Entries in Thailand (79)

Tuesday
Jul272010

It's getting interesting...

DateTuesday, July 27, 2010 at 7:21PM

For more then 2 weeks I have not wrote anything as I was away again in Thailand.  This time my mum tagged along and we had tons of things to do.  First off is to go to Bangkok to settle our marriage certificate and passports for my wife and kids.

I already hit a wall at Bangkok at the Singapore embassy on day 1 (we were there for 5 days and 4 nights.)  I did not have the necessary documents as requested by the embassy so I need to re-arrange another day to do it.  It seems that those written in the thaivisa forum does not apply to a Singaporean marrying a Thai citizen :P  I need to provide I have no police or criminal offense and I need to submit a query to MOM to show my wife is not currently working in Singapore.  I also need  a letter from my current employee (letter of appointment) to show I am still working in SG... duh.... bloody hell, how come Singaporeans so difficult to get married in Thailand one leh???

Passport for wife and the kids were easier.  Very straightforward and it will be posted to my wife in 8 working days time. 

This month is interesting also as my Team Lead in my job has left.  Quite suddeb actually and he only broke the news 2 weeks prior to his departure (although I did learnt from another teammate he is leaving)  So when I'm back at work tomorrow.  He won't be around anymore.  Although I don't agree to some of his certain work entihcs and practices, I will still give my best wishes to him in his new job :)

I too have certain plans in my mind and its regarding my own future career.  I have this vision and am currently drafting a plan to make it come true.  It will take months or even years but at least I know what I want.  So stay tuned for nore as mentioned in the title... ITS GETTING INTERESTING>>

TBC

AuthorFatboi | CommentPost a Comment |
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Friday
Jun042010

A question I can't answer.

DateFriday, June 4, 2010 at 9:18AM

This post is in my head for quite some time but I did not have the energy to pin it down in writings.  After I told my mother that my wife's status has changed, she pop the question again "So when are you moving them back to Singapore?"  So I gave her my usual response (its not the first time) but I know this time it won't be easy to win the argument.

What happens usually is I would reply that I wish to go over there, but I can't, because of my wife's statelessness (so I can't apply for an 'O' visa).  And I just say wait her status is changed then we discuss on this.  So here we are again....

As I have a feeling I no longer could use the argument above so I just stay silent..... and she continued to grill me what I plan to do and what's wrong with Singapore.

"Too expensive for them to stay here, I can't earn enough to support them here" I replied
"I can chip in a bit and the way you fly to and fro also expensive"she countered. 

"I got no house." I replied.
"Stay at my house lah" she replied "Not like I mind" she countered.
"But you and my wife would fight, and (my elder) sister may get disturbed by the kids!"
"She won't mind, she like the kids too!"  mum countered "Not like you can look for a work in Thailand"

So in the end, I just say I would think about it and close off the conversation. 

So after the debate.  I did started to think about this option but its a no brainer.  My heart is still in Thailand :) .  And there are of course, various other reasons..

First, my wife can't even speak english and she can't read or write in Chinese too.  So practically she can't find a decent job here in SG.  If we only have girl girl then still possible but with ah boy around.  It would be tough for both of us. I don't wish to depend too much on my mum in this too.

Second, girl is already 4 years old and all her friends and playmates are in Maesai, Thailand.  She enjoys it there too.  Its possible she might change if I bring her here too but I think it would most likely be a culture shock.  The kids in SG are waaay different from the kids she knew back home.  If she is younger then maybe.  And she can't converse in English.  She speaks mainly Thai and Chinese. 

Thirdly, what would happen to our stuff and house in Thailand?  Sell them off?  Leave it and no one take cares of it.  My wife's closest relative is her sis whom is in Hatt Yai working.  Its a home to us and we just can't leave it. 

There are more but I think the 3 listed above are the major ones.. So yes, I definitely would go back.  But the question I can't really answer now is WHEN?

Recently due to the new car and baby,  I need to work harder here to earn more money to pay off the car loan and other extra expenses that the new baby has incurred.  This means I need to find a job in Thailand immediately if I were to go back now, which might be tough as I still can't read or write Thai scripts.

So most probably I will continue to work in Singapore for a few more years.  I still have my dreams of opening a photo studio in Thailand but the location is important (thinking of Chiang Mai or Bangkok) and it might take some years to plan and source for resources.

I could give my answer to my mum.  But I guess grandma misses the kids and want them over :P.  So I am prepared to be nagged for a few more years.. huhuhu... not her problem but mine...

AuthorFatboi | Comment2 Comments |
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Wednesday
May262010

Here goes the witchhunt

DateWednesday, May 26, 2010 at 4:30PM

I only saw this today and just as I suspected from my previous post.  Like catching him and locking him up will really help the whole issue... *facepalm*

Not going to dwell too much into Thai politics since I really don't bother too much.   The cycle will just repeats itself until someone really did something different and start some changes... I was hopeful at first for Mr Abhisit but from this recent incident, I guess he is just another one of the usual fair I guess.

