Frotting

Another astonishing bad luck string of events...

Someone wants to shoot a bird, from his window, on a cable downward

-first bad luck : he doesn't see that downward there is -unfortunatly- a street, with moving objects (cars, motobikes, people etc.) and that it's obviously a dangerous situation

-second bad luck : he misses the bird.

-third bad luck : the moving songthaew arrives a this very precise moment, and crosses the trajectory of the bullet

-fourth bad luck : on the songthaew there is not a thai (which from a statistical point of view would be much more likely) but a canadian tourist.

-fifth bad luck : it seems that the bullet went through the -small- open space between roof and the piece of wood on which people put their back, therefore hitting the tourist, without obstacle.

...

Anyway. When the caliber of the firearm will be known, it should help... as for the ..."bird theory".

I think you'll find it's a simple case of Manslaughter rather than bad luck. People should not discharge firearms in populated areas (unless they intend to kill someone of course). In the UK, you can get 10 years for even posessing a firearm illegally. The chances are the firearm was illegal. As for the calibre, an air rifle would be sufficient for birds. My guess this was a lot more powerful.

Like a few of the others have said, it's unlikely the culprit will be identified and the 'turf war' idea sounds plausible - this kind of <deleted> goes on in Thailand.

It really is time govenments in Eurpoe/Canada/America issued warnings about travel here. It's different if you know already and take the risk, but presently the perception of Thailand that most Europeans have is totally out of step with reality

I posted this link on the Thread relating to the murder of Dale Henry. It's an article written about gun deaths and shootings in Thailand, and tries to understand (and fails to answer) why Thailand apparently has more callous psychopaths per capita than everywhere except Columbia. This seems to be at odds with their 'polite' Buddhist 'Jai yen' demeanor.

Anyway, it's well worth a read for those that haven't. It gives some very disturbing statistics (verifyable), that should make anybody think twice about a Thai holiday or settling here. I think a few of us are going to be turning our backs on this country. And for the earlier poster who mentioned Thais speaking about the 'gun culture' of other countries, Thailand is number 3 in the world for gun-related deaths, after South Africa and Columbia. That fact really surprised me. The link is below:

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1612

Not off-topic, but of significant interest to anyone like myself and others using Thai Visa Forum living in Thailand or considering doing so. A very articulate piece by a fellow expatriate that is very pertinent to what's going on in this thread. Follow the link below....

http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=1612

Within 4 short years, I have decided to turn my back on this country and this is but another very sad event that reminds me why. I have lived and will keep seeing, reading , hearing about too much f*#@4 up sh!t going on here, it's not about to change and I refuse to let my newborn son grow up around this total mess that Thailand is. Yes, my Thai wife feels the same. Add to that my constant fear of killing or getting killed on the roads. In 4 years I've almost killed over a dozen times when it had never happened in 25 years before that. It's due to happen. Apart from living here, Thaivisa and the internet are where you learn these things, not through your government, embassy or local travel agent, and actually, we don't know 90% of what happens since a lot is never reported or covered up by the police. When a forensic team goes digging randomly for ONE body and comes back with 8 different DNA samples from 8 different cadavers found by luck, it says a lot about what goes on here, a lot of unheard of crime.

The longer I stay, the more I see, the more I can't accept to live where all this happens, I just don't want to be here any longer. I just can't. To some it may be paradise, to me, it's back to to work, winters and taxes. These last few months are dragging on forever...

Traveled all over the world and settled here to realize that paradise is where I was born and grew up.

Sincere condolences to Dale Henry's family and friends.

You've summed it up for me Tony

I'm in the same position as you. This forum, the newspapers and what I've seen and heard has changed my whole view on this rotten country. A shame as there are some good people here and it has such potential. But the continuance of barbaric crime, including that committed by the police and judicial system, makes it difficult to stay.

My Thai wife will go anywhere with me so no problem. I've heard Argentina is okay, Portugal too, but Asia out of the question now.

I too have been bothering the Bangkok post.....so far nothing.

I join you in your condolences to Dale Henry's family.

I am very sorry 'Andiamo' in the post above. I wanted to reply to your post but somehow became imbedded in it. I wanted to add my comment about what you said and it is below

Sadly, things are being suppressed and Thai Visa is not helping. I put some email address links on my previous post (page 3 I think) urging everybody to contact The Bangkok Post.

