monitorlizard

100,000 baht for 1 year? You must be kidding especially if you are planning on staying in Bangkok.

Forget AUA it is too expensive. Forget studying with a private person...no visa. Forget any university also too expensive.

Some language schools have courses that cost 6,000 baht for a month course. The course runs approximately 4 hours (really 3 hours 40 minutes) either in the morning or evening. they do have 6 levels and if you do not pass one level you can always repeat them.

I have no idea if the schools can send a letter for a study/non-immigrant visa. In fact, I know nothing about study visas. Check on the links that others suggested. One thing I know for sure is that there is no such thing as a retreat visa.

I don't understand your visa question. You are trying to come on a limited stay study (non-immigrant visa) and you want to change it later to a tourist visa? WHY??? Everyone is trying to get a non-immigrant visa not vice versa. Also check on your country status for immigration visas. Your country may be different from others.

Do a google search for Union Language School or Unity Language School or Prachert Language School. Ask them if they will issue you a letter to obtain a non-immigrant visa and what is involved. You can also check the Bangkok Post for the list of other language schools. There are many. But forget the private language tutor you will not get to first base with Thai Embassy with this approach.

I will not quote my expenses as they are rather high for most people but I would venture to say that one usually spends at least 25,000 baht per month here. And I think this is bare bones living at least in Bangkok. And you have a girlfriend? Are you going to go dutch (split all bills)? she pays for you when going out? Or will you? If you do, then 100,000 baht is pure fantasy.

Regarding work. Forget teaching English legally as you are not a native speaker. You will never get a work permit. Period. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a plain liar! Computer work? I don't understand this. There are alot of Thais that are quite capable of programming and the internet work you described.

I don't want to discourage you but trying to save you heartache. There is simply no way that you will survive on 100,000 baht for 1 year in Thailand. Many people who have lots of experience with computers are actually programmers that often work for international companies.

I don't mean to be rude but Thailand is not that backward. They have plenty of people that are computer savy.

Anyway, good luck. I would say to come on a holiday. Learning Thai is very difficult. And if you are going to be serious then you will be studying every day. Sounds to me and others? like you are trying to use the study Thai angle to stay here with your girlfriend and later find work. I don't think you will be successful. I find others that are encouraging you do to so are giving you very bad advice!

Good luck whatever you do.

I am probably going to get a lot of heat for this but here it goes regarding the golf aspects of the card.

I have a lifetime membership at a private golf course near Bangkok.....cost was

about $9,000 USD. There are some other golf courses that are more expensive and yes some cheaper. It depends on the quality.

How are the golf courses going to make money by letting VIP's play? First of all the caddies cost a very nominal fee of 200 baht which are not covered by card (jobs are provided), golfers might stay at the golf course hotels (yes at a discount but they still make a profit), golfers typically buy drinks and eat lunch while they are playing a round. And yes many will eat at the club house and some will have drinks. Food, drinks, hotel accommendation equals profit for the company and yes taxes (VAT) for the government.

This is the same for the hotels when they offer discounts. Personally the 5 star hotels are wonderful and if they offer discounts then they are a real bargain. I normally don't stay at them because I don't travel that much but I would be inclined to travel if offered deep discounts. Perhaps many of you are not aware but some 5 star resorts often cost $200 -$300 USD per DAY to stay. If the card gives you 25-50% then yes this is a real bargain.

The land ownership is really beneficial as you no longer have to deal with lawyers (bottom feeders in my opinion) and have to do complicated legal work. I don't care what people say but there is mounds of paperwork and legal issues to rights that are dodgy. I have been here for 6 years and I can give you names of people, amounts of money lost and so on regarding the lose of their properties.

For those people who are not entitled to stay here legally in Thailand, the 90 day renewable visa is also a bargain. Paying 7,600 baht per year to stay (1,900 renew fee per 90 days) is also a real bargain. You will pay much more leaving LOS on ONE trip.

The one free trip with Thai airways. Right off the bat you are saving 800 -1500 USD for the free ticket depending on your detination and class of travel.

Personally, I think the card idea is pure genius and I am certain of 2 things. One that the card will sell well and second that more benfits will be added thus causing an increase in the price of the card.

