ufkenmill

Also, I live in chiang mai and I'm not traveling to BKK for a question.  I called the embassy but they don't take phone call questions apparently.

If you're in Chiang Mai why didn't you try the Chiang Mai consulate? Although if you get stuck talking to Scott Hansen just walk away.

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I talked to them before I posted anything on this forum and others. They don't process K1 visas so they won't give advice on the process. I did have one very helpful consulate official (female) try her best to help me but since they don't process immigrant visas, they don't know or give out advice on them. They told me to look on the internet... and that's how I ended up here and a few other sites such as

http://www.usa.or.th

http://www.uscis.gov

http://www.state.gov

And where have you every read/seen/heard that the petitioner is "expected" to have a US address? Besides, I DO have a US address but I'm not currently living there. It doesn't make one bit of difference where I'm living in the world when I file the petition.

Because 1) I want to go back to the US asap and 2) The process for a spouse visa is alot more time-consuming and costly

Also, I live in chiang mai and I'm not traveling to BKK for a question. I called the embassy but they don't take phone call questions apparently.

I found the answers I need on a better forum, http://www.visajourney.com

Here's the story:

My fiance and I are applying for the K1 fiance visa now. We've filled out the I-129F, the G325A's (for both of us), provided evidence of an ongoing relationship and that we have met (pictures, emails, cards). We're going to send the package along with the 170$ fee asap, but I have a question regarding the rest of the process.

Here's one question, which form do we use for the affidavit of support? The I-134 or the I-864? It appears from what I've read on the internet that you use the I-134 for the initial fiance visa and then the I-864 for the change of status after we're married in the US.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/info/info_1328.html

Also, do you send the affidavit of support with the I-129F or do you give it to the embassy in bkk after the I-129F is approved? Nowhere in the directions for the I-129F or at these sites:

http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/fianceapp.htm

http://uscis.gov/graphics/howdoi/fiance.htm

or here

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/ty...es_1315.html#1d

does it say to send the I-134 with the I-129F.

One more question, which in my case is more important. I currently live (and work) in Thailand but do not earn an income that is equal to the minimum requirements to be a sponsor in the US. My brother has agreed to be the sponsor/cosponsor for my fiance however.

How do I submit this paperwork? Do I submit an affidavit of support from both ME and my brother? My affidavit of support would only prove that I don't have the income in the US to qualify to be the sponsor, so how do I handle this? I've looked all over the place for this on the internet but can't seem to find direct, specific answers.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Also, feel free to PM me if you don't want to post..

Thanks..

Just to update you on the plight of the orphans stuck in Nong Hoi. They're OK but they're still stuck there as the water hasn't receded enough for them to leave. The government set up an emergency coordination center and is taking food to anyone who is stuck using military infantry trucks.

We just came back from the center after again unsuccessfully trying to bring the kids food. They are pretty well organized and have a representative for each tambon taking names and addresses of those that may need help.

We gave them the info and they used the infantry carriers to bring food and supplies to them and also anyone else in nong hoi area.

If you need help, the coordination center is behind tesco off superhighway at the physical education college. It's in the gymnasium and the govt is supplying food and water to anyone who is stranded.

The phone # is 053 259 199 but you may not be able to get through and you also need to speak thai as they most likely don't have english speaking staff there. Your best bet is to just go there.

Here's a link to the latest news story from google news search bot

http://www.theage.com.au/news/World/Thai-c...l?oneclick=true

The river is still basically at the same height as yesterday but some of the street flooding has been drained in some areas. Near wararot market you can drive up to the rivers edge but changklan is still flooded. Now that some of the waters are gone it's left a mud sludge all over the streets. Best bet is to just avoid the whole chiang mai inner city district near the river.

I'm pretty impressed with the response of the Thai govt though, they have a pretty well organized rescue center set up and have been delivering food all day. Also, for those who said there was no warning you're just wrong. On Thai radio they were giving warnings since last thursday night and if you search google news you'll see stories from August 2nd talking about how flooding in this area is expected.

