Pension and visa

**shrek48** · 4th Dec 2011, 11:41

Dave its a shame you deleted it because as i have said here many times i listen and gratefully recieve all advice here. But i am going to try this and call that pig headed stupid or what u like but i am going, visa and grades allowing to try this, negatives and all. Look at these points for me!!
quote 1 have a steady relationship for a few years first?

am i to believe i must grab a woman just to get a visa and an easier life? can a man or woman not do it alone?
am I wrong in hoping to meet a nice lady face to face when i am there?
I understand a wife or gf would be advantageous but its not essential surely?? and it does not mean i will fail because i have no wife??

quote 2 fake degrees and teachers

This may not have been directed at me personally but the suggestion is there and not a good one. as stated my degree is very very real and so will my teaching certs. I will be the best teacher i can be as i am with everything i do.
And just to end this complete nightmare is it the fact that because i am going to try this and will not be put off by the negatives a real problem to anyone giving me advice?? surely the advice should be given freely to aid not to force the issue. i understand as previously posted that i no thailand is not heaven on earth and it woint be easy and a wife or gf would be better but this does not mean i will fail ! live life as if you were to die tomorrow learn as if you were to live foreever.
i will be gratefull for any further advice given freely and would ask that no one gets offended if i choose not to let it stop me trying this.
I have found a thai who gives Thai lessons both written & oral and will start to see her ASAP, my Thai friends here are all on board and are helping already,ie no food ordered unless its in thai :-) so i hope you can see my quals are good i have done pre work on the teachers course even tho not required, i have researched this and now i am putting it into action. If i fail it wont be from a lack of trying.

respect and regards,

Ash.

**indigo** · 4th Dec 2011, 11:52

May i ask do you speak and read Thai ? and how many times have you been to Thailand ... are you thinking about also doing a PTLLS course it may give you teaching tips ... have you taught before ? i have nt read much on this thread , but i think you should think longer and harder , but good luck with anything you do

**dan&ploy** · 4th Dec 2011, 12:54

I wasn't going to reply but thought I would give it one more try.

No-one here is trying to stop you coming to Thailand. In fact the opposite, all the advice is given with the aim of allowing you stay and be successful.

With all due respect I wouldn't listen to your Thai friends. For a start they speak Thai and usually have little idea how difficult it can be for us foreigners to get fluent in the language. They know what to do and how to do it as they were born here but have no knowledge of what a foreigner (or alien as the Thai government calls us) has to do. My Thai friends here are flabbergasted when they find the hoops I have jump through to get things that take them an hour at most.

I have been visiting Thailand since 1980 and have lived here for two years now. I have my own business here, we bought our house here, have bank accounts and all the paperwork. I have a passable knowledge of reading and talking in Thai. I have two ordinary degrees and a masters degree.

With all the above if something were to happen to my wife I would probably leave here. I cannot handle the bureaucracy here and my Thai is far below the level to read the reams of paperwork that come through the post daily.

None of my Thai friends speak English and two are teachers. Where I live no-one in the bank speaks English, not even the manager. No-one speaks English at the Immigration office in Lop Buri. No-one speaks English at the Labour office. No-one speaks English at the local Amphur. My accountant speaks little English. Unfortunately I have to do more with them than order lunch. I get official government letters most weeks and I haven't a clue what they say; to read them would take me a week before the next one came. And how would I reply anyway.

The English school will probably (if kosher) arrange all this for you. It will probably be in a more touristy place where English is spoken more widely so some of the problems I face will not worry you. So of course you can manage alone. Until something goes wrong.

All the posters on here are trying to do is forewarn you and they are spending their time to share their experiences and knowledge. If you continue to denigrate their replies and take their responses so personally I am guessing they will let you do it alone. As I am going to do now.

**Casey Jones** · 4th Dec 2011, 12:57

Originally Posted by shrek48

Dave its a shame you deleted it because as i have said here many times i listen and gratefully recieve all advice here. But i am going to try this and call that pig headed stupid or what u like but i am going, visa and grades allowing to try this, negatives and all. Look at these points for me!!
quote 1 have a steady relationship for a few years first?

am i to believe i must grab a woman just to get a visa and an easier life? can a man or woman not do it alone?
am I wrong in hoping to meet a nice lady face to face when i am there?
I understand a wife or gf would be advantageous but its not essential surely?? and it does not mean i will fail because i have no wife??

quote 2 fake degrees and teachers

This may not have been directed at me personally but the suggestion is there and not a good one. as stated my degree is very very real and so will my teaching certs. I will be the best teacher i can be as i am with everything i do.
And just to end this complete nightmare is it the fact that because i am going to try this and will not be put off by the negatives a real problem to anyone giving me advice?? surely the advice should be given freely to aid not to force the issue. i understand as previously posted that i no thailand is not heaven on earth and it woint be easy and a wife or gf would be better but this does not mean i will fail ! live life as if you were to die tomorrow learn as if you were to live foreever.
i will be gratefull for any further advice given freely and would ask that no one gets offended if i choose not to let it stop me trying this.
I have found a thai who gives Thai lessons both written & oral and will start to see her ASAP, my Thai friends here are all on board and are helping already,ie no food ordered unless its in thai :-) so i hope you can see my quals are good i have done pre work on the teachers course even tho not required, i have researched this and now i am putting it into action. If i fail it wont be from a lack of trying.

respect and regards,

Ash.

