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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Blueskytoday
I am confused ....is Matt enroute to Canada? I thought he was going to live with Leo in Lao? And where are Matt's dogs?
Well, that was the plan. Now thanks to Laos not willing to simply stamp me in for 30 days, I got to experience a few nights in the IDC, my dogs are currently with some random stranger in Laos, Leo is wandering around aimlessly in Bangkok, and I'm at my parent's house in Canada. All over a simple 30 day tourist stamp.
Working on rectifying it.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cdnmatt
Well, that was the plan. Now thanks to Laos not willing to simply stamp me in for 30 days, I got to experience a few nights in the IDC, my dogs are currently with some random stranger in Laos, Leo is wandering around aimlessly in Bangkok, and I'm at my parent's house in Canada. All over a simple 30 day tourist stamp.
Working on rectifying it.
As I said, a Millenial with an exaggerated sense of entitlement. However, look on the bright side. Maybe you can get your eyes examined by someone who knows what he's talking about?
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Re: Criminal background checks
How am I self entitled? I understand I did wrong by overstaying, and tried to right things, which I did with Thai immigration. Thankfully so as well, as that's another reason I was out of IDC so quickly. Immigration cleared me of my overstay about 2 hours before I was arrested, so there's not much they could do to me.
Thhen I tried going through the proper channels and getting a tourist VISA for Laos beforehand. However, I didn't know about the rule of no crossing via land at Nong Khai with a blacklist stamp in your passport. If I would have knwon that upfront, I would have had Leo go ahead of me with the dogs, and get them into the house. Then come back, get me, and we would have flown to Vientiane together. Would have to make a dangerous trip to Bangkok to do that though, so uncertain if I would have.
It's ok, I'll get the four of us back together. As long as whoever has the dogs doesn't get them killed in the meantime. Already had Leo promise him money to take care of them, and we'll take them back within a week at the most.
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Re: Criminal background checks
How would flying to Vientiane made any difference? You'd still have a "gross overstay" stamp in your passport from Thailand and you would still be denied entry to Laos. It's got nothing to do with where you attempt to enter Laos. The Lao immigration authorities wherever you arrive are going to take one look at your passport and see its holder is someone who deliberately, flagrantly and persistently disobeyed the immigration laws of another country, in this case their nearest neighbour. How could you ever believe that they would do anything except deny you entry? I've got some bad news for you. The four of you won't be back together any time soon
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Re: Criminal background checks
I don't know, the Nong Khai cops seemed to believe that iw ould have made a difference. And Thailand has some special immigration rules depending on whether you're travelling via land or air.
Yes, we'll get back together. I should have a new 10 year passport in a month. From there, grab a Laos tourist VISA from the embassy in Vancouver, and off I go. As long as Laos didn't blacklist me as well, which I'm sure they didn't, then I'll be fine.
Being denied entry doesn't mean too much. Leo has been denied entry to Thailand before, but can now travel back and forth without issue. I've been refused entry into the US before, but bet I could cross the border tomorrow without problem.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cdnmatt
I don't know, the Nong Khai cops seemed to believe that iw ould have made a difference. And Thailand has some special immigration rules depending on whether you're travelling via land or air.
Yes, we'll get back together. I should have a new 10 year passport in a month. From there, grab a Laos tourist VISA from the embassy in Vancouver, and off I go. As long as Laos didn't blacklist me as well, which I'm sure they didn't, then I'll be fine.
Being denied entry doesn't mean too much. Leo has been denied entry to Thailand before, but can now travel back and forth without issue. I've been refused entry into the US before, but bet I could cross the border tomorrow without problem.
You have been told to fly out via bkk many posts ago in this topic. But as usual you decided to ignore that advice....
