Felt 35

Hopefully correct this time!

Strange that Thai's wonder why there are complaining expats.

It seems to me that there need to be a few more complaining Thais in society.

Corruption is rampant, the poorest are neglected, the wealthy are getting wealthier, natural beauty is being ravaged by logging and industrial pollution.

Why do I get annoyed????? Because I care for this country, it's people and it's future.

Blind national pride is one of the most insidious characteristics for any country. The right to complain, discuss, debate and criticise the society that surrounds oneself means that a society has a chance to improve.

I left Thailand a couple of years ago for an unamed EU country. The level of national pride I encountered was staggering. Yet, the schools are collapsing there, the social system is in a mess, unemployment is 10%, facilities for kids are appallaing, housing is overpriced because of governement regulation, litter was everywhere. Yet action to solve these problems was absolutley minimal. I wondered why this should happen in a European country?

It became apparant that there was no inward debate and action by the people to want to change these things. They were happy to feel superior to neighbouring countries, and the politicians fostered this feeling to make people content.

I now realise that there is a similar problem in Thailand.

Until the people of a country really learn to look at themselves, their country and culture and be able to criticize themselves honestly, the society stands still and they become subservient to their government, which learns to to keep it's society content with pathetic short term handouts.

People everywhere should be proud that their country is strong enough to withstand criticism of it's people, it's culture, but to view it through rose tinted glasses believing the all is as good as it can be, leads to stagnation and eventually regression.

If you love your country, be willing to criticize it and your country will become stronger. To believe that all criticism and debate is inherently wrong will eventually lead to the degeneration through self satisfaction and lethargy.

Do not believe that criticism from foreigners is wrong. Maybe, as a Thai you should be more willing to criticise your own country

[/b]BRAVO

Strange that Thai's wonder why there are complaining expats.

It seems to me that there need to be a few more complaining Thais in society.

Corruption is rampant, the poorest are neglected, the wealthy are getting wealthier, natural beauty is being ravaged by logging and industrial pollution.

Why do I get annoyed????? Because I care for this country, it's people and it's future.

Blind national pride is one of the most insidious characteristics for any country. The right to complain, discuss, debate and criticise the society that surrounds oneself means that a society has a chance to improve.

I left Thailand a couple of years ago for an unamed EU country. The level of national pride I encountered was staggering. Yet, the schools are collapsing there, the social system is in a mess, unemployment is 10%, facilities for kids are appallaing, housing is overpriced because of governement regulation, litter was everywhere. Yet action to solve these problems was absolutley minimal. I wondered why this should happen in a European country?

It became apparant that there was no inward debate and action by the people to want to change these things. They were happy to feel superior to neighbouring countries, and the politicians fostered this feeling to make people content.

I now realise that there is a similar problem in Thailand.

Until the people of a country really learn to look at themselves, their country and culture and be able to criticize themselves honestly, the society stands still and they become subservient to their government, which learns to to keep it's society content with pathetic short term handouts.

People everywhere should be proud that their country is strong enough to withstand criticism of it's people, it's culture, but to view it through rose tinted glasses believing the all is as good as it can be, leads to stagnation and eventually regression.

If you love your country, be willing to criticize it and your country will become stronger. To believe that all criticism and debate is inherently wrong will eventually lead to the degeneration through self satisfaction and lethargy.

Do not believe that criticism from foreigners is wrong. Maybe, as a Thai you should be more willing to criticise your own country

BRAVO

What does "normal" have to do with it anyway? We are talking about what Thai immigration has in mind and how to stay in their good graces.

Thaiquila your right. What does normal have to do with it!

financially sound. In this case the figures are 40,000 baht or 65,000 baht a month, respectively.

“Some foreigners have misunderstood the minimum balance requirement as meaning they would no longer be able to use their own money.

Looks as Immigration shall be our "Personal financial adviser"

Use your money like this, or.......

I would think it would quite common for a bank account qualifier to fund the account before the visa renewal with an annual wire transfer, and then spend down those funds during the year because that is an readily accessible and non income earning pool of money, and then refund again soon before the application time.

But this is not sound economic. Normally people live of their income, not savings.

Capt Krissarat added that proof of guaranteed monthly income paid into a Thai bank account in the applicant’s name could also be used to prove that the applicant was financially sound. In this case the figures are 40,000 baht or 65,000 baht a month, respectively.

I guess this is the hard bit, and I don’t believe it will be like this in practise.

It was not for me, even if my income is far over the minimum.

I was charged 300 Baht, three times over two years.

No receipt was offered, though.

I think they call it cheating

I would advise a (more expensive) one-year multiple-entry visa if you are travelling much. I got this in Singapore very easily.

Up2U

This is off topic, but had been great help to know what documentation you provided to the Thai Embassy in Singapore and if you have to provide financial documentation in addition to the compulsory ones. Did you got this visa recently!

