connda

actually I don't think they give a hoot about the on line service system. It only serviced a small part of the population. What they care about is using the agents they can receive the proper paper work with out having to explain it to the applicant. I watched many an applicant at the airport have to go out back to get photocopies and then come back.

I've been doing my own yearly extension paperwork for 5 years (the business I worked for did the paperwork prior to that).

Every year my paperwork is completely in order including me making copies of anything that I anticipate they may ask for (even docs they never asked for before - just in case). I check all the TV threads regarding annual extensions prior to my appointment (which I can't make anymore) in order to see if any regulations have changed. I don't want to use an agent when I am completely capable of supplying CM Immigration with all the forms and documents that they require. It's a waste of money to get an agent. But I also don't want to get up at 3am in the morning to drive from rural rice-paddy-land in order to get in line to obtain one of the coveted 20 queue numbers, if I can actually get one of the coveted 20 queue numbers. It's a waste of time. Especially when the On-Line queue system worked just fine for me.

Now, I can understand how an agent can get a queue number for you if you contacted that agent 2 to 4 weeks in advance, but how can an agent get a queue number for you if you show up at immigration without an appointment, you're unable to get a queue number after standing in line, and then you contact some arbitrary agent without prior notice and after all the queue numbers have been issued, and the agent can get you processed that day. I think it's perplexing. Very confusing. Magic? Maybe I should burn more incense and candles before heading out for my extension?

Like others, I now feel forced to contact an agent, and all the agents I've spoken with have told me to contact them 2 to 4 weeks prior to the end of my current extension. So, it's all very confusing. What's the difference between the various agents? Some can do same day service without prior notification after all the queue numbers are handed out <see post 472>, and some want 2 or 4 weeks prior notification.

Humm? I am totally perplexed and confused?

After nine years in Thailand, I'm moving to Zijuatanejo (Remember "The Shawshank Redemption?). Three reasons:

1. Tourist Visa is ~$25 U.S. Good for six months. No visa runs, no 90 reporting to immigration, unlimited (thought that may change in the future).

2. NO work permit needed to jam with the local musicians in the bars/clubs.

3. Jomtien beach is a sewer. Looks beautiful from a 5th floor condo, but I tried swimming in it recently and thought I might need to get some shots after, just filthy!

I'll be there in six weeks, I'll keep y'all posted on the progress.

Good Luck!

Public health warning closes Mexican beach made famous by Shawshank Redemption

By SARAH GORDON

PUBLISHED: 09:41, 9 April 2014 | UPDATED: 09:42, 9 April 2014

The beach that Tim Robbins dreamed of escaping to in the 1994 film Shawshank Redemption has been closed to the public due to contamination.

The Mexican beach of Zihuatanejo, on the Pacific Coast, is where Robbins' character, wrongly-convicted Andy Dufresne, dreams of seeing out his days, fixing up a boat and taking tourists out for trips.

But anyone hoping to follow in his footsteps is advised to stay out of the water, due to high levels of pollution in the water which are causing health problems among the locals.

A sign has been placed on the sand, reading: 'Dear tourists, the quality of the water is not suitable for recreational swimming. Please avoid swimming in this area.'

Levels of the enterococci bacteria equal 399 per 100ml of water on the beach, significantly higher than the 200 per 100ml limit imposed by the Mexican authorities.

Zihuatanejo is in Guerrero state, about 150 miles north of Acapulco, and is where Dufresne talks to veteran inmate Red (played by Morgan Freeman) about escaping to in Shawshank Redemption.

Local authorities claim that each year contamination levels soar, before dropping back to normal levels again, but there are claims that the beach is worse this year - just ahead of the peak Easter holidays.

Local fishermen who use the beach frequently complain of skin problems and wounds getting infected due to the polluted water, while one dive instructor claims it's easy to tell each evening who has been swimming in the waters as they have red, blood-shot eyes

Wow, talk about straight-to-the-point bodyslam. You've quashed Mr. quandow's dream of paradise. Wonder what he's going to do now?

I have friends living in Peru. They like it.

I thought about Mexico but I like Thai women much better than chicas.

Ohhh, there's something SO sexy about a pissed off Latin chick!