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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DaveyJonesLocker
How would flying to Vientiane made any difference? You'd still have a "gross overstay" stamp in your passport from Thailand and you would still be denied entry to Laos. It's got nothing to do with where you attempt to enter Laos. The Lao immigration authorities wherever you arrive are going to take one look at your passport and see its holder is someone who deliberately, flagrantly and persistently disobeyed the immigration laws of another country, in this case their nearest neighbour. How could you ever believe that they would do anything except deny you entry? I've got some bad news for you. The four of you won't be back together any time soon
The Lao should know, there are tens of thousands of Lao citizens in Thailand currently not only breaking immigration laws, but labor laws too!
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Re: Criminal background checks
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Originally Posted by
justaguy
You have been told to fly out via bkk many posts ago in this topic. But as usual you decided to ignore that advice....
To be honest, I don't think I would have travelled to Bangkok anyway. A quick trip up north to Nong Khai is one thing, but a trip all the way into Bangkok is totally different with a whole lot more cops around. If I would of had my passport checked before getting to that immigration desk at BKK, I would have been in for much more hurt than I was. Thankfully by the time I was arrested, my overstay was already cleared with I would have had a really rough time coping with a long stay at IDC, especially since I'm blind, as that made it worse. It's a huge room with about 100 people, and I was basically stuck the whole time on my little 5x2 foot mat in the corner close to the convenience store and bathroom. So I could get to the bathroom and shower, and buy some cigs or nana noodles or whatever from the store, but that's it. Wasn't really capable of wandering around the room and making friends with others like everyone else did, as it was too cramped, and I would just end up kicking and stepping on people all the time, which wouldn't go over well.
People there were honestly far friendlier than I thought they'd be. Nobody was really interested in making friends, but just acquantances to hang out with while they killed the time and got out. Everyone somewhat had each other's backs though, and took care of each other. I never ate any of the food, but each time a meal would come, they'd come over and offer me a plate. They always helped me walk around when it was ecersize time, hekoed ne fubd my way around the bathroom and shower, store, etc.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Oh, and I forgot, I did get other special treatment as well. Visitation starts at 10:30am every day. This consists of a wire fence with visitors on one side and inmates on the other, the inmates get headbands to wear depending on their country so the visitor can identify them, and they just yell at other through the fence,
They were nice enough to let Leo into some office with a sofa, and let us sit together and talk in private. We were able to sit there and call my mom on Skype, Leo was able to give me some money and bring me food, etc. That was actually a huge help, because without that,, there's a decent chance I'd still be in the IDC.
Tough to get out if you don't have pre-arranged plans in place before you go in.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
justaguy
The Lao should know, there are tens of thousands of Lao citizens in Thailand currently not only breaking immigration laws, but labor laws too!
Without a shadow of a doubt that post wins the non sequitur prize for this thread
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Re: Criminal background checks
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Originally Posted by
cdnmatt
To be honest, I don't think I would have travelled to Bangkok anyway. A quick trip up north to Nong Khai is one thing, but a trip all the way into Bangkok is totally different with a whole lot more cops around.
Last time I traveled from KK to Bangkok I flew on Thai Smile to Suvarnabhumi, not a cop in sight, and my passport was checked once, for the photo ID. I know hindsight is a wonderful thing, but surely flying KK to Bangkok, transfer at the airport to International, pay the over-stay on the way through the airport, fly home to Canada, new passport, Laos visa, fly from Canada to Vientiane via China is the obvious plan? Simples.
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Re: Criminal background checks
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Originally Posted by
DaveyJonesLocker
Without a shadow of a doubt that post wins the non sequitur prize for this thread
Why, the truth is the truth, and you think those Lao immigration officers (and the Thai for that matter) don't know why all those Lao citizens are trying to cross the border with a Laissez Passez ? None of them actually lost their passport of course. It's cotton industry, so I see no reason why they would suddenly be appalled by a Canadian citizen with a few years overstay.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cdnmatt
To be honest, I don't think I would have travelled to Bangkok anyway. A quick trip up north to Nong Khai is one thing, but a trip all the way into Bangkok is totally different with a whole lot more cops around. If I would of had my passport checked before getting to that immigration desk at BKK, I would have been in for much more hurt than I was. Thankfully by the time I was arrested, my overstay was already cleared with I would have had a really rough time coping with a long stay at IDC, especially since I'm blind, as that made it worse. It's a huge room with about 100 people, and I was basically stuck the whole time on my little 5x2 foot mat in the corner close to the convenience store and bathroom. So I could get to the bathroom and shower, and buy some cigs or nana noodles or whatever from the store, but that's it. Wasn't really capable of wandering around the room and making friends with others like everyone else did, as it was too cramped, and I would just end up kicking and stepping on people all the time, which wouldn't go over well.
