khunjeff

The bill was drafted years ago. Exactly what "process" is still incomplete? Submit the bill, debate it, hold hearings or whatever they do, and vote on it. Don't keep talking about how much you want to pass it without actually doing anything.

Wait, won't he have to be picked up by an ambulance and taken directly to a private hospital? We've been told that the poor fellow is practically at death's door...

Vietnam requires a declaration when taking over 5k USD or 15 million VND (about $600) either in or out of the country. And the person who questioned the OP wasn't a security guard, it was a customs officer. In Vietnam, customs officers sit next to the security screeners (you can see the different uniform) and look for cash and contraband. As you say, the screeners themselves are only looking for items that pose a danger to aviation. (Anyone who ever flew to VN years ago may recall that customs used to have its own x-ray machines just before immigration - they have since streamlined the system by having customs share a checkpoint with security.) I wonder whether we have the same friend, because the exact same thing (with the same amount of money) happened to a friend of mine. To this day I have no idea why they happened to talk to him when he came through the green lane, something that virtually never happens.

"Thongchai said the number of accidents did not significantly increase after allowing entertainment venues in assigned areas to stay open until 4am. Nevertheless, accidents related to drunk driving increased by 25% following the extension of opening hours." The number of accidents didn't increase, but it did increase? Am I missing something? I also have no idea how drunk driving in the wee hours after a night of boozing has any connection to what might happen for three hours in the middle of the afternoon.

The Fast Track area you're looking for is at "Immigration 2", but it's not clearly labeled as such - as mentioned, just follow the "Visa on Arrival" signs, and you'll find Fast Track just to the right. The sign below is next to the entrance, but you can't see it until you're right there. I've never had any issues getting in, because the entrance is screened by an immigration officer, not a guard. For departures, though, LTR is not listed on the sign (only the cryptic "BOI" and "Long Stay"), and the entrances (on the far left and get right of the check-in hall) are guarded by young contractors who know nothing about the rules. They've never tried to deny me entry, but I have had to press the issue once or twice.

I'm sure that's true, but the question was about whether Thailand produces fabric, not whether it grows cotton!

"Regarding the Wing 41 plan, motorists could be required to register with the RTAF and possibly undergo background checks if they are allowed to enter the base. Vehicles entering this security zone could also be inspected." Yes, that certainly sounds like a sensible and efficient way to operate a public highway intended to improve traffic flow 🙄

"In the first 11 months of 2021, Thailand exported 64.8 billion baht of garments and 188.6 billion baht of textiles, Thai Garment Manufacturers Association president Yuttana Silpsarnvitch revealed." https://www.nationthailand.com/blogs/business/40010776

Every time a photo of an endless airport queue appears on social media, they make a statement that all immigration counters were staffed and so it wasn't their fault. If all the counters are already manned, how can they increase staffing above 100%? 🤔

Thai authorities keep saying that they have registered copyright for elephant pants, but with no explanation of exactly who claims the rights and over exactly which intellectual property - the concept of "loose trousers with fabric designs involving elephants" is not one that could be registered in any country that I'm aware of, and a government can't claim rights for something that it didn't create by itself or through its employees. They also state that this supposed registration was just done within the last week or so, which certainly calls into question how imports prior to that registration could have been "illegal".

Gosh, ya think? It's not a bug, it's a feature...

In what sense are these "illegal" imports, when I believe Thailand and China have a free trade agreement? And in what sense are they "knock-offs", when there is no original, "legal" design to copy? And just how was a claim to copyright filed, when there is almost certainly no known "author" of the original print, and there are hundreds of variant fabric designs?

There are dozens or hundreds of different "patterns" used for elephant pants, did they "copyright" all of them? And who was the original "author" who is claiming this alleged copyright? The word copyright has a specific legal meaning, and a country can't just wave it around as a way of blocking legal imports that they don't like.

I don't think the concept of "pants" can be patented - I'm fairly certain that the revolutionary idea of "clothes covering the legs" existed prior to the advent of elephant pants. Copyright? No, there's nothing written that can be given protection. Trademark? "Pictures of elephants on rayon fabric" doesn't represent any identifiable business or enterprise that I know of. If someone is stealing an exact fabric pattern, then sure, maybe you can send them a cease and desist letter (though good luck with that). But protecting the notion of loose trousers with designs involving pachyderms? Nah.

Yes, you can absolutely apply for a new US passport in Thailand. You will need to submit form DS-11 (instead of the form DS-82 that's used for renewals), pay an extra $35, and make an appointment to appear in person at the embassy (their authority to accept mail-in applications only applies to routine renewals). Just go to the embassy website and follow the instructions for "first time application" or "first adult passport". Those terms obviously don't apply in your case, but the process is the same.

The original (long gone) Siam Hotel was the one on Phetchaburi Road next to the Mona Lisa massage parlor, where ladies of the evening would congregate in the coffee shop late at night. The Sukosol family owned the Siam City Hotel on Sri Ayutthaya Road, which is now called (appropriately) The Sukosol Hotel. The family also opened the luxury hotel "The Siam" in 2012, but I don't think that's the one you're thinking of.

Well, the company ceased to exist as of January 1st of this year, so I'm afraid you'll have to find a new favorite! "Thai Airways lost its state enterprise status on 22 May 2020 when the Finance Ministry sold off a 3.17% stake in Thai to the Vayupak 1 Fund, thus reducing its former majority shareholding to 47.86%." https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_Airways_International

Agree 100%. I honestly can't imagine what value an agent would provide, other than scanning and uploading the documents that YOU will still have to dig up and compile. It's a pretty straightforward process, and you don't have to pay anything until/unless you're approved.

These are only 300 count, but they're 100% cotton and inexpensive. https://shp.ee/you00qb

1) Respected media outlet does a report indicating police corruption 2) Police decide that police did nothing wrong 3) Police conclude that the problem is the pesky media outlet Done!

No, the new Khamsavath station is about 10km north of the current Thanaleng station, but still about 15km south of the Vientiane HSR station. This new project is meant to: (1) bring passengers to a newer, bigger station that is closer to the city of Vientiane, and (2) allow through passengers from Bangkok to travel all the way to Vientiane without having to switch to a shuttle train at the border. The extension of the HSR line to Thailand will be a completely separate project.

This is a totally separate station and separate set of tracks - there's no connection between this and the Lao-China HSR.

No, they really do mean beginning to end. They have repeated the claim of "45 seconds to process each passenger" on many occasions over the past year or two, each time a photo of an enormous queue finds its way onto social media. For departures, that claim may not be too far off. For arrivals, it's true for many/most passengers (I used to time each one while waiting to get to the head of the line), but more than a few pax take considerably longer.

"...why doesn’t Immigration just scrap the requirement? "...There are several reasons why this requirement may still be in place: "Firstly, it helps the government keep track of the number of foreign nationals in the country and their whereabouts. This is especially important in managing overstays and ensuring that visitors comply with the terms of their visas. "Secondly, it’s part of the national security policy and by keeping updated records of foreign residents, authorities say they can more effectively monitor and prevent illegal activities." Of course, it doesn't actually accomplish any of those purposes, but sure, whatever 🙄

Rutnin Eye Hospital on Asoke in Bangkok is the top ophthalmological facility in Thailand - they have dozens of doctors specializing in every aspect of vision and eye care