JemJem

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.

Yes. I agree. Probably, he didn't think he would get into trouble. I guess he probably got overconfident, being a well-known social media figure etc.

Once, I saw that an Immigration officer at the Chaeng Wattana place refused taking the visa extension application of a guy because he was wearing short shorts. She asked him to go and change. He was upset but he left and probably went downstairs to buy long shorts or trousers. He was lucky that there are many clothes shops in that building. I guess they are strict about the length of shorts there. Not sure if this was only for guys or for both genders. Anyway, I have been to the Laksi place too, and I think they are not that strict about clothing there.

Actually, it is not funny at all. And, he should do the right thing and RESIGN.

The tourist visa method for staying long term is not a good idea anymore, I am afraid. As far as I know, many posters in this forum have written that not only the requirements for getting a tourist visa in the neighboring countries are not that easy anymore, but also, and more importantly, I think it gets riskier to get it after 2 or 3 back to back tourist visas (plus extensions of one month each). Probably even riskier if you use the visa exempt method (back to back for several times). As for the Elite Card fees, yep, I agree with you. Now, they have become really way too high.

I am really HOPING the 90-day visa exempt thing becomes a reality, and hopefully by the start of the upcoming high season. But, sadly, I am GUESSING it won't happen, at least not this year. Anyway, I think we will find out by October for sure, if it will happen or not. My guess is they are likely to make it 45 days (or maybe even 60 days) this high season, just like the last high season. Anyway, time will tell. Hoping for the best.

Rapinoe is a legend. Among the great stuff she has done or said, standing up to the President (ie. Trump) is number one for me. How many sports players around the world have done (or can do in the future) such a thing ? Very very few, if any. Coming to this issue, what he did was totally unacceptable. But, if he had apologised shortly afterwards and in a clear, strong manner, the calls for his resignation would have been a lot fewer, and the whole thing would have been forgotten within a few days. But, I am among people who think he has to go. On a related, side issue, the fact that a sports federation head seems to be unsackable (and hence, the government is resorting to legal proceedings in order to pressure him into resigning) is so silly and unfair. Why is this position seen very very important? But, one last thing. Yesterday, I read somewhere that if he doesn't go, there is a chance Spanish football clubs will be axed from this season's European competitions. If that is true, that is way overdoing the reaction , and very silly and unfair. I am sure almost everyone would agree on this. But, anyway, he really has to go.

It seems like the pro-Thaksin folks here all look the other way when it comes to this issue. I am pretty sure that most, if not all, actually know that he should have been tried and found guilty on this issue.

Good points. Let me add this. Religiously devout people tend to make more babies, sometimes a lot more (of course, there are exceptions, both individiualwise and religionwise). That is the main reason why the birthrate is quite high in the Philippines (and also in many parts of the Middle East and Africa). The percentage of religious people is very high in those countries.

Your reasoning is sadly not much different from that of people who say stuff like 'I am not suggesting she deserved to be raped, but that woman should have known about the potential consequences of wearing skimpy clothing at night in that neighborhood'. Heartless thinking !

I don't know about his hatred of foreigners, but one policy that I really hated under his reign was the implementation of the 2 am curfew thing for nightlife venues. I think that happened either in 2000 or 2001. And, to this day, it sadly stands, with a few exceptions. Like many others here, I also think he will get a pardon in the near future.

Haha. That would have been so cool. A chance has been missed by Harry ????

The way things have happened in the recent few weeks, it seems like a pardon is highly likely.

Gosh. So much negativity in this thread ???? Personally, in Bangkok, I talk mostly in Thai. I am not fluent, but my Thai is sort of intermediate/upper intermediate, and when most Thais hear me speak Thai, they answer back in Thai and so it goes . But, there are some Thais who answer back in English, and if their Thai is at least at an understandable level, I don't make a fuss and revert to English. Initially (many many years ago, I mean), I also got a bit upset if a Thai answered back to me in English, but, I don't mind now. It is nice to know that they are happy practicing their English.

Somehow, I doubt very much that there will be an international backlash.

What is it with Kuwaitis and motorcycle racing and Pattaya ?? Is Pattaya advertised as a motorcycle racing spot in Kuwait ? ???? Strange stuff.

I wouldn't be too sure about that. Even a few weeks can be a long time in politics, so, it is really hard to make good guesses about what will happen 4 years later. There might be new strong players/parties by then. There might be new and/or surprising alliances. Also, I wonder what sort of political developments regarding Thaksin will occur in the future. And also, we cannot even rule out a new batch of senators being appointed within 1-2 years. Of course, what you wrote above could happen too.