Pigdog474

Only a single entry tourist visa or the new METV is available now. Two and 3 entry tourist visas are no longer issued.

The requirements to get the METV at the embassy in London are here: http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/?q=node/574

You would need to apply before terminating your employment.

You only need a ticket to here to get it.

The METV can give almost 9 months of total stay by doing an entry just before the visa expires and then applying for a 30 extension of that 60 day entry. After that you could apply for a single entry tourist visa at a nearby embassy or consulate that would allow another 3 months of total stay.

At the moment you would have to return to the UK to get another METV.

You say 2 & 3 entry tourist are no longer issued??? Received one on the 3rd of November (this year), Only thing I wonder about is can I use it at Poi Pet (Cambodia)

Visa run to the myanmar (Burmese) border is the fastest and most convenient from bangkok and never any problems. Cambodia is a headache avoid that at all costs.

Need a little help here, Which boarder crossing do you use for Burmese?? I usually go to P2 but like you say, it's a headache all the way. I do go by car so any help would be welcomed. Also a change would be nice. I believe the tracks going through Kanchanaburi , Death Railway, no longer goes to Burma

What a complete idiot. They should have given him a night or two in the cells.

in addition to the above, a few 1,000 baht fine plus a picture so a copy can be forwarded to his family back in Briton. For me personally what he did doesn't bother me but there likely were young kids present and this kind of behavior isn't needed.

Thanks all for the replies.

To some: I just want to take a break and find a different scenery, more quite and relaxed than Bangkok...but I don't want to go back in time or anything.

I made the comparison to Pattaya because most will know what Pattaya is like: crowded, seedy nightlife, overcommercialized (and the 'bad' Thai attitude that comes with that).

Nothing wrong with that....just not what I want.

So I asked if Koh Chang is the same or not.

Good to read that it is not.

@PattayaPhom....as a matter of fact...yes my trip is over Songkhran period. But I've read or heard somewhere that Songkhran is not celebrated that long

on most islands, maybe just 1 day or two. I just hope it is not as massive as it would be in Bangkok, where I will get soaked either direction I walk from my apartment.

We drive over there almost every second year, a little pricey but I'm willing to pay the 2000 or 3,000 required at a good quality resort. You can still find nice places for much less. We usually stay for about a week and enjoy our time there. We used to go to Pattaya but don't go there anymore as the rat race isn't for us. We also go during the week when there were lineups or overcrowding. Usually get on the first ferry but once had to wait for the second.

Finally, some common sense surfaces. Why purchase submarines from a country that Thailand may soon be having to counter in regard to its expansionist policies?

The best submarines on the market for Thailand are the Dolphin class built by Germany. The Israelis have been outfitted by Germany and these are some of the best in the world. I suppose, with the current antagonistic relations with Germany, such a purchase may not be possible.

Germany also has strict rules on dealing with military dictatorships and anti-bribery regulations. Maybe if and when there is a return to civilian rule...............

Maybe you should check out that anti-bribery regulation, remember a big brown envelope, full of $$$$ given to a Canadian Prime minister

The director-general of the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation is a true hero, braving threats and intimidation to carry out his responsibilities. All of the workers who assisted are to be commended. Is it any wonder why many Thais just say F-it and go with the flow, when confronted with unbridled greed and corruption?

hes not a hero hes doing a job hes paid to do about time.......what about the 146 tigersin there..take them to i say ..

Do you have any idea how hard it must have been for him? He has to deal with threats of bodily harm and a complete lack of co-operation from a mob of locals.

All this was done without any strong support from the military. Think about it. It is the same reason why honest government officials who tries to take on the corrupt Phuket mobsters don't last long. It isn't in the director general's job description to take threats to the personal safety of his family and his employees. What you should be asking is where the F was the army and why the abbott and his organized crime syndicate have not been arrested.

Maybe Prime Minister Prayut you should step aside, seems like The temple’s abbot, Phra Vissuthisaradhera is true boss in this situation. Your power is limited. If you cannot stop corruption by Buddhist monks within Temple walls, then all your work is in vain. I feel you should step up to the plate and put an immediate stop to this power struggle. You wanting to reduce corruption and the abuse of Thai wildlife while many monks are more interesting in expropriating the wildlife for personal power and profits. Even though they pretend to be Buddhist monks, they are not good people.

Most people calling for the heads of 100's even 1,000's, couldn't name two officials.

Don't bet on it. One government official living in my area who 4 years ago after the flood didn't have enough money to repair his home etc. then was lucky enough to get a job as a governor of a province. I'm told his rate is 50,000 /month and his wife's about 30,000 so total income is about 80,000/month or 1,000,000 baht per year. Today he is driving a 7 series BMW and his wife is also driving a new car plus the home has been refurbished since the flood with new furniture and not cheap stuff. Many on here likely have pensions of 1,000,000 baht per year or higher but how many of them drive 7 series BMWs. I for one hate to see corruption and what it does to this country and hopefully the PM will continue his fight against it. I agree corruption is most everywhere and the battle will take time but I think he is doing the right thing, starting from the top. I'm no fan but I do wish him all the luck.

