bamboozled

There is the Friendship bridge from Chang Kong to Huay Xai in Laos. That will work, too, it's just a bit more hassle than Mae Sai as you need an official visa. Available on arrival but it's more nerve wracking like all visas are, to me, at least. Mae Sai is super easy. And much cheaper but anyway... It's really the ease of it. The Laos crossing, you might not have the correct paper work, photo, face, etc...

I'm waiting patiently for any good news saying it's open again. Before the 17th, please.

That's a good point. I suppose something along the lines of lewd and lascivious behavior. Oh, I just re-read it. It's the online part that they're pushing. I'm not the police, of course, and I don't make the rules. However, how about a fine and call it a day?

There are millions of virtually the same thing on all social media in Thailand. By Thai folks, however. I don't know, is that the diff? Like the Chinese woman showing her butt in the songtaew. It is happening everyday. Hell, Songkran is endless girls and ladyboys girating their almost in full view stuff. Outside of Songkran, a bit less, but nonetheless an ongoing twerk and jerk-athon, in concerts, bars, car shows, fashion shows, Mor Lam, village festival, wedding, school day....it's endless. I'd kill myself, too, before spending 5 years in jail.

I hope it's just an empty boat.

That's not Occam's razor, as I understand it. Sure, there are plenty of other possibilities but I would say they're less probable. You said it: we are speculating and guessing which is what the OP asked for, more or less. Is it not?

Yeah, but what's different on July 4 from July 3? Don't they want my 10 bucks?

Addicts will do anything for their addiction. I'm guessing gambling. That is a much softer blow to the ego than her seeing another man, I think. So that's a plus. Kicking addictions ain't no cake walk. Good luck. Occam's razor: the simplest, least complex answer wins the day. She already has the gambling history.

Oh this is unfortunate news for me. Was due up there in 10 days time. So no reason given...something must have prompted it. Then again, perhaps General So & So woke up on the wrong side of the bed and just said, " %uck it, close the damn gate." Thanks much for the heads up.

Oh those lawyers will get you: 'Cause we're young, dumb, and farung. Not sure about the young part anymore.

Hmm, I have just opened 2 bank accounts in the last month and didn't need one. But perhaps because I'm married? Who knows. They didn't ask. I needed a hell of a lot of other stuff but not that. I am just of the mind that we can go and get CoRs 'til we're blue in the face with no reason given. It is true that is is free to get one, or at least used to be....even if they make you think it costs 500 baht. This may have changed.

You are not legally responsible for any debts your wife incurred or incurs without your knowledge/consent. Absconding...these days, the police/immi presumably know where you are based on the TM30. So if she goes to the police to report your absconding, they can find you if they want....so I believe. Mental health care here: She is an adult and has to agree to any therapies or hospital stays. You can't "put" someone in there against there will. Unless the court institutionalizes her. In the mental hospital, if she goes, she will be given a lot of medication and no talk therapy of any kind. I know from going through this with my Thai wife, multiple times and for multiple years. It might help her a lot and it might not. But it's a long, slow climb out of the hole with no guarantees. Even if she finds some balance, can you see yourself staying with her? Has too much damage been done; too much water over the dam? Not easy to feel good about someone after they've smashed up a place and threatened with a knife. Even if you have sympathy. Based on her documented violence, you have a good case for a judge granting you divorce with or without her consent, and custody, I would think. At least that is what is in the law. I don't think a Thai judge is going to be happy with a violent mother regardless that the father is farang. Good luck!

That's understandable.

Any reason this info couldn't be public? I'd like to know the ins and outs of this. I ain't getting younger. Cheers!

A Sangsom chaser does the trick.

I remember the 6.4% Chang in green bottles but I could be wrong. I didn't realize the change when it happened but only realized it at some point later on. I am a Singha drinker...so there you go! Carsberg is around, still. And what's the German sounding one, begins with an "F" I think? Kind of skunky tasting. That's it, Federbrau. I can't drink Leo, makes me feel ill immediately, for some reason. Though I can drink Chang (sweeter than Singha).

