British Honorary Consul in Pattaya resigns

[Basil B 46]

Just picked up the following on Thaivisa

 

PATTAYA: -- In what is seen as a major surprise, the British Honorary Consul for Pattaya, Mr Howard Miller, has tendered his resignation from the position, effective immediately. The resignation has been accepted by the British Ambassador. Mr Miller had served as Honorary Consul for the past 15 months.

 

This is an extract from "IN PATTAYA NOW" and the full HM's story is here http://inpattayanow.com/2011/10/21/inside-pattaya/british-honorary-consul-in-pattaya-resigns/

 

 

Unfortunately the topic was immediate locked by the ThaiVisa Mods preventing any discussion, presumable because of the anticipated negative comments of HM.

[Bushcraft 2,581]

Quite understandable that he has resigned, and having a full consulate can't do any harm if you're a Brit.

Wonder if we'll see Howard back in uniform on Walking St. anytime soon ..

[Regyai 415]

Sans doute

 

 

.

[chatkeow 28]

I always thought that all things being equal he came over quite well in that "Trouble in Thailand" series....

[monkeyman 1,604]

Quite understandable that he has resigned, and having a full consulate can't do any harm if you're a Brit.

Wonder if we'll see Howard back in uniform on Walking St. anytime soon ..

 

Apparently not.

[jacko 8,815]

Just picked up the following on Thaivisa

 

 

 

This is an extract from "IN PATTAYA NOW" and the full HM's story is here http://inpattayanow.com/2011/10/21/inside-pattaya/british-honorary-consul-in-pattaya-resigns/

 

 

Unfortunately the topic was immediate locked by the ThaiVisa Mods preventing any discussion, presumable because of the anticipated negative comments of HM.

That came out of the blue for me... interested to know why.

Your link doesn't seem to be responding.

Here is a Thai visa link.

That doesn't say much either and is locked as you say. perhaps we can do it here!

Edited October 22, 2011 by jacko

[Basil B 46]

I always thought that all things being equal he came over quite well in that "Trouble in Thailand" series....

Have not seen "Trouble In Thailand", but a lot has happened (or not happened) in Pattaya while you were incommunicado.

 

Late last year story was circulated saying all over stayers were likely to be arrested when they turned up at Swampy no option to pay fine, this really put the wind up many people, just so happened this coincided with the launch of Pattaya One another HM project.

 

Then there was the guy incarcerated down at Soi9 Monkey house, naked and chained the the cell bars while you were incacerated elsewhere where the conditions were rather better.

 

IMHO HM has just used the job for getting on the junket circuit, attending official dinners and all the photo opportunity's he can with the office closed more often than it is open.

[pattayaman 8]

why did he resign

was there a scandal

[pattayaman 8]

why did he resign

was there a scandal

[Montydog 135]

why did he resign

was there a scandal

 

 

why did he resign

was there a scandal

 

If you read the link in the OP you would not need to post that question twice

[CheshireTom 1,377]

From the link in the OP ....

 

"In recent times the British Consulate in Pattaya has become increasingly busy, to such an extent the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) decided to upgrade the office to a Full Consulate. Two full-time positions became available (Vice Consul and Consulate Officer). These new positions required formal applications to be taken from within the FCO, and outside."

 

I think it's quite appropriate that Pattaya should get a Vice Consul. As to why ... I assume the new HE in BKK could see the obvious conflict of interests that faced HM.

 

Edited October 22, 2011 by CheshireTom

[timorno 30]

From the link in the OP ....

 

"In recent times the British Consulate in Pattaya has become increasingly busy, to such an extent the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) decided to upgrade the office to a Full Consulate. Two full-time positions became available (Vice Consul and Consulate Officer). These new positions required formal applications to be taken from within the FCO, and outside."

 

I think it's quite appropriate that Pattaya should get a Vice Consul. As to why ... I assume the new HE in BKK could see the obvious conflict of interests that faced HM.

