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garzhe

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Posts posted by garzhe

  1. 13 hours ago, webfact said:

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    File photo courtesy of Facebook Dusit Thani

     

    Chaos erupts as Thai hotels, including big names like Dusit, pause involvement in the domestic tourism subsidy scheme due to technical glitches in the system. The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) online platform has gasped to a halt for maintenance, just as criticism over sluggish processes mounts.

     

    Prachoom Tantiprasertsuk, a leader in marketing at the Thai Hotels Association, reveals numerous hotels are stepping back until system stability is assured. The back-end issues leave hotels unable to access crucial booking management, forcing them to turn away customers eager to take advantage of the subsidy.

     

    The hitches led to a second closure of public registration for updates last Friday, sparking frustration aimed at the lack of readiness. Meanwhile, Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong is in talks with TAT, hoping to resolve these operational headaches swiftly.

     

    A recent conversation between TAT and representatives of over 1,200 hotels shed light on four pressing problems. Chief among them is the rigid pricing method, which locks in rates, preventing hotels from adjusting prices in response to market changes. This inflexible structure allows only three room types per property, exacerbating complications.

     

    The antiquated technology further fails to support automatic verification of payment slips. Ms Prachoom, formerly with Dusit International, warns this manual checking increases risk and burdens staff. Both Dusit Thani in Pattaya and Hua Hin responded by halting new scheme bookings but honouring existing paid reservations.

     

    Hotels face a lengthy approval process hobbled by the insistence on using Krungthai Bank accounts, adding a 3-4 day delay for verification. Dusit isn’t alone in its struggles—Minor Hotels reports that, while all 26 of its Thai properties are in the system, only eight have passed the bank's rigorous scrutiny.

     

    Currently, 2,292 hotels have managed to publish rates on the TAT site, yet 3,047 await bank verification. Despite the registration halt, hotels are still free to join the scheme, and verified users can continue booking, albeit amid these tumultuous times.

     

    The tourism sector watches eagerly, hopeful for a swift resolution that will stabilise the process and restore faith in the subsidy scheme’s viability.

     

    image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-07-05

     

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    I wonder whose kid fresh out of Uni was awarded this IT project.

  2. On 6/18/2025 at 7:28 PM, Unown said:

    Hi everyone, thank you so much for all your replies and advice so far — we really appreciate it! 🙏

    Just to clarify our situation a bit more:

    - We were in Thailand on a one-year ED visa, which expired recently.

    - We left Thailand on time to avoid overstaying and we had the brilliant idea to fly to Vietnam without any agent or similar, planning to re-enter on a visa exemption, as we are from  EU and have done that before without any issues (we did that before we had a one-year ED visa track record in our passport, so that’s probably one reason we got investigated).

    - Unfortunately, when we landed at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi a few days ago, immigration denied us entry and sent us back to Vietnam. They told us we must apply for a Tourist E-Visa instead of using the exemption.
     

    Now we’re in Vietnam and want to return because we still have personal belongings there.
    After being denied once, we really can’t risk being refused again — it’s stressful and expensive.

    We contacted several agents for help.
    One agent (not FTV) told us that we have been flagged in the immigration system under sections 2, 3, and 9 — but they didn’t explain what those mean, saying it’s “only for immigration use,” so we honestly have no idea what that implies.

    Friendly Thai Visa (FTV) offered us their “Safe Entry” airport service for 8K THB per person. They said someone will wait for us at BKK airport, escort us directly to an immigration officer, and we’ll get a new 60-day Tourist Visa stamp with no questions asked, all done in about 5 minutes.
    We have seen many different prices posted online for the same service, so we asked about that too. FTV explained to us:

    “Price depends on customer case — we have some 4500, 5000, 7000, 8000, 13,000. Variety price that ask from team so your case officer mentioned too seriously than normal so need to pay many parties. We cannot tell much more details.”

    So far, we haven’t found any clear, recent feedback about this exact service, so we are hoping to hear from real people who used it at BKK airport:

    • Did it work exactly as described?

    • Were you asked anything by immigration or needed to show cash, bank statements, or an exit ticket?

    • Did you have any problems traveling domestically or internationally afterwards?

    We are trying to be very careful because we can’t afford to be bounced again.

    Any genuine feedback, tips, or warnings would mean a lot to us — thank you so much for helping us decide what to do next! 🙏

    My Philippine GF came back on this service after a 1 year ED visa. Got tourist visa no problem and then applied again for further 1 year ED visa.

    • Like 1
  3. 17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

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    Picture courtesy of BreizhAtao

     

    Since the Royal Thai Police (RTP) implemented their overhauled traffic fines and sanctions on June 1, 2025, skepticism remains widespread among the Thai public. The revised system, aimed primarily at improving road safety, has yet to fully convince citizens despite its focus on critical areas such as helmet laws and unlicensed driving.

     

    Key among the changes is the stringency concerning motorcycle helmet use. Under Section 122 of the Land Traffic Act, both riders and passengers are mandated to wear helmets, with fines beginning at 1,000 baht. Notably, if both are caught without helmets, penalties can double. Police Lieutenant General Nithithorn Chintakanon, commander of the Traffic Police Bureau, points out that these requirements are central to the "Safe Roads Project," which seeks to curb road accidents and fatalities—a pressing issue nationwide.

