InterestedObserver

Thai marriage certificate needs to be translated and then certified by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

FWIW, I added TSM 12.01 (dual) to my microSD card in a Garmin nuvi 1300 from the U.S. I had to de-select the U.S. maps to get a satellite lock here in Thailand. Then everything worked fine. took me awhile to figure that out.

Agreed, you can only view one map at a time, deselect all other maps. I don't see what that has to do with satellite lock though. Are you able to switch between the TSM v12.01 [dual] Thai and English language maps with the US purchased nuvi 1300?

Until I de-selected the U.S. map I could not get a satellite lock. As soon as I de-selected the U.S. map I got a satellite lock.

I cannot figure out how to switch from English to Thai.

With the Thai OS nuvis purchased in Thailandl you change text language to Thai, touch Tools > Settings > Language > Text Language > Thai.

FWIW, I added TSM 12.01 (dual) to my microSD card in a Garmin nuvi 1300 from the U.S. I had to de-select the U.S. maps to get a satellite lock here in Thailand. Then everything worked fine. took me awhile to figure that out.

Agreed, you can only view one map at a time, deselect all other maps. I don't see what that has to do with satellite lock though. Are you able to switch between the TSM v12.01 [dual] Thai and English language maps with the US purchased nuvi 1300?

As said, if the landowner has given you a long-term land lease that has been registered at the land office and recorded on the back of the title deed (Chanote) then all you need is a building permit in your name. If this is agricultural land you may not be able to get a building permit.

You can not get a divorce from the Thai embassy, such divorce would not be recognized by the UK. You can either get a divorce in Thailand (cheap, but difficult because of your medical condition if you have to go there) or in a UK-court.

Inquire at a Thai law firm if they can act on your behalf in a divorce case.

The UK seems to recognize a legal Thai marriage so there is no reason the UK will not recognize a legal Thai divorce. I seem to remember that Thaksin Shinawatra got divorced in Hong Kong at the Royal Thai Embassy.

I live in a condo in Pattaya, run the aircon 12 hours per day, and the condo/PEA bill comes in at around 3.5 baht per kWh.

IO, thank you for your reply, will follow up on your advice.

Caution: When you follow the directions on the CD your existing Australian map will be deleted. If this is not what you want then use a microSD card or have ESRI in Bangkok install the map to GPS internal memory.

The best map would be the Thailand Street Map, version 12.0 available from Garmin dealers in Thailand. It usually is supplied on a CD with instructions for loading the map file to GPS internal memory. The map can be transferred to a microSD memory card. You should be aware that Thai junction view usually does not work with foreign origin Nuvi GPS units such as your Nuvi 40.

If you are still in Australia, Garmin sells their Southeast Asia map, including Thailand, on microSD memory card. This is not the same map as available from ESRI (GPSsociety) Thailand.

Are you certain that PEA has Time of Use (TOU) or demand type metering and rates available for residential customers?

1. NO

2. NO

3. Ask PEA where you are building your house what service size they can supply in the way of electrical capacity, both single and three phase. Compare that with your anticipated total demand.

Are you certain that somebody else has not tapped into your condo electric meter, 1000 units per month is a lot for a three room condo unless you run your air conditioning all the time. You are also paying a high rate per unit of electricity.

Are there any retailers for Garmin in Phuket?

Whatever route you choose to take, do it before you are married. That includes building the house. Don't use a joint bank account for any of the funds.

Thank you all for the advice.

I think I will go with the lease and a prenup as I want her to have the house when I am gone anyway.

The assessed value of the lease will be taxable income to your GF/wife. Current building and land tax rate is 12.5% for leased property.

Whatever route you choose to take, do it before you are married. That includes building the house. Don't use a joint bank account for any of the funds.

Use the Southeast Asia maps of TomTom, both in English and Thai. The devices are not (yet) for sale in Thailand, but you can get them in Malaysia. Maps cover Thailand.

Are you certain the Tom Tom Southeast Asia map is available in both English and Thai?

