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I have done same weeks ago in Chonburi office. Had Type O Visa extension from 90 days to 365 days over there. Years ago I had had Type O-A Visa. The officer noticed there was one dated 2020 stapled to my passport. He requested to get replacement for 023, or else no visa extension. Changing counter desk immediately to enquire, I was rather surprised they looked at my current Condo Lease ( I rent) and checked the computer record and satisfied and printed and signed new updated one for me right at the spot, all took around 10 minutes. And I don't need to bother the Condo Owner in the process.

Too bad Phuket and Samui not have same.

I have paid 15 B a number of times from Jomtien central area to Pattaya Central World Mall. If I go from Jomtien central Area to Pattaya Terminal 21, I pay 20 B

Not even bother with your quoted link. The "Global South" had done the talking .

Indeed ( Jing Jing ), you can check back on the the published Western papers and media and news in 2011-12. Some predicted within 12, 18 and surely 24 months at most. In hindsight, even many Chinese nowadays acknowledge that was the situation. I do not know Forum Rules well.

One-Belt-One-Road is a very, very high risk. grand scheme undertaking for China. " Locals always have the edge and upper-hand " is barely common sense. Fortunately for China, the mega project had not gone badly so far and over 130 countries had signed on. . Mentally of Chinese is actually very similar to other Asians nearby. " Achieve Monetary enrichment while taking fuss-free and low profile approach. "

Western world including Western media and the scholars had predicted CCP collapse, correctly in the timing, NOT the result. This was the period 2011-13. In 2011/12 all predicted CCP and China crumbled within 18-24 months. Indeed 2011-13 was the most dangerous period for China, as corruption was beyond control while the economy was soaring. Xi came in then and immediately fought corruption in his first 5-7 of tenure While CCP set and plan their objectives and implement accordingly, incidental procedures found essential are to restrict UNlimited greed, indulgence, and desire and keep these behaviors in tight control ( actually Singapore Government doing some as well ) . Chinese are travelling in and out and seeing a lot of the world nowadays, they can observe and compare. In essence, the Chinese public support of Xi and CCP with over 90 % rating and PRC citizens are also top in a Global Happiness Survey recently published by A famed Paris-based IPSOS survey agent. One big, big factor resulting in this trend is Nosediving of all aspects of USA in particular and the West in general in past 6-7 years. As one side is in free fall, it will reflect.

I am surprised of all the movement that had happened rapidly. // Out of 53/54 countries in Africa that had gone through Western colonial experience for centuries, about 50 of them insist siding with the East camp rather than the West. // Two largest countries in South American -- Brazil and Argentina side with China rather than USA. China is very far geographically and is not associated with Latin in culture at all. // Middle East is turning around with news coming out weekly. USA would prefer nothing had happened. // India had admired UK for many decades, not any more. Now Indians talk tough. // SouthEast Asians had been pro-Europe for centuries, now claim to be neutral. Yes, USA still has stronghold in Japan and South Korea. But even Israel is watching the change close and may lose up eventually ( another unthinkable for USA ) .

OK totalitarian government China. How many totalitarian government globally in the past 200 years ? Say dozens of them. And why China could have risen in a totalitarian format with communism doctrine ? Cut off all the long and boring bureaucratic talk, Beijing CCP governance might be briefly summarized as these : ( called socialism with Chinese characteristics ) // Single party, totalitarian government. // Capability of self mistake-correction // Capability of self reform, economically and politically // Prime Objectives are to make the public and All citizens have better life, common prosperity .,,,,,,,..blah blah blah. China GDP growth 2020 2.1 % 2021 8.1 % 2022 3.0 % CCP Government projects 5.0 % growth target for 2023 , while several USA Investment Banks predicted 5-6 % growth, so is IMF. You don't believe the growth there ? Then Ask the Bankers. I don't know as much

Barring WW3, Current twenty first Century is Rise of the East Century while the empire is in a downward spiral.

So called "Globe South" is sick and tired of USA control, and influence. Latest turnaround was USA long-time and one of strongest allie Saudi Arabia -- signing agreement with Iran, long-time USA enemy, few days ago. ( ASEANNOW Website did not bother in reporting )

cncltd1973 : " all China can do infiltrate, reverse engineer and copy " You think this is all China can do ??? Is China still backward as the time of Mao ? Turning from totally disarray and absolutely dirt poor in 1970's ( Mao died in 1976 ) to No. 2 in the world nowadays, How and Why ? Obviously you know Zip about it.

