Barnet1900

I don't think it will ever change. It's a mentality thing and they simply won't change. Not a question of can it change because it can, everything can change if you have people prepared to change. There simply isn't a belief that there is a problem. Better to cloud over it and move along. It's on Thai news over and over again yet the next day it continues. So either the entire nation doesn't watch TV or they simply don't get it, or ignore the dangers. Bit like the routine checks in Pattaya for dens of iniquity. Nothing to see here lads...all good as always. I'm glad the kids escaped without fatalities.

Thailand aims to be an international hub of chemsex orgies by 2025.

I don't ever recall getting a visa as an influence on where I holiday. Obviously travelling somewhere that doesn't permit me in, for a holiday, would sway it but North Korea has never been in the brochure sadly. The state of the country, safety, weather, attitude of the people and always cost are the only concerns. I don't recall the Chinese negative experiences having anything to do with visas. More about what they experience once they're through the airport. The Chinese will travel as their economy picks up. Nothing to do with Thai visa regulations at all. This whole visafree travel is a smokescreen over the real determiners in travelling anywhere, not just Thailand.

That's what I thought also. My error was thinking they would post it. They did with my wife's when she got her visa each time. You can pay an agent to collect it for you. I was quoted 2500 by one which will be the last time I do business with him, yet 1500 by another. Possibly get for less if you shop around. I'll do that. 12k for an agent to do the whole thing. I paid 6k for the passport, 1500 to pick it up and 1500 for my night and day in BKK dropping it off. Still save 3k so all good.

Complete nonsense whoever told you that. I've been going back every year for 8 years. Every time they ask for evidence. You have to show a video recording of her reading what she wrote. On one occasion I had to video call her from the airport to substantiate the paperwork. Immigration issues a document that you can obtain in advance if you want to be certain. I reiterate what I said previously. I think being careful about taking kids out of the country is completely necessary. I have no issue answering their questions. It's the manner in which they conduct the interview. Like you've done something wrong. I never had any fuss at all from the UK. Straight through every time. If a foreign parent wants to leave the UK with his/her child, without the native parent then they should be questioned and prove they will return. What if you have a row with the missus and she books back to Thailand with your kid in tow? You've no chance of getting your kid back and she disappears without "fuss".

I really don't get why people always look for comparisons with other countries when Thais commit crime. Could do that all day long no? As one poster stated. Man in uniform gets ignored. Loses face. Stirs himself up to regain face. Has no understanding of anger or emotional management whatsoever so does what a Thai native knows best. Get even. Add alcohol to the mix and it's another day in Thailand.

My thoughts entirely. The rivers out in the sticks are often the source of such fatalities. Every year the kids dive in and inevitably some don't come out. Very sad. I'd like to see more done at school level but that would involve more investment which the government won't do. At adult level, if you can call them that, many such incidents of death caused by accidents, whether it be on the road, drowning or freak things like walking into an exposed electric cable do nothing to teach them to change their behaviour. They could cause an accident in an empty room.

Yes mate, I get exactly what you're saying. Everyone needs an outlet once in a while. I lived up there for some time and enjoyed doing things alone but a weekly night out to a local expat pub gave me something to look forward to. I met 2 blokes up there 10 years ago and we're still friends today. I met plenty of people I wouldn't choose to meet up with but there are loads of decent expats in Isan. I'm sure you'll find the place by asking the locals.

Bet you weren't expecting those replies! I know Roiet pretty well and there are lots of expats living there. The lake itself has a few restaurants that have regular meetups with such folk. The place you're possibly looking for is a place that serves up decent foreign food. The lady who runs it is very nice. I can't remember exactly where it is but I recall going through the town in the direction of Kalasin but it's literally 1 minute outside of the main tow area. You turn right onto the river road and it's up there on the left. I can't recall its name. There's also a place called the Riverside Bar on TripAdvisor. It might be that OR they might be the same place. I can't remember the name, only the location.

Unless you're unable to do so, I'd recommend widening your net and considering BKK.

Melonatin doesn't work for me. It has the effect of weed that's too strong. I spend hours thinking of really weird stuff and not knowing if I slept or not. I tried weed because it worked in the UK but it doesn't have the same effect here. Many swear by it so possibly try it. You could try the drops, gummies or brownies. I haven't tried so I can't be certain. I have huge problems actually getting to sleep. Once I'm gone it's no issue. People who say that you shouldn't obsess about it mean well but have no idea . Sleep deprivation starts in the afternoon when you start dreading going to sleep. I'd love to meditate but I find the more I focus on relaxing the more I get stressed that I'm still awake. It's an obsession for many. The only certain aides I've used over the years are, sadly, alcohol. I actually don't enjoy drinking but it has helped. Definitely the last consideration you should take though. I take half a tablet of zolpidem each night. Again, not ideal but it works and eradicates that dread because I know I will sleep. I also take these Himalayan vitamins that work well on my moods and take the edge off. I'd recommend them highly but check with your doctor. I agree wholeheartedly about the hours you get. 6 would be sufficient and probably the norm for most adults. If you're getting 6 plus you're fine and that should be what you think about. Hopefully being content with the knowledge you'll get 6 will ease the anxiety. If you can sleep until 5am I'd take that and get up early and enjoy the peace. Getting into the routine that you have to be up at 5 will ease your mind completely. A few natural tips. Pitch black room. Some white noise like a fan. No clocks in the room or digital things. Make your room spotlessly clean. Nothing that could potentially wake you up, like leaving your phone on. No caffeine after midday. Only go to bed when you're tired, don't force it. Last one. Your missus might hate me for this, but I sleep on the floor on a kind of 6 inch thick, soft floor mat. If I sleep next to someone one turn, knock, kick or snore can disrupt my sleep and set me off again. When I'm on the floor on my own that eradicates any danger of being woken up prematurely, or stopping me from that vital ten minutes of nodding off. The best if luck to you and let us know if you get any good tips.

