FarangYaayYaaw

Hi,

I've heard of all these unbelievable deals on accommodations in Thailand. 75% off, free food, etc. Because there's a recession, people are afraid of Thailand, etc.

I'm coming to Bangkok for all of January, and I'm spending February either in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. I've been checking the internet, and calling lots of serviced apartments and hotels. I can't seem to find any deals.

Anybody have any hints as to good bargains?

Thanks.

i have received 30 days on arival 3 times in the last 3 months. I must leave the Kingdom by the 27 of this month. My plan is to go to Hong Kong and apply for a tourist visa and come back for 3 more weeks.

Is this do-able? Can I get a tourist visa right away, or do I have to wait 6 months from my first entry?

Thanks

What if I have a criminal record, then I can never become a PR of Thailand?

I have a friend who got his PR 2 years ago. On his FBI report there was an arrest when he was 16 for marijuana posession. He was aquitted - but the arrest still showed up. His arrest was 17 years ago.

This was almost a show stopper for him, but his lawyer [said he] was able to pay 80,000 baht in bribes to the correct people to get around this.

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To my knowledge, the Non-Imm O visas are issued prusent to various lets call them sub-catagories (as the name implies, they are "other" visas for situations that don't fall neatly into one of the other visa classes (B or T). The situations include being a student, a monk, studying to be a monk, marrying a thai national, being a missionary, etc, however, I don't recall any of the "other" situations qualifying for this visa being someone not-yet 50, financially self-supporting from non-thai sources and wishing to reside in thailand. If I am wrong in this, I would love for someone to corect me. If anyone out there as applied for a non-imm O visa on the basis of basically the cretirea of the "retirement" extension but not yet being 50 years old it would be great news. However, I have never run into any such mention.

Just today I went to a consulate in the US to get a double entry tourist visa for $50. The women noticed all the Thai stamps in my passport and asked if it might not be more convenient for me to get an "O" multiple entry visa for $125. I said 'sure' and she just changed the box I checked, took the cash, and gave me the visa. Cool.

For those of us who visit Thailand ofthen, this isn't a good thing. Not the end of the world, but the removal of a very convienient option.

So, I find it odd that so many of the posters seem to get off at laughing and gloating at those of us who point this out.

I am sure that there are many people like me who travel throught the region for work but use Thailand for a home-base. This is now impossible - because there is no visa (that I know of) which will let me enter/exit the country as many times as I need to in a given year. (It's ironic that my problem isn't that I stay too long, it's that I leave too often.) I'm really sad to have to move. I, and people like me, were not abusing the system, we were using it and everyone benefitted. I've spent most of my time in Thailand for more than 30 years and didn't know how attached I'd grown to the country until this came up.

If they wanted to stop illegal workers, all they had to do is require you leave for 4 or more days everytime you leave the country.

As far as comparing immigration laws here to Western countries there are pros and cons. I have a Thai wife, she can live and work legally in the US she can also own property and businesses there, Thailand does not afford me the same priveleges.

for years i've worked on a consulting basis around Asia and the South Pacific. I've kept an apartment in Bankok which is where i spent the 25% of my time when not working. Some years i entered Thailand up to 40 times. I would always just get the 30 days on arrival. Rarely I'd stay the full 30 days, sometimes just overnight, usually 5 - 14 days at a time.

This has been good for me, I like Thailand and speak the language and have many friends here, BKK is fairly convenient and inexpensive for region travel, and Bangkok has really become my home. It's been pretty good for Thailand as well: I spend quite a bit of money here, and cause no harm.

Now I'm completely confused about what to do.

Here is a letter the divemaster sent to some people.

From Chris Cruz, divemaster for Bubble Blue Scuba, Khao Lak, Thailand.

-------

Dear Friends,

On principle, I don't really send out group emails but you'll have to excuse me for now, as there's just too many of you... I'll answer personally when you respond of course. Would be happy to hear your voices though... How many angels are watching me??? I just don't know.. Here is yet another chapter of my survival....

