SAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

[HYENA 4]

What does SAWSADEE mean?

supposed to be sawat dee

Okay. So what's that mean?

It's a greeting like hello.

If you are a female you say: Sawadee Kaa

If you are a man, you say Sawadee Khap (Krub sometimes)

it is spelled in Thai Sawasdee but this 's' is kinda silent Sawasdee

I have no idea why Thais ad H's and silent letters (it's not their language) ....person names have lots of H's (apparently it's required or something?) What's wrong with sawadee? Why can't we spell it that way since it's our alphabet? English words they have silent letters but a translated sounded out equivalent shouldn't have silent anything!

in English they should leave it to us to sound out. Some government person dictated how to spell my fiancees name (in the old days, you sounded it out and that was your name in the other country as long as it was consistent)

Khamphakdee (kampakdee) they don't write in English so the H is for...what? (just my whining)....we have many Chinese in the US spellng Chough, Chow, Chaugh, Chaw, Cho

I spell my name in Spanish how it sounds for documents in Central America....just strange. If it's a person's name, they ad H's for a garnish (The french invvented garnish letters that aren't pronounced...it's amusing but makes it difficult for others to speak our language...too many borrowed French words (and others) leaving it a mixmatch of words. Spanish is at least consistent (and easier for them to learn)...at least the rules are consistent...pronounce every letter except h

Edited April 14, 2009 by HYENA

[daboyz 36]

Just an FYI for people bringing their spouse here from Thailand. The prejudice is pretty big with 90% of the Thais that are her already against your newly arrived spouse. If you think the Thais in Bangkok treat the up-country Thais bad in Thailand, wait until you get here. My wife has been here a month, and has already run into some pretty severe prejudice. If you wife is from Bangkok, you're fine. If not, don't take her around other Thais that are from Bangkok. Just a word of advice. They can be pretty mean.

ethnic Thais can be quite a nasty, nasty prejudice bunch (I've seen some shocking cruelty). Too much gossip, high school minded thinking, jealousy and this my sh*t don't stink attitude makes me sick. Light skinned dark skinned BS with brains the size of a pea. Someone mentions skin tone and I get very upset (like skin tone has anything to do with intelligence...what a bunch of idiots)! Don't get me started on the prejudice thing. Yes, som nom naa for farangs choosing the darker skinned ethnic regions outside of BKK (it's because they have good hearts). jealousy is rampant in a supposed Buddhist nation. I see less real Buddhism than any other "Buddhist" nation...it's warped!

My wife has low self esteem due to the noble thinking of the media public, ads and the gossip, rumors, employers and asses who decide to comment when they see us together (of course, no one would want them because of the shallow mindedness...go ahead and be jealous...no one wants you)!

No one wants a self serving egotistical woman who thinks she's superior only because of something she can't control (the skin color genes) and she had nothing to do with it! I find it's mainly the women with this catty attidue, as well.

Small minded thinking for small minded people. I was happy to respond once, though and let the noble know they were kee. The ignorance is rampant in BKK and so very hurtful. Each time I witness prejudice, my hair stands on end because it's so blatant and downright catty. I guess it is elsewhere, as well...me being farang....I'm no more farang or German than they are Japanese. Don't worry, I don't go around with a chip on my shoulder in Thailand...just venting here so I don't elsewhere. I'm no better than anyone...it was only by luck that I was born where I was and my dream is to bring someone here so they can enjoy the same luck I have (before our country goes belly up). I hear Australia has better opportunity and treats their citizens better (I'll have to see, though).

The lack of opportunity because of skin color really nauseates me (infuriates me, to be honest). Don't get me started...our country is learning how to address it after centuries of stupidity but at least we're aware and ashamed of it and are trying to correct our past wrongs. I' not used to seeing a country still proud of bigotry and ignorance...a Buddhist peace loving nation (where Buddhists don't drink but the bars and hookers per capita rank Thailand #1 in the world...be kind but don't punish for murder...porn is illegal but a 60 year old with a 19 year old is perfectly acceptable). it's too bad what becomes acceptable only because of money. If they all had money, the streets would be quiet and young girls could enjoy their youth untainted by VD.

