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"The original idea in the early days," says Patterson, "was to provide all that was necessary (within reason ) for the Australian Engineers and Staff who were overseeing the construction of the Australian funded & built Friendship Bridge over the Mekong River. Through the culinary efforts of two ex wives and one future ex wife and the dubious entrepreneurial skills of the 'The Old Fart,' the establishment gained a worldwide reputation of being somewhat different from the norm. A lot of water has passed under the bridge (pardon the pun) since then, and we have now branched into various other highly non-profit enterprises, but the Meeting Place lives on!" There's a hint of humorous irony in Patterson's historical perspective of The Meeting Place and it's development into an expat hangout where anyone via the front door or the Internet can find out just exactly how to get around on the Mekong Riviera. Furthermore, Alan Patterson's origins are as odd as his destination. He is, however, the prime example of the expat in Asia. After the Friendship Bridge was built,
Patterson stayed on. "I ended up doing an apprenticeship in GoGo
Girls in Pattaya, then I joined with three or four other expats and built
some town houses and basically had a good time," says Patterson.
"It goes on and on from there -- all crazy, as are all the Farung (expats)
that have adopted Thailand as their home."
As one might expect a 21st century answer to be, Patterson answered saying, "We have all that (explicative deleted) here, but we have the better climate, and we're in Thailand. "Expats come to Thailand for many reasons," continued Patterson. "It's cheap to live in Thailand. For a modest pension, one can live like a king." Patterson added that expats in Thailand, and in and around Nong Khai, include some who are on the lam, many Vietnam vets who "saw the light" and never went home, Indiana Jones types speculating on wealth, and a few pirates. Patterson says all of them are mad and enjoy life. "In recent years," says Patterson, "the Guest House, Bar, and Restaurant has been successfully mismanaged by a series of would be managers. Our best Pizza maker Dave from Australia ran away with the maid, our best barman Paddy from Ireland ran away to Saudi to get away from a 'Dragon lady' from Pattaya, most others crossed over the bridge and are still running around Laos chasing rainbows! "This is still the only place in town where you can relax with local expats and friends who are only too pleased to help with up to the minute Laos and Thailand information. You can also catch up on the news from home on CNN or BBC or check Sports, etc. on our Dual Satellite TV System. You might like a game of pool or darts, or just sit in the coolest place in town, enjoying an ice cold Carlsberg Draught beer in our Australian Tropical Palm Beer Garden." Escape from
America Magazine asked the Queenslander why he considered The Meeting Place
to be the home of best resources for expats trying to get around bureaucratic
obstacles that get in the way of settling in Thailand and adjacent Laos.
Patterson answered by saying that from his experience and others, his
business at The Meeting Place is pretty much "sorting out visa problems
for expats who, if they go to a Thai 'Lawyer,' will get ripped off."
Patterson says that it's his business to know the ownership laws and marriage
procedures. I have two companies, I own land, and I have had two Thai wives,
one divorce and one impending divorce.
VISA SERVICE The Meeting Place Expat Visa Service has been helping residents of Thailand to obtain the Thailand Visa best suited to their needs without the usual associated hassles. Their office, Thai Laos Expat Services Co. Ltd., is also situated in Nong Khai. They also help in clearing up big overstays, sometimes up to 6 years, in the most economic and hassle-free manner. For example, according to Patterson there is talk that the ceiling overstay fine of 20,000 Bt may be scrapped, and the daily overstay fine of 200 Bt per day could apply for the whole period of your overstay. That can mount up to a considerable sum of money, or jail, and/or deportation, according to Patterson. Also, to make matters worse, if the overstay is over three years you may be refused permission to re-enter Thailand for a period of one year. Patterson says, " We have heard of charges of around 50,000 Bt being charged by some Thai lawyers, rather con men for overstays of only 2 years. Don't do business with the first 'expert' that comes along, stay out of trouble and check around." Patterson and his group know the ins and outs of immigration. His website can tell you the latest regulations and give you the best advice on getting tourist visas, one year visas, multiple entry immigrant visas, and marriage visas - Click Here - On his website, Patterson outlines the three basic types of visas that are available to most of us. All have guidelines pertaining to the qualifications required. Basically it depends on your financial situation, ". . . as in how much money you have in a Thailand Bank, and do you have sufficient funds coming from another country to support yourself and maybe your Thai wife." Patterson says, "A marriage visa for one year would require around 200,000 Bt in a Thailand Bank and 25,000 to 30,000 Bt per month coming into Thailand, such as pension or interest . "For a single
person you would need 800,000 Bt in a Thailand bank, then you can
make
"A one year
multiple entry visa requires the applicant to obtain this visa in another
country. The requirements are usually less demanding than in Thailand.
