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Everything posted by Scouse123
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Report Thailand Cracks Down on Illegal Expat Workers to Protect Local Jobs
Scouse123 replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
No jobs are available, and even the ones that are available pay less than in Thailand. -
Report Thailand Cracks Down on Illegal Expat Workers to Protect Local Jobs
Scouse123 replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
Construction, fishing, packing in CP foods, and logistics at FTZ areas near Suvarnabhumi Airport are mainly done by Cambodians, as Thais, even those who are jobless, don't want to do them. -
Thailand’s Losing Its Edge — Is Vietnam the Next Real Deal?
Scouse123 replied to Scouse123's topic in General Topics
Even with these rises implemented they will still be cheaper than Thailand. -
I’ve been following this border dispute for years, and from where I sit, Cambodia’s position has always leaned more on the side of international law than nationalist cartography. The ICJ ruled back in 1962 that Preah Vihear is on Cambodian soil, based largely on the French-era Annex I map — and, crucially, Thailand didn’t object to that map at the time. Isn’t that kind of acceptance meaningful in legal terms? You can’t just ignore 50+ years of tacit agreement because new maps were drawn later by one side. The Thai maps like L7017 and L7018 might be more modern, sure, but they were created unilaterally. Cambodia never signed off on them. How can one country redraw the border and expect the other to go along with it? That’s not negotiation — it’s redefinition. Also worth noting: Cambodia has actually asked to go back to the ICJ, which to me signals confidence in its legal standing. Thailand, on the other hand, has been more hesitant about third-party adjudication. That says something too, doesn’t it? At the end of the day, Cambodia's sticking to treaties and previous rulings — while Thailand keeps pushing newer lines. If everyone in ASEAN did that, borders would be in chaos.
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I’ve been seeing more and more posts on YouTube and the web saying “Thailand is finished,” and while that might be a bit extreme, I get where people are coming from. Something’s changed. Many long-time visitors and retirees are growing increasingly frustrated — and not just because prices are rising (which they are). They are rising everywhere worldwide. Dual pricing is more blatant than ever. Not just in parks and temples, but also in taxis, and even in everyday items — you get quoted one price, while the Thai person behind you receives another. Add to that the visa mess — rules changing all the time, inconsistent enforcement, and immigration officers who seem to go by how they feel that day — and it’s no wonder people are getting frustrated. Even ASEAN NOW itself had multiple threads recently where this came up again and again. What’s worse is the shift in attitude. Foreigners used to feel genuinely welcome. Now it often feels like you’re just a wallet with legs. That has been going on for years, but it's become more blatant, and they don't seem to care. Scams are more common, there's more aggression in nightlife areas, and in certain parts of the country, Customer service is a forgotten word. It’s just full-on hustle 24/7. For people who aren’t here for the bar scene or don’t want sex tourism shoved in their face, it’s becoming less appealing. I found it impossible to have a quiet beer in a bar in Nana Plaza, That said, I think many people rushing to Cambodia are doing so because they’re priced out, not because it’s better. Outside of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the infrastructure is still weak, and Sihanoukville is a complete disaster thanks to failed Chinese casino projects. Cambodia is cheaper and visa-friendly, but it’s not a real alternative to Thailand for most people. It simply lacks appeal. After three or four days, I'm eager to get back home to Thailand. Vietnam, on the other hand, is playing its cards right and getting its act together. Great beaches, solid infrastructure, a growing expat scene, and they’re working on long-stay visa options — possibly even a 10-year visa for foreigners. It’s cleaner, less intrusive, and doesn’t have the same "walking ATM" vibe. For people without roots in Thailand (such as family or business), Vietnam is becoming increasingly attractive. I won't leave Thailand because of my partner, and I have roots here. However, I will live quietly, pay my living expenses, and probably curb my previous penchant for changing cars every three years, etc. I will probably have a spending binge when I go to Vietnam or Cambodia, where I feel I get better value for money. Thailand’s still got a lot going for it, no doubt. But it’s definitely at a tipping point. If they don’t sort out the immigration headaches, stop gouging tourists and policy flip-flopping, and bring back some of the old warmth, more and more people will quietly (or loudly) move on.
