Entries Tagged 'Letters from the readers' ↓

I did a visa run from Pattaya to Prum in Cambodia and had a stopover at the beaches in Chanthaburi on the way home. The trip to Cambodia took about 6 hours with plenty of stops and with a speed about 70 Km/hour.

The Roads

The roads in Thailand are in mix condition and even if motorbikes should stick to the left lane on some parts, I found it impossible most of the time. People parked, set up shops to sell Thai ice cream (my Thai girl had to stop every time) or the locals used it to drive the wrong way and sometimes it was full with rubbish. I would never drive a motorbike in the night in Thailand because the holes that I could vanish in are so big and random you would never see them in the night. The worst road on this trip was the 3 from Rayong to Pattaya it is in really bad shape and the trucks drive to close for comfort. The road close to the border was 30 min of only us on the bike, it made for some fun driving up and down the hills almost alone on the road.

The Bike

Now do not laugh ok but I used a very simple Novou MX Yamaha and it was fine for me since I do not want to drive that fast. I was scared I would get a puncture along the way but we managed it back and forward without any problems. The hills were a bit slow with two people on the bike and it maxed out at 60 Km/Hour but we still overtook the trucks.

The Cambodian Border Prum

Prum is nothing to write home about it is a place for Thai people to come and lose their money in the Casino. I was the only foreigner there and even the military boss came out to talk to us because he could not figure out why I came there from Pattaya on a bike. The immigration was very talkative and had loads of fun of me going from Pattaya to Cambodia on a bike. When you come to the border get an entry form from the counter 6 and then pass the immigration as normal. When you pass, the border there is motorbikes wanting to take you to the immigration on the Cambodian side I paid them on the way back 20 THB. You can walk if you want it is about 500 meters in heat and dust but no beggars. There is a house and you fill in the form pay your 20 USD or 1000 THB and pay 100 – 300 THB in the next counter for exit Cambodia in one day. I could probably walked pass the immigration and walked in to Thailand with no problems because they are all set up in air-cooled houses not wanting to go out.

Chanthaburi

On the way, back we stayed at the Sawadee hotel in Chanthaburi for one day to rest on the beach and then we went back to Pattaya. Most of the hotels are around 1000 THB but there is no real beach road so you have to go down and check each of them to what you prefer. We had one other couple in the same hotel that night and normally Thai people not go there on weekdays. On the weekends, the hotels are full with Thai people. The beaches are nothing special they are very long and shallow, it is not easy to swim but a great playground for the children, and it makes for excellent fresh seafood.

Here is a map from the Cambodian Border to the beach in Chanthaburi province in Thailand.

http://maps.google.co.th/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Pong+Nam+Ron,+Chanthaburi&daddr=Khlong+khut,Chanthaburi&geocode=FREOxQAdaRQaBinBksvaMb4EMTGgzbThStgDBA%3BFYGavwAdiyUTBik3xESCRngDMTFwzbThStgDBA&gl=th&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=12.914222,102.372665&sspn=0.496602,1.056747&layer=t&ie=UTF8&z=10

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Little Tips for Nigerians coming to study in Thailand

Dear Fellow Nigerian and African Students,
After due reflection, I have decided to provide you with some tips about Thailand and some of the university requirements. I could not do this completely without first and foremost letting you be aware of what it takes to study, work and live in Thailand. Please note that the information given in this write-up is my personal opinion. I also consulted the websites of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Study in Thailand Forum. I reflected about life in Thailand and what it takes a Nigerian to come, study and live in Thailand. I do hope that the information might be of help for you.

About Thailand:
Thailand has common borders with Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Laos, and Cambodia. The Northern part is often seen as the poorest part of Thailand. The Southern part of Thailand is the Muslim dominated areas with some form of political instability. Thai people are well known for their welcoming smiles. They are also hospitable people. Thailand is welcoming tourists. The country is one of the few countries that are not colonized. Thai is their national language. Good numbers of Thais do not speak English.

The Monarchy:
Thais love and revere their King and the Royal Family so much. As a Nigerian you are expected to show respect for the King, the Queen, and the Royal Family. Avoid any comment/action that might be deemed offensive to the Royal Family.

