sun_sailor

"...when my son turns 17, he will have to go to the embassy and do something regarding picking a ball from a bin."

I don't think 17 is the age they draw for conscription. A lot of kids are still in high school then.

I Understand that the registration is at 17 or 18 twhen hy are required to report, and the lottery takes place when they turn 20,

and the obligation stays untill age 30.

My stepson was born in Thailand to Thai parents.

He has lived in the USA for 5 years and now being 18 is qualified to take

the test to obtain US Citizenship.

I understand the obligation for Thai military service for Thai men

extends to age 30. He intends to stay in the USA, but it seems tht he could be

required to go back to Thailand for the military.

We know there is a "lottery" and talk of "tea money" to be exempt,

but what are all the options? Is renouncing Thai citizenship the only sure bet?

Not his preferred choice, as he wants University and a career in the USA,

but may want to live in Thailand someday...

My Stepson is 18, and has lived in the USA , with Green Card for 5 years.

He was born in Thailand and has a Thai passport. He qualifies to take the test

for US Citizenship. As a US Citizen, with a Thai Passport as well he would in effect

have dual citizenship. Since he wants to stay living in the USA, is he still required

for obligaion for Thai military service?

He does want to keep his Thai Passport, as he may someday want to live in Thailand,

but not be in the military.

In my reading US laws , I see that entering a foreigh military is seen an act of treason,

and could cause him to lose his US citizenship, should he have to be in the Thai Military

Anyone have a comment about this? Thanks

I am an American Citizen happily married to a Thai women,

and we wish to bring her 2 children to live with us in the USA.

My wife, a Thai citizen, has a USA Permanent Resident card, we live

in Santa Cruz CA, USA. Where we own a home, and have jobs.

She came to the USA over 2 1/2 years ago on a K1 Visa, we were married in the

US. We just passed the 2 year mark, and sent in the packet of info and

application to "Remove Conditional Status" This was accepted, and Jeerarat

was give a "one year extention of Conditional Status" after going to an appointment

on Jan 9 2008 for Biometrics.

We are confident that the 10 year Permenent status may be sent to us soon,

or perhaps a request for more information. We know the California USCIS

system is somewhat backlogged, though expect no problem.

We wish to bring her two children, Apple 14, and Mix 10 ,

to live with us and go to school in San Jose CA.

These children were listed, in the I-129 f "Petition for Alien Fiance" which we filed

with all the papers to obtain the K1 Visa in 2004.

Jeerarat has sole custody of the children, and they have been living with her

family here in Phuket while we have been the the US for the past 2 1/2 years.

Both children; have current Thai Passports.

Another fact is that whenMy wife divorced her husband; the childrens father in 2003,

she was granted full custody of the children by the Thai government office that issued the

divorce. She took those sole custody documents with them when she applied for Thai

passports for the children.

We would like to get their Visas as soon as possible, we are only over

here in Thailand for 3 months, and want to do whatever is expediant.

My first thought is to sponsor them, applying with the 1-130 Petition for alien relative.

Can anyone you kindly tell us how to proceed, what are best options may be in your opinion?

We would like to get their Visas as soon as possible, we are only over

here for 3 months, ...we heard the process was easy, now I hear otherwise. 6-12 months?

some say to apply at the Us Embassy BKK, but since we are US residents, perhaps

we should apply to the USA...any advice would be tremendously appreciated,

Thanks

have been married with my Thai wife for 2 1/2 years.

We have been living both in the USA and occasionally in Phuket.

, she has a 2 year green card,

and we are waiting fo approval for the perm 10 year card.

Since both her Thai kids 10, and 14, were named on her K1 visa, we have

heard is is a fairly easy process for them to go the he BKK US Embassay

and get visas to the USA.

If anyone has had this experience, I would love to hear, Thanks

I have been married with my Thai wife for 2 1/2 years.

We have been living both in the USA , she has a 2 year green card,

and we are waiting fo approval for the perm 10 year card.

Since both her Thai kids 10, and 14, were named on her K1 visa, we have

heard is is a fairly easy process for them to go the he BKK US Embassay

and get visas.

If anyone has had this experience, I would love to hear, Thanks

There is a large 6 court tennis complex near the govt offices in phuket town.

they have lessons at a reasonable price

Is anybody talking about the requirement that condo projects have to br 51% thai owned?

Now that this issue is being watched, I have heard condo final licences are sometimes not granted..

this could explain?

Maybe Singapore would like to buy the Airport?

Where is Thaksin when we need him!

I have had a OA retirement visa for 2 years, by duly transferring 800k

to my Thai bank from the USA.

This year I want to renew using a letter from my accountant stating

that I have 80 k month income from US investments.

I understand that I am to go to the US Embasy in BKK to get a

"statement" Notory, or something official.

