morphic

Thanks for those replies. But when we phoned the numbers in Bangkok from the Ipstar website, the lady who answered said a phone line was needed. Do you know of a particuliar contact within the company, or a distributor for North East Thailand who would be more knowlwdgeable than this lady seemed to be.

Thanks again,

Morphic

I have been looking into Ipstar, having gooten the impression that they offer a two way service, i.e., no need for a landline. But when I had a frined contact the company (number from the ipstar website) they were told a telephone was in fact required.

So now I am very confused, and very dissappointed.

Can someone help clarify, and perhaps even provide the name and number of a reliable contact within the company, so that I can arrange installation, assuming a telephone is in fact not required.

Thanks

Scouse

Thanks for your reply. Also, thanks to others who replied. I have obtained a copy of the refusal letter from my g/f and have sent the ECM at the embassy several emails expressing my objection to what seems to be an arbitrary and illogical interpretation of a small subset of the information we presented. But, I have had no reply whatsoever. I suppose I now need to obtain the so called 'interview record', assuming this is different to the refusal letter. But if the embassy simply refuses to reply to emails or voicemail or letters then this may be very difficult. We do of course also have the option of re-applying, but if it is in the nature of the embassy to be unreasonable, and each time to potentially focus on the same subset of information we provide, I feel this course of action would be a wate of time and money, as well as upsetting to my g/f, who found the previous refusal highly unpleasant.

I wonder if a number of 'rejected' applicants, all of whom believe the embassy to be racist and unreasonable in the way they deal with application in Thailand, could submit a collective complaint?

Morphic,

The legal standard applied to any application is that of the balance of probabilities. In order to establish whether this has been correctly done it is necessary to obtain a copy of the interview record and the reasons why the visa officer came to his conclusion. You can then determine if the decision was reasonable.

If you believe that it wasn't then you can make representations through your MP to UK Visas which is the body that governs visa sections in UK embassies/high commissions. Alternatively you can seek legal advice but this is where it can be a bit pricey. Although no right of appeal exists in your g/f's situation, any decision taken by a visa officer is open to challenge in the High Court. This is called a judicial review and it detemines whether the visa officer in refusing your g/f's application acted in an ultra vires way (outside of his powers); i.e. was the balance of probabilities standard properly applied?

Cheers,

Scouse.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My GF was also refused a viitors visa. Suffice it to say we thought we provided everything. I have a good job, she owns a house and land. Their refusal reasons just didn't hold water. So in the absence of right to appeal and as the embassy appears happy to refuse a person for no logical reason or to overturn obvioulsy indefenible reasoning, is there no way of complianing to whatever body the via section is accountable to?

I am sick of this. England seems to be a free for all to all kinds of nationalities, but when I as a UK citizen and tax payer try to get a via for my GF to go on holiday, with me as sponor, we are treated like dirt.

Is your GF only 3 years older than your daughter?

Get a woman from your own country, your own age, your daughter is probably embarassed, her friends will all be talking about you................

Get an old fat white woman, your daughter will like her, and it would look better in your local area

I spent ages searching for a fat mid-40's white slapper. cigarrette taped to her mouth, huge floppy bazookas, face full of oozing adult acne half concealed by the cheapest makeup, and evil temper, who would nag and carp about me contributing to the housework after my long day at work. But I just never made the grade needed for one of those. I advertised, begged, and humiliated myself, but in the end I had to plump for a beautiful, intelligent, sweet natured creature from a foreign country. Oh, how shamed I am by being such a dissappointment to my fellow countrymen.

I would take stories of a coup seriously. Thailand has a history of it, Thaksin is disliked, and he is increasingly in conflict with the army and police. He may have the sense to step down in order to avert it, but I doubt it. Like most leaders, in fact more than most, he is power mad. Also, I imagine he is surrounded by yes men who don't really tell him what is going on. If and when the coup comes it will probably be as much a surprise to him as the rest of the world.

Personally, I am wihdrawing most of my cash held in Thai banks and have already sold off investments I had in Thai funds. Of course my paltry assets don't matter to Thailand, but they do matter to me, and I sense trouble ahad. Have done for a while.

Thats just my point of veiw.

I have 47 good Thai friends, 38 medium quality friendships, and about 20 aquaintances.

This compares to about 93 good Falang friends, and about 180 medium quality aquaintances.

So I have to conclude, statistically, that it is relaively hard for Falangs to develop friendships with Thai's.

Do the rules apply to people whose behaviour is childish? If I go to immigration, acting like the adult I am, and am refused, would throwing a tatrum like a five year old help me. Will the immigration official say, "Yu are behaiving like a five year old. Here is your visa and don't expect to pay a fee."

Thailand is no safer than it was, perhaps even more dangerous. The thing that has changed is that the world in general is more dengerous than it was, and certaion countries have become more dangerous than Thailand, and have therefore replaced it, in the list.

The real question for me is, is there is a 'danger threshold' below which foreign offices should simply recommend people not to travel? Probably not. But if there was then that list would now be longer than a few years ago.

