Richard Hall

Hm, let's just take a look back as a little reminder and then compare the situation back then and now:

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/26/world/asia/thailand-protests-explainer/

Are you seriously saying that Thai society is in harmony at the moment. If so I can only say that you really need to get out more!

I'm on Bangkok roads everyday and talk to Thai people from all levels of society every day.

While politics where the topic number one before the coup no one I talk to is really interested to talk about it anymore. Not even the former red shirts among my buddies who used to refer to Khun Abhisit as a double-tongued slick politician that can not be trusted. Khun Prayut appears to be clearly preferred over Khun Abhisit by them. Whether times will change and Khun Prayut will fall into mistrust like many before I don't know. Eventually, he will have it in his own hands like all others before him. Yes, in my opinion Khun Thaksin could still be PM and the same goes for Khun Yingluck. Obvious power does not necessarily mean absolute power which has been proven in Thailand lots of times already. Therefore, always act in the interest of the country and her people rather than getting carried away and start pursuing other interests. If PM Prayut agenda is to stick to power for personal reasons he will necessarily fail and I take for granted that he is aware of this.

I go a lot by taxi and in the past there were many red shirts among the drivers originating from Isaan. Their former "messias" Khun Thaksin seemed to be crossed from their mind nowadays while the formerly predicted that a comeback would just be a matter of time. Generally, they appreciate very much that the mob times are over. No, many people are not happy that the military presently rules the Kindgom but no one really sees a better solution for the time being. PM Prayut is not loved but accepted. No one I come accros neither from the red not the yellow front is interested in the Friday evening addresses by the PM to the people but it is more seen as a hassle because the daily soap opera gets interrupted.

These are my impressions of present daily live in Bangkok. Foreigners seem to be very much more concerned than Thai people that as per my own experiences presently just life their lifes like prior to the political tumults. They just sit it out and wait what the future will bring. No messages like we need elections as quickly as possible. Do I personally feel repressed at the present times? No, not at all and sometimes I am even amazed about some articles published in the Bangkok Post because we are supposed to have very limited press freedom.

Some publications poke fun on the PM like on every other before. The Thai way, just take it with a smile. Khun Andrew (Biggs) weekly Sanook column reflects that very well, in my opinion and is usually absolutely on spot. Life without sanook is not life in Thailand although this appears to aggrivate many foreigners. Mai ben rai instead of taking on responsibility. Many Thais I talk to appear to pity farang because of their seriousness and their constant concerns about the future. No, democracy and freedom of opinion appear not to be on top of the priority list for many Thai people certainly excluding some hardline acitivists of whatever color.

Better go to a party than a political event even if it claims to fight for the better and more rights. What rights? To vote one politician over another? A person that makes heaps of promises before the election but mysteriously appears afterwards but all of a sudden gets re-incarnated when the next election is coming up. Certainly with the message that the time was just not enough to realize the previous promises and so another go is absolutely necessary.

The same old shit. Over and over again.

Looking back to the passed decade all is calm right now in comparison except for the Erawan bombing that, however, did not involve Thai polictical activists. Activists will never stop. They just take turns but forntunately they are the minority while the majority just prefers to live theirs lifes without too much of a headache. Me thinks "mai pen rai" is a much better approach than constant self created headaches but well, everyone has his or her priorities. Some target a being without suffering while others appear to claim that a life without suffering is no life. The latter mentioned causing the problems. Not only for themselves but all for everyone else. But mai pen rai we have to take it as it is and always will be. Human beings are just the most bizarre species on this planet with the tendency to evolve to become stranger and stranger. Never satisfied. Give them a hand but they claim an arm, give them an arm and they claim a leg...

It never seems to stop, all this anti-coup garbage that I read !! It is hard to believe that some want to return to the "Status Quo" with the same old corrupt politicians and business men running Thailand. Leave it alone !! Let the PM/General run his course and you will see Thailand will be better off. If you only lived in Thailand and had a closed mind you do not know the difference. If you had your cranium up your tailpipe during the Taksin era and said nothing, you were a large part of the problem.

