grahamhc

What a beautiful photo of Pattaya Beach in its natural glory

I believe this is from the same postion, taken 2007. From Hard Rock Hotel looking to the Headland and Dusit Thani Hotel

This was from near Bali Hai pier, 2011. Now a concrete jungle and looking more like Hong Kong skyline every day..

What is the definition of too many tourist visas? Is it the fact that they are issued back to back constantly that causes the problem?

A tourist is a visitor. The UN WTO (World Tourism Organisation) defined a visitor as a person visiting for LESS THAN ONE YEAR. Website Ref

Visitor

A visitor is a traveller taking a trip to a main destination outside his/her usual environment, for less than a year, for any main purpose (business, leisure or other personal purpose) other than to be employed by a resident entity in the country or place visited. A visitor (domestic, inbound or outbound) is classified as a tourist (or overnight visitor), if his/her trip includes an overnight stay, or as a same-day visitor (or excursionist) otherwise.

It is up to any country to define its tourism sector - "Real" Tourists normally bring in more money than "under the counter" residents.

A friend's (adult) son recently recently did a border run to obtain a Tourist Visa, and when asked at the consulate why he had so many TVs and what he was doing here, the guy answered that he was living with his father. The Official said that was not a Toursit visa and gave him 15 days to sort out his affairs and leave Thailand.

Re post 27 above about unsustainable immigration, I was reminded the other day that in 2013 under the Asean agreement, there will be freedom of movement and workers within ASEAN nations (like we have in the EU) so the current Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia "Illegal workers" will be free to get open employment here and get minimum wages (they hope). Also included will be Chinese and Filipino workers.

OK, nothing to do with us "Westerners" but shows the changing face in immigration policy.

Until the Thai mindset changes these accidents will remain an inevitable fact of life. Drivers are licensed with the minimum training (if any). Road rules are rarely if ever enforced. Buses tailgaiting at ridiculous speeds and undertaking on the left side are all too common

And greedy unscrupulous owners push underpaid drivers beyond their physical limits.

But hey - mai pen rai -- isnt it always

Re tailgating: I was in a minor shunt on the Pattaya-Bangkok bus one day. So slight that I did not feel it, but I saw the bus front was hanging off as we were changing buses. And that was only 20 mins into the journey.

It reminded me of the first guidance I had on driving in Thailand. "If a bus comes up behind you, get out the way or he will go through you."

RIP - Sadly a happy weekend marred by this tragedy.

I tried to get a replacement Hatari Fan Remote 25680 from the shop opposite Foodland in Pattaya, to get a curt "Mot" from the guy (I understand that to mean finished)

Is there a purpose to this report?

Sex sells?

And good headlines get higher reader numbers. (And well done - good marketing)

A new addition to this is the Sex toys that are now sold on Beach road. I only ever saw this in BKK near Nana before.

But, more than 10 years ago I was working in Denmark and right on a high street in the town where I was staying was a sex toy shop and video store. and next door but one was....MacDonalds

So depending on how "liberal minded you are" depends on how you react to seeing these things.

For me Amsterdam sells tourism and sex and no one gets hot under the collar about that.....

Disgusting. A sex shop and McDonalds in same location? Think of the children! It should be closed down - The McDonalds, I means.

Sex is a normal part of life (that is how you got here, right?), but McDonalds can cause obesity (So it maybe difficult to have sex with your spouse)

Road deaths and spousal abuse should see a welcome if only temporary dip in numbers for a while then.

I thought most those caused by Beer Chang, Mekhong* and Lao Khao** drinkers.

* (quote for web article: Mekhong is a distilled spirit from Thailand that is made of sugar cane, rice and a secret blend of indigenous herbs.)

**(quotes from another forum: 17 Oct 2010 – Lao Khao is a very potent alcohol rice whiskey and is a favourite drink of Thailand's rural working class people.)

By this, I mean not every drunk drinks Singha. But I an happy with any reduction in road carnage like at Songkran

Lets be logical,no matter their parentage, and hope they are put on the Australian Insurance Companies Association (or whatever it is called) watch list regarding future attempted claims.

