s.pylos

Anyone been to the Thai consulate in Kota Bharu to get a tourist visa recently? Is it ok? Any problems? Thanks!

I went there about 2 years ago.

I flew from BKK to Yala, then took a minivan to the border in Sugnai Kolok, then bus 29 to Kota Baru. If you like a bit of adventure it is fun. People will talk to you along the way as they are quite interested in what the heck you are doing here.

I stayed in a cheap but expensive chinese run guest house about 10 minutes from the centre, can't remember the name but it is a very famous hole... There are proper hotel in the centre.

The consulat opens muslim hours, meaning it was open on a sunday. You can walk there from the centre. I got a double entry visa without probleme in 24 hours.

There is enough to do there to keep you busy one day. Visit the central market, the old town, a museum. Have food in the fantastic night market in the centre. You can get beer in the chinese run restaurant. 99% of the women were veiled. Those that were not were Thai or Tourists. They were all chating on mobile phone and in Internet caffe reading pop gossips... That's progress...

People were very friendly, particularly men becasue I happene to have tatooes and they where very curious about them even if they are not massive ones!. Internet caffe everywhere, food is perfectly okay.

I went back to the border by bus, then to Sugnai Kolok train station with a motorbike, then took the train to Narathiwat with the backpacker going to BKK by the night train but flew back to BKK from Narathiwat.

[sandy]

OK, I am not wanting to apply for a visa for a lady that I meet some time ago, rather just thinking ahead as I have just returned from LOS after meeting a very nice lady, I was wondering what I can do now to document our relationship should we ever need evidence of our relationship in the future?

...

BB

I guess you will want to apply for a tourist visa first, then (adapted from the UK Visa website)

As a guide, you should include:

* bank statements, payslips, or some other evidence to show that she can pay for the trip and that she has enough money to support herselfself and any dependants without working or getting any help from public funds, and

* evidence that she intend to leave the UK at the end of your visit (for example, a letter from her employer, or a copy of her family book to show she has people to take care back home). She does not need to have a job.. but it helps...

If she is visiting family or friends you will need:

* a letter from her sponsor (youg) explaining her relationship with you and the purpose of her visit, and

* a copy of the bio-data page (the page containing their photograph) of your UK passport

If you will be supporting her during her visit, or paying for the cost of the visit, you will need:

* payslips, bank statements, or some other evidence to show that you have enough money to support her.

If you want to apply for another type of visa you will need more supporting evidence.

A friends of mine from a very "good" family was refused a tourist visa to the UK despite having study in the USA, traveled to Australia and having land.... It is getting harder.

Having land in her name, even if it is only a few rai, make a lot of difference, otherwise, keep EVERYTHING, take a lots of pictures of the two of you in remarkable occasion. (festivals). have your friends met her and write support letter, same from her thai freinds (if they are "HiSo) enough).

The more you put the better it is. Don't invent, don't lie, don't put money on her bank account 2 days before she goes to the embassy (that would be a reason for refusal!).

[sandy]

Just out of curiousity - why is the Thai Gouvernment so "Anti Long Stay Tourist" ...... I know alot of guys that work in the UK / Europe for 6 months during srping / summer, save up alot of cash, then go to Thailand for the autumn / winter (6 months) and spend all that cash...... I'm talking like 10 grand...... as in half a million Baht..... surely that is a good thing for the country? I can understand why they would want to stop foriegners buying up land & houses, pushing up prices etc., but what is wrong with people hanging around spending what is locally a hel_l of alot of money..... this money is filtering back up the entire country one way or another..... the typical long stay tourist is not exaclt a burden on the state?

Just seems pointless to me........... could some one fill me in?

I work for my American company on the internet, and pump several million baht into Thailand every year. That's more than any tourist I know of... more than any several tourists I know of. I was willing to do the "fly-to-Penang" thing 4 times a year for the priviledge of living here, but hey... if Thailand doesn't want people who do that living here no matter how much money they put into Thailand, that's fine. Either Philippines or Cambodia will bend over backwards for people to come and contuously pump money into their economy.

