MangoKorat

Sounds like the scam that used to go on when wives/girlfriends were applying for a UK visa. A guy used to walk up and down the queue asking to check people's photos. He would tell almost everyone that their photos were not good enough or didn't comply with the requirements - but never mind, there's a photo shop downstairs that will do it for you immediately. Oh how fortunate ????. My gf at the time came outside saying she needed to get new photos because hers had the wrong background colour. I told her to go get back in the queue - there was nothing wrong with her photos - she did and her application was accepted.

Some time over the next few months I will be setting up a fully trading Thai Ltd Co. My lawyer will handle that side and obtain a work permit for me but, can I enter initially on a 30 day exempt and apply for the Non B in country? I absolutely hate dealing with the Thai Embassy in London and just know they will give me a hard time applying for a Non B be there. If it can't be done from an exempt entry, how about from a retirement visa or extension? I am no longer married and never worked in Thailand when I was but my mate is and runs a business with a work permit. He's on a Non O based on marriage. I note that a Non O based on marriage doesn't state 'employment prohibited' as a tourist visa does. So a married guy doesn't need a Non B?

Not arguing with you but that would conflict with my experience a few years back. I was a regular visitor and for a few years did so using a 12 month multi Non O based on marriage. However, I only stayed for 2 weeks each trip and thought "why am I paying for a visa every year when I only stay 2 weeks. When my visa ended I started entering on 30 day exempts. My trips were usually every 8 weeks. After a few trips the I.O. looked through my passport and asked me why I had not renewed my visa and was I still married. I explained that I only stayed 2 weeks and didn't need then 90 days per visit that the MENO gave me. I was told in no uncertain terms that visa exempts are for tourists - as my trip was to visit my wife, I was not classed as a tourist and I should get a visa or be denied entry next time.

Has that been reported in a post? If so, what amount are the requiring?

It is not what I claimed, it was what I read in a news article a couple of years back. I don't make things up. Obviously I can't find that article now but I seem to remember the Singaporean Government made the move as part of their longer term efforts to eradicate Singlish - a hybrid local language based on English with elements of the other 3 main 'mother tongues' mixed in and lacking in grammar. Its not an unheard of concept - back in around 2006 - 2007, my then girlfriend was studying for a degree in Hospitality and Tourism in Bangkok. The entire course was taught in English and students were fined or sent home if they were heard speaking Thai. Consequently she spoke the best English I've heard from a Thai - so did all of her Uni friends that I met.

Many years ago, Singapore recognised that to succeed in international business, you need to speak the international language - English in order to be able to communicate. That has been one of the reasons for its success. There are of course, many languages spoken on the island as the population is made up of people with diverse national heritage. However, a couple of years ago the Singapore government was concerned that there were a significant number of childern who were not proficient in English. That was also creating problems over which language lessons should be taught in. The report I read stated that it had become compulsory to speak English whilst at school but recognised that kids might well speak a different language at home. They do of course, learn other languages as part of their education and I believe many schools require them to learn the 'mother tongue'. Nevertheless, just about all the modern signage in Singapore is English first with some signs in Mandarin as a secondary - which begs the question, why would Thaksin complain about the language on airport signage being in English?

I'm sure they speak a variety of languages - that doesn't take away from the fact that Singapore has decided that its de facto official language is English. What's your point?

You know exactly what I mean. What is the main purpose of the senate?

A deal for sure but not that one. The sole reason for the existence of The Senate is to prevent anyone who is not a crony of the Generals from taking power. Move Forward were actually prevented from being in governance before the party existed - it was never going to happen.

Extensions to visit a wife are 60 days.

Should have said before, until you get this sorted, go to Ho Chi Minh and get a 12 month Multi Entry Non O there - no financials required but even if that changes, I seem to remember its £5000. Visa cost is a bit of a rip off at $200 US. Alternatively, I'm told Savannakhet are now offering the same visa again - also no financials required and the visa fee is 5000 baht. Provided you have the supporting documents you should not have any problems with the name differences there. You will though, need a hand written letter from your wife, asking that you be allowed to visit her so could they please grant the visa.......bla bla bla.

Since about 2 years ago, school children have been banned from speaking anything other than English whilst on school property.

