bamnutsak

Check his name. Part of the Chidchob clan. They don't have to pay for anything. The end result is exactly what the powers that be want. An uneducated populace who will not ask questions.

Go to the post office. 32 baht for up to 20 grams 37 baht for for 21 grams and up

How much worse could it get?

You can get a 32 baht EMS return sticker for your return envelope at the post office then seal that into your mail-in package. Or affix at least 32 baht in stamps and write EMS on the envelope. If you end up having to go make an appointment. On Thursday, with one it took ~ two minutes. Appointments are always available even the day before. Go to the front counter A4, then desk B66.

Even if they are "clean", and that's highly unlikely as people obtain these "appointments" through a network of family, nepotism and corruption, they are quickly corrupted by the local mafia. Anutin should just admit that corruption is pervasive and that nothing can really be done about it as it is part of the Thai national psyche. I think Anupong was a hands-off Minister of the Interior for the past nine years, a payoff for leading the 2006 coup, so Anutin has inherited a morass of out-of-control corruption. Clean up on aisle three.

Given the swift response to this incident my guess is that there is a lot more to it. It sounds like the Royal Thai Police, in some provinces, are merely enforcers for the local mafia. And that provincial governors, in some cases, may have succumbed to the influence of the Mafia.

So this is a Tourist Visa Exemption? Just China? Or is India included? What is the stay length? 15 days? 30 days? Can these be extended in country? Does this program expire after some number of months or years?

Love, or Money, or both? Another case of an expected promotion not coming through?

For one single drunken disagreement, resulting in two deaths, about a police promotion for a cousin this one seems to have a lot more to it based on the responses by various individuals, including Anutin. He may be hoping to keep a lid on a potentially broader scheme involving provincial police "management styles"? As Minster of the Interior he appoints provincial governors. Strange that, for a so called democracy, the people to not get to elect provincial governors. The belief is that the people can not be trusted to select leaders, and that only the wise men in Bangkok can do this.

This whole episode, and this series runs all the way back to 2001 when Thaksin was acquitted in an 8-7 decision. The powers that be caved to his election mandate, and immediately started making plans to oust him. Now they make a mockery of the 2006 Coup, and original charges/convictions (in absence), by simply erasing them. Barely a decade ago amnesty for Thaksin caused the right-wing ultra nationalists to collectively lose their minds. Now it's like "what's the big deal". There are a lot of political prisoners, and asking that they be treated like Thaksin has got to be embarrassing for those in power. This is exactly why people want reforms. The entire Thai social contract is rotten to the core with corruption.

No, not really. On-line advertising of cannabis is illegal, as of Nov. 11, 2022. Shopee and Lazada have to be aggressive and diligent in removing Cannabis related sales. They need to protect their core business. So no, you're impressions based on Shopee is not an indicator. Given that BJT is the coalition member which basically pushed PTP over the top, and that Anutin is Deputy PM and Minister of the Interior (arguably the top ministerial post) I would expect the government to push ahead with legislation (Cannabis Control Act-CCA) which will more tightly control all aspects of Cannabis production, distribution, use, and recreational use will continue as is. E-shopping platforms warned to stamp out ganja sales The Public Health Ministry said it will take legal action against online shopping platforms where cannabis buds are being offered for sale. The ministry has instructed platforms to ensure their sellers comply with its directive banning the sale of buds to anyone under 20 and pregnant or nursing women. The directive was issued last month amid growing opposition to recreational use of cannabis after online and offline shops proliferated following legalisation of the herb. https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40022760 Yes, I will stipulate that there is much online advertising and direct-to-consumer sales.

I received an email last evening, so ~ 6 hours after I had reported in person, saying Your application for "STAYING LONGER THAN 90 DAYS" has been rejected. So I assume (hope?) that in processing my application they found that I had already reported. It might be best to wait until the actual report by date for approval, and if it doesn't come make arrangements to file in person within seven days.

"Free Money Tomorrow"

Holding a 15 year old woman for 50 days in prison with no bail option on spurious charges, for holding three fingers up, while allowing convicted seditionists (Suthep Gang) out on bail after 30 hours, highlights another disparity in Thai "justice".