Every time I take the missus back to the UK the only grief we get is both visits to Suvarnabhumi airport. The immigration dept in the UK are first class. Friendly, passive yet asking the relevant questions. Every time I take my son out of Thailand alone I get interrogated. I don't mind them asking the necessary questions but it's their sheer attitude that gets me. Treat you like a criminal before you sit down. How Thailand can complain about any immigration anywhere in the world is a joke. They're by far the worst part of living/travelling here. Like many posts mention, now you know how it feels.

Well, TM30 translated got the job done. Expired DL was rejected out of hand. I must say, the entire process, staff, the whole lot was very professional. In and out in 30 minutes.

Bullying is rife in every part of the world and it's despicable. End of. If the boy has been subjected to bullying for the simple reason that the cowards can evoke their cowardess in numbers without good reason then they should be named, shamed and booted out. Knowing this school, they will cover it up to save face and because the parents are very wealthy. Another great lesson taught to the future of this country. The precious little holes will live to bully another day. In the UK this happens but in the UK the culprits would be out. This scum will be laughing about it with a full scholarship to its parent university shortly to follow.

Mine doesn't no. Maybe because it's the older version. Thai on the front, nothing on the back.

Every time I go anywhere near immigration, the airport, Trendy I get nervous knowing that they can anything they desire and there's nothing I can do about it. Sometimes it's purely luck of the draw as to who you get and what mood they're in. I'm amazed nothing more us done about it at a higher level. I'm certain if people's home governments stepped in and said, we'll issue warnings against travelling and living in Thailand unless you treat people consistently and fairly, they'd up their game. In this instance it's completely my fault for not preparing better. I always go with an agent to avoid the aforementioned grief.

Just checked the TM30 It is all translated into English but there's no mention of the full address, only that they verified I live there. Probably backing a losing horse here. I might just try the agent if it fails.

Thank you for that. Much appreciated.

Many thanks. I have both with me so I'll try the TM30. I'll see if an agent will pick it up if I drop them a fee. I'm only a few hours away but work during the week. Do they allow you to pick it up on Saturdays?

Good afternoon Can I use a TM30 as proof of address? My Thai driving licence expired but it has my address on it also. Also, can I get the renewed passport couriered back to my home? I am delivering myself but would prefer not to have to come back again. Many thanks

400bt for 2 hours of relaxation is wonderful isn't it? I used to get the same deal every Sunday evening and all I could think was....what would I be doing back home on a Sunday evening before work on a Monday. Magic. Got to ask about your name though. Can't be helped. Not rub....555

Is it right? No. Would it happen in many of our countries? No. Do they give a monkey's for dual-pricing, various foreign targeted income? No. Regardless of whose country it is the answer is that it's morally wrong. The best person wins and that person should claim the prize. Pretty straightforward really but the overriding fact is that this is Thai culture whether we like it not. I personally can't stand this kind of attitude wherever it is operates. I'd recommend avoiding the competition altogether or taking the upper stand and partake. I dare say many of the participants don't agree with the rule. A man can can suffer ignorance and smile. Impossible for many, including me, but just have to lump it out here sadly. The only way they address the situation is when it becomes big on social media, which the Chinese seem to be latching onto very quickly.

Don't see the relevance of having a foreign husband. Why did she fear travelling alone on public transport? Seems like a crap report full of scope to open it up to misinterpretation. Married to a foreigner, travelling alone... something like this was bound to happen. Utter rubbish.

I get the smiley bit. I think the worst thing this country does is promote this land of smiles nonsense. Thainess...it's bound to wind people up but in the UK a youth ruck results in a kid getting knifed to death. Kids from neighbouring areas beating each other up over territory is plain old tribalism. Could be any country in the world this.

2 examples. People attack others for money for food, booze, gambling debts, and thousands of reasons. Weed withdrawal doesn't make people psychotic. Nobody's mentioning just how badly Thai weed dispensaries have gone about the boom. The good stuff is very expensive and the cheaper alternatives have no effect. Plenty of people have lost faith in buying quality smoke from Thailand. What they should be doing is regulating it for quality and getting shot of the cowboys who are manipulating and ruining the market. If it continues in this way many won't bother anyway because of the way these crooks are cashing in on selling crap quality weed.