Mauritania

Lots of negative comments on Thai immigration, including mine in previous threads. This morning I visited immigration for my yearly extension on Soi Suan Plu, was to my surprise treated with the most immaginable respect from every one and was in and out withing 30 min tops. The lady, one of those sitting in the back who signed the documents even replied "you're welcome" to my humble thank you, and I did not WAI at her or anything. I remember 10 years back in some room on the same floor as I recall, my dossier was almost thrown in my face apart from the poor service of course. Yes, they still have a long way to go by installing computers and stuff and puttting up more signs and other things instead of pointing or directing you to the next desk to which you have to submit your papers. At the ministry of labour things have also improved considerably even though I did have to wait 2 hours to submit my dossier, but hey this is Thailand, a third world country... I noticed absolutely nothing of a "clampdown" or "crackdwown" of any kind. Anyways, it might just have been my lucky day...

Dr. Pat Pong,

What do you think of this "fairly balanced" post of mine?

I am a voice in the wilderness Capital and only adding a smigeon of balance here....by no means achieving 50/50. You condone illegality without reservation. If I have been here too long, perhaps you have a way to go yet.

I certainly don't condone illegality. But the blame should not solely lie on the farang IMO and... you just (again IMO) come down a little too harsh on the "suffering" farangs. That's all.

Dr. patpong,

Why is it that whenever I read your posts I sense you're really out here to deffend anything Thai. Is it that you're a multimillionnaire and look the people not as fortunate as you down you nose, or perhaps you're Mr. Perfect, or perhaps you've lived here a bit too long and feel Thai in your inner self or perhaps had a hard time in the west.... can't you be a bit more realistic as a moderator of this forum? BTW, Before you start lashing out at me, I am totally legal in los and I am fortunate enough to be successful in this beautiful country!

Fellow expats are jailed, attacked by taxi drivers etc.... and you seem to be very quick at condmning the farang, and often failing to have an in-depth look at both sides of the story. Have some heart mister!

5. food for mama just send wallet

:laugh:  :laugh:  :laugh:

This woman will probably have a family to support her. Financially and in other respects, Thais are resourceful. She won't be battling alone.

Spot on. And after 2 - 3 months, she'll very likely leave the kid with her family while at work at Sheraton. So 3,000 Baht is more than adequate..... untill he/she starts kindergarden.

let's not forget that it is the responsibility of both parents to financially support the child (different story of course if the mother were to stay home full-time).

Over & out!

I stand by what I said earlier. Anything more than the 3,000 Baht a month is being over-generous. In Thailand, that is a sign of weakness and a big NO NO and you won't gain respect for it either. In fact the family might think you're a billionaire and papa and mama will need there hospital bills paid. Suss your wife to be out for a couple of years, why throwing money at her?

ps

Be especially careful with ladies from the Northeast of Thailand. And if the baby is staying in some village upcountry, then 1,500 Baht a month would be more than enough!

Excellent, professional, and best site for expats in BKK as far as I'm concerned. Much much better than the nanaplaza.com site I used to frequent. Also those Thai-related news headlines are nice.

Thank you George.