     

    Motorcycle accidents remain one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths in Thailand, largely attributed to insufficient helmet use. Many opt out of wearing helmets due to comfort concerns, despite the added danger. The RTP's firm stance on helmet laws is part of broader efforts to change this mindset and enhance road safety.

     

    Further reinforcing this, the RTP has set sanctions for other risky driving behaviors such as driving on pavements, against traffic flow, or ignoring traffic signals, each incurring fines starting at 1,000 baht. Meanwhile, less severe infractions like undertaking or using mobile phones without hands-free devices while driving attract fines from 500 baht upwards, subject to the offence’s seriousness.

     

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    New traffic fines and sanctions, effective since June 1, 2025 | Photo via Royal Thai Police

     

    Public skepticism towards these measures stems partly from historical grievances against traffic law enforcement. Unclear regulations, inconsistent enforcement, and perceptions of being unfairly targeted by officers compound distrust. This sentiment is compounded by the Supreme Administrative Court's ruling on February 5, which declared RTP's traffic fines issued post-July 2020 as unlawful. The court highlighted that these fines unduly restricted motorists' rights to contest tickets—fixing fine rates without due regard—thus breaching constitutional rights.

     

    The RTP's publication of detailed traffic offences and corresponding fines represents a positive, albeit necessary, step towards transparency. While this initiative may improve trust gradually, deep-seated issues, including enforcement consistency and legal clarity, continue to cloud public perceptions.

     

    Despite the initiative's forward strides, addressing the underlying causes of distrust is vital. Enhancing the system's fairness and clarity, alongside reinforcing respectful enforcement practices, is essential for truly effective traffic law adherence. For now, the RTP’s focus remains on mitigating safety risks, but winning public confidence remains a significant challenge.

     

    image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-13

     

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  4. On 6/3/2025 at 9:15 AM, Yudie said:

     

    Hi, I’m a 25-year-old girl from Sri Lanka. I’m planning to come to Thailand with a volunteer visa.

    After that, I want to stay longer and do simple legal work like farming, gardening, or helping in hostels — just enough to survive peacefully.

    Is there any legal way to stay and work after volunteering? Can a local person help me get a Non-B visa or work permit?

    I’m not looking for big jobs or online work — just a quiet, honest life. Any advice would mean a lot. Thank you!

     

    • Thumbs Down 3
  5. 7 hours ago, webfact said:

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    FILE photo for reference only

     

    Thailand's Ministry of Tourism and Sports has committed to tackling notorious dual pricing practices following widespread complaints from foreign tourists. Minister Sorawong Thienthong vowed to eliminate unfair pricing schemes after a significant meeting with tourism industry leaders and assorted agencies on Wednesday.

     

    The ministry's heightened response stemmed from a viral social media article entitled “Where Have Foreign Tourists Gone?” published last April, which showcased concerns from foreigners and expats. The article was sparked by a Bangkok Post piece on dipping tourist numbers and drew over 1,800 comments on Facebook.

     

    Complaints pointed at various issues, including tourists' safety fears, widespread overcharging, and ongoing intimidation by transnational crime groups in popular tourist hotspots.

     

    In a move to address these issues promptly, Minister Sorawong has set up direct case reporting from police to his desk for all tourist-related incidents. Tourists can also use the Thailand Tourist Police app or visit the designated tourist assistance centres now operational in each province for support.

     

     

    Acknowledging the grievances, particularly about higher accommodation fees, Mr Sorawong cited seasonal price fluctuations and global airfare increases due to aircraft shortages as contributing factors.

     

    The minister assured better regulation of tourism scams and pledged to ensure equitable pricing for both Thai citizens and international visitors by scrapping dual pricing altogether.

     

    Despite a slight 0.2% dip in foreign tourist arrivals over the past four months, tourism revenue has risen by 5% year-on-year, as shown by ministry data.

     

    The ministry has also responded to the Airlines Association of Thailand's call for more governmental support by requesting the Ministry of Transport to expand flight slots at major airports, including options for chartered flights.

     

    In conclusion, while tourist arrival numbers have waned slightly, efforts are being made to boost fairness and safety in the tourist experience, promising a brighter outlook for Thailand's tourism industry.

     

    Related topic:

    Rising Prices, Broken Systems Dim Thailand’s Tourist Charm

    https://aseannow.com/topic/1359304-rising-prices-broken-systems-dim-thailand’s-tourist-charm/

     

    image.png  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-01

     

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  6. 23 hours ago, Rolo89 said:

    On the DTV and was planning on paying Thai tax, but since tightening the rules on banking it's impossible to get a bank account until you have a work permit.

     

    My DTV allows working for my foreign company remotely in Thailand, but how can they expect me to pay Thai tax if I'm not even allowed to open a bank account?

    If your resident and can get a certificate of residence from Immigration you should have no trouble opening a bank account.

    • Agree 1
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