" My main question though is what does China expect to gain from 'claiming' the territory. " China internal civil war in 1946-49 resulting in two governments - one in Beijing and one in Taipei - after 1949 both claiming to legitimately represent China. Official change happened in United Nation voting in Oct 1971. Taipei Government under Chiang was in UN from 1949-71 , and Beijing Government under Mao then replaced it in UN from 1971- onward.. Fast forward from those days to November 2015 Singapore, while Beijing Mr. Xi was meeting Taipei Mr. Ma face to face, the protocol arrangement was essentially still the same as back in the Beijing Mao Vs Taipei Chiang days in 1950/60's. ( henceforth each officially addressed the other Mister Mr. in Singapore meeting. ) \Both Mainland and Taiwan had been part of China for several centuries. Therefore Mainlanders see as a mandate to take and integrate Taiwan, and vice versa Taiwanese see as a mandate to take and integrate Mainland ( at least during 1950/60/70 Chiang era ) As to that independent Taiwan scenario, USA had enquired to help Taiwan Chiang to form an independent country in 1950's, Taiwan Chiang rejected. Confusing or not ?

The news you quoted were dated Sept 2019 April 2022. I take updated news, not yester-year news as you were so keen.

As expected

You understand the trend and reality, not quite for USA Biden and Blinken. Biden refused to accept the reality and visited Saudi in Aug 2022 empty handed coming back after the visit. Joe Biden subsequently said to review USA-Saudi relations. Five months had gone, nothing still.

Credit to Thai government which was the first recognizing Saudi Crown Prince had committed turning to the East and resetting Thailand-Saudi diplomatic relations in early 2022. Updated News on March 11, 2023 Saudi Arabia official and Iran official met face-to-face to ease multi-decade long confrontation and reset to start diplomacy. The talk was held in the Foreign Ministry office in Beijing on March 6-10 2023 ( Washington was probably kept in the dark ). This was unthinkable just months ago. But it is now possible after China Xi visited Saudi Riyah in Dec 2022 and Iran Raisi visited China Beijing weeks ago. USA wouldn't like this development, so USA news outlet would make it low profile and low priority. .

AS expected

Up the curve, the concave portion is simple enough, the Convex part is far far more difficult. There is Maturity cycle, and my prediction is NO and NO, they will not get 80 millions in 2027.

Whoever wrote this second paragraph, I think there is a misconception. The Shift towards Higher FIT percentage and lower group tour percentage is more about Repeated Trip --- second/third timers are surely eager to visit on their own rather than in a tour group. Thailand tourism had kept growing over many years and decades ever since 1970s' are largely attributed to success in drawing repeated tourists to the Kingdom.

Your info Outdated by ........ ? Western world predicted the sudden shift in China Covid policy announced in late Nov 2022 would drag all economic activities for 3-6 months. Turned out the drag and slowdown empty streets throughout most place lasted 5 weeks ( early Dec 2022 to first week of Jan 2023 ). Did you hear anything on China's Evergrande Property Group in the last 4 months ? The Government had steadied the sinking ship on the real estate issue nationwide and the worst had been over. That's why nothing on the media, particularly WESTERN MEDIA lately. Smarten up. Non-Western media and Non-English media are far more updated and ahead in reporting China and CCP news.

I am an old, below average skilled, infrequent table tennis player. Stay in Jomtien too. May be not this week. May search and contact you later.

Thailand tourism commenced in early-mid 1970's and had been well known in Asia by early 1980's. Timeline of various then new-built 4 star hotels in Bangkok is good reference. Philippines did same a bit earlier. Indonesia Bali started way earlier too and had been well known in late 1960's. Phuket was built up and promoted in 1980's, way ahead of Samui. The title of this thread comparing Thailand and Vietnam is totally Novice . Thailand Vs Philippines tourism or Thailand Vs Indonesia tourism make far better sense.

I had Apex breakfast buffet once in Early Jan 2020, just before the Pandemic. Recalled around 150 B per head. Yes, barely OK - not good and not bad for that price. While at that time, 150B is also average pricing of an American Breakfast set including one cup of coffee.

Have two simple questions about Retirement Non-Imm "O" Visa 1-year Extension in Jomtien. / Do the immigration office need single copy or 2 copies of all papers ? / Is "O" Visa extension process and requirement same as "O-A" extension less the insurance certificate ?