I think those who follow my blog would understand the title of this post. Its 2nd of Aug and its my birthday again. It has been 6 years plus since I met my wife and we are still waiting on the status for my wife.
To refresh those who never read the beginning. My wife is born in Thailand but without a birth certificate. And worst still is that she was born near the borders at Maesai which makes things even more complicated. Her status now is actually Thai Yai (2nd class citizenship) which she is confined in the state of Chiang Rai. If she needs to get out of the state. She needs to prove her employment at her Amphue. In this case, at Mae Fa Leung. There are over ten thousands such people like her in Thailand holding this bullshit status. They were often bullied and forced to work as cheap labourer or as sexual workers. My wife is a bit lucky to meet someone in Bangkok to help her out in her store (thats where I met her).
We came back to Maesai when we had our girl and we had been trying hard ever since to sort out her citizenship. She is Thai but do not have Sian Chart (or Thai Citizenship). So we cannot get married and she cannot leave the country. My daughter and son is currently stateless too as Thai law will only grant them citizenship if they are over 12. So apparently if my wife's status is not changed. They will only get their citizenship when they reached 12.
So that's a kind of a summury of my predicament in Thailand.
NOW the good news so far. WE managed to get in touch of an EXPERT in all these sort of things and we are slowly progressing to get the citizenship for my wife. So far it looks promising but I don't want to jump to conclusion as we had a lot of such false hopes so crossing our fingers, we will be going back to the Amphue this coming Tues to Kor Sian Chart (ask for citizenship). The soothsayer wife spoke to say my son will be bringing us good luck. So cross my fingers....
Showing posts with label Visa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Visa. Show all posts
Like I want to...
I went to apply for my Visa again this morning. This time I did not have a pleasant experience. The lady who took my application questioned me why I kept on applying for Tourist Visa if I was visiting my daughter. I told her I am not married and it seems thats the only option to me. She proceeded to give me the "look" and warn (more like threatening) me about if I applied too much Tourist Visa I may be denied. And in the end asked (more like telling) me to get married so as to get a 'O' Visa.
Why do people just like to pass judgment to a person by only looking or by just a few exchanges of words? I could go on and explain all my issues to her and "clear" my name but for what? Like if I tell her my predicament she might have a solution for me. The system is broken and I am in that loop. Like I want to keep on applying a "Tourist Visa". If I could get married and my child has a Thai citizenship, I would be the first in line to get married and get out of Singapore.
Anyway, I will be collecting my passport tomorrow and if its denied. Think I need to throw my entire story at the officer in charge again.
Why do people just like to pass judgment to a person by only looking or by just a few exchanges of words? I could go on and explain all my issues to her and "clear" my name but for what? Like if I tell her my predicament she might have a solution for me. The system is broken and I am in that loop. Like I want to keep on applying a "Tourist Visa". If I could get married and my child has a Thai citizenship, I would be the first in line to get married and get out of Singapore.
Anyway, I will be collecting my passport tomorrow and if its denied. Think I need to throw my entire story at the officer in charge again.
9/11 Visa Run
Its Sept 11. And my Visa will expire on the 13th. So I decided to go have my visa run today to get another 30 days before I return to Singapore.
Woke up in the morning and it was pouring. Anyway, I dressed up and took the bike out with my raincoat. Crossed the border with little hassle and was in Myanmar Thachilek in less than 15mins (from my house). The border military took 500baht from me and proceeded to take a photo of me (as usual). They uses web-cam to take the photo and print it onto a piece of card with all of your particulars on it. They will then keep your passport until you return later on the day to get back into Thailand.
Thachilek was much much quieter than it was. Since the 1st Oct new Visa-On-Arrival law came into effect, I think both Maesai and Thachilek suffered from the lost of foreign customers.
I also heard from my Ang Mo friend and wife that DVDs are not to be found anymore as they recently had a raid. To my surprise, the shops are open but they are a bit on the edge. They open their doors halfway, like if there is a raid, they could close the shop easily. Anyway, browse some titles and was hoping to get Jesus Camp but they don't seems to have it. However, I stumbled on a boxset of BBC's documentaries. 100 DVDs boxset which came in a very chio (beautiful) metallic box. Only 2400baht (after haggling over the price) which meand only 24baht per DVD. hehehe
After a 30min walk around hte area, I nearly sprained my ankle when I return to the immigration checkpoint (bloody roads). Got my 30 day extension and headed back home. Wife heard I bought this and not too happy with my purchase. Jia lat liao.....
Woke up in the morning and it was pouring. Anyway, I dressed up and took the bike out with my raincoat. Crossed the border with little hassle and was in Myanmar Thachilek in less than 15mins (from my house). The border military took 500baht from me and proceeded to take a photo of me (as usual). They uses web-cam to take the photo and print it onto a piece of card with all of your particulars on it. They will then keep your passport until you return later on the day to get back into Thailand.
