new2here

I think that it’s perhaps a fair claim about SkyTrax given they are largely a ratings/review entity.. However, T&L I think is a bit different as they are first and foremost a legitimate travel magazine dating back to the 70s as I recall. So, while I might question yhr .. scope .. of someone like SkyTrax, I think T&Ls ratings are probably based on much more data actual traveler data and from a wider audience. But in the end, any “rating” for things that are not purely numerical and objects in nature, are always going to be both subjective and biased no matter to source

There is already a sworn FBI employee assigned to and physically present in Bangkok. they can of course bring in others from other regional offices who may have larger staff or specialists.

this is exactly how I carry mine. Passport data page, last entry stamp, extension .. color copied, scaled down to credit card size and nicely laminated. In the maybe handful of times that I’ve been asked by any kind of law enforcement entity, it’s been accepted without comment. Of course banks and when applying for any kind of government action (ie immigration matters, work permit matters) you’ll need the original- but for the random law enforcement contact, i’ve never had anyone ask for or demand the actual hard copy document.

I agree.. I think the pay-as-you-go method, while perhaps not the most user-friendly way to go about it, I agree that is limits the chances for any kind of misunderstanding, fraud, etc about accumulated bills. IF there is a problem, better it be found and addressed early on - when the value in question is probably still small compared to an end-of-the-night total … and when perhaps memories and evidence is still fresh.

Sure.. I use the word “contact” in the broadest context.. to include physical presence, verbal interaction etc.

To me, if we’re going to go down this road of direct or indirect state subsidies, then I think the state has the right to have some of their issues also addressed by the carriers. As example, I might say if we’re going to cut the Jet A/A1 tax by THBX per kilo, then I’d think it’s reasonable for the state to mandate a reduction in fares in A, B and C fare classes of equal or higher levels to that of the tax cut. If we’re going the route of direct support - then that’s something else and something bigger, and now I think the state should have a “seat at the table” so to speak in terms of planning and overview management as taxpayers money is now being used by a private enterprise and the state/public has rights to ensure that their assets are used for the larger public good.

I have heard the same.. as i understand it, it’s the formal/classic that evidentially is quite different than that’s modern version that is the hard part.. often my kids say thai class is by far harder than math, sci, bio and all the other usual “it’s hard” subjects

I agree.. I DO think online can SUPPLEMENT a physical presence teacher, but for lower education kids (call me middle school to even high school age) I think they really need that physical “contact” between teachers and students.

I think the hybrid model of education for high schools IS very workable … BUT… and it’s a big “but” …. it requires 1) a significant commitment by the parents to support it, 2) relies on the assumption there is adequate tech build out (ie access to reasonable speedy wifi and related tech) and 3) a student body that has the necessary self-motivation and discipline to study in a larger hands-off environment. I think there are schools where these elements are present and as such, I’d guess hybrid learning is workable.. but… i suspect the vast majority of schools (speaking for public lower level prathom and even upper matthyom level) schools) this just isn’t reality … and that to me outs hybrid learning into a risky scenario.

To me the key here would be to hold the “guards” employee also liable … financially so.. You charge the guard with a criminal act subject to arrest and imprisonment.. natural persons can be imprisoned … at the same time, you charge the employer with a civil offense subject to steep fines and/or seizure of any assets used in the commission of said employees crime .. as you cant really imprison a corporate entity, you go after what they do have - assets … that to me, is how best to tackle it.. go after each parties exposure. I’ve long said, once you start taking away people’s “stuff” from the wealthy, they take notice - because that’s the weak spot.. for those who don’t have large assets, you take the freedom, incarcerate them.

that’s true.. working foreigners are pretty straight forward .. I agree.. my larger point is that the same general idea could be used to address those who have “income” but derived form outside thailand and imported into the kingdom

Here is my GUESS.. For many with Work Permits, one of the various requirements for renewal is that your show your PD 90/91 to Labour before they’ll authorize a renewal (assuming you worked in Thailand in the previous calendar year) So… what I could see is that Immigration adds the mandate that you show a PD 90/91 to them as a part of the overall renewal of stay process… by doing so, they would then be able to see if a foreigner has fulfilled their tax reporting/payment obligations. Again, this is just my guess how Immigration and Revenue might be able to handle the new requirement.. but this only works for those who have Thai-based incomes.. so.. for those who have “assets” that come into thailand from abroad .. I could see Revenue now requiring BANKS to report assets received from out-of-country sources, and paid into accounts held by non-Thais… at that point the non-thai would have to either claim it as taxable under thai law … or show that it’s not subject to taxation due to things like perhaps an applicable tax treaty, failing to meet the minimum number of days in country etc.