Horror in the Andaman Sea

June 6… 9:00 PM…

It was a moonless night, the stars were scattered, glittering & twinkling all over the western skies. The MV Bubble Blue, a 6 months old 24 meters x 5.5 meters steel hulled live aboard diving boat was going to the Similan Islands, one of the well known diving destinations in the west coast of Thailand facing the Andaman Sea, tributary to the Indian Ocean. Our dive shop, Bubble Blue Scuba got the contract from a gov’t agency, the Thai Marine National Parks, to survey the area & search for possible spots to set up mooring buoys, to help protect the underwater diving environment from further destruction from the many vessels that ply the area. This, in the aftermath of the recent Tsunami disaster. There were 2 girls in our team, 2 boat boys, a boat captain, and an officer from the National Park. We were 18 in all. 17 Thai nationals, I was the only farang (foreigner), a Filipino. Except for the crew & the Park officer, we were a mix of diving professionals & experienced divers. !

Only 1

girl did not know how to swim. 10 PM… The boat departs, expecting to reach its’ destination in 6 hours time. Kai, the girl who did not know how to swim decided to wear a life vest, she was smiling nervously towards me. She joined the trip invited by Nuuk, the other female in our group of divers. I came over & gently tapped Kai’s shoulder & kindly told her not to worry as nothing untoward would come upon us. In a few hours I would be proven wrong.

June 7… 1:00 AM…

In my room, I had been reading a book entitled ‘The Holographic Universe,’ for a few hours when I started feeling a bit sleepy, the book occasionally falling on my face. I decided to rest. I checked the blister on top of my left foot. I spilled hot cooking oil on it 15 hours ago. I am going to have to be very careful not to puncture the sensitive skin that is holding the water formation the size of a 10 Baht coin. I took a motion sickness tablet just to make sure that I would doze off. I don’t have a problem with motion sickness, but the engine was always too noisy for me... I was tossing around in bed. I have to get proper sleep for the morning’s first dive… I must have fallen asleep… 2:30 AM… A stern commanding voice calling my name jolted my eyes open. It sounded like the voice of my father. It can’t be, I convinced myself. He passed away last year in October. I must have been dreaming. I cleared my eyes & looked out of the window. It was raining hard, 2 meter waves & 10 !

kph winds

were making the boat sway to a dance. The captain who had 25 years experience in these waters must be having a good time, proud to practice his nautical skills, weaving his way around. Reading the wind & navigating the waves towards safe passage. Nevertheless, the voice inside me told me to remain alert. It really sounded like the voice of my father. Strange!!! I must be hallucinating!!! But it can’t be, I decided to stop taking narcotic drugs ages ago. I drifted to sleep once more. The time was 3:00 AM…

7:00 AM…

The boat stopped. The captain decided to anchor, engaging the trip leader to the fact that it was the best option. Raging storm!!! Punishing winds going 15 to 20 kph & 4 to 6 meter waves assaulting starboard side every few minutes welcomed me to a rude awakening!!! Rain was pelting needlelike on one’s skin. One by one the other guest woke up nervously as they heard the slamming of the unforgiving waves. The divers mostly agreed that they have never been caught in a situation like this. 8:00 AM… The assault of the waves did not stop, though the boat was holding steady. For how long, who knows??? Captain knows best. The thing to do was face the waves & navigate slowly back to shore. We decided to move, but the engine did not have enough power to turn. It’s now nature against machine!!! We felt like a lame duck!!! Captain decides to turn off the engine. I saw Kai put on a life vest, I told her that if something happens she should stick close to me. 8:45 AM… The divers gathered !

on the

steps leading to the dive platform. Looking port side aft to stern the boat continues to tilt 20 degrees every time a wave slams on to starboard. I wonder how long she could take it now. She must be taking between 15 to 20 waves per hour now. I went down the engine room & saw that the water coming thru the air vent, middle deck, to aft was more than what the water pump could displace. There is something wrong!!!

