Jawnie

Hallo Bad Banker,

Many thanks for your answer. But I have – unfortunately – to say that I did not understand your comment.

In a previous post you wrote: Quote: “Sir if you overstay your visa you have broken Thai law and are considered a criminal, as you will go to court …” and “Breaking the law by overstaying makes you a criminal” Unquote.

In your recent answer you seem to distinguish between deportation as such and being a criminal (see above). Does it mean Thai Immigration or Thai courts have no authority to blacklist criminals?

It all depends if the court imposes a jail sentence on you of over X amount of time I believe. Actually we need a Thai legal eagle in here to clarify things. Immigration can order a Black List after a conviction if they consider it is a crime worthy of this. I believe this is one legal area Immigration could technically use to black list overstayers.

It seems to me that the key point in all of this is not which specific action Thai immigration or courts took toward any specific situation. This is because Thai courts and immigration officials can vary their responses and actions toward a given set of facts or circumstance. That's called 'discretion."

People should understand that the law is written to provide courts and immigration officials with maximum amount of discretion up to and including incarceration and deportation. The law must do this in order for Thailand to protect it's sovereignty and legitimacy. It is not inconsistent that different actions are taken toward similar appearing immigration issues. And, of course, there will always be people who game the system and people will always slip through the cracks.

Am I correct in understanding that if you get caught in-country with an overstay of more than 5 days that you may end up in an IDC and deported to your country of which you hold a passport but if you make it to immigration at an airport, with overstay and have an onward ticket and are willing to pay the 20K fine, you're scott free?

Yes!

Good question and good answer.

I believe, however, that it is in the discretion of immigration officials whether you go to detention or not, and whether you are deported, or not. A large part of their decision likely will rest on your attitude at the time....and theirs, also. I think it's safe to assume you won't be carted off to jail and deported on the sixth day of an overstay. However, this provision of the law grants the power and authority to immigration enforcement officials to do just that if the situation calls for it at their discretion.

Similarly, if you pay the 20K baht as you leave the airport, you will also need to sign a document admitting you violated Thai immigration law and that document will contain the exact circumstances of the violation. Your overstay and related information will henceforth remain on record in Thailand. So, while you may leave at that time, scott free, there's no telling how it might affect any future attempts to enter Thailand.

There are so many things wrong with this that I don't know where to begin. First, this is the problem with not having participatory government. Had the PM's idea for this been discussed in public, it would have be DOA at the end of the first day. As one poster said, "What kind of democracy is this?" It is not a democracy, this is a feature of a planned economy, except without the planning. It has all the markings of the true Thai political and social structure: individuals and foreigners are the last priority. That is, the passengers and small airlines are being punished because the Thai government and authorities have set up and now operate a dysfunctional system at the airport. Why should the traveling public and small airlines take the brunt of the PM's order?

I've now heard three reasons for the current backlog at airport immigration: the renovations, the transfer of employees, and state exams for employees. All three are completely under the control the Thai and airport officials. Why must the public and the small operators be penalized?

In addition, the logistics of moving an entire airline operation are immense and certainly can not be accomplished quickly. Is this something that was in the works already, or is it a "plan" conceived of only recently? In either case, it simply isn't doable within any timeframe that will help the current situation. To move small operations means that passengers arriving at Swampy must collect their baggage and then commute 1-2 hours to Don Mueang to catch a domestic flight. No words can describe how utterly backward this thinking is. Thailand will actually degrade the overall level of its airport service if this occurs. Imagine all those visitors' responses when they hear they will have to commute across Bangkok. No words can describe the level of stupidity here.

A rail link between the two airports is a pipe dream and completely unrealistic. That kind and size of transportation system takes years of planning and more years of building. Thailand has much higher priorities for public works than a rail link between the airports.

This is a truly saddening glimpse at the thought processes of Thai officialdom. I want to cry.

....hehe...more of the marvelous Thai-style Love/Hate relationship with the rest of the world...

Why on earth would you allow employees to transfer out of a position if it is going to reduce the efficiency and functioning of that operation? Probably because customers and customer service are last of the list of priorities....

To use an Americanism: BFD...Big <deleted>' Deal.

It didn't work out...surprise, surprise.

Move on and don't even THINK about looking back.

Any western intervention should be by NATO, or certainly not only by the US. No way is this situation solely up to the US or Israel to solve. NATO, Middle Eastern countries, yes, but not the US.

... snip I recently sat through a series of meetings with 15 or so Thai scientist, engineers, and technical staff. Not ONE of them had a smart phone. ... snip...

Stupid people need smart phone to make them look smaart.

Already smart people don't need such help.

Wow, computer users must be really dumb then.

Perhaps is sounds a little elitist or whatever to say this but mobile communication is all moving to smartphones. I often use them in meetings to access facts being discussed; or to read news while commuting; take photos; stay up with friends, etc. That a group of professionals would not have a single one among them means they are already behind the technology while their kids have passed them by.

It's a 21st century maxim that professionals must employ the most current technology when it is relevant. Accessing information is more relevant today than ever....how will Thai children learn this if their college-educated parents don't know it?