I don't have insurance and like to appease myself with the thought that the vast, vast, vast majority of the world also does not have health insurance. That won't save my life or reduce my pain but adds a certain perspective. I'm in good company. At least a LOT of company. As other contributors have pointed out, death will get us all in the end. We might be better off meditating on it and getting more comfortable with it. Yes, this is all easy to say being in relatively good health, currently. And chances are your insurance WILL be a waste of money. Let's hope so, right? Risk vs. reward.

Come on, man! The Thai economy has no bearing on the Thai baht. Everyone knows that! Nor do political events or sea changes in deeply embedded cultural touchstones. I am being somewhat facetious, I think. Having been here awhile and having tried to gauge the direction of the baht, based on the various factors mentioned above, I have come to see that it's very difficult. You get black swan events in Thailand and the baht appreciates. Well, that's my experience. I'm no financial wizard by any means. Not for nothing is it called Teflon Thailand. Also known as TITs. Together: Teflon Tits. Who knew?

I don't quite understand the "Beer Laos is great" gang. It isn't, in my opinion. It's just something other than the ubiquitous 3 Thai beers so perhaps it SEEMS better? Surely, I'm inviting a boatload of flack and I'll probably get death threats but...it just isn't that good. The gold foil is a nice marketing touch, to be sure. Also, the dark is a nice change of pace when icy cold and the black label tickles my graphic sensibilities. But like McDonald's french fries, once it loses the optimal temp, the enjoyment decline is precipitous. Again, IMHO. Cue the brigade. There are a few Thai-born IPAs now that are quite tasty, IMHO. Not sure what brewing musical chairs they have to do to brew it but a tall-boy IPA for 119...def worth it now and again. Lastly, when and why did Chang drop down to 5% alcohol from 6.4%? I miss my Changover!

Liquorice, you just woke me up from my slumber and saved my butt and I thank you. As most of you know, I think, with a Multi-entry Visa, and not extension, one must exit the country every 90 days. I totally spaced a few months ago and overstayed by 4 days. ...Tried to check into a hotel and they asked me where my current and valid visa/stamp was to be found. Whoa...heart drop! Realized I had overstayed in that moment, completely unaware and unusual for me. Luckily, I was close to a border and did my run with no ill-consequence (I hope!...time will tell) other than paying 2000 baht extra. Because of these 4 days, however, my visa expiration date and permission to stay date diverge by 4 days with visa expiring 4 days earlier. I'm now leaning toward doing a border bounce right before the visa expiration date to extend the permission to stay to 15 months (instead of going to Savannakhet for new visa....that will be later) and had the date of the permission to stay lodged in my head and not the 4-day prior visa expiration date. Yikes! Would not have been a fun border bounce. Kudos to you all, thank you! Bam

Thanks for your reply, Liquorice. I'm aware of those options and appreciate the reminder. Going to weigh them all and make a decision. Cheers!

That makes sense. That's what I had figured. Cheers!

Hi JonnyF, I've heard that story about cutting the lawn, painting a wall, etc...as well. And that some guys have been nicked for it. Still, I've never known anyone directly to which it has happened and kinda, sorta, don't want to believe it. It would mean that we also can't wash our clothes, cook our food, clean the house, etc... I'm not sure it's not "technically" allowed but if you are a crank and an arrogant SOB and like to mouth off at authority figures, you can get nabbed for anything. I'm, of course, talking about doing these things at your own residences. I would surmise that a farm is more of a grey area as anything done there could be misconstrued.

Not fraught....expensive. Can work on marriage visa with work permit. Can not work with retirement visa, ever.

In my understanding, you can chat up guests until you're blue in the face. There are many restaurants/bars/guesthouses that run this way. The foreign husband/financier mucks about and chats the patrons. But no, you cannot check anyone in, touch money, move anything, etc.... As CharlieH said, I suppose immi can mess with you with any excuse they want. I would go talk to them directly, perhaps, and explain the situation asking what you can/can't do. This could also be bad advice if it alerts them to keep eyes on the place.