waldroj

Appeal and bail. Cheaper than a fine, and no jail time for any crime!

With power comes responsibility!

These guys have the power, so it is your responsibility to pander to their haughtiness!

Thailand likes prides itself on being conservative in its values, but it needs to accept that it now relies heavily on foreign visitors (who come from more liberal societies) for valuable revenue.

So, while it’s fair that foreigners adopt “reasonable” attire, it is also fair for these public service providers to exercise a bit of common sense and tolerance, and focus more on providing customer service and respect, and less on how the customer is dressed!

I don't see it as "pandering to their haughtiness." If you worked at an office dealing with a large population of haughty slobs then you might see a stricter dress code as a polite way of telling people to clean up their act, literally.

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Not at all! Customers should be treated with respect regardless of how they dress. Most Western countries would have this enshrined in a code of ethics for their civil servants who deal with the public.

Thai's generally do "outdress" the farangs.

very embarrassing.

Until they stick their finger up their nose and their cover is blown.Vain and superficial.

Aah Louse1953, we are kindred spirits. In just one short sentence YOU have so succinctly captured the essence of Thainess!

As Jane Austin remarked, “Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves; vanity, to what we would have others think of us”.

After 40 years of marriage (to a Thai), my wife and I still argue about what constitutes Thai etiquette – I can still remember attending functions in BKK back in the 1970's where "ladies” would do that very thing quite openly, yet they would (and still do today) cover their mouth with a hand while they used a tooth pick. They used to have no compunction about spitting either!

If the buffoons at the Immigration Bureau have a problem with dress code, then might I suggest they take the time to look at what some Thai female university students wear! I guess I have to admit that (in their defence) at least they shower regularly.

With power comes responsibility!

These guys have the power, so it is your responsibility to pander to their haughtiness!

Thailand likes prides itself on being conservative in its values, but it needs to accept that it now relies heavily on foreign visitors (who come from more liberal societies) for valuable revenue.

So, while it’s fair that foreigners adopt “reasonable” attire, it is also fair for these public service providers to exercise a bit of common sense and tolerance, and focus more on providing customer service and respect, and less on how the customer is dressed!

If you miss it (because of the smoke) you can read about it in The Nation!

How quickly people forget that water was released from dams at the onset of last year's rainy season. The current situation has been compounded by that action.

Also, the low price of water in Thailand provides no incentive to conserve this precious resource. An issue further exacerbated by a focus on tourists (who, wherever they may be, have no appreciation of local water shortages).

Sanook. A smile, and a token offering, and everything will be ok.

Interesting that China not taking part in this meeting (given that the Mekong River flows through China - where it is known as the Lancang).