Religion:
Religiously speaking, Thai people are very calm and respectful to all religions. The level of religious tolerance in Thailand is acceptable. Thai laws also tolerate other people’s religion. In religious places, you are expected to dress neatly and properly. You are also expected not to make too much noise. You should not wear shoes inside the temple that has Buddha image. There is a place you can take off your shoes. In all avoid any thing that will demonstrate a lack of respect in such a sacred place. It is directly the same compared to sacred places when visiting African Shrines.

Social Customs:
Thais greet in a prayer-like style which they called ‘wai’. Ordinarily, Thai people do not like to greet people by hand shake. Just as a young person greets the elderly one in our various Nigerian dialects, a younger Thai ‘wais’ to an elderly Thai. When you arrive, you can easily learn this because it is very easy to learn. In Thailand, it is a bad manner to point your foot at a person. In Nigeria, it should be seen as nothing but in Thailand it could be seen as a bad omen. So it is preferable if you could use your finger, should you intend to point at any thing to a Thai. Thais do not like people to touch their head or even any part of their body. This is different if considered in Nigeria, it is seen as a sign of good relationship but in Thailand you try to avoid unnecessary hand touch. Similarly, if you watch Thais at any social gathering, you will notice that young Thais go to considerable lengths to keep their heads lower than those of the elder ones. They do this in order to avoid giving the impression of disrespect to the elderly ones.

In Thailand public show of love between boys and girls are normally seen as a rudeness or uncultured behavior. Of course, just as in every other country, you can still see young ones who do not keep to the rules. You are expected to follow the footsteps of those who obey the rules. If you intend to be rude, then you may likely find things very difficult in Thailand. It pays to be calm and keep a cool head and conceal your emotions as much as possible. Talking too much or even losing your temper while talking with a Thai may likely make the matter worst for you. For Thais, such a behavior is simply a show of poor manners. As a Nigerian, if you abide by the rules and regulations of the Kingdom of Thailand, then, you are on your way to making more friends during your study. It simply goes to say that the more friends you make (if any), the more you will want to return to stay longer and study in Thailand without any problem from any angle.

From history, Thailand has a well-established hierarchical structure of status which begins from the Royal family and gets to everyone and everything else. So as a student, paying respect to your teachers should be a paramount important to you among other things. Again, Thais expect you as a visitor to dress appropriately in classrooms, and, in a formal public places. Hence as an undergraduate, you are expected to wear your school uniform while in the school vicinity otherwise you will not be attended to. It is good note that Thais are quite conservative and patient. Thais do not talk too much and love to be calm and allow things to flow naturally.

How to get a student visa:
Firstly, you need to be in contact with the University and then apply for the program of your choice. Then the University is expected to ask you to provide your educational credentials. If you are applying for undergraduate courses then you are expected to provide the following:

• Six passport photos
• Application Form
• Application Fees
• Copy of your WAEC / NECO / GCE / SSCE or EQUIVALENT
• Three letters of Recommendations
• Copy of your E-passport (the information page) if needed
• School fees

N/B: The lists are merely an educative estimate. Some universities request more while some request less.
If you are applying for graduate courses then you are expected to provide the following:
• Six passport photos
• Application Form
• Application Fees
• Copy of your degree earned and the transcripts
• Three Letters of Recommendations
• Copy of your E-passport (the information page) if needed
• School fees

N/B: The lists are merely an educative estimate. Some universities request more while some request less. The application procedures differ from university to university. While you can apply for some programs simply by sending application form and copies of your transcripts per e-mail, others request the complete documentation with certified copies and proper photographs. Note that Nigerian documents are carefully scrutinized for the simple reason that some Nigerians may have faked things.
As soon as your application is accepted, you will be issued an acceptance letter, which is normally called ‘The Letter of Admission’. This Letter of Admission supposed and should in fact be printed on the official letterhead of the particular university that has accepted you. The letter must be signed by the authorized person or his assigned assistant. The content of the letter might differ from university to university but in all it must show that the university accepted for a particular program and invites you to begin your studies at a certain date within a particular semester. Some universities will state the number of courses you will study. In Thailand, the student visa is a one year visa. It is given to only to those who are qualified and actually intend to study. It is preferable if one pays for a complete school fees/tuition fees. You should try to register for at least 3 courses per semester with the following documents:

