TheSeoGuyNZ

Definitely the photos were taken at Wat Doi Kao Kwai / Buffalo Horn Hill. I can say this with the assurance of having lived nearby for over a year. :-)

- see: www.chiang-rai.biz/activities/chiang-rai-temples

Hi there

I think you might just have been unlucky and tried to access the GT-Rider Forum while a software upgrade was happening. Access without registration is normally not a problem, and new registration's are not restricted in any way.

If you have any further issues, please PM me and I will help you get it sorted.

Cheers

Ben

//e-mail address removed as per forum rules//

I agree with Greer & Jack - the outpourings of critcism on any "announcement" by Thai Immigration that are intended to improve their services seriously detract from the value of the forum, IMHO. It seems to me that there is a genuine (albeit slightly uncoordinated) effort being made to straighten out a system which is obviously overdue for an overhaul in light of long-term abuse - no doubt in the main by the critics of the changes!

In the context of international terrorism, its astonishing that its taken so long to tighten the rules up on "overstayers" who've taken relentless and protracted advantage of the VOA for extended periods, instead of fronting up and sorting out their status properly.

Especially so, in light of the way the "Immigration Gestapo" in my country (New Zealand, or in Australia) - treat the average Thai citizen just wanting to come for a simple holiday etc!!! The challenges faced by my-Thai ex wife (a NZ citizen of 5 years) in getting her 17yr old son into the country were extraordinary. To get her sister in for a 3 month stay required a $3000 "bond" to be paid, non-refundable if an extension of stay was requested!!! I know of many instances where Thai people, genuinely on holiday, were not allowed into NZ on arrival at Auckland or Christchurch because for some reason NZ Immigration suspected they might overstay, or work... They were held in custody, and sent back to Thailand on the next flight out... pretty inhospitable, you might say!!!

If the Thais were to do the "eye for an eye" thing, there would scarcely be an Aussie or a Kiwi here in the LOS!

In the context of international terrorism, paedophilia and other undesirable activities, it makes sense to increase the "filtration" process to screen out undesirables. For those people with clear consciences and genuine intentions, leaping through a few hoops at the Immigration counter should be a small price to pay for the privelege and pleasure of living here.

My advice? Stop whinging, and critcising things you cannot change - go with the flow, or go home!!!

Ben

Thanks for the kind words.

The new rule starts on Oct 1st.... For example, if you have 30 day stamps on July 9th, August 7th and Sept 5th and need to leave Thailand on October 4th, you will not be able to re-enter Thailand without a visa, and must wait 90 days before coming back. The cycle can than repeat itself.

Any questions on any particular case, we will ask the Immigration Dept. and then get back to you.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Question for the Sunbelt guy...

Ok, then where does that leave me - I've been here since 10th May, have already done 3 visa runs etc, and my current stamp expires on 29th September... I was planning on going home by 6th November when my ticket expires...

I have just booked two teenage daughters to come and stay 2 weeks (8th Oct - 25th Oct) and now have no idea if I will even be allowed to be here! Which could mess up the girl's holiday a bit...

What is your opinion - will I be given another 30 days if I turn up for a visa run at Ban Laem on or before 29th September????

Regards, Ben

Having noted the death of a fellow-kiwi in thepast couple of days, plus this incident, I now feel some form of Life Insurance is essential... I'm off down the market later to buy a new vase, and a big bunch of roses for MY girlfriend!!!

She's pretty feisty, so it makes sense to chalk up a few brownie points I reckon! May even treat her to a visit to the hairdressers, take her for a (real) masage, buy her a nice dinner...

Hey - you guys don't think this type of out-of-character activity could inadvertently cause her to suspect a guilty conscience, do you???