What is "this complete nightmare"? Receiving advice that may not be what you wish to hear? Advice is given freely & is certainly not forced upon you or anybody. I doubt anyone has been offended by your strong headedness. At the end of the day, you are you....& it is your life, your future, your finances, your happiness that are on the line, not anyone elses, so you feel free to do with them what you wish. To me the point of asking advice is to be given an 'eyes up' on what to expect & how to avoid some of the pitfalls that may come my way. That is what you've been given from folk who have much more experience than you on the subject of Thailand. Nothing more, nothing less. Whether you find success or failure will not affect anyone who has given you any 'tips' here. In fact, I wish you all the best & hope it works out for you. Determination can overcome many obsticles. Lets just hope it can overcome all of them for you. I would be very interested to hear how you do via this site & feel that the possible/probable problems you are going to come up against during your 'stay' in Thailand would be very beneficial to others who will come to this site seeking the same advice you have so please keep us updated. Personally I would have tried to give myself the best chances possible for such a venture to succeed & if that took time before I set out on it then so be it. After all...how many chances are you going to get on this before before dissapointment, red tape & lack of funds kick in? Maybe in your case you'll only need the one chance? I hope so. I sincerely wish you the best of luck because I think you'll need it. However, nothing is impossible.

**KhunIanB-UK** · 5th Dec 2011, 00:33

Where I live no-one in the bank speaks English, not even the manager. No-one speaks English at the Immigration office in Lop Buri. No-one speaks English at the Labour office. No-one speaks English at the local Amphur. My accountant speaks little English. Unfortunately I have to do more with them than order lunch. I get official government letters most weeks and I haven't a clue what they say; to read them would take me a week before the next one came. And how would I reply anyway.

Dan you've made me think there. If it wan't for my splattering of Thai and limited knowledge of the Thai alphabet, if it wasn't for my Father-in-law's English in the village then I would most probably go stir-crazy in tha place and it would make me feel out of place after a while, rather than the nice feeling I have instead, been chaperoned it has certainly made life easier, if I had to survive on my own it would be very different :-S

**Phetchy** · 5th Dec 2011, 03:12

Originally Posted by KhunIanB-UK

........ been chaperoned it has certainly made life easier, if I had to survive on my own it would be very different :-S

Never a truer word said Ian. As you'd imagine, in Pattaya most things can be done with little or no spoken or written Thai. Fine for the two week tourists who don't need to communicate much with the locals other than 'how much is that?' - 'Too much' and 'two beers please'. It's a different matter when it comes to the day to day domestic things, such as trying to set up a direct debit to pay the electricity or water bill for example - a nightmare without an interpreter and an anger management consultant for when the jumped-up, rude and indolent counter clerks walk away half-way through the process.

You don't realise just how much you come to rely on your other half. I give the stuff in the letterbox to Wan first off, just to see if it's for us or the previous occupier for a start - then get her to tell me if it's important. I'd be completely stuffed otherwise (or have to learn to read Thai).

**dan&ploy** · 5th Dec 2011, 03:17

Why the Pete and Dud avatar, Phetchy?

**Phetchy** · 5th Dec 2011, 03:47

Wolfy's signature Dan - just reminiscing (Derek and Clive).

**colin244** · 5th Dec 2011, 22:57

Originally Posted by Phetchy

just reminiscing (Derek and Clive).

Excellent drunken "live" LP

colin 244

**CWattana** · 6th Dec 2011, 14:05

Petch ... that is so true. I hardly recognise my name in Thai. I would be completely lost without my wife even though I live in Bangkok and have Thai friends who can speak very reasonable english. It would be an absolute nightmare. Car tax, car insurance, garage service, bank, post office, eating out, golf, gym ... the list is endless.

**shrek48** · 8th Dec 2011, 19:35

hi all,

yes day to day stuff not easy but i have already organised bike repairs in thai and paid electric and gas bills, over the counter, dealt with the police and would get siam legal to deal with any mail. so as much as i understand and appreciate the warnings there are ways to do anything and nothing is impossible. If i wanted easy i would stay here and carry on ! but i dont i want adventure and to try and experience new things and cultures as hard as that will be. I desperately want to teach and impart the little knowledge i have to those who need it and will appreciate it. Again all this is IF i get a visa. As i have said, i no longer want to earn big money or have material stuff i already live in a minimalistic way as far as I can here in the uk.I have a tv a sofa, bed, micro wave & a shower, who needs more?
a car and a push bike and i would rather ride the bike! IF i get there then i want a motorbike and a small aprtment or house. At first I will tech in the more touristy areas so I can learn then move around as and when i can.
The nightmare for me is the negativity that has been throughout this thread and the emotion my decision seems to have evoked? I am not headstrong or pig headed or ill advised I just know i want to try it and if that in everyones eyes makes me those things then so be it. If i can I will go try this and be and do the best i can.
legal stuff if no friends then siam legal can sort it.
motorbikes in thai! i owned my own motorcycle shop for 9 years and have ridden bikes since i was 5 and in many countries including the 2 1/2 weeks in thailand. And i know the dangers especially out there.
living well i can get a room and survive on my own i have done many times.
If i dont do well then I can come back here or go elsewhere and try.

