Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

family visa

By Anonymous, Created on: 02/01/2004, Last updated on: 12/09/2006

» When the Thai government will allow foreigners with Thai spouse and children to own a one year visa without the need to travel out of the country every 3 month or to show 800 thousands bahts in a bank account, this is very unfair and even most of the Thais don't earn this sum per year, why this discrimination...

• Anonymous commented : Ian You finally show me that you’re ignorant about Thai history and way of life. Did I say anything about Carabao anywhere? It’s Caravan that I was talking about. The first and genuine group of people who fought the corrupt authorities in sixties but had to flee to Kumpucha (Cambodia today) for years until there were offered an amnesty. New generation don’t know about this band because they have never commercialised their music like everyone else. I guess they are still as poor as they used to be forty years ago. That to teach you something about our history, mate. Oh! It would be a good idea to go back living in caves instead of living in an overpriced accommodation somewhere in Sydney.

• 65 replies, 24,845 views

Thai environment, energy, safety issues

Solar Power

By Anonymous, Created on: 29/03/2005, Last updated on: 31/03/2015

» I dont understand why Thailand is not using the sun which is there 365 days/year. Can anybody tell me ? I am in the process of building a house but when it comes to solar energy i might have to import myself to only then be confronted with a high import tax on such products. And that while closing...

• Anonymous commented : Dear Tom D Forgive me if I'm missing something here but I fail to see how chopping down and burning trees is going to help on the carbon emissions side of things. Re your assertion that solar is somehow not feasible outside biomass, this is just not true. My architect wife and I were driving home through the country on our way back from an Easter break just a couple of days ago, and we were discussing the incremental steps that can be achieved now with a little political will. Top of the list would be solar water heating. Not a panacea for sure but something that can be rolled out from TOMORROW to all new homes. This will only help. Further down the road on our drive back to Sydney we passed through the upper Hunter Valley, where many of our coal-powered electricity stations are based. Now I'm no scientist but it suddenly occurred to me that surely we could install massive numbers (like hundreds of thousands) of solar panels on these very large buildings, and connect these TO THE EXISTING power transmission infrastructure. The beauty of this solution would be that no planning permission battles would need to be fought, no additional power transmission facility would be needed, and no additional negative environmental impact need be inflicted on the local environment. Now up in the Hunter the political considerations are very delicate and our politiicians are loathe to upset the status quo. Yet such a solution could be used to AUGMENT existing power generation facilities, so that over time we can develop a strategy to moving us away from fossil fuels, without having to fire a lot of miners overnight. We must move now - inertia is not an option, and countries like Australia (and Thailand for that matter) are well-placed to take advantage of the blessing of their environments to get the ball rolling. Let's act now!! Kind regards David

• Anonymous commented : Tom I'm not a scientist but I can tell you certainty that the technology we have today will enable each house here to have solar hot water. My first apartment in BKK didn't have hot water either but I'll guarantee you that in winter here (Sydney) only the very hardiest individual would take a cold shower! Tom, I have no axe to grind here and I'm certainly not trying to champion one technology over another. However, what's clear to me is that we need to get real about both global warming and the fact that oil supply is only ever going to diminish in future. To me, these are the biggest problems we face and should be accorded governmental priority accordingly. For a variety of reasons I don't see that happening. Maybe we need to wait until our reefs are bleached, Cane Toads hop around Martin Place like they do already in Brisbane, and fuel has reached $200/barrel for the penny to drop! What a shame. Kind regards David

• 58 replies, 163,778 views

Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

divorce and marriage law in thailand

By Anonymous, Created on: 23/04/2005, Last updated on: 12/07/2007

» can any one advise me the following matter. a friend of mine will be getting married to his thai fiancee in 12 days time in thailand. what i would like to know is if the marriage should sadly break down and then his wife goes back to thailand after say they have lived in england for about 6 months...