It's almost midnight now in Chiang Mai and the situation in parts is chaotic at best. Flooding is rampant on the southern, western, and southwestern sides of the river. It's literally up to 2 meters deep in places but probably 1/2 to 1 meter all the way up from the river to super highway on the western and southern sides. (the superhighway is a circle around the city)

I just came back from Nong Hoi area and also near the train station. It's crazy. 1000's of people standing on the side of the road waiting apparently for the flooding to go down or maybe a way out, not sure what. 100's of people walking down the train tracks carrying their belongings from their houses. Many people have no place to stay tonight and have had their houses ruined.

The military and the police are doing their best to help where they can. Don't listen to the negative BS about how the Thai govt doesn't care about the regular people so they didn't warn them. That's just not true. Most govt employees are low-paid, regular people and of course they will do what they can to help. I personally witnessed today and tonight many incidents of them helping to get people out of their homes by boat, tractor, truck or any other way they could.

I have a good friend who is a teacher at an orphanage and is stuck on the 2nd floor of the orphanage with 14 orphans, the entire 1st floor is under water and they can't leave. I tried to get to them, but my efforts were in vain. The water is literally almost 2 meters high in places. I drove a 4x4 as far as I could and then tried to walk the rest of the way in but it's just too dangerous.

The kids are still there and it's too dark for us to do anything more tonight, so we're waiting until morning to go and help them out if we can. There are many others stranded besides them as well, just waiting it out.

Remember, stay away from power lines, keep yours eyes out for snakes and boil all your water if you're using tap water for anything.

and the stoplights are still out all over the city.....nice. A month later and the city can't find the funds to fix the stoplights? How many people have to die before they do something about it...

Is the problem with the cell phone system really the fault of AIS or is it the entire system infrastructure that's to blame. Call me crazy but in Chiang Mai I've been having problems connecting numbers ever since a storm about a month ago knocked out what seems like every other stoplight in and around the city.

Can't help but think there's much more of a problem than just "AIS" not upgrading their gateway to TOT. Knowing Thailand, there's probably some major underlying electronic infrastructure problem we don't know about...

Coincidentally, I use Orange and have been very happy with their coverage and service. Everyone likes to talk about how Orange is no good but I've never had any real problems with coverage, even in the mountains my service is better than my fiance's AIS.

The Duke's.......very good for being this far east of the states. Mike's burgers are probably better but the duke's has a better selection of real food. Mike's burgers are excellent, the dogs are good but kindof puny (compared to normal coney island size doggers), the cheesesteak is very good as well as Mike's chili and onion rings.

For farang food burgers and simple items

1)Mike's

2)The Duke's

For thai food, try palaad tawanron at the top of doi suthep behind chiang mai university. Spectacular views, great food, live band that plays acoustical type stuff and walks around the tables while playing/singing and the place is always packed so go early.

Another great thai place is the Come Inn House off superhighway, down the soi right next to the hospital across from Tarin Hotel. Hard to find but worth the effort. Upscale atmosphere but reasonable prices.

My picks on Thai food

1)Palaad Tawanron

2) Come Inn House

No worries Ray...

Similar incident happened to a female farang friend of mine, walking down tha phae gate road about 6 months ago with her female farang friend and had two thai gangster wannabe's on a motorbike drive by and clubbed her in the face with a metal rod after she resisted giving them her purse. Has a nice scar from it now, probably 2 inches long right below her lip. Beautiful girl too.

Don't think it doesn't happen even in a sleepy town like Chiang Mai. The people are great here, much friendlier than other parts of Thailand I've found but there's always a few rotten apples anywhere you go.

I agree with the earlier post, I feel much safer here in CM compared to some places back in the states. Ever been to the south side of chicago late at night?? Or how about east LA? jeez, better bring an AK with you.

I'll take CM for safety anyday over those places...

hey ray, learn to read. He said the ASP comes in very handy for american cops. Not that american cops are handy....

the automatic anti-american reply gets so tiring...

God Bless America

Ken

So do American cops, very handy and a wack on the shins brings big men down.

skycop

Hi Ray,

did you train with those batons , may be the ASP model?

British cops swear by them.