You simply need a copy of a Thai
"Keeping up with continual policy changes at the various Thai Consulates in adjoining countries is impossible," says Patterson. "Adjoining country Consulates, such as Penang and Phnom Phen and Vientiane in Laos, basically have the same rules but are applied if and when needed. Expatriates living in Thailand for long periods of time have found more than often that it simply, but sadly, depends on the mood of the officer in charge. "If you have
company papers, a work permit, a Thai wife, money, clean clothes, are courteous
and
"The good news is you can have the visa you want. You can have anything from a single tourist visa to a multiple entry non-immigrant "O" or "B" visa valid for 12 months and extendable to 15 months. "You can clear
up your overstay and not go to jail. You can form a Limited Partnership
or Company Ltd. and be 100% sure that you will not be kicked out of your
own house. You can, without too much trouble, learn how to enjoy
living in Thailand as you should."
"At one time a 'victim' of ours wrote a lovely story about our dog named Joey and some mosquitoes that had snuck into the room at night. We would like to assure future 'victims' that we have employed environment friendly measures to combat most natural predators that love to inhabit old wooden teak houses. What mossies do sneak in are eaten by the spiders and lizards, which in turn are eaten by the snakes, and they don't stay long cause they're (explicative deleted) scared of the ghosts, and sadly, my future ex-wife stole my dog Joey." While at The Meeting Place, feel free to read posted traveler's reports for up to date information on Laos. We also offer free local maps of Nong Khai and Vientiane, Laos, and a few recommended guesthouses and hotels. "We provide an instant visa to Laos; supply and help fill out Thai and Laos Immigration documents; and suggest the most suitable accommodation and travel arrangements to meet your requirements in both Laos and Thailand," says Patterson. "This includes information about hotels and guesthouses. We can advise on Mekong River tours and have current news, information updates, and maps of Laos and Northern Thailand. "Everything you could ever want (within reason) is available either at The Meeting Place or just around the corner," assures Patterson. LOCATION The Meeting Place is located just two streets from the magnificent Mekong River. Their establishment is in the center of Nong Khai Town right across from Vientiane, the capitol of Laos. They're close to photo shops, supermarkets, banks, the post office, pharmacy, massage parlors (traditional of course), and other useful services for the traveling public. Escape from America Magazine encourages anyone interested in Thailand and Laos to contact Alan Patterson through is website on the Mekong Riviera. He is your man in Northern Thailand and in Laos. FINAL NOTE Patterson has a final note of warning for Escape Artists: "There are
many so called 'visa agents' advertising their wares and confusing their
victims with pages of useless information all designed to confuse you even
more. Most are blatant thieves, more than often supplying suspect
visa and re/entry stamps and preying on the ignorant and unfortunate.
Check out their track record, ask around the 'Expat Haunts' and don't take
their word as final. Give us a call. If we can help, we will.
If we can't, we will tell you, and maybe we can point you in the
right direction, and it won't cost you a cent. However, if you're
here in Nong Khai and come to the Meeting Place and drive me mad with a
lot of stupid questions, it will cost you a beer, or two!!"
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