theoldgit

We had the same problem so we went to the police and filed a case of defamation, ok stretching a point but there were sms messages as well, the police called the perpetrator, and the calls stopped - worth a try.

Yes, CharlieB is spot on I'm afraid, you have known each other for a couple of months and already she is planning to spend six months with you in the UK.

I think you will have a job convincing an ECO that you have a proper relationship and, as has been pointed out, she will have an uphill struggle to convince the ECO of a reason to return from a six month break. That said, if she is a person of means, and by that I mean that she is rolling in money, has a business that somebody is managing, and from which she could just take six months off, property or other strong and provable ties in Thailand then she could possibly succeed.

I think you both need to lower your expectations.

Well written Bagwan, I for one salute you sir

To any pensioner out here in Thailand. I don't have much sympathy as what you are doing is acting as a complete drain on UK economy. Your money is spent completely in Thailand.

Absolutely correct, all you UK pensioners living in Thailand and no doubt still paying UK taxes, should return to the UK where you will not be a drain on the economy, ok you will get the full range of benefits, a winter fuel allowance, yearly increases in your pensions, free bus passes, free NHS cover, free prescriptions, free eye tests, the list goes on, but you will not be a drain on the economy.

Seriously though, i also respect where i am and who is around me as to whether i smoke or not as i know it's a bad habit. I never smoke in a restaurant as even i as a smoker hates it when someones sitting blowing smoke in my face as well as my food, it's not clever and it's not funny...if i feel the need i always just walk outside, round the corner where it's not so enclosed.

Whilst most smokers display your level of courtesy and consideration, there are a small number who don't give a stuff about the comfort of those around them, with an even smaller number seeming to take great delight in making others uncomfortable with the wafts of their exhaled smoke.

They have announced that the Airport Link has been delayed yet again, no target date for scheduled opening, just a delay of a few months - <deleted>!!!

The only thing that I worry about is, will the waitress that gives you the ashtray honour your fine if the Police raid the bar?

I don't think so.

I asked that very question to the management of The Landmark, I sent an email to the guy in charge of the bars and restaurants asking that if they provided ash trays and I was I was subsequently fined 2,000B would they compensate me as I was smoking with their approval, my email was ignored.

I wonder has anybody ever been caught and fined for breaching the smoking laws, or indeed have establishments ever been fined, I doubt it. I imagine police corruption takes precedence over Thai laws.

Anybody interested in attempting to fill Barry's boots?

http://ukinthailand.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us...r-us/job-vacant

Might it be an idea to enforce the current restrictions before making up new rules?

As for the banning of smoking in condo's, I'm a non-smoker, but give em a break. How on earth are they going to enforce that when they cannot, or will not, enforce the law in The Huntman at The Landmark?

As this is the case how much of what is said in the SPONSORS letter is taken into account?

The sponsors letter is very important will be read and the facts taken into consideration, as will a covering letter from the applicant.

Bear in mind that the ECO will consider many applications a day and probably read a large number of sponsors letters, so make sure the letter is not too long and readable, with the relevant points jumping out to the reader.

alina I agree with you that Mr Oxley is not guilty until he has been found so in a court of law, and this forum isn't one, also I imagine that he is anxious to clear his name in Sheffield as he seems to have done in Thailand.

I am sure he will return to Sheffield, clear is name and prove everybody wrong in due course, in the meantime I don't think it's unreasonable that he remains in Thailand to support his wife during her trial.

At the end of all arguments we mustn't forget there is a poor guy confined to a wheelchair with his life and future plans in ruins, he didn't fire the gun himself and whoever did, did so for a good reason, probably money.

If you've got money in Pounds it's probably a very good time to sell it and buy US Dollars, that's what everyone else in the world is doing.

That's very good advice, except for those of us who have a fixed income in GBP's.

The only thing that's keeping me going is remembering when the GBP was almost on a parr with the USD.

Pound at USD 1.20 by mid year, GBP/THB around 40.

I wish you would stop structuring my expectations and leave me to bury my head in the sand.

It's not the Baht that's strong it's the Pound and the Euro that are weak.

