SAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)

[Dan and Pat! 0]

I'd have been angry too but I've learned, painfully, that often it doesn't matter whether you are right or not-- especially dealing with a government entity. Maybe their behavior was some combination of stupid, lazy, silly, unprofessional and maybe you could prove it to someone who would care but at what cost? You got the visa... chalk it up as a win and get on with your life together. This doesn't seem like a worthwhile battle.

Hell at this point... the Thai nationals working the embassy can call me stupid ATM farang and moon me if it'll get my fiancee here faster.... Take comfort in the fact that you and your fiancee will likely lead a measurably better life than they will. If being petty to you makes em sleep better at night, be magnanimous since they are no longer your problem!

Wow, that's a great way to look at things. I agree 100%. I probably do need to relax, but my adrenaline is still pumping from the roller coaster ride that was the last week. Love the Don Quixote reference.

ThaistyleUSA and Anya, no offense intended. I like Thai people (I'm marrying one), what I don't like is the nameless people at the Embassy.

Thong, I agree with you once again. I am pretty drained. Sounds like it's your turn next. I'm rooting for you. Also, I'm in BKK until the 8th, if you need anything.

daboyz, Last time I tried to take my fiance on a trip out of the country the yellow shirts decided to camp out in the airport. Can you give me an over/under on whether or not they are going to do the same thing on November 8th, cause I gotta get home.

[Pii Sam 0]

... She was asked to interview in English though. Wasn't expecting that.

For those Fiancees that have interviewed in the past six months, has it been their experience that they are asked to interview in English?

I would appreciate everone's experience. Thanks

Su may have been asked to interview in English because I wrote in packet 1 that she was capable of speaking both languages. The interviewer also asked which language she primarily used when communicating with me. Which she replied English. She told the CO that when she got confused I would speak Thai to her. Luckily we practiced the interview many times (all in English), and she was able to answer every question confidently without getting flustered. The CO spoke slowly and clearly for Su, so she was able to understand the questions.

[Roong_Rob 0]

... She was asked to interview in English though. Wasn't expecting that.

For those Fiancees that have interviewed in the past six months, has it been their experience that they are asked to interview in English?

I would appreciate everone's experience. Thanks

Su may have been asked to interview in English because I wrote in packet 1 that she was capable of speaking both languages. The interviewer also asked which language she primarily used when communicating with me. Which she replied English. She told the CO that when she got confused I would speak Thai to her. Luckily we practiced the interview many times (all in English), and she was able to answer every question confidently without getting flustered. The CO spoke slowly and clearly for Su, so she was able to understand the questions.

All of this is really good to know. While Audy and I mainly communicate in English, she is trying to teach me reading and writing of Thai. But Audy's understanding of spoken English isn't very advanced. I am sending her to English classes in Bangkok.

Our communication by email is good, but again, she does not write much. If they interview her in Thai, I think that will be a problem for the proof of Relationship or continued Relationship.

Thanks for your answers and Congratulations.

[rin and john 71]

PS.. it didnt feel any difference though.. being an American

Given the current American debt of almost $7.7 trillion, you just took on about $25,000 of public debt (the $7.7 trillion divided by the approximate number of US citizens). Thanks for joining the team!

[ThaiStyleUSA 1]

I'd have been angry too but I've learned, painfully, that often it doesn't matter whether you are right or not-- especially dealing with a government entity. Maybe their behavior was some combination of stupid, lazy, silly, unprofessional and maybe you could prove it to someone who would care but at what cost? You got the visa... chalk it up as a win and get on with your life together. This doesn't seem like a worthwhile battle.

Hell at this point... the Thai nationals working the embassy can call me stupid ATM farang and moon me if it'll get my fiancee here faster.... Take comfort in the fact that you and your fiancee will likely lead a measurably better life than they will. If being petty to you makes em sleep better at night, be magnanimous since they are no longer your problem!

Wow, that's a great way to look at things. I agree 100%. I probably do need to relax, but my adrenaline is still pumping from the roller coaster ride that was the last week. Love the Don Quixote reference.

ThaistyleUSA and Anya, no offense intended. I like Thai people (I'm marrying one), what I don't like is the nameless people at the Embassy.