I was shocked the first time I saw the small mindedness as if it was the 19th century USA all over again. I told my fiancee she's pretty and I like a nice tanned bod and she'll be quite sought after here (lucky me, she's taken)! She doesn't believe me because they remind her daily she's at the bottom rung of Thai society. Maybe she'll believe me when she sees all the tanning products here (direct opposite of the whitening products there). Sure, let's all look like we just got out of a hospital ward for 6 months...nice and pale with no color like we've been inside smoking crack all year. The ads and media supports this...the same looking stereotype...so many undertones of this small minded thinking supported from the very top all the way down. Unfortunately culture and rumor defeat education and reason in Thailand so whitey wins hands down every time. They can't even be proud of their own look...everyone wants to look like their from China...then you hear the Thai say "I'm 100% Thai" (adding "you're not Thai, you're Issan). The smallest amount of education would teach them they're no more ethnic Thai with a separate look than I am ethnic American with an "American" look....does our president look like me? That's one thing I look forward to...seeing my wife fully accepted with real friends that don't expect you to treat them everywhere (my fiancee's too poor to have a lot of friends...unfortunately friends cost money there).

Thanks for listening to me rant. I just needed to get that out of my system since I try to avoid it with my wife...her self talk is louder than my compliments. Only time and a loving, stable, accepting husband (and society) can heal, I guess.

Sooooo what about my visa application???

NO SECOND NOTICE...NOTHING. They gave me 60 days which have expired, now they want another 60 days to pick their nose. The first 60 days was to respond...that ran out...now they want 60 more to respond to my inquiry why the first 60 days was blown! ...Then i get to look forward to a nasty bald guy expected to make her cry (says all the other interviews). USCIS told me it's some sort of psycholical training to screen out the bad one's (Isn't that a fiancees job not the government to approve of your own spouse)? I returned on a plane with a guy waiting 5 years because he chewed the bald guy out for calling his wife a scammer, ####### and cheat (they have kids together..started as k1 now k3 and this ####### is all over their case...if their case isn't legit, i don't' know what is! Give a peon power and look what happens! He decides to do the opposite of Thai culture (waves his arms, yells, makes the women cry and calls them names)... Welcome to American arrogance! I'd be scared if I were a fiancee after being yelled at by a farang I never met and called names. He's apparently quite inappropriate with some of his questions, as well (some of the women don't like to talk about what he asks...being a shy culture and he's asking about sex, affection...told one lady she better go right outside and hug and kiss her husband the moment she left the building. He definitely needs cultural sensitivity training!

I've waited patiently, called the idiotic NVC in NM (far from Vermont)..amazing they hire hundreds in a call center rather than hiring adjudicators. I contacted my senators a third time (they even get canned BS misinformation responses...NO accountability). I don't have a million dollar contribution these idiots expect for "legal" bribery to get our case heard so i guess we get to endure this BS and wait. At least the Thais are blatant and open about bribes...we pretend we don't do it so the normal Joe will get the runaround but if you've got money or if you know the right people (or contribute to the right campaign), it takes a matter of weeks to get here.

going on 8 1/2 months without a second NOA...no accountability, just the runaround BS they've always done. I contacted the president's office today. I'm sickened by this over paranoia (lets blame it on terrorists but punish the public, instead). An hour through customs and some serious grilling on my return (better than the 2 hours last trip).... Our country has become the gestapo (really)!

Everyone's scared of terrorists but no one admits they already won! All they have to do is one scare and we spend ourselves into oblivion, over reacting and over budgeting taking it out on our citizens and since fiancees have no legal rights, our government retains nasty people who must hate their jobs...then they get to abuse non citizens for fun! This gem of a guy in BKK trusting an assistant who lies and claims your file is virtually empty giving everyone the runaround (another example of a BKK catty prejudice woman hating everyone who has the opportunity to lve with their love...while she sits there and claims "Tax file...no have...pictures...no have...Financial form...no have...emails...no have..." contrary to what's sitting int the file staring at her! This guy at the embassy has too much power and again, no accountability. Apparently he hasn't been following the published website USCIS guidelines from what i've learned off a couple cases where he denied and the basis for denial were things supposedly not required by USCIS website (when these denied spouses show him in writing, he says "the rules just changed" but refuses to show it in writing the new policy requiring what's not there or what's mentioned you don't need. It's all up to whether he's having his period or not, from what I understand.

I'm very disappointed with this entire process. I do not look forward to seeing my wife exit the building crying regardless of the decision (it better be a yes...we've got overkill so if that Thai lady says "No have..." What will I do? Absolutely nothing but wait outside and smile (and so will she) because we have no choice but to endure the nasty comments, gestapo tactics and lying assistant because we've no choice and they've got all the power. No one has any accountability (someone should wear a bug and record it...of course that's not allowed so he can get away with saying ANYTHING he wants just to get back at life for whatever happened to him when he was a child.

Report the guy for calling a fiancee a cheat, #######, liar, scammer? report to who? who cares? who listens? who's got 50k for a political contribution? constituents have no power, no say...only mal treatment and misinformation published by USCIS. My guess is USCIS is saying they're working on May cases now (while December applicants are sailing over here from other countries...). I've patiently waited only for my file to be put in someone's latrine.

