Highlandman

Fined for what? Kicking a pregnant woman, twice?

If she were suffering from dengue fever, she wouldn't have the strength to stand, let alone walk into a business and kick someone. She'd barely have the strength to even walk to the bathroom in her home. She'd be lying in bed instead.

The way this story is written is funny and makes lots of incorrect assumptions. "Ploy noticed the Russian lady seemed to have difficulties understanding the Thai language spoken by the locals". Nonsense. Ploy, like nearly all Thais on Koh Phangan and many Thais throughout the rest of Thailand assumed straight away: farang = can't speak Thai, hence need to explain things in English. Thais sometimes even speak English to half-Thais, that's how xenophobic they can be. They use language as a weapon. Farang = too stupid to know our language is the assumption made. "Ploy said the incident destroyed her dignity as a Thai resident". A resident could mean she was a foreigner. Clearly, the article meant to say her dignity as a Thai CITIZEN, which is much different from being a mere resident. The Russian lady is also a resident, yet clearly can't claim that her "dignity as a Thai resident" was damaged. Only an actual Thai citizen can make that claim.

China eliminated dual pricing for foreigners years ago.

What's the difference with Savannakhet? Getting a non O multiple entry there couldn't be easier. While there is now a financial requirement, this has been in place at consulates in most other countries for years. Please explain how getting a non O multiple entry marriage visa is easier back home than in Savannakhet because I'm pretty sure it isn't.

They're allowed to do border runs, provided they go with visa run companies through friendly borders. Westerners have a limit to the number of runs they can do. Laotians and Cambodians do not, again, provided they arrive by land (99.9% do) and via "friendly" border crossings.

As a Thai citizen, you don't need a work permit. I do. I don't entertain requests to teach English to a Thai, especially a stranger (almost never happens anyway) for a couple of reasons: 1) English teaching is menial and boring, I don't enjoy it at all and since I'm an engineer not a teacher I can readily admit I suck at teaching. 2) I don't want to be accused of working without a work permit. 3) I have a family to look after. I don't have time to help people who aren't family members or friends/acquaintances. If I want to do charity, I'll donate to the right cause. As in number 2) I can't volunteer either without a work permit.

Yes. Unlike you. It's a normal thing to learn the local language when you move to a new country. I don't expect to use English in Thailand except with foreigners.

I'm no snowflake and to be honest I shouldn't have singled out doctors as I've never experienced anything but mutual respect from Thai doctors. We would communicate in Thai. Even one time when I was misdiagnosed as having a case of severe constipation as opposed to kidney stones, all was well. I went back minutes later and got the proper diagnosis by a different doctor. I've encountered a very small number of Thais, mostly businessmen and university professors who look down on farang and refuse to speak Thai to them. It's so rare that it's barely worth bringing it up, but these are the people who use language as a weapon. They can't fathom speaking their language to an outsider. Anyway, I don't wish to sidetrack this discussion by going off topic. This incident will sadly create more tensions between Thais and foreigners. Just hope he leaves the country soon, so we can finally move on.

Sure. That's totally different then. Completely acceptable for a doctor or anyone really to switch to English or another language both parties have in common if they can't understand what you're saying in their language. That happens in every country. Different story if you're fluent and know it and yet get spoken to in English by say a doctor, when you are always spoken to in Thai by the rest of society. I see it as a form of arrogance on the part of the higher educated types, seeing this doesn't happen when interacting with most other people. I’m describing a scenario, which happens very rarely even to me, but has happened. Even though I'm not very regular on here, I know what you are referring to, hence why I responded.

I usually make it clear that the conversation will proceed in Thai. I shut down if a Thai doctor attempts to speak English to me, especially if double masked. I just don't answer anymore questions or pretend I can't understand them. Fortunately, I haven't been to a hospital or seen a doctor since 2018 and that wasn't even for me, but my children. It's pretty racist to assume a white foreigner can't speak Thai or definitely can speak English, just based on their skin color. Many Russians can't speak English yet many westerners can speak amazing Thai..look up David Williams on Facebook and watch his videos. Your jaw will drop and he's far from the only one.

I've observed Thai children going through land immigration ports of entry alone or with just one parent without issue. I've even asked immigration officials and they said there is no need for the father's permission if a mother takes her children to a neighboring country alone. For a father, written permission including a copy of the ID card of the mother and tabien Baan is good to have but may not be requested. Airport immigration is more thorough, but experiences vary. Just because you seem to have been targeted and have had frustrating experiences (in your words) doesn't mean this is standard.

Very unlikely Thailand will ever legalize casinos..

Denied entry more like it. Chances are she won't be returning anyway.

They think it's about keeping face, but when they act this way, they actually lose face.

While I have yet to take my son out of Thailand alone, reading and hearing reports from others who have, suggest that at land borders they don't even ask for documents from the mother (better to bring something along though in case you're asked) while at airport immigration they simply ask for said documentation. They don't make a big fuss at all, unlike western countries.

Hasn't he learned his lesson? He's probably blacklisted. Tell him to find work in Thailand.

Meaning that the autogates can still be used but only by those without visas, single entry visas without re entry permit and visas or extensions that already have re-entry permission such as multiple entry visas and LTR/smart visas?

Well, Thailand simply went from granting 90 day visa waivers down to 30 days (for NZ citizens). New Zealand by contrast, introduced a visa requirement for Thais.

So? It's a better place for expats to live because it's easy. Thailand makes it more difficult with each passing year and with Cambodia developing fast, the advantages that Thailand once had are fast disappearing.

Or just spend your winters in Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, all of which have better visa options. Thailand is overrated anyway. Siem Reap is amazing, even if you never visit the temples (although all expats who've lived in the country for 2 years are eligible to visit for free). Siem Reap offers way cheaper alcohol than Thailand, no silly time restrictions, a wider variety of imported groceries and especially alcoholic beverages, nice colonial architecture, no traffic jams, plenty of great restaurants, often run by barang (farang) and well trained, English speaking Cambodians staffing them. You won't find anything comparable in Thailand. What's the obsession with Thailand? Is it the bars and the ladyboys? Because unless you need access to good hospitals (and these days there are a few acceptable ones springing up even in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap), then life in neighboring countries is as good and often better than in Thailand. Most expats living in Vientiane, Laos, live in palatial settings compared to the way people, including expats live in Thailand. Way bigger properties (hardly anyone lives in a condo), fancy cars, the works. Even if you think Vientiane is "boring", it's not nearly as boring as Khon Kaen or Udon Thani, which have absolutely nothing to do except shopping at Central Mall.

He's a bit of a cheap Charlie. Decided not to come back more often, due to "high flight prices". Thus he's only been back once since the end of Covid restrictions.

I've never heard of anyone getting this 3 year non-B visa. Do you know how to get one? What documents are needed? Even if each stay is limited to 90 days, the ability to come and go for 3 years + 90 days would be suitable for business travelers who have a Thai family, spend most of their time in Thailand but also need to travel to Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, China, Japan or anywhere else at least once every 3 months. That would apply to my circumstances. I've held multiple consecutive 1 year non-Bs in the past, mostly obtained from honorary consulates in Australia, which, apparently are no longer in existence.

You can do certain types of business in Thailand on tourist visas and now Japanese nationals are officially allowed to do business without a visa as well. Depends on the nature of what you're intending on doing. It was always possible, certainly in practice, to attend a workshop or conference on a visa exempt stamp when coming to Thailand. What you can't do is anything that constitutes "work", but meetings, attending conferences, site visits, signing documents, no problem.

Still the land of masks. They hide the fake smiles behind their masks.