If you do not believe those responsible for lose from the Rice Scheme should be brought to trial, you are part of the problem.

If you do not believe that a drastic change in the Elementary, High School and College Education System needs and is a top priority, then you are part of the problem. People with no Circumspect are like sheep headed to the slaughter.

It is hard to believe that people who make such impassioned contributions know nothing about Thai history. Let me ask you a few simple questions that might help your understanding;

1. How many coups have there been since 1932?

2. What reason has the Thai army given every time it has committed a coup?

3. After so many coups initiated to solve corruption created by politicians, how successful have the army been at eradicating the corruption?

So, have you got it yet...coups do not solve corruption, that is only smoke & mirrors.

You're absolutely right. What NONE of the junta lovers can answer is the following question:

After 19 coups that failed to change anything for the better exactly what makes you believe this time will be different???

Hm, perhaps not returning to the old routine of "democrazy" too quickly without trying to get rid of the basic problems first although pompously demanded by pompous countries and their pompous people?

Nice photo but why is he pointing at the guy squatting below??

To understand this one has to understand Thai culture.

He points to the "demon" in traditional Khon dance means symbolically he identifies evil. Don't let evil rise once reckoned where evil is.

Some comments in this thread indicate once again that many foreigners don't know anything about Thai culture and hence this raises the question whether one should critize something one does not even have the slightest clue about?

Oh you are so cultured and well informed, a true Thailand guru! I suddenly feel like im not worthy of staying here, on top of everything I ask the som tam lady for mai pet.

Rather well put. I thought it was a remarkably pompous thing to say as well!

Well, despite living and working here in Thailand for almost 16 years I obviously cannot get rid of my pompous roots from pompous Europe, can't I?

Although, my remarks were just a reaction to the pompous actions of people from pompous countries always trying to bring the Kingdom down independant from whatever action she takes. This forum appears to be flooded by them.

Does't the pompous saying "to know shit from Shinola" origin from the US and so I was just making reference to that? Pompous as I am and pompous as you are and pompous as the PM is.

I suddenly feel like im not worthy of staying here, on top of everything I ask the som tam lady for mai pet.

That is your problem.

Better do not rely on your emotions but rather on your mind. This makes things much easier. Also here in Thailand. Asking for mai pet is already a step towards the right direction. If you can not cope with "pet" stay away from it even if Thai food is known for its hotness.

Nice photo but why is he pointing at the guy squatting below??

To understand this one has to understand Thai culture.

He points to the "demon" in traditional Khon dance means symbolically he identifies evil. Don't let evil rise once reckoned where evil is.

Some comments in this thread indicate once again that many foreigners don't know anything about Thai culture and hence this raises the question whether one should critize something one does not even have the slightest clue about?

Good to read that Thailand is not going to head towards disaster like for example Germany and/or the countries of the Arab Fall - Tunisia excluded - although sometimes the PM ain't a master of the slick rhetorik of a politician. Maybe that's why.

Maybe I've missed something but why this two Norvegian birdwatcher didn' call back the fisherman to thanks for his help as life has no price and the cameras are for sure more expensive than the fishermans has as yearly income.

Bravo for his actions.

Guess, still under kind of a shock.

Stunned first by their misdadventure leading to a no way out experience followed by the absolute selfless acting by an unkown human being and him obviously considering his doing the most usual thing in the world.

Isn't altruism like a needle in a haystack in modern times?

Man saves 2 Norwegian bird watchers sinking in Thailand mud

BANGKOK (AP) — A construction worker on a fishing trip dramatically rescued two Norwegian bird watchers who were sinking into a mudflat in southern Thailand, lying down in the mud to allow the pair to use his body to pry themselves to safety.

The incident Friday morning in Krabi province was caught on camera by an amateur photographer from Bangkok, who posted the video on his Facebook page. The posting got at least 1.6 million views, with many showering the rescuer with praise.

