UK envoy replies to your questions.
Recently, we asked you to submit inquiries (on any issue) to British Ambassador Asif Ahmad. A subsequent video interview based on your questions was broadcast on Asean TV but he felt obliged to address every single question and comment (some of them are quite emotional as you shall see) and put his honest replies on the record here. So, as we promised you, here are the UK ambassador's answers to your questions. It must have taken him considerable time to tackle all of them and we are grateful for that.
The first nine questions below are covered in the video interview I did for The Nation:
US citizens and businesses enjoy condiderable special privilages under the Treaty of Amity. What are the UK government doing about securing a similar treaty for UK citizens and businesses? Or, is it something the European Union should be addressing?"
Next: There are a lot questions concerning visas and passports. Among those who asked are Andrew Cherry, Duncan Bergin, Gary Thomas, Derek Bingham , guys named Marc, Taff, John Ship, Paul, Greg, Rupert.
This is to name just a few. Let me summarize their questions for you.
1. Why is it taking quite long to process a passport? Even people in emergency complained they had to wait and sometimes overstay. Can the process be shortened to, like a week or three days?
2. This is from Mister Duncan. He wants to know how much money the consular section get from British citizens each year.
3. Why is the cost of getting UK passport from your embassy is twice as much as that charged in the UK? And why it takes longer?
4. One Mister "Edward" is an angry man. He wants to know if your office reports to London about "discrimination" toward foreigners by the Thai government.
5. A lot of questions concern pension payment from UK to expats living in Thailand. Can things be improved or will they have to remain the same?
6. From Mr Taff. More or less about the issues we are going through. "How can you justify the costs for Passports, Pension Letters, Affirmations etc when other Embassies are charging a realistic price?"
7. Let’s turn to politics. From Mr Malcolm Williams. He’s upset by what he said was lopsided report by the BBC on political situation in Thailand. He doesn’t think Thaksin Shinawatra is leading a real democracy movement. What’s your views on Thai politics, Mr Ambassador?
HERE ARE ANSWERS TO ALL OTHER QUESTIONS POSED BY THE PUBLIC:
READ MORE.
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/UK-envoy-replies-to-your-questions-30172450.html