I start my teacher courses saturday and will let you know how it goes when i get a chance.
regarsd,

ash.

**indigo** · 8th Dec 2011, 19:44

Good luck with everything

**colin244** · 8th Dec 2011, 23:13

Yep good luck and if you get the time post your adventures on here or a blog so we can follow what your up to

colin 244

**bifftastic** · 9th Dec 2011, 00:16

I'll add my good luck wishes too shrek.

When you first posted that you had just come back from your very first time in Thailand and had decided you wanted to move there permanently, I didn't realise that you could speak the language

i have already organised bike repairs in thai

Had run a home there

and paid electric and gas bills, over the counter

Negotiated your way out of a potential jail term

dealt with the police

And have enough funds to hire expensive lawyers

and would get siam legal to deal with any mail

Seems like you're all set then

All the best,

Biff

**KhunIanB-UK** · 9th Dec 2011, 01:41

I start my teacher courses saturday and will let you know how it goes when i get a chance.
regarsd,

Ash, quick going, Saturday's a good start for the training, can I recommend on a positive note, start typing posts how you would do as a teacher, it will put you in good stead for the job applications there, it will be a good habit to get into and pass on to others :-)

Good luck.

**ddwjg** · 9th Dec 2011, 08:10

Ash.

Most of the warnings you received were aimed at a newbie, who was green about Thailand. You now give the impression you are very experienced. I do wish you the best, but you're not the person who started posting naive questions on here. You are a totally different persona than you lead members to believe.

I won't give you the benefit of my knowledge of faults with Siam Legal, as you know everything. They are wonderful aren't they. And so cheap. Did another of the expats you met in Thailand tell you about them?

Oh. One more warning. More newbies are conned by expats than they are by Thais. Many expats get amusement from giving naive newbies misinformation. But you know that already don't you. Of course.

Dave.

**shrek48** · 9th Dec 2011, 10:45

a bit harsh dave :-( i dont presume to know everything as you suggest and I expect to be in the sh-t often as i am here as the saying goes---
I am always in the [content removed by Moderator - language filter violation] its just the depth that varies :-)
And as for knowing everything I dont but i have researched a lot and done a fair bit (not as much as you guys) but it dont mean that I cant. siam might not be the best or cheapest but they are one of many and i have good thai and expat friends In thailand who have already given me help and advice. They are to happy to deal with any issues that may arise. Just because i have a positive answer for the negative posts here does not make me a know it all and one should not judge others. I will post my adventures for those who have been kind enough to warn and advise me and have also wished me good luck. please dont read the posts if it offends :-)
ash.
ash.

**Linne** · 9th Dec 2011, 11:55

Ash...........apologies for not catching up with you in BKK. I am back now and still feeling euphoric about another visit.

Please give it a go and enjoy. Celebrate the success and laugh about the failures. But may I suggest you don,t sell the house in Soton until your convinced its going well in your new found country.

**ddwjg** · 9th Dec 2011, 12:05

Ash, Its not that your posts are offensive. It just seems that every time anyone advises you of possible problems with your plans, you don't just thank them for their advice, but answer back, as though you don't care, or it is not what you want to hear, or others have told you different. Please read through your own posts on this thread. Especially the start, where you had been told you could get your pension at 50 years of age.

Dave.

**PatrickR** · 9th Dec 2011, 12:20

Hi Ash
Looking back over the thread I don't think that anyone is being negative towards you (a couple of sarcastic posts perhaps), but if you look again at what you've written then I think that you might understand why some members are replying in this way.
You have asked a number of questions here and elsewhere on the forum, and these have been answered by members, based on their experience. People aren't judging you, but are trying to help you. Your enthusiasm for, and determination to get to Thailand and make a go of living there is great, but you have only just got back from your first trip there.
You're getting advice (not instructions) from many members who have been to Thailand many more times than you, and some of who live there and are fully aware of the day to day reality of life there. In short, we don't want to see you end up isolated and skint in Thailand (or worse). You would do well to heed the advice posted here.
If, as you say in your last post that you "have good thai and expat friends In thailand who have already given me help and advice. They are to happy to deal with any issues that may arise." that's great. I hope that they can help you deal with any issues that may arise. How long have you known them for?
I'm glad to hear that you'll continue to post updates on your progress on this site, and wish you all the best.

Pat