brewsterbudgen

Sorry, but it is obvious. As has been explained above (by @eisfeld) it's called 'withholding tax'.

Not just Bangkok...Thailand.

It's horrible everywhere!

Agreed. It's a Thailand problem, not just a Pattaya problem.

True, but I think his point is that the appalling delays being experienced are post-Brexit. I renewed my passport in Bangkok in 2015 and it only took a couple of weeks.

I've never heard of anyone getting a single-entry visitor visa for the UK - I thought they were always multi-entry. Has it changed recently?

You're paying withholding tax (which is negligible) which all employers need to deduct/pay. The proper tax will be calculated at the end of the year.

I have no idea. My wife owns the land on which we built our house. I have no wish to live there for any length of time, so happy that it's all hers!

I stayed with my Lao GF in her village many times - we just had a 'drink' with the village headman and there were no issues. We're now married with a child, although our UK marriage is not recognised in Laos, and a house in the village, and it still seems OK. I wouldn't risk a hotel though, as you're dependent on the hotel staff who may have a financial interest in tipping off the authorities.

None of those crimes involve investigation and action by Immigration, except perhaps people smuggling.

If she works in a bar and she's a girl, she's a bar girl. If she's a customer in a bar, she's not a bar girl. However, either could be a prostitute, which is presumably what you're asking about.

See George Aylesham's post just above yours.

A shame it doesn't allow freedom of movement within the EU any more. The cost should have been reduced not increased.

I disagree. I always use booking.com and have done for many years. Never had an issue and appreciate the Genius discount I often get.

Exactly. Bring back democracy for Thai people. ????

Where is your "official" source for this? Actually, there is a lot of Thai legislation regulating prostitution in the Kingdom, going back to the 1960s. I posted a link earlier.

Exactly. Most applications are successful - around 90% I believe.

Unless they change the law to allow sexual service to be sold and allowed on the premises (basically a brothel or soi 6 style), I can't see much change. Bars employing staff who can be barfined by customers should already be subject to the same employment laws as any other bar/restaurant. What takes place after a member of staff has 'left' the premises is nothing to to with the employer. Soapies are already covered under existing legislation. Sounds like a publicity stunt to me. http://www.sexwork.com/Thailand/legal.html

There is currently no such requirement.

Yes. There is already a considerable body of Thai jurisprudence regulating prostitution, going back to the 1960s, and high time it was updated. http://www.sexwork.com/Thailand/legal.html

Very true. And so can IELTS examining, especially once the Chinese return!

Are you sure? I thought the it was 15 for marriage in Thailand.

Correct.

If you renew your passport while in your home country, you can use it to enter Thailand. Your 'admitted to' stamp will be stamped in the new passport at BKK airport. Then you just transfer your Extension stamps at Immigration - there is no need for the Embassy letter as you don't have a 'new' passport (it's been stamped by airport immigration). Just make sure you hold onto your old passport as you'll need this at the airport (for the IO to check your Extension/Re-entry permit) and at Immigration when you transfer the Extension.

9pm is still pretty early for the Walking Street gogos. How many did you go into? It's not easy to see how busy they are from the outside, and if you were only there for an hour you can't have frequented many!