Udon Thani Province Initiative

[Information]

Gentlemen,

Reflecting on the postings on this forum in relation to the initiative in Udon Thani. It has reminded me of why I avoid use of forums.

I wish to post the following to try and get through to all those people who are throwing critical analysis of this endeavor based on, what they think they know or, what how they deem it should be done or what information they are entitled to know by their experience and rules.

It is apparent to me that some initiatives in the past have all failed, and some who tried hard to do as I am doing now are critical or skeptical that someone other than themselves is able to succeed where they have failed.

I am no fool and am well versed in communication, dialogue, planning and bringing plans to successful conclusions. I am not a salesman or a con man or any other derogatory adjective, I am merely a man who on occasions am asked to help others in achieving their aims. In deciding whether to take up those requests I will firstly judge the people who are asking, disseminate why they are asking, do some research if required to assist me in the decision to help or not.

Prior to me agreeing to help this initiative I worked hard to ask myself and answer those questions. I have looked and had meetings and discussions with those Thai people who made the request, are involved in the initiative, and came to the conclusion that this was something that has a better than even chance of succeeding. I neither needed anyone’s advice or counseling in order to make my own decision and neither do I have any responsibility to anyone for what I have done to come to that decision.

I am very happy with my life in Thailand and for the record I really have no need for any changes in the Thai system. However there are those of us expats who do have problems with bureaucracy and finance to name but a few and would benefit from the type of initiative that I have agreed to assist with.

Historically, and let me say from the outset, that I respect everyone’s privacy and would not divulge their identities without their prior permissions for any reason whatsoever, I was approached by a friend, who revolves and works with the highest offices of this present government and asked if I could achieve an answer to a simple question " how can this government make the lives of expats living in the Udon Thani province be better."

Everything that I have done up until the 17th September has been focused in answering that question. No matter who has advice or ideas on how I should have achieved that answer is of no consequence, as it has been answered using my own method of doing so, which was to speak with expats from many different cultures and nationalities to gain their views. If people that were not asked directly have a problem, that they personally should have been afforded that opportunity really have no reason to attack or decry the initiative, as around one week prior to this meeting taking place,I afforded all who read this forum ,even those who have no say in the matter as they do not live here as an expat, the opportunity to impute their ideas and thoughts on the matter.

I personally chose from the expat side the people, who have unselfishly given up their time to help in this answer, to attend a meeting with the Thai side of the initiative. If those people wish to reveal their identities then that is up to them. Personally I understand why they would not do so due to the callous character assassination which could happen based on what i have already seen in this forum.

The people attending the meeting from the Thai side were all from the highest offices in this province and surrounding provinces .Mr. Sean Boonpracong who, despite those who naively think he is an insurance salesman, is the International advisor to the Prime Minister and has vast responsibilities with government ,chaired the meeting. Also in attendance were the highest officials from police and other departments.

This meeting was designed to encompass a get to know you, give further details of commitment and views for further development of the initiative. I have heard of zero negative comments from anyone in attendance and indeed we all came away with a good feeling of hope and change.

I was very much impressed by those Thais willingness to attend premises in Soi Sampanthamit where they made themselves available to anyone who wished to speak to them .This was well attended and many people spoke one to one with them.

As regards to the answer to the original question posed, I and others have been assured that change can be affected, some of which can be quick and some that will take a little time. Anyone and I openly say anyone who wishes to receive any more details of what has taken place so far in the initiative are very welcome to come and speak to me face to face at either of my premises in Soi Sampanthamit where I will make myself available for the next few days.

Following on from the question asked and answered, I with the help of others have been asked a number of questions which at this time I am considering the best way forward. This government wishes to take this initiative further and we are at this time working on how to do so to achieve the best possible results.

The subjects discussed at the meeting of the 17th were mostly about visas, residencies, information advice, tourist police assistants and others.

I will not run this initiative in the form of a forum and I will not respond to questions which I do not consider relevant and please for the good of us all. Leave your ego behind when thinking of what is happening now or in the future.

If anyone thinks that they can achieve change by a better method than I am doing then please carry on with your own agenda and I wish you good luck but please afford me the same courtesy.

Those who wish to communicate with me other than face to face please email me on tom.coull@yahoo.com.

I am only interested in speaking with those people who are actually expats living in this province about this initiative.

For others who wish to live here or are planning to live here and have questions I will give you an honest answer to any question if I can and if I can’t I will find the answer.