The way I see it, Thailand is just too prickly about people coming here and living a good life when other countries (Europe, North America) make it so difficult to do the same thing.

If you do that what keeps you from setting up a company and getting a workpermit with an other visa ?. Then your here legit with no problems you do have to pay taxes.

I didn't do that least of all because my employer asked me not to. More importantly, I never made the decision to live forever in Thailand... I was going to move on eventually to other places (When you work on the internet, why not see the world?), so I didn't feel it necessary to "put down roots." The Thai government more or less made up my mind for me.

It's no problem for me to move on, and I'm not bummed out about it — and I will be back to visit often — but I think this is a case of over-reaction on their part.

I won't argue that I most certainly could be defined as one of the people Thailand is aiming to chase out of here: I'm an American making a pile of money on the internet, and not paying any Thai taxes, and I don't begrudge Thailand the right to ask me to leave — or make it too difficult for me to stay — and I'm perfectly happy to move on, but other than the Thai government feeling like they are somehow more in control of their immigrant population, I don't see how this benefits Thailand in general.

%^&*#$@! 'em. I'm in a similar situation as you. My work is over the Internet for an American company and doesn't involve Thailand or Thais whatsoever (except using TOT for Internet). I'm not making money in Thailand and I'm not taking work from anyone. On the other hand, I inject more money into the Thai economy than I would if they forced me to move elsewhere. I have no plans on putting down roots either so am not interested in setting up companies, etc. I'd rather move to The Philippines, Cambodia or somewhere else that appreciates my money.

Farang thinking "farangcentric"

If you ever set foot in the Thai Immigration office and look at who is asking for tourist visa extension, then you would know who this new policy is targeting...

It's their country, their politics. And as is said, the people get the government they deserve.

However, as foreigner in this country I would really appreciate seeing a young honest man with sound educational background at the top of this nation, rather than a popular cook who can't speak a word english. Again, its their choice, but if they choose the latter, it is terribly hard to understand them.

The same could be said and would be true for many other countries, the US on top of my list...

[sandy]

Sandy, it this it?

Yes all info available here:

UK Visas website

my previous post disappeared...

[sandy]

Doubt very much this applies to people coming in from the european union though, thats the BIG issue we have right now!

Mark

And what about the rights of a Brit to marry the lady of his choice and live here with her?

It was with this in mind that I asked my local MP whether I, as a British Citizen or European Community member, had the right to bring my wife into the UK to live with me.

The answer was a resounding...."Actually NO!"

I was told that I only have the right IF my wife passes the British Government's criteria for entry.

Doesn't it make you feel good knowing that the UK Government has the best interests of it's people at heart

Jaray

well you have the right to apply (application form VAF4, used to be VAF2 or 1

Then you must show that:

* you are legally married to each other or are in a civil partnership recognised in the UK

* your husband, wife or civil partner is present and settled in the UK (see the next section)

* you both intend to live together permanently as husband and wife or as civil partners

* you have met each other before

* you can support yourselves and any dependants without any help from public funds

* you have suitable accommodation, which is owned or lived in only by you and your household, and where you and your dependants can live without any help from public funds

* your husband, wife or civil partner is not under 18, and

* you are not under 18.

if you can show that, you should be allowed to bring your wife in the UK. It is quite clear and simple.

NOW they recently added that:

Anyone applying to stay permanently in the United Kingdom after 2 April 2007 is required to show that they have the necessary level of knowledge of the English language and life in the United Kingdom.

You can do this by:

* going on an approved English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) course which includes a citizenship section, or

* passing the 'Life in the UK' test.

If you don't apply for permanent residence....

[sandy]

Britain tightens immigration requirements

LONDON: -- The British government Wednesday outlined details of a points-based system to "manage" immigration from outside the European Union (EU) under which unskilled workers would have little chance of entering Britain and spouses would have to pass an English language test.

...

