So Monday I wrote to the Croydon complaints department of UK Immigration and they would have received it yesterday. I specified my objections to the refusal and actually decided to include some outcomes with the idea that they can compensate me for wasting my time and money.
Here's my outcome requirements that I included with my complaint:
1) A 6-month tourist VISA without having to submit another application to Bangkok or pay any more money
2) A free upgrade to the visa from 6 Months (our application) to 2-Years (the next one up) as compensation for the inconvenience.
3) A refund of my fee (£91) for the inconvenience.
4) A payment of 5,000 baht (£100) by way of compensation, to cover the money I spent on bus ticket, hotel, taxi and food for my wife to go to Bangkok to deliver the pointless application.
Obviously, 1 and 2 are the bare minimum and 3 and 4 are possibly chancing my arm! But, as the TV advert goes (Vodafone) "you get nothing unless you ask".
I am now awaiting the response, which may be a few weeks. The good news and why I decided to go this route is entirely due to our UK friends and their wives. One couple had their 6 month tourist visa refused and it went to court, which is free. The guy attended at the time specified and he and the Judge were the only ones in the courtroom. UK Immigration just sent a note giving the reasons and did not even bother to attend. The Judge listened carefully to the guy's real explanations and then awarded the visa. The Immigration department then have 28 days to appeal, which they didn't but it still took them a long time to issue the visa.
All in all 4-6 months. I'm not really bothered how long, it is the principle that we're fighting - corruption and deception and politics, all things you would not expect of the UK system, but nevertheless true. At least in foreign countries you would expect it, and could sort it with a wedge of cash.
I was told to let it go, it is the system and you have to work within the system. But the system is broke, unjust and corrupt. The government get two lots of cash for all the ones who are refused and then decide to reapply - when conveniently the application is approved. I have come across this sort of thing before and it does not scare me, it just makes me very angry and more determined. It is not the faceless bureaucrats who have to live with the decision, it is real people with real lives.
Please show your support by liking and sharing the video and posts. And wish us luck.
Showing posts with label travelling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travelling. Show all posts
Friday, May 27, 2016
Sunday, May 08, 2016
Professional Collaboration with similar businesses?
In Facebook you're given targeted adverts at the side. One was "Accessible Thailand" so I clicked through to investigate.
I decided to contact them with a view of collaborating on articles and information and I was pleasantly surprised by the positive response. I have therefore put the link to their site, where they offer package deals to Thailand, on my website and here - Accessible Thailand
For the most Thailand, like any non-EU country, the situation for disabled awareness is not always the best. This has begun to change and improve for the better, driven in part by Westernisation and tourism.
Disabled people are there but not always seen or if they are they are forced to beg on the streets. Not just in Thailand but for example Moscow. Often I saw people, generally amputees, on the metro collecting cash from passengers. I saw a few disabled people out and about but to be fair, the plethora of steps would be the nemesis of wheelchair users (just as the Daleks couldn't traverse them until quite recently) who would face a mobility nightmare in Moscow.
While in Moscow I did meet one lady, a powered wheelchair user, with a respectable well paid job. She, like myself, was looking for a dating partner however at the end of our meeting she told me she would be holding out for the tall, dark rich American so a relationship wasn't on the cards. However, in conversations I gained an insight into travel for disabled people in Russia, especially those in wheelchairs. They can access "dial a ride" that is an accessible taxi, unfortunately one of very few and in high demand - plus not reliable on the time keeping front.
Thailand, the country where family is important. People are taken care of in the family, not farmed off to care homes or "living independently" in "adapted" accommodation. Just as with any family member, the citizens live at home and are looked after by family members.
One time I was at a restaurant with the wife and niece, we heard screaming and splashing of water from behind the partition. No one took any notice, not even the customers. Later a woman, possibly 20-30 years old appeared from behind the partition, dripping wet. I determined she had CP (having it myself) from the appearance plus additional needs. A lady came over and shuffled her back behind the partition and encouraged the water play, watching for while. Whenever the woman started becoming loud, the other lady "shhh"ed her, but eventually departed for other duties.
Another time I visited a water park and swimming pool. Obvious by the appearance, a family gathered near one of the shallow pools with a young girl in a wheel chair. All family members assisted the girl into the water and helped her swim a little. No one took any notice, well no one except me.
At another restaurant, (we did a lot of eating), a car pulled up and a man retrieved a "walker" from the boot for his disabled wife, who I could see clearly was suffering from the aftermath of stroke.
Health Care is a paid for service in Thailand, no free NHS. All those belittlers of the NHS need to go abroad and access healthcare for a while, they would soon stop moaning.
