Caldera

What a rollercoaster, up and down these figures go... I'm dizzy.

Would the PM find Thailand on a map? He can speak Thai alright, that's about it as far as qualifications go.

Easy, if you are a guy and want to have sex daily, then don't be in a relationship.

That's a universal truth, not at all limited to Thailand and Thai wives. ????

How can anyone be caught with such a long overstay, considering that Big Jok's big cleanse happened just last year? He surely wouldn't have missed this criminal mastermind.

I think I read that back in the hippie days, they had that kind of situation, expelled from Laos and Thailand wouldn't take them back. Stuck in no man's land, it became an issue that had to be resolved through diplomatic channels.

Ultimately if both countries deny you entry at a land border crossing, you probably need to call your embassy to sort the mess out. Or you slap an immigration officer really hard, that should get you arrested in that country. ????

I would like to see Thailand "defunded" by these events playing out on the global stage, for that might give them some long lost humility back.

It is, after all, just a developing backwaters, and sadly the "development" often goes in the wrong direction. Their view of themselves and their country is completely out of sync with that reality.

Excellent, this "elected" government can use any scrutiny it can get. My guess is that not much will happen until they've screwed up the economy enough for people to care. Just a question of when, in my opinion, not if: The climate (world economy) isn't favorable at all, and these clowns in charge will make sure that Thailand will fare worse than other countries.

Oh look, yet another high-speed train announcement.

47 minutes ago, DanOily said:

Just condemned a bombing committed by a certain religious group. One that doesn't take any criticism well.

Why would a real Thai military or police officer have any problem with your condemning of a bombing perpetrated by a religious group? That just doesn't make sense.

"He said that the industry would have to wait and see if there were third and fourth quarter improvements that would keep the country on track for the target of 40.06 million tourists this year."

Ever the optimist! The economic outlook is rather bleak in many if not most countries, worldwide, so I'd say it's likely that things will get even worse before they will get better.

Add to this that Thailand has been doing a great job p-ssing off some of its most loyal repeat visitors in favor of attracting hordes of first time visitors. Guess what, in case of a downturn they are much more likely to stay away.

25 minutes ago, Tanoshi said:

Lots of divorced, separated foreigners still obtaining the Non Imm O ME from Savannakhet, provided you still have a copy of the marriage certificate, wife's Tabien Baan and ID card.

No proof of still being married required.

I don't know if what you say is true, but if it is, that is clearly illegal.

If everything else fails, just book some hotels and make sure you can cancel your bookings without penalty. They do tend to insist on the accommodation proof in HCMC, but how strict they will be might also depend on other factors such as your visa history.

49 minutes ago, Pravda said:

How difficult will it be to exit Thailand on damaged passport. 

 

The photo is completely ruined although all the numbers are there. 

As there's substantial damage, you won't be able to leave Thailand on that passport.

The members of this government should be moved to prison, but that's probably not what he had in mind.

I say leave the government in Bangkok. Sink with the rest.

Their goal seems to be to "encourage" people to get an extension instead of coming back to bother them for a 2nd Non-OA visa in a row. Too much work for them?

I'm unusually sympathetic to their implied view that someone who has trialed living in Thailand for 1-2 years and decides to continue to do so can be expected to move some funds to Thailand / to use Thai banks. I've seen many rules or expectations that are more idiotic in comparison.

I think down the line the biggest issue is that the OP is no longer married. I don't believe for one second that Savannakhet will just reissue the damaged visa in a new passport; they will want a new application with all requisite documents. Time to think about an alternative solution if the OP wants to keep staying in Thailand.

Pathetic. They don't even have breathable air for several months each year, every year. Oh and there's also no digital nomad visa, but that's not specific to Chiang Mai.

4 hours ago, onera1961 said:

I think TE is desgined for people who travel frequently to Thailand for short visits.

I think that might well have been a valid argument for its original version, which gives you unlimited and (hopefully) hassle-free stays of 90 days each. With the current version that gets you stamped in for a whole year a time, I think that argument no longer makes sense.

I'd say it's designed for people who don't want to be bothered with immigration matters, no matter how long they want to stay on any given visit, and are willing to pay for that privilege.

Unfortunately, the muppets that run Thai Elite and immigration have recently done their very best (reports of TM30 fines, then that despicable letter members get to "encourage" them to renew) to undermine that sense of being a privileged/valued visitor. I'd expect some fallout from this.

2 hours ago, lovesthespicy said:

Is there anywhere left that will give you a TV if you've got a bunch in your passport? I picked up the dreaded blue stamp on my last one Sav.

It's the dreaded blue stamp even more so than your history that will prevent you from getting a new SETV at a nearby consulate. Getting a new passport is probably your only option at this point.

On the bright side, she got her breasts done while she could still afford it. Others aren't that lucky.