handydog

OK jo99xx how did things go in the end?

I'm planning a holiday in NZ with TW next year in conjunction with a defense force reunion. We have been married for 9+ years and she had an Australian Permanent Residence visa for 7 years which has expired now as we never intended living there. (When is Permanent not permanent????)

Anyway, if we have to go through a mountain of crap to get a Tourist visa I'll just cancel the plans and they loose my tourist dollar.

My now wife applied for a tourist visa two years ago, to have a holiday in NZ and to meet my family there (I am kiwi). After having to supply similar paperwork as the OP, the application seemed to sit in limbo for ages. It took three months to process it

The Thai lady processing the file was insistant that it would be completed before the ticket dates and was wanting to have it complete the day before due to fly!! I thought this was cutting it a bit fine and managed to talk to her supervisor (kiwi) and the passport was available to be collected 4 days before flying out.

In the end only a Special Purposes Visa was granted and was only valid for the two weeks she was to spend in NZ.

This in turn caused problems when she arrived in Christchurch and she was taken to an interview room and grilled by immigration for an hour on arrival.... Just because she was not on the üsual Tourist Visa.

The Kiwi Team Manager I spoke to explained that Special Purpose Visa was issued because they determined I had the means to be able to support her and hide her from immigration if we chose for her to overstay.... Go figure!!!

IMHO

I think i caused the Thai office staff to loose face by going over her head to her manager to get a bit more action on the process time.... hence no tourist visa reccomended by her.

The first line Immigration peple in the office are Thai and have a different work ethic to Kiwi and subiquently only do the minimum work required of them.

Visa's are granted at the management level... not the first line Thai staff.

The office has a high turn over of Thai staff and many are therfore lacking experience and have a low case load.

At present we have a residency visa application in process, it has been 6 months wait so far but as it is processed by a different part of the immigration office we have had no problems with it at all and the staff we have delt with. They have been very plesent and helpful and have been keeping us up to date with the status of the application. We hope to have it completed in June.

To the OP...

I hope your stay in NZ is more plesent than the trouble you have had so far trying to get there.

You're on a very wrong path here.

By doing so, you'd by no means be better than the person you suggested to be killed.

That's why justice is such difficult issue and why K.Abhisit deserves so much respect.

Being in the middle of 'Hawks' like the OP and 'Doves', he remains calm and has done everything in his capacity to settle this issue peacefully.

Now that his last efforts have been blocked by continuously changing demands from the red camp, he had to resort to finishing this process with help from army and police.

Given the very nature of the red protest so far, the flaming on stage 24/7 for 2 months, you will see many casualties, but there's no doubt for me that K.Abhisit has no other peaceful options left.

The red shirts will loose, they know it. Sad thing is that their leaders want to go down in flames but seem confident that they will survive and enjoy their life after this. If Veera is really in the UK now, then it shows their true colors, not red, but green, $-green without caring a hoot about the people they've sent into this conflict.

I have to agree with the OP.

Remove the head of the snake.

Seems he may be related to the last Auzzy glory seeker that was busted with a pub mat.

Certainly related on the IQ level...... both running into a high single figure

Yes can do easily.

I use yahoo messenger (yahoo voice) regually to do this.

The whole affair is a farce that beggers belief to the beyond...........

print the receipt and then get it certified by the issuing company. Do you still have your boarding pass? attach this to ticket print out.

cant think of any other way around the problem

Those that play by the rules have nothing to fair.

(It does become frustration when the rules are so fluid as they are tho.) IMO

I noticed a bit of traffic coming to my site from this page. Glad to see my project has sparked some interest! I also found some great resources in these forums; I wasn't aware of this site before so thanks for the link love

To answer some questions I see above:

* I don't necessarily have "a method" to learn Thai in 8 weeks. This is an experiment to see if my current method that works well with European languages, can be adapted and if I can find a fast and efficient way of learning Thai writing and tones, which as far as I can tell are the major difference (everything else, including learning vocabulary [and even correct use of stress as mentioned above], being the same or actually easier than in European languages, especially grammar). If my experiment is a success I'll blog about what my method is for others who wish to learn Thai quickly.

* "his goal is very easy to achieve... it would be astonishing if he failed". To the best of my knowledge, very few other farangs learn Thai quickly. If they do, they'd be dismissed as being a "language genius". I've already met expats living here for years who don't have more than the basics. I think my goal is do-able, but definitely not easy. You seem to have misunderstood what I'm aiming for:

* I plan to be able to spontaneously read aloud ANY TEXT (that I've never seen before, e.g. newspaper article) by the end of the 8 weeks (in such a way that it's understood well) and have some level of conversation (approximately lower intermediate). I'm not aiming for parrot-level with just a store of words and phrases I can repeat; I want to actually communicate. This will not be easy, but I am confident that I have a good chance. My success will have much more to do with efficient study and the application method rather than intelligence and "natural ability". (I failed languages in school; this is a recent passion for me)

@Rikker Thanks, it was nice meeting you too! I won't be able to tell you stories of my travels these months through Thai, but I'm hoping you'll be pleased with my "ok" level nonetheless come first week of March when I'm back in Bangkok

So far, I can already read aloud most signs without relying on romanisation. I've put in a total of about 5 hours study since I got here (have to unfortunately work full time), but that's more than enough to apply good memory techniques to all symbols and test yourself reading random texts. I'll go into detail on that in a post tonight/tomorrow.

