kwilco

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.

both French and British had plans for railways in S.E.Asia lly but they couldn't get them through. China has succeeded where they failed. THose worried about the railway being substandard are totally wrong - it will be fantastic. What the west has missed out on is the INFLUENCE this railway gives to China. Worrying about Chinese military might is also wrong This railway will give China a hold over the whole S.E. Asian region - they don't need a war..... the west used to be the most powerful influence but now it is China and western politicians (especially isolationists like Trump and Brexiteers) have allowed this to happen. They have been too worried about looking good at home and suddenly they turn round and find the rest of the world has moved on with out them.

complete rubbish - you don't seem to understand that it involves a totally new rail system.

this is the third worst HSR distaster after Germany and Spain.

I'm surprised at the numbers of fieignerswho are staying long term in Thailand on dodgy visas. They basically are getting themselves jobs serving the tourism or expat communities that are simply not available to foreigners Dive schools, gyms, tour guides transport services. Many of these people have highly dubious visas and work permits.

I'm surprised at the numbers of fieignerswho are staying long term in Thailand on dodgy visas. They basically are getting themselves jobs serving the tourism or expat communities that are simply not available to foreigners Dive schools, gyms, tour guides transport services. Msny of these people have highly dubious visas and work permits.

Well ...it is going to shorten your lifetime. Even short term exposure can do this. Read this article in WSJ. https://www.wsj.com/articles/air-quality-life-expectancy-1db62d94 Video. https://www.wsj.com/video/daily-feature-apps-to-check-air-quality/8DE0A54E-EDB5-40DA-8B15-F769D8CCDBC9.html

How will you deal with it?

It's far more subtle or insidious than that. Chinese goods are not substandard - however it is all prt of. mega program to spread Chinese influence over S.E.Asia and further. THey are making inroads into all aspects of their neighbours lives - industry, communication and even universities and academia. the averge Jo in the west or even Thailand just hasn't a clue to the extent of this infiltration. People who go on about "substandard goods" and the "collapsing" Chinese economy hve got entirely th erong end of the stick. THeir goods are as good as or better than the west's and the economy in the end will be so big it will completely ignore the west.