9:00 AM…

The port side has now tilted to the water by as much as 30 degrees. A wave comes, a BCD attached to a tank jumps out of its’ holder down to the platform. I bolted aft to stern trying to catch the BCD. I was too late. I was hesitant as the jolting waves might throw me into the water. Coming back & walking thru the tank holders ever so carefully, I decided to disconnect all BCDS from their tanks & handed them one by one to the divers. I told them we would need it soon. They all looked puzzled in disbelief!!! If they don’t move, now, this vessel was going to be their coffin. I thought, Focus Christopher, I was convincing myself. Take lead!!! I went back to the rig up deck & put on my wet suit & BCD, inflating it. I decided to put on my booties to protect the blisters on my burned foot from sharks. No one was putting on their BCDS… In a gentle yet commanding voice, I pleaded them to put on their BCDS for their own safety… They did so & realized that we were now in danger… I ran!

to my

room & grab my belt bag containing my passport & other personal papers. I put on my dive computer, silver rings & the Maori pendant that my Kiwi girlfriend gave me. Oh god, will I live to see here again??? Adrenaline running high, someone shouted from the top deck for us come up to safety on the starboard side forward to bow. It was the captain. He said it was the safest place to be. But the waves were still ramming starboard side unforgiving!!! She must have withstood more than 40 banging waves by now…

9:30 AM…

Someone handed me a knife to cut off the ropes holding the tarpaulin roof. It was acting as a wind drag that caused the boat to tilt more. I did the chore dutifully scared, grinning at our fate. Why has it all come to these??? Rain, wind & waves would not stop!!! A sudden jerk & jolt tilted the boat further. Port side aft to stern was now almost completely submerged. She just can’t take this punishment anymore!!! We were all hanging on for dear life now. All along the railings, starboard forward to bow was the only place safe. Chaos!!!! Nuuk was holding on to Kai, who was in panic, screaming for help, legs hanging in mid air, hands holding on vertically by the roof railing. She could not make it to starboard!!! If she let go, she would fall down into the water & falling objects might hit her??? No one can help her now. I was moving slowly starboard aft to stern when another jolt threw me out of the railing I was hanging on to. All too suddenly I was in the water. I felt a t!

weak in

my left shoulder joint & realized it got dislocated. A blur & a haze now… I got pulled by the sucking motion of the boat as it sunk some more. My body rammed against the railing. God, no broken bones please!!! Concentrating on setting my left shoulder back into place, with my right hand, I pulled & lifted it from under the arm, another painful tweak, my shoulder was back in place. Whew!!! One by one & all together now the others fell into the water. We all concentrated on being together. My shoulder was back in place but it was throbbing painfully.

10 AM…

Gothic gloom enveloped us... The elements forced us into submission!!! I looked at my watch as I last saw the MV Bubble Blue, top view, forward to bow was the only visible part as she finally succumbed down… She must have taken the beating of between 45 to 60 waves in 3 hours… The last reading on the depth finder was 80 meters… Panic once more, Kai was screaming for help!!! Someone was shouting for me to help her. Why me??? I have a bad shoulder, I was talking to myself. The booties that I put on just the same were giving me awkward motion. I can’t swim properly. Sorry, won’t remove it & expose my burn… Everyone seem to be focused on helping themselves… Kai passed out as I got hold of her. For what is moral & right!!! I’ve got to help her… My shoulder in pain, I gave her 2 breaths, 5 counts, 2 breaths, 5 counts… She came back to life but was in panic again pushing me down… Someone found the capsized dinghy & turned it upright… With all my painful might I pushed Kai towards t!

he dinghy

boat & someone pulled her inside… Oranges & watermelon were floating… Food!!! I told everyone that we had to share, as it would probably be the only nutrition we would have for a while. There is the true danger of dehydration as well. We had to conserve our energy. Rain, wind & waves still torturing us… Kai was loosing consciousness & quickly going into shock, Nuuk jumped on the dinghy & started giving her rescue breaths once more… I jumped on & proceeded to give her chest compressions… We did this for more than 15 minutes… Froth & blood were already coming out of Kai’s orifices… Eyes staring into the heavens, she was gone… Rain, wind & the waves finally eased down a bit… It was 10:30 AM… Kai told me before the trip that it was her first time to be on a live aboard boat. Little did I know that it was going to be her last.