• Letter of Admission or a letter from the school to the Thai Embassy,
• a photocopy of your E-passport (which must be valid for at least 6 more months),
• recent passport-size photographs,
• the NDLEA certificate,
• the police criminal record,
• the evidence of financial ability (bank statement),
• all your educational credentials,
• receipt of the school fees paid,
• accommodation assurance,
• Visa application form
• Visa fees
• ticket reservation

For those who are already in Thailand when they received the Letter of Admission, it is better and preferable to leave the country in order to apply for a non-immigrant ED visa from outside the country. While on tourist visa you can change it within the country without leaving to another country but the visa must be valid for at least 21 days in any case. As to the
photographs, don’t carry or where anything that might change your face.
Thailand will give you a full one-year visa based on documents demonstrating that you are indeed ready to study at the Thai university. Be informed, that your application alone doesn’t make you a student. Therefore, the student visa is only valid for 90 days when you get it the first time. You expected to report to the Immigration at the expiration of each 90 days. You must learn to practice this till you leave the country.

Working with a student visa:
Please you are not allowed to work with student visa. You are permitted to study. Should you intend to work then apply for Non-B visa with the appropriate documents with the company that had employed you. The idea working and studying with student visa will only land you in jail and eventual deportation according to Thai laws. Reportedly, there are cases of students who, for instance, teach in order to finance their studies. Please be aware that this is illegal even if doing so is possible.

Feeding:
There are so many African foods or Nigerian food in Thailand. Normally as a new student, you may not find it easy with Thai food, therefore, you are advised to keep on with Nigerian food or other African food until your stomach gets adjusted to the Thai food. However, be informed that the African food could be very expensive but not too expensive.

Academics:
Education in Thailand is stable. There is no strike action. You can choose to complete your studies as fast as you want provided you are able to pay for the studies. It is possible to complete your bachelor degree within three years. It is also possible to complete your master degree within a year. Ordinarily, Nigerian students do better than other students from other countries. Remember that you must try to make at least CGPA of 3.0 although at most instances some universities may overlook that. Studies here is done both on the weekend and on weekdays depending on the university and the on the program you enrolled in. Some universities include the text books as part of the school fees and therefore as you pay your school fees you are also paying for your text books. Most often classes are not too crowned and there are good facilities.

Danger Points:
• Avoid doing your educational admission process with any agency except direct contact with the school or the university.
• Avoid any form of forging of documents of any kinds.
• Avoid telling lies in order to secure the visa.
• Avoid any form of short cut in order to get the visa.
• Avoid coming to Thailand to study when you have no sponsor.
• Avoid moving with a person of questionable character.
• Avoid avoiding the Nigerian Embassy in Thailand.
• Avoid any form of drug trafficking.
• Avoid any form of making money in an illegal way.
• Avoid thinking that you are still in Nigeria when in fact you are in Thailand.
• Avoid disrespecting your teacher.
• Avoid unnecessary argument with your teachers in the classroom.

Good Points:
• Just maintain your normal African value, norms and culture and you will join us to smile in the land of smile.
• It is not true that all Nigerians in Thailand are all in oddities. There are many Nigerians who are in Thailand with credible records. There are also many Nigerians who are in Thailand teaching, lecturing, and some are doing genuine business.
• Nigerian Embassy in Bangkok should be your home because they are always available if you prove to be a good student. The Embassy is very helpful.
• Nigerian Student Forum is also very active and indeed supportive.
• Nigerian Community Association is also available and ready to help.

By Emmanuel Nweke Okafor
PhD Research Student,
Philosophy/Religious Studies, Faculty,
Assumption University, Thailand.
okaforemma AT yahoo dot com (+66 870227827)

Editor’s note: I changed the title to Africans coming to study in Thailand. Most advice you give could be for any African coming to Thailand. It is also very normal advice for anybody that come to Thailand and wants to study.

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Why are Nigerians in Thailand?

