PHILIPPINE EMBASSY ADVISORY

To : The Filipino community in Thailand

Re : TOWNHALL MEETING AT THE PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN COMMEMORATION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DEMOCRACY

The Embassy cordially invites the members of the Filipino community in Thailand to a dialogue cum townhall meeting on 18 September 2009, 5:30 P.M., at the Chancery.


The Embassy is calling for a dialogue in response to the clamor of the Filcom for a forum or venue where they could air their views, update themselves, and exchange ideas with Embassy officials and with one another on current and significant developments in the Philippines and Thailand.


The dialogue comes in the heels of the highly successful community meeting held on 18 August 2009 at the Embassy between former President Fidel V. Ramos and the Filipino community.


The dialogue will also serve as the Embassy’s official commemoration of the International Day of Democracy, which the Philippine government has declared to be officially observed on September 15 every year starting this year pursuant to a resolution of the United Nations (U.N.).


The dialogue will not follow a special format or set guideline. Rather, and in the true spirit of democracy, it will proceed according to what topics the Filipino community would like to discuss such as, but not limited to, the following:


1. Recent changes in Thai immigration/visa policies;

2. Tips on dealing with Thai Police in cases involving traffic violations and common crimes;

3. Final report on the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) registration;

2. Accessing Philippine consular services, particularly, for and by overseas Filipinos in distress; and

3. Recent changes in Philippine passport regulations (e.g., the new Philippine ePassport).



(Original signed)

EDGAR B. BADAJOS

Consul General

03 September 2009

This sounds very interesting. Unfortunately, medyo malayo kami dito sa Chiang Rai. Is it possible for someone to post a summary of the discussions here on Siam Pinoy? We would appreciate it very much.

sana meron magdala ng a sound recorder para ma archive ng husto ang pinagusapan.

iSDa wrote:
sana meron magdala ng a sound recorder para ma archive ng husto ang pinagusapan.



Why not we all start discussing issues here so we can brainstorm in adance then kung hindi masagot dito well we can write it down and simply find a way to get answers to those issues right? That way, more efficient ang discussions.

Ok so what do you want to talk about?

Madalas kong makita na ang mga pinoy ay bumibili ng mga goods na galing sa Thailand tapos binebenta sa Pinas. Sa tingin ko eh isa itong porma ng economic sabotage.

Dapat na gawing natin ay isipin kung ano ang pweden nating matutuhan sa thailand na pueden nating gayahin at i-improve para mas-maganda ang producto natin. Inumpisahan ko na ito sa isang thread (Self-employed Pinoys).

Though I understand that the following are just SOME of the issues they want to talk about but they could have identified the most important issues.

1. Recent changes in Thai immigration/visa policies;

2. Tips on dealing with Thai Police in cases involving traffic violations and common crimes;

3. Final report on the Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) registration;

2. Accessing Philippine consular services, particularly, for and by overseas Filipinos in distress; and

3. Recent changes in Philippine passport regulations (e.g., the new Philippine ePassport.

A few pressing issues which need IMMEDIATE action:

- LABOR laws; protection of OFW's against employers who do not provide necessary papers to process work permits; salary standardization; illegal recruitment

- Consular fees...how do they create such fees? eg.passport fee

- professional-related activities that help OFW's upgrade their skills

- job fair ( listing possible companies to be closely monitored by the phil. embassy)

Mayroong mga teachers dito sa Chiang Rai na na-hire at sabi (for example - 18 k ang sueldo). Pag-sahod ng unang sueldo - masmababa sa 18 k. Tahimik lang ang mga teachers pero samang sama ang loob.

Ms Demi Noor wrote:
Mayroong mga teachers dito sa Chiang Rai na na-hire at sabi (for example - 18 k ang sueldo). Pag-sahod ng unang sueldo - masmababa sa 18 k. Tahimik lang ang mga teachers pero samang sama ang loob.

My question is, in our own way, how can we help those who are in this situation? Or makakatulong ba talaga tayo?

SA TINGIN ko individually, wala. Pero dapat talagang may intervention ang Phil. Embassy para tumulong sa mga ganyang contract violations. Pag may assistance at PANALO ang kaso...siguradong maraming mabibigyan ng CONFIDENCE para humingi ng tulos sa embassy.