MMarlow

Since when does this fall under the labor department that Chalerm is responsible for now /

Oh yeah, smuggling is working

It doesn't, it falls under the government's anti-drug campaign that Chalerm is chairman of also, as it said in the report.

A story from the real Thailand!

9 or 10 years ago the provincial governor of my province came up with a similar masterplan, only this time it was about traditional Thai massage. So Thailands valued foreign tourists would only get massaged by qualified staff. So on a certain date all staff from the province had to go and prove their skills in a written and practical test. All our staff failed!

Later the same day, a Dr Somchai (who we had never been in touch with before) called and said, that he had heard that we a problem with getting our staff certified. But he could help us!

So the next day we met up with the dear Dr at his "office" at a restaurant in a department store. Handed over a list of names, photos and a brown envelope. He disappeared for a couple of hours and then came back with about 20 diplomas with all the right stamps, claiming that the holder of that piece of paper, had recieved 180 hour of massagetraining at Wat Po!

So the next day it was business as usual. I wanted to wait, because how do you get 180 hours of training in only 24 hours? But my wife told me never mind, and she was right. In all those years since then, never a check or a follow up.

Makes you wonder, what kind of deal the governor had with Dr Somchai??

A massage shop to avoid like the plague, then...if it's location was known.

I have a Barclays current account. Is anyone in a similar situation?

I opened a UK Barclays account online recently and they sent my card and PIN to me here using the normal post service from London with no problems.

Excuse me, how do you have a condo in your sole name if you are a foreigner (just wondering)?

Sorry for not being able to help.

Foreigners can own condos (subject to certain regulations). You're excused.

Try New Wave in Soi 7.

Adul (Eddie), the Thai DJ, plays mainly rock and blues as he knows that's what most westerners in there like and most of it has been recommended by customers. He listens to what the customers say re the music, it's all accompanied by a video and if there's something particular you want to see/hear just tell him and he'll find it. Very occasionally he'll play Thai music for 10 minutes but that's just to keep the girls happy.

So no Thai person involved! can anybody believe these people?

The Americans supplied a list of the suspects they wanted arrested, and the Thai police arrested them. Whether or not any Thais are involved wasn't the concern of the arresting officers; the request was to arrest those people and this was done. How about being glad that such evil bar stewards have been captured?

Yes,great that these kingpins were arrested - but there must be also some Thai leaders involved also - where are their arrests?

Why must there be some Thais involved?

Hunter is wanted for smuggling drugs into the US

So why hang around in Phuket? He flew to Phuket and chose to stay there on an overstay knowing full well the authorities knew of his whereabouts.

Another 'quality tourist' heading out in hand cuffs.

What overstay?

I hope you found my previous post useful, Patronus.

Trying to open one as a "non-resident" is nigh on impossible,

Not so. Several onshore UK banks will accept non-resident customers, and of course all the offshore branches will. UK offshore banks are usually part of the BACS system and so allow for sending/receiving money via BACS etc. so there is little practical difference in that respect.

Would you like to give me evidence of ANY bank that will open an account for a non-resident living in Thailand.

Please supply the exact procedures required to successfully accomplish this task from my home in Thailand.

I agree about the BACS system etc for offshore banks, I will need to research their procedures.

Barclays will. I applied for a GBP Intl account with them online and was allocated an account in their Knightsbridge branch three months ago. They needed a notarised passport copy, recent statement from an active bank account and confirmation of address in Thailand. My Bangkok Bank statement has my address in English and that was good enough for them. Debit card and PIN where sent to me by ordinary post with no problems.

My account was opened without any funds being deposited although I did have to tell them that I was expecting funds in the UK and wanted the account to be opened to receive those funds.