What cheeses me off

[serfty]

Why is exchange rate continuing to go up? Drives me nuts.

Currently there a strong chance of the Reserve Bank of Australia soon increasing interest rates.

That tends to make the AUD more interesting for investors, hence the increasing exchange rate.

 

[CMA222]

WCMO -Shrinkflation
Every week Coles tells me that Morning Fresh Ultra Concentrate dishwashing liquid is HALF PRICE at $4.75 for 900 ml.
This week it is still HALF PRICE at $4.75, but with a little note that says it is 800ml.
I'm off to try the number one Choice recommended dishwashing liquid from Aldi "Tandil Ultra" for $1.79 for 450ml. ($3.58 for 900 ml).

 

[JohnK]

Thai Immigration BKK just now.

Wife goes through on Thai passport.

Then my daughter with me. Hand over daughters both passports and asks her to look at camera. Then calls wife who was walking away to come back. Wants to see birth certificate. I'm angry. Wife asks how long you'll keep doing this and the answer was until she's 18 or more.

FFS. Thai passport. Australian passport. Thai ID card and you're still asking to see birth certificate.

This makes no sense at all and I do not understand the angle unless they're looking for payment under the covers if we don't have birth certificate.

 

[JohnK]

What I should have said about was Thai lady immigration officer was surprised daughter born in Chiang Mai and that to my wife.

I remember one time they did this to us we nearly missed the flight.

Just need to keep reminding wife to take birth certificate with us in case they ask for it again.

 

[Flashback]

What I should have said about was Thai lady immigration officer was surprised daughter born in Chiang Mai and that to my wife.

I remember one time they did this to us we nearly missed the flight.

Just need to keep reminding wife to take birth certificate with us in case they ask for it again.

I think the problem is an older white man with a young Thai girl. Obviously in your case it's legitimate, but given other issues in the country you can understand why they're really on top of it (or at least trying to be). No offense intended!

 

[JohnK]

I think the problem is an older white man with a young Thai girl. Obviously in your case it's legitimate, but given other issues in the country you can understand why they're really on top of it (or at least trying to be). No offense intended!

I don't take offence from you but I take offence from them.

As I said daughter has Thai passport, Australian passport, Thai ID card and I have Australian passport. Daughter has same surname as mine.

Immigration officer didn't bother looking at my passport but called my wife back. Do they think we've forged these official documents and ask to see birth certificate. What does a birth certificate prove that 2 passports and an ID don't prove?

One of these days I'm going to be denied boarding if this continues.

 

[drron]

I don't take offence from you but I take offence from them.

As I said daughter has Thai passport, Australian passport, Thai ID card and I have Australian passport. Daughter has same surname as mine.

Immigration officer didn't bother looking at my passport but called my wife back. Do they think we've forged these official documents and ask to see birth certificate. What does a birth certificate prove that 2 passports and an ID don't prove?

One of these days I'm going to be denied boarding if this continues.

But if that happened they may give you an all expenses paid stay in a Government institution.

 

[CMA222]

But if that happened they may give you an all expenses paid stay in a Government institution.

.....
As I said daughter has Thai passport, Australian passport, Thai ID card and I have Australian passport. Daughter has same surname as mine.

Immigration officer didn't bother looking at my passport but called my wife back. Do they think we've forged these official documents and ask to see birth certificate. What does a birth certificate prove that 2 passports and an ID don't prove?

Their country - their rules and procedures.

 

[yachty]

I'm cheesed off today after returning from a trip where my partner left some clothing in the hotel wardrobe. It's a five-star hotel in a major city but they couldn't find it after I emailed a few hours after checking out. Over the years I've left a few things (not heaps, but enough to be annoying) in hotel rooms but I've never - not once - had anything recovered or returned.

When I was a university student working in hotels I always logged and receipted lost items, no matter how small. Nowadays it seems like anything left behind disappears once you check out.

 

[JohnK]

But if that happened they may give you an all expenses paid stay in a Government institution.

Oh come on @drron just for once just say @JohnK you're right and there's no logical reason for Thai Immigration to be asking for a birth certificate of a 7 year old.

Their country - their rules and procedures.

Nah. This is harassment.

So what if we don't have the birth certificate? Detained and not allowed to leave Thailand?

P.S. Why don't they ever ask to see birth certificate on arrival into Thailand.

Oh and this doesn't happen all the time either. It is frustrating.

Next time I'm going to a queue with my daughter and my wife to a different queue on the other side of immigration. See what happens then.

This is not only harassment but its stupid.

 

[Pushka]

Oh come on @drron just for once just say @JohnK you're right and there's no logical reason for Thai Immigration to be asking for a birth certificate of a 7 year old.


Nah. This is harassment.

So what if we don't have the birth certificate? Detained and not allowed to leave Thailand?

P.S. Why don't they ever ask to see birth certificate on arrival into Thailand.

Oh and this doesn't happen all the time either. It is frustrating.

Next time I'm going to a queue with my daughter and my wife to a different queue on the other side of immigration. See what happens then.

This is not only harassment but its stupid.

I've been travelling in Spain and Portugal. There is very much concern about human trafficking there to the extent that there are notices on the back of female toilet doors to alert people to contact authorities if you have concerns.

You are right that this simply does not apply to you and your family and I completely understand how you feel about being interrogated like this. It is embarrassing and frustrating and I'd hate it too.

However, sadly, it is exactly the scenario that authorities must be on the look out for. I'm very sorry this captures your family. But Thailand is a target for awful child activities (as are many other countries) and well, if the authorities can save one child then sadly it will continue to happen to you.