--DPA 2007-12-05

If the Brits had to sit the citizenship test, a large majority would be deported.. god knows where... Australia???

[sandy]

Doubt very much this applies to people coming in from the european union though, thats the BIG issue we have right now!

Mark

Indeed it can't and does not apply to EU members... It is just Brown's latest gimmick.. completely useless, considering that what Britain currently need and uses is unskilled workers...

[sandy]

You really answered your own question, the covering letter has to clearly state everything related to the visa application - do not assume that because you have included all the documents that the visa officer will spend the necessary time deducing the relevant facts.

After reflection, yes I culd have structured the covering letter to adress more specifically the points raised by the ECO given to refuse the visa although all the evidence was in the supporting documents attached (fully paid air tickets to Europe via Japan, visas for Schenghen and Japan for corresponding dates, history of travelling and working together with applicant with fotos in different countries as evidence,workhistory of applicant and reason for not being employed at the moment - unpaid leave with work letter stating re-starting of fulltime job held formore than a year previously from next december 1, evidence and pledge of financial support, the fact that the UK trip will nly be for 2-3 days within 14 days spend in the Schenghen countries, rent-a-car reservation for corresponding dates)

It is a pity that you need some sort of special skills in the english language in presenting the evidence on top of the application form which should in my opinion serve that purpose, to obtain that the ECO start considering the evidence presented. The average tourist wanting to spend a few days travelling around the country should not be judged on his/her ability to write a 'good' covering letter.

Lesson learned, next time i'll spend more time on the form of the presentation of the evidence. I pity the average Thai tourist with no access to writing skills in english.

It's clear from the ECO comments the s/he did not believe that your "friend" (sic) was genuinely applying ONLY for a tourist visa. This is most common (been there before...)

IF, and I say IF, your "friend" is more than that, you would better say it, and if you can prove that you know each other for more than two years, then you will have more chance/rights to get your visa see (http://www.uklgig.org.uk)

Does your friend has land? It helps, even one "rai". Does he have a family? Join a copy of his family book (they ask for this info in the application form anyway). Does he have education? join copy of his GPA results if yes.

Money is normally not a problem, my "friend" got his tourist visa twice with only 70,000 baht on his account.

Structure your letter well but don't make it too long. Do say that this is part of a bigger trip. I believe there is another box in the application where you can sum up the content of your cover letter. They scan it more than they read it in my experience. Add original picture (with him and his family if you have some, or of your previous travel together), add copy of his other visas. Add a page with the full content of your "evidences" in front.

Don't forget that the visa centre application has been subcontracted (ain't the Brit great!) and is staffed by Thai, who only "tick the box". You could always appeal the decision but that would take weeks, better start again.

For more info PM me (no email I never check it).

Regards

[sandy]

Remember a few months ago when many rejoice that Thailand was finally taking the necessary steps to get rid of "the scum backpackers, fake English teachers and tax-evaders"? Some warmed those gloating and goose-walking that Immigration might come after them next....

Here we go...

[sandy]

...

How can anybody live and do business in place they modify the height of the bar constantly. And they wonder why their economy is in the dumps. The only thing that remains constant here is nothing remains constant. What an F’n JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You just understood a fundamental Buddhist principle: "Nothing is permanent!"

For the general part it seems ok, they show they might do some about cybercrime in TH now. The alarming things are mentioned by other users already so I will not discuss that.

My main interest is if they have any people with enough knowledge to perform these tasks. Over the years I did chat with various IT graduates from Thailand and their knowledge was at points pretty disappointing considered to knowledge here in Europe. This makes me wonder in how far the police is able to track any of your pc.

Will they just come in, flip the switch of ur pc and take it with them?

Will they by stuck by a simple directory/file encryption? (Where they might can find the data still in temporary files, swap, etc)

Or is it necessary to employ full disk encryption?

Do they need to have a chain of custody? Or is there a big change they can tamper with evidence?

So many questions, so few answers

Ps sorry for any bad spelling, grammar etc.