I was not happy to have to return without my fiancee. I'm very disappointed with the complete lack of accountability USCIS has...blowing their own deadlines then asking for repeated 60 days every time an inquiry is made. So you have to blow your deadline by 30 days till they talk to you. Then they give you 60 days to respond. Once that's blown, the 60 days starts over again for another response. Each time they focus on the new countdown (never mind your case is over 6 months old) My guess is it'll be a full year when REAL countries are 2-3 months for a visa, our idiotic nation has boneheads....some senator's pork bill likely got the funding for a call center in NM rather than adjudicators in VT. so we wait for nothing to happen quickly with no accountability, no rights, no help...nothing.

(thanks for the ear...I feel better)!

Laugh. Another novel from Hyena. It is true. It's unfortunate. That said, what the up country folk pulled in the last few days, just set them back. Having a convicted criminal as your leader doesn't help much either.

The North and Northeast have the votes. The "light skinned" in Bangkok do not. Sure the folks in Bangkok have the cash etc.

The problem is that the Isaan people have put their future in the hands of a criminal. They will never get any respect from people inside or outside of Thailand as long as the continue to support this man. He is in it for himself. They are making a major strategic error by supporting him.

It played out to the world looking like a bunch of hillbillies coming down from the hills of West Virginia drunk on moonshine attacking Washington D.C. Trying to blow up gas tankers etc. They looked like idiots.

As far as Mr.Toxin, he egged them on all the way, calling for civil war etc. Then this morning the guy goes on CNN and says he only wanted peaceful protests. If he was a true Thai, he would go back and serve his sentence, and face the other 6 charges pending. But no, he runs to his luxury hotel in the U.A.E. He is a coward. If he doesn't want to come back to Thailand, and be fugitive, that's fine. But don't destroy your home country from a foreign land. I think that's called treason here in the U.S.

Almost all of the established Thais from Bangkok I have met here treat my wife like $hit. That doesn't give me or anyone else the right to go destroy their livelihood, or their neighborhood.

I think America has learned some lessons from their past (Barack Obama.) I hope the Thai's would do the same. I might be crazy, but I think a democrat from Isaan (if there is such a thing) would be a nice leader at this point for Thailand.

Once again... getting off my soapbox.

[HYENA 4]

This is getting really scary, and sad.

State of Emergency. Rioting. Thousands in the streets in Bangkok.

Thaksin threatening a "revolution".

I know these things always seem worse from abroad than when you are close by.

I was in Thailand last fall when they were protesting, and for the most part the commercial/tourist districts were not affected.

You wouldn't know anything was really going on unless you turned on the news.

My sense is that it's much worse this time, much more widespread.

I'm hoping to talk to my fiancee in ~ hour or so, and get her view.

Anybody currently in BKK who can give an eye on the street view of the situation?

My fiancee is near pratunam...Pratunam is closed and she only goes out enough to get food. Months ago when they bombed the Judges house, that was a block from my fiancee. She thought it was a car back firing. Just before I left 4 days ago to come back home, we got stuck twice in traffic jams (NO cars were moving for 2 hours so we got out and walked...I heard the talk programs all the taxis had tuned in to...listening religiously so I knew something was up (last time same thing happened). They've overthrown the government a few times in a year...nothing new...they've done it 20 times since WW2.

The last protest gridlock we had bags and wedding clothes...trekking down BKK streets with bagged dresses and suits in 100 degree heat (not my idea of fun)! The biggest problem is WHO is financing WHO. The answer should be obvious based on the unequal treatment of Red v Yellow...and likely that'll be a prediction who prevails, as well (since Thailand isn't a TRUE democracy by any means--not that we are, either)

She can hear noise going on right now but she stays inside (stray bullets and a fire bomb could come out any moment and I need her alive so I beg her not to go out or get curious, as well). She said the poor farmers are extra motivated since the PM announced in 4 days full permission with no recourse for the army and police to "kill em all". It only angered the red shirts because only 6 months ago the yellow shirts hijacked all the airports and government offices for a month with no repercussions at all...matter of fact they were able to overthwow the government but no one likes the farming class Isaan (because they're not lucky enough to have lighter skin). Such thoughtful Buddhists they are!