The Norwegian pair, whose names were not released, had taken their cameras to a river estuary at first light Friday, but the mudflats proved to be far less firm than they had thought. Very quickly, they found themselves sinking.

A local construction worker, identified by Thai media as Chat Ubonchinda, was heading home from his fishing trip by boat when he spotted them.

First, he tried to pull the two out, but the mud was too thick.

After taking their belongings to firmer ground, Chat lay down in the mud and let the two lift themselves up by pulling against his body. One of them even crawled across his back on the way to safety.

"All Thais are proud of what you did, it's great and no more words need to be explained," Somchai Ouansakul wrote in a Facebook comment. "I wish all Thais would have such a big heart like this."

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-10-18

Well done! Nothing more to say.

I can assure you as I am one that no Aussie is going to dodge Thailand because a couple of blokes got toweled up by some bouncers outside a club. Happens the world over mate blokes are punching all over Oz when they are on the turps. In this case I heard (only hearsay) that it was originally 5 on 6 and one of the Aussie lads tried to king hit one of the bouncers which is what kicked it all off. Stop bashing Thailand don't hang around seedy areas with hooker's and drugs and copious amounts of piss anywhere in the world if you find a blue a bit hard to stomach.

seedy areas with hookers and drugs and copious amounts of alcohol ? - isn't that like the entire country of thailand?

For sure not. But I do not live in a "tourist area" but a sole Thai area. After midnight, however, it becomes a little unsafe out on the soi because it is activity time for the youth motorcycle gangs sometimes settling their rivalities. หมู่หมา mu ma (group of dogs) not ma mu as one poster incorrectly stated. Upon living in the area for more than 11 years I have many Thai buddies here and so it will most likely never be one foreigner against a group of Thais in my case.

Once a youngster obviously was looking for trouble when I was riding my bike in the early evening feeding the street dogs. Within seconds a Thai guy was out of the seedy pool bar I regularly pass and asked me in Thai language whether that Thai guy was giving me trouble. I aswered that I was not really sure what he wanted. Anyway, my "guard" confronted the dude and asked him whether he was out for trouble and wanted him to shoot what obviously scared the s.hit out him. Anyway, all was settled without violence and I continued my tour while my "guard" and the dude where still discussing a little bit.

Yep, it is easy to get in trouble here at the wrong time at the wrong place and that's why I avoid wandering or biking around after midnight. Actually, I also do not see the need for this because I am in bed by then already. As per my experience after almost 16 years in the country is that 95% of the Thai people are very easy going if one plays by the rules. Foul mouthed trouble seekers, however, are absolutely not welcome in our area independant from nationality. So my Thai buddies tell me if I ever have a problem to tell them to settle it rather trying to do it myself because I am (still) a foreigner here and situations are better cleared among Thais since they are afraid I may get in serious trouble when losing my cool. Losing one's cool is always dangerous. Djai yen, the cool heart, is hence always of upper importance.

Afterall, there is no fairness in a streetfight. When getting involved in one make sure to render the opponent defenceless as quickly as one can and with all possible means one has. Failure to do so may be fatal. Adrenaline cooks high and it may take a while to get down possibly resulting in some unnecessary punches and kicks.

Thailand can be very safe but only if one plays by the rules. Remember, even the best streetfighter may be taken out of the game in a flash. By a piece of lead or a blade. There ain't no rules in a streetfight. Therefore, don't be an a.sshole in your own interest. Nowhere.

Me thinks, the developed countries are quite a bit too overdeveloped nowadays and tend to lose more and more their sense for reality. Evolution appears to become more and more regressive. This is so obvious that no even a court case is needed.

True, very true, but I would prefer an European court any time of the day from the Thai court and justice system.

Well, it depends whether you are in the culprit or victim position.