People there were honestly far friendlier than I thought they'd be. Nobody was really interested in making friends, but just acquantances to hang out with while they killed the time and got out. Everyone somewhat had each other's backs though, and took care of each other. I never ate any of the food, but each time a meal would come, they'd come over and offer me a plate. They always helped me walk around when it was ecersize time, hekoed ne fubd my way around the bathroom and shower, store, etc.
Sorry but I must have travelled from KK to BKK and vice versa at least about ten times or so, and the times I bussed or used the train, and the two times we took a taxi, I have never been asked to produce my passport. If you take the train to Hualamphong, which was what I advised you to do, the chance of you having to produce your passport at any point in time is virtually zero. I have no doubt you would have made it to BKK immigration undetected, many before you have managed, so I don't see why you are suddenly so special.
And even IF you would not have made it to BKK undetected, the end result would have been the same, deportation to Canada, and instead of a five year ban, a ten year ban. And no your stay in the IDC will not last longer than it takes you to pay the fine and produce a ticket out of the country, as previously stated.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Well, I don't know. Hindsight's a bitch, ain't it?
No changing the past, it is what is, and might as well just concentrate on the future and getting us back together.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cdnmatt
Well, I don't know. Hindsight's a bitch, ain't it?
No changing the past, it is what is, and might as well just concentrate on the future and getting us back together.
So I am guessing you will try to reach VTE by plane this time ? What makes you think they will allow you into the country this time ?
If I were you I would try and get Leo to Canada, but I guess that might also be a bridge too far.
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Re: Criminal background checks
I'll have a new passport without a blacklist stamp, plus a Laos VISA issued by the Laos embassy in Vancouver, Canada. That should do it. Plus I very highly doubt Laos immigration put me on any kind of list due to a simple refusal of entry, so it should be fine.
And no, getting Leo a Canada visitor VISA right now is impossible at the moment. There's simply no way we'll currently be able to convince immigration Canada that he will return to Laos. He has no home, job, doesn't go to school, no wife or kids, not even a vehicle.
That is the plan though, but we need to get him setup with a life in Vientiane first, get his name on a house lease, get some joint bank accounts in Hong Kong, get him enrolled in school, and so on. Then I should be able to secure him a visitor VISA. I was hoping to bring him to Canada for a visit this summer / fall, but looks like that's probably getting pushed back until late fall / winter now. That's ok, and besides, we have the dogs who I'm unwilling to leave behind in life either.
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Re: Criminal background checks
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Originally Posted by
Smiles
This (my) post a few pages back ... #171:
Originally Posted by Smiles
" ... Have no fear Neddy. At the last minute Cndmatt will dredge up one more excuse (he has a list of necessary excuses which cover a host of scenarios) to delay for "something-has-come-up" and "we'll have to stay just a few months more" ... "
Ok. So at least now you admit that your accusations were wrong.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Hi Matt, how are you now? How is it to be back home? Did you have a chance to see the eye doctor? Any news from Leo/the dogs?
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Re: Criminal background checks
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Originally Posted by
Magnum
Hi Matt, how are you now? How is it to be back home? Did you have a chance to see the eye doctor? Any news from Leo/the dogs?
Perhaps it would be better to ask if matt visited an eye doctor?
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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Magnum
Hi Matt, how are you now? How is it to be back home? Did you have a chance to see the eye doctor? Any news from Leo/the dogs?
