TFB Newsletter                (Dec. ‘06) Return to TFB Website

  Another year… is rapidly winding down. This is a short year-end edition of the newsletter –looking back at 2006, it’s been quite an eventful year in the news, including news out of Thailand (like those below) which we’ve discussed on the TFB.

Thailand celebrated HRM’s 60th anniversary on the throne (he is the longest reigning monarch in the world), with festivities capped off by a royal gathering of kings & queens from around the world.

Thailand opened up it’s long awaited new airport—while there were some start-up problems (such as a lack of toilets), most travelers seem to like it. Also this year, the Bangkok mega-bridge was completed.

In the US, we had news out of Bkk of John Karr’s arrest in the high-profile Ramsey murder case. It also drew media attention to the notorious Thai sex industry. After all the media frenzy, Karr was never charged.

This year, violence in Southern Thailand continued to rage on. According to news reports, more than 1700 deaths have been attributed to the ongoing insurgency with Muslim separatists.

But perhaps the news that will have the biggest impact in Thailand is the military coup. Prior to the coup, mass protests were held against the former PM Thaksin, and in September, while he was out of the country, tanks and soldiers rolled in and took control of the capitol. HRM gave his blessings to the coup’s leadership, which appointed a new interim prime minister. Throughout Thai history, coups have been common, and it remains to be seen how this coup will shape Thailand.

  TFB Webpage Updates: Added in the US visa section is an article on how to get a visitor (B2) visa. Thanks to ChivasG for sharing his B2 experience.

New rules on Visa Runs: Effective 10/1/06, the Thai government has tightened up on certain visa regulations. Namely, the so-called “visa runs” will be curbed, so that someone on a tourist visa can only be allowed 2 visa runs after initial entry, effectively limiting the stay to 90 days. While not affecting those on work, retirement, B and O visas, this change will likely affect many foreigners in Thailand--how this new rule will be enforced remains to be seen. (See threads in “Visa/Immig./Other” folder)

Bkksw on Stickman: One of our moderators, now residing in Bangkok, has become a regular contributor to Stickman’s submissions. Bkksw has written over 30 articles on a variety of subjects, and you can link to them from the thread “Bkksw on Stickman” (in TFB Café). Unfortunately, due to recent controversy created by “Galt”, host of his “Not Stickman” website, Stickman has temporarily scaled-back his site (Reader's Submissions still online). (See thread “Galt vs. Stickman” in General folder)

News in TFB-land: Got any news to share? Marriage? Anniversary? A baby? Visa approval?  Moving to Thailand? Whatever you’d like to share, we'd like to offer our 'congratulations' , so please post. Congrats to: NKP on the birth of his baby. Nepenthe on her 1st anniversary. Jeff on his 3rd anniversary. StlJP on his stepson’s I-130 approval. (I apologize if I missed any other postings—I’ll catch them next time.)

Links: TFB does not endorse any commercial enterprises, but as a relationship forum, we like to share information that could be of interest to members. With the advent of internet dating, there are many Thai internet introduction services, many which may not be legitimate. You can read about one outfit with positive reports in the thread “I-129F & Thailovelinks” (in US Visa folder). Also, there is now a link on the TFB webpage to the popular book on T-F relations, “Thailand Fever”.

  Posts (Just a few random excerpts from the many postings on TFB)

I wanted a partner who is very family oriented - a thai woman, in general, fits this descriptor better than some/many western women. … My wife’s response to homeless people - again, I think this is a result of her culture/custom and not "her" personality so much. Her first question is: where are their family? Zippy

I'm constantly, and pleasantly, surprised by how much my Thai wife takes notice of my moods and always knows how to deal with me in a very gentle and loving way. She approaches all of life’s little problems with a gentle strength and calm spirit that I have seldom seen in FGs. No matter what curves life throws at us, she takes everything in stride and always remains calm; I greatly admire this quality. Tiger

I'm familiar with the problem.. :) The "out of sight out of mind" mentality is alive and well in Bangkok. No parking spaces, no cars. No trash cans, no trash. No condoms, no HIV. No ambulances, no accidents.. the list is rather long.. it's all part of the challenge of living in such an exciting country.. Bkksw

By the way, my wife and I have been married almost 2 years now and things are going well. … Hono and the rest of the mediators on this site, great job and I know all of us married to Thai's are very grateful, from the initial advice of getting thru the immigration nightmare to other issues like retiring in Thailand. We met another couple via this board and so it has been a great networking site. Thanks!! Wxguy

[After] we married, we went out to the bars we like to haunt while I’m there. … About 1:00 am she looked at me and pointed to her watch and said, "darling can we go now". Another stupid comment came out of my mouth and my wife ran off crying. Back to the room I went to look for her, she wasn't there. I grabbed some money and off I went to find my wife. …I found her at a friend’s bar that we had visited days before. I rang the bell, she looked, and smiled a huge beautiful smile. I sat by her and she immediately hugged me and planted a french kiss on me. They spoke Thai, served me food, drinks and they even had a "Thai tear fest". I asked why they cry? My wife grabbed me by the face and french kissed me again and told me I am a good man, and she loves me forever. …The mamasan spoke, "they cry because you are good, hardworking man and you love your wife forever, you will take care of her forever." WOW... It hit me.... hard... The pride was easier to choke down with a beer and the guilt turned into a realization. I am married to a beautiful lady who loves me. ... Now, I've learned this: 1.My wife will try to communicate with me and eventually I will understand. I just let things take their course and It all makes sense eventually. 2. My wife is very sweet and proud also. 3. It is amazing what saying "I’m sorry, I made a mistake" does. 4. I am very lucky. 5. No matter if that beautiful little girl is right or wrong... she will always be right in my eyes and making HER happy takes precedence over all. Woo

  Finally, …next year, the TFB newsletter will be produced as time permits, hopefully 2-3 issues next year. And I will try to get back into writing a "tidbits" article, which will summarize some of the informative and practical stuff from threads.  If you'd like to contribute an article for the newsletter, I'd love to hear from you--please drop me an email.  On behalf of all the TFB moderators, I’d like to wish you and your family a safe and joyous holiday season.  And remember, the new year is still unwritten, so make the best of it!  Chok dii!

"Staring at the blank page before you, Open up the dirty window, Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance, So close you can almost taste it, Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin, No one else can feel it for you, Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else, Can speak the words on your lips, drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open, Today is where your book begins, The rest is still unwritten."  ("Unwritten" Natasha Bedingfield)

Hono, your TFB host (12-4-06)