alanferdi

Thailand Thailand....Lovely Open country with beautiful landscape and people who do have a heart.

What got me off my rocker was the fact that you were constantly nagged.....Its normal to retire and live a normal lifestyle. But NO...Not in Thailand.

1. You have to go through these 90 day checks...they want to see if you are alive. It has got easier with this govt. but still a hazzle. Why cant they make a digital system and have retirees an ID like in Hong Kong?

2, Then you need to keep 800.000 blocked in a bank and produce receipt of it each year when you go to renew your pension visa.

3.  The constant hackling and having to play games with the immigration officials that seem to make up things as they go along.

 a. No working - Painting your own house or doing some manual work around your own house could put you into position to pay a fine from 50.000Baht. What nonsense is this. A retiree should be able to do the things he loves to do around his own house. Its his property and his money and bloodywell his hobby so what the cracker is this.....Retirement benefits for Thai employment.

b. There are jobs that only Thais can do

c. Farang is always farang and always in the wrong. The legal system does not protect. its only there to make the process a maze to both its own citizen and the rest of the world.

After spending money and making sure of the loops. It seemed to get out of hand and I thought it best to leave the country.

I am presently in Sri Lanka. It costs me 10.000Rs for a Residential visa or Retirement visa. Which is  100$. I can choose my own home, work in it and also be treated as a local. I do not have to jump loops in a circus as in Thailand. And besides most people do speak English and its easy to get about and do the things that I love doing as a retiree.

Happy I left Thailand nothing to loose!!!!

No more than normal,it's just becoming more visible due to an increased use of social media and the like.

Welcome to the land of stares and stupidity rampant and where reason is punished and treason upheld......Land of smiles does not exist.... its just a TT plug in... works for an airline....but not for a nation. Sorry... Travel to Cambodia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, Sri Lanka....there are smiles there....and genuine!

No more than normal,it's just becoming more visible due to an increased use of social media and the like.

violent behaviour is always the response of most Thai people, they cannot have an arguement and walk away, They suffer with a chip on the shoulder and the lost face syndrome. In recent years this arrogance has escalated and the technological and public behaviour is more evident. They still beat up their women, still kill for no reason other than a whim of their understanding. There is also no proper justice system that is implemented to counteract this behaviour.... watching the news...its just the arrest, then the picture for the newspapers and a pat on the shoulder to not do it again and set free... this is not justice... so taking all these into consideration. it will escalate to a point where its no longer regulated by the courts but by the public. Then it would be too late to implement all the talk.

NO Pollution is not a major concern, getting cheated, and having to listen to stories in order to live in this country is really a big concern.

Its no longer attractive.

The floodgates have been open and now you can't control the situation. Tourism Authority of Thailand done it again.

Foreign Chinese, also Farang chin! A Buddhist too..... Hmmm quality tourist? No these are the cheap ones who have no respect or culture.....the one Thailand wants in the Thousands? Well I hope your standards are met!

Ahhh it was those pesky Burmese again!!!

Corrupt or incompetent police work = blame it on the immigrants

Hmmmmm foreigners?....???? Excuse or wrong answer. What you have not the finger prints of every Thai? You want to take on the whole world? Now why would a Foreigner be interested in Siam Paragon?

Revenge?

Do any Thais respect any law ?

I think not.

Do any farang have any sense of perspective?

I think not.

We're talking about beach vendors not sex tourist kiddie fiddlers or terrorist bombers.

I guess in Farang Land the police are largely redundant and the prisons vacant because everyone there has such respect for the law.

Sorry Suradit. Your comment is way beyond any comprehension. I cannot believe the dribble just written

May you possibly have issues with sarcasm Mr Larry?