Thachilek was much much quieter than it was. Since the 1st Oct new Visa-On-Arrival law came into effect, I think both Maesai and Thachilek suffered from the lost of foreign customers.
I also heard from my Ang Mo friend and wife that DVDs are not to be found anymore as they recently had a raid. To my surprise, the shops are open but they are a bit on the edge. They open their doors halfway, like if there is a raid, they could close the shop easily. Anyway, browse some titles and was hoping to get Jesus Camp but they don't seems to have it. However, I stumbled on a boxset of BBC's documentaries. 100 DVDs boxset which came in a very chio (beautiful) metallic box. Only 2400baht (after haggling over the price) which meand only 24baht per DVD. hehehe After a 30min walk around hte area, I nearly sprained my ankle when I return to the immigration checkpoint (bloody roads). Got my 30 day extension and headed back home. Wife heard I bought this and not too happy with my purchase. Jia lat liao.....
Preparation.
Some of you already noticed that I start to have very very short titles for each post. (Normally one word) Its actually a psychological gimmick that will entice people to read my post.. haha... Because a short title will rouse your curiosity to read more...
Anyway, this post is mostly about my preparation to return to the Land Of Smile. Already got my Visa(see pic) and booked a flight back. 28 Feb morning I will fly back to Chiang Mai with my mum. Get to see my wife and baby. Yeah!! I won't be staying long in Thailand this time as I will most probably return in 3 months time (June) as I need to clear my RT. :(
Another preparation is Chinese New Year. I am still contemplating whether the need to give red packets anot (I legally speaking ,is still a single) :P So not too sure whether our law applies to Chinese tradition anot. haha. So this few days, I will be helping my mum to prepare for CNY 2007. Good year for dragon leh... So happy..
Anyway, this post is mostly about my preparation to return to the Land Of Smile. Already got my Visa(see pic) and booked a flight back. 28 Feb morning I will fly back to Chiang Mai with my mum. Get to see my wife and baby. Yeah!! I won't be staying long in Thailand this time as I will most probably return in 3 months time (June) as I need to clear my RT. :(Another preparation is Chinese New Year. I am still contemplating whether the need to give red packets anot (I legally speaking ,is still a single) :P So not too sure whether our law applies to Chinese tradition anot. haha. So this few days, I will be helping my mum to prepare for CNY 2007. Good year for dragon leh... So happy..
Good and Bad News.
What a day! The good news is JL and MY got a smooth operation and they are now a happy family with 2 healthy babies. Check them out here! My congratulations to them. Seems like my bai bai got work... hahaha
The bad news is regarding my wife's status.. No go on her citizenship. We are suppose to meet up some "high ranking" officials at the local district office to convert her PR to a full thai citizen. But there are some last minute changes in the "deal". We feel its a scam and ignored the deal. (I don't want to talk too much about this issue as its not very politically correct of what we are doing).
Anyway, we are used to such dissapointments. So no worries. Just need more patience and wait for the day to come.
The bad news is regarding my wife's status.. No go on her citizenship. We are suppose to meet up some "high ranking" officials at the local district office to convert her PR to a full thai citizen. But there are some last minute changes in the "deal". We feel its a scam and ignored the deal. (I don't want to talk too much about this issue as its not very politically correct of what we are doing).
Anyway, we are used to such dissapointments. So no worries. Just need more patience and wait for the day to come.
Tomorrow is a big day.
Tomorrow, 17 Jan 2007 is a big day. First, my friend JL is going to have twins. Operation is set at 12 noon. Two boys at one go! All the best to JL and MY. My wife and I already Bai Bai for your family. Everything will be as smooth as silk.
Its also going to be a big day for me in Maesai. Something great and promising is happening here. Things are suddenly moving so fast that I thought I am in a dream. Theoratically, if tomorrow's meeting is successful... all my problems here in Thailand will be more or less solved! Both my wife and I are still pinching and punching each other to see we are dreaming anot.
17 Jan 2007 is also one day short of Xinhui going into her 8 month. Time really flies when you have a baby or children. She was so fragile just a few months ago and now starts to display traits of a human being. She really enjoys exploring new stuff and likes to put everything she grabs in her mouth (my mum said I have this personality too when I was a baby... hehe). Today, we saw her, for the first time, able to change from proning position to sitting position, all by herself without our help. Wife and I was so proud of her.
Anyway, there will be an entry tomorrow. Definitely. Its just whether its good news or bad news.
Its also going to be a big day for me in Maesai. Something great and promising is happening here. Things are suddenly moving so fast that I thought I am in a dream. Theoratically, if tomorrow's meeting is successful... all my problems here in Thailand will be more or less solved! Both my wife and I are still pinching and punching each other to see we are dreaming anot.