However, Thai Visa has removed those links. That is as bad as the Canadian Embassy not helping. I can't see any legal ramifications to Thai Visa and can only think they don't want to 'rock the boat'.

Quite

Not wanting to 'rock the boat' is tantamount to being complicit in a cover-up. Thankfully some other poster above has included links to Bankok Post, whom I'm about to e-mail and ask WHY this has not been reported. The more of us do this - the better. This cannot be ignored for ever, the culprits must be brought to justice.

Hi everyone.

We are intending to build a modest (1-2 bed, lounge, kitchen) wooden house on land in Chantaburi. We will be doing this on a pretty tight budget so are looking for (hopefully local) suppliers of 2nd-hand construction timber. In addition, I would like to do most of the work myself. I know this may sound odd to many people considering local labour costs but I'm a carpenter myself and it's what I enjoy. We'll hire labourers for the hhe hole digging, heavy lifting, etc; I've done enough of that in this life!

I'm wondering if anyone reading this has actually built their own house (as opposed to having one built.) If so, did you engage a Thai carpenter to help you or did you go it alone and figure out the Thai joinery techniques yourself? (If so, do you know of any good resources on the subject apart from the book 'The Thai House'?) Or did you use farang joinery methods? Where did you get your wood and how much did it cost you? Importantly, what are the pitfalls? (there always are!) I'd be very interested to hear about your self-build experiences or if you know of a 2nd hand timber supplier in Chantaburi that would be great.

Thanks a lot

Rods

Rods

When you say 'Thai style house' do you mean the traditional wooden Thai house, as in the book you mention? If so, I'm building one based on this style and have travelled practically all over the country trying to source the correct materials.

Regarding the carpentry. I've found a carpenter who doesn't want to totally shaft me, totally by accident one day. He was in the process of building a wooden Thai house in Bang Lamung. The best carpenters that are capable of building these houses are around the central (Bangkok, Ayuttaya, Ang Thong, Phetchaburi) area, since the style is different in the north as you know. My advice would be to tour around and find a relatively new one and find out who the carpenter was. Hire him and work alongside him.

I've tried to study the traditional Thai joinery techniques and know a little more than I did 4 years ago. As you imply by your message, the traditional Thai home exists on a totally different concept of joinery as does, for example, the English timber framed homes of the middle ages. The way Thais construct a roof is totally different to our trussed system. I believe the European joinery to be superior in terms of engineering and distribution of loadings, but the Thai system is by far more elegant and aesthetic.

The book you speak about (Thai House) is quite good as far as it goes. But my problem with it, I found it no good drawings and explanations of the joinery methods. For example, how the overhangs are supported and the 'false' gables constructed at each end. You'll need to see an existing house incomplete and photograph the framing. That's why I intend to find an old boy whose been doing it for years and work alongside him and learn the methods whilst helping out.

The cladding is not so much a problem. These are built modular from frame and panel construction usually of teak. The carpenter I spoke of in bang Lamung had these made by a joinery for him. My guess is that they used spindle moulders and other machinery to speed it up. All the joints were mortice and tenon and pinned with dowels - I didn't notice any glue. Perhaps this allows for movement/expansion/contraction without the warping and cracks that would develop using glue when you get differential expansion.

The house posts (called 'Sao') are usually minimum diameter 10" (250mm) at the bottom and taper to 8" (200mm) at the top. Depending on your design will be from 8 to 10 metres long. I bought 12 of these second hand and cost me 75,000 Baht. They had been used before and repaired. Remember that traditionally these were planted in the ground on a wooden support. Not a good idea in my opinion, so I used pyramidal sandstone blocks 500 x 500 x 300 on a concrete footing to stand the Sao posts on. These posts are really heavy and needed 6 people to man-handle them.

Our place is still in construction and is on hold as I can't be there all the time (work). But I have sourced a lot of the materials, which I think is really the hardest part if you want to do it right.

Roof tiles. If you want the real thing (same clay tiles that are used on temples) you are really lucky to live in Chantaburi. There is a tile works as you come into town from Rayong on the left side of the road. They have lots of different styles and colours outside. Buy from the manufacturer and cut out the middle man.

Second hand wood. I bought some of mine in Ang Thong. There's a few places on the road from Rang Sit to Ayuttaya. Phrae in the north of Thailand is another good place for teak. It really isn't easy finding good second hand timber now. My place I will use Mai Deng and teak (Mai Sat) only. If you don't know already, Deng is a very good structural wood but not easy to work. You'll be sharpening your chisels every few minutes.