Selfishly, the Baht SHOULD drop (which would help tourism)...I have no idea why the BOT keeps propping up the Baht (Thaivisa.com has some serious financial analysts who dig into all that rubbish). I thought the baht was gonna decrease more than it did last overthrow but I wouldn't be so lucky. As a matter of fact, it's doing better since I left a month ago so that means less bang for the USD (long term I think the USD will drop to nothing since we're not gold/silver backed and imports/exports formula doesn't stand up (the second way to determine currency value) so we need to keep invading countries who sell oil on the Euro and convince them to go back to the USD (demand is the third and final way a currency is valued...our last prayer).

Why we REALLY want to pick a fight with Iran...

http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CLA410A.html

Our biased media forgetting to tell why the pirates are angry (we trained Saddam, Osama, Noriega and we never bombed Laos, either)

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.huf...ChEEbEIZBlvQ4aQ

depressing when you think about it...US propaganda right under our noses by our "fair and balanced" reporters (and I'm still awaiting my NOA2 more than 8 months of nothing.....) So proud of the US and all its recent accomplishments (and propaganda)...

[bill13060 0]

I tend to agree with most of your statements. I think the egging on from another country is a cowardice move. I don't understand why they don't let this guy do his job for this term and if they don't like it, then they can vote him out in the next election. They (yellow shirt and red shirt alike) do not know what they are doing to thier country. They need to get over this saving face stratagy and get on with life. It is doing them no good and people are getting hurt and killed for nothing. soon it will be a civil war over there.

[daboyz 36]

This is getting really scary, and sad.

State of Emergency. Rioting. Thousands in the streets in Bangkok.

Thaksin threatening a "revolution".

I know these things always seem worse from abroad than when you are close by.

I was in Thailand last fall when they were protesting, and for the most part the commercial/tourist districts were not affected.

You wouldn't know anything was really going on unless you turned on the news.

My sense is that it's much worse this time, much more widespread.

I'm hoping to talk to my fiancee in ~ hour or so, and get her view.

Anybody currently in BKK who can give an eye on the street view of the situation?

My fiancee is near pratunam...Pratunam is closed and she only goes out enough to get food. Months ago when they bombed the Judges house, that was a block from my fiancee. She thought it was a car back firing. Just before I left 4 days ago to come back home, we got stuck twice in traffic jams (NO cars were moving for 2 hours so we got out and walked...I heard the talk programs all the taxis had tuned in to...listening religiously so I knew something was up (last time same thing happened). They've overthrown the government a few times in a year...nothing new...they've done it 20 times since WW2.

The last protest gridlock we had bags and wedding clothes...trekking down BKK streets with bagged dresses and suits in 100 degree heat (not my idea of fun)! The biggest problem is WHO is financing WHO. The answer should be obvious based on the unequal treatment of Red v Yellow...and likely that'll be a prediction who prevails, as well (since Thailand isn't a TRUE democracy by any means--not that we are, either)

She can hear noise going on right now but she stays inside (stray bullets and a fire bomb could come out any moment and I need her alive so I beg her not to go out or get curious, as well). She said the poor farmers are extra motivated since the PM announced in 4 days full permission with no recourse for the army and police to "kill em all". It only angered the red shirts because only 6 months ago the yellow shirts hijacked all the airports and government offices for a month with no repercussions at all...matter of fact they were able to overthwow the government but no one likes the farming class Isaan (because they're not lucky enough to have lighter skin). Such thoughtful Buddhists they are!

Selfishly, the Baht SHOULD drop (which would help tourism)...I have no idea why the BOT keeps propping up the Baht (Thaivisa.com has some serious financial analysts who dig into all that rubbish). I thought the baht was gonna decrease more than it did last overthrow but I wouldn't be so lucky. As a matter of fact, it's doing better since I left a month ago so that means less bang for the USD (long term I think the USD will drop to nothing since we're not gold/silver backed and imports/exports formula doesn't stand up (the second way to determine currency value) so we need to keep invading countries who sell oil on the Euro and convince them to go back to the USD (demand is the third and final way a currency is valued...our last prayer).

Why we REALLY want to pick a fight with Iran...

http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CLA410A.html

Our biased media forgetting to tell why the pirates are angry (we trained Saddam, Osama, Noriega and we never bombed Laos, either)

http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.huf...ChEEbEIZBlvQ4aQ

depressing when you think about it...US propaganda right under our noses by our "fair and balanced" reporters (and I'm still awaiting my NOA2 more than 8 months of nothing.....) So proud of the US and all its recent accomplishments (and propaganda)...

I am in no way justifying the take over of the airport, but come on. Thaksin a convicted criminal on the run. They make his wife's brother Somchai PM? That is a joke.

Imagine if Nixon on his way way out appointed a family member to take his place? Mr. Somchai was taking orders from Thaksin all the way.