I agree. I think before covid and just offer it, places that really were either wholly or substantially tourism driven were tripping over themselves to attract those dollars back into their local economies and government coffers.. but .. i also think that are some point not too after that, the deluge occurred.. and now we see places like Japan implanting “controls”, anti-tourism (which ever way you choose to see this) in hopes to better manage it.. but I do agree in principle that many of these tourism dependent places do have limits to how far they can control it… they may want to better control the “goose”.. but they still need it to lay that golden egg.

Here’s my take.. and it’s not a compete “pass” nor a condemnation either… I think when you’re taking about changing an entity like “education” in Thailand - that’s absolutely massive.. consider all tens of thousands of people that it encompasses, the various major divisions (ie OBEC,OHEC,OVCE,etc) and the overall top-down vertical structure that it currently operates under. Anything with that size, scope, breadth and diversity is going to be hard to change and any change that does come, will most likely be incremental and gradual. The other thing that I myself don’t see enough of is direct parent involvement.. Yes, I recognize that in many cases the local teachers and school directors hold a great deal of explicit and implicit power - and that can make openingly questioning them a socially difficult thing to do.. but I really do think change will also require parents to have a “seat at the table” as for any change to really take hold will require their buy-in so to speak. I do think it can be done.. but as it is with making an aircraft carrier size vessel turn a 180 turn, that’s going to take time, may make some uncomfortable during said transition as new norms are formed and others must come to the table to give input and support.

I agree.. I DO however think that they should retain the right of innocent until proven guilty.. So to me, I’d be a fan of removed from active duty and placed on administrative leave with pay - yes, with pay… I’m just not a fan of this “reassigned” thing that seems to be the norm. If he is subsequently convicted, then any pay starting from the point of the criminal act going forward is then forfeited. obviously if he happens to be cleared or found not guilty, then he retains all rights to pay etc and returned to service.

Yes, I don’t recall - from arms length - there is anything that explicitly says that property used in the commission of a crime isn’t subject to judicial action (call me a seizure etc) even if the “owner” isn’t or wasn’t a direct participant. Now, to be fair, I’m sure the judicial would look at to what extent did the actual owner have - ie did they know or have reasonable expectations to know .. or were they essentially “blind” to its use.

This is the part that I myself don’t like.. I don’t think the ability of the accused to “settle” with the plaintiff then somehow ends the states obligation to bring the appropriate criminals charges. In end the, yes the accused “settled” (at an assumed fair amount to the plaintiff) but that still doesn’t extinguish the reality that there was an alleged criminal act committed and IMHO, the state has the onus and obligation to file charges accordingly.. sure the judicial can take into account the fact that the accused settled- but settling should not end the process.

I would agree that it’s long over due… but… given that there are some consumer prices that are around the sub 15 baht level, that makes it somewhat hard if there’s a discount of say 10% … but in totality, I think the overall monetary and banking system would be better served without them.. or at minimum, take the 25 satang out and leave the 50.. at least then there’s some relief for small change purchases where I think the BoT got it right was moving to a polymer based B20 note as the lifespan far far exceeds traditional paper-based notes despite the initial higher print costs. I’d wonder if perhaps the B50 could be phased out and keep it as 20,100,500,1000 only

to me there’s a somewhat easy fix . Mandate that any account that is used for purely immigration purposes (ie holding X baht for visa issuance/renewal basis) be done so at Krungthai Bank … and concurrent with that, mandate that any Krungthai bank will open accounts for any foreigner IF said account will be used for his/her immigration purposes. Id choose Krungthai as they are the defacto state bank for retail and institutional affairs (but also true they are also partially publicly held and whose shares trade on the domestic equity exchange) and the one most integrated into the governments business. for consumer protection you could add restrictive language like these accounts must earn a minimum of the BoTs BIBOR (or some other consumer based rate) and that it is liquid to the extent required by Immigration. That way there is little financial downside to holding your funds at Krungthai, you’re assured that you be an actually get an account and that they account type meets the immigration rules. Two upsides.. As Krungthai is largely a SOE you’re essentially providing capital to a SOE.. and #2, you’d essentially kill off that catch-22 of needing an account to get your long term visa/renewal, but can’t get an account until you have that long term visa/renewal.