There are sources of teak in the very West that come over the border from Myanmar. A dodgy old game though, personally I wouldn't get involved but it is an option for teak.

I can tell you of a lady who wanted to sell me her Thai style building a while ago - I go to the site, take it down, put on back of lorry, pay her, go back to our land and erect it. I didn't do it as the size was not applicable to my design. I can give you details but I won't post here.

I don't want to make this thread too long. If I can give you any more information, send me a message.

Good luck with your project.

We have reasonably heavy fabric on the windows now and we have the aircon on when required, except fro a few sessions where we wet the bed.

With the above, we can hear the neighbours and they are accross the road, so god knows what they are hearing from this end.

The tented 'Gadaffi' style Boudoir is attractive, but high maintenances with dust collection all over and with a child with a possible allergy/asthma problem who loves to come and jump in our bed, not such a good idea.

I am thinking to buy 50 rai upcountry and build in the middle, as long as not in a valley and no echo around, should be ok.....except for the nanny and other staff.

Enjoyed your and all the other posts. Has helped take the mind off work for a while. However, if you're serious about sound reduction and moving home/making a new home....

Why not build your new place to current Eurpoean standards for energy conservation. Keeping heat inside the home is essentially the same as keeping heat outside - and as luck would have it, reducing the passage of sound (after all, this is also energy).

Typically you would design the house to be built with a cavity wall (double-skin) using Q-Con blocks 4 or 6" (150mm) thick each skin. All windows are designed double glazed. The ceilings are backed up above the plasterboard with rockwool bats or glassfibre blankets. Double glazing does significantly reduce noise transfer - I've even heard of people using triple glazing when living next to railways, etc. A double skin wall of 2 x 150mm thick Q-Cons will stop practically all sound that can be made by a human (I haven't met your missus but I'm guessing she's not an opera singer)

You will then have a house that is not only relatively soundproof, but energy saving in terms of your AC.

The problem with your current home is the Thai building techniques. 100 x 100mm concrete posts every 4 metres and in-fill with 75mm blocks redered over. In effect, what you have is an echoing structure with the walls acting as diaphragms, amplifying the internal noise and transferring a lot of the sound energy from outside too. Additionally, you've probably got the AC on all day as the walls get so hot. I'm assuming your place is made this was as the one I'm currently renting is. I'm in the process of making a home as I've described above, using cavity walls. However, my reasons are to save energy and keep the place cool. My wife is generally not a vocal person in the bedroom, but if ever she feels the need to bark like a dog, 300mm of cavity wall should take care of it.

If you need a quick fix, I have a diving helmet I'd sell you. Set up an air supply from an old scuba tank and Bingo, problem solved.

...ups the table got shot

I get the picture. The building project is given to a 'friend' and the navy get a new and improved navy base - also has to be built by a 'friend'. The money goes around and everybody's happy - except the poor buggers who own/lease property in Chon Buri. Looks like we're <snip - expletive deleted> boys.

Of course, just maybe, it could be that the Thai Police have really and truly screwed up this time. When a Thai cop executes a tourist with a point-blank shot to the head, or when the Thai cops kidnap and rob a foreigner, I sincerely believe that most Thai people do not care. So what, it is just another foreigner. However, this time, a high-society "nice" upper crust Thai lady was abused by the little brown-shirted savages. Perhaps things will actually begin to change now, just maybe . . .

Judge Dredd

Don't hold your breath

Don't hold your breath

A book worth reading - -

"Democratization And Political Corruption In The Philippines And South Korea: A Comparative Analysis" ISSN: 0925-4994 (Print) or, 1573-0751 (Online).

Synopsis of the book: The Philippines tried to reform their police, and never quite made it. The Filipina Police are still every bit as corrupt as the Thai Police. However, the South Korean Police were reformed almost over night.

Discussion: Using the South Korean model as a relevant example, how did they do it? Starting in 1975, the South Korean government was in the throes of a leadership change, and the new government decided to tackle the problem of police corruption.

In a nutshell, the South Koreans, in the space of three years, 1975-1978, turned their very corrupt police into practically a model of dedicated civil servants.

How did the South Koreans do it?

