ronnie50

From Hong Kong, Cathay used to fly to New York with a stop in Vancouver, Canada. At the gate in HKG there was second full security check for liquids, etc. Think that flight no longer exists (nowadays they probably fly non-stop to NYC). But that was around the height of post 9-11 fears

Yeah, the Italians are big on South America. Probably due to the cultural/migration connections with Argentina. Dunno.

Unless you're American, best to avoid going through the States given all the nonsense the US border guards are putting people though (and you probably do need to clear immigration and customs before the next international flight). Why tempt fate and potential hassle or worse.

Apparently there's something called a 'usufruct' I think that's the right spelling that is (apparently) recognised in Thai property law. Basically it doesn't matter who owns the land in a lease, as long as they agree to this thing that means you have full rights to remain in the house, on that land until you die - they can't move you, they can't touch the house, they can't sell the land.. So the same thing applies I guess if you buy a house and land in a Thai wife's name along with a usufruct. There was some guy on the previous version of this web board that seemed to know a lot about this. Years ago.

I know a few colleagues who flew from Bangkok to Rio on ITA airlines (the Italian airline). There was only one stop with a decent 2-3 hour layover at Rome's airport FCO. I'm pretty sure there is a South American airline that crosses the South Pacific but can't recall which carrier and maybe no longer. Qantas might be another option.

Yes, I read this earlier today on Kao Sod English. I was surprised how this has escalated and nothing in Bangkok Post or Nation (that I've seen). I knew there was some gunfire at the border the other day - the Thai news the other day just said the Cambodian army had taken up a position in a sort of pre-agreed no-mans-land on the border and so some gunsots were fired to make them move out. But the earlier report this week said nothing about 2 Khmer soldiers killed or any other injuries. So this is fairly serious. Facebook is adding quite a bit from the Cambodian side which is really upset and calling for Thai boycotts. Reminds me of the time the Thai actress said Siem Reap should belong to Thailand - riots, attacks on the Thai embassy and a Thai army airlift of Thais out of Phnom Penh. Ten years ago?

Yeah, I agree. But that doesn't mean you let your guard down, especially if older and in one the more at risk groups. It's kinda asking for trouble when this thing is spreading so fast. Families with elders should be more careful too, not to get infected and bring it home. I think most Thais get that - it's why many wear masks on the skytrain, MRT, and occasionally in stores.

Very old numbers. As of this week, more than 257,000 cases reported so far this year and more than 50 deaths. Check Bkk Post.

Okay got it. Too bad for some but I guess if some O visa holder needed to leave the country urgently they could always get a re-entry visa before leaving.

So what's behind all this? Is Interior Ministry (Immigration) fighting with Min of Foreign Affairs because of ($$) being lost through new MoFA policies?

Just to clarify, once you have the Non-O extension (retirement as example), you can still get a multi-entry visa, is that correct? You are just referring to the initial 90 day O visa for no more multi-entry?

Sounds too good to be true. That's about half to one-third of the present resale price per sqm. Who is the owner? Thai? Have you checked the finances of the condo building? (Juristic Person should have up to date record of the finances). Are there any assessments to each unit outstanding to pay for major building/infrastructure repairs? You should have an assessment done - like you would if you were applying for a mortgage (even though you aren't). It seems a bit small if the sqm includes the balcony. I'd be wary until all the above info is obtained. Something seems off - the water damage doesn't sound that bad - so something else is going on (perhaps)

Your experience seems to confirm that Immigration is pretty serious about (what they see as) over-use and/or abuse of the Visa Exemption. They also talked about abandoning the 60 day Visa Exemption and returning it to 30 days. And a room (bunker) full of people also being kicked out. Not very encouraging news.

What I could never understand about Thaksin when he was in power - and this government now - was the missed opportunities to turn at least part of Isan into a special economic/investment zone for factories, etc. After all, that (and the North) was his party's base.

..which they stopped, because they need the money to build a money-laundering casino complex

So that's an average of 4 million baht capital per company. Small businesses if that's the average capital for most. It doesn't surprise me though. How often have you seen a new small shop open, install brand new equipment (like European coffee espresso makers, signage, new paint etc.) and then disappear six months later? I've seen it many times. I've often wondered if these 'business people' know what a 'business plan' actually is - or do they just think they have a good idea, ask grandpa for a loan and then wing it?

I had the latest Covid shot at Bangkok Hospital this week. Before doing so, I asked for an ATK test to make sure I wasn't already infected (I had a slight fever at the time), and the test was negative so I took the shot. The Doctor said the ATK tests can confirm infection within 24 hours before symptoms. I didn't know that, I thought the ATK tests were only positive if you already had some symptoms.

Or Canada and UK

DrBob's advice was not to take that to IO as proof - better to get the print out at the branch with their stamp he said - which is what I did.

They've been threatening this for many, many years and nothing happens. Ever been to Bangkok's Royal City Avenue? There, and basically much of the area nearby in Thiam Ruam Mit road and all the highrise condos there. All Chinese signs. Nothing in English or Thai. That's the tip of the iceberg of nominee scams, of course. But it's right in their face - if they wanted to do anything about it, an easy place to start. Meantime, Phuket for decades has been full of houses 'owned' by foreigners through Thai nominee company ownership of the land the houses sit on. It would take them years to untangle all that - if they really wanted to, but getting a bribe is so much easier...

The ease of transferring money between different banks at ATMs and via Apps (eg. from SCB account to Kasikorn account). Also the ease to pay utility bills via the banking apps.

Actually, SCB has been doing the same consolidation thingy in my passbook if I don't update it regularly. I'd say they've been doing that on and off for a couple of years. So it's not just BKK Bank. But it's good to know in advance that they may want a 12 month statement.

If he'd been in Business Class he might have had the urge to pee - anywhere.

The word 'petty' doesn't even come close to describing this dufus' action. Imagine if that was your kid half way through their studies, and how much you paid and how happy they were when they were accepted into the American university. This guy is President of the United States, FFS - and he maliciously attacks foreign kids studying in his country. Kick them out. Every day brings another unhinged decision from this lowlife.

If it were my daughter, Somchai would be chewing for the rest of his life without any front teeth.