h5kaf

The short answer is YES you can get a Thai driving license for both a car and a motorbike. The process is the same for both, though the cost is different.

You will have to take a written test at the licencing office where you live. You are given a booklet of traffic rules which are illustrated. You sit around and familiarise yourself with these rules then when you feel ready you take a MULTIPLE GUESS test. You have to score a certain percentage to pass. In Phuket it is 26 out of 30. You do this for both the motor cycle and the car license. If you pass you then take the piece of paper to the test centre. The test centre is usually located very close to the offices and there you will undergo a very simple practical driving test.

For the motor cycle it consists of driving round some markers and making a few hand signals. They love the stop signal and the right turn signal. You are usually in a line of traffic all taking this test and at the end you get signed off as passed and your papers stamped accordingly. You take these papers together with your immigration certification of your address and your passport to the office, pay your money and get a licence either within a few hours or the next day.

For the car the test consists of driving up a line of poles and reversing back down them. Then the same process for the license as for the motor bike. I have seen Thais knock the poles over and get their licenses but that would be very costly for farangs if it were even possible.

Thats it. Your first license will be for 1 year then after the year has passed you can renew the licenses for a five year period.

drLawrence you seeem to have a number of problems, some of which you may be unaware.

In my experience few foreigners - who live here in Thailand - look down on bar girls or any other form of prostitution. We recognise their unique contribution to Thai society and to our own emotional welfare - on occassions. However if you are considering a significant relationship with one you would do well to be aware of a local piece of wisdom. "You can take the girl from the bar but you cannot take the bar from the girl".

As to obtaining a visa for such a lady to visit the USA, Europe or Australia I am sure that DrPPP has told the truth - no chance. At the British Embassy the staff do not need to be specially trained or very bright to spot a 'bar girl' presenting as 'my wife' or 'girlfriend'. They dress in their best but their best is functional to attract horny men and they have a lovely habit of loking you over as they pass, maily trying to locate the size of the bulge in your wallet pocket. Even with a marriage certificate you and she would be asked many questions. Many people fail at this hurdle when asked what her name is. Replies are invariably along the lines of; Moi, Pum, Kung etc. these are the nicknames but when pressed the real names are unknown. They also want PROOF that she will return to Thailand and they have some very strong notions of what constitutes this proof.

Having said all this it was a 2 hour breeze to get my wife a visa to go to the UK and I am sure Australia would be the same.

Good luck to you, and even if you don't like some of the advice you get you realy should listen with an open mind

In order to marry in Thailand (I am taking the case of a foreigner wishing to marry a Thai) one must have all ORIGINAL documents certified by the British Consulate officers. These documents will include divorce papers or a certificate by the embassy that you are free to legally marry. Al the required and certified documents then have to be translated into Thai by an offical approved translation service and these translated documents stamped by the Thai equivalent of the British Consul. When all this is done the papers can be taken to any Amphur and in about 20 minutes the necessary paperwork is finished, and a pretty certificate issued. YOU ARE THEN LEGALLY MARRIED in Thailand and the UK. You may choose to register the marriage with the British Embassy in a similar fashion to registering your presence in Thailand with the Embassy - but it is not a requirement.

As in the USA (according to other posts on this topic) it is a crime (bigamy) to marry again in the UK unless fully divorced. The risk of being caught for bigamy is probably the same for Brits who were originally married in the UK as for overseas Brits married overseas. You would have to be grassed up. Your ex might well wish to do that. The punishment is prison.

the work permit and visa requirements are separate and different - with one exception. To qualify for a 1 year extension on the grounds of marriage one has to comply with the rules and paperwork requirements currently in force. When you have such a visa extension you can apply for a work permit. The work permit will be issued according to the employment (work permit) rules and has nothing to do with the visa application. If granted the work permit will run alongside the current visa and will expire when the current visa expires.

The exception is where you are an employee and your employer obtains a work permit for you and also obtains a 1 year visa extension on the basis of the work permit. In this case the visa and work permit are linked and if you finish work then the visa is finished as well. The visa in the passport - in this latter case - is different from the usual 1 year extensions. It has the job description etc and the emplyment office reference.