Thai Visa should implement a bad grammar policy similar to THAI TV Ratings:

According to The Nation Poll, 60 per cent of the 606 respondents believe it "good" to have airtime restrictions for television programmes containing sex, violence and bad grammar.

Bad grammar on Thai Visa allowed after 8PM...

[sandy]

New law takes aim at cyber-criminals

Now that the law is in effect, people will have to think twice about such innocuous activities as forwarding e-mails containing information or pictures of other people in compromising positions, or circulating URLs of websites that offer content such as pornography. Senders will now have to consider the impact of this material on others because those forwarding such material can also be prosecuted for infringing on others' rights to privacy.

Editorial Opinion from The Nation - 18 July 2007

Another fantastic editorial from The Nation...

If such activity are innocuous, why would people have to think twice...

Obviously the editorialist did not think twice...

[sandy]

The most worrying one is

Article 11: Those who send data or electronic mails to others without revealing their identity, or by posing as someone else, in an act that disrupts the others' normal computer use: subject to a Bt100,000 fine.

Most of us here do not reveal our identity and de facto we pose as someone else (our pseudo).

So now we should have a registered ID and an email with our own name?

[sandy]

People obviously tend to read over the most crucial part:

... IN AN ACT THAT DISRUPTS THE OTHERS NORMAL COMPUTER USE. Simply translating "misuse" to harm third parties.

In short, spammers, identity thieves, virus spreaders and other virtual crooks. Nothing wrong with a law to get those busted and should be in the interest of any legitimate user of the internet.

Cheers,

Richard

You are right but imagine that I impersonate Khun T. and send and outrageous message to Khun S. whilst he is having Som Tam Puu Plaa Raa and that in his overreaction Khun S, throws his plate over his keyboard, which under the corrosive action of Plaa raa then refuses to function anymore.. Will I be fined?

Another general question.. when is a picture a porn picture?

[edited some typos]

The most worrying one is

Article 11: Those who send data or electronic mails to others without revealing their identity, or by posing as someone else, in an act that disrupts the others' normal computer use: subject to a Bt100,000 fine.

Most of us here do not reveal our identity and de facto we pose as someone else (our pseudo).

So now we should have a registered ID and an email with our own name?

[sandy]

For your interest

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The Thai Queer Resources Centre (TQRC) is developing a comprehensive collection of Thai language publications on gay, kathoey and lesbian issues. The TQRC would love to provide a good home for old Thai gay magazines and books.

The large volume of gay, lesbian and kathoey magazines, booklets, and ephemera published in Thailand since the 1970s is a treasure trove of information on the history of some of the world’s most important homosexual and transgender cultures.

However, these valuable materials are in danger of being destroyed and disappearing completely because established institutions have not considered them “worthy” of collection and preservation. Neither the National Library of Thailand nor any university or institutional archive, whether in Thailand or the West, has collected these materials. Because of this, the only remaining copies are in the hands of private collectors.

To respond to this emergency Thailand’s gay, lesbian and transgender communities and the AsiaPacifiQueer Network have jointly established the Thai Queer Resources Centre, with the aim of saving and preserving Thailand’s endangered rainbow heritage.

On behalf of Thailand’s gay, lesbian, and transgender communities and the international community of scholars the TQRC wishes to invite you to donate well-preserved copies of any relevant materials that you may have obtained over the years. The publications and materials we seek for the Thai Rainbow Archive include:

* ALL magazines and newsletters on gay, lesbian, and transgender themes published in Thailand in both Thai and English. We are interested in receiving copies of both commercial magazines (e.g. “Mithuna”, “Neon”, “Midway”, “Morakot”, “Male”, “Weekend Men”, “Horng Ha Liam”, “K-Mag”, “Door”, “MM”, etc.) and free bar magazines (e.g. “Variety”, “Max Magazine”, “Spice”, “Gay Guide Bangkok”, etc.)

* All fiction and non-fiction books on Thai GLT issues and themes published in Thai, English and other languages, both in Thailand and overseas.

