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Post by Denis-NFA on Jan 18, 2015 6:22:49 GMT 7
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Post by Banjo on Jan 18, 2015 8:16:11 GMT 7
I suppose they ate all the elephants in the Philippines.
The old name for Laos used to be LaanXang. or "The Land of A Million Elephants" but I think I've seen one in 15 years of going there.
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Post by pjmpjm on Jan 18, 2015 8:36:47 GMT 7
I suppose they ate all the elephants in the Philippines. The old name for Laos used to be LaanXang. or "The Land of A Million Elephants" but I think I've seen one in 15 years of going there. Two years ago my son and his his wife took my grandchildren, then aged 10 and 14, to Laos on an 'eco-tour' of some kind. Others here may know much more about these kinds of operations. Apparently they're set up to allow visitors to see genuine village life and to 'participate' in a tiny way in what they're doing . . . and of course contribute to the local economy to some degree. A high point for everyone was riding on an elephant. My ten-year-old granddaughter was surprised when the friendly and thoughtful elephant-driver turned and offered her a local cigarette!
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Post by Denis-NFA on Jan 18, 2015 8:45:29 GMT 7
I suppose they ate all the elephants in the Philippines. The old name for Laos used to be LaanXang. or "The Land of A Million Elephants" but I think I've seen one in 15 years of going there. lol... I saw a great recipe for elephant stew (?) the other day, forget where. Admittedly it was from Africa and penned by some white, colonialist English red neck but I thought it reasonable as follows, "Shoot your elephant and light a big bonfire over it; Cook for 3 months; If you get visitors then throw on 3 rabbits." Sort of like the recipe I grew up with for cooking Galah's, "Put a galah and a brick in the oven; When the brick is soft throw out the galah and eat the brick."
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2015 17:17:47 GMT 7
Well guys my latest trip to Australia... wow...
Now, took me almost two weeks to get over the airline travel. I was nervous and could not sleep at all and then I had some kidney problems from the medication I was taking and then I had my eyes swelled up as well. Just to say, it was the air travel that set most this off and one of the reasons why I want to limit my air travel down to a very small amount.
I went to Immigration to get my Visa's. Now they will only hand over Double Entries in Brisbane Embassy when they promised me I could do a Triple. That sucked as it means now (from this point on), I will go to Lao to get the Visa's. It was not a successful trip at all.
Just to say, my trip has sucked big time this go round. I go back on the 8th of February. Cannot wait to go...
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Post by Banjo on Jan 21, 2015 17:30:20 GMT 7
I'd check to see if you can get triple entries at Vientiane, maybe even give them a call. Be a shame to waste a trip for the same visa you get in Australia. Or did you get the visas in Australia, mean that you'll go to Lao next time?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2015 19:12:17 GMT 7
Banjo
I got the Visas in Australia this time but really, if it was not for me visiting my parents, this trip for a Visa was just a total waste of time. It also added downtime from being sick from the Travel back. Next time, I will go to Vientiane to do all my business and just take my time about it all so it does not stress me out so much.
Was advised Vientiane will only do doubles. Just to say, being under 50 in Thailand sucks...
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Post by Banjo on Jan 21, 2015 21:00:52 GMT 7
Vientiane's nice for a few days. Some good eateries there now.
Have a talk to some of the "agents" on the footpath outside the Thai embassy when you go, those gentleman know as much about visas and loopholes as the guys inside.
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Post by Denis-NFA on Jan 22, 2015 8:17:49 GMT 7
Banjo I got the Visas in Australia this time but really, if it was not for me visiting my parents, this trip for a Visa was just a total waste of time. It also added downtime from being sick from the Travel back. Next time, I will go to Vientiane to do all my business and just take my time about it all so it does not stress me out so much. Was advised Vientiane will only do doubles. Just to say, being under 50 in Thailand sucks... G'day @mra, I am unclear on your Thai visa requirements. What are the conditions when you are under 50? Apologies if it has been posted before as I have obviously missed it.
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Post by Banjo on Jan 22, 2015 8:31:12 GMT 7
Virtually there is little other than tourist visas, which are becoming restricted in how many you can have, or business visas, work permits, student visas and marriage visas.