1.)Using their strong military, and relying on the Korean cultural traditions of obedience, loyalty, and "group-think", simple decrees were issued. Overnight, it became illegal for police to accept bribes or to solicit bribes. It also became illegal for civilians to offer bribes.

2.)Punishment was swift and severe. The South Korean military was given the power, again by decree, to arrest non-complying cops, civilians, and gang members.

3.)Training programs and pay-boost programs for the police were immediately initiated.

4.)Older police were retired with adequate pensions.

5.)Younger police were recruited, trained at real police academies to Western standards, and given a pay grade competitive with other mid-level civil servants. The idealistic young recruits soon entirely replaced the corrupt older police.

Imagine duplicating that process here in Thailand. Imagine reforming all police, immigration, customs, and other civil servants in a 3-year programme, or even in a 5-year period.

Honestly, I don't believe that the Thai Police will ever reform. They are the most profitable gang in Thailand, and well-placed Thais use the Thai police as "enforcers"

It would take an Act of God to reform the Thai Police. If Thailand merely tried to pit military against police, as they did in South Korea in 1975, perhaps the military would win, but maybe all you get then is a new gang replacing the old gang.

In my opinion, Thais do not have the ability to save themselves from their own decadence and moral rot. In 1975, the Korea War was only 22 years in the past, having been concluded in a ceasefire in 1953. South Korea was still under U.S.A. and U.N. supervision in 1975, and that external guidance made a big difference.

Thailand is in sore need of some serious "External Supervision".

Just my opinion.

Judge Dredd

I think your observations are pretty well correct. Nothing will change in Thailand in the near future as it is in the interest of too many corrupt people to maintain the current status quo. The Thai mind set also does not help. 'The Kowtow' culture makes it very hard for an individual or group of individuals to protest and seek reform.

Perhaps the country does need some 'assistance' from outside, but like in Zimbabwe's case it won't come. Perhaps if they had more oil it might give the Americans incentive to 'intervene' - but then you'd just be swapping one form of oppression for another.

In general the Thais are a good people and deserve better. I'm regretting ever deciding to settle there, but where else is there in SE Asia? Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Phillipines - same-same.

Thai police are obliged to interfere if there is trouble brewing, even if they are off duty.

What...when they're pissed up and armed too??

hello Gents-

I'm marrying a gal who lives on the Army base with the golf course on topic. I was just there a few weeks ago and yes, it is my understanding, its open to the public.....

Actually, we're having a wedding on the army base mid-march, in the big hall on the right going through the front gate.

There is also a farang bar called "sculley's". Sorry, cant give you the address or directions. WHen I get back there next month, I'l get the info.

I'd like to get some info of where to buy new houses in Phetch. There is a place directly across from the Army base we checked out, but would like to check out some other places. ANy info would be appreciated.

The norm round here is get some land and have one built by the way I live about 5km from that Army Base if its the one just south of the city

Yes, mgc is quite right. Usual to buy land in your wife's name and build a place on it. If you don't want the hassle though, there are many houses 'to order' being built in Phetchompu - where I described earlier - go and have a look. There is a massive long bungalow there that does not look like the other houses, built for a Dutch guy apparently. But the estate manager will organise and built practically anything you want. Prices start at about 2 million and go up to 7 million for something more ambitious.

It has to be said though, you get a lot more satisfaction doing it yourself, or employing a local builder and getting it done to your spec. Keep an eye on the electricians and make sure they put in an earthing system and not just the two wire spurs they seem to do in most buildings. There are some reasonable building firms in Phetchabun area, but the plumbing and wiring leave a lot to be desired.

We're also bilding about 5 km from the army base, but don't know the previous poster. It is a big place however, and yes, I believe there is still a lot of land for sale.

so are the other neighboring countries OK? Singapore, KL?

This is an interesting thread, as it has a lot of implications for us. I currently live/work in KL but wouldn't want to settle here. Residence is relatively easy for Malaysia, but you need to fulfill some criteria. For us (white farang) there's a system in place called 'Malaysia my second home'. You can own property here, but the property must be worth a minimum amount. You also have to have a source of income or a pension worth a minimum of 12,000 Ringgit a month (about 125,000 Baht). An alternative is to have an equivalent amount of money in a bank I've heard it's in the region 800,000 Ringgit (that's alot of money). You'll have to check it out, but frankly I think Thailand is over all better a place to live and I'm sure malaysia will implode in the next 10 years, for reasons far to long to go into here.