People like these push everyone else insurance rates up. OK, it happens in other countries too.

This is Thailand and we never know what to expect.

If this had happened around Songkran time, just says it was a waterproof cover for your mobile phone!

As for handing out to certain families, maybe they have been watching the child and do not want the parents to make the same mistake TWICE! .

I normally use the downloaded form from the Immigration website and complete on my PC. Is this now not allowed , or can I print 2 copies?

As long as I do not have to pay 2 application fees of 1,900 Baht I am OK with the change.

Maybe the second copy is going to another department, say BKK, to check the validity of the application and funds claimed to be at the applicant's disposal?

Pity they can't post a photo of this moran so women who may use Thai visa can see his face all working girls wouldn't know his name from a bar of soap nevermind where he comes from but a photo might ring some bell's

There is a photo included in this article of a UK newspaper, the Daily Mail:

Daily Mail article

Why do they hide the faces of the Thai women and not those of the brits? Are the girls minors? (Underage)

Girls do not want their Sponsors to see them :lol:

This would have been discovered by the hi-tech Cyber Crimes Unit in BKK, who search the web for this type of "Infringement" and also monitor adverts in overseas papers.

PM Yinluck said it is not exploitation if they are paid over 300 Baht a day. Anyway, maybe more fun than being a robot on a Thai factory production line. There were no locks on the door keeping the girls in.

Personally, I would never waste my money on this this type of service, but others will always do so.

Visiting Cambodia should make it easy for the Thai Police to capture him and bring him back to Thailand for trial. He still is considered to be a fugitive on the run, or am I wrong?

The PM don´t have time to fly to Dubai. So she meeting BIG Brother in Cambodia.

Regarding the planned visit to Cambodia by ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister, Police Captain Chalerm Yoobumrung said the ex-premier has the right to travel to any country that welcomes him.

A hint for the police: It is highly likely he will fly Thai Airways from Dubai on Thai Airways Intl TG518 arriving 06:40, transiting at Swampy to the Thai Airways Intl TG580 Phnom Penh.

Maybe this will help capture the fugitive. I did not find him guilty, the courts did and I am only trying to help. Send in that US Bounty Hunter "Dog", and Mt T will be trussed and hogtied within minutes.

Went yesterday. Had all my papers ready. I got a number and was 21 in line for action, but 2 officers working at desk 3.

It was slow because people were asking what would do for the "Proof of address" as they had no bills in their name. One guy even bought a folder with his tax papers. Another guy was sent away to get a copy of his TM card, to job of which he immediately allocated to the Thai Wife!

Then when I was only 5 from the front, a Thai lady sat down and pulled out 10-12 passports, of many different colours and covers, and one officer took on the task with calm efficiency.

I got mine done, but it was longer than the old 5 minutes in and out. But I am retired, so was not worried. OK, it was Monday. Must remember the leeway and go Tue-Thurs.

NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT.....

Down in sunny Pattaya, they have altered their local rules that when you do a 90 day report (as reported elsewhere in the forum), you have to give them a photocopy of the "Picture Page", the latest "Extension" stamp, the TM6 Landing/departure card, a utility bill or similar proof of current address and a photocopy of your ORIGINAL VISA granting permission to travel. (Mine VISA is years old and at the front of my nearly full passport.)

I will be doing my 90 day next week and see if the keep or hand back the photocopy that I will supply.

Did my 90 days, and NO, I did not need a copy of the original 'ORIGINAL VISA granting permission to travel' as most of you had guessed but he did keep the copy I offered him. When I see the guy who claimed it was requested from him, I will explain the CORRECT terminology.

I love AOT comments: "The mezzanine used to be a lounge covering 4,500m2. He said the relocation would free up the existing security check area for other passenger-service purposes.": one should read additional premium commercial facilities.

The OP's linked article goes on about a joint AOT/King Power promotion for those spending 5,000 baht at duty-free.

