JemJem

Why is Rwanda agreeing to this? Will a major amount of money change hands?

Wilders may have won, but the thing is there is a high chance the other seat-winning parties will refuse to enter a coalition with them. So, he probably won't come to power. This happens also in some other countries. Other parties refuse to join a coalition with the far right. I could be wrong of course. Maybe for example the center right party will agree to form a coalition with them.

There are some different points of view among some members here on the Israel v Palestine issue. But I am almost 100 percent sure that all of us would agree that the atrocities that Hamas did on October 7 is a war crime. Not only that, but also the kidnapping of civilians is also a war crime. Now, I am curious if the ICC will declare both the military and political leaders (for example Haniyye) of Hamas as war criminals and issue arrest warrants. Putin has been declared a war criminal. In this case, the case is much more straightforward. I know this procedure takes time but I am curious if ICC will go for them. Hamas political leaders live outside Palestine, as far as I know. Will those countries hand them over to the ICC, you think??

So, Yalda Hakim has gone to Sky. She used to be at CNN.

Sadly, one would most probably be conscious.

The boy took away the right to live of 3 people and will have caused long term suffering to their loved ones. And, it was a planned attack. He shouldn't be getting away with this crime. I know, laws are laws. So, the related laws should change. At least, that will cause such future killers to get punished properly.

That is good news. Well, I am way past my clubbing years. But who knows, I might hang out till 3 or 4, not at a club but at a pub or bar a few times. Also, it will be good for tourism and also for locals and foreign residents to enjoy nightlife more.

I am really confused about this. More than a few people write that TM 30 is one of the requirements for getting a 30-day extension to the visa exempt. I had read about that during my last trip too. But, on my last time at Lak Si, May of this year, I wasn't asked this document. I just had to show the 3 forms (used to be only 1 form) plus a copy each of all stamped pages of my passport plus a photo and the fee. Anyone knows about the current situation for sure? So, I can try to get it and have it with me just in case. One question though : I will have stayed at 2 different places before going to Lak Si. Is it okay if I get the TM 30 from either one, or does it have to be from the first (or the last) place? I got the impression that they require TM 30 from people who made a land entry to Thailand, not an air one. Any idea, anyone? Cheers.

Well, in the 90's, that event took place every year and it lasted about 2 months. Or maybe it was even a bit longer. But then later, I think it happened occasionally and they shortened it. Last time I was there was either in late 2018 or late 2019, and I think it lasted only 4-5 weeks. I know of other beer garden type of events and places in Bangkok that don't exist anymore. Tomorrow, I will head for Central Bangkok and see what they have this year as beer garden event. But, it is not November yet. Maybe some will open a bit later in the year.

I wish they would bring back the beer festival event that was right in front of the Central World Mall. It used to take place every night for a few weeks every Nov-Dec. Live music, variety of beer and food. The prices were quite reasonable. But, if I remember correctly, they haven't had it since 2019, and, so I am not hopeful.

Ralf, I am not too sure if that is a good idea. I mean, you would be taking a risk. I wouldn't be able to guess what percentage of a risk it is though 🙂 But maybe, no one will say anything and you will be able to drink the beers 🙂 Very hard to predict. Also, I am also guessing that the worst that would happen there would be their confiscating the beers. Tell us afterwards what happened 🙂 If you go through with it.

Hi, folks. I have come across conflicting info on this online. According one site, they now leave from the new station, Krung Thep Apiwat, but according to others, they still leave from Hua Lamphong. Anyone here knows it for sure? And, also, I should ask this. I will probably take the train, but just curious. How much would a taxi normally cost from Bangkok to Hua Hin? Possibly, those ones dont use the meter and the fare is negotiated and agreed on beforehand. Cheers.

I wouldn't be surprised if EVENTUALLY there will be American football, futsal, rugby union, rugby league, snooker, some of the billiards games and possibly some others in the Olympics.

Even though I have been totally avoiding the social media, it is hard to escape the horrible stuff. I have just read a news report on the Jerusalem Post Web site. Really nasty, depressing stuff, man. Hamas has carried out attacks , not much different to what ISIS had done in Syria and Iraq. I won't go into detail here. It is not hard to guess that we will be reading about and hearing of a lot of these (and maybe worse) incidents in the coming hours and days. So, it is really very sad and frustrating to see some comments, both by some Palestinian and other Middle Eastern politicians saying only stuff like 'Oh but, Palestinians have every right to fight occupation in any way they see fit'. And, sadly, the number of such heartless people is not small at all, I am sure. I can only imagine the extremely horrible nature of the situation on the social media right now, especially the photos and videos going around. I think I shall continue to avoid it for now.