I have no wish to inflate my own ego or standing by being involved here with this. I am merely trying to help others.

[JR]

You refer to your premises in Soi Samphan where you can be reached. Please specify where in the soi they are, thank you.

[trubrit]

Just a personal observation. I have never known anyone that can write so much , yet say so little.

[fatbob]

Tom, I did not ask you to represent me, who appointed you as a spokesperson for the expat community?

If you want to represent a faction of expats form a club or a party have yourself voted in as the elected rep and then as the rep of your people take an agenda to these official meetings and then post the minutes and conclusions of the meeting to your members and update them of progress.

I don't know what you discussed at the meeting, you have not said, I am quite happy with my situation in Thailand and do not have a problem dealing with the Thai authority's, I accept it and do what is required, its easy. I certainly do not want some one bringing about change that may effect me and my lifestyle pretending to represent my interests in a hidden and unknown agenda.

[merchant seaman]

coxo I agree with you. Been here many years never had an issue. Have meet many who thought they knew better and could help bring around changes to improve my life style here in Thailand, none of them still here and my life style is what I make of it. Thank you Tom but I don't need your help either.

[jackspratt]

Just a personal observation. I have never known anyone that can write so much , yet say so little.

[jackspratt]

Clearly, from many of the responses over the Mr Info threads, someone taking any initiative without getting the personal imprimatur of the self-important, or the satisfied Udon expat, is to be condemned.

While I put myself firmly in the satisfied category, I am happy to wait and see what (if anything) results from Mr Coutts' endeavors. I am struggling to see any negatives that could possibly arise.

[poocman]

Who in their right mind would request a "bar owner from Udonthani" to represent them...??

[merchant seaman]

Nobody has. He is self appointed. That's what most of the negative response is about. And most people on the forum have never heard of him before.

[pienmash]

Clearly, from many of the responses over the Mr Info threads, someone taking any initiative without getting the personal imprimatur of the self-important, or the satisfied Udon expat, is to be condemned.

While I put myself firmly in the satisfied category, I am happy to wait and see what (if anything) results from Mr Coutts' endeavors. I am struggling to see any negatives that could possibly arise.

Spot on Jack .

For those that are indeed satisfied with things/life here already enjoy im pleased for you , ,,, im sure Tom gets the message so surely theres no reason for these members to even open this thread or add anything other than to deride it and the OPs work.

I too cannot see any negatives that may come of this so , its not costing anyone anything except the ops time n effort so please ,,,, let the sarcasm and snarling snipes cease as im sure ..... THE PROOFS IN THE PUDDING as my gran would say .

Hows the weather doonunder Mr Spratt ?

poocman.... I dont think any expats actually asked to be represented , from what i can gather it all came about when the OP was approached by some Thai officials .... and it all kicked off there.

I may be wrong

mash

[Tafia]

Like some of you I dont need help either, BUT I know of many that do, especially financials with falling exchange rates and Visa issues.

I cannot understand why posters are getting so negative about a situation that may change a few rules and regulations that may make all our lives a little bit easier.

So why don't you give the guy a chance, at least he is trying, for you, for me and all of us who have chosen Udon as our home.

As Mash says if you are happy with your lot dont open the thread just move on, dont use it just to deride the work someone is trying to do for those not as fortunate as yourselves.

If at the end of the day if it's a complete failure what has been lost? Nothing!! So it's a No Lose situation.
If by chance some things can be improved it's too all our advantage, Gains all round. Good Luck to you Tom!!

[Paladin]

I sincerely hope that this Tom is not the same Balloon Chaser as the Tom from
the Udon Expat Club. O.M.G what a disaster that would be. If not the best of luck

[stattointhailand]

As I mentioned on another thread (same topic) I don't have an axe to grind either way. If nothing comes of it, no probs, thanks for trying. If you are able to get someone to listen and act then great, more power to your elbow as me mum (and I'm sure Mash's gran) used to say. If I can be of any help, most people know where I am or who I am.
I must admit that I did find it quite funny how a few months back, so many people on here were saying about how they wouldn't put their home town , or DOB etc on Facebook coz Big Brother was watching, and the commies would take over the world, and yet they were happy to reveal that they were so unhappy with the way they are treated by their hosts here that they wanted to have it all changed.

[KB_Texas]

Clearly, from many of the responses over the Mr Info threads, someone taking any initiative without getting the personal imprimatur of the self-important, or the satisfied Udon expat, is to be condemned.

