jazzbo

Here would be a good place to start (English version):

http://www.ambbangkok.esteri.it/Ambasciata_Bangkok/Menu/Informazioni_e_servizi/Servizi_consolari/Anagrafe/

I have a reconstructed right collar bone thanks to a Pick-up truck driver (me on bicycle) in Florida ... I developed a habit that at any mere hint of a collision I turn to the right and lower my left shoulder such that there is no question that I will knock-over any potential collider ... during my 6 month stint in BKK I never had any problem although I did in fact knock a few lightly ...

What I find universal in Thailand is that they will stand in front of the elevator doors waiting to get on so that you have to practically knock them out of the way before you can get off.

BTW I just noticed Weslh1 at #25 has much of the same technique

Post #19 Some people just like to learn for the sake of it. I know I do... Sure... but they (not I) do not post / read / advertise about it in the VISA Section... I started learning written Chinese 40 years ago when it was then still considered a classical language with no practical purpose.

Post #12 Just PM me and let me know your needs... Needs = Visa ... some way shape or form.

There is nothing about the affirmation of income as issued by the US Embassy in Bangkok that would preclude that such income is from prior years' earnings which have been properly declared to the IRS and for which any taxes due have already been paid... and your current year's earnings as far as the IRS is concerned could be zero.

The following is from BUPA/Thailand Terms for Individual Policy:

14 Examination Rights

If the Covered Person does not allow the Company to investigate his claim or give permission to access his medical record or diagnosis, the Company reserves the right not to pay such claims.

I often assist Thai students who are seeking graduate-level overseas study -- so when I hear of some of what goes on here to qualify for a 'Education' visa -- at least for the time being -- sleep learning doesn't seem any much more ridiculous.

If you've ever wanted to master another language, cram up on any subject, commit to self-growth or just pass those exams - with less effort!

"Sleep learning is a way to harness the power of your subconscious while you sleep, enabling you to learn foreign languages, pass exams,

undertake professional studies and implement self-growth by using techniques based on research conducted all over the world with great success."

Hey! Tony Robbins says it's so -- so who is anyone to doubt -- all you have to do is pay a registered Thai language school the 25K and guarantee that you will sleep at least 4 hours per week with your tapes running and you will ace any inquisitor at CW or the various IMM outposts.

more at sleeplearning.com

Gee CT

TV dinner by the pool

I'm so glad I finished school

(Frank Zappa)

Go elsewhere for schooling? My unofficial little 4-year old daughter now learns English, Chinese, and Japanese at her school here in Thailand ... I get to make demonstrable contribution to disadvantaged persons here to Thai society ... and then go out wenching.

I don't know about how 'the world' works but about the best reading as to how 'the insurance world' works is the 1944 screenplay of Billy Wilder''s film noir Double Indemnity starring Edward G. Robinson as the hard-nosed claims adjustor.

http://sfy.ru/?script=double_indemnity_1944

I for one would not be so hard on K. SB and his frustration ... his mis-judgment IMHO was that all those attributes that allow his wife to be a wonderful person and in control when in her home country do not for many persons transfer to the USA or anywhere else ...

Which is why I am always happy to see on the 'Visas & Migration to Other Countries' front page that there are no topic queries about re-location of a Thai female to the USA.

I hooked up with a no-college degree 'stupid' Isaan girl solely because of looks and personality only to later find out that she could probably score close to 800 on a math SAT.

>... and Immigration Police Order 777/2551 -- before listing the documentation required for the 31 reasons for extension of stay -- says that these are "Criteria for Consideration of Granting an Alien Extension of Stay in the Kingdom." It does not say that any alien having such documentation is automatically granted such stay.

It has been my personal experience over about 5 years that on several occasions -- before signing my affirmation of monthly income letter -- the US Consular Official will ask if I am aware that the Thai IMM Officer has the right to ask for corroborating documentation.

The US Embassy does not 'certify' anything; the affirmation letter just states that the person in question stated under under oath to a US government official that they claim such an income.

Imported food items I have bought in Thailand this year: 1-500 ml Tesco olive oil, jars of mustard from France/Netherlands, the occasional imported tomato products and pasta from Italy, 1 kg Grana Padano cheese from Italy at Makro, 4% grade powdered whole milk from NZ that I buy for my morning coffee... that's it...

Oh and the coffee which I believe is from Indonesia and the Lipton tea bags for iced-tea from India.

Cajun and Mexican spices / chills I bring from USA each year -- not too much weight

I'm a water baby too .. swam 1800 meters this morning in my crystal clear 30 meter salt-water pool ... The land is flat as a pancake ... so is the Gulf of Thailand unless there is a typhoon.

Hello Kuhn Blazes-- I agree with you... Isaan is boring and endlessly flat ... please advise all your friends in Chiang Mai.

I've met a few here from CM and after a few days/weeks they end up running back to CM pulling at their hair.

As per OP query a health insurer in Thailand whether Thai-based or Thai JV venture with some foreign based insurer would -- for the most part -- not be in the least bit interested in what is referred to as 'personal and private information' UP UNTIL the point where you file a large enough claim to put their claims adjustors / investigators into action.

At that point -- as TVI mentions -- you have already granted them a waiver to obtain any and all medical history information from anywhere in the world they deem as necessary to make their decision on the validity of the claim as to pre-existing conditions, medical history, etc.

BTW when you apply for coverage from BUPA/Thailand they ask for the name of your exiting insurer or prior insurer and the policy number. That makes it easy for them to back track. And if you said that you do not HAVE any exiting or prior coverage and they find out that you do/did, that in itself would be grounds for denial of claim and cancellation of your policy with no refunds.

The larger Tops Markets now have an excellent selection of imported/domestic meats, cheese, breads, produce, groceries, etc. -- at a price -- for all those who want to live in Thailand but eat as if they were still back home.

Post #8 keeps you away from the bars for a few hours and get to live in Thailand. For a Thai person to study English language in the USA requires for visa purposes minimum 18 hours per week study ... that 4 hours per week 'out of the bars' is not set in stone.

What may be most important when you walk into the Thai IMM office for your extension of stay with your US Embassy affirmation letter: Body Language.

The document I received from Thai Immigration (in Thai with their English translation) dated 3 December 2008 says:

In case of having monthly income... Applicant must provide evidence of a monthly income with a minimum of 65,000 baht ... This evidence must include a Letter (issued by your Embassy of citizenship) ... Income could be pension, interest, investment payoff, etc.

Thanks for the reference to Al Capone ... I was recently audited by the IRS -- not for anything that has been mentioned here in this topic -- and everything is copacetic ... your concern for my well-being is appreciated.

All unlikely to apply to most expats ... especially those without a good tax accountant.