Burma Bill

So that's what a pole dance looks like!

My thoughts as well. Could also include these recent events: Chinese tourist was taken from Koh Phi Phi to the port in Krabi unconscious after suffering a near drowning. Taiwanese tourist died after snorkeling at an island in Mueang Krabi. A German tourist has been rescued after she sustained injuries inside a cave in Mueang Krabi. Krabi International airport in the south of Thailand were affected after a fire caused by an electrical problem Safe and Trusted Krabi???

IMO, neither does "Thai Smile"!!

Personally, I hope Bangkok sinks into the mire along with it's "elite"!

Sad, I would have let them cross the nearby border to get back home. IMO now a waste of Thai public money to investigate the circumstances!

Don't forget to pack the Imodium!!

With respect again, he was not regarded as a criminal but a Champion of the people (and still is - he and his family). IMO he was stitched up by the "Bangkok Elite" using political skullduggery!! Whatever, if it isn't Pheu Thai then possibly Move Forward.

Thank you but I no longer have a Thai bank account, or a Thai visa, as I now live in Cambodia. I was relating my experiences of visa extensions during my 20 years retirement in Thailand.

With respect, I was living up north during the coups and I can assure you no flowers or soft drinks were handed out to soldiers manning the military checkpoints. People were unhappy that Thaksin had been removed by the "Bangkok Elite"!

Thanks for your comment and yes, I believe so. My first Thai Non-O visa was issued in the 1990's at the Thai Consulate in Birmingham, UK. It was located on an upper floor of the HSBC Bank near New Street Station. I paid just under 100 GB pounds for one year with no bureaucratic paperwork as there is today. All my subsequent retirement visa extensions over 20 years+ in Thailand were based on this original visa.

With respect, surely these visas are genuine and not fake? If they were fake, then wouldn't they be detected at Immigration desks when entering/leaving Thailand? I used agents, including a friendly local IO, for my annual retirement extensions over several years and I was never stopped during my numerous visits to neighboring countries and the UK. The rubber stamp visa in my passport was no different from any other - agent or no agent!

Too late now. I "got it together" and left Thailand just before borders closed due to Covid-19. Sincere thanks to local Thai Immigration "agents" for my retirement visa extensions. Ironically here in Cambodia, one has to use an official agent (usually a travel shop) because you do not deal with Immigration itself. Very simple, hassle free and no corruption. If you do not have 300$US you do not get your annual visa extension (multiple re-entries included).

With the greatest respect, the early Thai railways were eventually built by the Germans. Reference Google and Wikipedia: In November 1888 the railway engineer de:Karl Bethge (from Krupp) came to Siam and were given these plans by the Siamese government for his assessment. It was agreed to build a route from Bangkok to Saraburi to Korat (Nakhon Ratchasima). For the full history:- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_transport_in_Thailand Yes, the British were involved in many early discussions but nothing was built, except the start of the Bangkok - Korat Line. However, the Brits were "sacked" for not keeping to contractual agreements and the Germans took over. Another line from Bangkok to Samut Prakan was constructed by Denmark and in 1925 this became only the second electrified railway in South East Asia. (now defunct). The British built the early railways in India, Ceylon, Burma and Malaya (as known in those days) whilst the French did likewise in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. During the Second World War the Japanese also built railways in Thailand (including the infamous Death Railway).

Great idea! There is a current water shortage for our farmers here in Khmer Land' "Paddy farmers are on a race against time to finish farming as they fear water shortage to irrigate their fields during the dry season" https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501216811/paddy-farmers-racing-against-time/

Thanks, and not just Pattaya. I know many ex-pats up north in Isaan who used Pattaya agents for their visa extensions. In fact we had local agents working in co-operation with Pattaya agents. At that time, Pattaya Immigration must have been one of the most corrupt in Thailand. Several years ago, I once used an agent in Chiang Mai who got my visa extension issued by Ayutthaya Immigration!! (The start of the 800,000 BS lark but not in a bank account for 6 months).

One of these in the grounds of the French Consulate??

I appreciate your experience. Here in Cambodia, just one page and no boxes!

Tell that to all the tourists who like to take shower!

When there is an easterly wind then maybe so. When a westerly wind blows, here in Cambodia we get smoke pollution from Thailand! Laos and Burma also contribute to air pollution throughout the region. For reference (Wikipedia):- Myanmar (Burma):Myanmar is the most polluted country in Southeast Asia. The average resident here would gain 2.7 years of life expectancy on average if particulate pollution were reduced to the WHO guideline.

From my experience - "no". I used to go to the local Traffic Police Office and present the ticket with the cash - 100 baht I seem to remember. Very simple and no hassle. I used to attend a monthly diabetic clinic at the local Government Hospital where official parking was severely restricted and one had to use surrounding streets, many of which were "no parking" areas. The Traffic Police had a field day!

Yes - very interesting. Having driven many times from Phitsanulok to Chiang Mai via Sukhothai and Tak, also via Uttaradit and Den Chai, I think the answer could be geography. The route via Sukhothai is relatively flat whereas the existing route via Den Chai is mountainous beyond Uttaradit.

Great to see the Japanese being involved and not the Chinese with their belts and roads!!

Yes indeed, the bar stool detectives already on the case!

Excuse my ignorance, being a former country bumpkin from "up north", but why use an airhorn in a bar??? I presume it would be one of these:- My only thought would be to drown the noise from dreadful, screeching and inebriated Thai floozies!!

A sick joke????