At least I can understand what a Latina is saying when she is pissed off. Lol

Breaking news: latest retirement destination with stunning mountains and sunny sandy places are Afghanistan and Irak,visas are easily to obtain and cost of living is extremely cheap...just the lasses are difficult to spot( I mean the pretty ones)...

Afghanistan and Iraq, where the men are men and the goats are scared.

Isn't this New Zealand???

Idaho?

I have never been with a Latino woman. However I would like to tick it off my bucket list. Can we discuss here, politely please, the pros and cons between Latino and Thai girls?

If you like 'plump', Latinas do tend to plump up as they age. Not bad if your into the 38 to 42 range, and I don't mean age. Lol Lot's of loving to be had. And you can pick up spoken Spanish in about a year. Predominately Roman Catholic if Buddhism isn't your thing. Family oriented and probably a lot less likely to have a gik on the side. If you enjoy Mexican food (I do) you'll plump up too.

A driving licence doesn't show one's immigration status, which, in the current hysteria over the bombing suspects, might account for the tightening up.

I carry a copy of my current passport, 90 day, yellow book, and a Thai driver license that matches the address on my yellow book.

But if those in the Land of Corruption want to shake me down, easier to pay the fine, obtain names and badges, and report the incident at a later date, hopefully with video to back it up.

Or just let it go. We know we live in a corrupt country. You deal with it. In perspective, some Western countries are as corrupt if not worse. Won't name names. You understand or you don't.

It may become more difficult for those who rely on cheating and corruption to stay in Thailand.

We have already seen a decrease in non educated Ed visas and life time "tourist" visa runs...

That is not a bad thing, is it?

Still beleive in Santa Claus and the tooth fairy do you?

It's easier than ever for fraudsters and criminals to stay in thailand. As long as the immigration keep accepting bribes then criminals will always have a much easier time than the law abiding.

BTW, criminals don't use visa runs, doing so would just be like a flashing light to the authorities of their presence. So eliminating the visa runs will have no effect on crime. Like I said before, the only way to stop foriegn criminals entering thailand is to stop all foriegners from entering the country. There is no other way.

I'm assuming those who are up to their ears in illegal activity, payoffs, and corruption probably have the funds for the Thai Elite Visa. No questions asked.

I think there is going to be closer scrutiny of all classes of people staying in Thailand.

As I mention in this post concerning the conviction and subsequent dropping of charges in lieu of simple parole of a convicted Thai national.

At least in this court, Thai convict are given less stringent reporting requirements that foreign expatiates, i.e., a parolee reports 6 times in two years; a foreign expat reports 5 times a year (four 90 day reports and one visit to process an extension) not to mention home visits.

So in this case, a convicted felon only has to report 3 times a year to his parole office; foreigner have to report 5 times - So question in point: who is viewed a the most serious national security risk?

It would be interesting to know if this is standard practice in assigning parole, but in my book, every foreigner is a suspected convict and needs to be watched with more diligence than convicted Thai criminals. Interesting?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/854536-phuket-jail-term-suspended-for-tiger-disco-inferno-deaths/page-2#entry9834399

What security issues? Just stay away from the mafias and in a tourist location, you're fine.

Speak passible Spanish (mexican) and you should have not problems. Spanish is one heck of a lot easier than Thai seeing that it's based on latin.

It is not hard to get a copy of your transcript from US schools. It is fairly routine and can actually be done online. It is also fairly quick. I graduated a long time ago and it seemed that someone in officialdom in Thailand had misplaced my transcript and they wanted a new one. I sent an email to my school and they directed me to the website that explained how to do it, how to pay and how to get expedited delivery (it would not have been in a sealed envelope, but that wasn't needed at that time).

In the meantime, they decided I didn't have to resubmit it, so I didn't follow through. I have a full teaching license, by the way.

We have never had to submit any transcripts directly from the school. This part is new for us.

I have had teachers submit their transcript in a sealed and stamped envelope from the school.

For applicants from the US, we could get a verification of degree from the National Clearinghouse and that was sufficient with a copy of the degree and transcript. I assume this will not be a valid method any longer.

The biggest problem is the time delay in getting this done from some places and with the visa situation being a little tricky.

I've never had a problem obtaining a sealed copy of my degree and curriculum, and I graduated in 1992. Heck, after all this time their Alumni is still bugging me to contribute.

I believe the unopend enveloppe from the university is actually the pactise for some time now at the teachers council and not a real policy.

