chenposeb

Yes, sorry, just still a bit peeved, guess I forgot the details.?

I wanted to talk to someone about it but they just ignored me. Didn't even ask me to wait until the queue had gone down or anything.

I am surprised that you need a degree to volunteer. This seems ultra strict. Is this just for helping their teacher by correcting his English? I am still classed as a teacher? How about if I help to give the monks their lunch? Do I need a degree in hospitality?(I know I'm just griping).

The form he gave me as a checklist says I need wp3 to get a non-b. I tried explaining that I was working as a volunteer which was different from working as a job.

He said because on the paperworkthe word school is written. So I need to be a teacher to volunteer there. I tried to get him to explain what he meant and that it was in fact the village temple with a school for novices next door that I was staying at.

The inclusion of the work permit receipt wp3 seems to be the problem, as does the letter from the ministry of education, because why would the ministry of education ask me to help out at the temple doing random volunteer work? It's volunteering, not a job. As I understood it the work permit would be like my driving license, I do not drive my car or motorbike every day at set times, but I need the license to do so when I have to, same with volunteer work permit, just gives me permission to help out when needed. I really don't see how it can be classed as a job.

(I know this post has many gripes and I am not expecting them to be fixed-just wish I knew how to legally stay in the same country as my wife, practising my religion, helping out my friends and living in the house I bought.)

Wrong. I got denied today.

I had letter of invitation

All the correct form filled in.

I also had a copy of the temples registration

And another letter from them asking to supply me with further advice for my return to Thailand.

I was told I had to get a non b, and then asked to provide all the paperwork for that instead.

Hi.I really need a visa but am finding it pretty hard. All this nonsense about good guys in,  I guess a'good guy' is subjective.

So this is my story so far:

I moved here with my wife so that she could be nearer her aging parents. Our marriage is not acknowledged by Thai law, but is in many other countries around the world.

I was originally advised by Thai officials to stay here on tourist visas perpetually until I can get a retirement visa.

I visit temples often, and among them, one of them has a school next to it for novices.

I have struck up a great relationship with the monks there and some of the monks would like me to help them improve their English, especially the English teacher who has asked me if I can correct his lesson plans. We are fine living on my savings and my wife is working in Bangkok right now so I can volunteer. Also the trip to the temple is making a dent in my savings for petrol, so the monks have invited me to live there as a lay person.

So now the visa problems start.

Our local Immigration department doesn't know and told us to see the labor department, they told us they didn't know but they cannot do anything until I get a non-b visa. I checked online at the websites of the embassies and most consensus is that I apply for a non o then go to labor dpt. and ask for a letter and apply for non b from immigration.

To cut a tediously long story short, the main problems we seem to have is that I need a letter from the ministry of education and a work permit wp3 form amongst other things to be a volunteer. I have seen nothing about this on any volunteering website, but this is by the by.

Now, I don't think the letter will be a problem from ministry of education, although not sure, but I seem to get on well with all the folks down city hall. My main problem is how to get a work permit to get the non b without a non b to get the work permit.

Surely this is impossible.

Its like saying you won't buy cheese for a sandwich without the bread and you won't buy the bread without the cheese.

Can I still apply for a TR and sort out the rest of the paperwork over the next few months?

Sorry to bring this thread back, but we are having a few problems trying to find the right information to sort this out.

The local Buddhist Office (that oversees the Province) has said they want to help, but apparently can only sponsor monks/nuns/novices  to volunteer, not a lay person.

The work permit office has said it is fine for me to volunteer, I just need to go and get a non-imm B Visa then they can give me a WP. Apparently to get a non-imm B I need to have a degree, although I have said I am ok with not being officially 'a teacher', even though I have over 15 years experience in teaching and coaching, I can just help kids with conversation skills... of which I have over 40 years experience :)

Do I really need a degree to volunteer? There are kids who volunteer here who obviously haven't got degrees.

The temple have also said they can write the letter I need asking for my skills to help the monks and novices improve their English Communication.

I have already had 2 TR Visas from Vientiane, if I go there again should I be applying for a Non-Imm O (3 month) or The B Visa, and what documents do I need to take with me?

Sorry for a lot of questions but we are literally being bounced from Office to Office with conflicting information all the time.

24 minutes ago, maoro2013 said:

Sounds akin to the tenets of communism

I believe a mixed economy takes methods of both socialism and capitalism (communism being an extreme form of socialism). I am unaware of there being any set guidelines that say a mixed economy needs to be stronger in one or the other.

I find it quite sad that people just label the policies without looking at the true benefits for the majority of people. Even full capitalism is meant to further the majority (although this rarely happens).

If we look at other countries like Bhutan who have a large majority of their citizens happy, is it so bad?

Thailand already has a great sense of community and that is normally achieved through socialist methods, but there is also room for capitalism as well. The best of both worlds. If you really want to understand the sufficiency economy, you can educate yourself and find that it is actually a very sensible and worthwhile approach. The great thing about it is you can follow it as an individual also to improve your life.

