brewsterbudgen

Poseidon probably holds the correct licences. "The Entertainment Places Act of 1966": This Act was designed to pave the way for brothels to be legalized in the guise of massage parlours, bars, night-clubs, tea-houses etc. It was enacted at a time when the Government sought to increase state revenue from the "Rest and Recreation" activities of the US armed forces stationed in Vietnam. The Act defines the various kinds of "Entertainment Places" and allows such places to operate only under a license to be obtained from local police stations.

@eisfeld You have the patience of a saint! ????

The motorcycle culture here is depressingly tragic. So many needless deaths.

Never. It's pretty much standard practice and has always been, but people seem to like to scare newbie teachers!

Yes. It's one of the hazards of living in Asia. There are others too!

Indeed. We'll all die some day. If you decide to live in Asia, it's something to factor in.

It can be a little annoying (I've lived here for 18 years), but really not very important in the scheme of things.

I'm not sure many people actually bother to read all the posts!

Maybe he wants to move to Rwanda with her...!

It's just something that, unfortunately, we have to learn to live with. Welcome to Asia.

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. ????