You download the CSV file and then print that. If your bank has an option to download as a PDF - use that, far easier.

Yes, there was a post a couple of months back where I'm sure it was established that the £10k thing is a mistake.

That's rubbish, that law was recinded years ago - 1999 if I remember rightly. You should be able to find the amendment on the internet but any decent lawyer should be able to point you to an official version for a few baht. The bit about the names not being the same is also BS - many Thai women don't change their name upon marriage. Provided your marriage certificate has the correct names on it you can apply for a Non O based on Marriage. If the names are different now - simply submit the marriage certificate, name change certificate and a KR 2. If your wife changed her name back to her maiden name (or any other name, she will have a name change certificate). If she says she doesn't - get a new wife.

With respect, its of no use to the OP to state that you've never been checked. I have and yes, I had it - always do. Anyone coming to Thailand for longer than a couple of days is going to need 20K plus so why not carry it in cash. You'll also almost certainly get a better exchange rate. People say that entry is entirely at the discretion of the I.O. That's not entirely correct. In making a decision to refuse entry, the I.O. must use a valid reason. In most cases it seems that entry is denied because the passenger has visited too many times within a tight timeframe. That is not actually a valid reason - not at an airport because there is no limit. You can appeal a denial and if the I.O. stated 'entered too many times' as his reason at the court hearing, they would most likely lose the case. Having 20,000 baht is an official requirement and is therefore often used by an I.O. to deny entry when in reality they simply think you've visited too often. They know there's a very good chance that you don't have the cash on you so it often works for them. If it were factual, they could easily escort you landside to visit an ATM. When they gave me a hard time I managed to argue my way out of it and was let in with a warning - I got the feeling that if I hadn't had the cash, I'd have been on the next flight home.

You'd think a man of his 'standing' would know that English is now the official language of Singapore.

He's 74, what do you expect him to look like? The guy I saw walking around shaking hands etc. at Suvarnabhumi looked like a pretty normal 74 year old to me.

There are only 2 words needed to explain what's going on here and one of them is Bull.

Concur with what others are saying. In terms of her eligibility to the proceeds of your will etc. All that is required is to identify that the recepient is as intended. In that case, listing her Thai ID number on your will should suffice - names can change but a Thai ID number never changes. This is probably the best method as Thai's often change names - its very easy to do so in Thailand. Also, any change of name - carried out within Thailand will generate a Certificate of Name Change. There has not been a problem with Thai's married to foreigners owing land for many years (since 1999 I think) so she can safely use her married name. However, should you wish to go 'Belt & Braces', it would be very easy for you both to go to the Amphur and register your marriage with your wife taking your name. In terms of your UK will - you would make things much easier in the future if the subsequent name change certificate is translated and held, along with a copy of your marriage registration (and translation), with your will. There would be no need to change the name on any Thai land ownership - the name change certificate will take care of that. Not sure if you know but registering a marriage at an Amphur is not a ceremony or any kind of celebration. Its simply the legal registration of something that has already taken place and is just a formality. Its a very simple procedure and takes less than an hour. Its always easier to put your house in order before you die than to leave it to those left behind to try and sort things out.

Anyone running a book on the truthfulness of the above statement? 10:1 he's not locked up for more than 8 months, not years.

About as far from being Russian as is possible and I know exactly how things work in Thailand. Firstly, its unlikely that this guy will get the courts to ban Facebook. Secondly, if he does, there will be some protests but anything more serious will be put down brutally. I was in Ratchaprasong on the skywalk in May 2010, I've seen what happens when the Thai Army calls time on demonstrations and riots first hand - have you?

I take it the OP has something to worry about.

Great idea: Rise up and use your pitch forks against this murderous dictatorship (they only have a few F5's and F16 aircraft, VT4 Tanks, T84 Tanks, M60 Tanks + various other armour and equipment - nothing a few molotofs and ricebombs can't take care of). Yes, rise up Somchai, rise up and take back what's yours. Not gonna happen pal, Thailand has very little that would entice anyone with the cash to arm the masses. Any serious rebellion would be put down immediately. I agree that banning Facebook is likely to create mass protests but a revolt? Naa.

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