Singapore is relatively straight forward to get residency, but again it's funds. You can't own land I'm told (I have friends live there) but you can own a condo. I think there's something about age, like if you're over 60 you don't have a chance. All these places seem to have their own idiosyncrasies.

I gather from the comments in this thread that there are many people now who are starting to have 'second thoughts', and I would personally like to exchange information with them.

I have been married to a Thai for 4 years and we have about 30 Rai (in her name) on which we were/are planning to do a building project. We've lived in Brunei and Malaysia for the last 2 1/2 years. During the last two years I've learned more about Thailand (this site is a mine of information by the way) and now I'm not sure if the retirement thing/settling in Thailand is a sound idea.

Are there any other people who have cut their ties with their country of origin (England in my case) with a view to relocating to Thailand, only to find out after some time that all is not quite so good here? I don't mean the wife by the way, but the country, politics, judicial system, etc, etc.

But like the originator of this thread seems to suggest, "Where else is there?"

Hi All,

I have searched the forum for information regarding AC units and installation and some information I don't understand. What is BTU? Does this relate to the size of the room?

I want to instal a Daikin unit in our home office, but am now totally confused. The room is 4x5m and gets the morning sun. I have asked around where we will, central Thailand but not BKK, and we have been provided an estimated cost of 38,000baht for an "invertor" Daikin and 32,000baht for "normal" Daikin, unit and installation.

Now from what I have read, most units installed is no more then about 25,000baht. Any information to clear this up would be greatly appreciated as we want to instal the unit before it gets too hot.

Thanks

Sorry. Forget to mention before:

If you're in Central Thailand, then maybe you're near Phetchabun. If so, there are a couple of good installers/suppliers there. They'll travel but only within reason.

Incidentally, going back to your BTUs and to be pedantic, BTUs are a measurement of Energy (S.I. units are the Joule) and Watts a measurement of Power (1 Watt = 1 Joule per second). So the conversion is:

1 Watt = 3.41 BTU per Hour.

Maybe your AC spec is given in Watts.

Hi All,

I have searched the forum for information regarding AC units and installation and some information I don't understand. What is BTU? Does this relate to the size of the room?

BTU - British Thermal Units. Not used very much now, as equivalent Watts/Kilowatts used more. Yes, BTUs/kW are a measure of how much heat energy the AC Unit can trensfer and is dependent on the volume of your room and the amount of heat entering through the walls/ceiling.

I want to instal a Daikin unit in our home office, but am now totally confused. The room is 4x5m and gets the morning sun. I have asked around where we will, central Thailand but not BKK, and we have been provided an estimated cost of 38,000baht for an "invertor" Daikin and 32,000baht for "normal" Daikin, unit and installation.

We've had several units put in, all in larger roms than yours. The most I've paid is 18,000 THB, last time about a year ago. All ours are Panasonic (Split Units) and work well. I think at >30K per unit, your installer is taking the p**s

Now from what I have read, most units installed is no more then about 25,000baht. Any information to clear this up would be greatly appreciated as we want to instal the unit before it gets too hot.

Thanks

Hi Andy I hope you can help

My brother wants to be able to build a bungelow on land owned by the mother of his thai girlfriend

This will be unpaid work

What visa does he need to get so that he can do this without getting into trouble and where does he get it from

He already has a type o non immigrant visa

Many thanks for any advice offered

If you look on the Visas forum you'll find links to info that tells all you need to know. But the bottom line is this:

There are restrictions on foreigners doing most things that Thais can do (immigration has the whole list) and among the list is carpentry, bricklaying, labouring, etc. Which means you'll not get a work permit to do any of the jobs involved in house construction.

The term 'work' in Thailand includes any activity apart from sleeping, so even if you're building a wall and not getting paid for it - you are classed as 'working' under Thai law. It's a shame really as this has prevented some voluntary workers doing a lot of potential good in Thailand.

Having said that, I'm building a house on land belonging to my wife, and have done a bit myself (including the paperwork like design drawings, etc, but I'm not sure if this is classed as work as I could have done it outside Thailand). So far nobody has bothered me, but then our land really is in the country half-way up a mountain.

So I suppose it depends where you are. But be warned there are very serious implications if you get caught. Unpaid work is still work in Thailand.

I think we should recommend the 'belt and braces' system.

ELCB, local ground spike AND an MEN link (subject to the multiple earthed neutral caveat).