Bottom line... He is a convicted criminal due to his land deals and his selling of Shincorp to Temesak (Singapore). Him and his wife were convicted by a Thai court that I am sure was under extreme pressure to let him go.

One man should not be allowed to destroy a country of 65 million, and that is what he is trying to do.

[daboyz 36]

I tend to agree with most of your statements. I think the egging on from another country is a cowardice move. I don't understand why they don't let this guy do his job for this term and if they don't like it, then they can vote him out in the next election. They (yellow shirt and red shirt alike) do not know what they are doing to thier country. They need to get over this saving face stratagy and get on with life. It is doing them no good and people are getting hurt and killed for nothing. soon it will be a civil war over there.

I agree. Samak got his shot. Somchai was just Thaksin's mouthpiece. The had an election.

The thing that kills me... I dont get. When Samak is is kicked out, why in the hell would you make his brother in law Somchai PM? How does that look? That just begs trouble.

[daboyz 36]

Off topic... I asked the wife?

Somchai... doesn't that mean "orange yes"? She told me I'm an idiot and stop trying to speak Thai.

[HYENA 4]

Just an FYI for people bringing their spouse here from Thailand. The prejudice is pretty big with 90% of the Thais that are her already against your newly arrived spouse. If you think the Thais in Bangkok treat the up-country Thais bad in Thailand, wait until you get here. My wife has been here a month, and has already run into some pretty severe prejudice. If you wife is from Bangkok, you're fine. If not, don't take her around other Thais that are from Bangkok. Just a word of advice. They can be pretty mean.

ethnic Thais can be quite a nasty, nasty prejudice bunch (I've seen some shocking cruelty). Too much gossip, high school minded thinking, jealousy and this my sh*t don't stink attitude makes me sick. Light skinned dark skinned BS with brains the size of a pea. Someone mentions skin tone and I get very upset (like skin tone has anything to do with intelligence...what a bunch of idiots)! Don't get me started on the prejudice thing. Yes, som nom naa for farangs choosing the darker skinned ethnic regions outside of BKK (it's because they have good hearts). jealousy is rampant in a supposed Buddhist nation. I see less real Buddhism than any other "Buddhist" nation...it's warped!

My wife has low self esteem due to the noble thinking of the media public, ads and the gossip, rumors, employers and asses who decide to comment when they see us together (of course, no one would want them because of the shallow mindedness...go ahead and be jealous...no one wants you)!

No one wants a self serving egotistical woman who thinks she's superior only because of something she can't control (the skin color genes) and she had nothing to do with it! I find it's mainly the women with this catty attidue, as well.

Small minded thinking for small minded people. I was happy to respond once, though and let the noble know they were kee. The ignorance is rampant in BKK and so very hurtful. Each time I witness prejudice, my hair stands on end because it's so blatant and downright catty. I guess it is elsewhere, as well...me being farang....I'm no more farang or German than they are Japanese. Don't worry, I don't go around with a chip on my shoulder in Thailand...just venting here so I don't elsewhere. I'm no better than anyone...it was only by luck that I was born where I was and my dream is to bring someone here so they can enjoy the same luck I have (before our country goes belly up). I hear Australia has better opportunity and treats their citizens better (I'll have to see, though).

The lack of opportunity because of skin color really nauseates me (infuriates me, to be honest). Don't get me started...our country is learning how to address it after centuries of stupidity but at least we're aware and ashamed of it and are trying to correct our past wrongs. I' not used to seeing a country still proud of bigotry and ignorance...a Buddhist peace loving nation (where Buddhists don't drink but the bars and hookers per capita rank Thailand #1 in the world...be kind but don't punish for murder...porn is illegal but a 60 year old with a 19 year old is perfectly acceptable). it's too bad what becomes acceptable only because of money. If they all had money, the streets would be quiet and young girls could enjoy their youth untainted by VD.

I was shocked the first time I saw the small mindedness as if it was the 19th century USA all over again. I told my fiancee she's pretty and I like a nice tanned bod and she'll be quite sought after here (lucky me, she's taken)! She doesn't believe me because they remind her daily she's at the bottom rung of Thai society. Maybe she'll believe me when she sees all the tanning products here (direct opposite of the whitening products there). Sure, let's all look like we just got out of a hospital ward for 6 months...nice and pale with no color like we've been inside smoking crack all year. The ads and media supports this...the same looking stereotype...so many undertones of this small minded thinking supported from the very top all the way down. Unfortunately culture and rumor defeat education and reason in Thailand so whitey wins hands down every time. They can't even be proud of their own look...everyone wants to look like their from China...then you hear the Thai say "I'm 100% Thai" (adding "you're not Thai, you're Issan). The smallest amount of education would teach them they're no more ethnic Thai with a separate look than I am ethnic American with an "American" look....does our president look like me? That's one thing I look forward to...seeing my wife fully accepted with real friends that don't expect you to treat them everywhere (my fiancee's too poor to have a lot of friends...unfortunately friends cost money there).

