wedders

In the process of arranging a divorce by mutual consent. In theory the papers will be drawn up giving me sole custody of our 3 yo daughter. I spend 6 months a year in France, 6 months in Thailand in total. The mother rarely sees her daughter, her choice. I've been here in Thailand for the last 3 months, she's seen her daughter for 5 days.

The daughter has therefore lived almost exclusively with me since last July.

BUT.

If for whatever reason, the divorce (and custody orders) don't go through in time for my planned return to France end March (with daughter, who has British and Thai passports).... am I likely to encounter any problems at the airport - where my daughter will use her Thai passport to leave Thailand? She has to use it, rather than the British passport, because she entered on the Thai passport, her British one therefore has no entry visa. Am I likely to be asked for her mother's permission for her to leave Thai territory, in writing?

Any other thoughts on this? Just want to prepare the ground, should any obstacles be encountered in the divorce/custody, and therefore not be completed before I have to leave Thailand with my daughter.

Ok if the divorce doesn't go through in time, we are still technically married, I know. But even so...

Did trip to Had Lek (after Trat). Pestered endlessly by scammers with the following comments:

- Not take 10 dollars, only 1000 baht ...
- Pay 500 baht for express (in and out stamps done at Cambodian immigration for same day crossing) ...
- Pay 500 baht for personal service, just sit and wait while all done for you ...

Which had I coughed up for the above, would have made them a cool 1700 baht, less whatever they have to pay immigration for their share.

In the end it was pretty painless, didn't bother with going in to Cambodia, but had a very pleasant day in and around Trat, as well as a fishing village close by the day before.... (almost entirely populated by Muslims), and after the border crossing, an interesting couple of days on Koh Chang, my first trip there.

Thanks for the info. Leaning towards Trat and the southernmost crossing, settting off later today. I've always wanted to visit the coast east of Jomtien, which is as far as I've got to date. And Koh Chang... very tempting...

lannarebirth, on 2012-01-15 00:21:40, said:

Not necessarily. Many different factors can affect this ability, or lack of, other than innate intelligence.

I agree with Nikster to a large extent. My (just) 3 yo has had a mixed education, going to schools in France and Thailand, speaking English with me, and with no parental obsession about education - just the desire to see a child raised in a pleasant learning environment where she feels at ease, and confident. At that early age anyway. As a father I just wish my daughter to grow up to become a knowledgeable, balanced human being, who treats others with respect, other than raising a learning machine destined for some remarkable career - in the parents' dreams anyway.

From bog-ordinary schooling in the countries she's been raised in so far, by a single parent, my daughter speaks fluent 3 yo English and French, and understands Thai. No pressure, no special learning priorities. Sure educational standards are important, and there are considerable variations from one establishment to another, but I do think we can get excessively hung up on this aspect rather than the other factors that contribute to a kid's wellbeing at school.

High floor, good choice. No chance of hearing the music from Foxy a GoGo from there

As you say, you can't get a much better location, so less money spent on tuktuks too. "Careworn" sums it up - I could imagine getting a bit depressed living there for longer than a month or two. With the money saved though there are some nearby gyms/spas in hotels available with short-term memberships, and which have pools.

Cheaper to use a laundry nearby, rather than the in-house service.

I think electric/cable etc is extra, so watch the aircon use. Don't think the friends who've used the building were overcharged though.

Hear from my ex-wife there that Chiang Mai is pretty busy at the moment. Otherwise your description is exactly how I remember it, and I do miss the place. I'm in Pattaya right now, it couldn't be much more of a contrast. Think I'll make a trip up there in the middle of Feb, if I can think of a way to avoid the ex ...