Thais in the UK

Post by **caller** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 2:04 am

Sabai Jai wrote:The big Chinese supermarkets; Hoo Hing, Wing Yip etc have more and are cheaper.

Regards Sabai Jai

I agree about Talad Thai and the store is very expensive. Always tickles me about how much these places charge for Singha and the like, when it's far cheaper in the supermarkets.

I also agree about Wing Yip and Hoo Hin. The huge Wing Yip complex in Croydon is excellent and the less salubrious Hoo Hing in Mitcham is also pretty good. But for the really 'specialist' stuff, the wife reverts to the Thai shops (usually Paya Thai in Richmond, or I stop there on the way home, call the wife and pass the phone to one of the ladies serving, I got the wrong basil once).

Interesting about the temples trying to keep count of Thai's here, my wife wouldn't appear on their radar and I'm a bit puzzled about how the embassy can manage that either?

We met a Thai recently who had lived here for 30 years, married to a Brit!

Post by **Sabai Jai** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:13 pm

The Embassy started during the Taksin era to try and get people to register to vote etc.

At all Thai events the 'Ministry of information' are present, they take video and photographic records.

A friend of mine was 'Cultural Attache' for a while - after a couple of drinks he was quite informative.

Things may improve (Optimistic view) under the new regime?

SJ

Post by **caller** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 2:01 am

That's interesting stuff SJ. And as you will be aware, there were lots of demos at the Thai Embassy after the latest coup. So I guess they were all filmed?

There was a weekend Thai event in Dorking last year - their first - that was excellent and the Thai Ambassador was there and it was fun to watch him doing the rounds with the local Mayor - all of that was being recorded. Poor guy had to shake so many hands and stop for so many photo opportunites - he even came into the beer tent area (bloody nuisance), so Singha, Chang and something called Asian Gold or someting like that (it was yuk), all got a lot of nice free publicity.

Post by **Sabai Jai** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 9:06 pm

Caller

My missus was at the Dorking event, she helps out with a friend of hers who runs a stall a these festivals.

I passed on that one as I seem to have overdosed on similar events for the moment. Mind you they are often fun when you do go...

SJ

Post by **Big Boy** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:36 am

Firstly, can I respectfully ask Admin if this thread could be made Sticky? I think there are enough of us 'wannabe expats' stuck in the UK who will make use of this from time to time.

Now for my question .............. I was talking to a friend of one of my son's karate teachers today. His teacher is married to a Thai, and they have a young daughter - both wife and daughter are still living in Thailand. He has been trying to bring his family to the UK for years now - there always seems to be just one more hurdle for him to jump.

I was told today that he has to be able to show £7,000 in his UK bank account before they will grant the visas. He has been told that this is to cover any miscellaneous cost such as medical bills when they get to the UK.

Can anybody confirm this requirement please?

My personal opinion is that it is absolute twaddle, and is merely serving as an excuse not to bring his family to the UK. I like to keep abreast of UK immigration matters, but have to say that I've never heard of this requirement.

Post by **kendo** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:02 am

Big Boy,
Hi mate, i tend to agree with you on this, my wife came to the U.K in less than six months of us meeting i put my heart into sorting all the red tape and i think its not that difficult.
My wifes first visa a fiance visa stated no recorse to public funds and no work, this does not cover any medical issues, anyone legaly here are entitled to health care.

My wife has only had her indefinate leave to remain for 11 months, and when i was doing all the red tape stuff, there was no mention of this so on that basis i think its a tall story.

Kendo.

Post by **caller** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:24 am

BB, I assume the teacher is a Brit? If so I agree with you, sounds like the guy has an ulterior motive?

If he's married, his wife could get a settlement visa and that allows free NHS treatment, entitlement to work and the rest. The only thing that is a no-no is access to public funds and even that is a 'greyer' area if the husband is the claimant.

There is no such requirement to have 7k in the bank before a visa can be granted.

Post by **Big Boy** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:33 am

Yes he is British.

Thanks for confirming that I hadn't missed such a critical condition for gaining a UK visa.

Did they ever bring in the requirement for a bounty payment before allowing visitors entry (returned when the visitor went home)? If so, how much is that - could that be what's confusing him?

Post by **caller** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:50 am

I have never heard of a 'bounty' payment, either!

Post by **Big Boy** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 5:02 am

caller wrote:I have never heard of a 'bounty' payment, either!

About 9 to 12 months ago the papers were full of it. If you sponsored a visitor to the UK you would have to pay a bond (OK, I know I said bounty - it's the age

), which would only be refunded if the visitor stuck to the conditions of their visa.

What I'm not sure about is whether it was just paper talk, or whether it actually happened.

Post by **caller** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 5:24 am

I understand now BB, no that hasn't been introduced yet. It's more about penalties for those that abuse the system, it puts a financial onus on the sponsor and potentially severe penalties for visa applicants such as a 10 year ban from the UK for a false application, or overstay. Of course, they could just go to Calais instead!

Shouldn't be an issue for the teacher!

Post by **Big Boy** » Sun Mar 22, 2009 5:47 am

No, I agree that it shouldn't be an issue, but it has been a string of excuses for about 4 years now. I gave up asking/offering to help him about a year ago, convinced that he was simply making excuses.

I was just curious after hearing about his latest excuse today.

Post by **Big Boy** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 1:05 am

As Songkran approaches, I was wondering where the festival was being celebrated in the UK, and when.

Celebrations that I've heard of so far are:

Sunday 12 Apr'09:

The Buddhapadipa Temple, 14 Calonne Road, Wimbledon, London SW19 5HJ
9am until 1:30pm (final event including traditional dance and Miss Sonkran will go on until late afternoon).

WAT Santiwongsaram, 107, Handsworth Wood Road, Birmingham. B20 2PH
10:30 until 13:15. Lunch hour (Free) for all visitors 11am until 12pm

Sunday 19 Apr'09:

Bay-Den Scout Hall, Ferry Road, Grangetown, Cardiff. CF11 0XR
9am until 4pm - includes Miss Songkran

What other Songkran celebrations are taking place in the UK?

Post by **baron_wastelanduk** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:21 pm

there will be another song kran celebration in wanstead i believe in a car park near the sports centre when i have exact details will post em up
its something to do with fundraising for the new temple in east london

Post by **Sabai Jai** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:54 pm

I will give the Wimbledon / Wat Buddhapadipa a miss this year, I live about ten mins drive from there and have done it many times.

It is a big Festival five to six thousand visitors would be usual - if you do go parking is not so easy, they operate a one way system on the road around the Temple and temporary parking restrictions.

I keep thinking about suggesting a meet with HHAD members in one of the Pubs on the Common - no Alcahol at the Wat of course.

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Thais in the UK

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