Just now, Paul Catton said:

Believe that in the long run it will be you that is charged, donation for this and donation for that, light a candle donation, light the incense sticks donation, rattle the fortune telling sticks donation, (insert others here)

Yes, like I said it is called Dana. I was a monk and lived in a temple for 6 years. We are lucky to be able to give to the temple whatever we can.

from the sound of that post, you may still have hungry mind. Maybe a long stint in the temple might help

The donations are only short run things, think about how many billions of lifetimes you may have lived, you cannot get upset for a few candles and stuff...lol

Thanks ubonjoe, coming to the rescue again I will chat to the temple and see what they can do. I have until November until my next visa issue, so there's time to sort it out. I obviously won't start until everything is in place though.

thanks for the info, any idea the correct procedure to go through as a volunteer?

is it the same as a regular WP?

Hi,

One of the local temples has asked me to teach English Language to some kids at the temple.

Obviously it will all be volunteering as I have no intention of charging, it would be a chance for me to practice the teachings of Dana.

The thing is, I am pretty sure I need a volunteer visa for this sort of thing and currently only qualify for a TR.

What would be the correct way to go about doing this? I found a thread from about 2008 but was hoping there might be someone with more recent information.

I could not be an official 'teacher' as such as I only have a TEFL, HND, 20 A-levels and about 30 GCSEs, I never got a bachelors degree because I never needed one before.

The temple has a school for the monks, and I would be expected to volunteer there.

I would also like to do other things at the Wat such as cooking and cleaning and other religious activities which are considered 'work' so would I also have to list these for a possible work permit?

Any help would be appreciated.

On 01/09/2016 at 10:12 PM, Dumbastheycome said:

Fascinating ! The emphasis as  usual is on how to avoid having to go home ! No detail on  why an individual  desires to continue  stay in Thailand and no evidence of any desire to actually  naturalize but seeking to extend  fatuous reason to linger.

So is it any surprise  Thai Immigration  has introduced elements  of notification in the absence  of reasonable  cause?

Perpetually  drunk  and  shagging is beyond the  capacity  of  beaurocratic acceptance now.

 

It's great how people here live in their own little bubble of ignorance and tarnish the world with it.

I personally want to be naturalised as a Thai, I am doing my best to learn the language. The food, music and customs are all quite normal for me. I have been a Buddhist monk, and lived in a temple for over 6 years, even though I am a lay person, I am still very dedicated to Buddhist practise and spend a lot of time in my local temples. I get involved in nearly all the local festivals and events and really enjoy being part of the community.

If I get sent back to the country of my birth (which incidentally I come from an immigrant family so the customs there are also alien to me) I personally feel a great deal of stress as I am not allowed to practise my religion freely, get frequently called racist names (and not in the endearing way it is done here), I will be separated from my wife who has to look after her parents, I will lose a lot of very close friends and family. My place of birth has only some distant cousins left alive, so not much help there.

Before anyone starts complaining about the 'correct visa' a tourist visa is all I am eligible for, we have tried applying for many others and we get very apologetic responses from all the Embassies we have been to, but this is all I can get. I have also been told that without a considerable increase in my finances it will be pretty much impossible to ever be a Thai citizen.

A forum like this allows others who may also be in a similar position find ways to stay in our home, as for a lot of people this is our home.

thanks ubonjoe

much clearer copy than the one I was going to use

I had 2 experiences with liquid soap, both left my skin itchy, so I just use the old herbal ones they sell in the market for about 5baht each.

Also keeps the mossies off as they are not fond of the citronella smell.

Hi,

I am interested to know if anyone has downloaded and filled out the Laos VOA form in advance and just filled out the arrival card when they got there.

My next trip to Laos might be at a busy period and I would like to avoid the big queue for the forms. I will be crossing at Nong Khai Friendship Bridge Branch if that makes any difference.

Also, if anyone has a good link to download the form, the only one I found is a bit blurry. If I remember correctly the form is a different size to regular A4.

Thanks.

I take it that checking at the local Amphoe here would be better before just being left without a YTB? as it was a real bugger to get first time round. I also have to go get a new visa next month anyway.

Don't know whole situation, your clip looks like it's rough for you, recently had to get out of a similar situation. I actually bought all the land and materials though.

Good luck to you if you can get out of it with anything.

Just try not to get too pissed off with it, we are just another statistic, which I thought after 8 years would not be the case.

Thank you for the swift reply. Will try that.

Hi,

How easy is it to transfer details on the yellow book?

I have been getting really annoyed with my FIL who finds it really funny to keep 'forgetting' to register me when I come back on my new Visa.

Immigration keep fining me, I keep telling him to remember to send the details and he doesn't, because he knows I will just pay the fine.

I have a rented accommodation in a separate district (not far though as I live on the borders of 2 districts) which I use a little from time to time, I find I am using it more often, and the landlord strikes me as being a little more organised.

My driving license is also registered at the old address. My other fear is that FIL tries to blackmail me by threatening to take me off his house list whenever he wants something.