Thanks for listening to me rant. I just needed to get that out of my system since I try to avoid it with my wife...her self talk is louder than my compliments. Only time and a loving, stable, accepting husband (and society) can heal, I guess.

Sooooo what about my visa application???

NO SECOND NOTICE...NOTHING. They gave me 60 days which have expired, now they want another 60 days to pick their nose. The first 60 days was to respond...that ran out...now they want 60 more to respond to my inquiry why the first 60 days was blown! ...Then i get to look forward to a nasty bald guy expected to make her cry (says all the other interviews). USCIS told me it's some sort of psycholical training to screen out the bad one's (Isn't that a fiancees job not the government to approve of your own spouse)? I returned on a plane with a guy waiting 5 years because he chewed the bald guy out for calling his wife a scammer, ####### and cheat (they have kids together..started as k1 now k3 and this ####### is all over their case...if their case isn't legit, i don't' know what is! Give a peon power and look what happens! He decides to do the opposite of Thai culture (waves his arms, yells, makes the women cry and calls them names)... Welcome to American arrogance! I'd be scared if I were a fiancee after being yelled at by a farang I never met and called names. He's apparently quite inappropriate with some of his questions, as well (some of the women don't like to talk about what he asks...being a shy culture and he's asking about sex, affection...told one lady she better go right outside and hug and kiss her husband the moment she left the building. He definitely needs cultural sensitivity training!

I've waited patiently, called the idiotic NVC in NM (far from Vermont)..amazing they hire hundreds in a call center rather than hiring adjudicators. I contacted my senators a third time (they even get canned BS misinformation responses...NO accountability). I don't have a million dollar contribution these idiots expect for "legal" bribery to get our case heard so i guess we get to endure this BS and wait. At least the Thais are blatant and open about bribes...we pretend we don't do it so the normal Joe will get the runaround but if you've got money or if you know the right people (or contribute to the right campaign), it takes a matter of weeks to get here.

going on 8 1/2 months without a second NOA...no accountability, just the runaround BS they've always done. I contacted the president's office today. I'm sickened by this over paranoia (lets blame it on terrorists but punish the public, instead). An hour through customs and some serious grilling on my return (better than the 2 hours last trip).... Our country has become the gestapo (really)!

Everyone's scared of terrorists but no one admits they already won! All they have to do is one scare and we spend ourselves into oblivion, over reacting and over budgeting taking it out on our citizens and since fiancees have no legal rights, our government retains nasty people who must hate their jobs...then they get to abuse non citizens for fun! This gem of a guy in BKK trusting an assistant who lies and claims your file is virtually empty giving everyone the runaround (another example of a BKK catty prejudice woman hating everyone who has the opportunity to lve with their love...while she sits there and claims "Tax file...no have...pictures...no have...Financial form...no have...emails...no have..." contrary to what's sitting int the file staring at her! This guy at the embassy has too much power and again, no accountability. Apparently he hasn't been following the published website USCIS guidelines from what i've learned off a couple cases where he denied and the basis for denial were things supposedly not required by USCIS website (when these denied spouses show him in writing, he says "the rules just changed" but refuses to show it in writing the new policy requiring what's not there or what's mentioned you don't need. It's all up to whether he's having his period or not, from what I understand.

I'm very disappointed with this entire process. I do not look forward to seeing my wife exit the building crying regardless of the decision (it better be a yes...we've got overkill so if that Thai lady says "No have..." What will I do? Absolutely nothing but wait outside and smile (and so will she) because we have no choice but to endure the nasty comments, gestapo tactics and lying assistant because we've no choice and they've got all the power. No one has any accountability (someone should wear a bug and record it...of course that's not allowed so he can get away with saying ANYTHING he wants just to get back at life for whatever happened to him when he was a child.

Report the guy for calling a fiancee a cheat, #######, liar, scammer? report to who? who cares? who listens? who's got 50k for a political contribution? constituents have no power, no say...only mal treatment and misinformation published by USCIS. My guess is USCIS is saying they're working on May cases now (while December applicants are sailing over here from other countries...). I've patiently waited only for my file to be put in someone's latrine.