It is unarguable that human rights are better respected in the US than in Thailand. That doesn't mean the US is perfect, but individuals have few rights in Thailand, and in my opinion it is all too easy for the Thai authorities or the powerful to abuse the poor and weak.

Personally, I think the US is absolutely right to criticise Thailand. And the US has every right to express its opinion on any suject matter it likes. Thailand also does. But we all know that Thailand doesn't like or understand the notion of free speech, and they react always with anger and aggressioin at the slightest criticism. In many ways, they are like a small child throwing a tantrum.

If Thailand has decided that the US is a 'useless friend', the Thailand could of course shut its stupid mouth and have nothing to do with the US. But, as even Thailand amd its moronic politicians can fathom out, that would send it into the dark ages.

The US, on the other hand, doesn't need Thailand, and Thailand ought to be able to figure that one out. My best advice to Thaksin would be to watch your mouth before you get slapped.

I find it incredible that evertime a Thai politician makes a remark on the international scene, they manage to make complete fools of themselves. Why don't they ever learn. Wait, I have an answer to that one. The answer is that they're a little bit on the stupid side.

Several of my best friends are wealthy and looking for a place to retire early, away from the rat race. A couple of years ago I would have recommended Thailand as it provided a good lifestyle at excellent value for money. But now I wouldn't recommend it at all and I now also limit my stays to short trips only, spending far less money than I once did. I agree that many Thai's have become unbearably rude and arrogant, utterly obsessed with squeezing every last baht from whatever they are doing. I am also tired of the dishonesty and the feeling of being unwanted, apart of course of my money. I have already voted with my feet, and I imagine many others like me, if they have a real choice, will do the same.

Anyone who wants to know what Thai jails are like might want to read 'The Damage is Done' about three Australians who were convicted of drug smuggling. The description of their experiences is utterly chilling.

I can't help being ashamed of these pathetic little people, my countrymen, who just keep on doing it. I don't wish death or even decades locked away in ###### upon them, but they do deserve severe punishment, if only for shaming their countries.

Thats the thing that always strikes me about them. They are pathetic. They look pathetic, they must be utterly thick, and utterly gullible. Perhaps those that low on the food chain are going to suffer in one way or the other, but what is about to happen to this 'man' will be worse than he can imagine.

If it is only overstayers and otherwise 'illegals' who are round up and detained then fine, as long as their 'punishment' is commensurate with the actual 'crime' and not compounded by their being non-Asian. Also, it is fine if these crackdowns are being applied to all foreigners and not just non-Asians. but i hear that there are huge numbers of illegals from all maner of Asian countries, like China and India, and yet I hear nothing about these people being efected. funny that, isn't it.

but i suspect two things. the first is that many with legal visa status have been included in the roundups, accused of having too many 30 day visas or some other made up illegal nonsense. second that there is a strong element of racial discrimination.

if i am wrong then fine. but if i am right then us farangs should start making lots of noise, because Thaksinnet al are starting to look more and more like Robert Mugabe et al.

Thankyou powers that be within Thailand. I read with great mirth the story of how the Thai Elite Card price is set to double for expats. Upon seeing the title of this story on ThaiVisa.com I assumed, against all odds, that the scheme must have been an immense success. Silly of me to think thta only huge demand could have spured Thaksin's decison to double the price. But when I opened the story up I discovered, just as expected by all but the witless and worthless, that the scheme has so far been a total flop. So, in response to the dismal but predictable perforamce (200 cards so far, but many of those probably had to be given away) , the price for expats is going to be doubled! Yeah, right, good idea, that will get them selling like hotcakes! The reason is that the expats who buy them are likely to want to use the services too much! So, presumably, the point of offering the five year visa and 'house buying' mechanism etc is actually to attract only those who spend a tiny amount of time in the country and woud haave no use of the visa or property. The card just about made sense to a few gullible expat suckers with more money then brains, but now even they have been ruled out. By the way, Dr Pat Pong, if you could afford a card, would you buy one? Anyway, I had a jolly good laugh.

Thanks for the words of encouragement. Thanks for your worthless contributions and denigration of Thailnad. For God's sake go to the countries that are beckoning you. Evidence of your witlessness is probably your assessment of where the Philippines stands in world affairs.

Khun and his ilk display a level of ignorance, stupidity, and ugliness of character that, unfortunately, appear to be to all too common amongst the Chinese-Thai business people and politicians that have come to dominate a country largely populated by charming and decent people. The arguments, poorly articulated by Knun, are entirely lacking in logic or substance. His garbled rubbish seems to be arguing that people should be rejected based, not on how much it costs to live in Thailand (60,000 baht is ample!) but on some measure of success from their own countries. So, in London, for example, if 130,000 baht is the minimum needed for sucessful retirement, then only those with more than that should be allowed to live in Thailand. Otherwise, Thailand would be allowing 'unachievers', who clearly need punishment, to live in comfort. What pathetic nonsense? What an idiot this Khun must be. I imagine him to be a pock marked, orc like, greasy faced little man living in envy and fear of all the big strong Western men he see's with girls that wouldn't touch him with a bargepole, not even if he was financialy sucessful, and definitely not on the 25,000 baht a month he makes on his 60 hour a week job.