At the risk of spoiling the party I must point out that OR does not necessarily imply 'a bit of one and a bit of the other'. It usually indicates an alternative, i.e. one OR the other. Thus either 800k in the bank or 65k per month. Do not be surprised if this distinction is expressed in the coming months.

I have applied for an extension on marriage grounds many times and the same system seems to apply at Phuket. Admittedly they are much less friendly now than in the past. Its as if they want to ask for as much paper as possible and search for reasons to exclude. But if you have the paper they want then it is straightforward. However Bangkok has to approve all applications and the Phuket officers stamp your passport with a 1 month extension. You have to report on the stated day recorded on this monthly extension (unless it is a weekend when you should report on the previous Friday). When you report they will stamp another month in youir passport and continue to do so until your 1 year extension comes back from Bangkok. 2 years ago it took 4 stamps before I got the big one. This is a minor inconvenience and once the main paperwork is done they will continue to stamp you in every month.

The short answer is YES. You can get a work permit on any type of O or A or B visa. But DrPP is offering good advice that if you wish to work you must have a WPor face the prospect of BIG trouble.

Perceptive as usual, Ned Kelly is correct. I would hope that this ban is just for farang women as the beautiful firm tits of the Thai ladies are a wonder to behold whether covered in water or any other clear fluid. In stark contrast the huge swinging mammory glands of the fat foreigners (usually Aussie and Germans) banging against their knees is a fearsome sight which should not be tolerated.

Like you I had no response to either e-mails or the phone call attempts. I went to the embassy when I was in BKK last. I was told that I had to buy a new passport and this would take about 14 days. The routine is to fill in a form attach the old passport and the money and wait 14 days.

I have recently been following a rather interesting thread on land ownership and associated problems, which unfortunatley degenerated. However an interesting question arose in my mind which I thought could be constructively discussed.

As I understand things one may own a percentage of a company whilst the balance of the company shares have to be owned by a specific minimum number of Thais. Furthermore the percentage to be owned by the foreigner is less when the company is specificaly for holding land. (Someone told me that Americans are exempt this law - though I can't believe that.)

I guess that the percentages mentioned above can be easily established. However an interesting issue is the identity and connections of the Thai owners. I am led to believe that the authorities are checking various company papers as the same 7 Thais seem to be owners of many, many companies. I believe that the process is for them to sign their share documents over to the main foreign shareholder but not date the document. Thus the foreigner has in fact complete control of the company even to the extent of the shares of theThais. I have heard that this is in fact illegal and that the authorities are moving aginst this practice. What the penalties are I have no idea, but it does seem rather risky to trust such a system if the Thai authorities have the last say in the matter. I do have a friend who has a company which owns his hotel and the land upon which it stands. His wife, her parents and her brothers and sisters are the Thais who are the majority shareholders. So this is strictly legitimate. He went through many hours of questioning as did his wife seemingly to establish that he knew her and her family and that this was not just another ruse for him to fully own the company assets.

Does anyone have any definitive advice on either the structure of a company or the attitude of the authorities. Other peoples experiences would be very helpful.

(santhosh @ Fri 2004-04-02, 17:42:38)

Hi Friends, I am Santhosh from India. I have applied for Masters in Environmental in Thailand at Mahidol University and Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology,Thammasat university. I have got admission in both of the universities. I will be very thanful to you friends if anyone can suggest me which is the better one among both and after studying in which University I have chances of getting a job in Environemntal Field.

plz help me friends as this is a very crucial decison.

Thanks for your help before hand.

Thammasat and Mahidol are the most prestigious. On another thread you already said you were going to go to Mahidol.

I agree that these two plus Chulalongkorn are the most prestigious. My experience is that in European, USA and Australian terms the standards are very undemanding here in Thailand. The idea is to get the bit of paper so that as a Thai you are that bit higher on the social/work scale than the rest. Failure is virtualy unheard of (this is my experience). So if the bit of paper is of any use to you in India - good luck. But don't pin your hopes too high on getting a job here in Thailand with or without the Masters degree.