Chris

We were floating for almost 3 hours before a Thai fishing boat with a Burmese crew came to pick us up. I guess we were lucky!!! Otherwise, 17 of us left believed that some more among us would have died, if no boat passed by. I got sent to Vachira hospital in Phuket where my dislocated shoulder was attended to. The doctor placed my left arm on a sling. I am to use it for 3 weeks. 3 people suffered from minor cuts & bruises. 1 boat boy was suspected of secondary drowning. This proved untrue. On the other hand, Kai died of secondary drowning attributed to panic & shock. On the 2nd night after the accident, I had visions of Kai in my head all night. It’s as if I could feel her very death. I couldn’t sleep & kept on puking the whole night. In the morning, Nuuk consoled me in a most Buddhist fashion, "Chris, don’t worry, Kai is happy now. You acted like a true friend & gave her CPR even when no one knew that your shoulder was hurting."

Another example of this kind of transliteration is the Prime Ministers family name. It is spelled Shinawatra or something like that but the final 'ra' is not pronounced. Reading his name aloud you would say 'shinawat'...more or less. If I'm wrong on this, someone out there please let me know as I'm always interested.

You are correct.

All to do with silent final consonants, or ones pronounced differently when at the end.

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Sorry this is way off-topic but I want to ask because it will never be on-topic. You sig:

เข้าเมืองตาหลิ่วให้หลิ่วตาตาม

When I try to translate I come up with non-sense like:

Enter the town squinting causes you to squint afterwards

What does it actually mean?

I have seen similar things but mostly because the parent couldn't speak proper Thai. What rights do you have as a foriegner if you go to Thai school to speak to the Head and can't speak the language?

Who said I can't speak Thai. Not like a native, but better than most Farang I've met. In fact, it was kind of funny, I refused to speak English with the teacher, and she refused to speak Thai with me. My Thai isn't perfect, but it was a lot better than her English! Maybe that's why she was so silent.

BTW somenone said corporal punishment is illegal in Thailand. This was in the late 80's I don't know if it was legal or not back then, but it wasn't unusual. In fact, my wife wasn't at all shocked like I was.

Wow! Real experience finally! Thank you all.

I just had a talk with my son last night - and he says he'd like to try it - wants to improve his Thai and spend some time with his Thai relatives. It's a little easier than it otherwise might be because he'd be entering a new school here next year anyway.

He says he wants to go to school in Thailand and spend holidays in Hawaii with his mother, and see his old friends. So, if I can afford it, it looks like that's what will happen. If I can't it's back to home schooling.

And yet you are still considering subjecting your son to similar behaviour? Believe me, little has changed in Thai schools and as a farang, you still have no rights.

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This was a Thai school. My stepson who was hit there was 100% Thai. I am not considering sending my younger son to a Thai school.

Does a farang kid raised in Thailand will share the lack of critical thinking with the Thai kids?

And will he always be the punished one at school because of being the one who always disturb the teacher with smart question? ;-)

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When I married my Thai wife, she had a 7 year old son. He was going to Thai school. When he was 9 he came home with 3 incredible bloody welts on the back of his leg. He said the teacher went crazy and beat all the boys because she said she was sure they all deserved it. They probably all did something, she just didn't catch them, so they deserved punishment.

I went to the school to talk to the teacher, and she flattly refused to even look at me. I talked to the principle and he let me know as a foreigner I had no right to even be talking to him, and if I didn't like the way they did things in Thailand, I was free to "go home." Shortly thereafter my wife got pregnant she moved to the US.

I know a American guy who deserted the army while on leave in Bangkok during the Vietnam war. He was stuck there for over 25 years - got married and had 3 kids. Was OK for a while until both he & his wife became heroin addicts. He used to beg for money on an overpass on Petchburi. He said he had much better luck with Thais than tourists. He was scared to leave Thailand because of all those years without a visa, and the desertion charge waiting for him back home. He finally sobered up and some of us helped him make a deal with the Thai & American govt. whereby he went to Thai immigration jail for about 3 weeks while his relatives in the states got enough money together to get him home. He then spent about another 6 months locked up in the states. I've lost touch with him, but I heard he was able to get his wife and kids to the US as well.

I'll give you a quick but abbreviated apology.  I don't think I'm racist, but after living in Thailand full time these past two years, I've observed that many Thais appear to be more racist than Americans are.  Now that you tell us you've been living in Hawaii, that helps.  I'm not blaming you for marrying a Thai lady and having a child by her, and I'm not blaming you for raising your child in the USA (I did that 6 times over).  I only raised the issue about mixed-race, as an open question for discussion, because other people have said it can be a problem with teenage peer groups. 