That is standard practice at many institutions, and one that I support. It weeds the fake degrees and bogus teachers from those of us who worked our butts off to excel at our degree work. Kudos

Sex is a commodity in Thailand. They all want money but have different ways of going about getting it. Some just work as hookers and get paid by the night, others will be with you all the time but will eventually have some problem for which they need money and guess who they will ask!!?? Others, like my ex-wife will go the ultimate route and marry a guy, then go about draining everything from him. One thing is for sure, they ll want a guy to TAKE CARE of them. The more you spend on them the more you love them is their reasoning.

She probably still has her Thai boyfriend, and is milking as many dumb and gullible Farang as she can, ...you included. They love money, and will do anything to get it, .. but they seldom ever fall in love themselves. You are her latest mark.

Enjoy your time with Thai women, but keep your valubles safe and watch what you drink!, .... and DO NOT fall in love!! It is a one way street

Another superb post.

One of my wife's friends owns a massage business. 90% of these establishments run the same. First, she found a boyfriend to pay for the business. Once she had the business going, the boyfriend disappeared out of the picture. But she'd date (sex too) one or two farang guys at a time plus her Thai BF, plus anyone online who would send her money. Eventually she met a younger guy that she 'loved' and a retiree who was financially well off. Thai BF was out of the running by now. Both guys knew of the other guy. The gal would talk to my wife a couple of times a week. "What to do?" "I love young guy, but older guy has money, built me house, and takes care of my two kids like they're his own." That went on for about a year. Finally economics took over youthful lust, and she married the older guy with money, who than had her sell her business and moved her and her kids to Austrailia. Good move there imho, because it gives the kids a Western education. Is she happy? Sort of. She's happy she can take care of her parents and extended family, her kids will get a good education and learn English, but not happy that she cut herself off from "love and romance". Call it sacrifice. If I was this guy I'd have a rock solid prenupt, but also understanding the age difference, if she occasionally went out to sow some wild oats (with protection), why should he care. He doesn't meet that need. This guy was living in an 'open relationship' prior to marriage, i.e., he wasn't the only one sexually involved with his finance and he knew it. For those who can work with open relationships, more power to you. I've divorced more than one wife for infidelity, but when the current wife decided the grass was greener on the other side of the soi about 5 years ago, I told her to enjoy herself, practice safe sex, and let me know when she gets tired of playing around. I lived my own life until she and her farang BF got into an unsolvable disagreement, and back she came. We resolved an number of issues, and we're still together. She has friends, heck, call them gigs. I don't care if she goes out with her farang guy friends. If it keeps her happy, cool.

So you have to make a decision. Is fidelity and infidelity something you're really concerned about? I'm I worried about my wife becoming emotionally involved with another guy? No. I won't explain that either other than to say we're both way past baby-making, we've establish a home and routine we live by. Is it perfect? No way. Lot or room for improvement, but we are both getting old. And we both know it. I'm not going anywhere (with another women) and she ain't going anywhere (with another guy). She occasionally goes and has dinner with one of her farang guy friends - I know who they are and she usually tells me in advance or afterward. I'm not jealous. Not even if she is having an extended dessert. I plan to grow old and live out the rest of our year together. That's her plan too. So, our lives are fine, and could still get better.

So, are you jealous? Your life will not be good.

Are you distrustful? Your relationship will not be good.

Do you care if she has a gig or two? Your relationship will not be good.

And we already know you worry about her cheating. Your relationship will never be good.

Get out, pull your head together, figure out what you really want in life, get a real grip on Thai culture, and don't keep around anyone but a girlfriend who pays her own way other than when you are taking her out for dinner on occasion. Keep your finances separate. Heck, you're single, date multiple girls. Find a nice, middle-class gal with a job, get to know her family, develop trust, and don't expect to have sex until you have really ironed out the cultural differences between your cultural and hers, and are excepted by the family (not because you are a financial asset - you should be aware of that at the start). You're vetting them just like their vetting you. Mom and Dad should be financial secure, not poor Isaan farmers. Just a 'heads up' from someone probably much older than you and who has been around the block a few times and has the bruises to prove it. (If she says mom and dad need 30 baht of gold for sinsot, have a nice long talk with mom and dad. Can't work it out, send her down the road. Ideal parents will want sinsot for "Show" during the wedding, but decent middle-class parent will give it back to you so that you can use it to start your own lifes. So don't become a sinsot victim either. Know the difference.)