While I put myself firmly in the satisfied category, I am happy to wait and see what (if anything) results from Mr Coutts' endeavors. I am struggling to see any negatives that could possibly arise.

Hear hear! Maybe he can write into any changes 'except those who do not want to change anything', so they can live out their lives in bliss. I do not remember seeing anything that said a citizen of _____________ that wishes to speak to the Thai authorities has to get the signature of every expat living here before he can do so...and that really is how it plays out. Maybe each of us should get everyone's ok before we go get our visas or the like?

I had a good bit of respect for many on here before this crap hit the fan. If that is how people here react to a bit of nothing, I would hate to see how they reacted to something major! (like charging a 30 baht tax to take a piss) Or really major, like having a SET 20 baht to a dollar exchange that was not allowed to vary! Many might not survive the apoplexy! Give me the Thais over this childish drivel any day.

And NO, that is NOT a suggestion!!!!

KB

[fatbob]

And who the hell appointed this bloke as an expat rep, he could do plenty of harm, who the f--k is he anyway! I know nothing of his view, for me he might be a right wing religious s--t, unless appointed by the expat community he can f off, form a club Mash and Jackspratt and have represent you and your club if he fits your personal creds, he dont fit mine!

[KB_Texas]

I know nothing of his view...<snip>...he dont fit mine!

coxo...nobody appointed anyone anything. He was asked for input from people he knew who are involved in the Thai government. Think of it as a meeting amongst friends. His ONLY mistake was asking for input from the general expat community. He was under no compunction to do so, but wanted to get any other ideas that needed to be talked about. Seems that was a very bad mistake in some peoples eyes.

So, based on the quote above, HOW DO YOU KNOW he does not fit yours?

If you've gone and spoken with him, and think he is a religious right winged nut, then please inform us of this fact! I have not spoken directly to him, and have no plans to. What he discusses with his friends is his business. I gave my two cents to the original question. I would very much like one of the bellicose to visit and get the skinny from their point of view, then report on their findings. I would find that very informative, and may alleviate some of the conspiracy theories.

Oh, and in what way can he do harm? Many folks have asked this, but nobody seems to have answers to it. If his ideas are ridiculous, I am fairly sure the Thai's will ignore them. If they have merit, PERHAPS they will be considered. How is that bad?

KB

[Bonanza]

I have a ssumed, as I expect most readers have, that by 'Expats' we are referring to those from 'Western' countries, and not for example of expatriates from Burma, Cambosia, Philpines etc. I believe that at present the residence /visa/land ownership laws apply to all equally - so is Mr Information talking about a change for everyone, or only certain nationalities? I would appreciate clarification.

[waanjai]

I would like to coin in an example for foolish attempts to help farangs in Thailand.

Many Thai do in fact realize, that for many a farang available money for living in Thailand on the basis of yearly extensions of stay (one year permissions to stay) has become less. Due to parity changes between currencies.

Now, quite a few Thais suggest to "help farangs" in providing borrowed money to them for applying for the yearly extensions, either 400.000 or 800.000 Baht with a Thai bank. Money that would be lend out for just the 3 months Immigration demands in these days and at reasonable interest rates. They may regard themselves to be insurance companies or what ever.

If this would really be supported by fellow Farangs that are currently involved in talks with Thai politicians, this would surely have a negative overall impact.

Since the next step within the regulations of National Immigration Police would be to change the National Police Order and to demand that the 400.000/800.000 Baht have to be with the Thai Bank the whole year. They would also stipulate the provision that there has to be a proof of the fact that this money is used to cover cost of living in Thailand regularly.

This is a simple example of a so-called "improvement" that would in effect harm all those that actually have the 400.000/800.000 Baht. As these would have to cope with a severely more restrictive regulation.

[maaka]

Mr Coull, I have emailed you as was suggested on another similar thread, as you could be the vehicle to raise the question with the powers that be, as the whether the ' 9 recommendations ' that came out of the Chiangmai Hotel affair, regarding chemical use in hotels, and market eating areas, have been implemented. It affects tourists and well as ex pats holidaying around Thailand.. Thanks.

[fatbob]

If I have a problem with anything Thai I try and sort it myself at the relevant Thai departments, I've been here seventeen years so it works for me, I don't need to be represented by one who I know nothing about and who is self appointed representing a community of which I am a part of end of story.