The problem with this solution for the OP is that he is in the US military, in my ( to be fair limited experience ) of dealing with the JAG office he has to be very careful, more careful than civilians so to speak, as to how he conducts himself here. If his ex-wife is switched on at all she'll know the repercussions of a complaint to the JAG office.

The other problem the OP has is with his direct chain of command, I've seen some outstanding support given to US mitary members, and I've seen some surreal and atrocious decisions been made as well. So please keep in mind that the OP can't just go AWOL, and that he is subject to a far more layered legal system than civilians.

So what looks like excellent advice to civilians is just not "do-able" for the OP.

From the U.S. Department of State. "Parental Kidnapping is not a crime in Thailand and Thai authorities will not issue a warrant or become involved should one parent take a child without the other parent's authorization. The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction cannot be invoked if a child is taken from the United States to Thailand, or vice versa, by one parent against the wishes of the other parent........."

There is nothing JAG can do for the OP, except perhaps put him in contact with a Thai lawyer. The OP either has to take back custody of his daughter by whatever legal means (see above) or go to Court in Thailand which can be an expensive and time consuming process with an uncertain outcome.

It is not impossible, just extremely difficult. After qualifying, which in itself is no easy task, people can wait years for an answer. You need a history of working and paying taxes in Thailand, contributing to Thai society, ability to speak Thai, no criminal record, and being well connected helps.

It makes a big deal if one has legal custody or not in Thailand, as a person who has custody can determine the place where a minor stays. A person without custody cannot and can be charged with kidnapping.

Yes, the OP has the right to just take his child. He would not be advised to do that on private property, as he would be tresspassing and it would be better to take the child away from somebody else than the mother. If it is legal is however something alse than if it is wise or safe to do so.

In Thailand a person with "parental power" has a better legal position. The ex-wife may not have signed away her parental power when she agreed to sole custody for the father during the Amphur divorce. The OP may have sole custody, but the ex-wife could retain significant authority to manage the affairs of the child.

Any of the Garmin nuvi models with a dual language Thailand Street Map installed will keep you from getting lost while driving in Thailand. The Garmin nuvi 2465 is a good mid range model. Best available does not mean better navigation, just more bells and whistles.

In Oz when a property is owned both by husband and wife "joint names" I understand the said property automatically transfers into the living partners sole name and I do not believe there are any costa such as stamp duty and transfer(sale) fees?

Correct. Under Australian law, the owners must be named as joint owners/owners in common and then, in the event of the death of either one of the owners, the deceased party's ownership transfers to the surviving proprietor (owner) free of any duty or tax.

As I understand the OP he wants to purchase a condominium in Thailand. How is Australian law going to help him with the purchase.

Once again thanks for the input makes good reading and good sense.

Questions: Why an offshore company? and What is a tor sam?

1. An offshore company is a way to circumvent various Thai laws.

2. "Tor Tor Sam" is a Foreign Exchange Transaction Form required to purchase a foreign owned condominium.

According to Thai law all property acquired throughout the course of the marriage becomes jointly owned marital property between husband and wife regardless of how the title is held. You make a Thai will to assure distribution of Thai assets upon your passing. If you die intestate, Thai law has a defined order for giving away your assets.

I'd say go ahead and use the adapter, provided it's still working. The 4+ amperes is a maximum demand when recharging the notebook battery, not continuous use.

What does the ex-wife want for return of your daughter? Have you asked her directly?

I am also confused. This is apparently a negotiated sole custody agreement between you and the ex-wife as part of an Amphur divorce and not a Family Court ruling? Do you have sole custody awarded by the Thai Family Court?

Dear Int.Observer,

Thanks for the codes. That's exactly what I was looking for and I already programmed them with my Garmin. Do you happen to be in Huai Nam Dang area recently? Is that area negotiable by a small car? The reason is that I have heard from some of my Thai friends that the road is not very good for cars and needs a pick up or similar vehicle.

Reg,

Amal

Most of the sites you requested are in the mountains, one of them is at 1350 meters. You asked, we provided locations. I wouldn't take the wife's Honda Jazz on the trip.