Paul Catton

Nothing works the same way for holders of passports issued from various countries. Your example of Vietnam, I traveled under a UK passport, walk through, visa exempt. Opal was adamant she would be travelling under her New Zealand passport which incurred three attempts via digital format to finally get the Visa at a cost of 45US$. I had told her she could be Visa exempt using her Thai passport, (selective deafness). Any impediment that extends time clearing your point of entry is detrimental from a tourist point of view. The math says at Suvarnabhumi, processing would need to be 2 seconds per passenger to keep the flow (reduced pro rata by the amount of kiosks open for this "arrival levy collection"). 10 kiosks gives 20 second process.window 20 kiosks would give a 40 second process window etc... I envision longer queues than experienced by persons paying respect to passing of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey. Alternatives. Pay in advance when purchasing ticket selectively. Would be nigh on impossible by most overseas airlines as they have to abide by their National Laws & Consumer Laws which would be applicable covering discrimination etc... I reiterate this appears to be a knee jerk reaction without any critical thought regarding consequence. My 2 cents worth, (and I can say that as I am a slave to NZ$ economy).

Good on you, take care and kindest regards.

Stop looking at projected revenue grab. Devil is in the detail. It is not an extra NZ$14 per passenger from a tourist. After a long haul flight queuing up for a an extended time to pass through Immigration then queuing up for another extended time to pay this levy, is a non starter for my next SE Asian visit.

Continually flying in and out surely puts you in the exempt category after obtaining a re-entry permit valid against the legitimate "Visa issued and any extension " you use for entry, then you should join the queue after immigration for your refund. The necessity of a "Border Run" should be a one off situation to avail time to meet criteria. You say you are on a "retirement visa" yet "flying in and out 3-5 for work". I wish you well, I do care about the many hypocrites abounding Thailand which we've all known about, yet never pressed to redress.

Agree. It is a knee jerk reaction by "Politicians" to boost maybe "coffers for ambiguous purpose" without thought to practicality. Off Topic but similar thought process abounds Thailand. Ban Vaping for “health reasons and to discourage young people from starting to smoke” AKA Protect the Tobacco Authority of Thailand, which is a Thai state enterprise and the sole legal entity permitted to produce tobacco products in the country, thereby creating an inadvertent revenue stream for extortion by corrupt officials of law enforcement. Banning of alcohol on all of the State Railway of Thailand due to a drunken employee who performed an act of rape. If a "Hotel" bartender (or any employee) gets drunk from covert supping and then performed an act of rape upon a guest, should all Hotels then be alcohol free. Perhaps you may wish to add to the hypocrisy without incurring the wrath of moderation

Vietnam is definitely off the cards, being a side tour from Thailand in our last SE Asian excursion Dec/Jan 2022/23, I liken it to "Hell in Paradise". Kuala Lumpur would be the preferred hub, easily accessible to Thailand if we actually need to see family without having to go through Bangkok.. Also, direct access to many other areas of SE Asia via Air Asia. Have been to KL a couple of times and I have been quite impressed.

As a tourist After travelling to Thailand that can take up to 12-14 hours, the last thing I want to face is being stuck in an immigration queue followed by an "arrival levy kiosk " queue for hours.

How they will implement this levy for collection could be a mission and half. It can't really be included in the purchase of the ticket as that would set it at odds with laws pertaining to "discrimination" in many overseas countries where the tickets would be purchased. Perhaps if it was included in all tickets, (as is the departure tax} with a discounted refund on arrival for eligible passengers, would be possible. "Queue here for your refund after exiting Immigration". Pay at a kiosk on arrival. Approximately 62% of passenger arrivals to Thailand are processed through Suvarnabhumi Airport (AOT- Report 2019) With 25,000,000 tourists being touted from the crystal ball, Suvarnabhumi equates to 42,465 per day, 1769 an hour, which is a passenger every two seconds. So how many kiosks will be available and manned, also how quick will be the process of collection with all the variables that may come into play? Only having US$, GBP, Peruvian Sol, Zambian Kwacha as the threshold of equivalent currency. Not having QR payment, Paywave etc. Let the fun and games (not) begin.

They also know the name of the "unidentified" woman from the passport. Best reporting is at aec-tv "Theft from a Government Office" Should've just handed them in over the counter like a good Samaritan would've done.

Latest "Their Estimate" I use for my tracking purpose is down to NZ$630,000 from the NZ$840,000 peak, early last year. If my math is correct, that's a 33% shave. Being "Freehold" it will not have any effect for us, unless we find the need to liquidate, and then our war chest wont be quite as full. However, many people will have bought just either side of the peak, and are now facing a large "Negative Equity", compounded by significant Home Loan Interest Rate increases throughout last year and finally are now being battered by "rampant inflation" and the rise of "cost of living" escalating daily. My personal view is things don't bode well, especially when you can't buy an egg in your local Supermarket.