• Anonymous commented : I agree with Tony. Even in Sydney, leave alone Perth, if I go to hospital I’ll have to wait sometimes hours before I can see doctors even though I have appointment. When seeing GP I have to make appointment hours in advance. Almost every basic service such as hair trimming, dining in restaurants, all these one has to make reservation!! And like you, in 17 years in Sydney my house was broken into three times, car stolen twice. My friend has almost been raped; another one who owns restaurant has been robbed taking whole week worth of sales. In Bangkok, apart from steamy hot, traffic jam sometimes, polluted air, but in general people are happy and generous and easy going and compassionate.

• 66 replies, 27,286 views

Visa / work permit / resident / citizenship / dual passport - what's required

getting dual citizenship

By Anonymous, Created on: 06/06/2006, Last updated on: 15/03/2011

» hello every one i have a question reguarding dual citizenship program in thailand and would like clerification and advice from anybod in thailand. i was born in Thailand in 1978 (B.E. 2521) and my father (an American Tourist) ask that i be given a U.S. Citizen (at birth) in according to the Order...

• patrickoniam commented : IM NOT SURE WHAT THE RULES OR REGULATIONS ARE FOR SOME COUNTRIES BUT IM THAI LIVING IN AUSTRALIA AND I HOLD DUAL CITIZENSHIP. I HAVE A THAI PASSPORT AND AN AUSTRALIAN PASSPORT. HAVING READ SOME OF THE POSTINGS ON HERE IT SEEMS THAT ANY COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES DO ALLOW DUAL CITIZENSHIP, AND COUNTRIES LIKE AMERICA DO NOT ALLOW IT. WHICH IS SAD. IT WAS QUITE EASY FOR ME TO OBTAIN MY THAI PASSPORT, I DIDNT EVEN HAVE MY THAI ID OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE I JUST TURNED UP AT THE THAI CONSULATE IN SYDNEY WITH A VERY VERY OLD THAI PASSPORT THAT I HAD WHEN I MOVED TO AUSTRALIA. AND THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH ALL I NEEDED. I THINK, DEPENDING ON YOUR COUNTRY'S RULES, YOU JUST NEED TO GO TO THE THAI CONSULATE AND THEY WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU NEED FROM THERE

• Jason McDonald commented : [quote="patrickoniam":awlmw9x1]IM NOT SURE WHAT THE RULES OR REGULATIONS ARE FOR SOME COUNTRIES BUT IM THAI LIVING IN AUSTRALIA AND I HOLD DUAL CITIZENSHIP. I HAVE A THAI PASSPORT AND AN AUSTRALIAN PASSPORT. HAVING READ SOME OF THE POSTINGS ON HERE IT SEEMS THAT ANY COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES DO ALLOW DUAL CITIZENSHIP, AND COUNTRIES LIKE AMERICA DO NOT ALLOW IT. WHICH IS SAD. IT WAS QUITE EASY FOR ME TO OBTAIN MY THAI PASSPORT, I DIDNT EVEN HAVE MY THAI ID OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE I JUST TURNED UP AT THE THAI CONSULATE IN SYDNEY WITH A VERY VERY OLD THAI PASSPORT THAT I HAD WHEN I MOVED TO AUSTRALIA. AND THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH ALL I NEEDED. I THINK, DEPENDING ON YOUR COUNTRY'S RULES, YOU JUST NEED TO GO TO THE THAI CONSULATE AND THEY WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU NEED FROM THERE[/quote:awlmw9x1] Isn't it great that a country like muerng Australia allows Thai people to obtain citizenship and live and work in harmony with other Australians as well as keep their cultural heritage and citizenship from Thailand. Australia is the better for this! Why can't Thailand do the same and allow Australians to become Thai citizens and live and work in harmony with Thais? Thailand and meurng Australia have a free trade agreement in place but it seems to only work in favour of Thai national exporting goods to Australia. I would have thought that Abisit being Thai/English would know better. I had great hopes for him being able to drag Thailand into the 21st century but it appears even he can not do anything to change the direction of this juggernaut. It is holding Thailand and its people back from obtaining the riches that they deserve.

