bamnutsak

My sense, reading the various proposals spouted by Thai "officials" is that in response to being granted some UNESCO designation for the cultural aspects of Songkhran, Thailand has decided to celebrate World Songkhran Festival over an extended period, with small events in many provinces. This is over and above the usual Songkran festivities 13-15 April. It's an experiment to squeeze tourist (domestic and international) cash.

This Thai attraction to the education principles of the DPRK is nothing new. Flashback to 2014 Thai Education Minister: Thai education resembles North Korea Submitted on Mon, 17 Nov 2014 - 05:20 PM The Education Minister and the North Korean Ambassador to Thailand mutually agreed that the education systems of both countries are rather similar and plan to develop ties by educational exchanges. According to the Office of the Minister Newsline, Admiral Narong Pipatanasai, the Thai Education Minister, his Deputy Teerakiat Jareonsettasin, and Permanent Secretary Suthasri Wongsamarn met with Mun Song Mo, the Ambassador of the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea on Friday at Government House. https://prachataienglish.com/node/4495 One can find the details of this confab via Google... "Pol Gen Permpoon said during a meeting with North Korean ambassador Kim Je Bong on Jan 19 that he admired North Korea for imposing discipline on young people. He also praised the politically isolated country for its patriotism and loyalty to its leader." Discipline, patriotism, loyalty. Nothing about education though.

Strange. You'd think the bill would define the meaning of "recreational use"? Royal Thai Police will now be able to buy more safes to store their "ancillary" income. I think they're going to push the details, crimes, and punishments, down to the Cannabis Control Board, established via this bill, which will manage the licensing, production, and certification of licensed medical professionals. Bud-tenders become medical cannabis practitioners. Start embroidering those white lab coats, the "Doctor" is IN.

The idea that extending and diluting the unique holiday is somehow a good thing is perplexing. People, citizens, and tourists have limited time and money to spend. It might be better to promote individual provinces' tourism opportunities with unique celebrations spread out throughout the year. Extending Songkhran to 21 days is a bit like diluting a Chateaux Margaux with water to get 40 glasses instead of four.

Another tale as old as time. People paid good money to the Royal Thai Army for their "exemption".

So much losing.

This buffoon/buffalo is in hot water... Thai minister praises North Korean education system Thailand's education minister has praised North Korea's school system for its "discipline and patriotism," and asked the international pariah for help in creating a similar environment for the kingdom's students. The remarks made last month came to light after a statement from a meeting between Education Minister Permpoon Chidchob and the North Korean ambassador was circulated among Thai media. Permpoon praised North Korea's schooling system, saying Bangkok sought "educational support to discipline children with patriotism and respect for country leaders." https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/02/103_368391.html

A new record for me...just about five hours and forty-five minutes. CW Apply Date: 07/02/2024 01:17:18 Approved Date: 07/02/2024 06:56:50 I suspect that the approval system at CW may now be automated - my filing and approval occurred outside of normal office hours - at least for those with new/current matching TM30's recently filed.

This conviction means that Pita can NEVER be Prime Minister.

Are funds remitted to Thailand for a condo purchase now taxable, for those who are tax residents?

from the linked article... He acknowledged issues such as disjointed IT systems, instability in the backup systems, and inadequate staffing in immigration checks. He also addressed problems faced by passengers, including delays due to the large number of people entering and exiting. Regarding the collapsing immigration check system, the Prime Minister admitted that it is a technical issue. The backup system is not efficient, and when the number of people entering increases, the system becomes sluggish. While the normal Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for processing an individual is 45 seconds, the current situation, with all stations occupied, results in more than a minute per person, causing further delays. He anticipates that it will take approximately 12 months to resolve all these issues. Sounds like whatever systems they are relying on are not in good shape. "Disjointed IT systems" and "Collapsing immigration check system" are not encouraging, nor is the timeframe to resolve these issues.

OK, the thirst for this "Soft Power" thing has gone way too far. Just stop already with this foolish attempt to force soft power on the Kingdom, the UN, and the World. If it's culturally worthy it will become a thing. Elephant pants will never be a thing. I guess it isn't surprising that this "issue" has caught the PMs attention. He seems to leap from issue to issue in a frenzy, yacking as if he is some expert, while not accomplishing a single thing.

The PM is looking for maximum coverage of his behind on this one. He needs all these controlling organizations (Council of State, NACC) on board, to avoid prosecution in the future. An "elected government" is required for appearances.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/passport-help/next-generation-passport.html

So circling back, if you want to target a specific issued on date, mail your package 7 ~ 10 days before that date. And expect your new (and old/canceled) passport in 35 - 42 days from the mail date. The passport will be the new Next Gen style. Passport cards take longer. There is no longer a letter for Immigration. As of April 10, 2023, the Embassy/Consulate will no longer issue passport linkage letters with newly issued passports. If a Thai government office requests one, your cancelled passport and your newly issued passport will suffice. You may download this letter (PDF 70KB) in Thai and English that explains the change in Embassy policy. https://th.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/90/Notification-of-cessation-of-linkage-letters.pdf

According to the current Constitution (2017/official translation): Section 2. Thailand adopts a democratic regime of government with the King as Head of State.

Really loving... Mr. & Mrs. Smith on Amazon Prime https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsaMWxppznk Monsieur Spade Belgravia 2 Miss Scarlett and the Duke S04 Death and Other Details Criminal Record

DJIA continues a strong run closing the week at 38,654, but the January jobs report blew the doors off expectations. Unemployment remains below 4% for two years running, another record. Even the Fox Klowns, like Kudlow, admitted they were wrong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmlPlkxgm8g Biden is CRUSHING it. The US didn’t just avoid a recession — it’s adding hundreds of thousands of new jobs WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s employers delivered a stunning burst of hiring to begin 2024, adding 353,000 jobs in January in the latest sign of the economy’s continuing ability to shrug off the highest interest rates in two decades. Friday’s government report showed that last month’s job gain — roughly twice what economists had predicted — topped the December gain of 333,000, a figure that was itself revised sharply higher. The unemployment rate stayed at 3.7%, just above a half-century low. Wages rose unexpectedly fast in January, too. Average hourly pay climbed a sharp 0.6% from December, the fastest monthly gain in nearly two years, and 4.5% from January 2023. The strong hiring and wage growth could complicate or delay the Federal Reserve’s intention to start cutting interest rates later this year. https://apnews.com/article/jobs-hiring-unemployment-economy-inflation-federal-reserve-f314482e7e9d85e7db0e3f8713bb6273

A committee finished its tasks and has been disbanded? Surely this must be a first? Victory for Soft Power.

A tale as old as time.

Extortion? Within the Thai government? I'm shocked. Round up the usual brooms, and large size rug.

Interesting to note the exact vertical positioning of the images behind the judges. Always the subtle messages.

And altered/changed AFTER the sham public referendum.

Agreed. It could have been a lot worse, as in the Uighur re-patriations from Thailand in 2015.

Do you mean before or after Thai authorities paid to move up the list? The magnate and the senator represented their respective countries' illegal interests: drugs/precursors, money laundering, human trafficking, and overcoming sanctions/embargoes. Both have "managers" who made sure these pesky court cases were dealt with. Now round up a few hundred more low level drugs users.