A strange call from The British Embassy

lomuamart

This happened a few weeks ago. I'd forgotten about it until now.
I'm sitting at the computer. Phone rings and the caller confirms the number and says she's from the Brit Embassy and is my wife home?
She comes to the phone and was asked to confirm her name - "Which one? Maiden or married?". That's done. Then she's asked if she went to the UK last year and if so on what date did she arrive? That's answered. Then, "how many days did you spend in the UK?". "A month".
That's all they wanted to know and explained that they were checking all the Thais who had recently visited the UK.
Very strange. Didn't bother us as we said on the application form that she was going for a month and that's exactly how long the stay was - short of two days.
I suppose that as they no longer stamp a visitor out at the airport, they've got no record of whether the person left in accordance with their visa - other than Thai Imm arrival data or information from airlines.
Has anyone else experienced this before?
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"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

H2ODunc · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:58 pm Post subject:

As a right dodgy looking geyser is it any wonder they are checking up on you. As the mantra goes at the moment If you've nothing to hide what are you worried about. Only joking mate. Smacks of big brother to me, see you on Friday evening as its going to be about 2pm when I can leave BKK with the beast. Had a little blast on her today. AMAZING,, I've been riding bikes since I was 8 but this is another league. Cheers for the hotel I owe you a few cold ones. And Buksida if youre looking will call you when in town. thumbs up

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IF YOU CAN'T DIVE! RIDE!

lomuamart · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 3:05 pm Post subject:

It must definitely be Big Brother. They're just a bit behind the times here in Thailand - having to use the telephone to check!!
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"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

caller · Ace Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 1724 Location: Londonistan

Lomu,

This was picked up elsewhere, with posters saying such calls had been received. The view seemed to be they were doing some sort of check/audit. The consensus being if they kept records such as other countries do (LOS for one), such checks wouldn't be needed.

Its no problem for yourself, but in view of the threats the UK are getting, it seems worrying such records aren't kept - apart from being taken from passenger lists.
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I know nothing

gaijin · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 3:37 pm Post subject:

Never say anything to anyone who is or who purports to be a person in authority until you know what the score is. Is the person genuine? Were you given the opportunity to verify the person's identity and authority? If so, what position does this person hold in the embassy?

Any gas, electricity or telecom inspector has to produce ID, and is trained to show the ID before asking anything. Maybe I am paranoid, but this sounds very irregular. There again my only experiences with embassies have left me with being less than impressed with the competence of their (non local) staff.

How and why did this person get hold of your wife's travel details and telephone number?

H2ODunc · Posted: Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:06 pm Post subject:

Someone once said " just because you're paranoid doesnt mean everyone isnt out to get you " Things in the UK are going crazy now. The UK is now officially the most monitored place in the world. It has more cctv cameras than anywhere else. They are now introducing cctv's which have very sensitive microphones in them so they can listen to you as well as look. SCAREY. And all in the name of fighting terror. YEAH RIGHT!!!
Cheers

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IF YOU CAN'T DIVE! RIDE!