thaifamilyguy

would be nice for a major Country to investigate (they all have staff at their embassies that should be doing that) and then issue a brief little travel advisory:

"Please note that visitors should be aware that legal rights that they are accustomed to in their home country may not presently apply in Thailand. For example, Police have been increasingly exercising their rights to random stops of tourists without probably cause or reasonable suspicion to demand evidence of identity, immigration status, search any and all personal belongings and compel a Urine test for evidence of illicit drug use, under penalties of arrest."

Seriously, just one embassy please! Screw the press reporting. Then let the government respond formally.

I have lived in a lot of countries where I have accepted severe restrictions on my civil rights, but I think the embassies do a serious disservice to their citizens if they do not educate them on this and take a stand (and make the government do the same)

I feel for the parents but clearly their comments are being used as propaganda. The issue of "evidence" is unfortunately one that relies entirely on the trust of the Police here. Evidence can be planted and confessions forced, other leads ignored so no evidence exists to undermine the narrative. To then put all of this before the parents to me is just odd unless the UK investigators were willing in some very odd way and in good conscience give this case the stamp of approval, which is EXACTLY what their silence is now being used to do in Thailand. It would seem to me that the idea the UK police could show up on a tropical island, surely not speaking that language, or having a clue about how corruption and power operates on the ground, and come back with anything other than a critical report is beyond me. Even if its just some sort of "null" report that surely can say procedures were "unreliable" and otherwise not in position to be competent to evaluate. Instead the Nation now has this "we've seen all the evidence and you haven't and we trust the UK/Thai Police so should you." UK is doing a serious disservice to its citizens to give them the impression that it is safer here than it is.

If as your first statement says you "feel for the parents", why are you ignoring their wishes and pushing more conspiracy theories?

Where is the conspiracy in my statement? Quote it to me please?

The point is the the Royal Thai Police deservedly have not earned any trust in this, for certain. Those that actually know the police in command know his character. Those that have been in Thailand and wish to see it, know how the culture of the Thai police. Thus the idea of "evidence" it all requires trust in the Police in this case. The idea that Scotland Yard could show up after the fact and do anything is odd, the idea that they would be in a position to give it all their "approval" is outright bizarre.

I feel for the parents but clearly their comments are being used as propaganda. The issue of "evidence" is unfortunately one that relies entirely on the trust of the Police here. Evidence can be planted and confessions forced, other leads ignored so no evidence exists to undermine the narrative. To then put all of this before the parents to me is just odd unless the UK investigators were willing in some very odd way and in good conscience give this case the stamp of approval, which is EXACTLY what their silence is now being used to do in Thailand. It would seem to me that the idea the UK police could show up on a tropical island, surely not speaking that language, or having a clue about how corruption and power operates on the ground, and come back with anything other than a critical report is beyond me. Even if its just some sort of "null" report that surely can say procedures were "unreliable" and otherwise not in position to be competent to evaluate. Instead the Nation now has this "we've seen all the evidence and you haven't and we trust the UK/Thai Police so should you." UK is doing a serious disservice to its citizens to give them the impression that it is safer here than it is.

To put on an analysts hat for a moment, Police are under tremendous pressure (outright attack) by the junta as they clearly the alternative powerbase, it would be in their interest to keep the negative trend going on the tourist numbers. Not that they would necessarily make it a policy but it would make sense that the "message" is that its perfectly fine to do this.

I think whatever the analysis you have to keep in mind that the Police and the government are on opposite sides and the Junta doesn't get them "onside" by replacing its command and going after those at the top. I wonder if Kho Tao is actually caught up in that a bit as everybody is saying the "government's" position doesn't make sense, but it the Police that set that in motion....

But heck, really sad to see this all happening. That one video of a random bag check is seriously bad news for that level of low spenders but high volume feeds the lower/middle class of the country, the elites are the one's collecting on the 5 star profits....and again one major incident against Chinese and that will be shut down overnight.

A national fund should be setup to pay hospital and legal costs for tourists who are mistreated in Thailand thru no fault of their on...

An automatic deduction will be taken from government officials...police and military paychecks as these are the people who are supposed to be providing protection for tourists...

It is expected that it will not be long before very few tourist are mistreated once the deductions start appearing on the Thai paychecks...

"tourists who are mistreated in Thailand thru no fault of their on..."

Given the article states he lives here for 15 years and is 20 years old, means he liked grew up here. Still a tourist?

Pretty interesting that you've decided that he had no fault in this altercation. Were you there? I've seen this story posted many many times and I find it very doubtful that 2 "men" (regardless of nationality) would start kicking the crap out of a foreign child without any previous history or provocation. I've seen and been involved in similar situations and there is ALWAYS something (previous history, flirting at the bar)

I would often agree with you but not in this case. They filed counter charges only AFTER they got their passports pulled, there are pictures of these two guys somewhere, flexing their muscles, I wouldn't be surprised if they weren't on steriods at the time, part of their samui vacation...there were plenty of witnesses as it was right on a crowded dance floor

For the posters, this is a well known story, kid was dancing and two pumped-up expat kids from Shanghai didn't like who he was dancing with and beat him savagely. I know they were down celebrating graduation from high school, nice "present" for a couple of 18-19 year olds. He was down from Bangkok I think also celebrating graduation from High School. Wrong place wrong time for sure but expats in Samui are watching this just as Kho Tao.