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There are 230,000 of them in the RTP that could be out enforcing the laws, but they only want the money from fines. Just like Immigration, they don't want to stand up for foreigners who obey the law regarding visas; they want dodgy foreigners who will pay an agent to get a ' rogue ' visa, for which they get a cut of the fees paid.
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Report Thaksin Faces Possible Resentencing Over Hospital Stay
Scouse123 replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
It seems, especially with the Phea Thai party, that they are all jockeying for positions within and are more concerned with outing their bedfellows from other parties in positions of power than they are in addressing the real issues the country is facing. -
Report Thaksin Faces Possible Resentencing Over Hospital Stay
Scouse123 replied to webfact's topic in Thailand News
The time, money and effort going into this by too many people with too much time on their hands. He ain't going to jail, everybody knows it. Why keep flogging a deads horse? The country has far more pressing issues. We all know it's rotten with corruption from top to bottom.......... The Thais even kind of like that way of going about things, or at least they are well-used to it. Teflon Thaksin - nothing ever sticks! -
Recent trip to UK with Qatar air- A very sad, heartbreaking visit.
Scouse123 replied to Scouse123's topic in General Topics
The UK hardly has any branches left to go to, to activate a card, that's why they come by post. However, I disagree on security, Barclays bank is way ahead of Thailand's bank on banking and card security, as in you must verify via the app on your phone immediately for any medium or large transactions. A Barclays app can operate on multiple devices securely, whereas in Thailand, only one. With online banking we are issued with secure card readers, Thailand is forcing us to do everything by phone now, and that can be inconvenient, I like using a desktop, and it is often a lot better and clearer way of doing transactions. UK banks do free no fee withdrawals, even with foreign cards, unheard of in Thailand. Thai banks struggle with facial recognition for foreigners in the banking app, well KTB definitely does! -
Pornography Ring Busted in Phnom Penh Live-Streaming Raid
Scouse123 replied to geovalin's topic in Cambodia News
A weak response from a weaker individual. Obviously these types of movies appeal to the depraved, enjoy yourself. -
Pornography Ring Busted in Phnom Penh Live-Streaming Raid
Scouse123 replied to geovalin's topic in Cambodia News
And how about people forced into doing this because they are in poverty and need the money and then a friend, or even worse, a family member seeing it on the internet? It wouldn't be very nice if it was your daughter or a relative, would it? -
Pornography Ring Busted in Phnom Penh Live-Streaming Raid
Scouse123 replied to geovalin's topic in Cambodia News
Common decency laws??? -
Ah, He might have friends in high places, though. Like the 30th floor of a condo block....😁
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Not at all. My tax has already been submitted by the due date, it has nothing to do with tax. The DTV visa states you must leave the country before 180 days, for one or two days and when you re-enter the clock starts again for a further 180 days. The alternative is to submit a great deal of additional papers to immigration to extend the 180 days. I have no wish to extend, provide a load of documents to immigration or to see them unless necessary.
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Thank you. I have always skipped the TM30 as I was told if I was returning to my permanent address (20 plus years) then there was no need, unless I have been doing it wrong. I have never been pulled up on extension renewals. Likewise, I recently returned from the UK and just did the TDAC with my usual address and no questions were asked, but I am still on retirement extension until next month. I have only ever interacted with immigration on one home visit in all that time, and then once a year on retirement renewals.
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I was wondering that, too, as next month I switch from retirement extension to an already granted DTV. There hasn't been any mention of 90 day reporting. I will leave for a few days every 178 days, I always do, sometimes more often, but do I need to do the 90-day report on the DTV? It isn't difficult for me, I just would avoid it if I could, but I don't want to leave myself open to a fine. If I do the report on the new DTV, is it a case of reporting in person the first time or every time?
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Recent trip to UK with Qatar air- A very sad, heartbreaking visit.
Scouse123 replied to Scouse123's topic in General Topics
Well, It looks like others have noticed my observations. Swathes of England are being left behind - it's like they're in a different century