StevieAus

12 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

THe Thai justice system has done its work again... and have accepted the envelopes... Ordinary people would be convicted

12 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

THe Thai justice system has done its work again... and have accepted the envelopes... Ordinary people would be convicted

No different than around the world,I recall the prominent member of the Kennedy family in the US who drove off the bridge leaving the young woman to drown.

He didn’t to jail either or pay any any compensation.

On 4/22/2025 at 12:59 PM, BritManToo said:

Well, my MiL is definitely Thai, and she only speaks some village language.

When she comes and says (rarely) there are only three other old ladies in our gated village (250 households) that can chat with her.

 

Now there might be a majority of Thais that can speak Central Thai as a second language, generally they don't, and they won't.

You are spot on there, I live in the North and the majority of the Thais speak Lana plus their own “ slang” then of course the various ethnic groups including the Burmese speak their own languages.

My nine year old daughter who speaks fluent English openly states that she prefers to speak Lana rather than Central Thai which she is required to speak at the non government school she attends.

On 4/23/2025 at 9:20 AM, NE1 said:

Sneaky feelings don't have evidence . I am just going on previous experience when an online something or other is rolled out you get the odd one or two that states , Not available to foreigners .

Which examples are you referring to that are not available to foreigners ?

11 hours ago, Maestro said:

 

Thank you. That's interesting.

 

An immigration fine of 2,000 Bath, with receipt, for the late submission of the TM.30 notification is irregular. If your wife still has the receipt, it would interest me to know exactly what reason for the fine is shown, in Thai, on the receipt.

Sorry the fine was 1600 not 2000 which according to what I can find out is the fine for not lodging the form in time.

She is not interested in pursuing the issue despite the extenuating circumstances so that is where it lies.

2 hours ago, connda said:

Corporal punishment was a rite of passage in the schools I attended when I was a kid.  However with that said, Thai teachers have a habit of going over the top, and then the school's administration comes down on their side. 

Our daughter goes to a non government school and corporal punishment is forbidden.

From my observations over five years the teachers seem to control the kids without resorting to violence, perhaps better trained.

I have a Barometer that originated in the UK and was given to me by a friend who passed away several years ago.

It is not functioning  and obviously needs some attention, the only place I can locate on the internet is a shop in Bangkok who don’t seem particularly interested.

Any information as to where it can be sent would be appreciated.

On 4/20/2025 at 4:22 PM, Surasak said:

Unless the tenant agreement states otherwise, who the tenant invites into the house is nothing to do with the landlord.  

Except if the visitor is a non Thai the landlord is responsible for lodging the TM 30 is he not ?

On 4/17/2025 at 5:02 AM, Maestro said:

 

Did your wife get a receipt for the 2000 Baht?

Certainly did.

On 4/20/2025 at 12:30 PM, fredwiggy said:

Richards reply is right. I will be going to the US embassy this week to renew my daughter's US passport, as she needs that one to leave Thailand, and uses the Thai passport to re- enter without needing a Visa. We're going to the US in November so getting that passport started soon as possible is good. It takes up to a month to be delivered to your house. It's best to contact the embassy to make sure.

He is talking about renewing a Thai passport and providing he can obtain the correct documentation  it will be delivered to the home address within about three days.

6 hours ago, Sydebolle said:

Well, when "complete absence of common sense" meets "loss of face", it escalates to the present status. Solution is flower basket, big apology and "wai" with reference to misunderstanding under stress. 

In private hospitals one can witness, more often than not, complete overstaffing which results in a bureaucracy of titanic proportions - and explains part of the huge difference in treatment costs. 

But, as long as there is plenty of lose change for submarines, destroyers, Air Force toys and interesting bridge ideas between the main land and touristic islands ...... we all can assume, that public healthcare, education and basic utility provisions like electricity and running water are all ticked off to the fullest satisfaction of everybody 😉
 

In the 15 years I have lived in Thailand on the occasions I have had need to visit the local hospital mainly due to minor accidents I have received excellent care.

Regarding utilities such as water and electricity the service particularly relating to breakdowns is superior to what I experienced in Australia.

The PEA in particular provide excellent service 24 hours a day 52 weeks a year.

On 4/14/2025 at 11:11 AM, thairookie said:

As landlord, I'm responsible for the TM30 submission if I rent it out to the tenant for 30 days or more.

 

What if the tenant decides to accommodate a foreigner friend for a few nights ?  Is that an infringement of any provisions of the Hotel Act ?

 

We live North of Chiang Mai and have a motel and apartments which my Thai wife manages.

Most of our guests and tenants are Thai but we occasionally do have foreigners as occurred recently.

I was overseas and we had a young French guy rent for two months as he has a Thai girlfriend.

My wife was a day late lodging the TM30 form as she had to take our sick daughter to hospital in Chiang Mai where she was kept in overnight

The recently appointed officious Immigration person fined her 2000 baht for being a day late.

Wasn’t interested in the reason for the delay.

Sometimes doesn’t pay to do the right thing.