The cross charges are SOP in any situation like this, has nothing to do with what happened but with creating leverage. The idea being that both sides then settle the matter by dropping charges against each side. However, in this case it is extremely cynical as clearly the initial charges against the attackers were surely brought by the investigators not the poor boy and were brought after they were caught. It is possible that a minor charge can be brought w/out prosecutor's approval in some way so it may stand as something that has to be disposed of. The parents of the kids should be shot as not only did they raise kids that would do this, but are now teaching them to lie to save themselves from the consequences. The larger question, however, is corruption. The Thai government seems to be idiotic in understanding the effect of cases like this and Kho Tao. They have covered the gap in Tourists with increasing Mainland chinese tourist, etc., but ONE Chinese incident and they will experience a drop to 0% of arrivals overnight. I would say you can see the train wreck coming but in many ways its already here.

Boy I should have just stuck to my talking points. You want to wager that in my situation it would in fact require money in the bank?.you'd be surprised...OK just kidding but this is the first instance I have had a post that I thought would be constructive, i.e. updating everybody on this aspect of ...i don't know, lets call it Thai Visas, and have gotten a whole bunch of people that just want to spout off. Fascinating.

If you could tell us on what your non-O visa was based on you would get a better response.

This was asked as the fourth answer on your thread.

No, on principle, as my visa is not the issue, the overstay was the issue. The better response was to answer the question asked.....

I got my answer, looks like business as usual on overstays but will error on a short overstay, i.e. 2 days vs. stretching it a week as nobody has come back with that recent experience.

I've yet to see anyone post here with specific experience in recent months ... to answer your question, I just flew from Phuket to Penang with a couple of days over-stay, and not only is it business as usual (you can do it, they don't care, and I asked ... they don't care if you do that regularly), but the immigration official actually swapped numbers with me and I'm helping him rent his friend's house!

The bottom line: go for it... it's business as usual for a standard ex-Pat day or two/three over-stay. That is NOT what they are referring to when they say they are cracking down on over-stay issues, and in fact they welcome this as it is their "bread n' butter!"

THANK YOU.

Thanks for the advice, again point here is my visa ends I not want to renew, whatever that need to mean for your, (for one thing, would have required tying up a 500,000 Baht deposit for 3 months to get an extra week at most)

So this is just on the issue of what is the updated wisdom of the old "a couple of days overstay" is just a cost issue?

A 60 day extension doesn't require any money in the bank. Just the documents and the standerd fee of 1,900 baht.

Boy I should have just stuck to my talking points. You want to wager that in my situation it would in fact require money in the bank?.you'd be surprised...OK just kidding but this is the first instance I have had a post that I thought would be constructive, i.e. updating everybody on this aspect of ...i don't know, lets call it Thai Visas, and have gotten a whole bunch of people that just want to spout off. Fascinating.

Been to immigration, they will give me 7 days only, just assume that the case. Interesting so far the vote is just don't mess with overstay. As to border run, I am not a border run type, not at all convenient, 3,400 is fine with me, might just be 2 days, etc.

just curious, its seems you had already decided what you were going to do before posting and asking on TV, so why did you bother posting ?

best advice and the most correct advice is don't overstay

? No as I said, anybody know if its a problem, if its a problem then I would fly out the weekend before and burn the cost of a ticket, etc., to avoid, but if nothing to avoid then I would not....hence the posting..I am amused at the number of posters that don't actually reply to my post but I guess this is as much about entertainment for some as information. Sorry but if a 2 day overstay will cost my a couple hundred US and not be a problem then border runs and flights out is not the best advice.

Why does everyone with good advise provide it to people, who know matter what they receive, want to do it their way. Really, I want to do this; oh gee, thanks for that but what if I want to do this. Oh, that's great, but what about this.

Don't bloody overstay and stop wasting people's time. Been here four years, haven't learnt much have we. You ask, will all be good on a few days over stay, then you say 10, maybe 14 would be best. Then later, you say it's ok to pay B3400.00 and for two days. Make up you mind, two is double, a few is three, the rest are multiples. You then say you can afford to fly out but then weighing up the costs against an overstay, then you could have afforded it a year ago. Either I'm confused or you're just full of it. And later you talk about tying up B500.00.00 in a deposit for three months. What in the hell are you talking about? Are you trying to impress us or do you really have no idea what you are on about.

If you don't want to take good advise or are too lazy to do a border run, then take your chances and see what you end up with. Oh No, please don't, you will only come back whinging that you have been blacklisted and then want more good free advise, which clearly you would have no intention of following. Just go, try to use your own judgement. No wait, you will be more confused then ever.

