sambum

"They could accept only Government and large company pensions as some S American countries do." My local (Thai) Immigration Office already makes that stipulation in order for me to get an Extension of Visa based on Marriage (Marriage Visa) I have to provide them with a copy of the form (P60) that the Inland Revenue Department (IRS in the USA) issue me every year as proof of my income through whatever means - in my case, Old Age Pension, and Company Pension. I also have to get a letter from my previous employers (every year) to verify that the Company Pension checks with the amount on the P60!!!

Got something to hide?

AS was said in an earlier post, the criminal element are probably the ones who could most easily afford to pay any increases in visa fees! Without wanting to sound like I'm just blowing my own trumpet, or go off topic, I am in a position where I have been retired in Thailand for quite a few years, (and consequently spent a few million baht here) and have seen the Exchange Rate drop from 73 baht to the British Pound to about 40 baht. Also, being honest, I notified my Government that I was retired here and they very kindly froze my Old Age Pension so I no longer get annual increments. Add to that, the increase we have all seen in the cost of living, and I am the kind of person that Big Joke would want to penalise by increasing the amount of money I have to put on deposit in a Thai bank, rather than the criminal element that he is supposed to be trying to eliminate?

Which IMHO should be mandatory anyway!

Maybe due to his condition "where there's a will(*) there's a way" is sadly not an option.

"..................enjoy their favorite wines today,............." I would do if they weren't so darned expensive in Thailand! ????

Quite agree! I got caught smoking a joint many years ago, and was immediately branded a drug addict!

I think the poster was saying it tongue in cheek.

"The initial return plan for Thaksin was for Thursday, August 10." I think "the initial return plan" was way before this one and merely a "guesstimate" as to the timing of his return! This scenario strangely reminds me of a book I had to read for my "O" Level English Literature called "Waiting for Godot" by Samuel Beckett:- "The play follows two men, Vladimir and Estragon. The men wait beside a tree for a mysterious man, Godot. However, we learn that Godot constantly sends word that he will arrive tomorrow but that never happens."

Quite high I would think!

And what happened to Thai Airlines after paying "high fees"? Let me remind you:- "THAI filed for bankruptcy protection in May 2020 at the Central Bankruptcy Court." And do you think that MyAirlines will be prepared to pay "high fees"?

By making things up?

MYAirline from Malaysia is also considering offering international flights to Bangkok’s airports, as well as services to other popular Thai destinations like Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, and Samui. I presume that this has been cleared with Bangkok Airways who have a monopoly on Koh Samui Airport?

Sounds like typical Thai "anti-logic"! It is the people who can easily pay the 2 or 3 million that are more likely to be the criminals!

"..................this incident severely tarnishes Pattaya's image as a tourist destination." For the first time the quote "severely tarnishes" is 100% appropriate, rather than arresting "streakers" with the same reasoning. How about rephrasing that as:- "this incident severely tarnishes Pattaya's image as a safe, crime free, family friendly tourist destination"

Wow - that's pro active evasive tactics!

What's that got to do with Motorcycle gangs or criminals? And I presume by "pension permit law" you mean extension of Visa? And why should he be making it more difficult for law abiding citizens to settle here and spend their money?

Visa waiver fee for Chinese and Indian tourists, but everybody else may have to pay 300 baht tourist tax (I read fairly recently) Does that come under the banner of "Racism" or "Discrimination" or both?

Nowt better to do!

Who knows? Certainly not me!

Personally, I think that there is no way that Thaksin will return to Thailand to spend any time at all in a jail cell. He will either get a King's Pardon, or he will stay put, and organise the Pheu Thai Party from the sidelines.

Because TIT! Seriously, the warehouse was possibly built before it was a fireworks factory, and merely "converted". There does seem to be a lack of planning permission here, though. A mate of mine bought a plot of land in a prime location with a lovely view, peaceful and quiet, but within easy reach of "town", and a couple of months after he moved in, they built a Shooting Range next door!

What about welding in a fireworks factory?

Because they can!

And your evidence for this, Sherlock? Or just a bit of early morning Brit Bashing to get you going?