I’ve used Sombat before and, on the whole, would agree that they are a reliable and reputable firm.. Nakorn Chai Air would also fall into that category for me as well. That said, what I worry more about is less to do with Sombat or NCA, it’s busses or staff, but the proverbial “other guy” as thailand has a fairly poor (IMHO) road safety and driving load compliance history.. So while Sombat or NCA may be fine, it’s the other guys who are out there that to me is where your larger risk is.. But I agree that for bus travel goes I’d gladly take Sombat or NCA over the US’ Greyhound (or any other mid size regional carrier) any time.

I agree that nobody will argue that taking a delay for a potential maintenance (MX) issue is the right move — safety trumps all.. That said, where I think it’s all went “bad” was the handling once it was decided that there was going to be a MX delay .. but .. to be fair, at the onset it’s not uncommon for the main teams to be unsure of exactly how long or how complex the “fix” will be.. and considering deboarding and reboarding a flight can take time and does come with some logistical challenges… at the onset, IMHO, i think it’s wise and prudent to keep everyone onboard.. the trick is.. the tricky part is knowing at what point does the risk of a longer MX fix offset the logistics of taking everyone off and putting them back on.. at what point does that trade off tip? hard to say because each event is unique.. I do agree that immediately upon returning to the blocks (gate) ground power should be started or a GSE air con unit used.. something to help mitigate the heat as aircraft have generally lousy thermodynamics as far as heat goes when on the grounds A few “strikes” against Noke here — IMHO - this was apparently at a station where they maintain active operations.. so there’s a reasonable expecting that they have their staff and resources to handle this kind of event.. Had it occurred at an outstation where DD had no ops or staff, then that’s somewhat different .. Also, it was domestic .. domestic means there is (usually) no immigration or customs processes to address .. international fights may require that immigration “sign off” on any deboarding actions.

Oh I bet they do.. Regardless of who may be in their “camp” so to speak, outside of a few counties with the — clout - to be largely insulted from outside opinion (IMHO, that might be people like the PRC or even Russia) I’ll bet that they do in fact care how their chosen narrative is seen overseas… they may not choose to act on that, but I’ll bet they do watch and care how their narrative is seen outside its borders.

IMHO, if this is a economy booking , to me the differences between CI and BR are somewhat small.. Neither is, again, in my experience, far better nor far worse than the other.. Of course, individual flights can vary as does the fleet you happen to be on.. but in totality, I think for a economy class booking, they are remarkably similar — and that being very very solid Taipei airport - it’s not the most modern nor does it have all the “amenities” that a Singapore or even Incheon has.. but.. what I DO think it does “right” is because a very large percentage of people fly into TPE on either China (CI) or EVA (BR) are making same-day onward international connections- the process to do so is pretty well managed and executed… One added perk of flying either airlines is that SOME of their US departures leave the US very very late night or early early morning -US time.. that means your arrival in TPE is early morning (+1 or even +2) .. the upside here is that IF for any reason you miss your onward connection (say you leave the US law or your connection flight has cancelled) — you’ve essentially now got all day to find a rebooking… Compared to most other US-Asia flights - they tend to leave the US either late morning to midday- and that makes for a late afternoon or every evening arrival in Asia.. the problem here is, again, IF you miss that onward connection, there is a lower probability to finding a same-day rebooking alternative given the late hour. to me, while I would agree that on the whole (Singapore) SQ, (Cathay) CX or even (All Nippon) NH might be better carriers, I would be perfectly happy to book and fly either China or EVA, and I’d be happy to send an inexperienced unaccompanied adult with either as well.

to me, this is a “bad look” so to speak. Sure, few countries really WANT foreign media, in country, reporting on anything that essentially makes them look bad … that’s a pretty universal idea.. That said, to me, banning them like this, just adds to their credibility and allow them to now say “see! they didn’t want us to see X, Y and Z so they kicked us out” This is not say what’s going on in country is right, wrong or otherwise- that’s a ver different discussion.. but as to the ACT of banning them from country goes, that to me just seems to be adding to Al Jazeera’s credibility and bolsters their claims.. I would have thought the government media relations arm would have tried harder to shape the narrative THEIR way and present that outwardly.. Sure, it’s unlikely that media like Al Jazeera would have taken the bait, but at least the government can avoid kicking them out and the negative PR that would come with it.

For me, i’d probably say: a) the window seat next to a main exit door (ie not an over wing door). Reason: These doors usually have the required slide packed into a compartment that protrudes from the door thus limiting your legroom b) the FIRST set of seat sets (usually 2x) in the rear after the planes fuselage tapers inward. Reason: because the seat set in front if you often has its floor anchors at an odd place compared to your seat set- which can make it hard to use the underseat storage or stretch out your legs. There are a few more, but they tend to be very fleet type specific