Hope you enjoy the blog and leave comments. Thanks again for mentioning the mission here Leah!

Do you have a method for learning Welsh?

good luck with WINZ

good luck in being allocated someone within the department that is pro-active and informed.

Well, for the record everyone, we did get a visa for him - of sorts. They refused to grant a visitor visa and istead offered a "conversion" to a limited purpose visa (3 month). This means he can not study at all and can't apply for a permit of a different type once he is in NZ. Well, at least he can come to visit which was always the main point.

Just made it in time to pick up the visa from Immigration yesterday. If you saw three people running all the way from Siam Interchange to All Seasons building yesterday (making collection time with three minutes to spare) it could well have been us!

Seems the leaving the issueing of visas to the last minute is common. When my wife came to NZ last year... we had waited 3 1/2 months for a decision and the lady we were dealing with suggested it would be ready on the friday (day before flying out of Bkk).

It got the distinct feel that the thai workers in the department are not motivated to work at what would be normal speed and efficency of what is expected in farangland.

Unfortunitly this reflects badly on thier kiwi supervisiors. But maybe they have been in Thailand too long and have addopted the "mai pen rai" attitude.

# All very typical of the state of intelligence we come to expect from government departments and pollititions.

# Normal poor reporting from The Nation

Well, the NZIS branch office in Bangkok doesn't reopen until Jan 4, but we have submitted more documents detailing evidence he has incentives to return to Thailand before his permit expires. Hope it will be enough: Car ownership paper, and land ownership papers of 80 rai. As well as a health bank balance - just topped up a few days ago...

Will wait and see if it is enough. Otherwise, I suppose we have the right to appeal. If that happens I will have to go there and speak in person. But hopefully, fingers crossed, he will get it ... its going to be tight as we are booked to leave Jan 12th.

Thanks for all the tips and comments

current HP statementments may be a good thing to submit. it would show a financial requirement to return.

Topping up the bank balance a few days ago does not look good when they ask for a statement covering the last 3 months.

can i go for the partnership visa even tho i'm not a nz resident or citizen but i am a nz work visa holder for over 4 years

whats the tips on that?

i've got the visa forms here with me and it looks do-able

Australian citizenship has some benifit if you are to sponsor your gf. Not so sure that throwing a heap of money into her bank account will be that productive, as what is important is the recent banking history rather than the balance.

And of course...the boys in brown will see to it that his stock of cars are well looked after and safe whilst he sorts out his tax affairs

Well he's got enough dosh to make sure he doesn't go Hungry

Best laugh I have had today ROFPMSL

Whilst commendable as such, I see in this scheme as it stands just another attempt to stifle business for the big boys, whilst allowing the small Thai operators a free reign, in much the same way as the supposed "ban" on alcohol sales from 2 to 5 pm and on special days is only enforced on them, it's totally ignored by the Mom and Pop shops!

The whole countryside is littered not with Lotus/Carrefour/etc. carrier bags (which for the most part are eagerly snapped up and reused for all sorts of things), but by those flimsy bags used by local shops and food outlets. They blow everywhere are are a darned menace.

I think you will find the "flimsy bags" are paid for by "ma and pa" at Macro

Think I will go shopping tomorrow morning to stock up on supplies.

Go tonight tomorrow will be too late !

Typical knee-jerk reactions the media have come to expect and count on.

Perhaps you are both suited to jobs in politics.

SNAFU

If only it were true

I dont see the problem.... He is an operative operating in a foriegn country so he has to abile by their rules.

He knew the consiquenses of the job when he signed on so he should therefore accept them.... Either rot in jail or take a bullet to the head: just stop wingeing about it!!!

Every job has a cost.

So what's stopping her converting to your belief system?

She say that she can't marry non Muslim man, not allowed...

Seems niether of you are being true to your own faiths .

For her it is simply keeping face with her parents. If you were in her place what would you do?

In a simplistic way; you both worship the same God now....... Life is full of little ironies and tests of faith.

I wish you the best for your relationship, whatever you decide dude. Just make sure you are being honest to your own beliefs.

Hi, I used to have insomnia, and tried most things.

You can get Xanax here, over the counter, (some places), they work great mostly

Otherwise you might try zorpidem/ambien/stilnox, but you'll need a prescription

{unless you go to Phnom Penh or Vientiane)

I have read that some people have sleepwalked, sleepdriving,sleepsex etc with them,

but it's never been a problem for me,

and they're non addictive

chokdee

You probably don't get enough exercise

Myself having been perscribed zopiclone (same generic family), I can attest to some of the scarey side effects. ie: building of tollerance to it, sleep driving, next day drouzziness, addiction, adverse reaction to alcohol, adverse reaction to caffine.

I aggree with the other posters in that it would be in OP best interest to see a reputable doctor and test for any underlying problem.