But it's all up to you. You'll figure it out one way or another. Best of luck.

It's been about a week. Have you dumped her yet? Or are you going to hang on to see how bad it can get.

What does the 'test' actually 'test'? Thailand doesn't have a reputation for logical, objective-base testing.

Sounds like you did a bad thing...

Bad things have consequences...

Drugs in Thailand, no matter if its for personal use or not or if you believe it should be ok.... really doesnt matter, because its a big thing in Thailand and most of the world knows not to do it....

You did and tried to buy your way out....

I dont agree with what you did, but as a dad, I understand the anguish of a child out of your reach.

PM me and I will give you the contact details of a lawyer that will help

Consider your next vacation to Washington State or Colorado in the US. All the pot you want to smoke, no problems with immigration or the cops. Leave your unfinished bag in your rental car. Good tip for the car cleaners. In Thailand, stay away from illegal drugs.

I tossed the OEM tires that came with my Honda after about three years. I'd get a flat every two months.

Replaced both tires with Michelins four years ago. Had my first flat last week. Looked over the tire, and after four years of service I figured it had enough wear. I replaced it with another brand new Michelin. Why mess around with cheap tires and flats.

I watched a guy on a 'big bike' have his 'ticket punched' after going into a slide and hitting a railing on a dual lane highway. Excessive speed or tire failure: not sure what brought the bike down, but the rider has ridden his last. On motorcycles, excellent rubber and daily checks of the tire and pressure are a must. But! Up to you.

Fool me once, shame on me...
Fool me twice,.....

Stay with real ladies. Less testosterone, not as strong, don't tend to outright rob you. They're more subtle. Like they will willingly get you to fork out 10k THB for mom's sick buffalo.

Clinton / Bush

What else do you need to know. Everything else is bread and circuses.

Am pretty sure I'll be busy when she get here.

Now, back to reality...

If you have to ask, then, probably so. Why care. It's a buyers market.

I don't know how many jobs will be available but when I was working in the Los Angeles area in the 80's I made a living by scheduling classes at various community colleges and adult schools. I was able to fill my week pretty well year after year teaching mornings and evenings. During school breaks, I was entitled to unemployment benefits. So far as teaching in the camps and by volunteers in libraries, etc., despite this there were lots of well-paying jobs available. The students appeared to prefer the colleges and adult schools. The jobs wound down as the number of SE Asian refugees dwindled but they are bound to pick up again with federal dollars paying for the English and citizenship lessons for the new refugees. The USA has vowed to accept 10,000 Syrian refugees but will probably be shamed into accepting more.

The Chronicle of Higher Education newspaper will list the jobs as they become available and they will be advertised locally in newspapers as well. Announcing the jobs is a legal requirement in the USA. When I left the USA in 1996, full-time jobs at the community colleges were paying $65,000 per year to start with health and retirement benefits. Part-time teachers were paid around $20 per hour and under California law the schools had to make fractional payments to CalSTRS depending on how many hours you taught. That's why I have been receiving CalSTRS pension payments for the past eight years and also receive a payment from the Private Schools and Colleges Association in Japan. I taught at Payap in Chiang Mai 1983-84 and realized that if I wanted a comfortable retirement, I had to move on. My retirement IS comfortable. Good luck to everyone.

The 1980 in California is not 2015. The pay has not changed but the cost of living has skyrocketed. Best of luck living there.

Go back to the US to teach refugees? Needs to be a better reason than that...in fact a much better reason.

The refugees are getting government housing, benefits, and medical. Which means they would be living better than anyone who went back to teach them.

Pathetic pay, high cost of living, and get sick one time and your financially ruined. For younger folk who are serious about making more money, there are other options: Japan, Korea, Saudi Arabia for instance. For those teaching here, it isn't about the money.

Life is not about how much money you can make.....Life is short so just enjoy it! F.J x

I'm thinking that anybody who chooses a career teaching English as a second language isn't aspiring to the financial pinnacle of say, an Harvard MBA grad aspiring to work for Goldman-Sachs. I'm pretty sure that Jamie Dimon would disagree with you.

Most Syrians speak better English than Merkans already.

Touché!