StayinThailand2much

Not smart, anyway. Who in their right mind would think that he can just take them on the plane... At least he could have tried to get permissions from both governments, then ship them by sea.

Did he get them in Cambodia, perhaps?

I lived in China 2015-2017; already then things didn't seem so great. Empty WalMart outlets, with a good number of pick-pockets, but few customers, despite cheap imported products (e.g. 1L milk from UK, Italy, AUS, NZ for 10 yuan or less). Young women stealing vegetables from F&V stores, then chased by the guards. Restaurants empty most of the time, people not having much money or work, many high-rise buildings almost empty... Xi only made it worse with his biological weapon and the lockdown back home. I wouldn't bet that the CCP regime will survive more than another 20 years, at best.

Just saw a large number of ads on FB, agents offering the DTV, 'taking care of documents and bank balance'... Is that legit?

Well, if the chicks at the airport wanted a bribe, they could just give me a hint, but almost refusing me, being here only for a few hours, just travelling from Suvarnabhumi to Don Muang to catch another flight... 🤔

What is the earliest day, I can extend my 60-day VFE for 30 days at Chaengwattana?

If all they care is the Chinese, perhaps it's time to find friendly countries that like all tourists... 😆

He's a Filipino, so, yes, no problem, cause Filipinos 'look just like us'... 😆

Trump loses in 2028, but successfully runs again in 2032. Not getting re-elected, he then returns as President, at age 93, in 2040... 😆

Yeah, with all the U.S.-related and Trump posts here, I was about to suggest to rename this website to 'ASEAN NOW & U.S. Affairs'... 😆

Even if he could run again, I don't think that he would win in that election.

A long time (more than one year?) ago, I read on 'Stickman Weekly' about a homeless Westerner (Brit??) hanging around on Silom Road at one of the Sala Daeng BTS exits... I think, I saw him (or, perhaps another homeless Westerner) sitting there just four days ago...

Guess so. Error when using the Quote function, perhaps... 😳

Outrageous behaviour is more common among (but not limited) to older and middle-aged Chinese, who grew up during, or just after the Cultural Revolution... May I presume that the girl you dated is younger than, say 45?

The CCP in 75 years killed off all Chinese culture, traditions and manners. Spitting constantly and men showing off their naked pork bellies is 'normal' in mainland China, and doesn't raise even one eyebrow. I noticed that the mainland Chinese also behave exactly like this anywhere abroad... Perhaps they feel too welcome in Thailand with red carpets being rolled out for them as preferred tourists...

Residential visa, or something like that, then...

They probably had working holiday visas for those ones 30 (35 some countries) years old and younger... That's why I wrote ageism. 😆 I would have happily worked there in any job, but I was older than that.

I bought just before the dip, and am still more than 15% in the red. But it's okay, as long as Trump doesn't come up with more such surprises...

There is ageism. Lots of vacancies in Oz, but unless you're a backpacker under 30, you won't be able to find a way to work as a foreigner...

Illegal, or not. Where was the French-speaking Thai tour guide? The damage of future lost revenue may be bigger than the 'loss of face' that a foreigner did the job for which, probably, they can't find a local candidate...

He's not my president. I quite liked him when he got elected, despite the bitter taste, of what happened in January 2021... But lately, as I am heavily invested in the U.S. stock markets, he has lost my sympathy.

Makes sense, otherwise it would be absolutely pointless, except for saving paper. - Yeah, right Thai officials reducing paper trails... 😆😂

So, I have to give the IO, and perhaps another person my phone? How about the email; would they also accept screenshots of it? Also, is the wifi at Arrival good enough to quickly search your email, and still be online when face-to-face with the IO?

While they're at it, IF they were serious, they could also stop common scams, like 'taxi no meter', or 'I will now switch off meter and you pay me 500 baht for the 10 minutes into town' as soon as you step out of the airport... (Alternatively, allow Grab & Co. at the airport. 😉) (And yes, I know, there is a taxi booking counter at Don Muang, but who wants to wait another two hours or so, after more than half a day on plane, in airports, and at Immigration...)

Is there an update for 2025?? Haven't been to Pattaya for quite a while. Pre-Covid, I liked A-gogos such as Peppermint. Also, what are the "normal" rates in 2025 for ST/LT with a freelancer (I meet on-/offline)?