I might buy the card. Sounds like a bargain to me! And the card will be a REAL bargain for other Asians, particulary the Koreans and Japanese. I also suspect that many wealthy Chinese might purchase the card.

I suspect that the card will be a success. Also, just to put things into perspective about Thaksin's anti-farang policies. I just don't see them. I hear a lot of gossip and rumors but I for one will be very happy to see the backpackers continue on their journey. The whole idea for backpacking is to see the world....not to make a 10 year pit stop in Thailand.

I have a feeling this thread will go nowhere as people will all say "what a great idea" and "let's meet at .....".

Anyway, sign me up. I could use a night out and a break from family life. I promise not to break out photos of my child and tell amusing stories that only parents can relate.

So, if anyone gets something going on a Friday in Bangkok PM me.

Like the idea of no politics, sheep jokes, etc.

I just had to bring this post back from the dead. It seems Butterfly's Bush post is still up there and won't die a natural death. Of course, I notice that a great many posts are from Butterfly.

There is also the option of cable TV if you are in a city. There's not as much live sports and the channels tend to be more Austrlaian than American, but still 20 or 30 channels of English TV for a few hundred baht a month and a very small instalation fee is not bad...

Tell me more! I live in Bangkok but the house I am living is almost 200 meters from the pole/street. I have UBC but I had to buy a dish. I wouldn't mind going for a cheaper service and buy the movie to view on dvd instead.

Can I buy the cable from Chinatown? What company is cable ? Is it UBC as well? If so, they told me the problem was with leakage due to the length of the cable.

I suppose I will be stuck with UBC.

I would like to thank everyone for emailing me regarding the website. I have found one designer and we are getting along quite well. Actually, I haven't met the guy but he will be arriving in LOS in a few days. Funny, I don't think he sleeps because he seems always online and making changes in seconds!

I will be asking (begging) for ThaiVisa for a plug as my business will NOT compete in anyway with them.

Anyway, thanks everyone.

XXXXXX a place where the men are men

and the women are scarce

and the sheep are nervous!

had to include this joke. i left out the place on purpose.

If England was still dropping off convicts 135 years ago,Then when was Aust.given her independance? I know that the US got hers in 1776,after the rev.war.and I have been to ruins of old fortifications along the southeast coast of the USA that date back to the early 1600s.

Please excuse the history lesson but the US did not get her independance in 1776. The "shot heard around the world" started in 1776 and ended in 1781 or 82. The 1776 date is used as the point in time when declaration of independance was signed. Actually, it many many years after the war ended before a constitution was signed and ratified by the former colonies thus forming the USA. I just read a really good book about the making of the constitution. I highly recommend it. I learned that it took many years and compromises for the US to happen. Of course the duel between Hamilton and Burr was exciting to read as well. Aaron Burr was my kind of guy......womanizer, liked to drink, and used his wife's fortune to buy huge areas of land in southwest of US and Mexico to proclaim himself emperor!

Regarding the Brits being world travellers. I would think that Australians have them beat. This is based on my personal opinion because I would be in some remote corner of the world and I would always seem to bump into one. My line to the aussies "does anyone stay home?". I don't know if it is still true but I do know that the Germans are everywhere now.

I have been receiving messages from my firewall software that someone was trying to access my computer. The message reads somthing like "trojan attempt through back door".

I did a search and the web host is loxinfo. I have the node name and ip address.

I understand that each computr has a unique web address?

Apparently the attacks are coming from Thailand. Anyone know if there is a way to track this guy down?

You have my sympathy drawingtable. Sounds like your strength helped you overcome that horrible experience. Thanks for sharing this pain and as a warning to all people.

I have to agree with D80 that you need to stop this imediately. Get your wife to act on your behalf. Let her use whatever explanation to get your family members to stop.

I heard a rumor that the real reasons for the visa hikes is to move the foreigners closer to Thai border towns. The effect will be improved economy for border towns and the foreigners will be out of sight in Bangkok! Hehe

speaking thai for PR book?

I am willing to bet that with these increased fees that thai language ability will not be enforced!

I don't get it. Is it legal to drink and drive?

Me, I like my beer and the few glasses of wine when I splurge.

I have to agree what others said about it being odd used with girls. However, you are the only one to judge if it is improper or something else behind the game. And from what you said this is not the case.