With the prospect of a hung parliament in the forthcoming elections the prospects for the Pound are very dire indeed.

Am I the only one considering my future in Thailand, this forum has seen an increase in those struggling to meet the minimum financial requirements of the immigration authorities, and I am aware that a number of expats have said enough is enough and returned to their homelands.

Whilst considering my future in Thailand I have to wonder what I would be going back to.

Yes, she can apply for a visa as a visitor straight away, the six month in twelve month rule kicks in the day she arrived in the UK, and means she cannot spend more than six months in the UK in a twelve month period.

When she applies for a visa she might want to give details of her previous visits, you are required to anyway, and point out that she complied with the conditions of her previous visa. She will still need to explain the reasons for the proposed trip, the ECO will need to be convinced that she is not using tourist visas to reside in the UK for considerable lengths of time.

Obviously she will still need to provide proof that she is likely to return home at the end of the visit as well as financial provisions from herself or you, as her sponsor.

Good luck.

I saw them in Tesco's yesterday, they were on offer for slightly inder 1200B.

I think they are the about same as you can buy in the UK, but I don't think they call them halogen ovens here, I think they are called convection ovens though mine doesn't light up.

http://www.otto.co.th/products_convection_oven.html

I use mine constantly, cooking a full roast most weekends, even managed a full Cristmas dinner. I successfully cooked pies and cakes as well.

Dont discount the North. Fantastic place to visit! The visa can be a bit of a headache, however.

As can the getting out?

Family visit visa, explain the circumstances of the job in China and show proof and your family should not have a problem.

It is quite simple, don't work yourself all up and try to over complicate matters

PS Check your attitude in at Immigration

I don't know the OP so cannot fairly comment on his attitide but why did he have to jump through so many hoops to get a tourist visa?

I thought Moet Chandon was 1400-1500B retail at Tesco in Bangkok.

3950B in Tescos on Rama IV yesterday, that's nearly eighty quid in real money.

Good Lord, why would you want to leave Thailand and go to Korea?

Because wine is cheap.

Oh and I like the cold, because I go their skiing, I'm talking about South Korea.

So where do the people go for whom money is an issue?

I'm sure you know everything that happened, so I'm wrong and you are right! If you don't like Japanese, just say so and get it done with, bro'... I'm sure you have lots of company!!!

But, with respect, you didn't witness it either, even in Western countries hearsay evidence isn't admissible in court.

So are you saying, or rather are your friends saying, that the som-tum guy started beating these guys up without provocation?

You have probably already read this from the airports website

G-Force, Health Club

Passengers can use the swimming pool, jacuzzi and gymnasium on an hourly basis. Fees range between Dhs 15 (approx US$ 5) and Dhs 30 (approx US$ 8). Massage services are also available. Tel: 2164257

There is a hotel you can use, but it seems to be a bit pricey, and probably would wipe out, and more, any savings you made on your flight costs

Dubai International Hotel With 78 deluxe 5 star rooms, 6 junior suites, 2 royal suites, Dubai International Hotel is located on the third level of the Sheikh Rashid Terminal and offers a fantastic view of the runway and the Dubai Duty Free.

Deluxe single room costs as per the time slot are US $ 51/hour from 8:00 pm - 3:00am and US $ 41/hour from 4:00 am - 7:00 pm while Double rooms costs as per the time slot are US $ 62/hour from 8:00 pm - 3:00am and US $ 52/hour from 4:00 am - 7:00 pm.

All rooms are fitted out with TVs, mini Bars, luxurious bathrooms and a safe. Rooms are also available on an hourly basis. Special rooms are available for the disabled.

Dunno about the cost of posting Monster Munch, but when I suggested to my girlfriend that we buy a halogen oven in the UK and cart it to Thailand she advised me that you can buy them in Big C for about 1500B, so that's what we did.

If you do buy one overseas, I think they cost in the region of 2000B in the UK, then pay for it to be sent to Thailand, possibly paying the same again and maybe a bit for the Customs, you will be pleased to know that the electrical requirements are the same, but you might have to pay 10B for a new plug.

Sorry as well as not knowing the cost of posting Monster Munch cannot help with the enquiry about the telescope.