The Baht won't significantly devalue until exports drop. It dose not matter how bad things get for the average Thai.

Export of agricultural products and manufactured goods may be down and tourism may be struggling, but Thailand is exporting gold and gold is in demand.

Thailand has massive gold reserves, but who is benefiting from the export off gold?

I saw a police officer hit a motorbike killing two men, it was nasty one lad had his leg ripped off. The officer stopped for a second and then just drove away.

The police decided the motorbike was at fault and no compensation was paid. I was shocked as the car was driving crazy fast, my wife was not surprised.

I will always remember after the dead were taken away bits of flesh were on the road and a dog was licking the blood.

 I also live next door to a fine example of law enforcement. Last week he was in our local noodle shop armed and in uniform and was so drunk he had <deleted> his self, it was only 4 in the afternoon and school kids were laughing at him. But being a true professional he still managed to ask if I could get him a beer.

11 minutes ago, EricTh said:

 

Do we need to state our official name to immigration when reporting an overstayer?

 

If he had a criminal conviction in USA, then most probably he will be dangerous someday.

 

If corruption is so rampant, there won't be cases reported on news where they are deported back.

 

Anyway, unless the highest official is also corrupt, one can always report to the highest official where there is corruption.

I have never reported any one, but I would not give my name. But things have a habit of coming out in the end, maybe the wife tells some one you phoned.

His conviction and prison time was in Thailand (if he is telling the truth it was a set up).

Over the years any one hear will have seen endless story's of corruption, its part of life hear. His case was reported when he was deported.

Every one is corrupt, especially those at the top. Ten years ago my local Immigration office would openly offer every one the opportunity to buy there extension and many did. Things may have changed on the surface but corruption is a part of life in Thailand. 

2 minutes ago, RoiEtDale said:

I actually did once see something it’s a long story but absolutely no reasonable explanation. I didn’t personally see or hear anything but our cat did and it freaked him out really bad and I saw him behave in a way that I’ve never seen before I’ve been seen him act like that before it was crazy if you’d seen it you’d understand what I mean by no reasonable explanation. 

I was once working in the basement of a hospital directly under the mortuary. The heating pipes made it red hot, suddenly it went very cold and a tray on a table fell to the floor. In that moment the only explanation was a ghost.

My alcoholic neighbour was dragged of his bike by three ghost dressed in military uniform. His one armed brother was drowned in a lake after a sexy female ghost made him go swimming.

The locals in our village blame everything on ghosts and black magic, for them it is a constant threat. All illness is blamed on black magic and most accidents are caused by ghosts.

It is one of the reasons I like living hear. I like telling people I have seen ghosts and vampires, it makes me happy.

The last king used to make long television broadcast to the nation, explaining the need to look after the environment and reduce burning. Nobody took any notice off him and he was genuinely loved by Thais. 

The burning will not stop its part of life and death in this country.

I think you can find many circular villages. We have one close to our village ( 14°22'09.3"N 103°08'43.8"E ). Its nothing special I'm told it was set out by the army in the 1980's.

As with most villages along the border very little happens during the day, but terrorised at night by ghosts.

Following many attempts to register on the new visa application site, with the site endlessly crashing I have managed to register. 

Once registered the site takes you through the application process. I can confirm it is no longer possible to obtain a multiple entry o-visa based on married to a Thai. 

The site gives you the option of where you apply  (China/UK/France), so it looks like it is the same for all using the e-visa system. 

I have spent a couple of hours trying to register on the site. I have now given up after the site keeps crashing. 

This is embarrassing for Thailand and it's government. Someone must be made a scapegoat fast.

I'm surprised not to many people have pointed out it appears this is the end of the multiple entry o visa based on married to a Thai. 

If London will no longer issue a multiple entry, it looks like in time no embassy will issue one.

I guess there must be many thousands of people who work 6 months abroad  then spend 6 months with there Thai family in Thailand. It will now be more difficult to spend more than 3 months in Thailand, without jumping through hoops at immigration.