Thong, I agree with you once again. I am pretty drained. Sounds like it's your turn next. I'm rooting for you. Also, I'm in BKK until the 8th, if you need anything.

daboyz, Last time I tried to take my fiance on a trip out of the country the yellow shirts decided to camp out in the airport. Can you give me an over/under on whether or not they are going to do the same thing on November 8th, cause I gotta get home.

Dan, no offense taken. As a retired military member, I would like to see everyone happy, and be positive about life. I think we all should live life to its fullest. Believe me I had been to many places and saw many cultures. But I learned to respect them all. We all are human. We have to be thankful for what we are and have. I had sacrifice my life for 22 yrs, all I want to do now is to enjoy it with my family and friends. Life is too short. Take care...good luck & congratulations.

[*Robert* 2]

And Congratulation to everyone who got the visa in hand.. there really is a light at the end of the road.. Chutima and I are proof!! WE ARE DONE!@!!

PS.. it didnt feel any difference though.. being an American

Congratulations on getting your Naturalization Certificate Anya!!!

Chutima has her Oath Ceremony next Friday, Oct 30th at 0800!

Have you already applied for your pasport? Have you gone by the SSA office yet?

Chutima's passport paperwork is all filled out and ready to go. Will go for the expedite just because I want this completely over as soon as possible!

[anya-D 8]

And Congratulation to everyone who got the visa in hand.. there really is a light at the end of the road.. Chutima and I are proof!! WE ARE DONE!@!!

PS.. it didnt feel any difference though.. being an American

Congratulations on getting your Naturalization Certificate Anya!!!

Chutima has her Oath Ceremony next Friday, Oct 30th at 0800!

Have you already applied for your pasport? Have you gone by the SSA office yet?

Chutima's passport paperwork is all filled out and ready to go. Will go for the expedite just because I want this completely over as soon as possible!

AHHHH FORGOT the SSA!!! I didnt even change it when I got the GC, still said i need a prove to get employment

Btw, Congrats on getting the Oath.. my in-laws went with me and my mom (in-law) cried lol

Everything is ready for passport but just didnt get a chance to call in for the appointment (need appointment to apply passport for the first time) espicailly I havent got a chance to get a photo for it yet.. I need to really be careful this time, my certificate has such an ugly pic that i'll have to see the rest of my life

Dan~ no offense taken and Congratulation, you are done with stage one!

[thongd4me 69]

I have a friend who has lived in Thailand for over 25 years. He is not American,

but from a country famous for disposing of their king. He would like to see the

abolition of the monarchy. I don't share his view because I take my bottom-line

cue on this issue from Mick Jagger, a well-known European. Once they asked Mick

about the election that either Bush or Obama won (I forget which). His response

was something to the effect:

"I'm not an American citizen so I refrain from making such comments. None of

my bloody business." That doesn't mean he would refuse to respect the American

President or meet with him or say something nice about him (outside of political

statements).

Until I become a Thai citizen, that must be my position too. Any comment I

make on the King must either be neutral or praiseworthy (taking my cue

from Mick and my soon to be wife). Being neutral does not mean refusing

to stand when the King's anthem is played in a cinema. I'm just going with

the flow.

[daboyz 36]

I have a friend who has lived in Thailand for over 25 years. He is not American,

but from a country famous for disposing of their king. He would like to see the

abolition of the monarchy. I don't share his view because I take my bottom-line

cue on this issue from Mick Jagger, a well-known European. Once they asked Mick

about the election that either Bush or Obama won (I forget which). His response

was something to the effect:

"I'm not an American citizen so I refrain from making such comments. None of

my bloody business." That doesn't mean he would refuse to respect the American

President or meet with him or say something nice about him (outside of political

statements).

Until I become a Thai citizen, that must be my position too. Any comment I

make on the King must either be neutral or praiseworthy (taking my cue

from Mick and my soon to be wife). Being neutral does not mean refusing

to stand when the King's anthem is played in a cinema. I'm just going with

the flow.