• khunying commented : [quote="patrickoniam":29j6jro6]IM NOT SURE WHAT THE RULES OR REGULATIONS ARE FOR SOME COUNTRIES BUT IM THAI LIVING IN AUSTRALIA AND I HOLD DUAL CITIZENSHIP. I HAVE A THAI PASSPORT AND AN AUSTRALIAN PASSPORT. HAVING READ SOME OF THE POSTINGS ON HERE IT SEEMS THAT ANY COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES DO ALLOW DUAL CITIZENSHIP, AND COUNTRIES LIKE AMERICA DO NOT ALLOW IT. WHICH IS SAD. IT WAS QUITE EASY FOR ME TO OBTAIN MY THAI PASSPORT, I DIDNT EVEN HAVE MY THAI ID OR BIRTH CERTIFICATE I JUST TURNED UP AT THE THAI CONSULATE IN SYDNEY WITH A VERY VERY OLD THAI PASSPORT THAT I HAD WHEN I MOVED TO AUSTRALIA. AND THAT WAS PRETTY MUCH ALL I NEEDED. I THINK, DEPENDING ON YOUR COUNTRY'S RULES, YOU JUST NEED TO GO TO THE THAI CONSULATE AND THEY WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU NEED FROM THERE[/quote:29j6jro6] Hi, I am seeking an answer for my son re: Thai Army Draft. I am Thai living in Australia and I am also lucky enough to obtains 2 passports and holding a duel Citizenship (Thai/Australian). I have a son with an Australian and he is now 2 years old. I have proposed to his dad that I should obtain a Thai Passport for him so that he can travel freely to Thailand but his dad disgreed as he doesn't want my son to be called for a Thai Army Draft in the future. I think it is better for my son to have 2 passport as I saw it first hand of how difficult it was to not have a Thai Passport for him. On our last trip to Thailand he felt sick and needed hospitalise. He was treated as foreingner as we he has no Thai paper eventhough I was right by his side. It was very frustrating for me. Could anybody please advise of from your experience what would you do if your son is call for Army Draft in Thailand. I know this is a long way off for my son but I would like to have everything plan for him incase I am not around by then. Thank you in advance.

• 43 replies, 126,019 views

Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

Getting married to thai girl and getting Visa for Australia

By Anonymous, Created on: 16/07/2006, Last updated on: 13/08/2007

» On August the 28th i will Marry my Beautiful Thai girl friend i hope that we will be able to obtain a partner visa by Xmas so that herand her daughter will be here in Australia for the new year any advice on how to obtain Visa and how to have our mariage legally reconised will be much apreciated