I know people can apply for a extention once in Thailand, but what happens if they are needed back at work before its granted. 

Working people don't have any problems with the money requirements but may need to be in and out of the country regularly. It may be difficult to comply with immigration. 

19 hours ago, Odin Norway said:

Yes. Up to 1 year after expiring date.

I think it best to check at your local driving licence office. I have just renewed my licence that had run out (Prakhon Chai, Buriram). The clerk at first refused to renew the licence, telling me you only get 3 month's past the expire date. They wanted me to resit the full test as my licence was 4 months past the expiry date.

As we all know rules that apply at one Thai government office are different at another.

13 minutes ago, Lovethailandelite said:

You will be able to choose any Thai Embassy or consulate outside of Thailand, to take your hard copy's for checking and collect your visa. Of course, the Mission you choose though will need to be using the online system. The idea is that you will not need to be in London to even use the system. You will be able to log in too the Gateway for instance from Bangkok or anywhere in the world, upload the required documents, get the approval and then pick say KL or Vientiane etc to attend and to get the visa.
They are waiting approval of the MFA at the moment in order to do second stage of the approval, via posting. At the moment, it hasn't been agreed for that too happen. You will still need though to do online application, upload your documents, get the approval first etc
Even when these other Missions come online, UK and Irish citizens must still apply via the London gateway, no matter where you are in the world.

If This happens then the system will be a improvement.

19 minutes ago, Lovethailandelite said:

Here is what you need to provide

 

• For accompanying a Thai spouse : A copy of marriage certificate, a copy of Thai passport/a copy of Thai ID of spouse, and (3 months bank statement showing monthly income of more than £1,500.)
  
  http://www.thaiembassy.org/london/en/services/7742/84508-Non-Immigrant-visas.html#7

'Lovethailandelite' After April 1st when the new system is introduced do you think applicants will have to travel to the London embassy to pick up their visas once they have been approved on-line?

I think for a person living in the north of the UK this would add 200 pounds to the price of a visa , after adding travel and accommodation. It would be good if the new system gives approval and then applicants can visit the Hull or Liverpool consulates to pick up their visas. 

Once The new system is up and running for all country's maybe applicants could apply for their visas online and after approval then book a appointment to collect the visa. This would help with the situations at Vientiane. 

2 hours ago, Samuel Smith said:

I'm flying back to UK for a holiday beginning of April & need a new non-O multi-entry based on marriage.  Worried that the new e-visa, approved in Thailand will need proof of funds, as previously not required by London Embassy.  Also, having to go to London for a morning appointment will be expensive & time wasting ????  

We will see what happens, but I think things are changing for everyone. Who knows how the new system will work, but with the changes hear I am sure things are going to get more difficult for people applying for visas in their home country's.

But at least you can have a few pints of Sam's when you are in the UK. I will be back in the UK for a month to visit family and the highlight will be sitting in my 85 year old dads local Samuel smiths pub downing pints of stout with him.

2 hours ago, Lovethailandelite said:

All of these booking systems being forced on them and rushed through, are simply interim measures until full online visa application go's live in the coming months. That will solve the issue as then you will only need to go and collect the visa once it has been approved. Beijing has already gone live. The UK go's live 1st April. France in May and others gradually coming on stream over the next 2/3 years. 
Link below of how it will work

https://www.thaievisa.go.th/Images/sliders/e-visa.mp4

I think you are correct, its just the first step to making everyone apply online.

The e-visa system starting in the UK in April will stop all visa by post applications. I don't think it is a bad idea but will you be able to pick up your visa at any Thai consulate or will you have to go to the Embassy. 

It would be expensive and inconvenient if you live 250 miles from the embassy.

It is hit and miss, I have ordered and received items that I was sure would be stopped at customs (home brew apparatus and supply's).

But items from Thai suppliers have been cancelled or just never delivered. I only use COD.