OH Dear someone on a rant has truly missed the plot!! Funny but I am beginning to get the impression, the word farang is a Thais limitation on understanding or comprehending the amount of nations involved in that word and the vastness of that represented in Thailand, let alone Pattaya. I am not denying though the topic - the beach. you have a nice beach, though not the best in the world. The whole carribean, Islands in the Indian ocean.... Thailand has been choosen by some because someone in the past did give us a good impression and treat us like human beings, not as farangs! as portrayed - sex tourist, kiddie fiddlers....a good description, Well in the jungle there are all sorts - let the law take care of that. you do not have to flood the beach to prove your point that you do not want us in your country!

they might impose a 500-million baht fine first, and if the same offense is repeated, violator could face a one week ban from business ….

I'm thinking if they can pay the 500 million baht fine, a week off without pay ain't gonna change anything.

I am of the same opinion. Why the huge fine! Simply put security in place to avoid them setting up. That would be cheaper and less a Sissyphean task. I suppose people love the backlash. Just work the system and the laws of the land. If Municiple or the Townhall in Pattaya issued those licences, then they need to first withdraw them and then go about through the judicial or police force to implement it.

Do not follow or prove the saying " new broom sweeps well!" right. Make it permanent and benefiting to society. Wonder who is going to loose face in this muscle up....of protest.

now all the sh*t begins anew, will the truth emerge or will we see the thai courts/police cover it all up to save face, only time will tell........

Subjective as it may seem.... someone is saving someones face. Well, I say that the real murderers will rot within and those who know the truth and subside it or tampered with it will burn constantly with their conscience..... they framed innocent men.

For those falsely accused I am sorry that justice has failed you this time.... but it will catch up! Be strong.

Nice clip...good acting... all paid ofcourse....

I learned early in life that products that do not sell well or new on the market need the most amount of advertising - Thailand stop trying...!!!! Just learn to be yourselves and honest to yourselves, sorting problems and issues practically. This whole idea of impressing people....a substitue to saving face.....NOT A DOG Cares..... People will talk if they have to ..... let them thats freedom of speech. What is beautiful, graceful and clean and honest in Thailand that some people try hard to respect and protect.... these will speak for themselves. Do not LORD yourselves.... you are not higher than any or lower than any.... Be honest and continue in your own traditions of buddhism and in what it demands you to be and you would be loved.... all this bungkum is short attempt to make people who know your ways even more a bit aggitated that the concentration is only a put on..... LIVE IT AND PEOPLE WILL LOVE IT

if all reporting correct sounds like a right loser what a tosser

Boy even a drunk in his giddy mind would not react like that .... choice of words a bit to dramatic... ripped that is sudden tearing off right. I can imagine him trying to go for her breasts or such and she falls down and in the struggle she tries to get away while he is clutching her jacket and it shreds off or something like that....

Well, on the otherhand it sounds like he was on drugs..... or have they started issuing ice on board these routes to get passengers? Nah just kidding...

whatever it is its wrong and indecent. He should be locked up in a womens prison....that would straighten him up.

The Thai Bht is 32.84 to $1 USA , is this a sign? Will it go up or Down?

shhhhh.... not so loud.....the baht might float!!!!

all these figures of 25.000.000 people coming to Thailand it does baffle the mind. thats about 68500 people a day in the year. work that figure in Planes, Immigration clearance..... at the moment the speed is 8 minutes per person. they will have queues waiting to get their passports stamped. Great start for a tourist.... THAINESS? I am aware that they will not all come through Swarnaphumi.... do the maths it still does not work out. How many border crossings, are we talking about re-entry tourists and expats to this 25 Million or does this apply only to new tourists for the year?

To me it really sounds like wishful thinking.....just like how they are so confident of winning the lottery.... only to find out the numbers were not in the same order as they gambled on. Dear Minister, I hope that this season will bring a new wave of tourists that Thailand can benefit from. But I am sorry I cannot hope along with you on the figures you project. Could you take the stand and break it down so that your fellow countrymen can also digest and profit from it...... a pie in the sky is not what we want!!!