Can't believe we could get much safer.

Just one thing about the ground spikes I've seen (and used) that are available in Thailand.

In the UK they are made of Copper. In Thailand they 'look like copper' but on close inspection can be seen to be steel rods (just test the weight) that have been copper plated.

Now when banging these into the ground, imagine the scenario: The thin (10 microns?) copper plating is scoured off. Over time, water penetrating the ground corrodes the (now) steel rod. Iron oxide forms on the outside (which is an insulator) and your ground spike is no longer an efficient conductor to earth.

Does anybody know where to get REAL copper ground spikes in Thiland, or should we bring a few back on our next visit to Europe?

It may seem like only a small point, but I believe it a valid one. A noble metal of high conductivity should be the preferred way. I suppose we could always use silver if copper is not available

How can people register births?

Education:

What are the ages of compulsory education? How does this differ in Northern Ireland? Who is responsible for ensuring a child attends school?

What are the different stages of education?

At what age do children leave school?

Where can people get details of local schools?

At what age do children go to secondary school?

How does this differ in Scotland?

What are faith schools?

What are independent schools?

What is the national curriculum?

At what ages do children take key stage tests in England? At what age do children take GCSEs and A levels?

How is education different in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales?

What is the role of a school governing body (or a school board in Scotland)?

What do further education colleges offer?

What is ESOL? What are adult education classes?

How do university students pay their tuition fees?

I'm English as are my family all the way back into recorded history. However, I would have trouble answering more than half the above questions. I feel very sorry for anyone coming from Thailand who has to go through this ridiculous examination. I used to think that the criteria for gaining Permanent Residency (the blue book) of Thailand a bit over the top, but it's nowhere near as bad as this.

I have 6 months of bank statements but the last one is dated 2nd of Jan this year. Due to the police check and various other things our application wont be in until the 7th Feb. Is this too late? Will my finances be out of date? Similar problem with my credit card statements!

One other thing is that we are using my parents accommodation up in Newcastle, where as I work all over the UK and spend allot of time in London; also my company is registered in London.

If all these components add up to a prospected failure, I think it will be better if just go for a tourist visa. We did this last year with my parents as the sponsors and were successful. What do you think??? Moose

Hi Moose

There are a couple of things here that you might need to address. Firstly, it sounds like you're self-employed. If so, you'll need to supply certified accounts to back up your claim of earnings. It's not quite so easy for self-employed people.

The key statement by the UK Immigration is: That your spouse shall have secure lodging and sufficient monies to ensure a resonable standard of living, and that she shall not have recourse to public funds. If you can prove this, then you'll get her settlement visa.

The other problem you might have is that you will not be living in your own home, but will rely on your parents. You might need to seek advice on this one. Some Immigration officials are very anal at interpreting the rules, and might view the fact that you are not living in your own place as a failure on your part to provide adequate accommodation. I'm not trying to put out your firework here - just being realistic. I have known of a case similar to this where the visa was refused because of the same thing.

About the TB thing. No prior health screening should be necessary (it wasn't when I went through this process some 7 years ago, but the rules might have changed). When I did this, on arrival at LHR my new wife was asked to undergo a medical (they have a small medical dept at terminal 3 immigration) where she had a chest X-ray and they looked at her previous innoculation scars, etc. Lasted about 1/2 hour. Then they let us through without problem.

Remember that the settlement visa is really YOU being under the microscope, and not HER - as is the case with a tourist visa. I found that the more paperwork you have the better, as all officials are the same and really cream themselves if you have lots of coloured stamps, etc. But the most important thing is to prove you have more than adequate funds, a continuing source of imcome into the foreseeeable future (not easy to prove this if you're self-employed) and a bona-fide place to live, with some degree of permenance - maybe your parent's place will suffice, but it would be worth getting a letter of support from them to the effect that they won't throw you out after 2 months. If it were me I would get them to have this letter verified and sealed by a notary public, after which for good measure take it to the Foreign Office (not far from Westminster Abbey) and get them to verify the Notary's signature.

When I went through all this it took me about 3 weeks of to-ing and fro-ing and collecting documents. At the Embassy they will interview you both together and individually. Be sure to get your stories synchronised. Even after all of this, it's down to the individual who interviews you and really quite arbitrary whether they award or not. If they don't you have no recourse and they don't need to explain their reasons, but will write a spurious reason on a pro-forma sheet that you'll be issued with that will fail to explain adequately why they chose not to issue the visa.