 

 

vice consuls are career diplomats... i guess in britain its like in germany. no outsiders, just foreign office people. that post requires a different background than what the pattaya media mogul has to offer.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

vice consuls are career diplomats... i guess in britain its like in germany. no outsiders, just foreign office people. that post requires a different background than what the pattaya media mogul has to offer.

 

The FCO explains the difference between honorary consuls and consular officers here: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/who-we-are/ambassadors/honorary-consuls

 

In short, an honorary consul is not a diplomat as defined by the Vienna Convention, a career consular officer is.

 

Evil

 

 

 

[englishinsiam 15]

Maybe I'll apply and get in the Gravy Train

[Parkwahn 61]

Pity he did a great job for me getting my over 50s visa, I am never sure why he gets so much abuse ?

[MM 6,562]

Pity he did a great job for me getting my over 50s visa, I am never sure why he gets so much abuse ?

 

You've mentioned this before, and for the life of me, I can't think what help you would need at getting a retirement visa. It's a do-it-yourself affair that requires a couple of hours of reading and a day, at most, of preparation. All steps are done with Thai institutions (banks, doctors, landlords, etc), and there is no need for your home country's foreign service...except for income verification, if that is the route you choose, rather than 800k+ bank account.

 

So, did he help you verify your income? If he had done anything else, you were just bothering him for no good reason.

[lovedog100 1,372]

You've mentioned this before, and for the life of me, I can't think what help you would need at getting a retirement visa. It's a do-it-yourself affair that requires a couple of hours of reading and a day, at most, of preparation. All steps are done with Thai institutions (banks, doctors, landlords, etc), and there is no need for your home country's foreign service...except for income verification, if that is the route you choose, rather than 800k+ bank account.

 

So, did he help you verify your income? If he had done anything else, you were just bothering him for no good reason.

 

Interesting question MM. The retirement visa is an easy do it yourself thing. Stop by immigration and ask them at the desk what you need, they will give you a paper in English, and Thai explaining everything that you need to submit. It should take no more than a few hours to round up everything needed. Go back the next morning and apply for the visa. In my opinion, the immigration office is the most efficient office in the entire Thai government. I see no reason to need anyone else involved. Definitely don't pay anyone for help.

[Basil B 46]

Maybe I'll apply and get in the Gravy Train

 

The job was advertised a few weeks ago, closing date was 23rd September.

 

just found a posting I put up on ThaiVisa:

Yes, Pattaya needs a full time British Consulate but I do not think that is the reason for the upgrade, probably more a way making the "Honorary" post redundant without sacking him.

 

For those of you who have had an interest in Pattaya for many years you will remember Sir Barry Kenyon even if like myself you had not meet him, just reading about him you would realise what a true gentleman he was, always ready to help anybody even non Brits, I never heard a bad word said about him.

 

On the other hand you have Howard, he was a controversial person before his appointment to the post of Honorary Consul.

 

Since his appointment I just do not see any comments of people saying what a helpful person he is like they used to say about Sir Barry.

 

And do not forget the alarmist "pattaya One" opening gambit "Visa overstay – the untold story".

 

And why now just over one year into a five year contract, they must have considered this only 18 months ago and decided to continue with the Honorary position, why not wait another 3 years?

 

I doubt Sir Howard will be appointed to the new position (but I would not bet on it).

[atlas2 4,329]

From the link in the OP ....

 

"In recent times the British Consulate in Pattaya has become increasingly busy, to such an extent the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) decided to upgrade the office to a Full Consulate. Two full-time positions became available (Vice Consul and Consulate Officer). These new positions required formal applications to be taken from within the FCO, and outside."

 

I think it's quite appropriate that Pattaya should get a Vice Consul. As to why ... I assume the new HE in BKK could see the obvious conflict of interests that faced HM.