No, the thing that is motivating this vile, poisioned little dwarf to spew out his drivel is racism against white Westerners.

Khun?

If you can't write your racist, xenophobic sewage in a manner that atleast approximates English then you just shouldn't bother posting at all.

So, what percentage of cards in circulation so far were given away?

Whatever the answer, I am sure these recipients will be grateful. Sir Peter Ustinov would certainly appreciate the visa service, as he is regularly turned down in London when he applies for multiple tourist stamps, on suspicion that he will be teaching English. Vanessa Redgrave, well known rabble rouser and socialist, will breathe a sigh of relief that, presumably, she is no longer a concern to the Thai authorities because of her history of attendaance at demonstrations. And Roger Moore probably plays golf but can't afford the normal green fee's, so he will be overjoyed.

Thailand is extremely fortunate to have its King. He seems to be a genuinely intelligent and decent man.

fatty

oh, come on fatty, surely your powers of analysis are better than that. the reason for thai's poor english is their schools don't devote enough teaching time to the subject, especially in spoken form. it isn't that they are picking up bad habits from falangs!

as for 40,000 baht a month, i doubt you'd attract good teachers for that. perhaps a fresh grad who wanted a year abroad, or some desperate person, with no other options, intent on staying in thailand. but large quantities of professionals, NO.

re monitorlizard's post on English teachers

You say the quality of education would be improved without the visa running backpackers masquerading as teachers. Well, these people may not, on the whole, be qualified teachers, and a few may be little better than conmen, but, they do speak and write English, and come very cheap. The choice is really either them or nothing, and nothing would definitely be a lot worse! Can you really imagine any degree educated professional agreeing to work for 20,000 baht a month (or less, even nothing)? Maybe one or two, but no where near enough. I think if the authorities do crackdown on these people, and they certainly have a legal right to do so, they will in effect be cutting off their nose to spite their face. A 'real' teacher would cost atleast 60,000 baht a month and unless the Thai's and whinging falangs put up, I really think they should shutup.

Would anyone like to hazard a geuss as to possible steps taken against accounts currently held by foreigners? I mean, if there is a crackdown against account opening then should we not expect one against existing accounts?

The things I am thinking of are not just the witholding of interest, but of accounts being frozen and assets seized. The excuse might be just that the foreigner does not have a work permit and has therefore opened the account under false pretences, even though at the time a work permit was not asked for. I know this sounds utterly Kafkaesque and stupid, but we are dealing with a country that is desperate for revenue and unscrupulous as to how they obtain it.

Things are certainly looking bleaker and bleaker for us foreigners, aren't they.

ok, i am significantly under 50. but, i do not trust thailand well enough to invest large amounts of money.

i dont want or need to work or run a business. i simply enjoy being in thailand. to me this means i am a tourist, because, a tourist is, by definition, a non working, non studying, non business doing, VISITOR. but apparently, if i visit more than some mystery number of times, or visit, per year, for more than some mystery number of months, i am not classified as a tourist, according to some board members and immigration officials. instead, in a manner that appears subjective, vindictive, loaded with malice and hatred, and INCONSISTENT with the ACTUAL LAW, i am accused of not being a tourist, thus implying that i am an imposter, pretending to be a tourist, but actually up to some illegal activity, like teaching english for 20,000 baht a month. or, perhaps the accusation will be worse. perhaps, it will be assumed by the immigration officials, that anyone who deviates from the standard two week golfing holiday must, must, must, be either a molester of children, a purveyor of pornographic materials, or a drugs dealer. yes, its all so logical isnt it. the logic is like this: once, there were a very small number of bad whities doing something illegal and inconsistent with their visa status. thus, all foreigners who spend more than two weeks a year in thailand, playing golf, must also be undesirable, criminal deviates. even if they are on perfectly legal visa's and there is no evidence, even of the flimsiest nature, to even indicate anything, even of the most trivial nature.

so, i'll ask the qustion again. what are my visa choices?

lets hazard a geuss. NONE, apart from repeat tourists stamps or 30 day entry stamps.

and by the way, as a percentage of the total of thai visitors, to the us or uk, how many work illegally or overstay, or engage in otherwise illegal activity. my geuss is the answer is a lot higher than the corresponding percentage of whites visiting thailand. there are supposedly a lot of thais on student visa's over in the US and the UK. and how may, might i ask, are genuine students? very few, very few indeed.

the catch is first, one million baht, and second, trusting thailand to stick to its promises for a 'lifetime'. personally, i don't see the point in paying a million baht for a nice visa, as i can get these for a less. but even if i desperatley wanted the preferential visa treatment, played lots of golf, and wanted to buy a house, the problem would be in trusting that this scheme will really be kept in operation forever. my geuss is that it will last a few years, and will then not be abolished, but 're-defined' according to the thai authorities perception of what they want it to contain, going forward. obvioualy, it will end up offering a lot less than is being promised now. in the worst case there will be a change of government/regime who who will get rid of it completely.

my analogy is that its a bit like buying junk bonds. the returns can look good at first, but when weighed up against the default risk, the returns start to look a whole lot less attracctive.