Over 50s can have a retirement visa that has financial requirements.
Maybe MRA could consider registering a small business which would come with a work permit. Just be careful not to make any money.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2015 9:32:30 GMT 7
Hey thegreeenman and Banjo
Just say, I am so sick of these draconian Visa conditions, as previously said, if I did not have so much vested in Thailand, I would move to the Philippines or Indonesia. I easily fulfill the financial requirements as I earn more than 65,000 baht a month. I have this time got a drafted letter from my Doctor (specialist) that quotes I am now retired and I am not longer able to work and within this letter quotes all my assets as well, just in case they stop me at the border to ask me for more information. Just say, it is so bloody crazy and I cannot do anything about it all. Of course, I could spend US$16,000 for a PE Visa, that gives me 5 years of entries but why should I spend that amount of money generally as a bribe. I have only 4 more years to go.
No, it riles me beyond belief because of a few bad eggs, we all got a rotten outcome...
As for a small business, I would need to stump up 2 million for a start, have to hire 4 staff and THEN make no money? Does that make sense to anyone? Then imagine how Centrelink would howl at me for gaining a work permit! It is a lose/lose situation for me...
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Post by Denis-NFA on Jan 22, 2015 9:44:56 GMT 7
I am so sick of these draconian Visa conditions No, it riles me beyond belief because of a few bad eggs, we all got a rotten outcome... Sorry @mra but I am unclear what it is that you have to do but reading between the lines I gather you have to leave Thailand on a regular basis. How often do you have to depart because you are under 50?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2015 10:33:50 GMT 7
I am so sick of these draconian Visa conditions No, it riles me beyond belief because of a few bad eggs, we all got a rotten outcome... Sorry @mra but I am unclear what it is that you have to do but reading between the lines I gather you have to leave Thailand on a regular basis. How often do you have to depart because you are under 50? Okay, I have to go and apply for a Tourist Visa and they will give me a double entry visa that is good for 60 days each visit. Every 60 days I have to go to Immigration and then extend that Visa for a further 30 days. This then gives me 90 days per one entry. After the 90 days, I must leave Thailand and re-enter under the second entry. You then rinse and repeat. After another 90 days, you must leave Thailand and then reapply for another Tourist Visa (like at Lao) and do it all over again. It means I must leave the country 4 times a year, it is not cheap to do and this is to stop others from abusing the system so they do not work. So that is how it works....
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Post by Denis-NFA on Jan 22, 2015 11:52:27 GMT 7
After another 90 days, you must leave Thailand and then reapply for another Tourist Visa (like at Lao) and do it all over again. It means I must leave the country 4 times a year, it is not cheap to do and this is to stop others from abusing the system so they do not work. So that is how it works.... 'sacrebleu' Now I understand your frustration. No wonder you envy us for having 3 years renewable every 2 or 6 months before we have to leave. It will be interesting to see what happens, if anything, to Visa requirements with the new ASEAN agreement which is supposed to come into being some time this year. We have to get an ACR-I card (Alien Certificate of Registration Identity card) after about 4 months and since September 2014 they have introduced an additional requirement for finger printing plus photograph and a declaration regarding your birth, parents and children. And, of course, you have to have an overseas home address.
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Post by nomadic on Jan 22, 2015 12:22:29 GMT 7
Hi MRA, yes i know your problems well. I was going to register a buisness. That was until they told me i would have to pay tax. Even if i didn't get a single customer. Sounds madness but a few told me it is true. When i was also recently on a double entry tourist visa i was departing through immigration and they asked if i was coming back the same day. I said no i was having a few days in Penang. they said ok but you can longer come back the same day. Bribes not taken into account on that though. Luckily i recently got a retirement visa in Laos. Easy as showing a pension letter and money in bank. Arrived 8.30 in the morning and picked up passport same afternoon. 5,000 baht for a multi entry one. Only 2,00 baht if you don't want to leave every three months but want to just go to an immigration office. I like to travel so that forces me to even if I feel lazy. Can't beat a week in penang every so often. But only a back packer dorm Mr. Morrison, not 5 star.
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