I just broke up with my Thai lover of almost two years - does that mean I'm slimey or racist?

It's too bad that so few people on this board appear to be able to give you direct advice.  Now I'll try to shut up.  Sincerely, I wish you the best.

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Thank you for your apology, but you're apologizing for the wrong thing. I don't care if you think Thais or Americans or anyone else is racist. But what I got angry about was your implication that my kid was somehow inferior. Again your quote:

==============

You said: " the 'half-breed' thing is in the minds of the Whites and the Thais. Sorry to say that, but again, you're the one who made him that way."

==============

I'm extremely proud of my wonderul son - you don't need to be sorry I made him a "half-breed". I assume you don't have kids of your own, but it's bad form to insult other peoples kids like that.

Nuff said.

Agree FarangYaayYaaw, I don't think being half thai half farang is a problem, nor will he have a problem finding a peer group, particulary if he goes to an international school. If anything 50/50s are revered in TH.

I just believe the States is a better option to bring up your son to give him the best advantage in life.

Good luck with your decision.

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Thanks for you sincerety. I've homeschooled him before, and if need be I could do that again - he sort of likes the idea. He's a smart curious kid, will learn, and will get into college - I'm not that worried about his education. (Except the cost of schools like ISB - OUCH!)

Also, Hawaii does not have very good public schools - especially at the high shool level. I could leave him here with his mother, but she's just in no position to help him with school & social issues. Besides that she works 80 hours/week so he'd be basically alone.

I really was looking for first-hand experience with people who have raised teens there, and I got some - but I have the feeling that the vast majority of people on this site have no such experience.

But thank you (almost) everyone for your input!

Hi,

I will be moving back to Bangkok soon. I have a 13 year old son who I would like to bring with me...

Ask yourself, "who am I doing this for, me or my son?".

I think the correct solution should present itself.

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You may have quoted that sentence out of context, Hikage, but look at it - FarangYaayYaaw uses the first person personal pronoun four times, and 'son' only once.

FarangYY - I suggest you DO NOT bring your son unless he INSISTS you bring him to Thailand. His education is not the only thing you should concern yourself with. American teenagers (that's what you've turned him into, in the USA) need a peer group. Your chances of finding a good peer group are difficult, if the 'half-breed' thing is in the minds of the Whites and the Thais. Sorry to say that, but again, you're the one who made him that way. Thais are much more racistor xenophobic than the average Americans are.

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You said: " the 'half-breed' thing is in the minds of the Whites and the Thais. Sorry to say that, but again, you're the one who made him that way."

Shut your slimey mouth - find some other stranger to attack. My son and I love each other, he's a well-adjusted happy kid. We live in Hawaii at the moment where his being multi-racial isn't a big deal - luckilly he doesn't run into many racists like you.

He spent several months in Thailand last summer, and had a real good reception. I'm not worried about Thai kids accepting him - they just think he's a farang anyway. In fact, one of the things I do woryy about, is that several Thai girls seemed quite attracted to him, and flirted agressively - even upcountry village girls - some older than him.

Anyway, I'm asking anybody their opinion on my qualifications as a father - I just wanted to hear from people who had experience raising kids in Thailand, and hopefully some tips on good/bad schools, things to do, etc.

As for

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Hi,

I will be moving back to Bangkok soon. I have a 13 year old son who I would like to bring with me...

Ask yourself, "who am I doing this for, me or my son?".

I think the correct solution should present itself.

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You may have quoted that sentence out of context, Hikage, but look at it - FarangYaayYaaw uses the first person personal pronoun four times, and 'son' only once.

FarangYY - I suggest you DO NOT bring your son unless he INSISTS you bring him to Thailand. His education is not the only thing you should concern yourself with. American teenagers (that's what you've turned him into, in the USA) need a peer group. Your chances of finding a good peer group are difficult, if the 'half-breed' thing is in the minds of the Whites and the Thais. Sorry to say that, but again, you're the one who made him that way. Thais are much more racistor xenophobic than the average Americans are.

