worldexpress

On 8/18/2022 at 5:08 PM, it is what it is said:

 

On 8/18/2022 at 5:08 PM, it is what it is said:

the truth goes like this: "Without foreigners - both workers and tourists - the kingdom's economy has no future whatsoever."

 

not accurate, tourism only contributes around 11%-12% of GDP, if thailand really wanted to it could pivot its economy and rely less on tourism

Not that simple and you have to dig a little deeper if you want to mount an argument. Without foreign companies and joint ventures, organic Thai firms are mostly in service, light manufacturing and food sectors and would only be a very small portion of the GDP. Thailand is a leading automobile exporter in the world and also contribute close to 15% of overall Thai economy but that's because the Japanese build them there. That's just one example.

Thailand REALLY does and has been trying to "pivot" and wean off tourism but has not been able to for different reasons. In the mean time, tourism is an easy and significant revenue stream.

As the OP's statement, as exaggerated as it might sound, is not too far off base.

6 hours ago, Jerno said:

Will Thailand get involved...?  Of course not!  When there's been past armed conflicts and (many) wars, Thailand has never picked sides. Have never sent Military to aid any other country during wars.  Can't even admit or commit to the undeniable fact that Putin/Russia is a barbaric aggressor and totally wrong invading Ukraine.  

I understand and fully sympathize with your sentiment about the ball-less stances of recent Thai governments on world issues but factually, your statements are completely incorrect. They were a major contributor and host to the American forces during the Vietnam War (Pattaya wouldn't be today's Pattaya without the U.S. G.I.s back then). A quick search on Wiki yielded: "About 40,000 Thai military would serve in South Vietnam, with 351 killed in action and 1,358 wounded." Also, "During the course of the Korean War, Thailand dispatched a total of 11,786 soldiers to Korea. It is recorded that 129 Thai soldiers lost their lives in the war, 1,139 were wounded, and five were missing in action (MIA)," also according to Wiki.

 It is true that the Kingdom "chose" to be neutral during WWII, on the surface politics, but their silent choice in reality was taking of the side on the Axis. Remember River Kwai? Japanese still came onto Thai soil to carry out their military objectives and commit atrocities against the Allied troops.

I wholeheartedly agree with you, however, their stance and initial actions on the Russian invasion of Ukraine were disgusting. 

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Outbound tour operators reported a spike in illegal job seekers who seek to use tour packages to South Korea as a guise before escaping from the group as soon as they arrive.
 

https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2364261/rise-in-number-of-thais-seeking-work-in-south-korea.

Central Planning Committee has spoken. End of discussion. Long live hammer & sickle. Now on to a more important matter of a joint air exercise with the motherland.

Not a very credible report. There is no effin' way the US is third worst in this and I will bet my last dollar on it. You just need to visit a few countries to feel this in your guts.

On 6/21/2022 at 10:52 PM, thairat said:

So “Visa upon arrival” is a misnomer doest exist in Thailand.

 

Wrong!

Unless one has no situational awareness, a big sign that reads "Visa on Arrival" on the way to passport control cannot be missed.

Are they going to be parading around with those sticks on their beat?

The pinning ends of the sticks won't fit an average farang with beer bellies.

21st century documentation. Can't make this s**t up.

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But now the TAT will propose the visa exemption be extended by a further 15 days. The idea is that the longer tourists can stay in Thailand, the more they will spend.

So why stop at 45? 90 sounds like a good number to me, if we're going to be arbitrary.

9 hours ago, Sparktrader said:

Elite visa 500k. No other hassles

Cambodia $us300 no other hassles fly into thailand. In and out. 

 

250k us in bonds is a lot of dead money.

Elite for 500K? Where?

Now do away with visa-waiver stamps. 

Korean tourists get 90-day stamps and US/UK citizens get 30-day ones. What's the logic? ????

Most U.S. states charge many folds more for out-of-state residents for everything from college tuition to park entry fees to hunting/fishing licences. Even the private theme parks offer special deep discounted lower pricing for in-state residents.

As much as I don't like to pay more than others, I really don't see too much of a problem in the "locals" getting better pricing. Where I see a problem is outright gouging (20X more is) or resident foreigners paying the "tourist" prices.

They could use some Indian ones on the streets between 00:00 and 06:00.

You'd be hard pressed to find this "summit" on the front page of ANY newspaper in the US and likely not even a blip on the evening news cast of any of the 3 major TV networks. That's how important America thinks of this organization of totalitarianism. 

I think they're looking to hook up with Korean 'Oppa' golfers more than the farang ones.

They can make a fortune by having the kid pick out lottery numbers.

Nay sayers will point to this incident for the case against car seats and people will agree in masses.