bamnutsak

I remember a story in The Nation from 2017 which said there were 100,000 undocumented Thais in the U.S. There are some accomplished Thai "Dreamers" (DACA). https://www.thaipbsworld.com/thai-among-dreamers-celebrating-us-court-ruling-over-daca/ I think many are concerned about Human Trafficking as a result of relaxed or visa-free travel for Thais to the U.S. Thai Woman Pleads Guilty to Her Role in International Sex Trafficking Conspiracy https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/thai-woman-pleads-guilty-her-role-international-sex-trafficking-conspiracy Thirty-Six Defendants Sentenced For Their Roles In International Thai Sex Trafficking Organization https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/thirty-six-defendants-sentenced-their-roles-international-thai-sex-trafficking I think the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should probably lead the charge in appealing to other countries to allow Thai citizens to travel visa-free. Having the PM popping off is probably not helpful.

It's just not "will", it's competence too. Srettha is a talker, not a doer. So far he's talked about chairing a committee, and pushing more rainmaking https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40034602

This may be reporting-office dependent, so share that or go ask in person. IME, CW, in the same circumstances, no. I was able to successfully file on-line. There have been some indications (my opinion) that having filed a TM30 on the new system leads to seamless and quick TM47 on-line application and approval. YMMV.

In related BJT Crime Watch news: The Constitutional Court will rule on BJT stalwart/scion, Saksayam Chidchob, next Wednesday for 'Share Concealment'. The CC has to tread carefully on this case as they are set to rule on Pita's ITV share-holding case on 24 January and his LM case on 31 January.

Barely four months in and he's already so insecure he's got to proclaim his intent to serve a full term. He's a puppet. Puppets are easily replaced.

This lends a bit of credibility to the rumor that Inmate Thaksin is not physically present at the Police Hospital.

Her acquittal on the Malefesance charge (transfer of Nat Sec official) on 26 December was widely regarded as the first step. All that remains, I think, is a five-year sentence on the Rice Scheme charge.

This legislation may not pass Parliament until May or June, then it will have a three-month lag from Gazetting, and it will probably include some 3+ month amnesty period. More than enough time for another trip?

When he has a Gulfstream G650?

Unfortunately? Wouldn't that be "fortunately"? Or maybe just say

The IRS has said they will start accepting returns on January 29, 2024. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/2024-tax-filing-season-set-for-january-29-irs-continues-to-make-improvements-to-help-taxpayers Of course, with some software you can efile/submit earlier, it is held and submitted on that future date. I think SSA-1099s are also available on the mySSA site towards the end of January, or early February.

SSA-1099 for 2023 delivered by Thai Post in Bangkok, 10110 (Phra Khanong) (last year delivered on January 13.)

I've seen no indication that the U.S. State model of medical cards is being considered here. I've never seen it mentioned by any Thai officials. I think everyone understands that any medical card solution, unless following medical testing, and diagnosis, would simply be a tacit approval for recreational use. Could it be implemented to rebuff opposition? Sure. And foreigners would be excluded from such a program, unless part of the social security programs. I've scanned the draft bill via Google Translate and saw nothing in it prohibiting the possession or personal use of cannabis flower (over 0.2 %). There are limitations on the sale of cannabis flower. I could have missed something, it's quite a convoluted mess, more like an advanced degree thesis written by ThaiChatGPT. And is very similar to the draft bill first read last year. Section 42: No person is allowed to sell marijuana, hemp, or extracts for consumption. Whether it's for the benefit in trade or given with compensation or other benefits or not By means or in a certain manner in any of the following ways: (1) Sell marijuana, hemp, or extracts for recreational purposes. The punishment for this violation is a 60,000 baht fine (up to), but no jail time. Other violations related to production and distribution include fines and jail time.

Preamble, Google Translate - I scanned the entire document, it's long on the Cannabis and Hemp Committee, and punishments. Very short on implementation. I assume the committee will oversee implementation details. Record the principles and reasons Assemble the draft Cannabis and Hemp Act B.E. .... __________________ Principle: There should be a law on cannabis and hemp. The reason is that cannabis and hemp are plants that are not designated as narcotic drugs according to the Code. drug laws People may be able to widely possess, consume, and use marijuana and hemp, which will have an impact on public health. as well as the economy and society of the country However, marijuana and hemp are plants that It is useful in medicine and health, which has economic value. Therefore, it is appropriate to establish control measures. Supervise and supervise the importation of marijuana and Hemp should be used in an appropriate way, as well as promoting the development of marijuana and hemp to maximize the economic benefits of the country, including establishing a committee system as a mechanism for driving before regulating and promoting the use of marijuana and hemp Therefore it is necessary to enact this act This Act has certain provisions regarding the restriction of rights and freedoms of individuals, which Section 26, together with Section 28, Section 33, Section 34, Section 37, Section 38 and Section 40 of the Constitution. of the Kingdom of Thailand Provided that this can be done by virtue of the provisions of the law. The reason and necessity for limiting the rights and freedoms of persons under this Act is to determine measures to control, supervise, and supervise the cultivation, production, import, export, sale, or advertising of marijuana, hemp, or extracts, as well as to protect them. Protect public health from the consumption of cannabis, hemp, or extracts. The enactment of this Act is consistent with the conditions provided in Section 26 of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand.

I think this is the draft version of the Cannabis Control Act... https://www.dtam.moph.go.th/images/document/law/Hearing_Draft_Law/law0039-09012567.pdf

Dead in the water. No budget for 2024. OAG to review "legality" of contract.

"We drafted this law to prohibit the wrong usage of cannabis," Health Minister Cholnan Srikaew told media this week. "All recreational usage is wrong." Published on the health ministry's website on Tuesday, the new draft will allow only medical and health uses of cannabis, while outlawing all types of recreational use. It provides for fines of up to 60,000 baht ($1,700) for recreational use while advertisement or marketing campaigns regarding such use could draw jail terms of up to a year or fines ranging as high as 100,000 baht. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-seeks-public-opinion-draft-end-recreational-cannabis-use-2024-01-10/

That he thinks issuing orders constitutes leadership says all you need to know about this buffoon. About as useful as forming a committee.

Shrimp buffet on Soi 4/Nana. Eat, and live dangerously.

There are some leaks I've seen in Thai, but yes, this sort of behavior is disturbing for a Minister. My sense is that he is both embarrassed and unsure of the "footing" on this one so he's keeping things concealed for now.

Let's wait and see where they settle on this threshold. Remember this is a diversionary program - at military bases no less - for first-time offenders, mainly because they are running out of prison space. But yeah, Yaba is the preferred drug for most Thais, and is MAJOR public health disaster. According to most observers here, there are far too many cannabis shops, with no customers ever, so that leads one to believe that there isn't much of a cannabis use/misuse problem.

Meh. A health certificate is very much different than a prescription for a controlled substance. I don't think foreigners would be allowed access to medical cannabis, as it will be controlled by DTAM/MoPH. Currently, there are very few diagnoses for which Cannabis (oil, and not bong hits) can be prescribed, just four. To expand that program, the MoPH will have to approve, certify, and test Cannabis. And train hundreds of doctors. Finally, I just can't see Doctors being comfortable prescribing a medicine that has to be smoked. So any prescriptions would be for Cannabis oil taken orally.

Decent series, enjoyed S01 more than S02. Suggest that there's a 50/50 chance some major faux-pas are included that some in Thai officialdom will find offensive.

...in your opinion.

This sounds like Master Yoda, after the spliff.