CMguy

Hello Mbkudo

I was just reading a few details about the dollar you might find interesting

to see a few other countries using the U.S. currency see the "International Use" section on this link dollar

I would recommend you listen to the wise words of Up2you. If the relationship is truely sour, that is to say you have tried to salvage it with no success, then staying together just because others think its the right thing to do is the wrong thing to do. You will probably grow bitter towards one another. If you get out amicably the loss of the relationship will be less painful on both of you in the long run. The fact that you are willing to help her out financially is commendable.

I would caution you against getting married again ( if ever) without giving a lot of thought as to why the past ones did not work.

Hello I Chubby Girl

I also read that post in the Nation and must say I was surprised to see it there.

All I can say about it is . There are over 6 billion people in the world, all of them cannot be good. While the opinions of most people have value, some individuals opinions have no value what so ever just. The person that posted that is just an example that. Forget about him, he is not worth remembering.

"let's say it is $75,000 per year."

"not many women consider me a sex symbol."

Three million a year will definately make you one

I think you mean he will be seen as an ATM symbol, which is very sexy to many women.

Hi Faranggerman

I asked the same questions as you. My name is on the birth certificate of my daughter, which in farangland is proof of being the father.

However immigration requires the "rap rong boot" in addition to extend a visa. In the past whether married or not you could simply go to amphur with the birth certificate with your name on it and get the document. In the last year or so it has become more difficult for an unmarried father to get it and now you must meet one of the conditions in my previous reply. IMO I think it is a way for immigration to ensure foreigners do not abuse the right to stay here on the grounds of "supporting a child that is a Thai citizen " They certainly made it more difficult and costly

You will have to use a lawyer. The time it will take from start to finish will depend primarily on the case load of the courts and how well your lawyer can work with the judge or how well he/she may know them.

My case was resolved in about 3 weeks time in Amphur Chiang Rai. However I was told a similar case would take 2-3 months in Chiang Mai. I would imagine the courts would be very busy in Bangkok.

Remember you will have to take your case to the court in the Chiang Wat where the child is registered on the Tabien Bahn.

CMG

I recently recieved my "nawg suea rap rong boot" from the Amphur here in Chiang Mai. I am also living with my thai girl friend and our 17 month old daughter.

The Amphur will not issue the Rap Rong boot unless one of the following conditions are met

1) you are married to the mother of the child and are therefore recognized as the father in Thai law.

2) your child is able to read and write in thai, can understand the law regarding confirming you as the father and able to confirm you are indeed the father in the presence of the Amphur officials.

3) you must go to Thai court to sue to be recognized as the "legal" father in Thai law. This must be done in the Amphur where the child is registered on the Tabien Bahn (house papers). Once this is completed you will be awarded "custody" papers for the child and you then have seven days from the custody award date to register with the Amphur and recieve the " nawng suea rap rong boot" This is the document you need to extend your visa.

I just completed this 3 weeks ago so I am fairly certain it is accurate

IMO you should have your girlfriend initiate the legal proceedings that way the judge will see that you are not fighting for custody but rather you both want you to be recognized as the legal father in Thai law.

50,000 baht seems a bit expensive to me.

I paid considerable less but I worked with the court in the small town of Chiang Rai. If "your childs" tabien bahn happens to be there I can refer you to a good lawyer at a good price. Otherwise I suggest you use your girl friend to shop around for a lawyer, sorry to say but once a lawyer hears a farang voice or see's a farang face the price will probably be much higher.

Good luck

I have literally checked out dozens of websites for hotels here in thailand over the last 3 years and Thailand-hotels voyage now consistantly has the best prices. I am ussually able to get confirmation for my reservation in 1 day but be aware that you sometimes require 48 hours or so to get confirmation on a room. By the way I don't work for them in any way shape or form I am just a happy customer.

check out the price for the room I think you will be pleased with your savings

CM

On Chang Klan road near Mc Donalds and The Royal Princess hotel about a dozen or so Drivers/Guides are to be found on most days(mornings are best). You can have a look at the cars and a talk with the drivers and negotiate after detailing your requirements. I have paid 800-1000 baht per day in and around town for 6- 8 hours, gas included for a decent car with a driver with a fair command of english. You should expect to pay more for gas if venturing away from the city. The quality of vehicles can vary greatly but the price really does not vary that much. So you should not compromise quality or comfort to much.

On this Forum I regularly see a lot of strong negative opinions of the “sex tourist” I have a few questions regarding this.

1. Who is the “Sex Tourist” or “Sexpat”? Is it a Tourist/expat that has sex? Is it a Tourist/expat that has/does exchange (d) money for sex, either directly or indirectly? Is it a Tourist/expat that will satisfy someone’s needs like food, drink, housing, companionship, drugs, medical care for the sick Buffalo, etc In exchange for sexual gratification.

2. Are all Sex Tourist/ Sexpat’s bad? Many expatriates in Thailand collectively group them in the category as bad individuals. IMO I don’t think that one should do that with any group of individuals not even Nazi’s. Ever see “Schindler’s List”?

3. Are you or were you a “Sex Tourist” or “Sexpat”?

I have seen the worm guy and I feel sorry for him. Sure he may make his disability seem more pathetic than it is in a effort to get more cash. I guess he is making the best of a bad situation. I dare to think how I would be if I was in his situation. We all (hopefully) will never know how we would be in similar circumstances unless we walk a mile in his shoe.

