sambum

Yes the rules, fair or unfair, might be designed to avoid too large "tourists" numbers. Unbelievable - try telling that to TAT!!!

"I don't consider Thailand as easiest in the world for tourists." Or for expats!

"........a Russian who overstayed six days but is also facing charges of cryptocurrency fraud amounting to US$72,700 (around 2.5 million baht) and not paying the bills for accommodation and food totalling 66,255 baht." And so it begins! Expect more of these type of stories in the near future - I don't blame them for running away from the war, but there'll be many Russians running out of money, and not being able to afford to pay their bills. Next step is they turn to crime to enable them to stay here, but I suspect it will be a problem that will not only exist in Thailand!

I've been retired in Thailand for almost 20 years - retirement visa (Sorry, extension of visa based on retirement) for a few years, and for the rest of it, based on marriage to a Thai national. Only problem is that my UK pension is "frozen" due to Thailand not having a "reciprocal" agreement with the UK ???? ????

Described as a "Foreign man" throughout the post! (a) Can't be British, then? (b) "The names of the foreign man and his girlfriend were not released by Pattaya police, noting an ongoing investigation." Speechless!

Because apparently the company was bankrupt, or ceased operating - something like that - and who would be likely to buy shares in a defunct operation? I also heard that the shares were in his mother's name? Maybe somebody on here can shed more light on it?

"The ones I have contact with are accepting, helpful, friendly, and I believe just want to get back to living a normal life without fighting." The ones I met before Covid, and the war I found to be arrogant, disrespectful, and unthankful - funny how when you are away from your homeland looking for a safe haven, when virtually all worldwide opinion is against your country's actions, your attitudes and treatment of other people change.????

Why would you want to add that to your list od cliched responses I understand your point exactly - you are the one who's "making lists!" ???? Like I said - Bye - no point in arguing with a bigot, and my wine is getting warm! ????

I guess you don't enjoy a glass of wine with your dinner, then? "Over the years, I’ve compiled a list................" Why on earth would you want to do that, unless you are determined to "have a go" at anybody who drinks? Or maybe you're intent on getting a job with Alcoholics Anonymous? Your opening sentence implies that you are (or would like to be) a Counsellor, or maybe a member of a "Self Help" group? I think you've made your point - you think that drink is evil - up to you - I don't, and maybe I fit into one of your pigeonholes, but one thing's for sure - with your type of bigoted rhetoric, you ain't gonna convince anybody to stop drinking - and let's face it - most people don't want to! Bye - have a nice alcohol free day - I'm going to have a glass of red - "I think I deserve it"! ????

And although it is slightly off topic, these "holy days" are often poorly advertised, and Immigration Offices are closed! (OK if you are an ex pat you should know these things, but a normal tourist looking for an extension?) I was subject to a ridiculous scenario a few months ago when my 90 day report date was due on a Saturday - when AFAIK ALL Immigration Offices are closed!!!

"Drinkers are a pretty predictable group as are most people dependant of drugs." I think that most people don't stop drinking because they don't WANT to! Most people I know would never say "I can give up whenever I want", because they don't NEED to! (And I presume you mean "dependant ON drugs - not dependant OF drugs?)

Wouldn't last 5 minutes!

If she is found guilty without any shade of doubt, then I agree, but opponents of the death penalty will point out the "miscarriages of justice" in the past where people have been executed only to have been found to be innocent later. However, I wonder how much it would cost to keep her in prison for the rest of her life, because I am sure that solitary confinement will be high on the list of options.

Not really when tourism accounts for a high % of GDP!

The thing about these bigots is that they can not/do not see the difference between the casual drinker, a frequent drinker, or an alcoholic - they are all "tarred with the same brush", but as you probably know, they are worlds apart! It's like saying that someone who has a joint of marijuana/cannabis now and again is a drug addict!!!

"Firstly I wondered why they felt compelled to tell me" Probably because you were "bragging" about stopping drinking? "and secondly, they never did" - probably because they didn't want to?

Agreed - and why not make dog owners responsible for their dogs barking and howling all night keeping every one awake?

Come on Thailand - let's Move Forward! Do you not realise that in most of the civilised world, a holiday - religious or otherwise - is a time to relax from the "weekly grind", and what harm is there in people going out for a meal and having a couple of drinks? Of course you are going to get the usual comments about more drunken drivers and more carnage on the roads, but let's face it - it can't get much worse!!! If Thailand wants to Move Forward, they would encourage the "named driver" scenario, where one of the company stays sober in order to take the rest home safely, and the next night out it's somebody else's turn to stay sober! ????

"Phuket – Taxi drivers in Phuket are being asked by officials to be more polite after a foreign female tourist was forced out of a minivan in Phuket by drivers of other vans operating at the Phuket Rassada Port." Is that not a bit like Cleopatra asking the snake not to bite her?

Deported to the Bangkok Hilton?

Probably did the right thing by leaving it there - it may have punctured a blood vessel/vein/artery, so best left for the medical staff to deal with it!

But maybe somebody HIGHER up may order the opposite, and soldiers have to follow orders, or face the possibility of charges. Or they could desert in droves because they are wanting change themselves?

Sorry, my apologies - bad choice of words. However, it would seem that the authorities have "given up" on apprehending "Boss", but it would be a different kettle of fish if it was an average Tom, Dick, or Harry that was evading justice!

Not on overstay then? I thought it was only overstayers that were a threat to the security and safety of visitors to the country? At least so it seems by the number of posts and people arrested recently for overstay offences! ????

Serious question - Is there no statute of limitations on his "crimes"? "Boss" seems to have got away with most of his sentences due to the statute of limitations - why not Thaksin?