SBK is absolutely correct that there needs to be some give and take or the "Big C"

which is compromise.

In this case, I completely agree with your reasoning and the threat (I would have probally made it as well) seemed to do the trick. I don't buy into the theory that we have to accept all the cultural nuances of the new country we now live. Some of the beliefs are based on ignorance and quite rightly need to be challanged by you so your family members can learn.

Please do not take the above statement as a put down on Thai culture. There are many things I absolutely love about Thai culture but at the same time I disagree with a few things. This touching of girls private area as a game is one of them. I mean it is alright to clean if they are babies.

Again, I do not mean to be critical of Thai culture but we must remember that we will never be Thai. We have our own identity, culture, learning experinces, and so on which makes us unique.

In our house I usually compromise. I rarely get into a fight because of the cultural differences. I can drop it after 5 minutes and move on......my wife cannot do this! It is impossible for her. She will brew on it for weeks, months, and I even suspect the remainder of her life. It is locked up in some compartment of her brain ready to be used as the circumstance demands.

Good luck. I would tell your wife to tell your in laws so they won't be hurt. Let her explain to them that you feel very uncomfortable with this practice and it is a big NO-NO in Australia. You can tell them that if you go back to Australia for a visit and if she ever told someone of this game that the parents would be arrested and the child taken into custodity.

This should be the least of your worries. The application asks for your address. Well this IS your address while in the US. If you have a US license it doesn't matter where you live. The main thing is having a drivers license!

I asked a cop when I was in California if I could use my Thai drivers license and he said sure. I thought, great. They won't be able to read a ###### thing. Perhaps, I will get off with a warning.

If you have a rental car you are using your credit card right? They have the credit card information. They will make the claim, I doubt you will have any involvment or say in the matter.

ok, second question, ob/gyns? anyone have a good recommendation? even bangkok would be ok for this.

sbk- first time on this thread. the posting on step children caught my interest.

anyway, i hope you don't think it is odd for a guy to give you a recommendation but here it is....Mission Hospital. They have 2 doctors there maybe three (I cant remember). I know because my wife delivered our baby there.

Anyway, the cost is 130 baht per visit. Bummingrad is 400 baht. The place is very crowded with patients and the doctors do speak English.

Check it out. Of course the place is not as flashy or 5 starish but the doctors are good.

I suppose that I am not the only one to notice that there seems to be a great number of Brits making the headlines lately. Drug runners, drug dealers, and now the fake passport business.

Is Thailand becoming another Spain for British expat criminal gangs?

Am curious to see the percentages by nationality in LOS's prisons.

Anyone have any explanations?

New counting’s…

Pr. 191.400

Marry to Thai 95.700

Application one-year 1.900

Re-entry 3.800

It’s equal to 33 year

Marry to Thai its equal to 17 year

Thanks for the correction. Yes, the marriage to a Thai is half. But, since I don't travel out of the country every year, I would exclude the re-entry.

So, it would take 56 years! I still won't live that long!

I honestly don't understand why anyone would want to shell out so much money for the PR book if they are married to a Thai. DOesn't make sense to me as I only have to pay 500 abht to renew every year. The income requirement doens't really affect me as I spend more than the requirement anyway.

They do not give out life drivers licenses anymore. It is good for 5 years only. Anyway, the way the law reads is that Thailand can revoke the PR status anytime they want too.

Way I look at it if I have to pay 190,000 baht vs 500 baht per year then I would have to live an additional 382 years before I break even.

There shouldn't be any charges except 5 baht for stamp thingy. Keep in mind that it will take 30 days. You should not have any problem with the money requirement as you will have proof that the money came from outside Thailand. You need a form from your bank. You can make sure they will give it you before you deposit the check.

I found that when I renew my O visa (marrigae) that they (immigration) just wanted to see my bank statement. Could change who knows. I wrote a check for this years income requirement too.

Found out that mine was to expire in April but they gave me an extra 6 months this time ( sneaky @#@# if they had prior knowlege fees would be increased).

Good luck.

I know someone who is selling an Italian restaurant with bar license on Sumkumvit soi 20's. It is very popular. PM if you are interested and I can put you in touch with him. It might be cheaper than starting fresh.

Very difficult situation. Yet, she sounds like a nice gal. I don't think you being Chinese has that much to do with it. Might, but I think the bigger problem is you taking their daughter away from them.

