chilli42

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Amid this defining national debate,

Might this characterization of the social media background noise be a bit exaggerated?  

20 hours ago, Highlandman said:

In my experience they don't open anything unless they believe something suspicious is going on.

 

A lightweight, low value item generally passes through without further inspection. 

 

The invoice is attached in a pouch outside the box, easy to see how much the item is valued at without opening the box.

Yes, that was certainly my experience as well.  Perhaps they have become more zealous in verifying that what’s inside is the same as what is claimed in the shipping document.  Of course this only happened on 3 packages so far … maybe an outlier event.

16 hours ago, ericthai said:

It hasn't started yet. You were using DHL and UPS and they have been charging import/storage/clearing fee for decades.  

Nonsense, of course it has started.  UPS and DHL never charged for envelopes and/or items below 1,500.  It started in January and it was confirmed to me in person by the friendly customs staff of the change in January as they collected their fees.

1 hour ago, Marco51 said:

If they flatrate parcels independant of what is inside, VAT will in future also have to be paid for books? Books are duty- and VAT free internationally.

So far, in my experience, they are opening all packages … even A4 size envelopes.

Very timely reporting … this change to the law has been in effect since January.  At first, all packages had to be picked up and duty/tax paid at customs or post office … depending on the shipment method.  I made 3-4 trips to get my packages released and I am done with all importing.  They were letting small packages (large envelopes) through until this month. Now even items with a $20 value are being assessed tax, duty and handling.  As an example I had to pay $10 for tax, duty and handling to DHL for a $20 item. UPS and DHL have taken a bit of the pain out of this by allowing you to pay for tax and duty online before delivery. I travel a good deal so now I just have packages delivered to an address in the USA that I then bring back with me.

On 4/11/2024 at 1:21 PM, spidermike007 said:

He says nations that share the alliance’s vision of freedom, democracy, liberty and human rights. 

 

Ha. As if Thailand were anything even closely approaching a democracy. With coups and stolen elections, as a regular occurrence. 

With all respect to you … how long has it been since America was a democracy?

This is already well underway and is to include Japan, Korea, Philippines etc. The Empire is building its counter alliance to China/Russia.  Good luck getting Thailand to commit to a military alliance that is a thinly veiled counter to China.

Riding scooters anywhere is a bad idea, they are high risk particularly if you are not an experienced rider.  That said, insurance companies suck … and the lawyers that write those obtuse contracts.

Bring it on!

I wonder what their definition of bad tourists is? That is quite a broad brush that would benefit from more focus.  Also, if the are intending to enhance the tourist experience, they really need a good deal more effort in looking for the bad Thai’s and sorting them out.

Just in case there was even the slightest doubt that Thaksin was back in charge

20 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

The answer to that one is simple.

 

As explained to me by a doctor friend.

If your doctor suggests a biopsy to 'look and see' if you have cancer, an MRI scan, carried out periodically is much safer.

A biopsy puts wounds in your prostate. If you do have cancer, then these wounds can allow the cancer to spread further, more quickly.

MRI first and then if anything is spotted - go for the biopsy (targetted).

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Chaichana said any army barracks usually have many bunks, ample living quarters and a wide, open area in which the 74-year-old Thaksin could exercise daily or even undergo a basic training course like soldiers.

Seriously? Do they think everyone is an idiot?  He will be staying in quarters reserved for voting generals (lots of those in the Thai Army(

There are covert Chinese police stationed everywhere already … USA, Canada and Europe.  The purpose is to keep a watchful eye on criminals and any Chinese national that thinks they can say what they like.  If I were Chinese I would get no comfort or sense of safety from people spying on me.

13 hours ago, ezzra said:

Chinese police to patrol in Thailand? who's stupid idea was it? and what pray tell, would be the powers and authority of those foreigner police in case of troubles? the same as the Thai police? will they concern with Chinese tourist only or all tourists?...

Clearly their job is surveillance of Chinese nationals and reporting back to the mother ship. It’s a monumentally bad idea to give up your sovereignty like this. What is wrong with the xenophobic leaders of Thailand?  Wonder if this decision was taken before or after the Chinese threatened Thailand on the matter of Taiwan media coverage?

So this means they are going full steam ahead and damn the torpedoes  

9 hours ago, Gknrd said:

Same here.

That is not going to work.  

Why has this taken so long … just to get to the point of “proposes”.