The pavements are terrible and you'll be better in the road. I found obstacles in the middle of the pavement, gaping holes and slabs out of line, so pretty much dangerous for me. They do make an effort with curb side ramps, but they are usually steep.
As in my hotel, a recent build, the front has steps up. Whoever designed the hotel obviously had no idea regarding disabled visitors and there are no Laws governing accessibility. At this hotel, there is a "ramp", but it is best used for a "slide", it is very very steep. The same goes for Moscow.
So, I think the point is, if you're a website of similar aims then I am looking for you to reciprocate the links and to work together for the common good. Contact me via the website contacts page.
In the meantime give the Accessible Thailand site a whirl, maybe you'll be jetting to The Land of Smiles very soon.
I decided to contact them with a view of collaborating on articles and information and I was pleasantly surprised by the positive response. I have therefore put the link to their site, where they offer package deals to Thailand, on my website and here - Accessible Thailand
For the most Thailand, like any non-EU country, the situation for disabled awareness is not always the best. This has begun to change and improve for the better, driven in part by Westernisation and tourism.Disabled people are there but not always seen or if they are they are forced to beg on the streets. Not just in Thailand but for example Moscow. Often I saw people, generally amputees, on the metro collecting cash from passengers. I saw a few disabled people out and about but to be fair, the plethora of steps would be the nemesis of wheelchair users (just as the Daleks couldn't traverse them until quite recently) who would face a mobility nightmare in Moscow.
While in Moscow I did meet one lady, a powered wheelchair user, with a respectable well paid job. She, like myself, was looking for a dating partner however at the end of our meeting she told me she would be holding out for the tall, dark rich American so a relationship wasn't on the cards. However, in conversations I gained an insight into travel for disabled people in Russia, especially those in wheelchairs. They can access "dial a ride" that is an accessible taxi, unfortunately one of very few and in high demand - plus not reliable on the time keeping front.
Thailand, the country where family is important. People are taken care of in the family, not farmed off to care homes or "living independently" in "adapted" accommodation. Just as with any family member, the citizens live at home and are looked after by family members.
One time I was at a restaurant with the wife and niece, we heard screaming and splashing of water from behind the partition. No one took any notice, not even the customers. Later a woman, possibly 20-30 years old appeared from behind the partition, dripping wet. I determined she had CP (having it myself) from the appearance plus additional needs. A lady came over and shuffled her back behind the partition and encouraged the water play, watching for while. Whenever the woman started becoming loud, the other lady "shhh"ed her, but eventually departed for other duties.
Another time I visited a water park and swimming pool. Obvious by the appearance, a family gathered near one of the shallow pools with a young girl in a wheel chair. All family members assisted the girl into the water and helped her swim a little. No one took any notice, well no one except me.
At another restaurant, (we did a lot of eating), a car pulled up and a man retrieved a "walker" from the boot for his disabled wife, who I could see clearly was suffering from the aftermath of stroke.
Health Care is a paid for service in Thailand, no free NHS. All those belittlers of the NHS need to go abroad and access healthcare for a while, they would soon stop moaning.
So, I think the point is, if you're a website of similar aims then I am looking for you to reciprocate the links and to work together for the common good. Contact me via the website contacts page.
In the meantime give the Accessible Thailand site a whirl, maybe you'll be jetting to The Land of Smiles very soon.
Thursday, May 05, 2016
Some delicious recipes
Saw this book in Bangkok airport and immediately thought of all the innuendos that you're currently thinking. Admit it..?
I think someone should have told her about how the translation works in English...
Monday, May 02, 2016
Sunday, May 01, 2016
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Friday, April 29, 2016
Thursday, April 28, 2016
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Trip Advisor Reviews
Here's my page with reviews from the start of 2012, for a variety of places all around the globe.
Spraying of Aircraft coming home to UK
One thing I really hate about returning from Thailand is the "requirement" to spray the cabin - a thing I had no idea about until my first trip. It is apparently deemed safe by the "WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION" (as if I trust a body like that) yet it is chemical pesticide in a pressurised environment...
"Is the spray harmful to passengers? What can passengers do to prevent being effected by the spray?
The spray used by airliners is not harmful to passengers says the WHO.
According to South African Airways, passengers irritated by the spray can, “Cover their noses, mouths and eyes until it is over”. Huh, very helpful.....
It is dangerous for asthma sufferers and as far as I can understand is completely pointless process. What about the stuff in your cases, bugs and things? Do they spray your bags as well? All I can see is a way to poison you with very little choice.
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Saturday, April 23, 2016
Friday, April 22, 2016
Thursday, April 21, 2016
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
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