A still other commercial promotion is a sweepstakes entry for spending 500 baht spent at any of the dining facilities. The funny thing about that is remembering the posted sign offering Phad Thai at one of the establishments there for 510 baht.

King Power side topic:

Just drove past a new building, on Sukhumvit Highway in Pattaya, big enough to match the large DIY supermarkets in town, with plenty of car parking. The sign outside announced "King Power Duty Free shopping for him and her" (or similar words).

I presume "You look, buy and collect at Swampy". If so, why such a big store, when only a showroom?

What does the standard UK pension/superannuation pay per month?

Guessing there are a few people living here with no other income to supplement this based on comments each time the GBP slips v the baht?

The basic state pension in the UK is about £97.00 per week or 4,600 baht at today's FX rate. Depending what contributions they have paid, but a neighbour has been advised he will get £146 per week (7,000 Baht).

4,600 x 52 = 239,200. This is a big shortfall from the required 800,000 Baht by Immigration to get a visa extension, so one needs savings here in the bank as well. Or revert to "Buying" an Extension (which we do not talk about, as that "Cannot" happen).

When I get my state pension, it will be supplemented by my Company Pension and property rental income from the UK - A method I already use and accepted by Immigration (Co Pen + HR).

Wasteful and pointless procedures seem to be common currency in all offices the world over.

OFF TOPIC !

I bought 600 Baht's worth of items in Big C yesterday, and the item list was 2 inches long, but the till roll printout was 2-3 foot long with offers, 5 Baht discount vouchers and other info I cannot understand.

Thailand LOVES generating paper

Back on topic... I recall a few years ago you could create an account on their old website, and do your "90 day report" remotely every 90 days. That facility is now long gone.

Any Europeans here remember the "Milk Lake" and "Butter Mount" a few years ago in the EU, which were off-loaded at knock down rates to clear stock when storage ran out, while the shop prices soared, due to Government Subsidies to pay the farmer more. OK, some went to Eastern Bloc countries as Governmental food help, but even they could not consume enough.

How do you tell a farmer to grow less, when you cannot predict the weather in 6 months and may suffer a crop failure. He fights NATURE more than GOVERNMENTS !

Yes they like to do airport runs but will accept most charter fares within town if you are willing to pay their extortionate charter fares. Again, they are indeed based in Pattaya. In fact, they are run by the Pattaya baht bus cooperative.

I do not know why, but you have to click on the photo link to see the photo.

This is a Pattaya "Meter" taxi. They refuse to switch on the meter for even a short didtance.

I asked the Taxi driver how much from The Ave Mall, Second Road, to collect my car at JT Motors, opposite the "Fly Now" shop and Cholchan Hotel, on Sukhumvit Road. He insisted the fare was 350 baht. Had he said 200 Baht, I would have paid him, as you rarely win with any "Mafia Group". He did say he had TO PAY 1,000 Baht a day to drive the taxi.

So I walked across the road caught a blue Baht Bus to Naklua (20 Baht - overcharged 10 Baht from posted tariff) and changed to a white baht Bus (10 Baht) and they took me exactly where I wanted to go. OK, 30 mins more, but 320 Baht or £6.60 less in current UK FX rates.

A queue of unused Blue/Yellow taxis, as they will not cruise or use the meter. There are no literally '000s, so the mafia pricing must work.

Would it not be easier just to take a trip somewhere every 90 days?

If so, does that mean that you do not have to 'report in' ?

I assume this is for people with 1 year visa extentions who are either married or retired? I have a NON 'O' visa and just trip out every 90 days....it's a good excuse to get away from 'er indoors for a day or 2

Yes, it is for the One Year Visa recipients, who could be with work permits, Retired or married to a Thai.

But if you are lazy, just get the wife to go down for you, as you can appoint someone to take in your completed paperwork and passport.

I too like my trips,so get a re-entry permit and take an occasional trip overseas. Once went to Kho Kong with friend and wife, when he did a visa run. I was there just for the trip.

Some poorer members may not report due to shame, some richer guys may report due to bragging.