You can always find a compromise. Try the suggesstion of frequent trips for your girlfriend say every 2 months. I don't know if your girlfriend works but if she does maybe she is uncertain about losing the security.

Anyway, why is marriage so important anyway? I hate to bring this up but is there a possibility of her being married before? If so, maybe her still legal husband refuses to divorce her or she cannot find him to sign the papers. This is a big problem in Thailand. A former prime minister is not leagally married to his wife because her legal husband will not sign the divorce papers.

Good luck.

Please excuse the ignorance here but can someon explain to me what kind of drug ecstasy is? I have heard that a lot of the young techno crowd take this drug. This might explain why they can listen to this music?

Also, what exactly is yaba? Asked the wife but she is not sure either. What does it do? Is this a drug truck drivers take to stay awake?

Am also curious about the drug situation in Sweden. I live there for a few years in the early 80's. They did not have a drug problem there at that time. One poster said a Swedish woman was serving prison time. Has the situation changed there? If so, what a shame.

Re: the British man. I don't buy his story either. I think if he really admitted the truth and fessed up who put him up to this that Thai authorities might give him a reduced sentence. I am sure they are not buying this story either. Might piss them off and give the guy 40 years. Much better to admit how stupid he was and beg for mercy.

The guy is probably protecting people who he thinks are his friends. I doubt they will visit him in prison or will give him one second of thought after he is locked up.

The father of a British teenager arrested on suspicion of trying to smuggle 3,400 ecstasy tablets into Thailand"

Rolling stone, you got it wrong. It wasn't the father but the son. Unless you understand but didn't bother to quote the rest.

Anyway, I think it is harsh to say he will be gang raped and die of AIDS. My understanding is that he will be in a holding cell with other foreigners. Anyway, I do not in any way condone his actons and he did do something really stupid.

I hope he cooperates with the authorities and lets them know who put him up to this. Hopefully they can arrest those in Britain. It is obivious that he could not afford to buy 3,500 pills. Perhaps he will get his sentence reduced.

I must add that I am a big fan of the justice system in Sweden. My friend's father was director of an open prison there. I just don't believe in the theory that throwing someone in jail is a deterent. It is much better to change their behavior.

Anyway, I don't see Thailand doing this for foreigners and it is not my place to tell the Thais what they should do in their own country.

However, I think it would be a good idea to do some education at the airports in England. A good idea is to put up signs listing the countries with the death penalty for trafficing in drugs. A very effective sign is to have a picture of a young kid sitting in a Thai prison. This would send a very powerful message.

Regarding this guy I do not know all the facts but I am not going to wish him death. I just don't believe in it as a punishment.

This reminds me of the times in Hong Kong when I was much younger. The guys from Nepal were smuggling gold bars into India. This was a time when gold imports were restricted and prices were quite high in India.

The Nepal gang would approach some westerner who was down on his luck and pay them a fee for carrying the gold. Many (mostly Brits) became involved in this business. A lot who were arrested were put in Indian prisons.

Stupidity is no excuse but I do think someone young deserves another chance in life.

Also about 7 years ago, an older man 60 + years(Swiss) out of Chiang Mai who had a retiement visa (10 million baht ) was caught at the Chiang Mai airport with tons of pills strapped to his body. I don't remember what kind, maybe yaba (whatever that is). The amazing part was that this guy had millions of baht in his bank account. The unlucky part was the day before his departure there was a big story in the Bangkok Post about new machines and drug sniffing dogs being deployed at the airport in Chiang Mai. The USA DEA (drug enforcement who happen to have offices here in LOS) were training the Thai border police. The fist day of operation, the Swiss man became their first customer! Of course they froze all his bank accounts here.

Also, it never amazes me that young tourists that I happen to come across in LOS seem to believe Thai sticks are still around and smoking pot is still alright. They swear that all you have to do is pay the police a small bribe (1000 baht). I hear this alot whenever I go to a beach in the south. I tell the ones I meet that they should go visit the foreigners in Thai prisons who believed the same thing. This usually shuts them up.

I found a web designer. Thanks so much for your emails.

However, I am now looking for agents. People must live in the following countries:

USA

Canada

England

Australia

New Zealand

Email me for details, please serious applicants only.