Walk a fine line here sunshine. I doubt anyone would take the view of disposing the king. Look at the countries nearby. Laos, Cambodia, Burma. They are all in disarray. You'll never be a Thai citizen. I would love to be in that movie theater when you don't stand. I would be the first one to put my foot in you're a$$. You have no idea what that man did for Thailand. I'll leave at that. Don't ever.. ever talk bad about the King here.

[toma1 10]

Being neutral does not mean refusing

to stand when the King's anthem is played in a cinema. I'm just going with

the flow.

Walk a fine line here sunshine. I doubt anyone would take the view of disposing the king. Look at the countries nearby. Laos, Cambodia, Burma. They are all in disarray. You'll never be a Thai citizen. I would love to be in that movie theater when you don't stand. I would be the first one to put my foot in you're a$$. You have no idea what that man did for Thailand. I'll leave at that. Don't ever.. ever talk bad about the King here.

Huh?? I think you've misread something. I added some hi-lighting for you...

[daboyz 36]

Being neutral does not mean refusing

to stand when the King's anthem is played in a cinema. I'm just going with

the flow.

Walk a fine line here sunshine. I doubt anyone would take the view of disposing the king. Look at the countries nearby. Laos, Cambodia, Burma. They are all in disarray. You'll never be a Thai citizen. I would love to be in that movie theater when you don't stand. I would be the first one to put my foot in you're a$$. You have no idea what that man did for Thailand. I'll leave at that. Don't ever.. ever talk bad about the King here.

Huh?? I think you've misread something. I added some hi-lighting for you...

Look because you bought a few condos or what ever over there. You don't have a clue. I'm real tired of your fake a$$ Thailand. Go up country and get back to me.

[toma1 10]

Being neutral does not mean refusing

to stand when the King's anthem is played in a cinema. I'm just going with

the flow.

Walk a fine line here sunshine. I doubt anyone would take the view of disposing the king. Look at the countries nearby. Laos, Cambodia, Burma. They are all in disarray. You'll never be a Thai citizen. I would love to be in that movie theater when you don't stand. I would be the first one to put my foot in you're a$$. You have no idea what that man did for Thailand. I'll leave at that. Don't ever.. ever talk bad about the King here.

Huh?? I think you've misread something. I added some hi-lighting for you...

Look because you bought a few condos or what ever over there. You don't have a clue. I'm real tired of your fake a$$ Thailand. Go up country and get back to me.

What the hell is wrong with you?

First, you've confused me with someone else.

Second, you didn't even read his post correctly.

[Busaiteen 0]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. My house is FIRMLY divided. I'm a RED SHIRT and my girl is a YELLOW. We just don't talk about it. The king is cool is a plethora of ways but looking at it objectively one could make many observations which suggest otherwise.

Don't get me started.... I lived there for 8 years, most of the time in BKK. I went to TU and BU and worked at Chula. Spent HEAPS of time in isaan, southern providences, etc ..

I have a HIGHLY ambivalent relationship with the Kingdom of Thailand.

[DaveTX 2]

Everyone is entitled to their opinion. My house is FIRMLY divided. I'm a RED SHIRT and my girl is a YELLOW. We just don't talk about it. The king is cool is a plethora of ways but looking at it objectively one could make many observations which suggest otherwise.

Don't get me started.... I lived there for 8 years, most of the time in BKK. I went to TU and BU and worked at Chula. Spent HEAPS of time in isaan, southern providences, etc ..

I have a HIGHLY ambivalent relationship with the Kingdom of Thailand.

This probably belongs in the regional forum but since it came up... What is the real difference between red and yellow shirts? I never hear about any policy or governance difference, it just seems to be about who gets to milk the corruption. I asked my fiancee, she said there are differences but that they are both stupid and wouldn't elaborate

[Busaiteen 0]

Well Dave the easiest way to explain it is this... yellow shirts were originally simply monarch loyalist, myself included. It was just a way to show support to the king. But really it all boils down to Sondhi (old Thaksin friend who ended up on the outs) and Thaksin fighting a proxy war against each other over money. The original red shirts were Thaksin loyalist who basically were upcountry folk who appreciated all he had done for them. Port coup you had a sleuth of business owners, academics, etc join with the red shirts simply because 1. coups are not cool 2.. stability should be the #1 consideration above all else.

Its all BS anyway and youre not missing much.