Thanks & regards

I guess the Swedish Embassy want to see your "Tabian baan" and because of that I think it will be smart to wait until your divorce is settled.

Good Luck

Because of an extra trip to Europe and more travelling in the region here after return I would try to limit the distance.

Had planned to try Penang instead of Brisbane this year, but an arrangement in Singapore come up already in the end of this month and then I thought way not try to get a multiple Non- immigrant "O" over there when I already are there and however only a month before I have to renew it.

Have heard that generally there are better options, but if they issue multiple Non-immigrant "O" in Penang why should they not in Singapore!

Anyone with updated info regarding the Thai Embassy and Non-immigrant "O" visa in Singapore?

Thanks & Regards

You will need to show the embassy an "Ekteskapsattest" from Norway.

It is "Folkeregisteret" which write this for you and they will ask for see the divorce attest from your previous marriage.

If the divorce attest is legal they will sign the "ekteskaps attest" and of you go.

If you still are married, and it is not clear for the "Folkeregisteret" that you are divorced, but intend to married again, they will probably write that on the "Ekteskapsattest" and I guess that can be difficult to explain for the Embassy.

You dont need to transelate Norwegian documents to English or Thai as long as it is at the Embassy you shall show them.

Good Luck.

Average,common,general, standard for the majority.

Actually, not this one. I want to live with my husband, could care less where. Thailand is a nice place to live but if I weren't married to my husband I wouldn't be living here. So, perhaps you need to readjust your perception of people living in the country before you can understand them. I think you have to look at it from a different point of view. Sometimes it is nice to vent one's feelings to others who have similar experiences and can understand one's own feelings. And after living here for 15 years does this still make me a guest??? You aren't from the US obviously, does this make you also a guest and deny you the right to have an opinion about where you live?

Constant whinging is annoying, to be sure, but I believe we all have the right to form our own opinions, be it complaints or praise, regardless of whether or not we are a guest in this country.

Well, I sure both complain and moaning sometimes, but I think the statement above says it all, and probably do for many who have gone through the rosy days and now live a very regular life here.

Thailand is a fine place to live and have many good things that already have disappeared from the West. But even if I stay here more time annually than home, will I as a human being keep my right to be critical to things against normality.

Have done it for less and would have done it again for more, if it was under direction of UN.

1) provide ways for people, rich and poor, to combat corruption.

2) education of the masses so that they understand why corruption is bad for them.

haha.

Great writing and of course very logic.

Thanks Huski.

I take with me a proof of income anyway. In case they want it.

Is there anyone with a update about Non O visa, based on marriage with a Thai, and eventually if there are any new documents they want at the consulate in Penang!

Thanks & Regards

There are more suicides in the UK than there are in Thailand.

Well thats with Sugar for sure!

Why do they always try to sugar coat it

Answer that and you have a logic answer to many obstacles down the road.

BTW, Quit often used where "keeping face" to the outside world is more important than the truth.

Is the resume after the main post and most of the replies that it’s okay with a "police state"?

Well if living home, should I then accept that it would be "normal practise" that police or immigration could come on a unexpected visit to my home any time they want for "checking" if my wife really stay on that address and that she have an income far over the average income in my home country! (######, she is my wife, not a refugee)

I really never ever hope my home country will fall so many steps down and be so inhuman.

What the next, blending our windows!

Its wrong!

That`s it.

DUTCHY2. Send the mail back and block the sender for further connections.

One of my friends came to my room and she had a white shirt on with a photo of a vespa and a huge red swastika on the front.

Then I would ask "my friend" to explain why that t-shirt

They are but children insofar as their knowledge and understanding of world history.

Yes, Illiteracy and “Denial” is still a widespread problem in developing countries there the wealth is unfavourable dealt with, and on the hand to the extreme leaders.

But the fact is that Thailand is a part of that before mention world history. Maybe not too much to be proud of today. But still!

I only wonder, could it be a connection between knowledge (know what I want) denial and profit!

Respect for others is not something you turn on and off like a light. Either ya got it or ya don't. If you are raised to respect,then it is just second nature and hard to ignore years of conditioning.

Agree.

Respect and politness is something you have in you, and veryone you treat alike.

As master so servant!

I guess I’m old fashion. But the children I see both in Europe and Thailand today have no discipline at all.

But then I also shall admit that when I started to serve my military duty I think life got easy!

That’s not mean I had a hard time growing up. I love my parents and are home in Europe at least two times a year and help the old folks.

But must admit I shake my head when someone tell me about politeness here!

Any change to apply for on year extension of Non "O" in Bangkok, when you live in another province?

I guess not, but “TIT” so why not hear if anyone has experience with this.

And, also, that I will be free to retire and stay on if I make enough money before official "retirement" age.

Fantastic!