• Anonymous commented : Gary Sorry for the long post. It does really depend of the luck of the draw. Seriously! I was told before I applied for my partner migration visa in Sydney (de facto) that most cases it took at least 6 months. However, when I did apply, the lady at DIMA in Parramatta was on some kind of trial for speedy application process, and my temporary resident visa was grated at the spot (pending on my Australian Police Record check since I had been living in Australia prior as an International Student for more than one year). I was almost shocked. However, that was like in 2002 so things may have changed now. Most likely if you apply from overseas (like in Thailand) it will take you much longer. Do lots of research in term of what document DIMA needs for your application and get them ready as soon as you can and as complete as you can. I assume that you will get marry in Thailand from the sounds of your post and your fiancé and her daughter are also resided in Thailand. I assume also that you had not lived together for more than 1 year (if you do then you don't have to get married you can apply for de facto visa like what I did). So what you can apply is either Partner Migration visa, or Prospective Marriage visa. If you decide to go for Partner Migration, you will need Thai marriage certificate to proof that your wedding is legal. To get that, you will need the proof that you have not been married in Australia which I have no idea what kind of document Australian government can offer you and you need to get that translated in Thai by "certified translators". After that, you get your Thai marriage certificate translated back to English. :( Very complicate indeed that's why my husband and I have never got a "Thai" marriage certificate; we just have the Australian one. If you decide to go for Prospective Marriage then obviously you do not need to have the certificate but she then can not come to Australia after you have lodged the application and once the visa is granted you have to get married in Australia within 6 moths (if I remember it right). Regardless of what category of visa you apply, you have to submit the application, along with ten thousands pieces of evidence that your relationship is genuine and continuing (yes, you do have to proof in 3 aspects... details are available from DIMA website). Keep collecting letters, emails, photographs, etc. We ended up with 4 folders full of them it's almost like a joke! The financial evidence was the most ridiculous because I was living with my husband (he was my boyfriend then) in the unit he owned and we did not rent anything so we didn’t have joint renting bills, etc. We ended up having to open a saving bank account for 12 months prior than lodging the application to just get this financial aspect evidence. You will also so need Thai police record clearance for your wife; this will take at least 6 weeks (you know how things get done in Thailand, pretty slow, really). Anyway, best to go to DIMA's website to read all this, my info may be out-of-date since it's been a few years. Don't want to be negative, but your chance is quite slim to get them over before x'mas. You probably are better off to get them a tourist visa to come to taste Aussie lifestyle first! It could be quite lonely sometimes, and things may be difficult for the new comers. My hubby and I both work full-time, have heaps of mortgages (and properties in Sydney are so expensive), do housework, etc like typical Sydney folks. So I can't really say that living here is like living in heaven but I do love my sports (NRL, AFL) and Go the Sydney Swans! Ha.. ha...

• Anonymous commented : Gary First of all, congratulations! Good on you! Great effort I must say. Now to your questions/comments: "In conclusion my worst experience of it all was how the Australian embassy treat it taxpayers." - I am not quite sure (from reading your post) what Australian embassy did to you. Were you unhappy because they said "it was certified in Australia it may not be viewed as valid in Thailand"? Or were they unhelpful or rude to you? "I would like to hear from other people who have been through this process." - As I said I have been married for 4 1/2 years now in Australia (obtained by first TR visa as de facto since 2001) but would never want to go through what you just have done in Thailand. Therefore, as far as Thai Government concerns I am still single :) and still use my maiden name. We took an easy step and got married here in Australia instead. Although one thing we didn't realised was that to get married here you have to be registered to be married 1 month (called cooling off period) in advanced before the big day, just in case you change your mind! So sorry, I have not yet been though this process and unlikely to [especially after hearing your story :( ] My parents don’t even want me to get married legally. They are afraid that one day if some genius politicians change the law (right now I think you can still own land title after getting married to a foreigner and can hold dual citizenships, etc), I won't be able to inherit anything from them!!!! "Maybe we can post a list of good translation services in Bangkok." - Good idea. I think B2,500 for one (I assume that it's not even a full A4 page) document is quite excessive! "I would also like to hear your opinions on the Australian Embassy. If I receive sufficient replies/emails I would like to send them to the applicable authorities." - I have no opinions on Australian Embassy in Thailand I tried not to deal with them. Are you refering to the actual Australia Embassy in Bangkok as individual or the whole Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA)? DIMA offices are the same, depends on the branch. I am not sure in which state/city you live in. I am in Sydney. The one in Parramatta seems to be the best one. We lodged our partner migration application there in 2001. The one in Rockdale is a shocker because DIMA force all International students to renew their visa in Rockdale so it's full al the time and the queue is so... long... Like one time when I was a student in 2000, I had to renew my student visa, I arrived at 10 am, got my ticket finally got my thing done at 3 pm. I still don't understand why you were upset with the Embassy. From what I read, I think it's more like you were frustrated with Thai Government's marriage procedure. What is your next move? If you are going to sponsor your wife and her child for partner migration visa, this will even be a much more frustration procedure. Obviously you have to translate everything (including your new precious Thai marriage certificate) back to English! I think they purposely make it hard because they need to make sure that your relationship is genuine and continuing, else you would not waste lots of time, money and energy to get married with someone that comes from a totally different country, background, etc. Just think about it as another barrier you have to cross, the result will be worth it. I am not sure if you have read this DIMA's booklet, it contains everything you need to know about applying partner migration visa: http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/booklets/1127.pdf . Let me know if you need anymore info about visa, e.g. what option can do apply, and how you collect your evidence that your relationship is genuine, I can email you personally to let you know my email address, I do not wish to post my email address on the web. I am quite sad about the Swannies's lost last weekend! :( Kateb