I'm fine, but nothing special, and can't say I enjoy being back in Canada. The efficiency of getting things done and ability to speak English is quite nice, but that's about it. Everything is cold, quiet, isolating, everything in town is subdued, nobody is themselves and instead everyone just puts on this fake outside persona as if they're just going through the paces instead of actually being alive. You know, the Western world.
That, and I'm somewhat stuck here. I guess there's a mall in walking distance, but you have to cross a small yet busy street, which my parents advised against if I value my life. So I'm stuck bugging my mother to drive me into town every time I need something, which is less than ideal. If this was Asia, there would be a bunch of market stalls / vendors around the streets, probably 3 or 4 small shops in walking distance that double as drinking holes I could hang out at, etc. Just a different culuture.
Leo is fine, although sounds fairly deflated and lost. He seems to be shutting down a bit, and slipping into a mild depression. He keeps worrying that I'm going to forget about him, and stay in Canada, but don't worry honey, not a chance. He's heading back to his village with his older sister on the 8th, then Songkran is just around the corner, so hopefully that will cheer him up. Then hopefully after Songkran, I can send him to Vientiane to grab another house, so he can feel like things are moving in the right direction again.
Dogs are still alive, so I guess that's the best I can hope for. The guy asked us to please pick them up soon, because Boxer (brown dog in my avatar) keeps killing all his chickens, which is no real surprise. He loves chickens, and one of the many reasons he's not allowed on the streets by himself. Worried about my white dog as he's blind as well due to glucoma, and I highly doubt that guy is taking the time to teach him the various routes around the house / yard. So he's probably just wandering around aimlessly, bumping into shit, gets drustrated and just lays down to sleep, and is probably depressed out of his mind. Told Leo to make sure to tell the guy he has a good financial reward coming his way if those dogs are alive and healthy when we get there, so hopefully they will be ok.
I'm hoping to be in Vientiane in about 4 more weeks. Just waiting for my photo ID to come in the mail, then grab a new passport, get a visitor VISA for Laos from the embassy in Vancouver, then off to Asia again to get my family back together.
No, no eye doctor. MRI scans don't lie, so with 100% certainity I have optic nerve damage, which can not be repaired these days. I'm not spending $3000 to find out what I already know, as I need that money. I do have an appointment with an eye doctor on the 17th, but not to fix my eyes. I just want a letter from a licensed Canadian optomitrist confirming that I am blind. Use that in conjunction with the letter I have from the eye specialist at Khon Kaen Ram to help get Leo VISAs around the world.
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Re: Criminal background checks
BTW... when did flights get so cheap? I've een looking, and I can get a one-way from Vancouver to Kuala Lumpur for about $470 USD.
From there, AirAsia return KL to Vientiane for about $110 USD.
Holy shit, is that ever cheap. My ass will probably be numb for a few days after the flight, but that's ok, I don't mind.
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1 Attachment(s)
Re: Criminal background checks
Welcome back Matt. Just to fill you in on what's been happening since you left. I stepped down as moderator (stop cheering please) Scottish Guy had yet another hissy fit and snorted off to pastures green, Nirish returned and is just as warm and genial as he always was and we have a new member called DavyJonesLocker who is such a master of disguise that he has invoked the suspicion of some members. Welcome back.
DavyJonesLocker's disguise.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Oh, I didn't know you stepped down as mod. Ok, cool.
No, I've been around reading. Was only gone for about 5 days there when I got banged up for a bit, and was flying home. Just nothing to really post.
And what? You think I'm that DavyJones guy? Come on, give me a bit of credit... I'm not that much of a dick. :)
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Re: Criminal background checks
No. Not you. Universal agreement on that.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cdnmatt
Oh, I didn't know you stepped down as mod. Ok, cool.