This is an interesting undertaking. I opposed it at first as a huge government boon-doggle, which it may turn out to be.

But, it offers an unheard of opportunity for so many Thai children to access information beyond Thailand, something they desperately need.

What worries me about Thai children gaining access to the outside is how Thai government officials and so-called leaders are going to respond to their children when the childre begin to question certain values in Thai society, or when masses of students begin to realize how poorly they are served by their own government and business leaders.

A few points on this. First, I recently sat through a series of meetings with 15 or so Thai scientist, engineers, and technical staff. Not ONE of them had a smart phone. This indicates to me a certain lack interest and understanding of the power of the internet.

Second, I am often at QSNCC, the national convention center, where there are often large conventions and gatherings of professional groups of all kinds. Nearly all of these meetings are still conducted completely in Thai language, including written materials. The professions and the government need to be setting the example for English use.

Finally, I watched a Thai educational meeting on TV recently, again, everything was conducted in Thai language. When the presentation was given about the tablets, all of the people in the front rows were older Thai men, not very happy looking, and I had to wonder to myself, how are these experts and educators going to bring their young children into the 21st century? From the looks of this rather crusty and stale-looking group of older men, it is clear there are challenges ahead for Thai society.

I think the tablets can help Thailand move forward....

Buddhism is definitely a religion.

It depends on your definition of "Buddhism".

If Buddhism is Buddhagosa's interpretation of what the Buddha was teaching (Theravada), then it's a religion.

The same applies to other sects such as Mahayana etc.

On the other hand scholars are discovering that much of Buddhism has been misinterpreted in translation.

In the Buddhas time the word "religion" wasn't even in their vocabulary.

They are pointing to Buddhism as simply being liberation from delusion, greed & aversion and by adopting a set of practices one can be liberated from suffering and live in the highest state possible.

Far from being a religion, it's a path which ultimately reveals the way things really are and not as we see them.

You analysis misses the point. The CCP will have none of this when it comes to who is running things in China, and why. The CCP considers itself the highest authority there, period, and only it will say what is taught/not taught at their new tourist trap.

Never served. Failed the physical because of injuries from an auto accident and a separate pre-existing medical condition. I respect those who've served, also, but it is a limited respect. Soldiers are, after all, killers. That's not a good thing really, now is it folks?

I served as a volunteer to a Buddhist organization for 12 years in the US. Full-time, subsistence income, room and board with stipend for that entire period. We built a huge temple complex and helped in several small businesses. I'm very proud of that, too.

You are in the throes of a classic holiday affair, a 16 day fling with a sweet, younger Thai woman is everyone's dream. But that's all you should consider it to be as of now. You need to spend a lot more time with her so that "the feelin'" wears off both of you....then see where things are at. You are NOT in love yet and you must keep firmly in mind that the odds are against you for this turning into a true, long-term relationship. Thai women will tell you they miss you after exchanging a couple of email messages even though never having met. They all say this, probably because it works so well at getting a guys attention - it's like a magic, mystical chant: "I miss you..." is all it takes and the guy is on the hook. Incredible.

Do not listen to your infatuation and all the flowery, romantic fantasies going on in your head and penis right now. Yes, it's great, but not a real relationship yet. I suspect your next visit with her will not be as great, as that's a good thing.

The poster who was skeptical about her working status and that she could just leave her job for 3 weeks has it right - then she doesn't have a stable job if she can do that. Keep your antenna up for things that don't sound right or stories that somehow don't add up - like the job thing. Some women conceal a lot about themselves. If things don't add up and you start thinking your crazy for not understanding her situation, that's a big red flag.

You would need a Thai person who is plugged into these things in order to find many. In any case, strictly Thai events would probably be in Thai language and not in a format you'd be familiar with. As someone already mentioned, Bangkok Shambala has weekly/bi-weekly meditations if the Tibetan approach works for you.

If you are on Facebook search for Bangkok Shambala.

On FB also search for

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is atheist and doesn't believe in religion.

So are all good Budhists!

The comparison you make is not valid and you are wrong, anyway. Buddhism is definitely a religion. Buddhists are atheists only in the sense that they don't believe there is a God beyond knowing who controls things. CCP believes the state highest authority; Buddhists believe the Buddha, Guru Rinpoche, and the enlightened mind are the highest authorities.

You know what I mean.

My Thai language school is on the 12th floor, Thai Solutions. Will see if classes are still held on Monday.

Not to get too far off topic, but, I'm still waiting for the Thai government to undertake some real, long-term undercover operations to deal with the various forms of police corruption: stealing from motorcycle taxis, running gambling halls, shaking down vendors, store owners, taxi drivers, etc. I expect the police to solve nothing most people care about.

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is atheist and doesn't believe in religion. This will be a shame and a show. The CCP controls all religions and temples in China, appoints the heads of all religions and religious groups, and even bans religions (Falon Gong). It really doesn't matter what the CCP does there because, as the article says, it's just a tourist destination. The CCP will control everything and everything that happens their must conform to CCP ideology. Just ask the Tibetans about how the CCP behaves in Tibetan Buddhist temples. It will be an atrocious tourist trap of no spiritual value.

