Caldera

Those clowns had five years to write a brand new constitution and even took the liberty to discard the first draft they didn't quite like. That they now get on the amendment bandwagon is ridiculous.

Good. I hope the opioid dealers in Big Pharma will receive the same sentence. Not holding my breath though.

They're both idiots, so there's little merit in discussing whatever they said.

"He noted that foreigners who live and work in the Kingdom will also have to contribute $360 annually to the economy."

You're setting the bar high, Cambodia. I recently spent more than that, just by visiting Phnom Penh for three days.

Get up at 11am, have a Bloody Mary to sober up, shower, brunch, an afternoon massage, dinner, Netflix, head out to party at midnight, sleep at 4am-ish.

Just kidding, of course.

3 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

He won the popular vote at the recent election. So the people have got the leadership and governance most wanted.

If you say so.

Just reenact the "People's Constitution", amending the current one is a hopeless task. Don't like that? Thought so.

We live in hope. But mentioning "wisdom" is a bit over the top, for that doesn't grow on Bodhi trees - as the PM hasn't shown any sign of wisdom yet, none should be expected in the future.

4 hours ago, canopus1969 said:

I think I may go just to use a " royally sponsored toilet"  ????

I think I cannot resist the temptation, too...

4 hours ago, elviajero said:

It’s a ‘Tourist Visa’, and was aimed at the Asian market to make it easier for them to come and go.

Rather than blaming Westerners for maxing out their METV, you should blame the Thai authorities for poorly designing it this way.

I agree that it was aimed at the Asian market, I read the news back then as well. Fit for its intended purpose, they should have designed it as a VOA replacement: Validity 6 months, multiple entries, get stamped in for 15 days (!) upon arrival. Not 60 days, no 30 day extension - try to "live in Thailand" on that!

For Westerners, they could (or could not) have left the existing double entry tourist visa in place. They effectively replaced it with the METV - at a higher price and with additional requirements. I don't think it's surprising that certain Westerners "misunderstood" that.

I will head to Pattaya tomorrow and I will personally check how strictly this ban will be enforced. Any guesses?

1 hour ago, Vatman said:

This morning, Monday, notice on door of immigration office Phetchabun- CLOSED 16th & 17th.

I'm not surprised. It's hilarious that people who should really know better post with an air of certainty that all immigration offices will be open on Wednesday. Clearly it's hit and miss.

Oh, so Big Jok(e) won't get this job either?

21 minutes ago, simon43 said:

I never said that I have PR in Laos - I said that I can apply for PR after 5 years of residing in the country.

Thanks for clarifying. What you wrote in post #8 sounded like you have obtained PR for both Myanmar and Laos already:

"When living in Laos and Myanmar over the past few years, I never had to do TM30s, never had to do 90 day reports etc.  I knew exactly where I was in terms of my visa.  I was able to obtain permanent residence after 3 years (Myanmar) and after 5 years (Laos - down from 10 years because I'm a Scientist -special provision).  For both countries, the PR fee was low and no need to marry a local."

Now I'm confused, @simon43. If you already have PR in Laos, why the need for you to get a business visa (as you mentioned in another recent thread)?

I wholeheartedly agree with your take on regular Thai people vs. the Thai government / officialdom.

Clearly a case for Big Oud.

Rat and dog, for different reasons.

That begs the question why he and his shifty little party didn't get anywhere near 70% in the general election. Could this poll, far from being super, be just trash?

1 hour ago, tcp7 said:

How would I go about having a "fake" residency in UK as a frenchie? Any ideas?

That will depend on the Brexit terms, I would imagine. As you have a Thai child and run a business in Thailand, wouldn't it make more sense to get extensions in country?