Rumor has it that at least in Germany the culprit's rights appear to be by far more honored than those of the victim. Also, it may turn out that you considered yourself a victim because you were attacked and/or robbed but all of a sudden all gets twisted in court and your are declared the culprit and the culprit the victim and you eventually get not only screwed once but twice. Obviously, a pattern that is amanzingly also advocated by quite some forum members here.

Thai lawyer knows how to stay alive

In any Western country this lawyer would be disbared. I practiced law for many years and I cannot imagin an attorney doing what is attributed to this guy and continueing to practice law. What he did is criminal.

I think you are getting a bit mixed and muddled Kjun---------"cannot imagine attorney doing what is attributed to this guy"

I think it was the "guy" that was DOING it not the Attorney

"What he did is criminal"------------ who? The Guy or the Attorney?????

Sorry but I read your post 3 times and still "me no understand" HaHa But I think I know what you mean !!!!

My native language isn't English but I understood perfectly what he meant.

For a lawyer to present himself as the uigurs attorney and too disclose anything to the public is unlawful and unethical in any developed country.

Disclosing a client-attorney discussion to the public is a criminal act and he should be disbarred immediately if he's really the uigurs representative lawyer, if not, he went to question him under false pretenses.

Not so difficult to understand, wether 'this guy' is guilty or not to the bombing, should be left to REAL lawyers and a REAL justice system.

Me thinks, the developed countries are quite a bit too overdeveloped nowadays and tend to lose more and more their sense for reality. Evolution appears to become more and more regressive. This is so obvious that no even a court case is needed.

I find it hard to believe that karadag actually confessed to being the erawan shrine bomber he does not fit the description of the bomber in any way I think this is a load of cobblers he confessed under duress.

and now he has confessed that he confessed

But did he do it?

Up to the court to decide. That's how it works. Also in Thailand.

i understand that Thais have one of the lowest IQ's on the planet.

I personally doubt that. Surely not less than the average poster in an internet forum independant from nationality. Same, same and not different.

Bangkok is number one city for tourism

Obviously, they wouldn't be too far off with this statement. No, not just according to local media but CNN too:

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/06/03/travel/mastercard-top-10-destination-cities-2015/

It's baffling how they can come out with absurd statements and keep a straight face at the same time!

As far as its image goes Thais are their own worst enemy. Its no wonder people only ask me about thai bargirls? Its their only interest about the country.

Sex sells, so does crime.

Really? So what was the POLITICAL goal of 9/11?

I don't know. I am not Al-Qaeda.

Surely a matter how the term "terrorism" is defined.

"Terrorism is any act designed to cause terror.^[1]Terrorism is generally understood to feature a political objective."

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrorism

Obviously, the police spokesman considered terrorism to be always politically motivated to achieve a certain political goal while terrorizing can also refer even to bullying, black mailing, even trolling in a forum etc. etc.

Those Bangkok bombers apparently did not have a policitical objective in respect of Thailand which otherwise would mean continued acts of causing terror until the political goal is achieved - as for example in the far south of the Kingdom - but rather they were just motivated by vengeance and this seemed to be what the RTP tried to express.

Therefore, no need to interpret too much into this especially not in respect of using it to start another flame and blame attack against RTP driven by general personal disliking of the Thai authorities.

A visa exempted stay in the Kingdom for some nationalities is not a right but a priviledge.

According to the law entry can be refused for example if there is not sufficient evidence about means to support oneself during the stay. Generally as per the law allowing or refusing entry lies in the sole discretion of immigration at the border checkpoint and has always been.

www.immigration.go.th/nov2004/en/doc/Immigration_Act.pdf

Okay, since "sermons" are not appreciated. Conclusion:

Nothing is for free and bitching gets you nowhere. Particularly not as a foreigner in Thailand. 'Nuff said.

Well, I quit my well paid job after 20 years to go to Thailand and arrived here with about 100kgs and about THB 300.000 because selling everything, having a divorce running in Germany and steadily flying back and forth in 1999 between Germany and Thailand cost me a lot.