And some can't seem to interpret statistics. https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017839 The poll surveyed 2,125 adults across the country from July 13 to 16. This poll is one+ year old. Asked if they were interested in using cannabis for recreation, 96.6 per cent said no, since the herb was legalised for medical use. Only 3.4 per cent said they were interested in recreational use. interested/not interested in use Asked for their view on cannabis legalisation, 82.7 per cent agreed with legalisation for medical use as it would benefit people, while 17.3 per cent disagreed, citing a lack of clear measures and information to regulate the use of cannabis. IMO, Thais aren't that concerned about cannabis legalization, they have 10 or 20 other more pressing issues.

Permanent Secretaries are the absolute worst when it comes to corruption. On a per capita (individual) basis they steal more money than any PM, MP or Minister. My favorite was Permanent Secretary for Transport Supoj Saplom. While at his daughter's wedding thieves broke into his house and had to call for more friend's with pick-up trucks to transport the cash. He had 1 Billion baht in the house. Burglars find massive cash stash at Transport secretary’s home https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/news-burglars-find-massive-cash-stash-at-transport-secretarys-home/

Just when I think Srettha can't sound any sillier he proceeds to exceed my expectations.

My reporting office is CW. My 90-Day report by date was today, Sep. 7, 2023. I applied on-line Aug. 24, 2023. My application is still Pending as of now. I have applied on line successfully ~ 10-ish times. Today I went for my annual extension of stay (income/monthly) - which went quite quickly (appointment) - I then made my 90-day report in person (also an appointment (Counter A4 doc check, given blue B66 ticket, serviced immediately at B66) - also went quickly, no wait, 2 minutes, done). I mentioned to the IO that I filed on-line, and she started shaking her head, waving her hand, and saying something like "not working, computer error". Asides: Immigration/CW was absolutely heaving, there were 250 people number-queued in the seating area with another 250 standing without queue numbers. I have never seen it that busy. My ext stay is numbered 200nn, while last year's was 175nn. (Same date) So +2,500 more this year (so far).

So is that 300 baht Tourist Fee idea dead? I am fairly certain the new Minister for Sport and Tourism is eager to fill up his treasure chest with foreign doubloons.

A rational decision by the court as the plaintiffs had no standing and had not suffered any damages. And revoking, or even issuing an injunction, against a Ministerial Order might have wreaked havoc on the functioning of "government" here, where much is accomplished with a piece of paper, stroke of the pen and Garuda stamp.

But that is not the Thai way. Respect and trust are conferred on individuals by birthright and social status. And enforced by the legal system for usurpers. This is not a meritocracy. This is why Srettha can say something like this, and not be aware of how out of touch he sounds.

I don't disagree with 100% compulsory NATIONAL (not limited to military) service in general, this is used in many countries. However that wasn't one of the options offered here for eliminated conscription. An all-volunteer force is the only alternative I've seen offered. First you have to define the mission(s). Then you can determine staffing. 100% compulsory service here, IMO, would be a bad thing. It would make the already un-checked military power and influence over Thai society even more oppressive. One major issue here is that a few hundred thousand potential "recruits" are serving prison sentence for drug-related crimes, so the available pool is reduced. Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin has a good quote regarding the make-up of a successful team... “We can’t do this with hostages, man. We need volunteers,”

When you're losing the debate lashing out with passive-aggressive insults, and claiming to be a victim because you are criticized, is a very bad look. Just to move along here I'll stipulate that there is "something" that "some people" are calling Cannabis Use Disorder. And that there are hundreds of Fill-in-the-Blank Use Disorders, some much worse than cannabis, which people might suffer from. Again, I have to ask, why are you so intent on posting this "information"? Are you trying to "protect" us? Or are you trying to satisfy some unfulfilled emotional needs? And why are you spending so much time searching for, and reading these articles. I mean you listed thirty sources. This behavior seems far more unhealthy than the average "stoner's".

Apologies.

I'm surprised they require USD. For some items, the Passport Card (not a passport book) for example, the require a 1,050 THB bank draft for the $30 payment. Their published exchange rate is 36:1 (July 23, 2023). https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/passports/instructions-for-ds-82-passport-card-application/ See step 4.