bamboozled

No news to report. She has not contacted me for info.

Upcountry Sinclair, I don't know a Thai woman who would speak with her. They tend to look down on hill tribe girls mixed up in these affairs. She probably would not want to talk with them, too.

Her current employment, if it is true, is not gaming territory but I have not authenticated her work place. The ball is in her court now. I let her know that if she wants to get away from him I have some information for her that could help.

USNret....she calls herself a Christian, too, so that might not be a bad option for her. The next step now is to see if she wants to be helped or not.

Thanks, Mario. I wonder what the reasoning is that it is difficult to get multiple entry. If Thailand wants to facilitate import/export that seems to me a necessary thing, coming and going, that is.

I found this through the info from Kast: http://www.newlifecenterfoundation.org/index.php/report-it

Kast, fantastic! Finally real contact info, I appreciate it. I need to get in touch with the girl and make sure she is willing to be helped. As SteelJoe said, it might be a story she has concocted for her own motives. I will post the developments. It might take a few days, however.

I am not having any luck in finding contact info for these organizations online. Odd and frustrating.

Thanks for the kind words, Simon. I've read various stories about people in these situations, sex workers, enslaved maids, immigrant farmhands, etc... (even in the States, such as in Florida and CA, migrant workers on giant farms are enslaved and don't have freedom -the farms are huge and they are housed far from any place where they might have contact with the outside world), and the pay back amount is always kept just out of reach. If you get close to arriving at the stated amount suddenly there will be a new charge or the terms will change. There never really is an option to pay them back. It is just a carrot dangled in front of their face to give them hope and keep them subdued.

By the way, SteelJoe, your points are well-taken....

The Pavena website doesn't open for me. I saw a video on youtube about it and it seems promising. But google isn't turning up much contact info.

He's Thai.

I'm not having any luck online in finding organizations to help this girl. She says she is 18 so she is an adult which makes the case difficult to pursue legally. In the States, this might be filed under "domestic abuse" and even there there is not a lot that can be done. She is being held in check by fear.

I didn't see any bruises and she didn't ask for money. Maybe I myself am blowing it out of proportion but when someone tells you a story like this it seems so monstrous and inhuman that you feel you must do something to end it. Come to think of it, she didn't even ask me for help and it might not seem as monstrous to her as it does to me. She rather seems resigned to living like this until fate intervenes in some manner. And that is sad.

I don't think it's that simple when dealing with men like this. She is not captive in the sense that she can never leave the house. She is captive because she cannot leave him...he has threatened to kill her family. And I assume he would search for her, most likely find her, knowing her routine, where she works, etc...and punish her as he sees fit. When you don't have money your options become very limited. I thought of the police but I have the impression they don't do much in these situations.

The story could be false and she could be making it all up for whatever reasons. That is why I would like to be a third party to helping her thus removing any ulterior motives she might have. If I can provide her with info to help herself then she is free to make use of it. Plus, honestly, I don't want some crazy guy after me, killer or not.

I will check Pavena, thank you.

It has come to my attention, if the stories that I am told are true, that a young girl with whom I have become acquainted is being held captive by a man here in CM. It is the usual story. She is an ethnic minority, had some problems at home and he offered to help, promising school, job, etc... He brought her to his home in CM, did none of the things he promised, and lots of things he hadn't even mentioned prior to her coming to CM. She wants to leave but he is demanding she repay money he has spent on her. I will bet that once the money is repaid there will be a new reason why she cannot leave. He beats her and was told that if she leaves he will kill her parents. Again, this is only one side of the story, her side, but it seems to be one that you read about quite often. I believe there are some folks/agencies in CM that can counsel her/help her. Does anyone have information on this?

Thank you, bamboozled.

Thank you Joe and Mario for the quick response. Those 90 days should give me enough time to get to the States. I don't have a work permit but have been working for an Italian company doing production in Thailand. I have gotten my visas in Hull in the past because close to Italy. I also have an incorporated business here in Thailand. I am no longer working for the Italian company but wonder if I can get a business visa in the States based on my own incorporated company here in Thailand. Do you have any heads up on that situation? I am an east-coaster, by the way, so I think the closest Thai consulate is NYC, if I'm not mistaken. I got an ED visa there back in the day...they didn't seem particularly accommodating.

My 1 year, Non-Imm, Multiple-entry, B visa is expiring on April 19. What are my options? My understanding is that I can exit and re-enter on the 19th and get another 90 days. Is that correct?

I also read about people extending various visas but it is a bit confusing. Is there some way to get a new B visa or extend this one without going back to my home country (USA)?

I'm sure this has been answered on here before and I probably even got "my understanding" from here but now that the event is imminent I need some confirmation and can't seem to locate the info.

Many thanks, Peter

now that's an idea, Ban Thawai. Maybe any hardware store would have it, just not Home Pro. I will take a look around here first as I don't fancy running out there if not necessary. Thanks for the tip!

Thanks, Sally. I'll be waiting for the news, brush and rag in hand.

I suppose I could try Pledge and Old English but what I am referring to is a soft wax, not a liquid. So maybe this Bosny stuff is the ticket because yeah, it does take elbow grease but the furniture comes out looking grand. This is what we use in restoration. I didn't see the Bosny at Home Pro. Am I blind? I have used teak oil but it's bloody expensive. I would like to find linseed oil for the outdoor stuff which should be a lot cheaper and apparently just as good.

-tanks 4 the help fellers...

I checked at Home Pro but no luck. Does anyone have a heads up on where to get this smelly stuff? It comes in a can and you apply it to furniture with a brush (it's pretty odorous), let it sit for a bit, and then rub it off with a rag. Leaves your woody goodies looking sharp. Where where WHERE?

If they are for export it might be a different story.

Answered my own question:

Export Promotion Centers in Thailand Export Promotion Center - Chiang Mai

Address: 29/1 Singharaj Road, Muang District, Chiang Mai 50200

Tel. (053) 216-350-1, 221-376

Fax.. (053) 215-307

I've heard there is a branch of the Dept. of Export Promotion here in CM. Does anybody know if this is true and if so where it might be hiding?

A million tanks, Peter

Fantastic, that should cover it, you guys are great. Very helpful. I believe he is referring to dust on the sensor and if I'm not mistaken it is a Canon camera. He has been doing the "travel Asia" thing and I guess taking a lot of pics and feels that with all the dust in the air and lens changes he has a nice coating built up. I'm in the Chang Pueak area so Photobug is close by. Then again, if there is a Canon center maybe that is more appropriate. I'll let him decide. Thanks again all.

Hi all,

My cousin just arrived in CM for a visit and needs a place to have his camera cleaned. Any experiences?

Thanks, Peter