ChamCham61

When will these criminals learn? Thailand doesn't want them. The only places left for them are The DRC, northern Uganda and maybe Madagascar. I hear Sudan, and Mali are all clear at the monent as well. Thailand! What a bad choice for a hideout, what a <deleted> she is.

Cheers,

This is garbage news, absolute crap reporting. An alcohol ban during Sonkran would be impossible to enforce. This kind of news reporting is absolutely the bottom of the bunch. It isn't even news.

Where I live in rural Thailand we have our BIB set up tents where they camp out on the roadways during the holidays. They take shifts 24 hrs per day. They stop almost everybody, stick their heads in the window and sniff sniff, have you been drinking? It is quite effective and a lot more realistic than a ban on alcohol.

Funny though, I've never heard of a designated driver educational program in the Kingdom. Designated drivers are very effective.... maybe some of the 100% government controlled media could sponsor a few adds advocating a designated driver... after that how about sponsoring some "litterbug" public service announcements as well?

I'm not holding my breath but I know eventually they will get around to it.

I can see Savannakhet visas going the way of Vientiane soon now

Please explain how Vientiene "has gone", because I am ingnorant. Really.

Thanks,

Cheers,

Chammy-babe.

I got a visa in Savanakhet this month. I did it a little bit cheaper than the OP. I'm not sure why he didn't go to Malaysia?

I took the Phetprasert bus from upcountry down route #12. Brand new Scania double decker first class bus with seatbelts, blankets, good aircon with toilets and snack/refreshment and hostess service. I booked my ticket and reserved my seat upstairs front row for the panoramic view at www.thairoute.com and paid at 7/11 well in advance and arrived at the Mukhdahan bus station at 06:20. Cost 440 baht.

The first bus from Mukhdahan bus station over the bridge to Savanakhet bus station in the Lao PDR leaves at 07:00. One must stand in a long queue and have passport details recorded. Cost 50 baht.

The Lao PDR visa on arrival guy won't start work until 08:30 so I had to wait. 1500 baht later and I got my 30 day Lao PDR visa in 5 minutes. Then continued on the next bus over the bridge to the Savanakhet bus station.

Cost for shared tuk-tuk (1000cc) from Savanakhet bus station to the the Thai consulate near the riverside was 50 baht. They open at 09:00 although the sign says 08:30. Handed in my application with all relevant documents and fee, mine was 5000 baht, and got a reciept to pick up visa the following day after 13:30.

There are plenty of guest houses, hotels, and farang food restaurants within easy walking distance of the Thai consulate. 10-15 maximum walk. Accomodation ranges from 240 baht - 450 baht per night. Asian style.

AIS/True/Dtac are all usable however need to manually select carrier from the "network select" function in your mobile. No trouble with lack of signal from the riverside.

Next day got my visa, shared a tuk tuk to the Savanhakhet bus station 50 baht, bus to Mukhdahan bus station 50 baht, Lao PDR exit fee 40 baht. Arrived Mukhdahan bus station and took the Phetprasert bus back upcountry through the mountains down route #12 through Petchabun to home. 440 baht.

Visa: 5000 baht.

Transport: 1400 baht.

Hotel: 280 baht.

Food: 500 baht.

Fun: Lots!

Cheers,

Chammy-babe

Hmmm......... could it be that as a result of the one child policy and preference for males, there is now a big imbalance in the ratio of males:females, making girlfriends not only harder to get, but also giving them a higher social status. Reduction in male dominance with girlfriends who refuse to obey orders could certainly lead to feelings of frustration rage, and impotence (aka blue balls).

I am working in China now, from what I understand the one child policy has been scrapped due to swinging demographics. There is also definitely no shortage of women where I am

Those are BOTH good things.