My question is, Is there anyway that can be done while I am now in California

From some US Govt office, Notary or other official ?

as I return to Phuket, and would rather not take the trip to BKK, just

for the signature from the Embasy.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

Question about renewing a retirement visa,

I have renewed my retirement visa in the past 2 years,

by duly transferring 800k into my Thai bank acct.

This year I want to renew by a stating income from

with a letter from my Tax accountant, which I read that

have to have it notorized at the US Embassy in BKK.

Can this letter be notorized any other way ?

In the USA,? through a bank, US govt agency etc

Thanks is advance for any advice

Thanks for all this info...

I have a Bof A acct in California,

From what I gather here, I will need to open a Bangkok Bank -New York acct

and also a Bangkok bank Thailand acct once I get to Thailand next month?

I say this because I assume I need to set this up BEFORE I leave

the USA for Thailand..

Any comments on this? Thanks in advance

There is alot of painting materials avail at the big Emporium shopping center

in BKK, a number of different brands of imported oils and acrylics, I buy some

there , and bring most from the usa.

There are lots of creative options to show work in Thailand, Cafe's , shops ., resorts etc,

Does anyone know if you need a work permit to be showing work in Thailand?,

here is a story I know...

My American friend who lives in phuket applied to take his BG girlfriend

to the US on a tourist visa, I laughed at the possibility of success...

at the interview, he politely said he has a mail order internet computer business,

and she helped him, and they just wanted to go to the las vegas on a vacation...

They asked her 1. what is the company? she said "I dont know, something electric"

and 2. where are you going , San Francisco, her reply..... Bangkok interviewer's reply.....

visa granted....no joke.

I have lived in a disaster zone once before moving to phuket,

Santa cruz california in the 1989 earthquake.

when some seasoned observers said it would take 10 years

to rebuild the wrecked downtown area, I disagreeed,

a thriving city would be rebuilt quickly, I thought.

well, It did take TEN YEARS!, with a huge debate what to do,

and how, and what to build, and lenders were reluctant etc...

now, 16 years later, there are still unbuilt holes in the city...

in short, I feel phukets recovery will take a lot longer than anyone imagines.

I just arrived in California with my Thai fiance,

and as we drove by a state park duck pond,

she asked me "who owned the ducks" and could

we take one home and eat it...

This may be a clue as to where the Thai birdlife has gone

I am a California artist living in Kata beach phuket,

working on a new series of paintings... Are there

other artists around that would like to chat?

Discuss art etc...

My current work is color field abstraction, using

gold paint and foil,Buddhist icons and mixed media.

Also have been doing some colorful portraits,etc.

Richard

Is Phuket jinxed now or what?

tsunami....

ferry sinking... 12 dead...many more are still missing.

and earlier on the same day, a bus from phuket to bangkok crashes and 10 are dead, 30 injured. Just how bad is the kharma of phuket at present?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

it's not Karma, It's carelessness...we see it everyday out on the road,

overloaded and undermaintained vehicles speeding, and driving on

either side of the road..... I do sort of love the Thai's casual attitude

toward life and safety. but you put your life on the line everyday here...

[ I frequently sail in that area, and 3 weeks ago I saw a grossly overloaded

ferry boat on this same route as this ferry which sank.

It was narrow, more like a river boat, and was loaded with new SUV truck on top,

piled high with cargo on the deck, and was crammed with passengers..

i couldn't beleive it really. It is the local boat that takes local people out to Ko Yao noi, a mostly muslim island with almost zero tourism.

every thing I have read leads me to beleive , that this is the same boat,

that had capsized.

Check out "The Tube" bar in Kata Beach

they have a great 150 baht BBQ buffet on Frday nights

at 7.30

A surfer from Sweden named Mike, and his lovely

wife and kids host the evening, surf movies are shown

and expect an expat bunch of surfers,sailors, and other

cool folks

its on Khok Tanod rd..

see ya there..

Any info on those tennis "lanes " in Phuket town?,anyone played there?

also, we play in the mornings at courts at the very back of Thavorn hotel on Karon beach.. 2 courts, and even a nice practice wall,

they sometimes charge us a small amount, but never seen anyone

else play there in the AM

Just a driving tip...Use your turn signals!

When I recently bought a car to drive around Phuket, I decided

to let my Thai GF drive, and learn from her (She has driven 10 years no accident)...

well, what i learned, she uses turn signals Everytime she turns,

parking lot, lanes, pulling over, way overdoes it, i think...cars around or not... but Hey, it works!

The new mega mall/entertainment zone is being built in the

center of the sex worker zone.. any ideas how that is going to be?

Au Chalong marina? Has any one seen any plans of the proposed layout?

I was excited to hear talk of this a few months ago, but i cant see where

they can site all the massive onshore space needed for commerce and parking,

sure they got the water...but where is the land?

I returned to an internet cafe 10 min after I left,

to look for lost sunglasses, and I saw a Thai guy looking through

my mail....seems he just looked at the "history" and there was

my yahoo mail, I told him to stop , and at first he just ignored me...

, then reluctantly closed it...