Latvian Virgin.

Blended learning is OK for an Ed Visa. I've no idea what the rules are on that or if there are formal rules, but that only alleviates you some classroom attendance, not all.

@Brandon ***********

That is true. It isn't an Embassy service. It is outsourced by the embassy. Got one maybe 3 weeks ago. The only question is whether VFS will play ball if you haven't completed the whole process here. You can but ask - and they seem quite a decent, helpful bunch. It's all in the words. It could also be that if you popped into the British Embassy they would say a simple "No" - they are not very helpful people - rather than advise asking VFS Global. I note that the letter is very new, so I suppose another question is whether they've now stopped supplying the letters to VFS Global. All this said you never did need that letter anyway. So the final question becomes whether the individual immigration officer is fully appraised.

@Gareth *******

The letter is obtained from the UK Passport Office outsource provider in Bangkok VFS Global in Trendy Building Bangkok. Make contact with them.

@Jeffrey ********

Note my use of the word "effectively". Of course they aren't separate companies. I am talking about management process.

@Garrett **********

Bastards. To get us all excited that we might interact with that machine and out pops a Cadbury's Dairy Milk. Misrepresentation! False advertising!

@Garrett **********

That's likely to be the reason. Different regions are effectively different companies. Might be true quite widely in Asia. Certainly true in China as well as Thailand. Mystery probably solved. Only mystery to solve now Is CDM. Cadbury's Dairy Milk doesn't appear a good fit.

Thai Life are straight players but I'm not sure what would be the value of Life Assurance.

@Nontiya **********

Indeed. And that is why I 1. Recognise choices. 2. Make decisions without hesitation. 3. And decisions made will always protect my freedom from intrusion as best possible.

@David *******

It's not learning that is the issue. It's lack of desire/interest, especially when the old ways like diarising (meaning hard copy in a pleasant desk diary work perfectly well). No turning on. That is the key - and not a technological one. So no exposure to unwanted calls, messages and advertising. My dislike of digital routes has nothing to do with technology and everything to do with intrusion. Fascinating revelation though that in this discussion people have jumped to technology fear without at least considering technology dislike. Perhaps I will conduct some research on that, using my multiple Macs and pcs - whilst mostly having my smartphone resolutely turned off. That preserves an atmosphere that is conducive to the levels of thought required. Go out and I reluctantly turn the smartphone on. Worth reading Tchaikovsky (I think the nephew) on Tchaikovsky the composer - loss of concentration so loss of thought trains and possible great work through minor interruptions that were totally unnecessary. With age I think he had the reputation of rather an irascible old man. But I, for one, perfectly take his point. I don't think I've ever totally lost work but losing half a day to a whole day is pretty easy. For what - someone screaming at me in a foreign language I don't understand to buy something I don't want. Yet if I turn off the tones why have the thing on, because I sure as hell am not going to look at it. Always remember that with age we have the great privilege of not having to be on-trend, don't have to do as the next guy, but do as closely as possible exactly what we want. OMG! I still wear deck shoes!!! I like them. I'm not trying to fit with a youthful set, not trying to form relationships, etc.