And what? You think I'm that DavyJones guy? Come on, give me a bit of credit... I'm not that much of a dick. :)
Yes, we can now put arsenal on Ignore (and I have). As for being "that much of a dick" - I at least believe every word you write. Your posts give me endless amusement, as I'm sure a needy millenial such as yourself will be horrified to hear. Others (a447, a Moderator) and Smiles (your fellow countryman) clearly think you are "that much of a dick", a Walter Mitty character at best, at worst a barefaced liar.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cdnmatt
I
No, no eye doctor. MRI scans don't lie, so with 100% certainity I have optic nerve damage, which can not be repaired these days.
Can you honestly say you trust the competence of a doctor in a backwater like Khon Kaen?
My local GPs secretary probably had more medical training than your "Doctor" in Thailand... who most likely learned all he knows from a 1970s text book
When you are back in the West... do us all a favour and go to see a real doctor!
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Re: Criminal background checks
DavyJonesLocker. Joined March 28, put me on ignore list April 7. Proof methinks.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
colmx
Can you honestly say you trust the competence of a doctor in a backwater like Khon Kaen?
My local GPs secretary probably had more medical training than your "Doctor" in Thailand... who most likely learned all he knows from a 1970s text book
When you are back in the West... do us all a favour and go to see a real doctor!
Sure, wire me $3000 and I'll be happy to get checked out again with another MRI scan, only to be told, "yep, your optic nerve is indeed damaged, and sorry, we don't know how to regenerate nerve cells yet".
I'm not spending my $3000 on it though. Maybe later when I have far more money than I need, Leo and myself can head to Singapore and get checked out again. For now, I'm not worried about it. Again, MRI scans don't lie, so without question, my optic nerve is damaged. I even know the exact fall I took when it happened. And for now at least, optic nerve damage can not be repaired. Maybe in 10 or 20 years, but not now.
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Re: Criminal background checks
only costs $770 Canadian dollars according to this site:
https://canadadiagnostics.ca/services/mri/
And I'm sure a consultants opinion would probably only cost 20% of that
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Re: Criminal background checks
Incidentally I also just checked the cost of an MRI that I had done back in September in the 2nd best hospital in Ireland.... And it was €170 (before insurance)
So someone is definitely filling you full of shit on the cost of medical treatment.
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Re: Criminal background checks
You have to remember that in Thailand most hospitals are "for profit" and are encouraged to squeeze as much money out of their patients as possible. A friend of mine says that an MRI is the standard diagnostic tool in hospitals such as BNH. Attend outpatients for an ingrown toenail and they'll recommend an MRI (only a slight exaggeration). An MRI result is not a diagnosis; that's up to the doctor who interprets the results. As well, Thailand is at least 5 years behind the times when it comes to modern medical advances. I'd definitely be seeking a second opinion, even from Canada - a country that has the sort of socialised medical system the Americans are always being warned against.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DaveyJonesLocker
I'd definitely be seeking a second opinion, even from Canada - a country that has the sort of socialised medical system the Americans are always being warned against.
Stop teasing the Americans Davey. As Corporal Jones says "They don't like it up 'em". BTW thanks for the PM about the dancer at La Scala. I looked him up. Very pretty.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Matt just got back to Canada. One would have thought it would have been the first thing he would have done, is go and get a full check done on his eyes in his home Country. Would have thought Canada has one of the best medical services in the world.
In England this is all free with the NHS (National Health Service).
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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Blacktouch
Matt just got back to Canada. One would have thought it would have been the first thing he would have done, is go and get a full check done on his eyes in his home Country. Would have thought Canada has one of the best medical services in the world.
In England this is all free with the NHS (National Health Service).
Yeah, you would think that about Canada, but just ain't true. For example, my mom waited about 3 years in pain to get a hip replacement, finally got pissed off, and flew to Mexico to have it done. She's still waiting on the call from Canadian doctors to book her for an appointment to check out her hip, to determine whether or not she's eligible to put on the waiting list for hip replacement, which generally takes about another 18 - 24 months before the operation actually happens.