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You said: " the 'half-breed' thing is in the minds of the Whites and the Thais. Sorry to say that, but again, you're the one who made him that way."

Shut your slimey mouth - find some other stranger to attack. My son and I love each other, he's a well-adjusted happy kid. We live in Hawaii at the moment where his being multi-racial isn't a big deal - luckilly he doesn't run into many racists like you.

He spent several months in Thailand last summer, and had a real good reception. I'm not worried about Thai kids accepting him - they just think he's a farang anyway. In fact, one of the things I do woryy about, is that several Thai girls seemed quite attracted to him, and flirted agressively - even upcountry village girls - some older than him.

Anyway, I'm asking anybody their opinion on my qualifications as a father - I just wanted to hear from people who had experience raising kids in Thailand, and hopefully some tips on good/bad schools, things to do, etc.

As for

We moved to Thailand with a 13 year old son (and a few others) from Australia. He spent almost his whole time wishing he was back in Sydney. Now 18 and back in Sydney for a year, he has spent almost his whole time wishing he was back in Thailand. Yes, he had friends who delved into drugs while in Bangkok. Probably about the same proportion as in Australia. Agree with Pudgimelon on the school front, ie buyer beware, but found the quality of teachers at his school in Bangkok far better than at his current school.

IMHO parenting, and not schooling, has more impact on whether kids fall victim to drugs.

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Thanks for the reply! Do you mind if I ask what school your son attended?

darn auto-log-on I fogot about that nick! Ignore it - it means nothing, I can prove it!

My son is a good kid and is at the moment anti-drugs. I lived in Thailand for 6 years before he was born, so I know what it's like to live there and my son has been there visiting his relatives a few times, and isn't in love with the place, but doesn't mind it either.

My freind's point was that the percentage of farang kids going to school there who use drugs is much higher than most schools here, therefore there would be a greater chance my son would be influenced by that. But it's all hear-say - my friend is childless, that's why I'm hoping to hear from people who acutally are (or were) putting their kids through school there.

I'd also be very interested in any comments about different schools.

If your kid is inclined to be a druggie, he can do that here as easy as most anywhere else...

I'm all for multi-cultural experiences for kids. My only concern might be the school, and whether he gets proper schooling for his future... One of the accredited international schools would be worth exploring.

Yes, there are horror tales here, like anywhere. I've lived here as long as your friend, and I see no reason to strongly discourage someone from living here unless I know them personally, and strongly feel they don't have what it takes to make it here, for one reason or another. Maybe you might want to explore this possibility with your friend more....

Otherwise, I think it's a great Life Experience for a kid 

Just noticed your nick. Kind of makes me wonder about your parenting a teenager... Or maybe I'm just putting too much thought into a nick that seems to proclaim a big penis 

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Hi,

I will be moving back to Bangkok soon. I have a 13 year old son who I would like to bring with me (his mother is just too busy to really take care of him.) He is half-thai but was raised in the US. When I told a friend of mine who has lived in Thailand the last 20 years he strongly discouraged me from bringing my son - told me horror tales of people he knows who have had bad experiences there (mostly drug related.)

I would be really interested in hearing about people who have experience with this either direct or second hand (not third-hand, rumors, etc.)

Thanks.

There seems to be 2 types of people:

1 - those who believe moral decisions should be made by the individuals involved and their God (or lack thereof)

2 - those that believe morality should be legislated with harsh penalties for those who transgress.

unfortuantely, group 2 seems to be the majority!

A few farang sex tourists crucified on the Beach Road in Pattaya may help deter sex tourists. 

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Hey Doctor,

Why don't you go to Jesus Land (aka the United States) and curtail freedoms there. I think you'll find the government more receptive to your ideas.

All I know about my blood type is that I am B+, is that what they are looking for?

well we've been in Thailand for over a month now and we're all having a great time. Ended up staying at the Conrad serviced apartments. It's mega expensive even with the steep discount - but it's been great. My kid loves it. He's been on 3 trips out of Bangkok to see his relatives in Rayong and Lop Buri. He's been on a visa run to Cambodia with me.

THanks again for all the advice