FrankieDimes

If they check each applicants travel history, I am very surprised that they have issued me tourist visas for as long as they have.

Out of the thousands of applicants they get a day, why would they punch my name in the computer? However, If I have to go home or any other place I choose to go for a few months, it is not a problem for me. Even if I had to uproot myself from Thailand never to return, I wouldn't shed a tear. I am completely independent, mobile, socially adjusted and capable of adapting to other lifestyles, cultures, environments, etc. I don't lose sleep over the visa situation here.

I doubt all the information is available and if it is, maybe there are too many applicants for them to check each individuals number of entries into Thailand, type of visa and dates all within 24 hour turn around time. If all this info was available and checked each time, many of us would have been denied entry long ago.

I showed her my military retiree ID, which was not sufficient proof. I served honorably for 23 years before retiring and did not retire due to medical issues. 20 years of service is all that is required for a full retirement. I am well aware that it is unusual for a person my age to be retired. Bank statements and statements from the military financial arm (DFAS) indicating the amount of my pension is no problem. However I have no doubt that they would want these notarized as any one could easily doctor a computer generated pay statement from DFAS.

She didn't specifically say "notarized" buy it has been my experience here in Thailand to receive information from Thais in pieces. For example: only after I show up with documents would they inform me that the documents need to be notarized. Documents being good for 6 months is about valid for 1 double entry permit.

My plan B is to get a new passport.

The only reason I submitted this post is to inform others, so they are aware of the situation and will have a plan B. I understand that I am abusing the system by attempting to live here on tourist visas.

In total, I had 5 double entry visas. The last visa issued Sep 2013 is my 6th and it is a single entry.

Jan 2011 - USA

July 2011 - Laos

Jan 2012- Laos

Sept 2012 - USA

Mar 2013 - Laos

Sep 2013 - Laos

I have considered an education visa, but I doubt I will study. It is my understanding that the immigration officers question you in Thai when you appear at the immigration office for extensions.

26 September 2013, the female at the passport collection windows at the Thai consulate attempted to deny my application by handing me my passport back. She said I had to many tourist visas. I refused to accept the visa and application back and told her to process it and stamp "NO" in it. After questioning me about how I could afford to stay in Thailand so long with out working, (I am retired U.S. Navy -46 years old) she reluctantly said she would submit it. However, she changed my request for double entry to single entry. She advised me to bring documents proving my retiree status as well as bank statements. The next day I picked up my passport which included a single entry visa.

I only have about 5 pages remaining in my passport, so I will obtain a new one from the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok instead of jumping through her hoops. Notarized letters verifying retiree status, pensions etc. from the U.S. embassy cost $50. I am sure you would only be able to use the letter for one visa run, then they would say it can not be over 30 days old.

If I could qualify for a retiree visa that would be great, but that requires you to be 50 years old.

26 September 2013, the female at the passport collection windows at the Thai consulate attempted to deny my application by handing me my passport back. She said I had to many tourist visas. I refused to accept the visa and application back and told her to process it and stamp "NO" in it. After questioning me about how I could afford to stay in Thailand so long with out working, (I am retired U.S. Navy -46 yrs old) she reluctantly said she would submit it. However, she changed my request for double entry to single entry. She advised me to bring documents proving my retiree status as well as bank statements. The next day I picked up my passport which included a single entry visa.

I only have about 5 pages remaining in my passport, so I will obtain a new one from the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok instead of jumping through her hoops. Notarized letters verifying retiree status, pensions etc. from the U.S. embassy cost $50. I am sure you would only be able to use the letter for one visa run, then they would say it can not be over 30 days old.

If I could qualify for a retiree visa that would be great, but that requires you to be 50 years old.

There is a U.S. Post Office located at the U.S. Embassy. I don't know if the post office is open to all U.S. citizens with a passport or not. It is available for active and retired military members. I am sure they sell money orders. This maybe worth a check. There is also the electronic payment system that can be accessed on the IRS website. I have used this system twice in the past to pay, it does require a bank account or credit card. If you don't have a credit card, can't get a money order from the post office, have no one in the United States you trust and is unable to transfer the money from your Thai bank account. My advice would be to contact the IRS and request and extension until you return to the U.S. or figure out something else. By no means ignore the problem. They will have no problem granting you an extension.

There is a U.S. Post Office located at the U.S. Embassy. They allow active military as well as veterans to mail items out of Thailand. Veterans are limited to mailing documents, cds, etc. just a few ounces which prevent business enterprise. I don't know what other category of people are allowed to use the post office or they may allow mail from any U.S. citizen addressed to the IRS. It may be worth a telephone call to ask.

Its about dam_n time the Thai police is finally cracking down on these scumbags. Not only do they sell drugs in their own countries, they travel to Thailand to corrupt even more people.

I share your enthusiasm about drug dealers being arrested. It makes me feel even better when they catch ringleaders and not small fish. However I have to disagree with your idea about someone coming to Thailand and corrupting someone. I am certain the corrupt were here when they arrived and will be here when they depart. I don't think any of these foreigners introduce drugs into Thai society. In that regard, you're pointing fingers at the wrong people.

The cops don't know how to use Google?

Do you know how to use google?

Before the news about the mysterious "sejael" stickers were out there were also no anti-persian, anti-muslims blog entries to be found which link the word "sejeal" to bomb like stones mentioned in the Qur'an and to the poetic description Palestinian resistance fighters use for their rockets.

Ever heard of graffiti tagging with using stickers?

http://en.wikipedia....iki/Sticker_art

The cops don't know how to use Google?

Do you know how to use google?

