Trevor Collins

As everybody has commented, it's one rule for Thais and another for farangs. Illegal exhausts are one thing, defective/illegal brakes on Thai pick-ups, trucks, buses and cars are lethal weapons in the hands of drivers with no sense of road craft or consideration for others. Stop a few of them, impound their vehicles (with no back-handers to get off the offence) and I'll start to take the RTP seriously.

Thais have problems operating a submarine (and buses, come to that) so how will they cope with a nuclear power plant.

My in-laws also live in Issan, not far from Nong Bua Lamphu, but we've never had the problems you describe, very quiet village, hard to believe it's the same province.

Nasty, vicious creatures fighting over who gets the "food", gives monkeys a bad name.

Dead or alive?

Nasty vicious creatures with no sense of decorum. The monkeys were misbehaving as well.

TITT; This is typical Thailand. When a piece of ambiguous legislation is passed or even mooted, IO officers are sometimes as much in the dark as those who apply for it. There will be, however, plenty of chancers/scam artistes who will take Joe Public for a ride and demand exorbitant fees for doing next to nothing.

Now, if only we could the local Thais to tidy up in front of their shops and businesses they might actually attract tourists to the area.

If Thai citizens are worried about losing jobs to the Chinese, here's a thought.... Pay attention in school, take extra lessons in your own time if your local school is no good, get a decent qualification and you'll get a decent job with good money and prospects. Parents, it is your responsibility to raise your children to a higher standard than you got when you were their age. Have strong words with educators who aren't pulling their weight, pay teachers a living wage.

I brought my own with me, 3 x Sainsbury's own brand small tins, delicious!

My Thai wife has land in Issan and we have built a house together, and hope to live out my golden years in peace and serenity. I don't want to own her land or have my name on the deeds, that is her family land which will be inherited by her nieces and nephews. I just want residency status based on the fact I am married to a Thai, contribute to the economy and don't drive too badly, compared to most Thais. Is too much to ask for a renewable 5 year visa (and leave my pension alone)? No harm, no foul.

My Thai wife and I have had a house built in Issan in the last two years. It was her inherited land and we got a recommended builder. Two beds, bathroom, Lounge and European style kitchen, outside Thai kitchen and leisure area, air con throughout. Possibly 1M Thb.

Does anyone think this peasant present government is going to last forever? Sooner or later the ordinary Thais are going to rise up against these dinosaurs and sweep them away. Then they will have a government that can do joined-up thinking and realise ex-pats make a significant contribution to the Thai economy through passive taxation and support of their wives and children. Don't bite the hand that feeds them and supports businesses in the LOS. BTW all my income will be derived from a state pension and a small occupational pension; no work permit, no tax, not currently based in Thailand.

Maybe the apartment owner was holding onto it until the Swede paid the outstanding rent?

My Thai wife and I have had a house built on inherited land in Issan. Her sister has had similar house built on her portion. She is on site 24/7 and we also have wifi cameras connected to wife's smart phone here in the UK. We can watch an ant crawl across the property and tell it to get off through the inbuilt mic and speakers. THAT'S SECURITY! Would advise the Oz to invest in some decent cameras and record everything that goes on.

So Dave, signing an agreement with a representative of a military junta that pi**es on democracy must give you a nice warm feeling inside?😒

I posted on this forum a few weeks back how I got a 3 year IDP in Feb 2023 from my local post office in the UK. I don't know about the Paypoint option, but I suspect my Sainsburys local wouldn't have a clue about how to issue one or have a supply of blank ones in a drawer under the counter.

Were these spokespersons born on Mars because they're from a different planet to the rest of us? Do they really believe the words they are using to describe the situation in Pattaya are honest, truthful and summarise the current set of circumstances? If this is the best Thailand can offer then the country is in serious trouble.

Just looked at all the brilliant posts by people who have thought long and clear about the subject before posting a comment. These posts should be at the top of the page, not the bottom.

The previous article in ASEAN news was about Chinese police patrolling areas Chinese tourists visit in LOS. Next thing, they'll be asking if they can set up an office in Thailand, to help Chinese tourists with any questions they may have... Then, maybe they could have a Chinese representative on a Thai government committee, to advise the government of the needs of Chinese people in Thailand, no need to worry about the cost, we'll foot the bill ourselves. Soon, maybe we could make suggestions on a policy or two, to help Chinese tourists, of course. It's the drip, drip, drip of Chinese (CCP) influence on the countries that border the PRC. Communism failed to make any headway, now it's a "friends and family" agenda that will decide the future of this region. Beware, you have been warned!

Would you intervene in a 3 up rabid dogfight? You have the answer...

Take away his license to operate, once the rest see that their livelihood is threatened they'll soon change their behaviour.

"Hi Ivan, welcome home, long time no see, how was your holiday in Thailand?" "Horrible, the first few days were fine, but then my credit card stopped working and I couldn't pay for drinks and the bar-girls kept ignoring me, said I was sticky" "Sorry to hear that, well, I have good news about Ukraine. The army is winning the fight against the neo-Nazis who were threatening to invade us and take over." "Are you kidding? I've been watching the war, and it is a war, on Thai news and other channels like CNN and Fox, and we are getting our butts kicked by every man, woman and peasant who is taking up arms against us. I saw an English- language newspaper that said tank commanders were deserting their vehicles and surrendering." "But I just saw the bulletin on State TV that the president of Ukraine had been killed, and the government had capitulated!" "Not a bit of it, Igor! The western countries and US are rallying round Ukraine and giving them arms, rockets and financial help. That's why I didn't have any money, they are blocking our banks from doing business and we can't sell our goods abroad. Haven't you been watching the news?" Igor suddenly realises he has been lied to and listens intently to what Ivan says... The End...?

So, he's gonna get rid of all the crooked politicians and corrupt cops who drag Thailand down to their level? Good luck with that!

Thai politicians don't have shattered egos, they have very fragile, slightly bruised egos and will bring down the dogs of war on anyone who questions their questionable decisions.