bamnutsak

The 20 Baht cap on electric train fares is a policy of the Srettha government, and they need to fund the operating deficits. End of story. Meanwhile, the BMA is looking to weasel out of the 23 BILLION Baht they owe the BTSC. And the Srettha government is subsidizing fuel to the tune of 17 Billion baht. Earlier in September, the Cabinet approved a 2.5 baht cut on excise tax of diesel and biodiesel fuels for three months, effective from September 20 to December 31. This measure is expected to result in reduced state revenue of 5 billion baht per month, or 15 billion baht over the period, the department noted. Combined revenue lost from the fuel tax cuts could therefore reach as much as 17.7 billion baht. https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/policies/40032433

Apply Date 23/11/2023 05:26:00 Approved 24/11/2023 06:39:32 CW certainly a new record for me, ~ 25 hours

Sounds like the "government" realizes that this wallet scheme is dying a slow death, so they need to scaremonger about how dire the economic situation is in order to push the scheme. Nice try, losers.

Cheering practice was always an impediment to teaching/learning schedules, certainly at BCC and AC. There's a reason why they only do this every two years.

So much time, political capital, and attention is being wasted on this idiotic scheme, while major issues remain unaddressed. And the PM is flitting around the globe.

For proposing modifications to the Lese Majeste law, an example must be made. I think, at a minimum, the MFP will be dissolved, and banned forever. All members will be banned from politics for five years. Pita will be lucky if he avoids prison, or forced to flee the country, with a lifetime political ban.

As long as he's not considering renaming a Province Gilead, the birth rate will continue to decline.

Many are arrayed against this scheme. The PM doesn't realize how exposed he is on this, and that it has little support. Even the majority coalition - other than the PTP - seems lukewarm at best. I'm not sure that if it even reaches a Parliamentary Vote, that it will pass. It will face many legal challenges, the Council of State, and the Constitutional Court at a minimum. The PM doesn't have the power/influence to make this happen. He's thinking back to his days as being the headman of his company, where his will was the way.

I think everyone knew this was DoA as soon as they heard it. Odd that it took ~ 36 hours for the PM to walk it back. Gaffe, after gaffe after gaffe. He's starting to look silly. Time for the A-Team.

Waiting on press releases from Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google, and Microsoft to confirm these claims. Any update on the attempts to sell a (land) bridge?

You can have multiple appointments, on the same/different days. Once you're logged in you can see the appointments associated with your account. That said, the timing of consecutive appointments may be challenging. What if the extension process drags on longer than expected? And there aren't that many slots. But I plan to try this next year.

Most/nearly all of the CW trip reports here skew very positive, like 90/100. I think most complaints are about new requirements or changes in last year's required documents. Mostly minor process stuff. My own experiences have been positive (ext stay/ret, CoR, REEP, 90-day report), but I do follow the trip reports and am rarely if ever, surprised by some new hurdle. That said, the Re-Entry Permit process seems to be more broken than in past years. No clue what's going on there, maybe a new Lt. Gen. is flexing their power?

Entertainment venues to open until 4am, but no alcohol sale to drunks So Anutin was correct? https://aseannow.com/topic/1311497-anutin-clarifies-alcohol-sales-will-be-allowed-during-extended-entertainment-hours/

Has anyone heard if this was a zip-gun (popular with the vocational gangs, made in shop classes)? Modified blank-firing gun (like the Siam Paragon shooter)? Or a real handgun?

Of course, he has a "slogan". Chance of Possibility for the digital wallet = Zero. Chance of Possibility he remains PM for more than one year = Zero.

I think they use next-day shipping for the U.S./Passport Agency (Portsmouth NH?) --> USEMBBKK, so I think you'll end up well within the five-six week range most here have experienced over the last few months. Maybe two days to get to Thailand, and two days for EMS from Laksi/or BKK to your location in Thailand.

My best guess is that the 15 Dec 2023 date is one in which they might allow some non-Thais to use the EXISTING automated gates (which can only be used by Thais departing)? No clue how that can or will work? The new machines, allowing for the higher capacities quoted, will hopefully be installed by 31 July 2024.

Mitr Phol Group wins this round, with the help of Capt. Thamanat Prompow. Sugar was in the basket of price-controlled items recently renewed for another year. Sugar producers said, "not so fast". They made the case that price controls contravene various international trade agreements.

He's got a thin line to walk on this one. His first step seems like a safe one. Many hurdles for this idiotic idea to clear before MP's are forced to vote. then you have the Constitutional Court (at a minimum). Think this one will die a very slow death. The last estimate by Srettha or a minion was September 2024. Stick a fork in this one.

Date for "soft opening" is 31 July 2024, and that's today's guess. Is eight+ months enough time?

Fairly common way for Thais to become "little ghosts" in Korea. Tour companies keep a close eye on groups, and very tightly control luggage access when moving around the country. But for those intent on working illegally, they just leave their luggage and do a runner at night. Estimates are 100,000 -150,000 illegal Thais in Korea. https://aseannow.com/topic/1311374-thailand-cracks-down-on-illegal-employment-in-south-korea/

She said he said. Great boss, throwing his Minister under the bus. What a bunch of incompetent fools.

No.

Some recent reports here re: Re-Entry Permit processing at CW have been alarming, with waits of up to four hours. I never understood the lengthy wait between payment and the return of the passport. You can get a re-entry permit at the airport in a few minutes. Maybe each application needs to be reviewed by ~ 5 levels of management? And I don't understand why there are so many people getting re-entry permits every day at CW. I did not know people over 70 get preferred or expedited service at the Re-Entry desks. It is interesting that they can "fast-track" the process. You can make an appointment for a Re-Entry Permit at CW through their appointment system. Service time is quoted at 40 minutes, but there are only eight slots per day, with five in the AM and three in the PM.

There has been little detail made public on the actual changes to the Cannabis Control Act currently being considered in Parliament. Some assumptions: cannabis flower above 0.2% will be illegal, not sure if it will go back on the Narcotics List at the same level. No clue about punishments and enforcement. People freed from prison for Cannabis charges will not be re-incarcerated. Hemp/CBD will be very tightly controlled. Kratom will remain legal. Some MPs have made public comments that indicate that recreational use will be made illegal again, and some research and medical applications may be allowed. I think medical cannabis will be more tightly controlled than simply issuing prescriptions. "Cannabis will be - double underline - for medical purposes and research," said Saritpong Kiewkong of the Bhumjaithai party, which spearheaded the decriminalisation and is now the second largest component of Thailand's 11-party coalition government. "There is no policy for recreational use," the lawmaker told reporters in parliament, adding that such measures were not yet being considered. The draft law, which consolidates measures against public use that the government now relies on to rein in misbehaviour, is expected to take a year to finalise and pass.