-The Positive Outlook

By Emmanuel Nweke Okafor

PART 1

Introduction:

The question why are Nigerians in Thailand, can be answered by so many people in so many ways.  To some people, Nigerians are in Thailand for drug business as shown in various Thai newspapers (The Nation, 2010-03-24) and on the TV shows. On the other part, some will argue that Nigerians are in Thailand for swindling business a.k.a 419 (www.personalthailand.com). Some will argue that Nigerians are in Thailand for fake dollar business (http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Nigerians-Thailand). However, in all these positions, something is greatly missing namely; that many Nigerians are actually living in Thailand for a genuine business and that many Nigerians have contributed positively to the Thailand economy in a manner that motivates an average Thai businesspersons and women to invest in Nigeria. We are aware that  many Thais are very comfortable going to Nigeria for business investments (http://farmlandgrab.org) It is not an overstatement that about 200 Nigerians are studying in Thai universities and that they are doing very well (www.iis.ru.ac.th). Some Nigerians are also missionaries while some are in Thailand for sports and other activities and events that will give them international experience. I know fairy correctly that no one will question the individual’s fundamental human right to mobility not only across states but across nations for freedom of movement (http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/). This article therefore will tend to inform all and sundry that many Nigerians in Thailand are very responsible, hardworking, sincere, honest, and law-abiding and as such deserve to be respected.  However, my position remains my personal approach after due observation. Let the websites that take glory in condemning Nigerians in Thailand review their positions if they so wish and accept the fact that Nigerians like every other human beings have their weak points and strength as well. Therefore, any attempt to categorize every Nigerian in Thailand based on “odd activities” of a few is not acceptable. It is an argument based on naked manipulation of realities on ground to serve unidentified agenda. I hereby argue that Nigerians have excelled through education, business, sports, religion and other spheres of life in Thailand.

Limitations of this article, intention and methods: This article intends to answer the question why Nigerians are in Thailand from the perspective of a positive outlook which from the writer’s opinion has much to do with empowering and energizing Nigerians living in Thailand. This article observes that it is Nigerians’ strengths and not their weakness that help them move forward. The writer intends to keep the energy level of Nigerians living in Thailand very high despite all odds. With a positive outlook, Nigerians living in Thailand can cheer themselves up, celebrate success and then be able to overcome the information that can distract them from a bright vision of the future. This article is also limited because it should be seen as merely a personal evaluation of Nigerians in Thailand by the writer, who is also living and studying in Thailand. Thus, it is an attempt to demonstrate that Nigerians living in Thailand are also responsible, gentle and law-abiding. It would have been better to call this write-up a rejoinder to various internet write-ups concerning Nigerians in Thailand. The writer interviewed many Nigerians living in Thailand in the course of this writing.

Education: The word education comes from two Latin words: “Educere” and “Educare”.  “Educere” means “to draw out,” “to lead out from”, “to bring out of” or “to drill”, presumably from ignorance.  It is a household term.  “Educare” on the other hand means “to teach” (Longman Latin Course, Vocabularies 51-55,137 319a).  It was the advent of industries, technology and the demand for knowledge and skill, that may have led education to be associated with schools and instructions that go on in institutions.  Thus, education refers to any process through which man is shaped and led, toward fulfillment. In Thailand many Nigerians have also decided to go to school to do things and live in a community which gave them real, guided experiences which fostered their capacity to contribute to the society. It is my view that many Nigerians in Thailand are also students studying in various Thai universities such as ABAC, SIAM, IIS, CHULA, THAMMASSAT, BANGKOK, AIT, to mention but a view (www.au.edu, www.siam.edu, www.ait.ac.th). Some Nigerians are also teachers in various Thai schools. About six Nigerians are lecturers and as such are contributing greatly to what should be seen as the Thailand’s “Man-Power” which every responsible country needs desperately (UDHR, 26).  Therefore to remove this very important contribution to the life of Nigerians in Thailand is not only unjust but insane.  We have well known Nigerian lecturers/teachers in various Thailand universities/schools who have contributed immensely to the Thai educational system; few of them are:

• Professor S. O. Ogunlana who has taught for over 10 years in Asian Institute of Technology, Pathumthani Thailand. He is presently lecturing in United Kingdom.
• Dr. Christopher Chukwumaijem Anyadubalu is presently lecturing in Faculty of Arts and Science, Dusit Thani Intl. College, Bangkok, Thailand.
• Mr. Emmanuel Nweke Okafor is presently a lecturer/the Supervisor of the English Language Laboratory Center , Siam University , Bangkok , Thailand .
• Mr. Soko has taught in Thailand for nearly 9 years and presently teaching in Kornpitacksuksa School, Bangkok, Thailand.