Live snacks, bonus! The prepped rats ready for grilling at a rural market was a little more off-putting. Chiang Mai and Thailand in general, lost significant appeal for me this trip. It's redeeming feature was the side trip to Vietnam which was a lot worse.

It was good to see that all the Health massage parlors located at Wat Worachanyawat are still operating post Covid.. Prices for Thai Massage still cheap at 120THB / Hour. Fantastic location right next to the Chao Phraya, and good local cuisine on Chareon Krung Road to boot. BTS to Saphan Taksin and taking the Orange Ferry is a pleasant way of getting there.

Took the train from Hua lampong to Hua Hin yesterday, (5 schedules were cancelled). Managed to get 2 x 3rd class fan seats. Bought food from near the station for the journey. In hindsight, wish we had got the step-on step-off services from vendors of local delicacies, cheaper, more variety and looked a lot more appetizing. Another memorable journey.

Similarly I have almost always had the baggage checks on the back of my passport, whenever they have been on the boarding pass, i have always retained it securely. The baggage receipt is sufficient for lost luggage.

I have no idea when this requirement was introduced, perhaps with the suspension of the TM6? Or has it always been in place in Thailand yet never in my history been asked for. Signage is at every booth specifies to have your documents ready with now the inclusion of the boarding pass on the list. The lady immediately in front of me didn't have the paper variety and hers was on her phone which she had get out of the bag, log on etc,,,, On many occasions upon reaching a final destination, I have never bothered with retaining this and either left in on the plane or discarded it as rubbish. Fortunately, I had slipped ours back into the travel folder and processing time was speedy. Have no idea what the implications would have been should I have been unable to produce it. (Pulled over to one side and delayed while a quoted Airline manifest has to be checked? )

Didn't need to hear about it on the radio, but have experiencing the devaluation, now at 25.37% on our humble South Auckland abode. ????

Keep safe "Bruvvah" Kindest regards Paul

Dear Johnny, Confused never. Open minded always has to be the starting point.. Sister is never spelled "Sistah" unless one is trying to bastardize the English language, unless trying to be hip-hop etc. Plumage displayed represented perhaps South African or a myriad of African nationalities. Hiding behind being a Rastafarian didn't cross my mind ! "Trying to establish a "Refuge for Men with Families" in NZ who were subject of "domestic violence" I had a response of a threat of arrest by the District Commander as it didn't fit the D.V. narrative. Refuge was established." Is the above example "a conspiracy theory? Or has the pendulum swung too far, and Damocles Sword bares on every neck: Kind regards Paul

Glad that you accept I am not racist, My "credentials being flashed"? I am above board in both in the "real world" and this "virtual world". I am not confused in my opinion, it might not align with you or many others, not my problem, accept it. Kindest regards Paul

I feel for your angst. I am in the reverse position trying to get coverage for both "pet feeding and abode security" for a four week trip to Thailand & Vietnam. Our current arrangements in my opinion are less than ideal. Hope you get a few off-forum messages and savvy dedicated entrepreneurs fills the void.

Thanks @CaptainSplod As we will be staying there, definitely a no brainer. Short elevator ride for the compulsory siesta post feeding.

My impart on this is "Mountain from Molehill,. I expect to flayed. Any organization that cannot spell "Sister" correctly seems to be a bit suspect. Having rainbow colors prominently displayed as preferred attired dress, probably led the "old duck" being extra confused. One cannot expect the said nanny to be confused. and asking the questions she asked to gather the ethnicity origin from Ngozi Fulani. Rather than initially being forthcoming, used opportunity for distraction to further discord and, played the racist card, presumably with financial benefit. Am I racist? Think not, have had many interactions with many nationalities over the course of my scholastic years to present day. Happily married to a Thai national with partial Chinese heritage, can't call me Xenophobic ????

In my opinion rates are far too high from any tangible services that Opal and I are able to utilize. Core "Local Governmental Services" are basically a weekly "general waste" wheelie bin collection and a fortnightly "recyclable" wheelie bin collection. Occasionally, we might venture out to the many "Green Spaces" being the "Botanic Gardens" for inspiration. "Water supply and Sewage" was privatized under Watercare for Auckland and removed from Council auspices and is now subject to interference from the Central Government with 3WaterPolicy trying to push through legislation.

The tourist has no requirement to fill out the TM30. The Thai friend however would be required, (not that they will).

Rates @ NZ$2068 pa, House Insurance premium NZ$809 pa