tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post8700606324435016577..comments2023-05-23T18:19:10.058+07:00Comments on Jonny Foreigner: Stitched up like a good'unJonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12803116544687008923noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post-36009385010774956252009-08-10T23:41:40.409+07:002009-08-10T23:41:40.409+07:00Thanks everyone for the comments, sorry my respons...Thanks everyone for the comments, sorry my response is so delayed.<br /><br />Greg, you put it perfectly when you say 'never trust the Thai system'. <br /><br />Anon, I think you should reread my post. If you want to comment again, at least use a name, particularly if you want to debate issues with me.<br /><br />Proteusguy, I'm a little more optimistic now. Am thinking of plans beyond this contract which might, perhaps, involve going back home - we'll see.<br /><br />Em, yup, visas are the bane of my existence here.<br /><br />Hi Martin, yes, i think this might well be my last employment visa. This time it was too late, but we're certainly giving the alternatives serious consideration as they simplify things greatly.<br /><br />Hi Mike, all sorted now. No overstay payment but a colleague who came along paid for a one day overstay - 500 THB. I've also got to add that the Thai embassy in Vientienne was pretty well organised and efficient too.<br /><br />Syd, all sorted now mate. Absolutely agree re trusting other foreigners, best practice to assume nothing and trust noone.<br /><br />Catherine, yeah I was fuming - made all the worse that the decision from one person (at local employment) could have prevented my trip and a lot of worry.<br /><br />Martyn, spot on, I am the wiseman now - wait, maybe I'm the walrus instead?Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12803116544687008923noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post-72527347478948541722009-08-05T11:41:09.594+07:002009-08-05T11:41:09.594+07:00Jon I think the words bite the bullet come to mind...Jon I think the words bite the bullet come to mind. At least in the future you will be a far wiser man.Martynhttp://www.thaisabai.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post-82905544028984115902009-08-03T16:47:19.541+07:002009-08-03T16:47:19.541+07:00This is one well deserved rant! I'd be fuming ...This is one well deserved rant! I'd be fuming too.<br /><br />But it doesn't matter which country I'm in, having to fight through any version of red tape is total cacca.<br /><br />And incompetence is everywhere. It it is not limited to any one nationality, race or creed.<br /><br />But I do feel some are more blessed than others...<br /><br />;-)Catherinehttp://womenlearnthai.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post-73850722343468608262009-07-30T19:11:25.404+07:002009-07-30T19:11:25.404+07:00Hi mate, Sydthekyd here. I trust foreigners here l...Hi mate, Sydthekyd here. I trust foreigners here less than most of the Thais I know, but being distrusting in general is a good idea when you are an expat. I feel your pain in feeling like you are getting stitched up, but at least you have a smart Thai you can trust. Keep us posted on how it goes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post-83099777889867402922009-07-30T16:21:20.183+07:002009-07-30T16:21:20.183+07:00Jon you have my sympathy. One of the things I hav...Jon you have my sympathy. One of the things I have done since coming to Thailand is get totally up to speed on Thai Visa regs. OK I don't work so it is easier of course.<br /><br />I DO NOT believe anyone else expat or Thai if they try to convince me it will be OK to leave something to them to sort out because often as in your case it isn't OK and they do not sort it.<br /><br />Some Thais in my experience do have an annoying habit of following the line of least resistance. The staff are out of order. As is the company/school, since they have been breaking the law too by employing you.<br /><br />Like you I am not into Thai knocking per-say but when it comes to some officialdom I make an exception. Especially when "fines" go into the tea money.<br /><br />I would be interested to know if you have to pay overstay fees or did your wife sort that?<br /><br />Good luck and I hope you are not using Penang as I have read some varying reports on the embassy there!Mikehttp://www.my-thai-friend.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post-70617522070022309252009-07-30T16:02:08.085+07:002009-07-30T16:02:08.085+07:00This is standard here, you really have to look aft...This is standard here, you really have to look after yourself on these matters and make sure they're being done right, at the end of the day it's your responsibility as it's your visa and work permit not the companies.<br /><br />If you have a 1-year extension of stay granted based on working in Thailand and you finish the job it is based on you have to leave the country that day. However you can go to the Immigration office who will be able to grant you a 7-day extension for 1,900 Baht to give you time to get yourself out of the country or find another job and have the paperwork moved over to that.<br /><br />If you have either a missus, i.e. married to a Thai or are unmarried but have a Thai son then your better option would be to get a non-immigrant O visa and/or an extension of stay based on that rather than employment, then your stay in Thailand is secure if you stop working or are in-between jobs as this won't get revoked when you finish jobs.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04211712362011184881noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post-51811009028335360322009-07-30T14:12:11.503+07:002009-07-30T14:12:11.503+07:00Grrr visas are the bane of my life right now so yo...Grrr visas are the bane of my life right now so you have my sincere sympathies. <br /><br />I like the new blog design BTW.@EmVicWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17097927362152607839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post-84761571123791271582009-07-30T12:27:54.430+07:002009-07-30T12:27:54.430+07:00Things have definitely gotten worse over the last ...Things have definitely gotten worse over the last 3 years I've lived here. Even if you follow the exact instructions of Immigration - they change the rules so often that you can still be subject to fine and have to "restart the clock" for getting eligibility for permanent residence. This just happened to me a few weeks ago.<br /><br />Ultimately, you have to decide if it's worth beating your head against the wall if the policies, politicians, and bureaucrats so clearly make it known that you really aren't welcome to stay. <br /><br />Definitely not the conclusion I wanted to arrive at but there it is...proteusguyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06205203744072448163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post-53968656621957193132009-07-30T12:21:38.421+07:002009-07-30T12:21:38.421+07:00why you come our country say many bad things about...why you come our country say many bad things about Thailand?<br /><br />you not like it go home farang dog!<br /><br />thai people hate farang like you.<br /><br />why not you just give thai people money and go home like good farang?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-609612944219692121.post-65359248282962299432009-07-30T11:53:58.746+07:002009-07-30T11:53:58.746+07:00That sucks man, but glad to hear it worked out, it...That sucks man, but glad to hear it worked out, it could have been worse. I had some visa problems years ago which I only found out about at my embassy as I tried to renew my passport, which required the cancellation of my visa and a very expensive trip home to get a new one.<br />About not trusting Thai people – it’s easy to say that (especially in a ranting mode, of which I have many), but I think it’s better to say ‘never trust the Thai system’. I guess it’s a case of “hope for the best, prepare for the worst.” The trick is being savvy enough to knowing HOW to prepare for the worst.<br />Glad you have someone who can bring western sensibilities to Thai negotiations. Having someone like that here who’s on your side can literally save your life.Greghttp://gregtodiffer.comnoreply@blogger.com