Education both formal and informal can play a vital role in any nation on earth. Thailand recognizes the impart that intellectuals, academics, teachers, and lecturers play in the growth of their children and I think that Thai government has accorded some respect to the various sectors that give the befitting knowledge to their kids of which Nigerian lecturers are among those respected and as such should be seen as a good point for Nigerians in Thailand. There is an oral report in most Thai schools where Nigerians have taught, stating that Nigerian teachers in Thailand are lovely, friendly and hardworking. The case of Mr. Soko who has taught in a particular school for nearly 7 years is not common to African teachers. He is loved by his students and the school so much so that they do not want to release him. Mr. Soko remains my model in Thailand for his outstanding good life. Therefore most Nigerians are in Thailand to teach, to lecture and to study.

Business: There is no country on earth that will survive alone without any form of commercial transactions. There is conventionally acceptable need for the economic system of exchanging goods and services which are conducted between individuals and businesses in different countries. Nigerians in Thailand are not in any way left behind. Most Nigerians in Thailand do not only engage legally in business activities in Thailand but that they also have Cargos, Factories, Stores, Shops, Restaurants and so on and so forth. I have not heard of any Nigerian businessmen or women in Prutanm being held for not paying his or her taxes. It is a known fact that Nigerians doing legitimate business in both Pratunam and Sukumvit also invite their fellow Nigerians to come and buy Thai products which are mostly preferable than Chinese/Japanese products by some Nigerians. In all, it is Thailand that gains a lot from this kind gesture of Nigerians. Hence, where is justice and sound reasoning if a particular group decides to ignore these known economic contributions to Thailand’s economy (GDP) by noble Nigerians in Thailand? It really calls for a fundament attention. It calls for an attitudinal change in order to amend that wrong impression about Nigerians in Thailand. Granted that few Nigerians have not done well, then, can a part be used to judge the whole? There is need to be objective and present information bearing in mind that hasty generalization is a fallacy. From my personal opinion, presenting issues about Nigerians in Thailand in a negative light is simply landing into being guilty of intellectual dishonesty. Permit me to state that some Nigerians are also involved in this propaganda. In the course of this writing, I paid a visit to few famous and well known Nigerians in business field here in Thailand and I was informed that Nigerian businessmen (who are seriously doing business in Thailand) also invite other countries to come and invest in Thailand. I had an interview with some Nigerian businessmen on Tuesday 6^th April, 2010. I was told by:

• Mr. Facon who is a dealer on shoes that he does not only have a shoe factories in Thailand but that he also invites people from China, Japan, Malaysia and Africans to invest in Thailand. Mr. Facon also invites his fellow Nigerians and regularly sends goods from Thailand to Nigeria within a legal limit.
• Mr. Nnamdi popularly known as ND has been in Thailand for years on a very clean record. He purchases and exports a variety of Thai made products to Nigeria. He has an African Restaurant. ND remains the best African Restaurant in Thailand.
• Mr. Sam Philip is also another well known Nigerian man. His antecedent speaks for him.

There are so many other Nigerians I interviewed and from all indication, some of them are well grounded in Thailand with their Thai wives and kids. Many of them found Thailand market interesting. I expected to hear the word discrimination but it looks as if such word is not easily seen in the dictionary of Nigerian businessmen and women in Thailand. However, their lamentation was that most of their contributions were scantly reported. Most of them appeared to be sad when they read from the newspapers or internet that Nigerians in Thailand are all drug dealers or scammers. In all, an average Thai in business areas such as Pratunam and Sukumvit are all familiar with ‘Levi Cargo’, ‘Fenco Cargo’, Livis Cargo’, Ifinity Cargo, etc. These cargoes are all owned by some prominent Nigerians in Thailand. They are well known and recognized and as such are legally established otherwise they would not have been allowed to be in existence.