* Posters, leaflets, flyers, handouts, and other ephemera relating to Thai GLT events, movies, songs, stage plays, meetings, etc.

HOW TO DONATE YOUR OLD MAGAZINES, BOOKS, ETC.

TO MAKE A DONATION of any of the above materials please contact:

* For English speakers: <snip>

* For Thai speakers: <snip>

A PERMANENT HOME FOR THAILAND’S RAINBOW ARCHIVE?

Initially the collected materials are being stored securely at the offices of participating Thai gay community groups. The project partners are investigating possible locations in Bangkok for a permanent home where the collected the materials can be preserved safely and made publicly available for researchers today and in the future.

THE THAI QUEER RESOURCES CENTRE , July 10, 2007.

Novotel CM2 bar rejects any transgender that wants to enter.

Novotel management should be ashamed.

And yes I am avoiding any Novotel hotel to stay just to boycot them.

And I am travelling 35 weeks a year so they loose a lot of money only from me, imagine if 10.000 others are doing the same.

It is time for Thailand and the rest of the world and some of the people here at TV to wake up and get rid of their stereotype thinking and acting.

Humans are humans no matter how they look or what they feel.

Alex

You might be barking up the wrong tree, Alex, if what Chinthee says is correct.

I do not think I am barking at the wrong tree

Shows you that sometimes is better to get all the facts first, think and then decide what action to take.

How about a personal experience huh?

Will be interesting to see what happens to the "threat" of Sutthirat. What will he/she do if Novotel fails to comply? Make a strip-tease in front of the CM2 and scare away customers?

Oh, no! Sue them for 10 billion bath for making him loose some business opportunities inside CM2.

Jai Dee trying to make me eat crow are you? (you're too trusting of people's motives.)

If I am wrong, I will pick up the bar tab at a bar in the Paradise @ Patong .

How come the article didn't include the statement made by the hotel manager and the press release from the hotel about the incident?

Source please?

"What happened on Saturday night was regrettable but was most definitely not part of the CM2 nightclub entry policy, nor was it supported by its management," hotel general manager Michael Thomas said in a statement."

[i]OK, we will see where the money is mister Thomas.

Next week Saturday I will go with a few LB friends of me to your club and see if we are allowed entrance. No worrie they are not BG and dress appropriate. I have heard there are already a lot of BG inside (GG so to speak).

Maybe you are afraid too loose all those GG prostitutes as they are no competition for a 10 times more beautyfull looking girl that is smart and can have a real conversation other then: Hello where you from and what is your name crap?[/i]

Hello. Novotel is saying it is opposed to what occurred and does not support the events.

Source please.

We will see

In my opinion any club has the right to refuse some kind of people, druggies, too drunks or people not dressed appropriate.

Next to that a club should make a copy of the ID card/pasport of any person that enters the club and in case they cause some kind of problem it would be easy to report. Next to that when a person wants to enter a club where he/she not have been before they should read the rules to obey with for that club and can then decide to enter or not.

When agreed the person is then given a pass that allows them to enter the club.

This works fine in Holland and some other countries.

Natee is in his/her full rights to sue Novotel for for abusing human rights, Oh, yea this is Thailand right, no human rights here.

TG people are tolerated but not accepted in many countries, I wonder why.

For your info, I consider TG people that had the full operation and live their life as a women as a women.

Others that have only boobies and dress and look like a girl I also treat them as a girl but I am aware.

Cheers all lets have equal rights for everyone.

Alex

Can't do a Google search?

http://www.ukgaynews.org.uk/Archive/07/June/2902.htm

Novotel gets a week's notice

...

The hotel is facing an international boycott from more than 100 gay and lesbian organisations. Rights commissioner Naiyana Supapheung supported Sutthirat's request and said she would soon summon the hotel's representatives to ask about the case.

...

Source: The Nation - 30 June 2007

Any in Thailand?

