StayinThailand2much

So, why didn't they just rename the beauty pageant "Netherlands (Best Looking) Person" or something?

I recently stayed for five weeks in Pattaya. While there were a good number of Russians, particularly older ones, I did not hear such screams.

And released from Thailand on good behavior At worst they could put the tourists on a leash, just letting them go on departure day (without their money)...

I was never really convinced that he would become PM only because his party got the highest number of votes. Thai politics is much more complicated than this.

True. A couple decades ago, Thailand and Malaysia were economically on par, but look where economically (and politically) Malaysia is today, and where Thailand (still) is... Perhaps in a few more decades Thailand will be the second-poorest country in ASEAN behind only Myanmar, unless things change politically.

Thailand's problem is that it is in fact ruled and economically controlled by a tiny minority of society, with, additionally, a military that feels free to step in whenever they think it's necessary. And as long as a large part of society is fine with that not much will change.

I stayed at two apartment buildings where the owner did not do the TM.30. Also, thanks to a recent visit to Immigration, I got the impression that some hotels don't do them either.

It depends whether you want to return to Thailand later, or not. I would not overstay in a country that I would want to visit again and, possibly, would require me to apply for visas or visa extensions.

I'm sure tourists will love that! Well, just another way to eliminate overstays; by discouraging people to come...

"Leg lost in transit" A holiday in Thailand doesn't have to cost you an arm or a leg, but it might.

Thank you, lopburi3, for the great info. As for Manila, I figured as much, but asked about it because I thought of Manila as the point of arrival before heading to other places.

I am considering visiting the Philippines for a while. As I've never been there, perhaps someone can guide me: 1. What is the best area in Manila to stay, for the average tourist, and get a 'feel' of the city? 2. Is there any 'entertainment' nearby for big boys? 3. What months should I avoid if I don't want to get there during the rainy season? 4. What are nice places, besides Manila, to travel to? (I am looking for nature, hiking, beaches, perhaps national parks.) 5. What local food should I try? 6. Is it easy to get to know someone for long-term relationships?

LOL. You think, he'd go for that? I'd have to prove otherwise that I transferred the rent. And as for the other thread, I already had to pay a fine, as, unaware, I had not done a TM.30 instead of my landlord on the first day of the lease... TiT!

Immigrants from neighbouring countries, who speak English.

I did this as late as mid 2022. Has it changed?

My landlord wants a payslip.

Yeah, I was lucky that both times I had my passport on me. Will just presume that for any transaction I may need it.

I'm just reporting my experience at the TM.30 counter. I don't see why the IO should have had a grudge against me. I am following this board regularly, so, yes, everything was a big surprise for me. Who knows, maybe it is a new development since the beginning of July. Looking forward to see other reports about this issue. (Reading a reply further up, however, it seems to have been like this in the past.)

Yes, maybe just unprofessionalism. Same never happened to me at Bangkok Bank, which, IMHO, is the only Thai bank that I would call a 'real bank'.

1. Paid cash (small amount) into my own bank account at SCB counter, and asked for passport. 2. Paid into someone else's bank account (invoice over about 4,000 baht) at K-Bank counter, and, once again, asked for my passport. Why?? I mean, these were tiny amounts... Is that really about money-laundering? And if so, why don't they ask every Thai who deposits (such a small amount) for their ID?

I observed similar things too. Imagine tourists knew about this; there would be boycotts and cancellations...

My general observation of Filipinos in Thailand (don't know about their home country, though) is 'yes', genuinely friendlier, polite, easier to be around with, not mental like some Thais...

Whether the driver picked up the tourists at Phuket Airport, or in Hat Yai is here irrelevant...

Of course he was, and in some other countries he would have had to explain himself to the police, lose his job, or both. And such an incident is neither the first, nor will it be the last...

The old 'we help you rent (an overpriced) room' scam... Even if people already have bookings, the obligatory stop at the tour company office. - Guess, the foreign tourist didn't have a need for such a room, which upset the driver, as he didn't get a commission... Remember that scam vividly from past trips to Phuket. No wonder the industry is vying for first-timers rather than trying to welcome tourists back.