Sports: I have also noticed that of resent many Nigerians have joined different football clubs in Thailand, though not with “good pay”. But then, Thai Football Clubs recognize that Nigerians are good footballers. They believe that Nigerian footballers have the agility and power to play for a long period of time which some other countries do not possess. So far we have not been presented with any story of drug related activities among the well known Nigerian footballers in Thailand owing to the fact that they are committed and engaged in their club activities. Therefore, it could be argued that the idea of claiming that Nigerians in Thailand are for drug dealings is not only unfair but could be revisited to reflect the true position of Nigerians residing in Thailand for good. Of course, my aim is not to present Nigerians as “saints” but then it is also unacceptable when Nigerians in Thailand are being seen as drug dealers or scammers. Please we are not all drug dealers. We are also footballers. Is it immoral to be a footballer?  NO!

Religion: Ordinarily, there is no yardstick to decide when a preacher satisfies the people since the job belongs to the Holy Spirit. I could still recall that the Catholic Church maintains that the “voice of people is voice of God”. Presently, there is one Catholic Church in Bangkok which most foreigners love to attend. I have tried to ask some of the foreigners why they prefer to attend Ruan Rudee Holy Redeemer Catholic Church to other churches, most of them told me that they enjoy the way the two Nigerian priests in the church handle their homily. For them, the two Nigerian priests are not only “Men of God” but prophet of the “Living God”. It is good to note that these two ordained Catholic priests from Redeptorist Community in Ibandan, Nigeria came to Thailand primarily for their missionary work of which the testimony on the ground shows that they are outstanding. We also have other “Men of God” in Thailand who do not only attend to the people’s spiritual needs but are outstanding in their daily contribution to the Thai society. There are 5 main churches in Bangkok administered by Nigerian pastors:

• Hebron International Ministry at Ekkemai Road 23, Bangkok
• Throne of Grace International at Sukumvit Soi 10, Bangkok.
• Redeemed Christian Church of God in Phram Kao road, Bangkok.
• New Life Prayer Ministry at Onnut 44, Bangkok.
• Bride of Christ Internationl Ministry, Srinakarin Road, Bangkok.

These churches are all taken care of by Nigerian pastors who have distinguished themselves in Thailand and have contributed immensely to the pastoral care of the people of God. Many of these churches have been in existence for years with good records and many of the faithful are satisfied.

International Exposure: Many Nigerians come to enhance their global partnerships, awareness and personal development in Thailand. In Thailand, some universities, business companies and government agencies sometimes deliver a wide range of programs providing an international experience for children, young leaders, students, graduates, teachers, business professionals and employers. Some operations in Thailand can also offer unrivalled help to find partners and provide support to develop longtime mutual beneficial relationships. Some Nigerians are also in Thailand to gain practical work experience, participate in cultural exchanges and broaden their horizons and cultural understanding. As the number of Thais in Nigeria keep on increasing, number of Nigerians in Thailand has also grown remarkable. Interestingly, many of these Nigerians that ply Thailand for international experiences come and go and do not stay for long time in Thailand. The relationship between Thai people and Nigerian people has always been cordial given the diplomatic relationship between the two countries Therefore; it is not justifiable to accept the misleading internet information that Nigerians in Thailand patrol Sukumvit Soi 3 at night. As a matter of fact, Sukumvit Soi 3 is one of the tourist zones and as such Nigerians should not be excluded from going there to enjoy their money, Nigerian food and other African related activities such as head cut, music, songs and shows. Granted that many Nigerians are seen in Sukumvit Soi 3 passing about but my concern is: does it mean that all Nigerians are in Sukumvit Soi 3? Is this enough argument to conclude that Nigerians in Thailand are all drug dealers/scammers? Definitely, that answer is NO!

Many Nigerians do not even know where Sukumvit Soi 3 is located.

Better lifestyle: In Thailand, many Nigerians are married to Thai ladies with kids well taken care of and most of them studying in the intentional schools in Thailand. Thai ladies whose life would have not been so brightened have got life by marrying Nigerian guys who are not only good in bed but also in taking good care of women. In all, both Thai ladies have got better lifestyles by legally marrying to Nigerians, and Nigerian guys who may have failed, gained a lot by marrying to Thai ladies. In all, there is a kind of symbiotic relationship here. I do hope that my readers will agree with me that global awareness has indeed encouraged international marriage. As every marriage requires commitment, dedication and hard work, an international/intercultural marriage requires even more attention because of the many obstacles that a couple faces yet Nigerians in Thailand have been able to handle all these obstacles from family, friends, personal values, expectations, and bureaucratic procedures. Nigerians are able to handle the problems such as language barrier, differences in values, religious conflicts, and was able to live in peace with their Thai wives.