About 75,000 tourists a day does anyone really believe thailand has the capacity/capability to process that many tourists. Thats assuming they arrive at equal times. If high season is busy that would be closer to 100000 a day.

how do you get these numbers? and process them where???

if you mean the airport they day 8 days each, which mean across all the airports in Thailand it's laround 9,000 People per day.... not really that many spread over Chiang Mai, Phuket and two Bangkok airports.

25,000,000/365= 68,495 per day (sorry original math in my head) seems like lots of immigration officers needed. Or am i missing something?

Yes Good Point!!! On the otherhand..... they could ask the chinese to help a bit.....HERD TOURISM - Perhaps short term work visas to help out in the fields to plant rice and fill the beaches or temples....They need to keep the Immigration office busy.....otherwise that would be the devils workshop.

Discovering Thainess?

What on earth is that? Imagine America saying ....discover Americanism, or other countries saying discover Englishness, Chineseness Frenchiness, Germanese... sounds stupid, why`? because...... Its a totally nonsensical word with no mental association to place, kind or person. if associated with what is evident in Thai society that tourist are exposed to; The false smile and unattentive in a conversation, sloppy work attitude (go to any shopping mall and the saleswomen is more interested in her Mistin makeup than with the customer) or the Taxi driver that refuses to take a hire....Solly, Lunch time, Shift change around the corner or the road is busy with traffic! Its as if we are asking for a free ride....NO we are paying!. Thainess sounds like an excuse to me everything that is not rationally explainable is automatically defined the the Thai way as" Thats Thai"....well, it does not attract but it does make a good discussion. So Mr Minister, please could you elaborate on your choice of the word "Thainess"....Is it Thai service? Is it Thai courtesy? Is it Thai ruralism? The quaint past of the cities where the tuk tuk rides and the death mini bus tours do not attract anymore. What has Thailand to offer in 2014`? Put a leaflet out for all Tourist leaving Thailand and ask them for their comments and they will help you define Thainess to give it some tangible meaning to the Tourist in his mind, perhaps that would keep a tourist another 2 days in the country? Ask though the right questions?

Let me get you started.

Did you enjoy your stay? Which cities did you visit? what do you think of Thailand, its people and its service ( I know people in Thailand have problems answering questions, why because they were never encouraged in their education career to do so..... But Europeans and most tourist in developed countries love a good question and a good feedback,)

Well honestly .....what do you want like minded comments to make you feel good or fishing for votes. The topic is subjective. I have my reservations of Thailand but its not up for votes. It depends what you want..... Women? Cheap food? Freedom for things your own country does not permit....it all depends. Honestly you can make yourself at home anywhere without having to fly your flag of ethics as territory conquered. Look positively at what your present has to offer in comparision to what you want to keep for the next 20 years. If its just the Winter visit..... then dont bother buying a house.... with time there would be many ghost houses for rent for much less with much more. Rent, travel the region - Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia and Indonesia.... they have a lot to offer without all the Immigration circus in Thailand. Malaysia has a good option 2nd Residence and you have a residence permit for 10 years. Myanmar will open up and if you are thinking of spending a quiet life....one to consider. The new horizon and welcome to ASEAN.

Them Chinese are nothing but an Indian givers, they will not give you the time of day without something

in it for them, and usually this something is huge and it's like a catholic marriage, can get in but can't get out,

So what the catch here? what have Thailand committed it self in lieu of this " generous" help from the Chinese?

the catch is - America bans products from China, Europe regulates some of it and its breaches on patents. 20 chinese exhibitionist in a exhibition fair in Germany were taken out as their products were copies of European patents. China is hemmed in.... they need another gateway to sell their inferior products and whats better than joint venturing with an ASEAN country.... and exporting it to the rest of the world

The eastern Seaboard - Banglaemung is the largest Port in the area after China.... so they are after that in reality, they will use Thailand to get into their exports. So typical chinese approach.....