I was not happy to have to return without my fiancee. I'm very disappointed with the complete lack of accountability USCIS has...blowing their own deadlines then asking for repeated 60 days every time an inquiry is made. So you have to blow your deadline by 30 days till they talk to you. Then they give you 60 days to respond. Once that's blown, the 60 days starts over again for another response. Each time they focus on the new countdown (never mind your case is over 6 months old) My guess is it'll be a full year when REAL countries are 2-3 months for a visa, our idiotic nation has boneheads....some senator's pork bill likely got the funding for a call center in NM rather than adjudicators in VT. so we wait for nothing to happen quickly with no accountability, no rights, no help...nothing.

(thanks for the ear...I feel better)!

Laugh. Another novel from Hyena. It is true. It's unfortunate. That said, what the up country folk pulled in the last few days, just set them back. Having a convicted criminal as your leader doesn't help much either.

The North and Northeast have the votes. The "light skinned" in Bangkok do not. Sure the folks in Bangkok have the cash etc.

The problem is that the Isaan people have put their future in the hands of a criminal. They will never get any respect from people inside or outside of Thailand as long as the continue to support this man. He is in it for himself. They are making a major strategic error by supporting him.

It played out to the world looking like a bunch of hillbillies coming down from the hills of West Virginia drunk on moonshine attacking Washington D.C. Trying to blow up gas tankers etc. They looked like idiots.

As far as Mr.Toxin, he egged them on all the way, calling for civil war etc. Then this morning the guy goes on CNN and says he only wanted peaceful protests. If he was a true Thai, he would go back and serve his sentence, and face the other 6 charges pending. But no, he runs to his luxury hotel in the U.A.E. He is a coward. If he doesn't want to come back to Thailand, and be fugitive, that's fine. But don't destroy your home country from a foreign land. I think that's called treason here in the U.S.

Almost all of the established Thais from Bangkok I have met here treat my wife like $hit. That doesn't give me or anyone else the right to go destroy their livelihood, or their neighborhood.

I think America has learned some lessons from their past (Barack Obama.) I hope the Thai's would do the same. I might be crazy, but I think a democrat from Isaan (if there is such a thing) would be a nice leader at this point for Thailand.

Once again... getting off my soapbox.

I think they have a Democrat party but they're different than ours from what I see. My wife supports Toxin but she says they all steal and they're all in it for themselves and no one else has given them the time of day and there her neighborhood has reasonable healthcare for the first time...and that he's actually saves thousands of lives by that one bill. having said that, there's so much BS I doubt the general Isaan or rural population would believe someone who was kind to them (even kind enough to pay for votes, if that's why he did it...or not) would do anything wrong. When I point out HOW much money he has and compare that with the Thai economy and size, you'd have to be evil to make that kind of money. They still say no one better has come along. Similar to the OJ thing, as well...so much injustice it became less important of a matter of guilt than it did all the past wrongs upon the darker skins here. Amazing we've come so far but we still haven't. Progress.... I don't think we can truly be healed only because of the history of slavery here (note those from India and similar countries don't face the same discrimination as African Americans here so it's not just skin color here...maybe it's not there, too). i do know they get blamed for all the red light action and are referred to as whores all the time by the high and mighty whitey Thais.

I think there, like here ...all evil politicians in it for themselves. Democrats/Republicans aren't much different here. They both have their powerful bodies of money laundering/favors and get rich schemes to keep them tainted just enough from really helping the general public...only interested in appearances while they do their own bidding. I wish it weren't so but although I wanted Obama, I'm worried he's been influenced too much (you can't really rate a president's effectiveness 'till they've been out of office a term or two so who knows this early on what will or won't have worked?)...I'm hoping we'll have a good run for history's sake...good for the nation, too. Thailand, on the other hand seems it's just opening new sores and the economic idiocy (closing airports at the precipice of an economic meltdown financed by...well, there's NO; absolutely NO forethought (they raise their children to call all the shots for the entire family and it seems they never grow up and think forward from that point on....scared their kids won't support them when they're old,kids get no discipline (how many families do you know who ship their daughters to an uncle's or aunts house to avoid them from having a boyfriend...when all they'd have to do is introduce consewuences to get the kid's attention! I see kids do stuff there i wouldn't dream of letting my kids do here (and I'm pretty flexible) but my kids do listen (one thing we don't agree on...when i tell my kids no, she doesn't like it)...minor thing, I guess but I really do believe the complete lack of self control or training as kids result in reactive child like adults who have the inability to plan ahead. How many times have you been on some complicated taxi trip or other trip and you went by the seat of your pants..winging it as you went (nothing seems planned hardly at all)...and the demonstrators aren't thinking consequences, neither does the country (it seems) which is why Thais will keep themselves down (they should be #1 in Asia but it's easier to emulate and react to other countries than to get on the stick and invent your own dynamic, industrious self actualized culture (my late night rambling)....

here mom and dad call the shots and the kids WILL listen (taught at a young age)....those are my 2 baht, though! WHat else can I do when I miss my sweetie so much? I'm head over heels whipped. Plenty of cultural misunderstandings but the more we see each other (and the more mistakes) the closer we get. We're very different but I think we make excellent compliments to each other.