• 23 replies, 15,284 views

Living in Thailand - adjusting + settling in

Medical care in Thailand

By Anonymous, Created on: 15/02/2007, Last updated on: 13/03/2014

» So next time you go to Thailand for an holiday or medical care give the Thai people the respect they deserve. Because the nurses or the Hotel staff are mostly much under payed and their home situation is many times not so brilliant. Deal with a genuine courtesy, politeness and respect, and not in...

• jginnane commented : My attitude towards Thai hospitals is both bitter and sweet. In 2007 I was diagnosed at BNH with stage 1 lung cancer. The doctor suggested I have the tumour excised on the Monday (5 days time) and then start chemo in Bangkok or return to Sydney if I preferred. Whilst well meaning, I would have been (probably) dead by now. It would be unfair of me to suggest that they wouldnt have picked up the spread of cancer before the operation (it was also in the lymph nodes), but what was clear was that the doctor in question was not up with latest research. Not only do they now fully remove the lung (rather than the cancer), but they also advise patients to undertake chemo prior to surgery. Latest results (albeit not conclusive)suggest a reoccurence rate 6 times earlier when surgery is the first step.

• 27 replies, 141,925 views

Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

Thai Marriage Laws

By Anonymous, Created on: 18/05/2007, Last updated on: 11/08/2010

» I am trying to understand why Westerners living and married to Thai nationals are denied permanent residency status once they are legally married in the kingdom. In the west a Thai national receives residency once they are officially married to a western citizen. Procedures are followed and intensive...

• Anonymous commented : Hi Colin. Many Thai view our social security systems as 'crazy' I've even heard them say 'dumb'. Yet that does'nt stop Asians in the west taking full advantage of this system. A system they do'nt have in Thailand because there is'nt enough taxes paid to provide the social benifits. Asian immigrants here in Australia soon learn it's a fairer system but many still think westerners are stupid for paying so much tax that helps not only the poor but all people across the social spectrum. Many view tax as something that is to be avoided as they have learnt in their home countries. In Sydney we've got great raods, footpaths and publc services because people pay rates together with state taxes that are allocated to up keep the community, city and suburbs. Bangkok's pavements are shocking, for such a wealthy city to have such poor roads and pavements is an indicment on how Thais trully view their environment and community. Greed comes before everything else and if you have a high enough wall around your house all that's undesirable stays out.

