geisha

You can go about a week before your exit date. Just take into account that there are immigration closures for holidays. Get all your photocopies needed done and a photo. I am not sure about kids, so pay them a visit and ask.

Of course the government has no idea of what it costs to actually get to Thailand these days. Airfares have rocketed, inflation is high everywhere and people are struggling. Staying close to home is the option nowadays. We have an enormous amount of nice beaches in Europe , the weather is hot, and those seeking culture are spoilt for choice. Unfortunately, I think we’re in for the long haul and world tourism won’t get back to normal for a while. Where I live in S France, hotels have been fully booked since March . Most EU countries are happy with their season. It doesn’t matter to the richer tourists of course, but Thailand does not attract them.

I had to move from my lovely rented condo in Jomtien because of the Soi dogs. I won’t say how mad I was .

Maybe, but the real problem is getting the visa , not paying for it ! The paperwork, and even the online application is absolutely ridiculous. I travel a lot, why is it so easy to get visas to other countries, even neighboring countries of Thailand ? ? Because the Thai systems, lack of technology and mistrust makes it very difficult.

Where was that in Koh Chang please ?i go often and love walking the beaches and never had a problem.

Thailand only accepted the US for their very own benefit !

What’s all the fuss about filling in a TM6 ? Just do it .

News lately is that infections have tripled in just a few days. But not hospitalized so far.

How awful !

I do and will wear a mask when flying, at the airport, inside busy places likes malls, supermarkets, pharmacies, etc.,And I hope I don’t sit on a plane near one who doesn’t.

We will all be back to wearing masks again soon. Lots are wearing them in France now. Infections rising daily and queues outside test centers. It will be worse after the summer holidays I suppose. Health authorities advising the 4th dose for the over 60s already.

How about dress rules ? Cut off t shirts, tatoués and flip flops for the men , 10 cm heels micro skirts and fluorescent tank tops for the girls ?

I see a Casino Visa coming ! The organizers will want to attract the people with cash. Casino business is not something amateurs can do. Done badly, Thailand would be like one big Sihanoukville.

The big difference between Thailand and France as far as tourism goes, is the quality you get. About the same size as Thailand , it attracts world travelers, and lots of them are big spenders. The five star palaces on the Cote d Azur and Var , St Tropez etc draw in buyers of 5000 to 15000 € rooms, and 10:times more for villas and 10:times that for yacht locations. Those people spend on restaurants, nightclubs with huge bills for champagne, flower arrangements, private chefs, staff, chauffeur driven cars for those that don’t fly in their own . Yes, when the Emirates arrive July to middle August the airport is crammed with huge private jets, and truck loads of suitcases ! Chanel , Vuitton , Dior etc work non stop and body guards à gogo everywhere. Paris is the same, Deauville , Biarritz to a lesser extent. Normal 3/4 star hotels are fully booked by March or Easter, yes , some families stay only a few days, but often come back 2 / 3 times a year. Repeat guests from EU and Uk are very present. You do not see this in Thailand ! You will not get this anywhere apart from Bangkok maybe. And even then, even I can afford a 5 star. They’re not the same standard. Some good restaurants yes, very little catering to the rich foreigners. Backpackers, I know a few, most say Thailand ? Been there done that. They move around to see the world. Thailand missed its opportunity to attract well off repeat guests. The infra structure is a sham, and the whole place ( except Bangkok center) looks as if it’s a shanty town. Not exotic. Plenty choice for everyone unfortunately for Thailand.

Same thing happened to the hotel/ restaurant/transport / tourist businesses in EU .During Covid, staff were laid off , they had government help ( unlike Thailand and some countries who got nothing). After Covid restrictions ended, those staff didn’t come back !!! Just like that. In the meantime they found jobs that had easier hours, less travel to and fro., free weekends to spend with their families. Even tho they were generally earning less, they went for the easier way of life. In the 70s to 2018 I worked 7 days a week, no one counted hours. I was happy earning a good salary and had long winters in Thailand or elsewhere. Todays youths/ younger families, don’t want that. They’d rather earn less, closer to home, and spend the weekends with family or friends. Same goes for flight staff. It is a hard job, certainly lots of perks, but hard, especially as you get older. The whole western world is looking for staff !!!

I remember the Pink Panther Patpong, have I got that right ? It had a big pink cat sign outside. Think it was French owned. Loved Trink and his big column , loved his jokes. I kept thinking that I hoped no Thai was reading it. Tho he was never rude or condemned his demi-mondaines. I used to cut out his column and take it back home to show my friends where I was whiling away my winters. They thought it was great too.Sorry I lost them somewhere along the way of life. There was also a very good Post Bag , or box, that was also full of good letters to the editor. Thanks , even if the others “ don’t give a hoot”.

Are you talking bout Jomtien ??

I must say that photo made me laugh out loud. They really should post on international newspapers as joke of the day !

I certainly believe there are problems ahead. At the moment it’s the wild weather changes, it’s either flooding or dry as a bone. Of course the petrol and gas problems are world wide, and they are pushing prices up enormously. It will concern everybody and everything . Transport if it’s for goods or tourists, food or cars and shops, will bring a lack of extra spending money due to inflation. This eventually becomes global and can end in recession as we have seen in the past.

I think you’re very wrong there .No drug takers in Thailand, you must be joking !!!

I moved from one Soi in Jomtien bécause of the stray dogs. I was so annoyed as I loved my small condo and nice staff and pool. Even people passing on bikes or cars were chased, disgusting this happens and no one cares. The parents of this recent attack should sue the dog owners to hell and back and make sure every single website and newspaper gets the story. Only way to get some reaction from the government. Maybe could save more poor kids from attacks.

That’s the French embassy for you ! Must be the worst ..

Inflation is world wide, no escaping. some reports state that it could go very much higher.

Functioning road speed cameras, all automated . Traffic light cameras. spot checks for papers, fines not paid , car/ bike confiscated . Good money for the authorities, as it’s not hand to hand. Technology , like other countries have.

What “ hurdle” , a visa is a hurdle, am expensive flight is a hurdle, 5 minutes on the internet or a phone call to a reputable travel insurance company ( there are many) is NOT a hurdle and it is not expensive. If you don’t have a 100 € odd to go 10 000 miles from home on a holiday, to ensure your health treatment in case of need, then stay closer to home. Really. why should a country or hospital be liable for a holiday makers travel mistakes ? The “ don’t care” attitude doesn’t work in real life.