Chutney

"a lot of Thai people have invested a lot of money in this." Exactly, and obviously some who have invested a huge amount have some influence. It's not just subsistence farmers and small shop single owners. It's obvious some very big investors got stuck right in and they won't be letting that all go down the drain.

Got to love the Thais. The ink barely wet on all these weighty documents and already they're on it. I think it'll balance out OK. The med cert 'fee' brings more money into the economy. To have it less in your face for those just going about their business with the smell and fumes in public is surely better than it is now? After all it's not Thais you see anywhere blowing their smoke with no consideration for non smokers, children etc either is it? Western tourists blew it basically.