If all your paperwork is in order, you have a good (90%+) chance of getting the visa issued.

I wish you both good luck.

I've noticed that most toilets in Thailand are apparently just cemented in place, but I'd much prefer to install the toilets in my new house the western way with a closet flange, bolts and a wax ring. I just returned from checking four different supply shops in Phuket, and couldn't find any of those parts.

I don't speak Thai, so I'm not sure I communicated what I wanted well enough to know if the store actually had the parts, but i suspect they did not. One clerk led me to a pneumatic nailing gun after I tried to tell her what I was looking for.

Aside from a shipment from America, does anyone know where to buy these parts? And is the Thai way to just smear the bottom of the toilet with mortar and nest it over the pvc pipe, as I'm thinking my builder would do if I wasn't involved? That's what I think it is, but maybe there's more to the installation the Thai way.

Hi

As somebody else has mentioned below, 'HOMEPRO' is about as good as you'll find. The best being in Pattaya and Bangkok. I guess because Pattaya has a lot of Farang, you can get some good Italian and other bathroom furniture. They also sell the flanges, seals, grommets, etc,. necessary for ensuring your WC seals okay and doesn't leak. The system is slightly different to what I'm used to in the UK. Here all the WCs tend to exit downward through the floor - I haven't yet seen one that exits horizontally through the wall.

Also, I don't know if you've noticed, but there are two standard distances the WC suite is installed from the wall (that I'm aware of). One is about 500mm from centre of exit pipe to the wall, the other a lot longer. I can't remember exactly as I'm not in Thailand right now.

I remember having a real problem getting anything other than cheap PVC pipe for hot and cold (domestic) water system, and wanted to use copper - just as I've been used to it for the last 30 years and think it's superior. I finally found an air conditioning supplier where I could buy copper tube and end-feed solder fittings in Pattaya (I live up north!!). The tube sizes are (strangely enough) imperial and not metric as back home. They have tube from 1/4 inch up to 2 1/2 inch and all the fittings you'd require.

Good Luck

I have spoken/written with about 20 law firms in regards to Pre-Nups. Some, (quite a reputable lawyer in Pattaya!), say they are not enforceable in Thailand, others (big International Law firm in Bkk), say the "wife to be" needs separate counsel and all assets need to be detailed, others say it can be done without problems as long as no foreign law is implied and the people signing have not been misled or forced under duress to sign.....Needless to say the price quotations go from 10,000 baht up to 60,000 baht....

Taking into consideration that Thai law states that what was gained before marriage is private property and any usufruct, interests, profits acquired after marriage is considered communal property apart from inheritance and gifts.....Sin Suan Tua and Sin Somros, I woud like to know:

1. Anyone who has had to actually use the pre-nup in case of divorce, in Thailand and was it recognised?

2. A reputable lawyer in Pattaya area to draft a legally binding and just agreement?

3. In order to register the pre-nup agreement, at the time of marriage registration does it just need to be signed by the parties involved with witnesses in front of the registrar(no lawyers involved)?

4. Is it really worthless as some people say? I am from the netherlands....I know UK has different issues in regards to prenups.

Thanks for letting me know of your experiences and advice on finding good legal counsel/lawyers in Pattaya for drafting an agreement.

Hi

It seems nobody has answered all of your questions in this thread. Far be it from me to judge your motives for wanting a pre-nuptial agreement, I know of two good Lawyers (Tii Nai Kwam) in Pattaya, who could do the job. They're both about as straight as you'll get in Thailand.

Khun Non Yusonsri

183/14 Soi Post Office (near Pizza Hut off beach road)

Tel: 038-710896

E-Mail: [email protected]

The other is called Khun Shan Chaisarn, and has an office halfway along Number 3 road near the crossroads at the bottom of the hill (upper floor in building on south side of road). I'm sorry I don't have his number with me but it's easy to find. He is the better of the two for this kind of thing. You will get the first consultation free. A nice bloke with a bit of integrity, which is unusual for a lawyer anywhere.