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Well skycop no magic to it, you can't stand up you can't run and catch me and I won't be standing around waiting for you to recover. You ever watch your Thai boxers they attack the legs all the time. And no not all American cops are handy, that is when you see them hitting people on the heads, it is not what is trained. If it can work for me it can work for anyone I'm no expert

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According to thai immigration law when a tourist shows up at the border to Thailand proof of financial assets in the amount of 20,000baht is supposed to be shown. However, I have never had immigration ask this but I heard from someone who just came back from Mae Sai that they have signs up all over the place stating that starting Oct. 1 you will have to show 20,000baht cash to the immigration officer.

Does anybody know anything about this?

Thanks for all the great feedback. I have another question based on a follow-up posting. You said the insurance I have is useless because the bike isn't legal? That's great, good to know now. I'm driving around thinking I'm covered in case of an accident and apparently I'm not.

As far as how smart it was to buy a used, plateless, rental bike goes, it's hard to say exactly what could be classified as smart or not. I had a 150 and I wanted to upgrade but I didn't have much money and I had been rented big bikes from this guy many times. He's a pretty decent guy for the most part. He let me buy it in two payments and gave me a 6 month warranty on the engine.

Also, I have a bit of a problem in that I don't have a non-imm B visa or a work permit. The school I work for will pay for the visa fees and will arrange and pay for a work permit but I have to leave the country to get the B obviously and I'll be doing that this month. So the bike is still in the name of the guy I bought it from (the rental shop) and I can't do anything until I have the visa.

I'm going to speak with him today to see if he can do anything about the tax sticker at minimum and possible a plate, but I don't have much hope for a positive result. never hurts to try though. I don't have the cash to be shelling out 50-60,000baht for a plate though and I'm not gonna have a student steal one for me (I"m supposed to be an example for the students remember).

And yes, this was imported from Japan as used parts and I have the book for it.

I just had an unfortunate run-in with the chiang mai boys in brown on my way to work (I teach) this morning. I was sitting at a stoplight and out of nowhere I had 3 cops pull up next to me on motorbikes and told me to come with them. I thought I'd be able to pay the obligatory 'fee' and be on my way, but these guys wouldn't take any money. They insisted that I went to the police station with them. They simply wouldn't take a bribe there.

They had pulled me over because I have a honda superfour 400cc motorcycle with no tag on it. I had bought it from a rental shop but it's never had a tag. I didn't think much of it because the owner of the shop said if I got pulled over it wouldn't be a problem, I'd just pay 1-200baht and be on my way. I have insurance but no tag on it and apparently I need a sticker to prove that tax has been paid on it?

So I got to the police station (they drove my bike with me on the back) and they said they were going to keep the bike unless I paid them 1000baht. So 1000baht lighter I was on the street within 15minutes after that.

My question is, how much is it for a proper tag? I was told by the bike shop it was around 50,000baht for one, which is why there wasn't one on it. This seems to be extortion by the government just for owning a bigger bike. 50,000baht is more than the bike is worth!

So you're saying that if you go and buy a cheap bottle of wine on the other side you will not appear to be a 'walker'? I knew that thai immigration can be inept in some ways, they'll certainly notice the 23, 30-day border crossing stamps you've been issued in the past.

"Dr." PP, can you please provide more specifics as to what this implies? You're saying to just be natural and look more like a tourist. Or do you own the shop with the yellow sign? Should we say that "Dr." PP sent us?

kidding of course, I think everyone gets the implication. All long-stays must appear as tourists just to assist in making the crossing as easy and hassle-free as possible.

Froggy, not sure for Canada but probably similar to requirements for US citizen. I applied for and received a triple entry tourist visa (60 days for each plus you can get a 30 day extension on each in thailand) in Washington DC and was literally in and out of the office in 2 minutes, then picked up my visa the next day. No hassles. No questions on income, finances, anything. Just the basics of where are you going to stay and your current address. They handed me my passport and said 'have a great time'

Thanks everyone for your advice, Dr. PP I forgive you for being a &lt;deleted&gt;, you have given out good advice on other matters so I'll overlook this one.