So I made my experiences the hard way coming from a social state. But it was my own personal choice. I always hated it to return from Bangkok to the golden cage.

Yes, heaps of sacrifices to make my wish come true to live and work in Bangkok. I clearly paid my price but was willing to do so. No shortcuts. It was hard but possible and things supposed to be impossible as predicted by some farang turned eventually out to be possible. Not by financial investments, I never had the money, but personal investments. Eventually, this resulted in being well accepted in a country supposed to hate farang and abuse them as rumor has it. I respected the culture and the laws and managed to get well integrated. A couple of years ago an officer at Chaeng Wattana asked me why I not just apply for citzenship instead of going through the annual hassle of staying permit extensions. I told her that it was very difficult and that one required a certain amount of points to get the application accepted at all and after that the decision will take two years or even longer. The success rate is only about 25%. Simply said, even after more than 15 years I am not ready for that because I do not want to risk failure.

She answered, "well, you surely already have the necessary at an 80% level". "Not got enough", I replied, "I will give it a try, when I have reached 101%". It was quite a sanuk situation. Thai people love sanuk even in dry bureaucratic matters. Even when I personally pay my taxes every month there is sanuk in the tax office of our district. Being the only farang among heaps of Thais, KNOWING the language fluenty and like to tease around (khon arom dee) can make things very easy for a foreigner in Thailand because sanuk makes the job joyful for everyone involved. The Thai way. Smile, don't bitch or at least when you bitch do it with a smile. This is an important investment one always has to make. Control your emotions, you are in Asia and be a pleasant guy even in situations you don't feel like it. Land of smiles holds still true although often doubted by many farang.

Hate somthing is an extreme, so it is loving something. Extremes result in counter extremes and eventually disappointments so just take it as it is. The middleway. The middleway is compromise. Middleway is pragmatism. Pragmatism is Thailand. Hate it or love it or take it as it is. I go for the last mentioned one for obvious reasons because this is Thailand. Although it is the home of my choice I do not see it with pink shaded glasses. Thailand ain't paradise but it just is as it is. Sufficient at least for me. Phor phiang as His Majesty the KIng wisely advised. Appreciate what you have and not what you could have.

Thailand has its flaws but the country allowed me to make my wish come true. Therefore, why nagging and discrediting it? Well, I paid my price and still have but I consider it an investment to be worth it. Like anyone else I have to play by the (Thai) rules. If one can't and/or is not willing to do so it will be to the best interest of everyone involved to look for greener pastures as I once did. I found mine in the Kingdom.

....by which you apparently mean Thai "laws" (LOL) according to every single IO's own personal interpretation of them. To the simple I suppose that does sound simple.

Good luck with your smugness. One day you just might find the bell tolling for you...

I do not believe in luck neither in good nor in bad.

My history in Thailand:

Arrived on Feb. 16, 2000 by tourist visa because the Thai Embassy in Berlin refused a Non-Immigrant B since my paperwork was not sufficient at that time. My intention was to live and work in the Kingdom legally. For good. No return.

Upon completing the setting up of "my" company I had my tourist visa exchanged into a non-immigrant visa B at Bangkok Immigration Main Office and a work permt granted in April 2000. Indeed, not a piece of cake and many obstacles had to be dealt with back then.

Upon acting always in accordance to the Thai law, yes it acutally exists, I always extended my staying permit timely in Bangkok and for the first time I left the Kingdom eight years after my arrival. I still remember the Immigration Officer back then when checking my passport. "Oh, you haven't left the country for a long time" when I applied for a re-entry permit.

Because of some black sheeps abusing the law things became gradually more difficult to extend a staying permit based on business and eventually I decided about seven years ago to switch my reason for staying in Thailand to "Thai wife" since I have got married in 2002 already.

