jspill

So they should haul some Thais in regardless if there is no evidence pointing in there direction to give an appearance of fairness to prevent you and others from thinking they are doing things for appearance?

Err, no, but they shouldn't make official statements 'the weight of evidence points to this being carried out by a foreigner', 'a Thai would never do this', and not reveal the nationality of an 'Asian male' detained.

Can't be bothered to find links for you (one is BK post which TV doesn't allow to be linked) just post less and try to keep up.

You're reading a forum about visas, naturally there will be a sample of hundreds of overstay reports collated on said forum. They represent a fraction of a % of the total population of expats and holidayers. The false perspective of there being 'so many' is known as sample bias. Here endeth the statistics lesson.

I'm seriously looking into Dumaguete, Philippines. Cost of living is less than CM and it seems the standard of living is about the same

From what I've seen of the Phillipines (so far, just Cebu and Manila) the same quality of apartment costs twice as much as it would in Thailand. Then higher elec / air con / internet costs on top.

Infrastructure, safety and amenities are worse. So I'd consider standard of living lower and more expensive. The positives would be easier visas, English language being spoken, girls, friendliness of the locals, and it just being nice to get a change from Thailand.

the former national commander of Thai Immigration, Lt Gen Pharnu Kerdlarpphon

Former, yeah, Thankfully he's not in that job anymore. No need to quote him really.

Crossing through the friendship border in Nong Khai has been said to be a nono. I've heard this from several Thais who USED to have business going back and forth from Laos but say the new rules ruined their business.

I don't think that affects you paying your overstay at Nong Khai

Recent threads where people paid there without issue:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753720-just-cleared-my-10-months-overstay-status-nongkhai-border/

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/572752-clearing-overstay/ (post #10)

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/559887-15-month-overstay/ (post #4)

This driver had some choice words for me tonight when I filmed him refusing to use the meter, and noted his ID number.

But he is not a digital nomad running his own business on the internet. And he does not work on a tourist visa.

So that link has nothing to do with him

That isn't the definition of a digital nomad.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_nomad

'More and more digital nomads are traveling internationally and moving abroad, while they continue to work with clients or employers in the west.'

He told the Immigation that he didn't work in Thailand. Don't make up stories here............and I don't min if he work.

From how I read his post, it sound like he explained his job and that he can do it online remotely in the short term to support himself while in Thailand:

He is a digital nomad while in Thailand. While here he works online (digitally) remotely with no tie to the country, on a temporary basis (nomadically).

Online forums with retirees providing the content and driving traffic.

The Immigration don't know he works of course.

As he mentioned after your post, he told them. They didn't care. Still think it's illegal? You and the guy that liked your post know better than the authorities?

I don't care if he work. But you are wrong. Those where about Digital Nomads. He is not one of those. It's a big difference to be an employee in a company.

His company is offshore, no? He is a digital nomad.

You say it's illegal yet the authorities allowed him into the country with another exemption stamp and simply a note to arrange an appropriate visa next time.

For some (the majority I think?) the new rules are nothing new. It was always the case that you had to go out and reapply at the end of the year, and 1.9k every 90 days.

Thai censorship just isn't that sophisticated. Same with some porn/gambling sites, if you try the primary domain it's blocked, but a deep url link sometimes works.

Of course....you are correct on that. The Visa, trip and extensions are not included. Not everyone has to pay for Visas though. I think South Koreans get ED Visas for free. I am American and had to pay 2,000. But as far as I know, the schools that charge 25-30 don't include any of that either.

Right, they don't.

Do all of you "freedom fighters" take a stand against corruption and injustice throughout the world, or have you become obsessed with the Thai system for some unknown reason.

If someone doesn't actively protest every injustice, they aren't allowed to comment on any particular one? There are only so many hours in the day.

What school is that, if I may ask?

The ED visa is just 25-30k per year I don't know where is 17k

I've seen schools where the tuition is 17k, that doesn't count the cost of the visas, laos trip, extensions etc. though

http://www.academy4hope.com/course/thai-language-course/

if it's your first time i'd just go with a visa run company, google should find you one in Pattaya. they do everything for you while you have lunch

ekkamai bus station, few hundred baht, stops at a bus station before the border, you get a tuktuk from there for 60-80 baht or so, go through the border paying $20 for the cambodia visa, turn around, back into thailand, bus doesn't wait, there are silver vans waiting around to go back to bkk when they fill up with customers for another few hundred baht.

cost factors and chicks

Did you fail to read that part. or just ignore it because it might be you soon.

They wrote 'may be refused in the future' and asked for proof of income and address to avoid that happening.

There are no official limits, but some consulates are less friendly than others. At that point one can get a triple entry from their home country, or try a different consulate.

He was asking for cheaper options than the ED route. Sorry, does it get much cheaper ??

I know, I live here. If he was some kind of whizzkid, he would not be looking for cheaper options than an ED Visa.

So you can't be a wealthy whizzkid and thrifty with money? Maybe he doesn't live near an accredited language school? Doesn't want a commute to school to sit in classes with other expats? Is self-taught? Lives near a border? Divides his time between Thailand and other countries? Likes Laos?

In my case I'm an offshore worker, speak Thai above the level any class could get me to (the tuition is very basic) simply from having had a Thai girlfriend, and enjoy trips to Laos to visit friends, mix things up and get certain things there I can't get in Thailand.