I brought my friend over and he got a fiancee in a matter of days....They're happy as larks (and neither had a real chance alone left in their own countries)...she's old and not considered attractive at all and he's divorced and not very eligible here but put them together and boom! That's one nice thing about these things...they both found happiness where none could otherwise.

Yellows don't believe Isaan should be able to vote at all (or own land, business, school etc). It's a repeat of our civil war in the making. There's a struggle there but I don't think it's ripe yet but they're struggling for equal opportunity.

Even the music...they're addicted to morlam (isaan jams) that has incorporated into mainstream Thai culture while ethnic Thais despise Isaan people themselves (reminds me of the origins of rock and roll and blues here). Soon....but I don't think their time is here.

enough of my rambling...just going crazy cause I can't have my sweetheart here and I'm looking at likely a year till she gets here based on no NOA2 yer so I need to worry about everything else awry in the world and make it my business!

[HYENA 4]

Forgot I'm not on Thaivisa.com so i can say the princess funded the yellow shirts to overthrow the government which is why the king did nothing when they took over all the airports (Thaivisa would delete the post since it's Thai based and Thailand doesn't have freeedom of speech...neither does Thaivisa...one of their sponsors scammed me and my alert to others was deleted with a warning not to talk about their sponsors....it's all about da money!)....In Thailand (or Thaivisa.com) you're not allowed to say anything like the king is a smelly katoey or anything like that! LOL!

[birch- phuk_beer 0]

Off topic... I asked the wife?

Somchai... doesn't that mean "orange yes"? She told me I'm an idiot and stop trying to speak Thai.

I have to agree with Nok, youre an idiot........................

Why we REALLY want to pick a fight with Iran...

http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CLA410A.html

youve got to be friggin' kidding me

holy friggin &^%(&(^)^ sheitt

[scandal 951]

Off topic... I asked the wife?

Somchai... doesn't that mean "orange yes"? She told me I'm an idiot and stop trying to speak Thai.

I have to agree with Nok, youre an idiot........................

Thai Protesters Give Up to Avoid Further Violence

Troops, Protesters Clash in Bangkok

By Tim Johnston

Washington Post Foreign Service

Tuesday, April 14, 2009; 9:28 AM

BANGKOK, April 14 -- Four days of violent anti-government protests in Thailand came to a peaceful end Tuesday morning when the last demonstrators gave up and their leaders surrendered to security forces, saying they wanted to avoid further bloodshed.

The protesters had been ringed by heavily armed soldiers for almost 24 hours, and their numbers had shrunk to 2,000 from a high of about 100,000 who had demonstrated peacefully last week.

Perhaps the worst is over?

[scandal 951]

I am supposed to have our interview this week, Friday but with the current situation am not sure if they will cancel it or what will happen.

Noi,

Any further word on whether the consulate is open normally for your interview?

According to the embassy website they are closed for Songkran until Wed, and then should be open for normal business on Thurs & Friday.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/holidays.html

And according to the most recent Warden message dated yesterday, there is no statement that the Embassy will alter their hours and days of operation.

http://bangkok.usembassy.gov/041209wardenmessage.html

However, my fiancee told me yesterday that the Thai government was extending the Songkran holiday period through to the end of the week.... not sure if this is true, or if it will affect the embassy schedule.

I hope your interview goes forward as planned. Please let us know how things proceed in your case.

I'm personally keen to know if the embassy is operating this week because we still don't have an interview date scheduled. We mailed back our Packet 3 on April 3, and they signed for it the same day according to the EMS tracking info. It sure would be nice to know if we'll get an interview date like, maybe in this CENTURY would be nice!!! Considering that we were NOA2 back in January, and out of NVC in March.... sigh. Sorry for the rant. I know others are waiting too. It just sucks that our waiting is now colliding directly with Songkran and the street protests.

[Danno2 0]

Why we REALLY want to pick a fight with Iran...

http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/CLA410A.html

I learned something new today.

[Danno2 0]

Who is going to create a dedicated SAWASDEE social, culture, political b!tch thread?

Edited April 15, 2009 by Danny and Chada

[scandal 951]

Who is going to create a dedicated SAWASDEE social, culture, political b!tch thread?

MMmm..... I think u just nominated yerself, boychik!