As early as 1985, still in the Cold War, a colonel in the Canadian armed forces told me that the true enemy of Canada was to the South, not the North.

Why?

Because, he estimated, by roughly 2040, the Americans would be putting pressure on Canada to engineer the turning around of rivers, causing one or more of those draining into the Arctic to be re-directed towards California (to name only one state).

The Canadian army would, in the event that the Canadian government said "eff off" to Washington, only be able to defend one Canadian city from invasion....either Vancouver OR Toronto OR Montreal.

Looks like the future is already upon us...

Not surprised, American policy, OK for 1,000 foreigners (Canadian, British, Mexican's etc.) to die so one American may live.

Why would the attackers shout this attack was ordered by a Banglamung Police Officer (naming said person presumably) if the object of the exercise was to abduct the man?

I think the object of the exercise was to frame the police officer. I bet cops make a lot of enemies.

The Evil Plan

1. Abduct and beat a random person.

2. Tell them the name of the cop

3. Let them go to blab about it.

3. Cop gets screwed.

I have to agree, It looks like they are trying to frame the officer. Maybe we have an honest cop here that charged or fined a Thai man/woman with a bit of $$$ and they wanted to get back at the officer. With a country so full of corruption, anything is possible. Find the 6 guys and they are likely not from the area( not to be recognized) and go after the guilty person.

He called for understanding from the Thai public, saying that the problem has been existing for a long time

yes, just like flooding, the problem has existed for a long time...and just like human trafficking, the problem has existed for a long time...and just like corruption, the problem has existed for a long time...this is just an endless list (antiquated railway system, Bangkok submerging, traffic, education)

They all know the problems have existed for a long time, being warned time and again by national and international organizations and institutions, being downgraded year after year - and nothing is done, no planning, no action, just grunting at the trough. Now, the current government gets slapped in the face with their aviation system being at risk, and although Prayuth inherited these problems and did not create or procrastinate them, he needs to put the lottery problem aside and deal now. Good luck (and don't blame anyone for a change, blame the Thai political mindset)

ask the BIG BOSS in Dubai,

maybee they can service the plains there ??

he have also the peanuts to cover expenses

It's a great country and they have their scapegoat. Most every time something goes wrong, Thaksin is to blame, Maybe some of you that aren't as illiterate as I am with computers could show me when corruption started here in Thailand, it had to be under Thaksin's watch because before his time, everything had to have been perfect. No mafia, no corruption, hell all the coups since 1932 must have been indirectly cause by the Shinawatra family.

, Everybody has their own way on handling things, I am about your age but thankfully no young kids. If I was in your situation, and my kid had my home countries passport, I would leave and go back home ASAP. Forget the bike or sell it if you can for what ever amount and head straight to the airport with your son and get the hell out of here. If you leave your son behind, since the wife doesn't want him, he will likely be used as an ATM machine to keep the family going. I'm not sure about your health but family on my Dad's side mostly lived into their high 80's and low 90's. so I will most likely be there until my sons becomes a young educated man with a better chance to succeed verses being a poor farmer or tuc-tuc driver.

extradition treaties are a two way street that America needs to respect.

Aren't you forgetting that the West sees Thailand's current government as illegal and illegitimate and lacking standing to try anyone?

Thailand's coup installed "government" has no treaty with anyone.

If the West doesn't see the current government in Thailand as legit, that's their problem, not Thailands. The West should spend more time correcting their own faults instead to trying to tell others what they must and must not do.

I was done by a gang of pickpockets in Turkey some years ago.

A very professional gang of two males and two young children.

Gypsies the Turkish police later told me.

I was waiting for a bus at a bus stop, and these two young children, girls around 4 or 5 years old, sat down on a bench near me.

A minute later two teenage boys arrived at the bus stop, they soon got into a fight, throwing punches at each other.

The two young girls jumped up and ran over to me screaming, like they wanted to get away from the teenage boys fighting.

Both the girls grabbed on to my legs like they were afraid and tried to hide behind me.

Then one of the boys went down, apparently from a blow. The first teen then ran off and the second one got up and chased after him.

Then he two young girls ran away also.

Apparently they had my wallet with them when they ran off.

Obviously a well rehearsed and professional team.

I like all the know it all on here, I agree with you, some of these pickpockets have it down pat. Take a trip on the subway in many large cities, with all the bumping and shoving, you can lose most anything

Give it a month or two and he'll be released after the police investigation concludes that it was self defense.

Of course he will be found innocent and set free, He has learned from the States, He was reaching for my gun so I felt my life was in danger, it was self defense.

800 million baht is a lot of money for monks who don't need money. Where did it go?

No doubt to many good causes like new luxury vehicles and deserving personal bank accounts etc.

.