On 2/17/2025 at 9:23 PM, Harrisfan said:

Food, massages and not much else. Pretty shallow country.

Leave then, somehow I don't think you will be missed

Depending on your age you might not be here so why worry.

9 hours ago, nomad22 said:

 

Anywhere outside your home country you will have the same problem opening a bank account.  These banking laws were forced on Thailand by western countries, and every country in the world that wants to be part of the international banking community has the follow the same rules.

You can have problems with your own country if you no longer reside there but still hold bank accounts.

My Thai wife and I both hold accounts in Australia and every two years or so I am required to provide two certified documents proving my identity, my wife who also holds Australian citizenship got her demand last week.

9 hours ago, nomad22 said:

 

Anywhere outside your home country you will have the same problem opening a bank account.  These banking laws were forced on Thailand by western countries, and every country in the world that wants to be part of the international banking community has the follow the same rules.

19 hours ago, eddi said:

Today, Pattaya Immigration refused to accept the original of our marriage certificate which they have previously accepted for many years.

Another new requirement I guess. They want me to get a certified copy from the British consulate in Bangkok.

I don't want to go to Bangkok even if the consulate will certify it there as my health limits my mobility.

Anyone else had this problem? Suggestions welcome.

There are “people”” organizations “ who will do it for you I live in the North and needed some documents certified by the Australian Embassy and someThai Dept in order to get my House book and ID card several years ago

Fom memory wasn’t expensive need to google to find the names.

On 2/5/2025 at 2:27 PM, Acharn said:

I agree. It dates back to the 1976 counter-revolution. From the reports about people overstaying 1, 2, 5 years the police don't make use of it anyway. I'm sure some bright young bureaucrat got a promotion from suggesting it, but practice shows it doesn't have any value. I don't mind doing it too much, it keeps the Immigration office people familiar with my face, but it takes a couple of liters of gasohol to go and come back.

I think we could all suggest how the whole Immigration system could be simplified using online applications and still providing the perceived security protections.

Having seen how easy it is to renew a Thai passport with my wife and daughter where the few documents required are scanned the photograph taken and the passport arrives in three days at a third of the cost of renewing my Australian passport, the Immigration Department could do the same.

However being a division of the Royal Thai Police Force confirms it’s all about maintaining the bureaucracy and corruption.

After saying that I pass the local Immigration Office daily and it takes me three to four minutes from leaving  the car to returning to complete the 90 day reporting a small price to pay for living here.

On 2/5/2025 at 5:07 AM, redwood1 said:

How would I present a QR code with my phone?

 

Malaysia has a similar system if you don’t have a phone you cannot open the automatic gate and just go to the Immigration desk,

Easy don’t panic

Does anyone have any information as to whether the above outlet has relocated elsewhere after closing in Airport Plaza.

The information desk couldn’t provide any help.

On 1/24/2025 at 6:38 AM, lamecn said:

So, now it's become compulsary for tourists to have a mobile phone and ability for roaming?

The UK has introduced an electronic arrival form for non UK passport holders operative from 1 Jan this yea which costs 10 pounds

Malaysia has a similar system which is free and easy to use.

On 12/29/2024 at 1:35 PM, BarBoy said:

It seems we are seeing more and more plane crashes resulting in fatalities these days, and with the rise of low cost airlines and Boeing out on strike every other week it was always bound to get worse. With an industry that seems to increasingly favor profit levels over safety, I personally think a big shift in attitudes is needed if the airlines want to win back the public's trust.

 

So, do you think Air Travel is still safe?

 

Statistically speaking I would say yes, of course, no questions asked, air travel is still by far the safest mode of transportation in the world. However, whenever I step on a plane these days it is always with an added layer of trepidation, and every bump is always felt with a little more anxiety than usual...

 

I don't trust budget airlines as far as I can throw them, but that wont stop me getting on a plane just yet.

Look at the statistic and you will obtain your answer.

On 12/29/2024 at 8:27 AM, KhunLA said:

90 day reporting online has be flawless for the past couple years 👍  Great when O&A.   Didn't mind doing locally, as Imm office was a nice scooter ride, and usually empty, or taken right away when I arrived.

 

As with everything ... location location location 

I pass our local Immigration Office most days it takes me three minutes from leaving the car to returning for the 90 day reporting, no forms only the passport and friendly staff.

On 11/24/2024 at 12:40 PM, Old Curmudgeon said:

 

I hope these butchers are useful in your quest for Prosciutto Cotto ...

 

In Pattaya, I don't know, but in Bangkok have butchers who will have pork leg that size, and will send to you in Pattaya.

 

I frequently buy from -- and recommend -- the following butchers:

 - Sloanes

 - The Accidental Butcher

 - Paleo Robbie

 

5+ years of experience with each of those: all good.

 

Picture below is cooked, but all three above may have un-cooked, just must ask.

But be prepared, prices at those specialty butchers not the same as Makro.

 

  - Old Curmudgeon (in Chiang Mai)

 

That looks like a very nice leg of ham without the bone ??