Diplomatic Mission: In Thailand, Nigeria has embassy whose duty has much to do with conducting negotiations between representatives of the two countries. The embassy also takes care of Nigerian citizens residing in Thailand. This year’s cerebration of Nigerian Independent Day drew many Thai governments’ officials, ambassadors from different countries and people from all spheres of life. The Independence Day that welcomed people with high profile is another indication that all is well with Nigerians in Thailand diplomatically speaking. Those who want to enter Nigeria from Thailand are insured visa accordingly from the Consular Office Visa Section in Nigerian embassy. The embassy is situated at 412 Sukhumvit 71 Prakanong, 10110, Bangkok. The Nigerian embassy in Bangkok also helps Nigerians who may be involved in one problem or another when contacted. All the Nigerians working at the Nigerian embassy in Thailand are all responsible individuals and as such should be respected by not insinuating that they are also drug dealers/scammers. Besides, Thai government loves Nigerian people and has not discriminated against Nigerians for now. The Nigerian embassy among other things coordinates with Thai government to send Nigerian offenders home in a manner that is in line with international laws and regulations.

Conclusion and suggestions: It is obvious that many Nigerians in Thailand are doing very well. It is a well known fact that some Nigerians have lived in Thailand for years on a clean record. However, as some internets reporters have done although with much exaggeration and hasty conclusion, it is still true that some Nigerians have not only disgraced themselves, (their families and the entire nation by their attitude towards money) but that they have brought image of the country to a pitiable condition. My PART 2 will mainly focus on how Nigerians have imprisoned their fellow Nigerians in Thailand through various means and intentionally luring their fellow Nigerians to Thailand with the promise of giving them teaching jobs and/or university education. In fact, some Nigerians were even told that as soon as they get to Thailand, they will be able to enter BUS No 2 heading to any of the European countries. Some were told that at the street of Bangkok they will collect used electronics, clothes and then ship them to Nigeria for sell. Unfortunately, these (innocent Nigerian) guys who easily believe their ‘dupers’, may have borrowed and even sold lands to get to Thailand for a better lifestyle; when they arrived they got frustrated and eventually end up in “odd businesses” and finally some of them end up in jail. Can we then say that all Nigerians are doing the same? What a stereotype!  I do hope that my fellow Nigerians will do well in joining me to re-position our image in the internet and in our every day life.

We have no choice but to believe in ourselves as Nigerians. I believe that the reason for all this pessimism about Nigerians in Thailand is that many Nigerians really do not believe in our abilities as a country. There is no doubt that Thailand and Nigeria has enjoyed the best cordiality. Why then should we (Nigerians) live with fear in Thailand? Even, some other African countries in Thailand have benefited from our fears. Most of the bad actions recorded by other Africans are mostly attributed to Nigeria. Algeria is often believed to be Nigeria by some people. Liberia is also seen as Nigeria by some people. In fact, it looks as if you are from Africa and you happen to comment any offence and your country’s name ends with ria, ian, lia, bia, etc then you are automatically a Nigerian.

Besides, the issue is like watching a football match. There is nobody that watches football and will not see the mistakes that the players are making. But if you are put on that same pitch, you will suddenly realize you can’t even play half as much as those people you are condemning. I do not intend to shortlist the activities of other countries compared to Nigerians (http://teakdoor.com) but I wish to call on my fellow Nigerians in Thailand to be strong and move with vigor and when we take decisions, we should take decision cognizant of the stability of the mutual relationship between the two countries (Thailand and Nigeria). Hence the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, in Section 21, states: “The state shall protect, preserve and promote the Nigerian cultures which enhance human dignity. Again, if you look at Section 15 of the constitution, it states that the motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be ‘Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.’ It further states that national integration should actively be encouraged. Therefore let us come together and rebuild, reposition and re-brand our image in Thailand. We can successfully achieve it in our daily lives and activities. Let us prove to those who see only bad things in Nigeria and Nigerian people that they are simply being economical with the truth and that their position is not only chaotic and callous but that their argument is also a naked manipulation of evidence (of many other good things about Nigerians in Thailand) and context to serve personal agenda and make cheap publicity.