All the while, she had her new hip in about 6 months ago thanks to doctors in Mexico, and is back to walking around like a champion.
And again, MRI scans don't lie, so without question I have optic nerve dmage, which can not be repaired with modern medical technology. There is an experimental protien that has proven to regenerate optic nerve threads in mice, but no human trials yet. Even so, they still haven't figured out how to regenerate the "mylenium" (sp), which basically acts as an insulator for nerve cells. Same type of thing as how we use copper to ensure electricity travels in the direction we want it to. They don't know how to regenerate that at all yet, and without it, the messages wouldn't get to my brain properly anyway.
And no, I don't get free medical care in Canada. I'm not a resident. If I lived here for 6 months I'd be eligible, but then most likely put on some bullshit 13 month waiting list for an MRI, or whatever.
Not worried about it right now, as I'm fine with being blind. Once I have a bunch of extra money, Leo and myself can hit up Singapore and get tested there for shits and giggles, but again, I'm quite confident it's just a waste of money to find out what I already know -- I have irreparable optic nerve damage.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by
cdnmatt
it's just a waste of money to find out what I already know -- I have irreparable optic nerve damage**.
** As was told to me by a "doctor" in a backwater city of a third world country.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Quote:
Originally Posted by cndmatt
And no, I don't get free medical care in Canada. I'm not a resident. If I lived here for 6 months I'd be eligible, but then most likely put on some bullshit 13 month waiting list for an MRI, or whatever.
More ignorant hogwash. You can return to Canada and slide back into BC Medical even if you have been out of country for 10+ years. All you have to do is spend 3 months back in BC and you can go right back into the medical system. That should be fine with you seeing as how you seem to love being blind.
Quote:
"Not worried about it right now, as I'm fine with being blind"
Your obfuscations, exaggerations, and just plain bullshit is/are full of "most likelys" which are of course simply opinions, not facts.
Anyway, moot points all as far as I'm concerned as I don't believe a word you say/write.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Smiles, cdnmatt accuses me of being "that much of a dick" for believing every word he says. I wonder what he says about you? However, comparing a hip replacement with an MRI is the sort of needy millenial illogical thinking that I treasure so much.
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Re: Criminal background checks
No Smiles, I have to be a resident for 6 months, not 3 to "slide" back into BC medical care. Even so, I'm only here for about another 4 weeks.
I have a quick appointment with an eye doctor on the 17th, so he'll be able to check me out, plus I have my MRI results on a CD he can look at as well. If he sniffs something is off, then sure, I'll heed his advice and maybe seek further testing. For the most part, I'm not worried about it too much. MRI scans don't lie, so I do have optic nerve damage, which is permanent.
Doesn't matter if a Canadian or Thai doctor tells me that, it's still optic nerve damage.
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Re: Criminal background checks
Matt is correct. Eligibility is based on six-months' residence. Absence can only be temporary and for no longer then 7 months https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/h...e-you-eligible
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Re: Criminal background checks
Besides, there's some perks to being blind. For example, you poor suckers are stuck actually walking through airports to your gates, waiting in line at security and immigration, etc. I don't have to worry about any of that anymore. From the time I check in at the front counter, someone rushes over with a wheel chair, and I get pushed around until I hit the arrivals area at my final destination.
When there's a layover, I guess I'm the last off the plane, but there's someone right there at the gate with a wheel chair waiting for me. Just tell them I want to go to dury free or for a cigarette, and they wheel me right over, before whelling me to the door of the next airplane.
Don't have to go through security lines. I go through special ones, they quickly scan my bags, give me a quick pat down, and off I go. No waiting involved. Same goes for immigration, at least in Canada. None of this waiting in line bullshit. I got taken through the secure Gold area on one of those golf cart things where there's no people and just one immigration officer sitting behind a nice desk. Granted, I got pulled into secondary for about 4 hours after that, but hopefully that was just a one time occurrence.
See, it's not all bad being blind. :)