Before the news about the mysterious "sejael" stickers were out there were also no anti-persian, anti-muslims blog entries to be found which link the word "sejeal" to bomb like stones mentioned in the Qur'an and to the poetic description Palestinian resistance fighters use for their rockets.

Ever heard of graffiti tagging with using stickers?

http://en.wikipedia....iki/Sticker_art

Seems like a good mission for Thai computer gurus to pursue instead of searching the net for le majeste sites.

The parents should be charged and arrested for selling their children into slavery to pay off debts.

Move along, nothing to see here. Normal Thai politics and corruption which deeply woven into every aspect of thai society.

Bangkok Governor Ensures Safety After Triple Blast Incident

Title is misleading! The only thing I read was that they wanted to step up security by installing more cameras, having more police check points and scrutinizing some visitors more closely. I am rather happy not to see another Thai official ensuring my safety and declaring Thailand is safe from terrorism. Because the truth of the matter is, no one can ensure my safety because terrorism can happen anywhere at anytime.

Questions: Did the Indian guy already have a reservation or ticket to leave the country when he did or did he purchase a ticket after he left the hotel? Is it at all possible that the Indian guy departed the hotel without harming her and someone else entered her room? How many entrances are there to her room and are they all covered by video? I just hope the police investigate well and not just assume the Indian guy committed the murder. I want justice for the guilty who ever it may be. I don't want a sloppy investigation and a rush to judgement.

2012 Terrorism Tour, 1,500 baht. First a stop at the shophouse where the fertilizer was stored, then a drive to the apartment that blew up and a drive to the spot where the bomb blew the terrorist legs off, the last stop will be to the office of the Foreign Minister who insisted all embassies remove warinings and declared Thailand free of terrorist and threats.

Given recent references, mostly vague and inconspicuous, to Thailand as a possible failed state, this isn't surprising from the US. Nevertheless, I'm sure the State Department is up to its regular manipulative shenanigans. That picture is too close and rather unflattering. She looks less real than the girl's smile at Au Bon Pain. And sometimes, I can't help but comment on the US government's obliqueness as a totally unflattering American phenomenon. Foreign governments like China love it, because they can play right in tune. I just want to say to "What are ya blathering on about now, Kennedy?" This does fit with the current Thai government's concept of proper evidence: "If we say its so, ITS SO! Are listening to...?"

It is obvious that English is not your first language, so "What are ya blathering on about now?" It is very difficult to understand what you are trying to say.

Why do Thailand feel the need to concern itself with what an Embassy post on its website to it's own citizens? I am an American who has traveled the globe over several decades. While I will check the U.S. State Dept's websites for travel warning and advisories, they are not and never will be the deciding factor on whether I choose to visit a place or not. Thailand is making too big a deal out of this whole travel warning thing. Why mention what Israel and China are doing on there websites? As Americans, we don't care what other countries are posting/ not posting on there Embassies websites.

I hereby grant Thailand Embassy's located in the United States of America the "right" to post any traveling warning or message to Thai citizens they feel is appropriate. Fell better now!!!

Why select a photo that is not clear in a missing persons case? You're asking people to assist, but you can't even present a clear photo so we know what the girl look like.

What do you mean by 'accepted'? Basically, If a person does not accept you for the reason you have indicated it shows them in a negative light and therefor negates the need to be accepted by them. Acceptance should be based on more important qualities like compassion for your fellow man. I am unsure of your meaning of acceptance therefore I can not truely respond. As long as I am treated fairly as a human, I'm ok with that. How a person truly feels in their heart is their business. As in any society you comply with the norms if possible, such as wearing appropriate attire to the appropriate venue. But to look down or outcast a person because of their looks, where they shop or because they are different shows the individual during the outcasting in a negative light.

Just info: www.msn.com will be streaming the game free worldwide. For those with a computer and an internet connection, you can watch the game at home.

I believe too much is being made out of the terrorist warning. In the state that the world is in now, we all need to be vigilant and alert where ever we are. Whether you are home or abroad, the city you are in could be a possible terrorist target, especially a city known to cater to international tourist.

“Pattaya City is completely safe from terrorist attacks.” Why make an idiotic statement such as? You can not claim that any city in the world is completely safe. Why not say, "there is a low probability of a terrorist attack in Pattaya". All it takes is an idiot or two with handguns to open fire in a crowded place, such as a night-club/disco, mall or hotel to be considered a terrorist attack. The worlds most trained and financed security organizations can not prevent all occurences of terrorism from happening. So, to claim that a city is completely safe from terrorist attacks, shows a lack of understanding of what constitutes a terrorist attack. Lt. Col. Arun's statements highlight his ignorance concerning terrorism, methods used, and the people who carry out the terrorist act.

Some terrorist are homegrown and may already reside in Thailand/Pattaya.

Some terrorist act alone and may not communicate with anyone else.

All acts of terrorism can not be prevented, therefore disaster response teams should be training to deal with all types of disasters. Why didn't Lt. Col. Arun mention disaster preparedness?. Do pattaya have disaster preparedness and emergency response teams that are capable of dealing with mass casualties, explosives, different types of chemical and biological weapons (airborne)?

I would take more comfort if Lt. Col. Arun said, While the probability of a terrorist attack is low in Pattaya, I have security officers deployed throughout the city in a show of force and gathering intel, our disaster preparedness teams are looking over protocols/policies and are training and partaking in drills to ensure a proper response. With his statement of being completely safe, now that makes me worry!

Thailand have embassies worldwide including in the USA. They are free to put out any message to their Thai citizens that they choose to. What would a host nation look like trying to stop them from speaking with or trying to protect their own countrymen. Imagine the American government trying to dictate to the Thai embassy in New York, what they can or can not post on there website to there countrymen.