I cannot comment about the above posted accident, but I myself, feeling innocent, would never pay any fee for a hospital, or for a policeman to use the rest-room. I would never offer any money to anybody nor sign anything, what I cannot read...

To do so, means to accept some responsibility...some fault, some guilt.....

In that situation I would send out as much emails as possible and make phone calls to as many people as possible to inform them about my situation. Of course with my full name and with any information about my whereabouts.

In which case you might well have an unintended and extended vacation in the local nick. You don't think they will let you phone and e-mail all your mates, do you? Righteous indignation I fully understand, but this has nothing to do with justice, right or wrong - just MONEY.

It doesn't help the poor 'good samaritan' in the local nick, but I have always been advised to never stop at the site of an acident whether one is involved or not. Advice I have always taken. If involved a visit to the local police station the next day or even later that day, together with your insurance representative should sort out the problem.

I have heard that if one stops to help a Thai person involved in an accident or other mishap (as one would naturally do in the civilised world) thenone becomes rersponsible for all the costs of their treatment. Hey! its back to money again.

unless you are an old guy with serious roots that you have to be a moron to settle here

I am an old guy and I seriosly root. I suppose I am a moron too. But all this is better than going to that pile of steaming dung strategically placed between Africa and South East Asia.

Wolfie. My abhorence at child molestation matches yours. My instant penalty (if it were my child) would I am sure match yours. I agree these are very sick, perverted individuals who deserve the FULL penalties that the law can impose - once they have been proven guilty.

I was gently poking fun at your all embracing attitude of annihilation. It is becoming increasingly more difficult to know what the facts are in any case, certainly in Europe and the States. In the UK for example a female merely has to report to a police station that she has been sexually harrassed and that is sufficient for the man being reported to be issued with an official caution. An official caution is guilty. There is no checking of evidence, no interviews just the word of a female. The next time she reports the same fellow the real process of evidence gathering starts. She can drop her accusation at any stage. Even if the matter gets to court and NO EVIDENCE IS PRESENTED the fellow concerned has had his reputation muddied, possibly lost his job, who believes the chap anyway. All this and he may not even know the girl concerned - he could be her teacher, or in a position of authority at a club or other venue.

What about What about all those women who are being taken back to their childhood by hypnotherapists and who subsequently remember being abused by their parents or others. These remembered attrocities (abuse of children) now become real live cases. The world has gone mad.

But when all is said and done, wolfie, I totally agree with you so long as a person has been found guilty in due process of law.

Your IQ score is 136

This number is based on a scientific formula that compares how many questions you answered correctly on the Classic IQ Test relative to others.

Your Intellectual Type is Visionary Philosopher. This means you are highly intelligent and have a powerful mix of skills and insight that can be applied in a variety of different ways. Like Plato, your exceptional math and verbal skills make you very adept at explaining things to others — and at anticipating and predicting patterns. And that's just some of what we know about you from your IQ results.

Not sure what this all means. My intellect has been totally blunted from kicking fog in the Thai university system and from drinking with and enjoying the company of my pisshead mates. "Visionary Philosopher" - Plato would be totally ashamed of the company I keep. My philosophical musing extend to imagining what I might be in for if I stuck 2 purples to my forehead instead of just one, on my ocassional missions to Patong.

DrPP this is not strictly correct. You do not need a B visa to obtain a work permit. A work permit can be issued on any O or B visa, even a retirement visa. I have a work permit for 2 occupations and it was first obtained on an O type retirement visa. The work in this case is "employment" as opposed to running a company. There used to be a rule (I believe) that required a B visa to support a work permit and to obtain this B visa (outside the country) one had to produce many documenst including the company registration documents. This is still the case where the work permit is based upon a company with a 2m baht etc.etc registered share capital.

Re:

[not possible]

This is wrong advice. It is possible to have an extra employment/occupation added to an existing work permit. When one ceases the other continues. Both could be renewed with the necessary evidence for each, or only one may be renewed. I have a work permit as a freelance journalist also as a lecturer at a University. When the first expired I did not renew it but the second continues and has been renewed.

Not sure how this helps you in your particular case, but it is possible if it helps.