Yes. This is an abnormal, unusual situation now, and so if Hezbollah decides to attack, it will probably do so very soon. But, the more time that passes now, the less is the likelihood of a Hezbollah attack. Anyway, I am not guessing a Hezbollah attack. What I meant was such a risk is at its highest now since many many years ago. By the way, the reactions to this attack must have shown most Israelis that the Arab regimes overall are not to be trusted. I meant, for example, the reactions of the Saudis and Qataris. A result of this attack might be to have put an end to the normalisation process between Israel and some Arab countries.

I have been trying not to look at social media at all. There are many reports of videos showing disturbing stuff. I am afraid we will have to be ready to see, hear of or read about such videos and photos from the past and current time. My guess and worry is that Hamas has decided to go all out, and this is just totally ideological and out of revenge. So, I am not even sure if their hostage taking is for the aim of securing the release of Hamas guys from Israeli jails and/or preventing a ground operation by Israel. Hamas may have already decided to eventually kill all hostages, just like the ISIS almost always did, and thus get the support of all the extremist, hardcore anti-Israeli regimes, groups and people from all over the world. Fearing the worst.

I think there is the big worry that Hezbollah from Lebanon might be involved. And, I don't mean just the firing of rockets into Israel. If that happens, I honestly don't see the US not getting involved to some degree. And, of course, there is the risk of the Iranian regime getting involved. But of course, a Hezbollah attack seems more likely.

Sadly, I don't think they are going to release ANY hostage anytime soon. It seems like Hamas has decided to 'go all out'. They might not kill them, but I don't see a release of any hostage anytime soon.

After such a carnage by Hamas, I don't see Netanyahu 'taking it easy' and even negotiating with Hamas for hostages. He is going to strike hard, and possibly a land operation into Gaza is coming very soon, I think. Of course, I could be wrong. We shall understand soon.

Certainly, this attack will have been a big, unexpected blow for Israel, but another thing is that the Palestinians will pay a major price for this in the coming days and weeks. Possibly, Palestinians will suffer casualities in the thousands very soon. And, also, Palestianians are likely to lose more land to Israel in the near future. And, sadly, as most us will agree, I am sure, while the chance for a lasting peace over there was maybe around only 5-10 percent before this attack, now, it has been reduced to 0.00000001 percent for many generations to come. Sad.

Slightly off-topic, by the way, as it is nearly October already, I am sadly assuming that there won't be the extension of the 30-day visa exempt period this high season. As I am sure most of you know, last high season, this was extended to 45 days. From the start of October to the end of March, I think.

Yep. Departure can also be quite a bit of a hassle sometimes. And, last time I departed Thailand via Suvarnabhumi, in June of this year, the body/baggage check was really frustratingly thorough. They were way too strict with everyone, often having the people and the things go through the machine more than once. Maybe, there were some inspectors observing those officers at that time, so they were being like that ? I don't know. It was the first time I saw them this strict. As for arrivals, I think early or mid-morning arrival at Suvarnabhumi is usually fine, regarding the time spent at passport control. Only once, I waited quite long (around 45 minutes). The other times, around 10-15 minutes on average.

And, I guess there is a chance that from the Pattanakarn area (where the article says the taxi was going towards), he took another taxi shortly afterwards and headed towards a totally different direction, with the thought that the police would look for him mainly in the Pattanakarn area. I don't know. I am bored and just developed a scenario in my mind ???? By the way, good old Suan Phlu Immigration place ???? I am sure many of you here have been there. We used to do all our visa etc stuff there for many many years. Often, the place was chaotic and there were long waits, but, it was in a very central, nice part of town ????

The guy worked as a fitness trainer. It is a fact that everywhere in the world, many women of various ages and various wealth levels fancy a bit of muscle and all that ???? Having said that, of course, I don't condone what the guy did. If the news report is correct, it is clearly defrauding.

And, for example the obligatory fights between students from 'rival schools' , often involving teenagers armed with knives and sometimes even guns.