For me; a small dose (20mg) of Amatriptaline in the evening every night seems to help. I have other underlying health issues, so may not be advisable for others to take it.

Soon to be the hottest selling item in Patong

No self respecting tourist will be seen without one.

This is nothing comparing with the city of Oakland, California or the State of Chicago in America. People here get kill everyday and no one makes any big deal about it. Come on do not make it worst. Thai people already went to so much pain and agony. Give them break and I am sure the polices will do their jobs. Tourists in Patong are having their great time and it is a business life line for the Thai. I am sure the authority knows what to do next.This is my take and opinion. ....P>S>

By the way, you can buy a bullet proof and feel free to walk around. Meanwhile, a phone call to police chief will do the good deed. Let's make your difference in our community.

"The police will do their jobs, a phone call to the police chief??" Please tell me you are just being sarcastic!!!!

Why dont all the ex CIA, FBI, SAS and all you other secret-super heros that have retired to LOS get together and form a farang posse to sort out the gang wars here?

From the amount of BS you guys spurt forth, it would seem that there are hundreds of you in pattaya and phuket...... or is it you only work undercover after a few beers?

Grow up, shut up and go back where you came from.

I've noticed something very strange lately....

My speedtest on speakeasy.net/speedtest to Seattle shows 3-4 megs consistantly but all the rest of the world wide web is slow at about 200 kbps...

Could it be that Maxnet blocks everything EXEPT speakeasy.net/speedtest in order not to loose face?

Wouldn't surprise me after the last Google highjack a few weeks back.

Can anybody confirm some fast speedtests from this URL to Seattle? :

http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/

Super fast all the time but all the rest is slow....

Am using Cat Telecom.

Speeds on speekeasy and speedtest.net returned similar speeds. 2500kbps. speekeasy i did to seatle and speedtest to bangkok.

using speedtest to ping seattle got speed of 1500kbps

interestling i have had a prick of a job getting a stable connection to the net. connection speeds to thai sites have been slow.... outside of thailand pages are superslow to load or they simply time out repeatidly.

You have to note that the applications are being refused by Thai's working for the OZ embassy. Also they often don't even look at attached letters. Some ask some pretty nasty questions to the ladies and if the ladies get flustered they will not allow the visa.

The reasons they are the stock ones they give to most people.

She can apply again, but get your facts straight. You fill out all the relevent sections of the application form. Downloadable from the internet. I know it is risky but have the return air tickets to show them it is genuine. It is a lot easier if you are there to talk to them.

I not sure if there is a set time before she can apply again. I didn't think there was.

Best of luck .

Not sure if other embasies are staffed by Thai as is the case here. I do know for certain that the New Zealand embassy in Bkk is staffed by Thai as the first person processing visas.

When applying to get my g/f into New Zealand, I had similar problems with the employee and ended having to go over her head and dealing with her NZ supervisor.

Long story - short.... I sponsored her, and showed I had the necessary funds. She had letters from her employer (govt officer on good money for a thai) . Reciept and copies of return air tickets and everything else they asked for on the forms.

3 1/2 months to get visa approved (and then it was a Special Purposes visa... valid for 16 days only)

Thai work ethics, even when working for a foriegn government.............................

my advice would be to put $10 000 into her bank account (wifes sister) and have her apply for a holiday visa.

I wish the OP best of luck whatever you decide to do.

Sorry, but that is really bad advice. DIAC Policy states the following:

"Particularly in high risk caseloads, case officers should be aware that recently deposited funds may raise doubts as to whether the funds are personally owned. A savings history is considered to be better evidence of the availability of adequate funds".

I covered this issues some time ago:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=2521592

Regards

bridge

Point taken. I stand corrected.

You have to note that the applications are being refused by Thai's working for the OZ embassy. Also they often don't even look at attached letters. Some ask some pretty nasty questions to the ladies and if the ladies get flustered they will not allow the visa.

The reasons they are the stock ones they give to most people.

She can apply again, but get your facts straight. You fill out all the relevent sections of the application form. Downloadable from the internet. I know it is risky but have the return air tickets to show them it is genuine. It is a lot easier if you are there to talk to them.

I not sure if there is a set time before she can apply again. I didn't think there was.

Best of luck .

Not sure if other embasies are staffed by Thai as is the case here. I do know for certain that the New Zealand embassy in Bkk is staffed by Thai as the first person processing visas.

When applying to get my g/f into New Zealand, I had similar problems with the employee and ended having to go over her head and dealing with her NZ supervisor.

Long story - short.... I sponsored her, and showed I had the necessary funds. She had letters from her employer (govt officer on good money for a thai) . Reciept and copies of return air tickets and everything else they asked for on the forms.

3 1/2 months to get visa approved (and then it was a Special Purposes visa... valid for 16 days only)

Thai work ethics, even when working for a foriegn government.............................

my advice would be to put $10 000 into her bank account (wifes sister) and have her apply for a holiday visa.

I wish the OP best of luck whatever you decide to do.

Didnt realise this site had so many kerb crawlers as members...we live and learn...just be careful out there boys