I don't know about that program but if you donate 50k U.S to me I will be your friend.

Hello rainman

Laos Immigration will accept Dollars or Baht ( or even most major currencies as there is a currency exchange booth there) but the exchange rate they use makes payment in dollars cheaper, for example the last time I did a visa run to Laos I paid $30 the guy in front of me paid 1500 baht.

Cheaper still if you have the time would be to get the visa in advance.

When someone ask how much is the cost of living in Thailand there are as many answers as there are people answering the question. Having lived in Europe and the U.S. and now Thailand I would say you could safely maintain the same standard of living here on half the amount or less than is required in the U.S. or Europe. If you have any particular vices you can spend money as fast as you can take it out of your pocket but its up to you to budget that based on what you can afford.

Competition will often under cut the mom and pop operations. In many cases the small markets cannot compete with the sheer volume and hence the lower pricing often available in Tesco, Carrefour and the other big supermarkets (regardless of your bargaining skills).

The big markets however reqiuire a large customer base so they cannot operate everywhere. I would venture to say that in large communities the business of the mom and pop shops will only get worse, but there will always be a place for them in more rural places.

I have recently bought grits at Rimping Chotana supermarket near Chang Puak rd in Chiang Mai .

Not Quaker oats and not instant but they still satisfy the craving.

I have no Idea.....do I have a lifeline with Jeopardy? if so I'd like to use it now.

I'll take famous quotes for $200 please Megashox

IMO the reason people are so quick to judge when a person suspected of abusing a child in any way shape or form, is simply because it is such an emotional disturbing crime that reason is lost and emotion takes over.

Most "normal" adults can't help but love the innocence of a child, it is absolutely the cutest thing in the world. Unfortunately some people for whatever reason twist it all up into something perverted. Maybe it is sex, maybe power or any other excuse an unstable mind can create to justify ones actions.

Child abuse is a problem the world over and nobody really knows how to stop it completely.

This is such an emotionally charged issue that it will almost always make me react with my heart before my head takes over. It would appear many others feel the same way.

Kids deserve our protection and those that "violate" our kids deserve the most severe of punishments. Should we castrate everyone accused? Of course not. However "if" found guilty in a "properly" conducted trial bring out the dull, rusty knives and get to chopping away.

Please disregard my errors with grammar, spelling etc. I excelled in science and math and just " got by" with my English studies.

A person should be considered "Innocent unless proven guilty". The statement "Innocent until proven guilty" implies the finding of guilt as inevitable.

This should be a fundamental right for anyone in any country, anything else and the police can act as judge, jury, and executioner.

Maybe I stand alone on this but I don't trust anyone's judgement that much.

That said investigate the alleged crime and act accordingly.

Who is Richard Harkness?

"What is a committee? A group of the unwilling, picked from the unfit, to do the unnecessary." Richard Harkness

Sorry thought this was Jeopardy

In Theory: When you consider that the same 4 x 6 inch pack of dried marijuana leaves can be resold numerous times, fines associated with those getting set up can also add up quite quickly. Do this on a larger scale. You could earn enough to buy a 30% share of an English Football team in no time.

If this is a troll..good bait!!!

If this is for real which I highly doubt. In my unprofessional but worldly wise opinion you should check your self into a mental institution for even considering it

I know I would.

IMO you should never tempt the Mrs with a "Prize for your demise"

Keep the life insurance policy low enough or payments spread out enough that you are more valuable alive than dead.

Since i am having such dificulties in obtaining my visa extension could i apply for a one temporary stay as a "migrant worker" and actually get health benefits to boot?

Hello Gentlemen

I am in a similar circumstance in that I wish to extend my stay based on supporting a thai child, however I have encountered a number of obstacles

Please note that as rules vary from district to district I can only vouch for this being factual at Chiang Mai Immigration

When I applied for my extension I had with me the following

- My passport with a Non Immigration O visa issued in the U.S.A.

-Proof of sufficient funds in a Thai bank as well as proof of a pension exceeding the minimum reqiurements

-mothers ID and house registration

-Childs birth certificate with me listed as the father

me the mother and child all went to immigration together as a family Albiet not a married family

However I am at present unable to obtain the REQUIRED "tabien rap rong boot" or document from the Ampur Muang that states I support the child.

-For a legally married couple it is straight forward just show birth certicicate, ID or Passport of the parents and marriage documents and it is issued.

In the past it was equally as straight forward for an unmarried couple, however now they can no longer issue it to you unless you the alien have obtained custody of the child by sueing for it at "Sala Glang" (City Hall).

I am in the process of enquiring about ways to avoid a lengthy and costly court issue to obtain the document of child support.

I have a couple of Question for the wise and experienced men and women of this forum:

1) Is this Child Support document required in every district to get a visa extension based on supporting the child ?please note that the birth certificate and mothers info is all that was required by me to get the initial visa

2) Is an award of the childs custody required to obtain the Child Support document in every district in Thailand

My issue was addressed in a thread that I initiated before, however since that time and prior to this post I revisited Immigration, Ampur Muang and City hall with the family and clarified everything as best that I could.

Thanks in advance for all useful advise on this issue