That is one view, and there are many divergent viewpoints on this. It might be useful at this point to stop parroting slogans and turn your brain on. Please be specific about the Constitution's shortcomings. What is best for Thailand's future? It might be helpful to leave recent political contortions on the side to help think clearly. Exactly what parts do you think should be changed? Why? What would be a good process for changing it, and why? Thanks.

The 2007 charter was unfairly drafted by an illegal, unconstitutional coup government to minimise and vilify one man, one party and the majority of voters. They used untold state funds and resources to promote the new constitution before the referendum was held, saying that a vote for the new constitution was a vote for the monarchy. Those who were opposed to it were prevented from campaigning properly by arrests, threats and a total lack of access in the media.

Frankly, I see nothing in the article about the specifics of the charter changes...period. So, asking someone you disagree with to be specific is a straw-man rebuttal. Why don't you explain ALL of the proposed changes for us?

And btw, when will the public have an opportunity to comment and add their own thoughts and ideas about the charter changes as proposed? Or, is the only public input taken by way of newspaper survey? Will there be a 'public comment period' and will there be any government sponsored public forums to provide opportunities to the public to give their views?

If I'm not mistaken, Buddha already covered taking intoxicants and sex. Since he lived, there have been many who thought they could improve them, like this fellow. Is our world really different from the world that Buddha lived in?

If he's able to motivate people in the right direction, isn't that a good thing?

Sometimes, to get people started on the path, it can be about packaging and presentation.

I often observe false preconceived ideas which are strongly held, when the word "Buddhism" is mentioned.

I wonder what percentage of Thai Visa members spend time in or contribute to the Buddhism sub forum?

You can attempt to demystify preconceptions, but people will always revert back to their conditioned memory by association.

When contact occurs (sight, smell, hearing, touch, taste, and mind), we believe we think, but due to a lack of awareness we simply recall a preconditioned memory which we associate with specific external stimuli.

So, instead of investigating, assessing and interpreting what is actually occurring, our beliefs/conditioning lock us into a rigid/fixed view.

Accepting Buddhism is almost an impossibility by the majority due to attachment to their conditioned beliefs.

Conversely, many of those who are attracted to Buddhism, might do so due to similar fixed/rigid preconditioning.

Hopefully for many, the initial reason for accepting Buddhism will be altered over time from actual experience developed by practice.

I observe work colleagues on a daily basis who have fixed opinions on dozens if not hundreds of subjects.

The more opinionated they are the greater is their attachment, and the shallower is their awareness.

When two cross paths argument and conflict is the result.

Isn't reaching out by people such as Lodro Rinzler to those who would normally be dismissive of Dharma a compassionate act?

Compassion is that which makes the heart of the good move at the pain of others. It crushes and destroys the pain of others; thus, it is called compassion. It is called compassion because it shelters and embraces the distressed. - The Buddha.

Telling people to just "pay attention" or "be aware" while drinking and having sex is NOT Buddhist teaching. It is the classic 'everything is everything' nonsense. There a plenty of people in the world who are not Buddhist will tell you drinking and having sex will make you feel better about yourself and the world, but it is a samsaric path and it in not directly related to leading people to Buddhism. Sure, if you throw talk about Buddhism in with it, people with think about Buddhism. You can talk about Buddhism more effectively by living the teachings by keeping vows and actively working at subduing the passions.

I've been around a lot of Buddhist masters in my life and read a lot of basic Buddhist texts and books. I have NEVER heard a authentic teacher advocate drinking as a dharma practice and none have ever recommended recreational sex as a dharma practice. It is nonsense.

This guy is a complete charlatan. This, from the article, is completely wrong: "before Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) attained enlightenment he was a confused 20-and 30-something looking to learn how to live a spiritual life." During those years, the soon-to-be Buddha was a scholar, intellectual, and someone accomplished in all worldly arts and skills. He was not a lost 20-30 something.

This guy, whatever he calls himself, is just trading on his self-confidence and golden tongue to get laid.

Thais and Thai politicians should be cooperating to make the transition to a more secular government easier, not harder. This transition is inevitable. The idea that states exist to benefit and protect the Few is out-of-date and old fashioned for the 21st century.

It seems to me that the print ads use western or more 'western-looking' models, like others have said, but the live modeling events around Bkk typically use Thai models.

Well I had hopes after she was elected that she would surprise us all and be a good leader. Didn't take long to let us down.

But this charge is ridicules. Akeyuth obviously has a hidden agenda. The police should investigate and charge him with slander. The whole thing stinks.

As a earlier poster said A Prime Minister works far more hours than normal people. Even if it is just posing for photo ops and going to superfluous parties that cost the tax payer 10,000,000 Baht that could be spent on flood relief.

Nothing hidden about Akeyuth's agenda: he doesn't like the PM and will do or say anything, no matter how trivial or irrelevant, to make her look bad. Thai politics......sheesh.