No more thai brides

[Rinrada]

Britain to block Thai brides trade

Eben Black, Chief Political Correspondent

(http://www.timesonline.co.uk/printFriendly/0,,1-523-772414,00.html)-with thanks ST.

THE government has ordered an end to the Thai brides trade which sees hundreds of British men “buying” wives from southeast Asia each year.

David Blunkett, the home secretary, has told immigration officials that women from Thailand, the Philippines and other countries in the region should be banned from entering Britain as tourists or students unless they first sign a pledge not to marry British men.

Under the rules, women who breach the conditions and marry after arriving could be instantly deported without the right of appeal.

The decision follows figures showing that in 2001 more than 25,000 student and tourist visas were issued for Thai nationals, many of whom then got married and stayed permanently.

By contrast only 1,000 fiancée visas — the type needed for people intending to marry British citizens — were issued.

The figures for the Philippines were similar with 20,000 student or visitor visas issued compared with 930 for wives or fiancées.

Blunkett, backed by Jack Straw, the foreign secretary, has declared that the women are effectively illegal immigrants. Many have signed up to agencies that advertise them to British and other western men in catalogues or on the internet.

One controversial “brides abroad” marriage was between Brian Clegg, the former Northern Gas chairman, 75, and Thai Banjit Sawaengdee, 23. They married in 1997 but she left him days after arriving in Britain.

Under the crackdown ordered by Blunkett and Straw, immigration officers in overseas embassies will have to make visa applicants sign a pledge not to marry in Britain.

Most visas given to Thais allow them to enter Britain for three months as a visitor or a student.

The undertaking they will have to sign promises: “I do not intend to remain longer in the United Kingdom and I guarantee that I will not marry during my visit nor apply for settlement nor seek to change the conditions of my stay, nor extend the period of my stay in the United Kingdom nor take employment.”

A senior government minister said: “The system has been open to widespread abuse. Women who have agreed to marry British men are not admitting that is what they are here for. Others come in with the hope of meeting someone they can persuade to marry them.”

The restrictions may also be applied to women from Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union.

Colin Jarvis, of the Thai Arts Foundation, who is involved with Anglo-Thai groups in Britain and has business interests in Thailand, said most women coming here contributed to British society, but some were just bar-girls on the make.

Others, however, feel the new rules are oppressive. James MacDonald, 55, a retired BT manager from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, married Lemon, 28 — her real name is Prapaporn — in Britain last year.

He paid about £1,500 to Thai Professional Introductions to arrange the meeting, hotel and visas, then fell in love.

They had a Buddhist ceremony in Thailand first and then sought a fiancée visa so that she could enter Britain where they later married.

Lemon works in a Thai restaurant in Nuneaton. “Lemon had the right visa but she still had a grilling at the airport,” said MacDonald. “We had to go back to the Home Office six months later for a spouse’s visa, and that was another nightmare.

“I don’t mind them tightening the rules, but what I don’t agree with is that some guy turning up underneath a lorry gets treated better than my wife.”

Is this the S.T. up to a bit of u know what or "wot"

[Rinrada]

No more Thai Brides ....

Sorry George you beat me 2 it .i was trying to phone up ST and DB but they are out...7 hours is a long time.

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