My highest priorities when deciding leaving for Thailand for good was learning the language and always act strictly in accordance to the law altough my "Thai troubleshooter" back then told me right from the beginning that sticking to the law in Thailand at 100% is impossible because when trying to do so one will eventually end up in prison. 80% is the utmost for everyone to achieve and she was right.

Why is that so? Well, Thai law is smart enough to always leave options. Differenct from the Premium World that gets more and more enslaved by the own laws while Thailand is rather driven by pragmatism. Anything and nothing is possible, it can be but not have to while the laws of the Premium World usually offer no options at all. Oviously, due to seemingly lax laws in Thailand people appear to get tempted into believing there are no laws at all in a "Banana State". This is wrong and in the worst case in can be even fatal. Unwritten rules are quite often more important than the written ones particularly because as already mentioned the written laws often offer options rather than enslaving the country by its own laws.

This has nothing to do with lawlessness but rather pragmatism. To understand this one must think Thai and not Farang because this is Thailand. When in doubt be better overly cautious and prepare yourself for the worst case rather than just naively enjoy the not really existing lightness of being. Once you have gotten into the fire things are very difficult to amend.

For a foreigner in the Kingdom of most upper importance it is to strictly stick to the written Thai laws, particularly immigration laws, and be aware of the unwritten rules. Fulfill your duties first and with that you may obtain rights. Don't claim rights that you don't have if not fullfilling your duties first and you do not depend on luck that does not really exist.

Respect your host country or most likely bear the consequenses. Get your priorities right. No, they must not be staying in the Kingdom as long as you can by any means but rather your stay mus be actually justified. Ask youself for the reason for staying in the Kingdom longterm and then check the written laws whether this is reason enough. If not but you try to do it nevertheless you are bending the law and turn into a victim to anyone who does not like your face.

Eventually, you will always be the master of your destiny rather than depending on sole luck. When in "Rome" just do what "the Romans" want you to do and you obtain liberty and rights. You respect them, they respect you. No need for bribery and they do not even ask you for it but rather offer you a helping hand instead. My own personal experience here in the Kingdom upon living and working here for fifteen and a half years and leaving the country for five days only in all that time. A "visa run" has never come into my mind from the very first day when arriving because frankly said a visa run is not in accordance to the written law. Hence, a visa run is always bending the law and has always been even when not strictly enforced in the past leading to more and more abuse by everyone involved. Bribe and get bribed, the said worst enemy of the Kingdom.

One may ask himself or herself whether the "chaos theory" is applicable to Thailand. By my own experience I may conculde it can be because there are clear unwritten rules in "the chaos". Being aware of and obeying them will most likely result in a lightness of being which, however, does not mean you should follow that path in a laissez-faire manner because in this case it may turn into the opposite because you are not prepared for the unexpected.

As a rule of thumb as a foreigner in the Kingdom. Know your duties better than you rights.

All that rationalization notwithstanding, we do apparently agree when it comes to the need to "know the unwritten" rules in Thailand. But we live in a world where people of means need written rules, called laws, to form successful and lasting business relationships, to conduct their affairs, and to "progress" as a nation. If you want to defend Thailand's being dominated by these "unwritten rules", that's fine, and Thailand's right to muddle along burdened by that social disability can not be challenged by the global community trying to insist upon its "rights". But then Thailand can not claim its place in the modern world, will be ridiculed every time it invokes these "unwritten rules" against foreigners, and will ultimately suffer ostracism, prejudice, discrimination, mockery, and economic injury. And, much as it might like to, and even foolishly attempt to, THAT right of free speech cannot be challenged by Thailand! IOW, the "Thainess" thing WILL all "come around". The country deserves the ridicule, the disdain, and the avoidance that it is itself courting. These "unwritten rules" of yours are very real and the perfect example.

This is Thailand. Hate it, love it or take it as it is. I personally go with the third option.

Thailand is my homeland of choice while I used to bitch about Germany pretty much the same way when living there like foreigner do about Thailand and this eventually let me decide to leave and look for greener pactures more to my liking.