Gee, your dog die or something? For sake of other posters that might have to deal with your BS, you actually wasted my time reading your post as yes you are confused. My point is to get my questioned answered about overstay not be lectured or given opinions on assumptions that are wrong. I do not need advice on my visa. I do not have a thai wife or thai children, you need to deposit 500,000 baht 3 months before apply for an annual extension of my category of O visa (and no I am not going to tell you what it is as I don't care what you think, feel free to look it up), the idea of spending a day taking my life in my hands crammed into a van to do a border run is not in discussion. the BT 3,400 was in responding to a poster that was actually answering my question, I can do the math. I will use my judgment armed with the good advice and experiences that were shared. Next time read your post and if you have nothing constructive to add, please do not write. You can be outraged and confused in quiet.

Thanks for the advice, again point here is my visa ends I not want to renew, whatever that need to mean for your, (for one thing, would have required tying up a 500,000 Baht deposit for 3 months to get an extra week at most)

So this is just on the issue of what is the updated wisdom of the old "a couple of days overstay" is just a cost issue?

Been to immigration, they will give me 7 days only, just assume that the case. Interesting so far the vote is just don't mess with overstay. As to border run, I am not a border run type, not at all convenient, 3,400 is fine with me, might just be 2 days, etc.

I am curious the experience / opinion post the new rules about a few days overstay on an O visa I am not renewing. Yes I know you can get 7 days...but I need 10 and 14 would be best.

I can afford to fly out of country (and come back for 5 days then fly out again) but weighing the cost and the hassle against some overstay, I wouldn't have worried about it last year. Been in country 4 years and have only a one-day overstay and never did visa runs.

So my thinking is a go get my 7 days and then leave in 10, pay a 3 day fine....

Do not want to get blacklisted as will be back, etc.

So what do you think? Clearly the blacklist policy is for overstay-as-visa-substitute people...

thanks!

Simple, if you have a guy from IRS with 30 years experience he can tell you what state of play is. , IRS moves slow, though like an elephant who cares once it sits on you. So I would rely on your attorney's advice as to risk at this hearing...if it is still somebody being debated, etc., you have obviously engaged on it with counsel, etc., then I would be surprised if there is any risk at all at this stage.

Its a shame but not-reporting tourist violence is not the same as being a safe place. Seriously, does anybody actually know how dangerous it is to live in this Country? At least in the Philippines they have private security to the level it feels like Manila is under a constant state of occupation....In China, the mobilize right down to the block community leader if any serious crime against expat so nobody dares...Thailand.....well gee so much of martial law tourism....

...The Thai Researchers in Community Happiness Association

Proving to me once and for all that the Nation's editorial policy. A rather blunt: citing those statistics and not providing information on the methodoligy & Source. I can appreciate the business decision but having watched publishers navigate similar issues in Mainland China, the better choice is simply NOT to report it either way. Then again those publishers in the PRC didn't try to be a newspaper...

As to the source, they could learn from the USA, the name should have "institute" and maybe "statistical studies" or somethign as part of its name...

I certainly agree on visas being the best route, but if so young not even in school it is not feasible as we are on O visas linked to our kids, so not work visa. I used to just do the 30days on arrival for years as I work outside Thai but to be safe I got an O visa as well the year before the crackdown, turned out to be a very good move. That said we always stagger our trips to immigration so that somebody doesn't tell us only one of us can have the O even though two kids in school

Can I ask how old? two of our children we keep current as they in school but youngest we never bother just get overstay sorted when leaving & never a fine. I belive child needs to be teenager before it matters

wjs

Interesting, so I wonder if the way to get the double entry is to have a couple of tickets booked, I had never thoguht of that. I have believed this push about visas is really a push TO visas, which when you think about it, pretty hard to argue not good policy.

wjs

I have lived in quite a few countries and for certain carrying your original passport all the time is simply plain irresponsible.  Make a copy of your passport, visa and last entry. Put in your wallet. Put your passport in the safe. 

The RISK that you are stopped and this not sufficient vs the risk that your passport is lost, stolen, left in your pants and washed, etc. is simply NOT worth it.  This is particularly true for an UK passport holders out there if you have been following just how crazy it has been to get a new one issued, let alone getting a new visa...

Anyway this is NOT to disagree at all with what the law may be or the fine, etc., and not an excuse to do nothing.

All this was very helpful,

we are going to give the property manager copies of our passports and last entry stamps so she can get it done as for whatever reason she is the person that has been leaned on so she will be the person they will come back to, i assume if she can say, I did it for x,y & z, they will "passover" our house if/when they decide to take it further given your point about homeowners.

It is a bit of a shame to see this but fits with the opinion that the wheels for Thailand start coming off in August as the "anti-corruption" zeal starts to get absurd and basic management of the country starts to fall apart. I must say that at some point I would expect the enforcement against foreign corporate-owned holding structures as it is the inevitable conclusion after this immigration crack-down but that is another topic for another day.

Yep