Yes, location is definitely one of the problems. I spoke with the director of a large language school here recently and he showed me a stack of resumes on his desk. Seems Chiang Mai is a pretty popular desitination for English teachers who have taught in other countries as well as Thailand. I have only tried the private schools assuming that they would be most inclined to 'overlook' the government requirement of a certificate, I never thought of going to the Government schools to get around a Government regulation,hehe. Who would have thought??

Samsara - thanks for the advice on the ego. I'm still adjusting to the Asian way of life and my American 'personality' just won't work here without checking it at the door. But then again, American thinking is not a bad thing generally speaking.

And yes, screaming 8 year olds is not my idea of a good time! lol. I'd rather be beaten with a stick than listen to that for 8hrs/day so maybe teaching isn't what I ought to be in??

I just need a job here and applying for teaching positions seem to be the first and most likely route in landing a job here as an expat. But that thought is changing every day!

Anybody have any ideas???

Thanks and God Bless!

And someone going by the name Dr. Pat Pong shouldn't be making judgements based on limited info...

I have never paid for sex, I have a steady Thai girlfriend and would never do that. I'm not judging others for their own behaviour either...and never would. To each his own.

Actually, I have two degrees, both in the sciences and I have been a trainer in a corporate, highly technical setting. I would say that is my only teaching experience, however it is of course not teaching English to non-native speakers.

But I would say, that teaching highly technical material to a bunch of English majors, is a challenge itself. I am not unqualified to teach, I simply haven't sat and taken one of the certificate courses.

And Dr. PP, I never said I blamed the school. I completely understand the logic behind it, I was only wondering what happened to the good old days when a westerner could just show their pearly whites and be offered a job (I'm being sarcastic Dr. PP, just to make sure you understand).

Who are you anyway? What does someone going by the name "Dr. Pat Pong" do for a living? Let me guess, you're a medical doctor and your parents had a sense of humor?? Didn't think so......

Thanks for the effort rambutan but I'm whitey white and good looking too I might add (or at least the bargirls tell me that,doh).  I have a professional appearance and am well groomed.  I don't have a teaching certificate and "technically" they are following the law by not hiring someone without it.  I'm only talking about the bigger schools here though, I haven't gone into the smaller less reputable ones.  I know of one that will hire teachers without a certificate but the pay is so low it's not even worth mentioning.  I spent too much on my education to work for peanuts, even if it is in paradise....

I think I'm giving up on the search for a teacher position, gonna try to utilize my IT and QA experience, besides, who the #### wants to live on 500$/month anyway?

Beer Chiang is no reason to move to Thailand much less live here. You can get it in the states if you really want it there, costs a little more but none the less....

Does anyone have a real reason of why they're living here besides cheap beer?

What's the story with language schools in Chiang Mai?  I have a great degree from a large University in the US and haven't had any luck getting a job teaching English here in Chiang Mai.  What am I doing wrong??  I applied at the big schools AUA, British Council, Australia Centre, along with several other smallish language schools and I'm being told by the big schools that if you don't have a degree in English then you need a degree AND a teaching certificate.  I have a degree, and great experience in a technical field, but sadly have no experience teaching and no teaching certificate.  What's with these schools actually following Thai laws now and absolutely requiring a certificate?  I'm not about to spend 1400$ on a certificate that will allow me to earn a whopping 500$/month.  I thought it was supposed to be easy to get a job teaching English here.  What's the story?

I don't believe it's really anything I'm doing wrong (but who knows), I go into these places dressed very well, cleanly shaven and with all the appropriate paperwork they request (diploma, transcripts, etc) and I've had no luck!  I haven't gone into the lesser known language schools yet that may or may not be registered in Thailand, but I'm getting desparate.  I have a possible opportunity at a foreign technical company here but they pay is pretty low (Thai pay rates basically, plus 5-10KB/month) and I'm waiting for a higher-up foreigner to arrive from overseas to interview me and that won't be for a couple of weeks.  

Does anybody have any advice?  I've got great work experience but it's in the biotechnology/pharma industry and isn't really applicable to anything here.  Some possible QA/ISO options but not many (one that I know of for a foreigner - friend of a friend).  What's the story with teaching Engish here or getting any kind of work?