Just got kicked out of thai with valid visa

[BritTim]

Speaking of reading and writing Thai, is there a song like we have in English so that one could learn the Thai alphabet by singing ?

OK the first 6 seconds or so are kind of boring, but just wait, then it gets into the actual song.

There are several. This is the main one for learning consonants (awful singing, unfortunately, in this version, but you could probably find a more tuneful version);

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T02AkRj6Pcw

[jspill]

He was refused on suspicion of working here, and lack of funds. If we're defining criteria for ed visa abuse, it's that, not lesson attendance.

If he was able to read and write Thai, he'd have been let in. Whether someone self-learning, paying for tuition they don't attend, and not employed here, is 'abusing' the visa, is a matter of opinion. I don't think it qualifies as abuse. Until IOs ask to see statements of attendance instead of just checking Thai ability, it would seem they don't either.

Ed visa is for attending school to learn new things.

Attendance is required.

Attendance is reported by the school on a form as part of the 90 day extension process.

He admitted to not attending classes.

After being on Ed visa he would have needed paperwork from the school for 2 extension showing his attendance.

He received extensions twice.

Conclusion: The attendance report received by immigration did not correctly reflect his true attendance.

Checking ability is being done by immigration possible because they do not believe the information provided to them on the 90 day extension request.

I do not keep 20,000 cash in my pocket when entering Thailand but I could walk to an atm and get the money. If he couldn't produce 20,000 baht then something is suspicious. (assuming access to Atm)

Financial requirements for Ed visa should be enough to support yourself for a year without working.

20,000 might be enough for a one month tourist but even that is a small amount for a tourist.

If schools would report accurate attendance then testing would not be necessary and students taking a short holiday would feel confident about returning to Thailand

Education visa is for an education in Thai language.

Attendance is rumored to be starting to be required, i.e. enforced, not yet confirmed by Bangkok immigration (correct me if I'm wrong?). It's in a state of flux.

He admitted to not attending classes on thaivisa, the IO didn't ask him that, just tested his Thai and asked for 20k in cash.

I understand how people don't like young guys coming here for a year at a time to study, but these are the facts unless I'm mistaken.

It's fun to write every sentence on a new line.

[FiestyFarang]

I expect more of this type of thing.

I wonder if there's a new crackdown being launched ?

Did they let you in on a 30 day visa exemption, a 7 day 'refusal entrance' or refuse entrance completely at the airport and make you leave on the next flight available ?

Edit : From what I've heard if you're refused entrance you can buy a ticket to fly anywhere you want, you don't have to go back to whichever country you come from.

Yes there is probably a legal difference between being refused entry and deported. The problem is as we know flights at the last moment are always very expensive.

[Mario2008]

2 posts removed that are not helping the discussion in anyway.

[brewsterbudgen]

I thought an Ed visa was for studying a language not being proficient in one! Surely someone fluent and literate in a language doesn't need to study it?

[casualbiker]

I thought an Ed visa was for studying a language not being proficient in one! Surely someone fluent and literate in a language doesn't need to study it?

According to immigration Thai is so easy. You can learn speaking, reading and writing in 6 months!

[DaffyDuck]

I thought an Ed visa was for studying a language not being proficient in one! Surely someone fluent and literate in a language doesn't need to study it?

According to immigration Thai is so easy. You can learn speaking, reading and writing in 6 months!

You probably can, if you attend classes religiously, and avoid speaking and reading English when outside of classes.

[jpinx]

I thought an Ed visa was for studying a language not being proficient in one! Surely someone fluent and literate in a language doesn't need to study it?

According to immigration Thai is so easy. You can learn speaking, reading and writing in 6 months!

You probably can, if you attend classes religiously, and avoid speaking and reading English when outside of classes.

Certainly can -- deep immersion is a well-known way to getting any language under your belt.

Daffy .. fwiw I was taking the mickey out of that supposed linguist last night. He'd have quoted his qualifications if he was real

[DaffyDuck]

Daffy .. fwiw I was taking the mickey out of that supposed linguist last night. He'd have quoted his qualifications if he was real

Hmmm, didn't seem like you were, actually.

[totally thaied up]

I thought an Ed visa was for studying a language not being proficient in one! Surely someone fluent and literate in a language doesn't need to study it?

According to immigration Thai is so easy. You can learn speaking, reading and writing in 6 months!

Over the 18 months I studied here (two years ago), in my class, 6 of us were solid in the course an we stuck mostly together. The rest of the students were fluid, not seeing them too much an many new faces always at the start of Book One but by page 70, most of us were so lost, many just seemed to drop out an then start again from the start of Book One. It was sensory overload. Most of us did not learn quickly or well. Those that did ok, could speak a lot of Thai already an that made a huge difference.

We all (my friends an I) did Book One at least 4 times an we could really only handle it up to page 80. The younger ones seemed to learn faster. At the very start, many years ago, we were just thrown into the Book head first with no pervious teaching at all of the Thai alphabet. It made learning almost impossible.