In view of the fact that there are "no rules" (the Doc is correct) it is worthwhile going in to your local office and asking what they want in order for you to have a visa. I have had 5 one year extensions on the grounds of being married to a Thai and each has gone smoothly though slightly differently. I went in recently to ask what the state of play was this year and got the following list: Marriage cert, passport, bank book with 200,000, certificate from the bank certifying the balance in the bankbook, 2 phots, my wifes ID, tabien ban, and a certificate from a neighbour to state that we are living together as man & wife -together with a copy of the witness's ID card and tabien ban. Seems staraight forward this time round.

My, My Wolfie; why bother with facts and evidence as these illusionary edifices are often inconsistent with what we want to be the case. If someone looks like a "nonce" or a 'pervert' surely that is enough to have them shot or deported. I hope you are clean living good looking lad Wolfie or you might just make the headlines via your own brand of rough justice.

My experience with Bupa Blue Cross (Platinum) seems to be at odds with some other experiences recorded here. I am in my second year now on a family plan. It costs 74K for me, my wife and daughter. This includes a 10% family discount and maternity cover, as we knew we were trying for a baby. The baby was duly delivered by cesarian section and they paid the bill 40K. Last year I had Dengue Fever and was hospitalised for 6 days (IV fluids etc) the bill was about 40K. In this current premium year I caught dengue again only this time the haemhorragic type and spent 16 days in hospital 7 of them in intensive care. I had brain scans, heart scans, a transfusion, constant IV fluids and many many blood tests. The bill came to 132K. All the episodes mentioned were paid direct by BUPA and there was never a problem. My first renewal premium was the same as the initial premium and I am waiting to see what I am quoted for the 2004/5 premium. But I have no indication thus far that it will go up because I have claimed.

This cover is world wide and though it is geared to Thailand costs it would provide a small measure of cover in Europe/Australia. So far I have nothing but praise for the Bupa cover - I hope things don't change in the near future. Incidentally the premuim for my new baby will be more than for my wife, as they believe (from claims experience I suppose) that newborn babes are more likely to require hospital treatment than those over 5 years old.

Whilst not a Liverpool fanI can see many benefits to a Thaksin takeover of Liverpool.

1. He would be able to import his own inimitable style into this underachieving club and undoubtedly improve their finances by gradually submerging them into the Shin Corporation.

2. Liverpool would be the only premiership club with 11 smiling players- no matter the score or other diversion. This would endear them to the great british public - one imagines.

3. Thaksin could appoint his wife as manager which would be a vast improvement on the inept Frenchman currently in that position.

From these small beginnings Thaksin would be able to start a popular cultural revolution in Britain. Today Britain tommorrow the World.

I am a little confused by this idea of an interview. I have had a 1 year visa (on the basis of being married to a Thai) for a number of years now, and I have never been interviewed. My wife no longer has to come with me, and I just have to get someone to sign a piece of paper to say that we are living together. Thats it apart from the other documents that are needed. I wonder if the process depends upon which immigration office you attend?

Dr PP is absolutely correct in his advice. However I would advise anyone who is buying land and probably building upon that land, to register a lease. It is a simple process and need not be threatening to a marriage. For me it was less a matter of trust but more an issue of equity. I cannot own land my wife can. Thus my only way to have a share in our joint asset is to have a lease on the land for 30 years. The house I built on the land can be in both our names. Now she cannot sell the land or the house without my consent and neither can I. Joint ownership in the Western sense is not possible here but I feel that this solution is no more than any European or American would require of a partner in their own country.

One final word of warning the 30/30 year lease is all very well but the second 30 year follow-on has not been tested in court yet. So for those of you planning to live another 60 years there is some element of risk in the 30/30 lease - no matter how illustrious the lawyer who drew it up.

Ajarn. re: the issue of salaries, taxes and visas for teachers etc. I got my information from the "questions & answers" section of the Phuket Gazette. This is an excellent forum from which to get 'official' answers to various questions. The paper submits the questions to the various government offices and the replies comes from authorised government officials. Don't think we can do much better than this. There is a list of past questions on the site going back about 1 year. The link is http://phuketgazette.net/ Hope this is useful.