Ajarnbrian

UK state pension amount first depends on number of ‘contribution years’, 35 years needed (for those reaching pension age since 2016). Your pension should be increased yearly to allow for cost of living increases. But it has long been frozen if you’re not living in the UK or EU countries, or - wait for it - US, Philippines, Israel or Turkey. Yes, Philippines fine for getting your annual increase but not Thailand. Go figure.

‘Outbreak of law breaking by foreigners’, is surely an exaggeration if it involves less than 0.1% of the many thousands of foreign visitors in Thailand. Let’s see the offenders dealt with and deported, the vast majority of law abiding, respectful foreigners can support that.

14 hours ago, Yorkshire Tea said:

Shouldn't have sat on the steps 😉

Would any person sitting on those steps reasonably believe there was a likelihood they would be kicked or pushed from behind?

The media attention of this case and daily reminders may indeed bring stress. And as a doctor she can recognise such symptoms. 

My wife’s Thai passport expired during Covid. To return from Australia to Thailand she got a Certificate from Thai Embassy Canberra and had to buy direct flight to Thailand to renew there. Flight back to Thailand no problem with that Cert and Thai passport renewal smooth and received next day (compared to Australia 6 weeks).

Assuming you’re flying direct from Melbourne or Sydney to Thailand on Jetstar, should be fine. Going via another country (where 6 months min remaining on PP rule applies) probably no.

On this route both airlines have been fine for me over the years. Not had a cancellation but if there is, at least plenty of daily flights on a competitive route. On routes with only one or two flights a day, not so good if flight cancelled.

‘Free market principles’ are fine when there is genuine competition, equal access to markets and airports. Oligopoly markets (often just Duopoly) are not competitive enough and don’t lead to the reasonable fares Thai customers are seeking at holiday times. AirAsia has a responsibility to look after customers better rather than overcharging.

3 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Are you seriously suggesting that people should be deported for being "arrogant"    In that case they would do well to start with   people who use a word like "ajarn" in their user name.  Who on earth told you that would be a good Idea, 

Try reading beyond the opening word. I have never said people should be deported just for being arrogant. But misbehaviour from a minority of foreigners in Thailand is not welcomed by Thai people. And a refusal to give a genuine apology does not help.

Over-entitled foreigner behaving in a totally unacceptable way. Ordinary locals probably couldn’t do much about it but this doctor could. Looks like he’s guilty and should be deported.

Fly directly into Chiang Mai and avoid BKK Suvarnabhumi congestion. Flights from KL, Singapore, Taipei, HK and mainland China daily to CNX. And with flights from Chiang Mai direct to Phuket, Krabi, U-Tapao (Pattaya) and Koh Samui, you don’t need to go to Bangkok.

Good news indeed. An example of helping our fellow human beings. Not a story for cynical comments at all.

Looks like yet another British male in Pattaya not making sensible choices. 

For many years China had a one-child policy, only recently abandoned. Selective abortion of females (and female infanticide), with a cultural preference for sons, has led a great population imbalance. Far more males than females in China, men who can’t find wives and still an obsession with having sons rather than daughters.