You must always carry your daughters birth certificate. Don't test it out.

 

[serfty]

This is not only harassment but its stupid.

@JohnK , sadly when travelling with your family you fit that profile and this WILL continue.

The ONLY way to prevent it is to stop travelling in Asia.

Unfortunatly since you won't be doing that, you will just need to suck it up and keep doing what you are doing, being prepared and ensuring you have all the indicative documentation.

I fully understand you being cheesed off, but it is what it is.

 

[JohnK]

It must be the day for getting annoyed.

45 minutes in the family queue at SYD international. That's a joke.

And to boot the Virgin transfer desk is not staffed so need to head to T2 with 7 bags.

So much for taking daughter to grandparents. Won't have much time before we have to head off to BNE.

 

[RooFlyer]

I'm cheesed off today after returning from a trip where my partner left some clothing in the hotel wardrobe. It's a five-star hotel in a major city but they couldn't find it after I emailed a few hours after checking out. Over the years I've left a few things (not heaps, but enough to be annoying) in hotel rooms but I've never - not once - had anything recovered or returned.

Me too! Even if I phone up about an hour after check-out there is never anything found. As you say, not once. Now I put some colourful tape on all electronics and that's almost solved the problem.

Same with hire cars. Recently returned an Avis car to BNE; left the USB cord plugged in (of course ...). Realised 10 mins later. Walked straight back to depot, 10 mins walk. The car had been taken away somewhere else for cleaning and a call to them - no, no cord.

 

[Quickstatus]

Nowadays it seems like anything left behind disappears once you check out.

MissQS once left her passport in the hotel safe in Tokyo. We were heading to Madarao on the train.

We rang the hotel. They immediately sent someone to check, retrieved the passport and sent it to our destination via Yamato Black cat. It got there the day after we arrived. Was a nominal fee.

I once left a camera lens cap in QF FLounge. Left and boarded flight. Just prior to doors close I realised the missing lens cap. Sorry sir we can't find it.....

 

[Quickstatus]

This is harassment.

We all hate going through immigration control.
Unfortunately there is nothing you can do about it.

A passport is not enough to show how the girl you are travelling with is related to both of you, even if family name is same. A passport is just a piece of documentation that confirms only who you are. The immigration people have responsibilities other than to just determine who you are. I know you feel you are targeted, even profiled. But that's is what they do.

Again it is what it is. Next time you travel together you all should all go to the checkpoint together and provide that birth certificate.

When MissQS went to Canada on her own at age 14, she was asked if she was running away from home

 

[yachty]

MissQS once left her passport in the hotel safe in Tokyo. We were heading to Madarao on the train.

We rang the hotel. They immediately sent someone to check, retrieved the passport and sent it to our destination via Yamato Black cat. It got there the day after we arrived. Was a nominal fee.

You are lucky. I have had my curse of 'lost forever' strike even in Japan haha.

The most egregious was when I left AirPods on the desk at an Intercontinental. I called and they said they couldn't find them, but they were moving about on Find My for a few weeks afterward including returning to the hotel each day. I guess the housekeeper had taken them.

 

[RooFlyer]

MissQS once left her passport in the hotel safe in Tokyo. We were heading to Madarao on the train.

We rang the hotel. They immediately sent someone to check, retrieved the passport and sent it to our destination via Yamato Black cat. It got there the day after we arrived. Was a nominal fee.

Yes, of course, Japan. I do have a good result somewhere else - Belize.

I'd just boarded an AA flight in J out of Belize when I realised I'd lift my iPad charging in the general gate area (no lounge!!). I asked the FA if she might radio back to the gate, or bottom of the stairs, to see if someone might have a look for it - I knew exactly where I'd left it.

The coughpit door was open and either the captain or FO came out and asked what was up. I explained.

Captain/FO said something like 'wait a while' and disembarked. Came back 5-10 mins later with my iPad!! He may have been coming out & disembarking anyway, but pretty much a wow, right there.

And if you are 'Super Elite' status on Air Canada (sort of P1+), they have concierges in all the major airports, who will run errands for you, including going back to security to pick stuff up you've left behind.

 

[yachty]

I'd just boarded an AA flight in J out of Belize when I realised I'd lift my iPad charging in the general gate area (no lounge!!). I asked the FA if she might radio back to the gate, or bottom of the stairs, to see if someone might have a look for it - I knew exactly where I'd left it.

That reminds me of the one time my luck didn't let me down - I was extremely late to a flight from the Gold Coast (think going through security on final call). Stupidly left my iPhone behind in the tray so I could sprint to the gate. Scanned my boarding pass, started walking to the plane and realised no phone! Turned around to go back to the gate and the officer from the checkpoint was right behind me with phone in hand. He must have run the entire way after me! I was so grateful.

 

[JohnK]

A passport is not enough to show how the girl you are travelling with is related to both of you, even if family name is same. A passport is just a piece of documentation that confirms only who you are. The immigration people have responsibilities other than to just determine who you are. I know you feel you are targeted, even profiled. But that's is what they do.

But they don't do their job very well?

@JohnK entered Thailand 17 June
MrsJohnK entered Thailand 17 June
MissJohnK entered Thailand 17 June

and just by sheer coincidence all 3 are departing Thailand on 05 July. Who cares how all 3 are related. This is clearly not a case of child trafficking unless Thailand was a transit point. But then look at their travel history.

It's not very difficult to use common sense but it is a lost art.