Ironically, it appears at the very moment that the future of "chaotic" Thailand looks much brighter than that of sophisticated Germany and the question arises what country seems to be more rediculous in its acting?

Germany has eventually enslaved itself absolutely by its own strict laws and will need to employ drastic means to get out of the mess now which may even result in greater messes. Humanity has nothing to do with sensibility as reality has shown.

Is "Lung Tu" even smarter than the most powerful woman in the modern world? At least, if he is not just shopping for submarines in China.

....by which you apparently mean Thai "laws" (LOL) according to every single IO's own personal interpretation of them. To the simple I suppose that does sound simple.

Good luck with your smugness. One day you just might find the bell tolling for you...

I do not believe in luck neither in good nor in bad.

My history in Thailand:

Arrived on Feb. 16, 2000 by tourist visa because the Thai Embassy in Berlin refused a Non-Immigrant B since my paperwork was not sufficient at that time. My intention was to live and work in the Kingdom legally. For good. No return.

Upon completing the setting up of "my" company I had my tourist visa exchanged into a non-immigrant visa B at Bangkok Immigration Main Office and a work permt granted in April 2000. Indeed, not a piece of cake and many obstacles had to be dealt with back then.

Upon acting always in accordance to the Thai law, yes it acutally exists, I always extended my staying permit timely in Bangkok and for the first time I left the Kingdom eight years after my arrival. I still remember the Immigration Officer back then when checking my passport. "Oh, you haven't left the country for a long time" when I applied for a re-entry permit.

Because of some black sheeps abusing the law things became gradually more difficult to extend a staying permit based on business and eventually I decided about seven years ago to switch my reason for staying in Thailand to "Thai wife" since I have got married in 2002 already.

My highest priorities when deciding leaving for Thailand for good was learning the language and always act strictly in accordance to the law altough my "Thai troubleshooter" back then told me right from the beginning that sticking to the law in Thailand at 100% is impossible because when trying to do so one will eventually end up in prison. 80% is the utmost for everyone to achieve and she was right.

Why is that so? Well, Thai law is smart enough to always leave options. Differenct from the Premium World that gets more and more enslaved by the own laws while Thailand is rather driven by pragmatism. Anything and nothing is possible, it can be but not have to while the laws of the Premium World usually offer no options at all. Oviously, due to seemingly lax laws in Thailand people appear to get tempted into believing there are no laws at all in a "Banana State". This is wrong and in the worst case in can be even fatal. Unwritten rules are quite often more important than the written ones particularly because as already mentioned the written laws often offer options rather than enslaving the country by its own laws.

This has nothing to do with lawlessness but rather pragmatism. To understand this one must think Thai and not Farang because this is Thailand. When in doubt be better overly cautious and prepare yourself for the worst case rather than just naively enjoy the not really existing lightness of being. Once you have gotten into the fire things are very difficult to amend.

For a foreigner in the Kingdom of most upper importance it is to strictly stick to the written Thai laws, particularly immigration laws, and be aware of the unwritten rules. Fulfill your duties first and with that you may obtain rights. Don't claim rights that you don't have if not fullfilling your duties first and you do not depend on luck that does not really exist.

Respect your host country or most likely bear the consequenses. Get your priorities right. No, they must not be staying in the Kingdom as long as you can by any means but rather your stay mus be actually justified. Ask youself for the reason for staying in the Kingdom longterm and then check the written laws whether this is reason enough. If not but you try to do it nevertheless you are bending the law and turn into a victim to anyone who does not like your face.

Eventually, you will always be the master of your destiny rather than depending on sole luck. When in "Rome" just do what "the Romans" want you to do and you obtain liberty and rights. You respect them, they respect you. No need for bribery and they do not even ask you for it but rather offer you a helping hand instead. My own personal experience here in the Kingdom upon living and working here for fifteen and a half years and leaving the country for five days only in all that time. A "visa run" has never come into my mind from the very first day when arriving because frankly said a visa run is not in accordance to the written law. Hence, a visa run is always bending the law and has always been even when not strictly enforced in the past leading to more and more abuse by everyone involved. Bribe and get bribed, the said worst enemy of the Kingdom.