Sorry for giving you a story, but I was hoping to save a lot of wasted replies as to why it is important for me to do it.

Anyone know of a language school in Nong Khai where I can learn Thai? Preferably an official one that can get me an ED, not just someone's cousin who wants to earn a few bob, I have been tearing my hair out at well meaning relatives' attempts...lol

There used to be one by the train station, but I can't see it now, unless I'm not looking hard enough.

Thanks.

Probably too late for your trip now, but there is still a beach about 10 - 20 klicks towards Tha Bo I believe. You know when you get there because all the tourists are trying to park their SUVs in what should be the middle of nowhere. The big lilos, water wings, and general other beach paraphernalia they are carrying gives it away a little, so not much of a secret.

The Tasadet market goes quiet about 4pm but there are loads of other places to go, restaurants etc., on Saturday there is the outdoor market that goes on until about 9pm. There are some great thai places with live bands that go on until about 1am, I know of at least 3 Issan country pubs which are really fun if you like that sort of thing. If not, the farang bars are pretty empty right now, so you can pretty much play whatever music you want, and maybe with whoever you want ( I am talking about pool obviously).

If you explore, you will find the places.

No degree, limited Thai experience.

Will try later

I also have no job yet, even though I have been to quite a few interviews. I had 3 places contact me and said they wanted me to work for them. One even emailed me and said they want me to start this term and will be in contact, not heard anything back yet.

I am now checking over the phone whether they have actually read my CV as in a few places the interview goes great until they ask for the degree and transcript, which I then remind them the first paragraph says I have a vocational Diploma not a degree and that the CV says the same thing. I get the feeling that the degree thing is almost on zero tolerance.

I went for a job in the Isaan area last week and there were 3 other farang 'walk-ins' being interviewed that day (apparently). So I guess it depends where you are.

Good Luck though.

Thanks for the views, and if anyone did any research.

I might go with a submersible if I can find one as the tube might be big enough for a small one.

All the other options seem quite expensive.

If anyone in the future sees this and wants to know of surface pump options, the best I have found so far is a 'solar piston pump', hopefully they will be cheaper in the future.

I would go along with some of the previous suggestions about a way (maybe poorly executed) of declining you the position 'nicely'.

Move onto your next interview and if the others all say the same thing, there might be something in it. I wouldn't dwell too long on unsuccessful interviews.

Hi Felix,

No arguments about the 'natural' thing. Just highlighting that it is sometimes our actions/fears which cause the out of balance situation and with a little different planning can save more work.

From the post you said earlier I thought you were putting borax in the garden which wouldn't really help your beneficial bacteria/fungi or EM formula. It might work slowly still though. Is your water from the tap? The heavily chlorinated kind or just well water that's been UVed? Soil/plants will survive on that water but might not thrive on it.

Your house is a different space (unless you grow your veggies in there...lol) and even though I am quite happy to sit and watch swarms of ants migrate from one side of the house to inside/under the house just before a big rainstorm and then take all their eggs back out again a few days/weeks later I do not expect anyone else to do that. Anyway, ants in the house is a little off-topic. I do feel they fill the gap of the lack of earthworms where I live, so I let them be. For me this is part of my ecosystem that involves the EM mixture I apply.

I don't feed my fish, but that's not because I try to be 'natural', it's part of the system that has grown around me and it doesn't interfere with me so I leave it alone, apart from taking a few biguns out(for the sake of the little ones of course ). I still don't get the living in caves thing? So sorry I can't comment on that. I have heard of a few people who do, but I don't think that has anything to do with an ecosystem for growing/supporting soil/plants, I think some people just like to do that.

Generally I don't think that fresh water watering, manuring and growing the right kind of plants in abundance would create an ant problem that lasted too long, but I may be wrong.

I'm not saying you have to do any of the things I do, just giving you some different perspective so you can make better decisions. Don't worry if you don't agree with what I do, I am used to a lot of people not understanding where I am coming from. Hope that helps

Hi,

As kind of usually happens on my farm, I mention something that I need to get round to doing and one of my family has the bright idea to organise everything the way they think I wanted it organised without even checking to see if I really wanted to do it.

The last pump we had came about due to this misunderstanding and we now have an electric cable from the in-laws house extended through 'various means' over 4 other peoples rice fields. Obviously thinking about safety (not even a plastic bag to wrap the plugs) and the fact that I was happy to be off-grid I mentioned that we would need another option. The hole only draws very salty water so the water isn't a lot of use anyway.

I have just found out another well has been dug (FIL took it upon himself to organise it), just gone and paid the guy for it. They know I wanted a solar powered pump, so they just dug it and left. Looking at the hole though it seems a submersible is going to be a real squeeze if at all possible as they just dug the same way as they would for a normal electric powered surface pump. Could be wrong though, I just thought submersibles needed a bigger tube.

Does anyone know of a good reasonably cheap solar powered surface pump system I can use?

I am trying to get something sorted before anything else gets done 'for me' as I am pretty sure it might be another c**k up.

Thanks.