 

 

He applied for the job but didn't get it. Conflict of interests with his other full-time job I guess. Fair enough! Only paid 40,K a month for a 24 hr a day job...When the BKK equivalent grade gets 65 K ...Why he bothered applying beats me.

 

But then to ask the poor bugger to stay on for nothing until April when the new.........(Lady I think and Thai/British) takes up her position and then train her on the job..... again for nowt is disgusting treatment. Good luck to 'HiM'

 

Now we are faced with a consulate that opens for 3 hrs every Thursday morning. Could be chaos!

Edited October 25, 2011 by atlas2

[Basil B 46]

He applied for the job but didn't get it. Conflict of interests with his other full-time job I guess. Fair enough! Only paid 40,K a month for a 24 hr a day job...When the BKK equivalent grade gets 65 K ...Why he bothered applying beats me.

 

But then to ask the poor bugger to stay on for nothing until April when the new.........(Lady I think and Thai/British) takes up her position and then train her on the job..... again for nowt is disgusting treatment. Good luck to 'HiM'

 

Now we are faced with a consulate that opens for 3 hrs every Thursday morning. Could be chaos!

 

 

Why volunteer for the job in the first place if he did not like working for nothing? (an Honorary Consul receives a honorarium of about £2,000+ per year (10,000B per month) plus I presume expenses, and gets to all those posh dinners).

 

Given the amount of days the office was closed at least you know which day of the week it will be open.

 

As pointed out HM has a lot of other interests and this position is an on call 24/7 job, as I recall they were looking for a deputy as well which reflects the high workload, certainly not suitable for a part timer.

[jacko 8,815]

Given the amount of days the office was closed at least you know which day of the week it will be open.

 

 

Thursdays only, well half of it.... until April I think it is.

Not exactly convenient for the guys trying to get a pension confirmation letter, which used to be issued the next day, but now is it the next week?

[Mr Grumps 0]

Thursdays only, well half of it.... until April I think it is.

Not exactly convenient for the guys trying to get a pension confirmation letter, which used to be issued the next day, but now is it the next week?

 

Same day - apply in the morning, collect 1 PM.

[Mr Grumps 0]

Why volunteer for the job in the first place if he did not like working for nothing? (an Honorary Consul receives a honorarium of about £2,000+ per year (10,000B per month) plus I presume expenses, and gets to all those posh dinners).

 

Given the amount of days the office was closed at least you know which day of the week it will be open.

 

As pointed out HM has a lot of other interests and this position is an on call 24/7 job, as I recall they were looking for a deputy as well which reflects the high workload, certainly not suitable for a part timer.

The "deputy" is actually the clerk who sits behind the window - same job (as is the Consul's job), just longer hours and better paid (a lot better for the new Vice Consul).

 

New Vice Consul is Thai, Brit husband with friends at the Embassy, and works for a Pattaya visa agency - just a teensy bit of a conflict of interest there, but I doubt if her present employers will be too upset.

Edited October 30, 2011 by Mr Grumps

[jacko 8,815]

Same day - apply in the morning, collect 1 PM.

Yes I got an update at the Expats Club on that yesterday. The new consul will be appointed they hope in January, and currently there are 2 ladies working there who are more efficient than the previous staff and can process pension confirmation letters the same day. Apparently they can get things done in 1/2 day/week faster than the previous arrangement which, although frequently closed, had more time available.

[chatkeow 28]

Interesting question MM. The retirement visa is an easy do it yourself thing. Stop by immigration and ask them at the desk what you need, they will give you a paper in English, and Thai explaining everything that you need to submit. It should take no more than a few hours to round up everything needed. Go back the next morning and apply for the visa. In my opinion, the immigration office is the most efficient office in the entire Thai government. I see no reason to need anyone else involved. Definitely don't pay anyone for help.

 

Was reading an article recently on Thaivisa whereby the agents fee's for "obtaining" said visa amounted to 35,000 baht to handle the application !! Good work I guess if you can get it.