Jonathan Swift

Let me correct a half truth. You have been issued a retirement visa, based on which you are granted 1 year extension of stay every year. The extension and the visa are separate, but you most certainly have a retirement visa. If you didn't there would be nothing to extend from.

The sad thing about this behavior is that it plays right into the hands of anti muslim racists and bigots which can point and say that this proves them right. So these mόrons are betraying their own culture with their behavior

Based on my observations, Thai drivers may look crazy but they actually know more about what they're doing than the average farang. I would equate Thai drivers to stuntmen.

To put it another way, while they were hatching their plans to increase tourism they should have also planned the necessary increased law enforcement to deal with the inevitable increase in bad behavior. But hindsight is 20/20,

It is in the nature of unevolved people to judge entire cultures by stereotypes perpetrated by bigots.

These kinds of people can't be "taught lessons" because they don't learn. They are arrogant and disrespectful by nature, and nothing is going to change who they are. None of their antics will land them in jail and they know it. Sad but true.

“Anyone caught submitting forged documents, including travel agents, will face strict action, including blacklisting.” Is someone insinuating that "agents" use fraudulent means to obtain visas? You don't say. As to expats in Thailand, yes most are safe using reliable agents whose brown envelopes are all in order, but there's always the outside chance that a careless or less savvy agent will be caught and the expat will have big problems. For that reason I advise people to do it themselves, once you're past the initial learning curve it's not difficult at all, especially if you book your appointment in advance.

People wear their bigotry like a badge of honor. They love to hate, meanwhile, what does it say about their character?

The only reason Americans don't seem to be much of a problem is they are fewer here and outnumbered by the others. I'm American and I can assure you that, ethnically, Americans are equally misbehaved. Not me though, cus I'm special. Haha, actually I barely drink, maybe that has something to do with it. Seriously though, just my opinion, I think it's a combination of age/immaturity, the reasons they come here in the first place (non stop party free for all), and the drunkenness that comes with all of the above

Remember where you are. Those charges might literally not exist here. Bio Hazard? Walking down any given city street is a bio hazard. Except probably indecent exposure, which might instead be called public urinating or any number of variations.

"Where I live it is the Thais who drive their motorbikes in the wrong direction, on the pavement, without a helmet, while texting on their phones and urinating." The circus has come to town.

thanks for your post. I'm sure it helps a lot of people as a direct hands on experience

That is what I was told by a Thai/UK tax expert specializing in expats. I have social security non assessable income

A very perceptive and insightful comment, for a change. I see it the same way - victimless "crimes" by desperate people, who would do it legally if they could.

I see a lot of FB posts of people looking for work especially in Pai Backslacker Hippietown. If they really wanted to enforce this in Pai they'd end up removing half the town's population, who are contributing little or nothing to the local economy

can we get them to take the Russians?

"Falang riders, the same in cars"? How are these names western names? "The motorcycle rider, identified as Ms. Kulthida, 19, and her passenger Ms. Thassanee"

Obviously they know little or nothing about the real Thailand, just some unreliable hearsay about the proliferation of such things. They are not the sharpest tool in the shed.

There is almost always a certain amount of doubt until convicted beyond a reasonable doubt. But possession is in and of itself a crime, as is the attempt to use it or pass it. He "possessed" it, and he intended to use it. He wasn't charged with actual counterfeiting, or knowingly obtaining them.

Why? Are you tempted to make some of your own? Unlikely that he himself made them. He probably bought them on the black market. Most likely they were made in North Korea. The stripe is not gold, it's blue. To tell if a $100 bill is counterfeit, check for the following security features: Security thread: When holding the bill up to light, a vertical thread should be visible on the left side of Franklin's portrait with "USA 100" printed on it; under UV light, it should glow pink. Color-shifting numeral: The "100" in the lower right corner should change color from copper to green when tilted. Watermark: A faint image of Benjamin Franklin should be visible on the right side of the portrait when held to light. Microprinting: Tiny text around Franklin's collar and other areas can be seen with a magnifying glass. 3D Security Ribbon: A blue ribbon with bells and "100" that moves when tilted. Raised printing: Certain areas like the Treasury seal should feel raised when touched.

If it were just one or two, not necessarily suspicious. But 24? He had to know. Did he try to spend or cash them elsewhere? If he had he would have likely been previously caught. Employees are trained to inspect large bills and spot fakes.

I’m here in Patong, but not sorry I missed it. I don’t need to see lowlife human beings behaving badly. I was listening to a great band with a great singer.

Post signs along the beach warning of gold necklace thieves? Does the government really care about making Pattaya a better place?

No smarter or dumber than any other group. But tourists are a demographic of their own. They’re more concerned about showing off their gold without thinking or researching online. This problem happens in every country

I think that was a rhetorical question