Emmanuel Nweke Okafor is a PhD Student in Graduate School of Philosophy/Religion, Assumption University Thailand. He is presently a lecturer and the Supervisor in English Language Laboratory Center, Siam University Thailand. He can be contacted at okaforemma (+66 870227827)

Note from PersonalThailand.com We have never stated that all Nigerians are criminals but 98 % of the one we met did crimes in Thailand and we met maybe over 500 in Thailand.

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It’s so easy for us Westerners to criticize isn’t it?. We have our safeguards like government welfare programmes that protect us should we lose our jobs. We have our pensions when we grow old and retire. We need never find ourselves without a roof over our heads if things really get that bad even.

We also enjoy free education and advanced healthcare. We can afford to go abroad for our annual holidays to tropical destinations if we want to and we can enjoy the luxury of our own homes if that’s what we desire.

But for most Thais, society offers none of the things considered normal in our part of the world. If Thais don’t work, they don’t eat. It’s that simple. Nobody will provide them with shelter and welfare institutions simply don’t exist. What’s more, children are expected to provide for their parents from a very early age even though wage levels are abysmal by Western standards.

Look around you the next time you go to Thailand. How many Thais do you see dining in even cheap restaurants? And by cheap, I mean around 100 Baht for a main course. At current exchange rates, that’s about 2 Euros or US$3. I’ll tell you: that figure is a big zero. Why? because 100 Baht is too expensive when the minimum wage is only 280 Baht a day. That’s what the Thais you see working as chambermaids in hotels earn, as do farmers and factory workers.

So before you criticize Thai women, place yourself in their shoes for a moment. Bar girls earn on average 8000 Baht a month for a 48 hour working week. They can supplement their income further by selling so called “Lady drinks” for which they receive 40 Baht a time on average. During the peak season, they might sell 10 drinks a night, but even then, their monthly income is still only 18,000 Baht. Divide that by 45 to convert to Euros, or by 33.1900 for US$. So how does the idea of living on 400 Euros a month grab you?

In addition, out of that final figure, they’re expected to give a substantial proportion of their income to their parents. Family ties are very strong in Thai culture and children are taught; brainwashed even if you like, to feel indebted to their parents for bringing them into the world and caring from them until they reach the age when they can begin to repay that debt. The fewer children in the family, the more the unfortunate individuals are expected to cough up.

Since it costs 5000 Baht a month to rent a room in places like Patong Beach, these girls will exist on little more than subsistence level if they don’t find an alternative source of income. They will never go abroad on holiday and most of them won’t even have a passport.

Prostitution provides a means of bringing them in contact with affluent men whom they are otherwise unlikely to meet. Their primary goal is to try and develop a relationship with someone who will provide for them for the future. Also, more often than not, they will have children of their own who have been left without a father after he skipped the nest as soon as he discovered his girlfriend was pregnant.

Most of the girls who work in the sex industry were born in the northern Province called Isaan. Isaan is farming country and the source of Thailand’s biggest export which is rice. There isn’t any other prominent industry in the region which offers an alternative means of employment.

So the girls come south to Bangkok, Pattaya and beyond and are attracted to men who they perceive to be wealthy and therefore potential partners.

Men in the 18-30 age group who flock to Thailand every year view these women as little more than sex objects to be enjoyed and then left to fend for themselves. And preferably for as little outlay as possible.

From the girls point of view, the 50+ age group is a much more attractive proposition since these men are perceived to have accumulated sufficient wealth by that age. That’s the main reason you see older men with younger women in the main tourist resorts like Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket. Older men are also likely to be a lot more caring since they will have passed the wham, bang, thank you ma’am era of their youth.

Yes there are a few bad eggs among them in the same way as there are men who will exploit them, but given their circumstances, I for one would never criticize them in the manner of some of the comments I’ve read in this thread. Their lot in life is a pitiful one with very few prospects for the future especially if they’re single parents themselves already. Yet they will always project that warm smile towards everyone they meet.

I love each and every one of them, bless their little hearts, Terry

This was a comment to “Do Thai girls really like older men?” but we posted as a post since it was very well written and fun. Please comment of your view on this never ending subject.

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