One may ask himself or herself whether the "chaos theory" is applicable to Thailand. By my own experience I may conculde it can be because there are clear unwritten rules in "the chaos". Being aware of and obeying them will most likely result in a lightness of being which, however, does not mean you should follow that path in a laissez-faire manner because in this case it may turn into the opposite because you are not prepared for the unexpected.

As a rule of thumb as a foreigner in the Kingdom. Know your duties better than you rights.

Well, everywhere in the world a visa does not necessarily give the right to enter a county but eventually the decision lies in the discretion of the border police. In the US for example an immigration officer's word in final. The same goes for visa applications.

In case of the Schengen States law offers ways to object decisions by the officers but even in case a visa has been granted entry can still be refused by the border police.

In Thailand's case there is the way to file a petition if entry into the Kingdom has been refused at the border. Law says that the Interior Minister himself must make a decision whether entry is eventually permitted or refused within 7 days.

Obviously, at some border checkpoints inproper activities came to light and hence those are on special observation now. Those in the fire act understandably extremly cautious now while at other checkpoints the usual procedure appears to continue in accordance to the law. As per the law immigration officiers have a certain liberty to decide themselves from case to case because every case is different. Hence, anyone who plans to enter or re-enter the country should be well prepared to document clearly the reason for entering. If there are any doubts entry may not be permitted at the discretion of the immigration officer in charge.

"Well, everywhere in the world a visa does not necessarily give the right to enter a county but eventually the decision lies in the discretion of the border police. In the US for example an immigration officer's word in final. The same goes for visa applications."

If somebody would repeat this just another three times, I reckon that would make an even million... And every one a fresh pearl of newfound, unheard, just uncovered wisdom previously known to just an elite few. And having absolutely nothing to do with Thailand.

"In Thailand's case there is the way to file a petition if entry into the Kingdom has been refused at the border. Law says that the Interior Minister himself must make a decision whether entry is eventually permitted or refused within 7 days. "

Another tirelessly repeated fun fact. But no one citing it ever seems to be able to describe just exactly how one exercises this appeal, on the spot, after having been peremptorily denied entry at the airport and hustled off to arrange for a return flight.

"Hence, anyone who plans to enter or re-enter the country should be well prepared to document clearly the reason for entering"

OK. Fair enough. So let's have an official, published, authoritative, predictable requirement for exactly what one must have and an assurance that the IO WILL deign to view it before shuffling you off to Buffalo.

You did manage to leave off that one other golden-oldie, the tune that goes "The laws don't change; but policy can: Hey, nonny-nonny.". Thank-you. 'Saves me the trouble of pointing out that some IOs are simply a law unto themselves. (Yeah, I know - Go Back To Step 1...)

Go by the current (Thai) laws rather than trying to abuse them. As simple it is.

Well, everywhere in the world a visa does not necessarily give the right to enter a county but eventually the decision lies in the discretion of the border police. In the US for example an immigration officer's word in final. The same goes for visa applications.

In case of the Schengen States law offers ways to object decisions by the officers but even in case a visa has been granted entry can still be refused by the border police.

In Thailand's case there is the way to file a petition if entry into the Kingdom has been refused at the border. Law says that the Interior Minister himself must make a decision whether entry is eventually permitted or refused within 7 days.

Obviously, at some border checkpoints inproper activities came to light and hence those are on special observation now. Those in the fire act understandably extremly cautious now while at other checkpoints the usual procedure appears to continue in accordance to the law. As per the law immigration officiers have a certain liberty to decide themselves from case to case because every case is different. Hence, anyone who plans to enter or re-enter the country should be well prepared to document clearly the reason for entering. If there are any doubts entry may not be permitted at the discretion of the immigration officer in charge.