Could be Tomorrows Headlines:

Sorry make big mistake, so many cheques, deposit in my account by mistake. Please note other cheque where I

returned 80%. Must keep 20 % to cover inconvenience. No money laundry here. Must keep small account to cash cheques and cover

minor expenses. Now account so large, I not realize this happen so quick. BMW 7 series only gift, I not buy.

Did these 38 former senators represent others rather than the Bangkok Rich and Elite?

Guess qualifications and experience count for nothing then - "ah my cousin has no qualifications or experience but I'll pay him

100k a month because he's family and all the other applicants that are qualified and have experience just send them letter ( if you type cousin ) saying they were not successful - oh you can't type - ok just line them"

Experience is a necessity, Cousin/son much experience, had jet boat rental business before joining police dept. Come from poor

family, quick learner, much desire to succeed. Now drive new Mercedes and have big house after only 1 year. Will fit in well with other family members.

Police are at something of a disadvantage in this corruption clean up. Difficult to raid army bases, investigate the payoffs to the top heavy brass whose numbers are legion and wealth vast, all on army pay. Do not be fooled into buying the line that this has to do with cleaning up corruption. It is about getting rid of army competition for fleecing rights.

I must agree, a friend of mine who recently obtained a contract to build something for the Thai Army told me he had to pay large amounts of money to Various Army personal/official's to get the job. Mr. Prime Minister, if as you say, corruption must be stopped, you should clean in-house first.

I've lost count of the many random hitchhikers I've picked up with a winning lotto ticket they are willing to sell for peanuts. Totally believable.

One of these days I'm expecting to hear one something like

I have lottery ticket worth $50,000,000.00 USD, much inconvenience to go to America and cash in lottery ticket. Will sell for 1/2 price only $25,000,000.00 USD. Not have at the moment, you give me down payment of $ 100,000.00 USD, pay me remainder later. I have much trust in you, I will let you hold ticket

In a nutshell they are bored. Twice a day daily walks to release all the energy would be a good start.

Big bones to chew ( raw) but not too often.

Toys, rawhide and discipline if you catch them chewing the house

Good luck, part of puppy ownership, they settle down by 4-5 years old

In addition you must show dominance and this can be done without hitting or being cruel to the animal. You have the opportune time to start as they are still pups. If you can't do this, move on to a different type of animal.

Nice job removing another drug kingpin. Where is all the money from the sale of drugs??? Maybe that is why the officers are laughing??

you can't get a haircut for 50 baht in Bkk these days, it's 60 baht, bloody outrageous

Hair cut 60 bath .. outrageous??? last hair cut in my home country, 650 baht. Many thing are cheaper here in Thailand but I find I spend about the same amount as I spend back home except here I don't get to go fishing, something that makes me return home yearly. I enjoy life in both countries and will remain coming here until my wife's mother passes away. I never really compared the actual differences but I would have to say depending on your situation. Here I pay about 15,000 baht auto ins and another 12000 fees/taxes for the house, and as for my home in Canada I'm paying yearly between house and toys over 3,500 (90,000 baht) insurance and another 2,500 ( 64,000) taxes. Looking at that I guess I could live a hell of a lot cheaper over here, but like they say you can't take it with you.

Lasted seven years, came back last fall.

Cost of living is cheaper here, better quality of life, and:

People smile without hoping for anything other than a smile back;

Haven't heard a single dog bark in three months, let alone been attacked by a pack of them;

No burning of plastic;

No loud music, caterwauling as the moon sets, or unbridled exhaust;

Haven't seen one person pick their nose. Nope, not even the person preparing my food ...

Were there good things about my time in Thailand? Sure, but no where near enough to consider living there any longer, let alone dying there.

My wife is joining me in April. We have a bucket list in the first month that includes:

The Grand Canyon- camping and rafting;

Las Vegas- attending a Cirque de Sol show, and, in the casinos, losing money;

Driving north from San Diego through Malibu, sailing to and about Catalina, then taking Hwy 1 up the coast into Washington State and eventually Victoria, B.C. We'll stop at wineries and cheese farms along the way, detouring for camping in Sequoia National Park, and Redwood National Forest. Then Yosemite and back over to the coast ….

Absolutely no way I would consider wasting another precious day of life in LOS.

If you stop at Victoria B.C. you'll miss out on some of the best scenery, if possible continue North up through central B.C. into the Yukon and Alaska. For me it was a worth while trip. Except for a small section, we didn't pass over the same stretch or road twice. Even made a detour and traveled the Dempster Hwy North to the Artic Ocean. If you travel the Dempster, make sure you have sufficient fuel, a reliable vehicle and good rubber as the Hwy is stone chip and hard on tires.

I pay 2200 THB a month for a 3 bedroom brick and tile, fully furnished home in Thailand.

That is 7.5% of my salary.

Where in the west will I do that. Tell me and I will go there.

Not sure where your living because my wife in addition to our home owns 2 condos, rents out the loft one for 2000 bath/month and the 2 bedroom one for 6,500 per month. Also sister-in-law rents out one of her 2 bedroom apt (17th floor) in Bangkok for 12,000 baht/month.