I have a Thai wife myself and have never wanted a pre-nuptial. The way I see it, if it all goes pear-shaped you'll get shafted anyway (this is Thailand and presumably you are a Farang). When you buy land for your wife/girlfriend, you will have to sign a form at your local land office to say that the money used for purchase belonged to your wife prior to the purchase, and that you make no claim on the title in the event of your divorce. So you're screwed in any land deal. (You can lease it back from here for 30 years...however) I've been through the land buying process a number of times now - same every time. I trust my wife, but am not naive enough to think that things will always be idyllic. The bottom line is how much money are you prepared to write off if in the event you have to.

Rgds and Chauk Dii

A visa allows 90 day stay only. That does not count for the three year requirement to apply for PR. You must have here on one year extensions of stay three continuous years for that. And 80k per month tax payments is a primary consideration for most successful applications, as well as other positive factors. Please check the pinned items at top of forum for a long thread on PR.

Thanks Gents for your help.

It appears then, that going to the trouble of leaving the country and getting a new non -mmigrant 'O' renewal was a waste of time. As I now understand it, when my latest non immigrant 'O' visa is due to expire, I should get it extended in Thailand for a year. Then when that 1 year extension is due to expire, I get it extended again - thus making a toal of 3 years (or more) on the same initial visa. Then I go through all the other things in Camerata's list of what to do. Note, that Camerata didn't metion about this prerequisite, but speaks mainly about the procedure when you're at the stage of being ready to apply for PR.

About tax declaration. This assumes you/we are working in Thailand. Presently I'm working (and temp resident) in Malaysia and only go back to Thailand periodically with my wife - who is Thai. Hence, don't pay tax in Thailand. I'm sure it's not necessary to work in Thailand to qualify for Residency. I note that Camerata (good instructions by the way) was working in Thailand. Maybe just to show earnings and bank account in Thailand is sufficient. Have never paid tax there.....

We are probaly all in very different situations, so there must be just as many qualifiers to apply.

Thanks again to all who have taken time out to offer advice.

Best regards

Hi Gents

Have just found this BBS/Group and have to say there's some very useful information here. I have a question to ask, and I'm sure someone here has the answer.

There is a section on this site that speaks about qualifications required for the Alien Registration Application (i.e. Permanent Residency). One of these is said to be A non-immigrant visa that has to be extended for 3 years. The text also states that multiple non-immigrant visas are no good. What does this mean?

I am on my second non-immigrant 'O' visa. The second one commenced just before the old one ran out to ensure (so I thought) continuity. Am I right in assuming that to have 3 non-immigrant 'O' visas in an unbroken succession is no good? After all - this constitutes 'multiple' visas does it not? However, I understood that a non-immigrant 'o' cannot be extended for more than one year and that you have to leave Thailand to get a new one (usually to country of origin/domicile).

It seems there's either some misleading information on this site - or the immigration law is not specific.

I'm hoping someone here can explain this seemingly ambiguous matter to me. Have I just wasted 2 years of my life and have to go through the motions again, or does 2 consecutive visas without a break count toward my three years?

Thanks in advance.

Will be looking to rent house/bungalow in the Petchabun area from about April onwards

Hi Gentlemen

I'm a new member here - have only just found out about this group/BB. There's some fine information here about Residency/Visas, etc.

I've been living in Phetchabun off and on (work overseas) for the last 5 years.

Regarding the British Pub/Restaurant, there was a restaurant run by a guy called Russel Cope. This was out to the east of the main town. Not sure if it's still there as his home is now up for rent. I have heard news of another 'Farang' bar to the north (on the way to Lom Sak) but have never managed to find it.

At the main crossroads (by the police box and Chinese temple) there's a rough bar with wooden frontage and a Buffalo head outside and Norwegian Flag. This is open in the evenings and okay, and I believe jointly owned by a 'Farang'. There's a corner cafe/bar not far from 'Topland/Tesco Lotus' in the middle of town, where all the local Farang meet up - mostly English. I usually see about 6 of them whenever I pass by.

Regarding places to live in Phetchabun. On the Saraburi side of town, still in Tambon Sadiang, on the left side of the main road as you look toward Phetchabun is an archway over a road that leads into an esate called Phetchompu (Pink Diamond). There's about 300 homes on it so far, most occupied but more being built. Quite a few Farang live here. To enquire, the first house on the left as you go inside belongs to the estate manager. He's a very obliging sort of guy, helpful. Rents are between 3000 to 7000 THB per month depending on size of house.

We're renting one there right now until we finish building our place. Actually we're planning on moving out around April, so there will be at least one for rent by then.

The place is pretty safe and not too busy.

Hope that's been of help to you.