British Council teachers have trouble with visas

**DaveRobin** · 18-05-2008, 03:46 PM

I heard from a BC teacher that the terms and conditions of their non-imm F visa had been changed and they now have to renew their visa every month whereas before it was done yearly without leaving the country. With a non-imm F you don't need a work permit nor do you pay tax. Apparently the BC upset Samak. Could this be an irrational attack on this noble charitable institution by a man with a pig's face or just an attempt by the Thai authorities to control this tax free language school?

**ChiangMai noon** · 18-05-2008, 03:48 PM

^
interesting.

at least one of our posters works for the BC.

wonder if he'll comment.

**obsidian** · 18-05-2008, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by DaveRobin

noble charitable institution

they may be noble but the tuition aint free.

**thehighlander959** · 18-05-2008, 09:38 PM

Ah well.
So being a teacher isn,t all about having a good skive? They dont have that trouble in Lagos Nigeria, lots of British Council teachers their, they even have their own club. visas are never an issue Lagos Nigeria the easy life and most of them have a modicum of English what could be easier. Now that would take away your visa problems

**kingwilly** · 18-05-2008, 09:40 PM

love that avatar mate!

**DaveRobin** · 23-05-2008, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

^
interesting.

at least one of our posters works for the BC.

wonder if he'll comment.

he no speak

maybe more serious than just visas

**momo8** · 23-05-2008, 07:56 AM

I've got a couple of friends working up in Shanghai as IELTS examiners with the British Council for years now.

Their 'Z' visas are up for renewal (Z visas are working visas) and the Chinese government has stopped giving out 'Z' visas along with business and multiple entry visas until after the Olympics.

There is no way around this so anybody seeking employment in China at this time is stuffed up until after August.

**benbaaa** · 23-05-2008, 08:34 AM

Originally Posted by ChiangMai noon

^ interesting. at least one of our posters works for the BC. wonder if he'll comment.

Yes, come on, speak up you bastard, whoever you are.

**ChiangMai noon** · 23-05-2008, 08:36 AM

maybe they are speaking on ajarn.

will have a look.

**benbaaa** · 23-05-2008, 08:50 AM

Apparently, the official line is that there are ongoing inter-governmental discussions as to the status of the BC in Thailand as part of a general review of such arrangements - the equivalent German Goethe Institute has recently entered into similar negotiations, for example.

The unofficial suspicion among the teachers is that when the British government refused to extradite Thaksin to the military junta last year, the junta looked around for someone to spank and their eyes alighted on the BC. They asked the question "What exactly is the status of the BC in Thailand and where is this documented?"

The Thai Govt were assured that the BC is the official cultural and educational charity entrusted by Her Majesty's government to strengthen ties between Britain and Thailand, blah blah blah, and by the way we can't find the documentation, it's possible the cleaner threw it out. The Thai govt said in that case we need a new agreement and until one is put in place, BC teachers have to get a visa extension every month. This doesn't apply to the bosses, of course, which is why they've been in negotiations since last October with absolutely fuck all progress as far as anyone can tell.

Glad I don't work for the stuffy old bastards.

**mrsquirrel** · 23-05-2008, 08:53 AM

BC is a load of shite.

Bringing the British way.

They fucked up a load of EP's around the country by becoming assessors for them.

EP's panicked and spent three months training the kids for the show wasting hours of lesson times.

Fuck the BC and their pompous righteous ways

**ChiangMai noon** · 23-05-2008, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by benbaaa

Glad I don't work for the stuffy old bastards.

likewise.

good post by the way.

**benbaaa** · 23-05-2008, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by mrsquirrel

Fuck the BC and their pompous righteous ways

Greens on the way.

**klongmaster** · 23-05-2008, 09:47 AM

triple

**Marmite the Dog** · 23-05-2008, 10:04 AM

^ Only one post as far as I can see...

**DaveRobin** · 23-05-2008, 10:14 AM

Thanks Benbaa

So, are BC teachers doing monthly visa runs?
Or, popping into an immigration office for an extension?

Sorry, just read your post again with my eyes open - you get an extension.

Do you think BC teachers will have to eventually obtain wps and pay taxes like the plebs?

**DaveRobin** · 23-05-2008, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by mrsquirrel

BC is a load of shite.

Bringing the British way.

They fucked up a load of EP's around the country by becoming assessors for them.

EP's panicked and spent three months training the kids for the show wasting hours of lesson times.

Fuck the BC and their pompous righteous ways

It does seem the authorities here have a high regard for them and often invite them to be 'official' monitors of other education businesses. I don't know why as their teachers are often only as qualified as most others (Degree+CELTA/Trinity TESOL) and their managers are often just guys who have been around long enough to float to the top. Saying that, I like the current boss in CM.

**benbaaa** · 23-05-2008, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by DaveRobin

their managers are often just guys who have been around long enough to float to the top.

Quite a few people believe the new boss in BKK is a bit of a floater.

**Thetyim** · 23-05-2008, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by benbaaa

The Thai Govt were assured that the BC is the official cultural and educational charity entrusted by Her Majesty's government

So to question it is an insult to her Majesty.
Anyone who doubts the sincerity of the BC should be punished by the law including thai citizens living in Thailand

**Texpat** · 23-05-2008, 11:31 AM

What is a British Council tacher?
Why are they considered different from any other foreign teacher here?
Are these the people we can blame for the abhorrent state of the English language in Thailand?

**mediamanbkk** · 23-05-2008, 11:54 AM

In over 10 years of working here, I have only met one bloke who admitting to work for the BC.. haven't a clue what he did though. The only thing I could gather is that they had pretty good library!

I read somewhere that the BC in Russia was having grief and possibly had been closed down/banned/kicked out. Maybe they were all spies!

**Marmite the Dog** · 23-05-2008, 12:26 PM