tcnofear

Completely expected, and completely wrong. Thaksin probably did obtain a significant amount in shady if not outright illegal ways, but confiscating the property just because someone is out of political favor sends a very wrong message about Thailand. There should be legal procedings questioning the origin of property, but they should apply to all people in or close to politics, not just to Thaksin. Of course, snow in Bangkok is more likely than this...

The purge must start with the head.

It's only the begining of a process. Do not worry, some eminent members of Thaksin's clique will come under investigation too.

You continue to think that it's only a "little corruption", like a bad thai tradition, a form of "exotism".

No. With Thaksin, and for the first time in the modern history of this country, corruption has reached an industrial level.

We are going to be surprised in the weeks to come... Now that officials can really conduct investigations.

Pongsak (Minister transport), Somchai.... all of them are dirty. Sisters, wife, children, cousins, step brothers of Thaksin... All of them will feel the shame of the caught thieves.

Hear hear 100% In my country they can seize assets on suspection of illegal gain util the owner can prove lawful ownership come on be real its about time the cleaners went through this country in an open manner so everone can know the truth.

Bloody ripper Rita now on with life. Out after 90 going to get me a non imm for 90 hmmm then back with my babe after she has a 3 month culture shock in my country maybe then the dust will have settled with the tank bosses and the polies hmmm could be a good scene by then.

Cheers Thailand.

Ok understanding what they are trying to do

JUST 2 QUESTIONs

1. CAN WE OBTAIN A 3 MONTH TOURIST VISA FROM LAO OR DO WE HAVE TO GO TO THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN TO OBTAIN ONE.

2. WHEN DOES THE COUNT START. DO THEY INCLUDE 30 DAY PERMISSION TO STAY STAMPS PRIOR TO OCT 1

These for me are critical as they could cause people to have to leave with in days or even a day of October 1

ie If you have had multiple entries prior to Oct 1 and are due to leave on the 3 /10 can you come back or are you out or do you have until the endof the 3rd stamp from the begining of 1/10/06

?????????????????????

TC

well shiver my timbers I am not a pirate.

I came to the land of smile this time in 23 Feb 06 I have a car, motorbike and a house full of normal living items I leased a home near Pak Kret and have been living on my own money (in overseas accounts ) do not have a Thai Bank Acc. I have a Thai girlfriend and have been help pay for her life needs and wants, I have been doing my "border runs" and I do not work. So I go to Lao or Penang and apply for a 3month tourist visa and then I will look at the retirement visa situation but what I do not understand is do the new "allowed to stay stamps " rule apply after the 1/10/06 ie I will do a "stay stamp run" on the 16th Sept. then my first new rule "stay stamp run " would be done on the 15/10/06 No2 on 14/11/06 No3 would be 13/12/06 leaving the country on the 12/1/07 for a term of 90days or more ARE MY CALCS CORRECT ????????? HELP. ONE NON PIRATE CONFUSED.

tcbangkok

Immigration confirms the end of border runs from October 1, 2006

Thailand tightens visa rules for tourists to cut illegal workers

BANGKOK: -- Thailand will tighten entry regulations for tourists in a bid to crack down on illegal foreign workers, the Immigration Bureau said.

The move, which takes effect October 1, would affect tourists from 41 countries including Australia, the UK, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and the US, said Suwat Thamrongsrisakul, the head of the bureau.

Currently, tourists from 41 countries can enter Thailand without visas and stay in the kingdom for up to 30 days.

They can extend their stay by checking out of the country, mainly by crossing the borders of neighboring Cambodia and Laos, and returning with new entry stamps.

'Under the current rules, people from those countries can stay in Thailand as long as they want. Some even stay here for one year,' another bureau official said.

The bureau had learned that a growing number of foreigners from the 41 countries worked illegally in Thailand, Suwat said, adding many were employed in bars and restaurants in the popular seaside resort of Pattaya, east of Bangkok.

'Tourists are taking advantage of the visa exemption law. Instead of sightseeing, they are doing business here,' Suwat said.

From October, tourists from the designated countries can still enter Thailand without visas and stay for up to 30 days, but their entry stamps will be renewable twice at most for a maximum stay of 90 days.

Tourists who stayed for 90 days must leave the kingdom for at least 90 days before being permitted to re-enter Thailand, Suwat said.

--forbes.com 2006-09-10