• Yasoboy commented : [quote="Aussie John"]Dear Khun Patrick, They now control not only Thailands' economy but make up the highest percent in terms of representation within Thai government. They themselves are not indigenous Thai but due to their wealth and influence have changed the very nature of the social culture in the kingdom. Aussie John. Well written acticle. You’ve mentioned that the Chinese they themselves are not indigenous Thai but due to their wealth and influence have changed the very nature of the social culture in the kingdom. And they now control not only Thailand economy but make up the highest percent in terms of representation within Thai government. Could you also please tell us is Aussie white the indigenous people of Australia? How many percent of the aborigines are representing the Australia governments? How many percent of the Australia economy is control by the aborigines? I will like to hear your comments. In addition, I would like to humbly request you to read the below acticle. Thank you, Yasoboy Race laws restored after Aboriginal crackdown • Published: 22/06/2010 at 02:53 PM • Online news: Asia Australia reinstated race discrimination laws in the remote Northern Territory region Tuesday after suspending them for three years to pursue a controversial crime crackdown in poor Aboriginal townships. Australia's indigenous peoples are believed to have numbered around one million at the time of white settlement, but there are now just 470,000 out of a population of 22 million, and they are the country's most disadvantaged minority. Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin called the suspension, enacted under conservative former prime minister John Howard but amended in parliament late on Monday, a "blight" on Australia's image. "This is an important achievement. The legislation removes what has been a blight on Australia?s reputation as the land of a fair go (chance)," Macklin said. Disabling the legislation allowed Howard to send troops into Outback Aboriginal towns, restrict welfare payments and ban alcohol, under a so-called "intervention" policy condemned as disrciminatory by the United Nations. Macklin said the suspension of race laws left Aborigines, Australia's original inhabitants with a culture stretching back tens of thousands of years, feeling "hurt, betrayed and less worthy than other Australians". "Reinstating the RDA (Race Discrimination Act) restores dignity and helps Indigenous Australians to take ownership of their lives and to drive change in the Northern Territory," she said. Aborigines are believed to have numbered around one million at the time of white settlement, but there are now just 470,000 out of a population of 22 million, and they are Australia's most disadvantaged minority. Centre-left Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered an historic apology in February 2008 for past mistreatment after British settlers arrived in Sydney Cove in 1788, but refused to reverse the controversial intervention. UN special rapporteur James Anaya in February condemned the policy as discriminatory and said it stigmatised a group which already suffered disproportionate rates of infant mortality, health problems and suicide. Anaya said the intervention was at odds with Australia's human rights obligations and called for the race laws to be reinstated as a matter of priority. Macklin said Tuesday the intervention's measures had been overhauled to comply with the Act and reflect "special measures that help indigenous people in the Northern Territory achieve equal human rights". In February, two years after the apology, Rudd conceded progress towards improving Aborigines' lives had been too slow, with wide gulfs remaining in life expectancy, child mortality and health.

• 68 replies, 108,200 views

Getting married / divorced in Thailand - what's required

Advise on how to marry my thai girlfriend?

By Anonymous, Created on: 21/11/2007, Last updated on: 21/12/2007

» Hi Guys! I have known my girlfriend for 12 months now and want to marry her. How do I go about this n order for the marriage to be both legal under thai and english laws? We love each other so much and I have also been advise that in order for her to come here, it is easier if we marry first in...

• Anonymous commented : Big question, do we have two Ian's here, i think that one of them is Ian from Sydney who has got plenty of Thai experience and the other Ian is a pom !

• 27 replies, 15,669 views

Domestic / cross cultural issues - Thai / Foreigner concerns

The Value of a Tourist.

By Sean Moran, Created on: 18/01/2009, Last updated on: 15/12/2010

» What are some of the most common positive and negative results of foreign tourists from overseas visiting Thailand? Thai opinions welcome, kap.

• patrickoniam commented : [quote="james":355i3lzl]Another farang bites the dust. Just watched another farang on the news get tossed out of thailand. Something not that easy to do. First the guy gets taken advantage of by a thai bargirl . All his money and belongings gone. Then decides to sleep alongside the road with the thai mafia nearby. Smart move again. Then decides to cause some more problems himself , breaks into a public telephone to steal the coins. Just proves that a majority of the tourists that visit are,nt too bright. Another good reason the thai government should screen these people before entering and worry about what money these low life types bring here. Pattaya is a fine example and attracts the lowest types of tourists.[/quote:355i3lzl] I agree with you there james. See, thats the thing with some tourists, that they dont understand and respect the regulations and cultures of different countries. they think they can act like theyre back home. Im Thai but I live in Sydney Australia and I dont know what other countries are like but i can tell that Aussies - guys - act like complete idiots when theyre drunk. Ive seen this when i was in Phuket as there are alot of aussies that holiday there. This gets to me when i see them act like that and disrespecting thai culture and people but at the same time - i feel ashamed for them as i been in Australia for a long time and consider myself aussie aswell. But its just a small percentage of tourists that act like that though. as i said, most toursist are quite well behaved that i see when i go home and they are good for the economy and good for thailand overall. How would immigration police or stop the kind of toursits you gave example of above from entering thailand though?

