JemJem

So, what the heck is going on with the latest ceasefire negotiation stuff ? Many sources had been saying a deal was likely by week's end. The week's gone already. Enough is enough. Israel should be demanding ALL remaining hostages (dead and alive) to be returned in one last step, and just stick to that demand. I mean, of course, sadly, some unpleasant Hamas demands in return would have to be accepted, but the main thing for Israel at this very late stage in war should be to demand ALL hostages back in a single go. Those folks have suffered enough. It is not even clear how many of them are still alive. Sad.

What kind of comment can one make on this incident ? Gees.

Thanks a lot.

Hi, folks. I am asking this, hoping that someone knows about these for sure, and so I can plan accordingly. I have decided to do my master's in Thailand. I have 2 questions : 1) I will be arriving in Thailand on visa exempt. Would it be possible for me to change my visa status to student visa (Used to be called 'non-immigrant ED' type. I guess it is probably the same) within Thailand (Once I have the acceptance letter from the university of course), or would I be required to leave Thailand and do it at a Thai embassy? Note : Visa exempt will give me 2 months. And, I will have 1 month of extension. So, I will have 3 months to apply for the university programs and then, if successful, handle the visa process. 2) If I must do it outside Thailand, would I be required to do it at the Thai embassy in my home country or would for example a Thai embassy in a neighboring country like Cambodia or Malaysia be fine? It would be a hassle and also costly to have to go back home for that. In case you are wondering, the reason I am not applying for the universities before flying to Thailand is because I want to see the various universities myself and then be able to decide among them more efficiently. Also, the university application etc. process would be more straightforward in person. Thanks a lot.

I am sure that in the not too distant past, almost none of us had thought that weed would be somewhat legalised in Thailand one day (although of course there is now a question mark about its future status). Also, since about 1-2 years ago, legalisation of casinos is being talked about, and this might yet happen. Maybe 2-3 years later. So, who knows. Maybe several years later, prostitution will be legalised. With some strict provisions, limits etc of course. Maybe, we are still 5-10 years away from it though. Thailand is not ready for that yet. I mean, change DOES happen in this part of the world. Unlike, say, in most parts of the Middle East.

Strange. Usually, the caught person's full name and age are written in such news in Thailand. For this one, no such details. I wonder why.

Relax, man. I am sure there are a few guys who write such stuff out of racism, but I think most do it just for a laugh. Over the years, I have seen various nationalities being stereotyped here. In negative, positive and 'neutral' ways. So, just chill, man.

Gees ? Really ? 125 baht per person, you mean ? Lol. I am guessing and hoping that she said no to that offer 🙂 By the way, what is the going rate these days ? I mean, for 1 on 1 of course, not 4 on 1, lol. Asking for a friend of a friend 😉

Oh, this whole thing is gonna cost him a lot more than the hotel deposit. As far as I know, hotel deposits in Thailand, unlike apartment/condo deposits, are just a few thousand baht. He might have to fork out tens of thousands of baht. The damage doesn't look minimal at all. Also, as in most such cases, we will probably never know what exactly caused him to act like this.

I agree. I mean, I think there is at least 50 percent chance that it is some kind of bluff.

I am not sure if Prayuth was better, but you are right in what you wrote in your first 2 sentences. Do you think the Shins will be in power for many many more years to come (I mean, even after the next election) ?

On a bit of a side note, Mechai was the one who started the chain (restaurant/cafe) named 'Cabbages and Condoms' 🙂

I think that sadly it is a matter of time before the visa exempt period will be reduced back to 30 days. We know that they have been thinking about this for some time. And, with incidents like this one, it will probably happen. I still hope it won't. I am puzzled and saddened that some posters have praised the beating of the men. Those tourists may have behaved terribly, but you don't kick the head of someone, man. It could result in death or serious injury. Such incidents also cause an increase in nationalist feelings and attitudes, which is never a good thing. I am saying this regardless of the origin country of nationalism.

Good decision, but it doesn't say for how long he has been blacklisted. And, how about other troublemakers ? We don't know if they have been blacklisted. The Swiss guy who assaulted a Thai woman (near a beach ?) and a Russian guy who was punching people at random in Pattaya have come to my mind now. Of course, there have been many other cases involving foreigners at fault.

Sadly, this is major bad news for the remaining hostages and their loved ones. But, the thing is, it was obvious that the negotiations were getting nowhere, and that Bibi felt he had to take action again. But, we cannot say Bibi has handled the whole deal thing well. In fact, he handled it badly, I feel. Too much was given to Hamas in return for the freed hostages, and this most probably emboldened Hamas. Not to mention, they got the time they needed to regroup. When and how will this whole thing end ? Well, your guess is as good as mine.