 

AuthorFatboi | CommentPost a Comment |
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Wednesday
May262010

Getting Cheap food in Suvarnabhumi Airport.

DateWednesday, May 26, 2010 at 12:59AM

A friend recently complained to me that the food at the airport is bloody expensive.  Especially true in the transit lounge or at the waiting areas in between the depature and arrival hall.. (not too sure what they called it though).  If you have not checked in or you have plenty of time after checking in to your flight.  Then you may try this option.  I always do so as I fly budget and dinner is not served on the plane. :P

Since I am waiting for my flight,  I decided to compile this little FAQ (I have bloody 5 hours to wait).  First you need to get to the ground floor.  There are multiple ways to get there but this is by far the shortest path to the Magic Food Point.  No, The food is not MAGICally tasty and good. Its up to standard but defintely not the best in town.  Not sure why they called it that, maybe its because the price is "Magically" cheap compared to the 120baht Kway Teow in the depature hall restaurants. :P

Just go to arrival hall level and walk along the gates till you see gate 7 (beside the DTAC shop).  (See Pic.)  Take the escalator down  and viola, you get to the public buses area. And on your left is the entrance to Magic Food Point.  Price range from 30Baht to 60Baht.  Its like our Singapore's Food Court except you need to purchase coupons.  Normally I would change 100baht which is more than enough for food and drink.  They Hor Fun Here is pretty good.  So is the Pork Knuckle Rice (Teochew Style)  Noddle and Kway Tiao So so.  The fried chicken hidden at the corner is not too shabby too.  Don't worry if you can't speak thai.  All the food are labeled in numbers and have english translations, so just shout out in english the number you want and pay the person with the coupons you bought. 

Utencils stations are located along the center columns and you can dip them in the hot water to "sterilise" it.  (Like it will really help... :P) Do eat fast and don't hog the seats as the working Thai people are having their quick breaks there and they might give you a dirty look if you do so. (Speaking from my own personal experience :P)
 
And for your info.  Taking a cab at this level sometimes is cheaper then those above.  For those on free and easy trip, you can also walk out to get the airport express buses which will go to Sukumvit, MBK, Central World (or what;s left of it since it got burned down) and other various tourist hotspots (just check at the bus counter) Bloody cheap 150 baht one way if I remember correctly and its as fast as the taxis.  It also stops at some major hotels on the way and you can tell the driver where you want to drop off.

So if you get stuck at the airport while waiting, do try this little spot where you get to see the locals eat and chat.  Time to board my plane....... 



AuthorFatboi | Comment1 Comment |
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Sunday
May232010

Getting Lazy...and a bit nonchalant on the events here in Thailand

DateSunday, May 23, 2010 at 3:02PM

I just realise this is only the 4th post I did in May and its not that I am very busy with stuffs and had no time to write.  I have tons of things I want to write but I have to admit I am getting a bit lazy just logging on :P.  Most probably is the weather here in Thailand.  It's bloody hot, peaking 40 degree celcius in the afternoon.  The air you breathe is warm... :P and I just kept drinking cold water to prevent myself from dehydration (kena once before and its no fun).  At least its dry and hot.  Not like the humid weather in Singapore so I still prefer the weather here in Thailand. 

I guess most of you have read about the events in Bangkok.  The violence, burning and fightings.  Seems like a mini war zone in the capital.  Over here in the north everything is peaceful (or on the face of it).  People here are tense and stressful from the events in Bangkok.  Curfews were strict and for the first time my stay here in Thailand,  the main street was totally empty on Friday night.  All shops were closed(including 7-11 stores) and even street food vendors closed early around 6pm.  Wife's friend who stays near the main road said it was scary as there were no cars except army and police vehicles patrolling the main road towards the Burma border. 

This is actually worst then the coup in 2006. (at least that time the shops were still open) So the protest has ended and the violence seems to have stopped.  But the rift is definitely still there and widened even furthur.  So most probably this latest conflict will cause the movement to go underground.  Those hardcore red fanatics might return to their North and Northeast stronghold and plot even more extreme violence against the gahment.  The current gahment have tons of repairs to do.... not just on the shopping complexes and damages to public properties but to the people too.  This is the time to come up with more policies and roadmaps to show that you care for the poor in the reds too.  Not some bloody witch hunting on who is to blame.  I also do sincerely hope that new elections will convey in Novemver, if not, these fanatics would have every reasons to convince more people to join them in their violent discourse.  Which in turns, does not bode well for the future generations of Thailand.

Still, I am not too worried about these events in Thailand.  Things normally will fix itself, just that it takes time (even generations) to do so.  And I sincerely think that all these political turbulences actually helps Thailand to be a greater country.  Such failures and problems at least unfolds in front of your eyes to make Thai people accept and aware that there is a huge social problem within the current political system which needs to be fixed.  Unlike SG where the normal working class are still fearful against our "elite" gahment.

 

AuthorFatboi | Comment1 Comment |
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