Thailand will bite it with the hope that their export will boom.... in reality just their logistics, Look what they did to Nepal, Look at the countries where the chinese built Ports - Sri Lanka, Pakistan and West African countries.... Supposedly donated by the chinese Gov....but built by their convicts.they are just making a silk route to pass through the eye of the needle of time with their inferior product non conforming to International trade standards. Thailand will not benefit... they will be used. Sweet talking chinese!!!!! - "An international joint venture (IJV) occurs when two businesses based in two or more countries form a partnership. A company that wants to explore international trade without taking on the full responsibilities of cross-border business transactions has the option of forming a joint venture with a foreign partner. International investors entering into a joint venture minimize the risk that comes with an outright acquisition of a business. In international business development, performing due diligence on the foreign country and the partner limits the risks involved in such a business transaction.^[1]

IJVs aid companies to form strategic alliances,^[2] which allow them to gain competitive advantage through access to a partner’s resources, including markets, technologies, capital and people. International joint ventures are viewed as a practical vehicle for knowledge transfer, such as technology transfer, from multinational expertise to local companies, and such knowledge transfer can contribute to the performance improvement of local companies.^[2] Within IJVs one or more of the parties is located where the operations of the IJV take place and also involve a local and foreign company.^{[3]- source Wikipedia and others on Chinese JVs and Donations.}

I hope they release a full report on their findings and observations...

Justice is sweet!.... give it time. The British Police are not here to find fault with the way things are done.....they are here to expose. It will come in due time.

More and more foreigners are dyeing or commiting suicide daily. Please do not come to Thailand. " It's a good life if you don't weaken." Tragically Hip".

You need balls to live here and more.

balls to live here? ok that explains the lady boys..... thanks

Will there be a public DNA testing put on for show to "prove" innocence from someone?

No need a Burmese shark in Thai waters got him. aggrevated by his orange pants.......flashing in clear waters.

''Thailand Expects ''....now where have i heard that one before ?

Why is the tourist programe working with the agricultural department..... 5.5... that would clean up the bug problems in Thailand, block the streets with busses and fill the buffet houses. a profit of 1 baht per tourist is expected into the coffers! Great plan.

If they all walked across the farm lands around Chonburi....they could also plough the land for free.... Overloaded Boats and busses... who is going to earn? these guys pay it all in China and pay a chinese Thai company or associate to organise a Thai picnic for a few days..... whats the deal.

Oh I get it...its to give the immigration some work to do and keep the paper work piling up.....

Thailand I wish you all luck...... why dont you also invite 3 million Indians.... they could teach you a thing or two in "HERD TOURISM"

where the guide blows a whistle to keep the crowds together or march ahead with a red flag to keep the sheep in place....... FIASCO!!!! Amazing Thailand who is pulling wool over whose eyes?

Hmmmm looks like an improvement..... there is no pointing of fingers in this photograph. Otherwise most Thai culprits sit with all the police in the background pointing their fingers at them for the photograph......Well This one looks like a job well done..... not like a family photograph!

80% complete and they are ready to indict.

Before, the case was "perfect."

What is the English word which could be used above "perfect?"

above "perfect".....how about a water tight setup`? or a fool proof alibi, or a good set up? I do not know... Perfect is something that is man made to produce results. Conclusive would be the word that is based on facts and justice.

What can one say?

hahahahahahaa.... funny but thats exactly what I was thinking...... a year ago they shot themselves in the foot. Making claims on the chinese and other Asian tourists....

What they do not bring revenue? Oh you mean they ate not in the bars and restaurants? Shame.... perhaps this is why CP is thinking of opening up restaurants in some of their 7Eleven shops... boy oh boy....

Oh and they do not drink like the Europeans?

aha... and most of their end destination costs are paid fully in China, package tours and "Herd Tourism"

Thailand will have a very low high season this year. I am looking forward to listen to the the explainations

Probably made the poor man pass even more water to add to his bill when he saw that lot.

Jokes apart.... how can such a mistake happen? If this is possible imagine what the water reader or dept can do to balance their books?

Did they detect where the fault is.... was it wrong pricing ..... because a computer does not make mistakes - GIGO - garbage in garbage out.