Those on Book Two or Three mostly could speak fluently an read an write very well. Most were using the classes for learning but a few told us silently, it was for a visa. One guy from another Asian country was questioned once at Immigration an upon extension, warned next time he would not be let through if he did not take his studies seriously an they told him to then apply for a Retirement Visa. I also know of another Westerner this happened to. He was later forced onto a Retirement Visa. So I gather the correct Visa for the correct lifestyle.

No, I believe it is over the top to be able to read an write in 6 months. Yet then, I am very slow, so for others, it may be easy. I will never learn Thai an shall not fool myself an use a correct visa for my entries. For some like myself, I saw the writing on the wall 2 years ago an due to sickness, I walked away from the ED route.

[jpinx]

I googled some of his "explanations" and they came up verbatim on one of the dictionary sites

[blastface]

I googled some of his "explanations" and they came up verbatim on one of the dictionary sites

lolololol link to the site then. hahahahahahahaha I can't express how much I'm laughing at you right now with text. Maybe a linguist could do it better

[jpinx]

I googled some of his "explanations" and they came up verbatim on one of the dictionary sites

lolololol link to the site then. hahahahahahahaha I can't express how much I'm laughing at you right now with text. Maybe a linguist could do it better

You're safe now -- your nonsense has been deleted from this thread

[blastface]

I googled some of his "explanations" and they came up verbatim on one of the dictionary sites

lolololol link to the site then. hahahahahahahaha I can't express how much I'm laughing at you right now with text. Maybe a linguist could do it better

You're safe now -- your nonsense has been deleted from this thread

But what you know is true can never be deleted from your heart. You'll just have to wait to forget that you were schooled and embarrassed. I doubt you'll do this again, so everyone wins.

[The manic]

So many people think that they have a "right" to be in Thailand by reason of their visa, occupation, property-ownership, bank-balance, whatever. What they studiously fail to comprehend is that NO foreigner has any "rights" to be in Thailand. We are all here as guests and need to be civil to our hosts or they will un-invite us pdq

Such bull-headed-ness will cut no ice if you're a foreigner in EU, USA, Oz, etc. You'll be on the next flight home

Applause! +1

You stated it perfectly.

No, not correct. There could be weeks, months or even years of legal appeals in the countries you mentioned. If Thailand wants to keep the right to advertise in our language, on our TV channels, to run businesses, in our countries and to try to attract us to visit Thailand then it needs to rethink its racist, xenophobic attitude towards non Asians. At every level of interaction.

They want people to VISIT Thailand. They don't want them to stay illegally.

Yes I get that. But I thought he was contacting TV because he thought he was being treated illegally and arbitrarily and subject to a non valid language test and being sent to a country he did not want to go to. He was not setting up a drug ring, a terror cell, a peedo ring or any criminal enterprise. He was not even trying to erect an illegal umbrella on a beach! He had problems with his visa. That's all.

[jacksam]

No.... The OP topic line, should of read....." I had a valid ED VISA. However I was not using it for its intended purposed. As result was refused entry. Let this be a warning".

It wasn't about the Thai test or lack of funds.

The IO saw something in passport, perhaps related to his numerous business trips to HK or attendance from wallen school. The latter prob not. He was correctly refused entry. 25+ pages over this. Hells bells

Edited December 2, 2014 by jacksam

[brianp0803]

I am curious about refused for lack of funds.

Do people need cash in hand or is using an Atm ok?

Because easy to find Atm I seldom carry much cash, but have easy access to get any cash i need.

It will be interesting if immigration starts giving penalties to schools with non attending students.

[Mario2008]

It is cash in hand.

Normally t is not asked for, but if they suspect something miss they can ask to see if you have enough cash and if you don't they have a valid formal reason to deny you entry without further discussion.

[brianp0803]

But if can walk to Atm and withdrawa required amount then ok?

Just curious. Is there a big difference between cash in the wallet and cash easily available at any atm machine?

But anybody on a non working visa should be ready to show availability of sufficient funds for the length of their visa. Seems reasonable and easier to prove than attendance.

But if on work permit then no problems.

[paz]

But if can walk to Atm and withdrawa required amount then ok?

Just curious. Is there a big difference between cash in the wallet and cash easily available at any atm machine?

As explained may times already. The requirement is cash in hand. To let you walk (albeit accompanied) to an ATM is a concession that they are not obliged to do, and will not do when their intention is to refuse entry.

[paz]

The IO saw something in passport, perhaps related to his numerous business trips to HK or attendance from wallen school. The latter prob not. He was correctly refused entry. 25+ pages over this. Hells bells

Not "correctly". In my opinion, it was abuse of power by Immigration, and failure from the OP to appeal.

[balo]

But if can walk to Atm and withdrawa required amount then ok?

Just curious. Is there a big difference between cash in the wallet and cash easily available at any atm machine?

As explained may times already. The requirement is cash in hand. To let you walk (albeit accompanied) to an ATM is a concession that they are not obliged to do, and will not do when their intention is to refuse entry.