17 Jan 2007 is also one day short of Xinhui going into her 8 month. Time really flies when you have a baby or children. She was so fragile just a few months ago and now starts to display traits of a human being. She really enjoys exploring new stuff and likes to put everything she grabs in her mouth (my mum said I have this personality too when I was a baby... hehe). Today, we saw her, for the first time, able to change from proning position to sitting position, all by herself without our help. Wife and I was so proud of her.
Anyway, there will be an entry tomorrow. Definitely. Its just whether its good news or bad news.
Some great promising news.
Feel like taking a break from the long Myanmar post. Have it in draft but still need to go through the details. Anyway, there's some good news concerning my visa in Thailand. According to a guy in Thaivisa.com forum. It seems that he is able to return to Thailand using a Tourist visa issued by the embassy in KL, Malaysia. So I think I could just fly back to Singapore and go to the Thai embassy to apply for one.
This is really great news as it means I won't be forced to leave my wife and baby for 3 whole months before I could return. So I look forward to it and plan to return back to Thailand after Chinese New Year.
The soothsayer in Burma said I will have a good year in 2007. Seems like its coming true :)
This is really great news as it means I won't be forced to leave my wife and baby for 3 whole months before I could return. So I look forward to it and plan to return back to Thailand after Chinese New Year.
The soothsayer in Burma said I will have a good year in 2007. Seems like its coming true :)
My Complications (BIG BIG PROBLEM LEH)
Some background. I first encountered my wife in Bangkok in year 2002. A friend introduced me to her and we have been in touch for years through phone conversation. I visit her quite often during 2004 in Maesai when she lost her job.
She is a Thai Yai. A politcal refugee from Myanmar who escaped into Thailand during an internal civil war between the Shans State and Myanmar Military Junta. She is holding a Green Card which states that she could not leave the state of Chiang Rai unless with proper papers from her district office in Mae Fa Luang.
When we found out she is pregnant with our baby. We were worried.
First, my wife current status does not grant my baby full Thai citizenship on birth. My girl will be granted only when she is 15 years or more and she studies in Thailand plus proof from other Thai citizens that she is indeed born and studied here.
Second, we can't get married. This is due to the fact that there are no laws in Thai legal system that allows a Thai Yai to marry a foreigner. The law states she could marry another Thai Yai or even a Thai national. But no laws were in place for her to marry a foreigner like me. So we could not register under Thai Marriage Law.
The above 2 problems gives me a situation that I could not apply for a type 'O' dependent visa for my stay in Thailand. An O visa is that I could stay in Thailand for a year and report every 3 months. All I need is a marriage certificate with a Thai or a birth certificate of my baby (which should be a thai national) to apply for one. Both citerias not met, which means I have to stick to Tourist Visa and do a visa run every month to Myanmar. Luckily, Maesai is just next to Myanmar. But now, Thai Law has changed again. Visa runs might not be possible anymore.
So my wife and baby are currently stateless. I tried going back to Singapore to get my baby a citizenship or even a PR. The immigration too, rejected my application as we are not married. I explained my situation to them that we could not get married due to the laws there and I could not bring her out to another country to get married too as she is stuck in Thailand. What a joke, I thought they want us to have babies but they are just as ruthless.
Anyone can help?
She is a Thai Yai. A politcal refugee from Myanmar who escaped into Thailand during an internal civil war between the Shans State and Myanmar Military Junta. She is holding a Green Card which states that she could not leave the state of Chiang Rai unless with proper papers from her district office in Mae Fa Luang.
When we found out she is pregnant with our baby. We were worried.
First, my wife current status does not grant my baby full Thai citizenship on birth. My girl will be granted only when she is 15 years or more and she studies in Thailand plus proof from other Thai citizens that she is indeed born and studied here.
Second, we can't get married. This is due to the fact that there are no laws in Thai legal system that allows a Thai Yai to marry a foreigner. The law states she could marry another Thai Yai or even a Thai national. But no laws were in place for her to marry a foreigner like me. So we could not register under Thai Marriage Law.
The above 2 problems gives me a situation that I could not apply for a type 'O' dependent visa for my stay in Thailand. An O visa is that I could stay in Thailand for a year and report every 3 months. All I need is a marriage certificate with a Thai or a birth certificate of my baby (which should be a thai national) to apply for one. Both citerias not met, which means I have to stick to Tourist Visa and do a visa run every month to Myanmar. Luckily, Maesai is just next to Myanmar. But now, Thai Law has changed again. Visa runs might not be possible anymore.
So my wife and baby are currently stateless. I tried going back to Singapore to get my baby a citizenship or even a PR. The immigration too, rejected my application as we are not married. I explained my situation to them that we could not get married due to the laws there and I could not bring her out to another country to get married too as she is stuck in Thailand. What a joke, I thought they want us to have babies but they are just as ruthless.
Anyone can help?
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