• patrickoniam commented : [quote:2hs8kp70]"patrickoniam"][quote="james":2hs8kp70]Another farang bites the dust. Just watched another farang on the news get tossed out of thailand. Something not that easy to do. First the guy gets taken advantage of by a thai bargirl . All his money and belongings gone. Then decides to sleep alongside the road with the thai mafia nearby. Smart move again. Then decides to cause some more problems himself , breaks into a public telephone to steal the coins. Just proves that a majority of the tourists that visit are,nt too bright. Another good reason the thai government should screen these people before entering and worry about what money these low life types bring here. Pattaya is a fine example and attracts the lowest types of tourists.[/quote:2hs8kp70] I agree with you there james. See, thats the thing with some tourists, that they dont understand and respect the regulations and cultures of different countries. they think they can act like theyre back home. Im Thai but I live in Sydney Australia and I dont know what other countries are like but i can tell that Aussies - guys - act like complete idiots when theyre drunk. Ive seen this when i was in Phuket as there are alot of aussies that holiday there. This gets to me when i see them act like that and disrespecting thai culture and people but at the same time - i feel ashamed for them as i been in Australia for a long time and consider myself aussie aswell. But its just a small percentage of tourists that act like that though. as i said, most toursist are quite well behaved that i see when i go home and they are good for the economy and good for thailand overall. How would immigration police or stop the kind of toursits you gave example of above from entering thailand though?[/quote:2hs8kp70][/quote] to volenteer - just look at my comments. i totally agree with you

• patrickoniam commented : i think that if you are a tourist in another country - you need to acknowledge that countries' rules, customs etc as a tourist, it is up to you to earn the respect and respect the locals. If you do that in thailand, i guarantee you, you will recieve that back. Thats how thai people are - in general. Regardless of how much money you spend there But on continuing on volunteers and my posts - some tourist act like complete idiots and have no respect at all. And im sure they act the same way in their own country Best example is Australia - Australia has no identity and no real history or culture of its own, so aussies dont understand other countries' cultures/customs/way of life - so when aussies do travel overseas - in particular young males, they act like they do back home cause they have no clue. I can say this cause as i said previously, Im thai myself but have been in Sydney for the past 25 years. Ive seen these types of tourists and its not just in Thailand Im sure. But i have seen them in Phuket, Phi Phi and Koh Phangan for the full moon party where they trash the beach completely. These are the tourist Thailand can do WITHOUT. Theyre the back packer types that spend crap all money ( which is ok) but the main thing with them is little understanding and respect. They think they can just go overseas and act like they do back home. And treat locals like they treat people back home. These people need to learn the hard way and spend a couple of days in a thai prison!!! Im sure that will sober them up and knock some sense and respect into them in no time

• 85 replies, 111,416 views

Thai legal issues and laws

Writer jailed for 'insulting' Thai royals

By Voice, Created on: 19/01/2009, Last updated on: 17/06/2009

» Writer jailed for 'insulting' Thai royals Australian writer Harry Nicolaides is jailed for three years after being found guilty of insulting the Thai monarchy in his novel. Today news from the BBC, after heard the news I thought that maybe it time that maybe we should all discussing this kind of...

• sulasno commented : Australian may be pardoned Published: 17/02/2009 at 09:48 AM Australian, Harry Nicolaides has been recommended for a r.oyal pardon by Thai corrections officials, the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported. Mr Nicolaides was sentenced on January 19 2009 by a criminal court for insulting the monarchy in a book he wrote. Mr Nicolaides was sentenced on January 19 2009 by a criminal court for insulting the monarchy in a book he wrote. The Australian was arrested in late August waiting to board a flight to Melbourne. He remained in jail until the final hearing last month, when he was found guilty of breaching lese-majeste laws. Thai corrections department officials told the Australian Associated Press, a recommendation for Mr Nicolaides to receive a R oyal Pardon from H is M ajesty the K ing is underway. =============================================================================== after spending about 6 months as a guest ? hmmm ..........................................

• 312 replies, 1,158,552 views

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