Those points are totally silly. It is an ANONYMOUS poll!

I would have suggested for the first question saying EXCLUDING rent for people who do rent.

I think many people who do rent would tend to include daily rent in their basic daily expenses. If so, your poll becomes even more meaningless. Trust me, all thaivisa polls are meaningless, but some more than others.

Valid point over rent. I excluded that money.

I based my daily average by dividing a year's personal expenditure by 365 days, as some months good and others bad, like car insurance renewal, and came out with 1,912 per day.

Nor did I include the emergency medical expenses, not covered by BUPA/Blue Cross, (which I have now cancelled as no other items covered left in my favour) - which I paid from UK savings.

moral to the story - don't loose your passport

And Number two is to have photocopies, or better still scanned images, of every page of your passport. It could always speed up getting your replacement passport from home as you can quote the actual passport number.

To protect my passport, and I know you should by law carry it with you at all times, keep mine locked in a safe, and just carry a shrunk laminated "Picture Page" and "Visa Extension" stamp page - cost here 60-100 baht in most photocopy shops.

NOW FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT.....

Down in sunny Pattaya, they have altered their local rules that when you do a 90 day report (as reported elsewhere in the forum), you have to give them a photocopy of the "Picture Page", the latest "Extension" stamp, the TM6 Landing/departure card, a utility bill or similar proof of current address and a photocopy of your ORIGINAL VISA granting permission to travel. (Mine VISA is years old and at the front of my nearly full passport.)

So, if you lose your passport, your backup photocopy will be essential.

I will be doing my 90 day next week and see if the keep or hand back the photocopy that I will supply.

...... He should have gone to the consulate first and got advise on how the laws applied to illness works in an overstay situation, .......

Good advice, Where is the British consulate if I ever need it?

The Honorary British Consul is Howard Miller, and is located next to the Immigration office on Jomtien Soi 5.

While Howard Miller is well versed in these matters, as he was previously a Tourist Police Volunteer, I cannot vouch about the Immigration Rules* knowledge of other countries' consuls.

*(I use the word RULES, as reading this forum, notice that other immigration offices have different ways of working, some more strict and others easier.)

Easy to get extension based on hospitalization.

From Police order 777/2551

2.25 In the case of medical treatment or convalescence or to look after a patient:

Permission will be granted for a period of not more than 90 days at a time.

(1) Confirmation and request has been made by a physician responsible for the treatment. The Physician must describe the details of treatment and advised that the illness is a barrier for travelling.

(2) In the case of looking after a patient, confirmation and request has been made by the physician responsible for the treatment or by an embassy or consulate.

(3) Patient Carer, except parents, spouse, children, adopted children or children of spouse, shall be granted no more than 1 extra person.

I had minor heart surgery a couple of months ago (In another hospital) and when discharged, was told to stay at home for a week while the wound healed. I also lost 15+Kg in 7 days following the surgery and medication, which was normal following my surgery.

So understand why he left it a week before contacting the authorities, but WHY go to Pattaya Police Station(I presume Soi 9 Police Station - Based on numbers quoted in the Cells) and not go to the Immigration Police in Jomtien Soi 5, who deal with this type of situation.

With regard to Soi 9 Police, I doubt Mr Kent spoke Thai, so would have contacted the "Foreign Police Volunteers" desk to ask who would deal with his problem, the FPV should have referred him to Immigration.

At "Chonburi Immigration" office in Jomtien. Mr Kent said his visa expired when he was in hospital, so it would have only been by days. He would have been fined 500 Baht a day overstay and maybe a fine and normally allowed 7 day visa Extension (1,900 Baht) for him to make arrangements to leave Thailand - all dealt with over the desk.

I remember that Immigration did have a part-time desk at Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, but that may have closed.

There are many loose ends with this story or unbalanced facts, but it may well be true..... - or just embellished to sell more Tabloid Newspaper copy.

The thing is they will show only those 'unseen' kind of places that everyone doesn't want to visit.

Hahahahahha. Privacy.