Please don't assume when responding

[theoldgit]

There have been a number of posts where one or two members have offered misleading and inaccurate advice, sometimes their response is just an assumption.

Whilst posting misleading advice probably doesn't breach forum rules, that's the nature of an Internet Forum, it really isn't helpful to do so, and in the case of a recent assumption would in all probability led to a visa being refused and the applicant being out of pocket by tens of thousands of Baht.

I don't wish to stifle meaningful debate but please be careful when offering advice.

This forum is a valuable tool and and a number of professionals freely offer advice and guidance, so please let's keep it on track.

Thank you

[7by7]

May I add that advice based on personal experience is always welcome; but it needs to be remembered that rules, regulations and requirements do change; often regularly.

Therefore it is, in my opinion, where relevant always best to check the current requirements before offering such advice.

[krisb]

I agree 100%, but this place is for advice only, and anyone taking it is doing so at their own risk.

Even advice that would be considered true and correct at time of posting, may have changed by now, and some are posting info which they believe wholeheartedly was true as they remember.

It should be obvious for the correct advice ringing the right Gov department or a professional is the real way to go before taking advice from an anonymous internet forum.

[cornishcarlos]

May I add that advice based on personal experience is always welcome; but it needs to be remembered that rules, regulations and requirements do change; often regularly.

Therefore it is, in my opinion, where relevant always best to check the current requirements before offering such advice.

So if the OP checked the current requirements before posting, there would be no need for them to receive the wrong advice ?

Some people can't be bothered to research themselves, therefore if they take advice from an open forum, the consequences of following that advice are theirs to deal with.

There are only 1 or 2 members in any particular sub forum whose advice I would take, even then I would double check before parting with any hard earned wonga

[krisb]

Theoldgit, have you had members getting information then complain it was wrong after they parted with their money?

[theoldgit]

Theoldgit, have you had members getting information then complain it was wrong after they parted with their money?

No, I'm not aware of any complaints regarding misleading information on this forum, or at least a complaint regarding advice leading to the refusal of a visa.

Strangely enough the only complaints I have seen are from those who have used an unqualified agent here in Thailand, and have received a poor service and then had an application refused.

Most posters are savvy enough that on Internet Forums there are some people who like to post for the sake of it, and offer their personal views for the sake of posting, which are sometimes not accurate or relevant.

Whilst I do point errors out when they are posted, as does a professional who regularly offers free advice, some misleading advice does slip through.

[durhamboy]

Whilst I think what TOG posted is a useful reminder to us all I don't think we should beat ourselves up too much over it. There is some superb advice in this forum - far better than you would ever receive from government departments (who generally just repeat the rules) and also sometimes better than you would receive from some so-called professionals.

I think when acting on advice you need to assess as far as possible the person giving the advice. For example, I would trust posts from people such as TOG, 7 by 7 and TVE to a much greater extent than I would some other members.

The only thing I can say is that if the poster is in any way unsure of the rules/advice they are giving then they should make that clear,

I wonder what sort of mess people would get themselves into with ever more complex immigration rules if forums such as this weren't available.