kwilco

It seems in both private homes and hotels, the urge to make a bathroom look good results in any concern for health and safety flying out of the window. Glass with sharp angles hard tiled corners and the concept of non-slip tiles is an anathema to most builders. I'm surprised there aren't more deaths of this nature - or maybe there are?

yes they are strictly required to have WPs even f they aren't being paid. open mic and musician jams are the same. You will notice in places like BKK and Pattaya that immigration police wil occasionally check up on these gigs especially if someone is being "too regular" at a venue

I know from personal experience that responsible regular music venues will sort out permits for long and short term performers. It's not so dificult its just that sp mamu businesses and performers think they can get away without bothering - and a lot of them do. however even major acts have to consider what kind of entourage they bring. THis is normal for many world class acts....for instance many foreign performers will employ local backing musicians and tech staff as the permits required are too many. THis is not just Thailand it is worldwide.

to DJ in Finland on UK passport - You will likely need a visa to DJ in Finland for any purpose, even if it's for a short period and unpaid. This is because the UK is not part of the Schengen Area and Finland enforces border checks. The specific type of visa you'll need depends on the nature of your DJing work. If it's paid, you'll likely need a work visa. If it's unpaid but for a specific event, you might need a short-stay visa.

e.g. false sense of entitlement. It is roughly the same anywhere in the world - for instance, since BRexit British musicians wanting to work in the EU now have to sort out similar paperwork depending on which country. Imagine trying to organise a tour in Thailand or elsewhere with the main artists, crew, musicians admin transport etc etc... everyone needing a different visa or permit

who did?

it's the same the world over - businesses employ immigrant workers and avoid all the paperworks and taxes so it increases their profitability. In Thailand though businesses that rely on (illegal) immigrant workers often have a special relationship with the local authorities. THis is fine until the higher eche;ons of power get involved or they don't pay their dues.

companies employing foreign artists must hve a demonstrable financial status in align with immigration and Labour laws. THey also need a licence to put on performances. the scam is the police ignoring the law and often there is a tea money system in place.

pre-Covid the police would cruise the live music bars in Pattaya to check for "regular" foreign performers. Usually they would be forewarned and stay off stage. Venues like Hard Rock would require performers had visas. One of the reasons you don't see major festivals of western acts is the huge amount of paperwork required for the musicians and road crew.

Short term visa is required - "Application to stay in Thailand in the case of actors, singers, musicians, or performance directors for occasional performances." This visa also requires a sponsoring organization in Thailand to request it on your behalf Bruno Mars would have had a sponsoring organization in Thailand to apply for this visa on his behalf. This sponsor is usually the event organizer or venue hosting the concert and has documented financial status.

Yes - he would - you get a performer's visa - it states what type of work and where. All visiting artists have to get one. long term resident acts need They must hold a non-immigrant visa; They must be employed by a hotel or an entertainment company in Thailand, which has paid-up registered capital of not less than 20 million baht.

so many foreigners just think they can work regardless - lots of those involved in music and the main culprits are gyms and dive groups

So 12 times - mostly flying - and you stayed for how many days each time?

Looking at various Thai embassy/consulate sites the information seems unclear. Airlines even more so. Does anyone actually know the situation? Will airlines refuse boarding to those who have booked tickets to fly back after 30 days? e.g. by leaving Thailand to visit neighbouring countries and than flying home from Thailand. or by getting an extension of stay at Thai immigration? Are land and sea tickets valid as POOT? How many re-entries can you do by land? How many re-entries can you do by air? Please if you have an answer can you back it up with some credible evidence?

Thailand and Laos have an agreement based on the “purple book” car passport I take it you already have that. Thai driving licences are recognised in other ASEAN countries including Laos – you don’t need an IDP. Same applies to you if you have a full Thai 5 yr licence. Insurance – the usual routine is to but your insurance for a short period from one of the shop/offices after you have cleared immigration customs etc. This is just the minimum cover to drive legally in Laos. (a few hundred baht) They may agree to sell you more cover. I used to go to Laos a lot so I bought 12 months extensive cover so as not to worry about it. It is worth noting also that some Thai insurance companies will extend your cover to include Laos – my company did for a while and then withdrew the option. So at least ask you Thai insurance if they will extend.

It's a misuse of the definition - he wasn't actually "exhibiting fanatical, extremely enthusiastic behaviour..... however rabies is endemic in Thailand the root is rage but not in usual usage. Berzerk would have been a better use

"Rabid" - what sort of language is that?

that's a crime scene?????

QED

doesn't look as if Blue Dragon hasn't been around for some time. Probably closed about 9 years ago.

Anyone know what happened to Trevor who ran the Blue Dragon bar on Soi 8?

What has your racial prejudice got to do with the railway?

Every SK I would do a road trip. In Bangsaen there was an even bigger SK than Pattaya. Places I used to go... Any national park. Laos....but unfortunately they seem to be adopting a mire abd more Thai style festival in bigger towns. Savannakhet was a nightmare just before Covid. Being on the road itself was quite interesting. Smaller towns had smaller, less manic events. On rural roads it was rather cute...families would gather by the road and if you slowed right down they would throw water and smear the car....then you drive off. They were particularly delighted to see a foreigner. I have done SK in Pattaya, Bangsaen, Udonthani, Koh Chang Savannakhet and Hua Hin and Samui. Mostly in and out as quickly as possible.... for most of 20 plus years I've avoided it by driving somewhere. It's worth noting that most of Bangkok it deserted over Songkhran.

I know a lot of people - individuals and families who are moving out out, - Thai people may not have the option. However I think things will change as both local people are protesting and the tourist industry in Northern Thailand is now dead for several months of the year. THe idea that they don't declare a disaster zone because the tourist industry needs to survive will probably have exactly the opposite effect - who's gonna go on holiday to a place whose slogan is "not a disaster zone, yet"? Unfortunately there are other areas of Thailand that are equally blighted - the country needs to/will wake up as tourism is 20% of GDP and lord knows how much absences from work are costing the economy

Aother side effet is it seems the expats living in the EEC (Chonburi Rayong and Chachoengsao) still have no idea how the world around them is set to change dramatically.