[sandy]

This Natee character, president of the Gay Political Group of Thailand, is the same genius who determined that "fag hags" are raping Thai gay men at alarming rates and that this should be part of the military's new "constitution". It's so sad to see all this narcissistic behaviour dominating the media coverage linked with homosexuality. Takes us back 50 years....

Oh yes you saw that one too! That was so funny!

"Beware of Fag Hag ... and Pickpockets" should be the next warnings on the video screen in DJ !

[sandy]

Gay people annually spend millions of "pink baht" in Thailand. If a boycott is actually organized against Novatel, they will feel the pain, although I don't know what Simsiriwong was thinking when he went to CM2. It is a dive and my ladyboy and I wouldn't be caught dead in the place. There are plenty of classy venues in Bangkok that cater to the "Third Sex" community and do very well financially because of it.

I may be wrong but I doubt you will find many gay farang in the Novotel, they are all in Silom or Babylon! If not in Pattaya or Phuket!

[sandy]

Okkkkk.... so the straight person accidentally walks into a gay bar and orders a beer... now, tell us, HOW did the bartender know he/she was straight in order to discriminate against him/her in this fashion?

Interesting cul-de-sac you've wandered into...

i don't think that's a culd-de-sac and i am convinced that most gay men can identify me as a hetero as i can identify most gay men.

ah ah

How funny there is always someone to say that king of krap...

[sandy]

what a classic tale.... "farang robs thai bank" has such a nice ring to it too ! Only 420,000 baht. The guy had his day and maybe the cops won't be able to catch him who knows. Not saying this guy did anything brave or cool, but the banks rob us all blind on a daily basis. Thai banks more so with some truly queer rules regarding opening accounts, limitations on money transfers, non existent interest rate, etc. As if this bank's going to miss the 420,000 baht. Let's see if and when this guy gets caught and if he's really 'farang'. Can't wait to find out !

The banks sure do rob us blind. Just to give you an example. Yesterday I sent my assistant to the bank to send some money to one of my business partners in India. I checked the rate on the bank's website and on xe.com. Both rates were within a couple of points of each other. However, when she went to send the money the rate was 1.5 Baht higher, PLUS the 550 Baht 'transfer fee' they charged. When I questioned them about it, they did the usual Thai rip-off song and dance, gave me a dumb smile and dismissed me.

Western Union is worse, of course. Their transfer fee is three times the bank fee. You just can't win!

Did you think about Paypal ?

Hi

Is blogspot banned?

I can access to several friend's blog for a couple of day. I get a time out error all the time.

Thx

[sandy]

I got this:

A number of Thai ISPs have blocked the entire blogspot.com subdomain. I have reports that TOT, Hutch, and CSLoxinfo are 3 such ISPs have who blocked blogspot.com. Others have reported that True has not blocked blogspot.com. This does not appear to affect Blogger.com.

The reason from what I have been able to find out this is because MICT wanted the following websites blocked:

1. All these website are associated with Saturday Voice Against Dictatorship. They were one of the 3 radio stations who spoke to Thaksin last week. It seems that incompetent IT staff just blocked the whole blogspot.com subdomain. I wonder if that bastion of media freedom The Nation would be willing to talk to Thaksin. Maybe we can kill two birds with one stone.

Edit: About tracing IP, it's easier than ever don't be fooled by the always changing IPs, it's logged anyway : time/date and account name, plus for ToT for example your phone number is tied to your account, isn't it handy to e caught ?

Interesting typo:

I have been e-caught !

[sandy]

OMG! Bush, Iraq, God, genocide, spilling of innocent blood, massacre, wishing death, raining blood, feeble little worlds, blotches on the face of humanity, insults and implications.

Hmm.

This thread is about a small explosive device that shattered glass in a phone box and a young Thai guy was hurt.

You guys are mental!

Moderators: Nip this cr_p in the bud. It's depressing to read such hateful rubbish

It's a chronic disease in any forum... People behave like they would never in real life if they were to discuss (or would ever discuss) such issues face to face in the real world. That's the curse of the internet... to provide a platform for psychosis...

[sandy]