That's just ridiculous , you can be a millionaire and only use ATM cards when you travel , you should be allowed to go to any ATM and cash out 20k .

[MJCM]

But if can walk to Atm and withdrawa required amount then ok?

Just curious. Is there a big difference between cash in the wallet and cash easily available at any atm machine?

As explained may times already. The requirement is cash in hand. To let you walk (albeit accompanied) to an ATM is a concession that they are not obliged to do, and will not do when their intention is to refuse entry.

That's just ridiculous , you can be a millionaire and only use ATM cards when you travel , you should be allowed to go to any ATM and cash out 20k .

A long time this rule was also in effect for some land borders but they quickly done away with that rule because all visa run buses would be a target for robbers as each of the occupants would carry at least 20k in cash and thus would be very easy targets.

[JohnnyBKK]

I had my credit cards with me and they refused me to go to the atm.

[Slip]

Although I am inclined to agree with you, the big official stamp in his passport that says 'lack of funds' suggests otherwise.

As for the poster who says "this is ridiculous", I'm equally inclined to agree, but that is the law of the land, ridiculous or not. There are lots of rich people in the world- far too many to be afforded special treatment.

No.... The OP topic line, should of read....." I had a valid ED VISA. However I was not using it for its intended purposed. As result was refused entry. Let this be a warning".
It wasn't about the Thai test or lack of funds.
The IO saw something in passport, perhaps related to his numerous business trips to HK or attendance from wallen school. The latter prob not. He was correctly refused entry. 25+ pages over this. Hells bells

[bkkcanuck8]

But if can walk to Atm and withdrawa required amount then ok?

Just curious. Is there a big difference between cash in the wallet and cash easily available at any atm machine?

As explained may times already. The requirement is cash in hand. To let you walk (albeit accompanied) to an ATM is a concession that they are not obliged to do, and will not do when their intention is to refuse entry.

That's just ridiculous , you can be a millionaire and only use ATM cards when you travel , you should be allowed to go to any ATM and cash out 20k .

Ridiculous or not, the ATMs are not at immigration - they would have to escort you to the luggage side for you to be allowed to withdraw funds (that is not their job). Even if they did, they might want to get remunerated for it. If you are a millionaire, I am sure they would not ask you because you would have already got the Thai Elite Card and have fantastic service already - and they would have no reason to distrust you. When I travel, often my credit cards get frozen because I have changed patterns -- are you saying they should then allow you to make a call wait a while and then take you back again. Again, they might - but then they might not escort you to an ATM.... but I would not bet on it. If you were a millionaire and decided not to get the Thai Elite Card then you should have no problem keeping the equivalent of a notes in your wallet - since it would mean nothing to you.

[jacksam]

The IO saw something in passport, perhaps related to his numerous business trips to HK or attendance from wallen school. The latter prob not. He was correctly refused entry. 25+ pages over this. Hells bells

Not "correctly". In my opinion, it was abuse of power by Immigration, and failure from the OP to appeal.

Well as many have stated....we only have Johnny's side of story. Mind you he stated many frank things such as never attending class. I find it strange that there dose not seem to be a post from anyone on ed visa that has this happen to him. Also the op stated it was the senior io.

[bkkcanuck8]

Well as many have stated....we only have Johnny's side of story. Mind you he stated many frank things such as never attending class. I find it strange that there dose not seem to be a post from anyone on ed visa that has this happen to him. Also the op stated it was the senior io.

And one of the Thaivisa moderators which had heard from confidential sources that yes - it was basically true.... Then the stamp in his passport that he posted.... that put together sort of gives you a good idea that what he is saying is true. Obviously they don't select lots of people, and they had to have suspicions about him (probably related to his inability to understand something simple) which might have been noted on the computer.... There have been cases where extensions to visas were rejected at immigration because of the lack of understanding of a simple Thai sentence. If you run into a diligent immigration officer (probably not enough of them) - people that skirt the system will have problems....

Edited December 2, 2014 by bkkcanuck8

[jacksam]

Although I am inclined to agree with you, the big official stamp in his passport that says 'lack of funds' suggests otherwise.

As for the poster who says "this is ridiculous", I'm equally inclined to agree, but that is the law of the land, ridiculous or not. There are lots of rich people in the world- far too many to be afforded special treatment.

No.... The OP topic line, should of read....." I had a valid ED VISA. However I was not using it for its intended purposed. As result was refused entry. Let this be a warning".

It wasn't about the Thai test or lack of funds.

The IO saw something in passport, perhaps related to his numerous business trips to HK or attendance from wallen school. The latter prob not. He was correctly refused entry. 25+ pages over this. Hells bells

I don't know if they have a stamp that says...." We don't think you have been attending class...also you travel very regularly to HK. Maybe your working" ..

Let's just stamp insufficient funds

[thailiketoo]

Well as many have stated....we only have Johnny's side of story.

I believe we have much more than that if you go through and look at the posts.