chmike

Who would give up a good job in the middle east to work in thailand ??? Only three weeks to meet and get married ??? Hmmmm

Are you joking? Ask any expatriate petroleum engineer, construction manager, or university lecturer whether they would prefer to be stationed in Saudi or Thailand (for the same salary) and I would be suprised if more than10% of them would choose the Middle East over Thailand. This is an expat's dream posting...and if you don't believe it, just go anywhere in Thailand that has workers in the oil industry (Songhkla, Ban Chang) who have previously been posted in the Middle East and ask them if they would like to give up their job here to go back, and then wait to see their reaction...

And...Hmmmm...learn to read. He said he met his wife after being here three weeks; not that they married after three weeks.

With all the scams and outright theft so prevalent in Thailand, I have seen very few places around the world that are more hostile to tourism.

Then you DEFINITELY need to travel more...

I would be very worried about your state of health with this post and living in Bangkok for 35 years,and you are a new member of thaivisa,very worrying

Let me get this straight...you think that because someone has lived in this country for a long time but has only been a member of this board for a short while, that this is somehow "worrying"? Geez, get over yourself. Not that there isn't occasionally useful info posted here by well intentioned members of TV, but some of us that have lived and worked here for decades have better things to do than participate in this bullsh*t fest...

All these north Bangkokians clamouring in vain for someone to reopen their beloved old airport because it was handy for them. If the city had expanded north, it would be logical but the city is spreading more to the west and south so I guess you will need to move.

"If the city HAD expanded north..."??? You've got to be kidding. Have you been up to the Minburi-Pathum Thani Hi-Tech Corridor recently? Which of the several hundred new housing projects contstructed in Rangsit over the last 10 years did you forget to count?

Having maintained lifts for years I would ask what happened to the gravity contolled dogs which lock into the guides after a set lift speed is exceeded?

a test we always carried out on annually inspection

bob99

"Gravity controlled dogs"!! <deleted>? I want to ride in an elevator on the planet where you maintained lifts; they sound pretty cool.

Seriously, I'm sure "dogs" is a typo, but I can't for the life of me figure out what word you meant to use...

This cruel,obscene,exploitation of South East Asia's finest animal,has been going on far too long.

Sad for the animals and the very wrongest education for the Thai populace.

Not remotely cute.

Just plain CRUEL.

Are you referring to the exploitation of the elephants or the tourists who come to Thailand?

Good response Mike, Its amazing how some people seem to know everything, Im no lawyer but Im sure smart enough to know that Thailand is not going to extradite you on child support and actually have an agent fly you home. i have heard that if you go to the US embassy to renew your passport or add pages that if you are in the system for any offences or behind on child support they can keep your passport and issue you travel papers back to the US to resolve these issues. I'm not sure this is true, but this is what I have heard. Mike do you know if this is true, I dont have any issues, just curious.

Eric, "Under Section 51.70 (a) (8) of Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations, a passport, except for direct return to the United States, will not be issued in any case in which the applicant has been certified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as notified by a state agency to be in arrears of child support in an amount exceeding $2,500.00. Your passport will be revoked if you fall under this regulation, including when you apply for additional pages, seek a renewal or process a Report of Birth application." (Quoted from U.S. State Department regulations)

However, it should be noted that certification by DHHS is not a simple or automatic process. Also, the term revoke has a very specific meaning:

"U.S. passports cannot be denied based on requests from private individuals... If a person applies for a U.S. passport or other consular services abroad, and that person's name does not clear the Passport Name Check System due to an outstanding child support obligation certified by HHS, the U.S. embassy or consulate will deny the request for a passport or revoke a passport already issued.

The person may be issued a limited validity passport which is also limited for return to the United States. "Revoke" means that the U.S. government has officially removed the passport from the person - it does not necessarily mean that the original passport (which may include multiple foreign visas) is destroyed or canceled. If there is a hold for HHS certified child support reasons, the passport will not be returned to the person until the name clears the passport lookout system. The formal passport revocation letter prepared by the U.S. embassy or consulate informs the person that the passport is legally revoked and he or she is not entitled to it until HHS gives the Department of State official permission."

So, yes, as it pertains to U.S. citizens, there is a possibility of having your passport revoked if you present it at a U.S. consulate or embassy and have child support payments that have been certified as in arrears.

Re the unpaid child support. Yes if requested by what ever country to arrest you for the above they will extradite you to the requesting country. You are placed on the plane with an agent and handed over to the requesting country. You appear in court in that country and will have to pay the outstanding child support, also the air fare for your self and the escorting officer and his return flight. So pay up.

Gee "Oze", those of us who actually are lawyers and have a sound understanding of international law don't appreciate guys like you giving legal "opinions" that have zero basis in fact. To wit, ALL extradition requests in Thailand require judicial review. Determination in extradition request cases are based on numerous factors which include: nature of alleged offense (and whether there is a Thai statute corresponding to that offense), current bi-lateral treaties with the requesting country, recent history of bi-lateral cooperation, preponderence of evidence submitted with the request, etc., etc. Stating that "they will extradite you" is ignorant at best.

Further, there has NEVER been a recorded extradition in Thailand for child support. I would point you in the direction of where you can check the records on that but, since you're such a smart guy who likes giving advice, I assume you can figure that out by yourself.

Perhaps the most ludicrous part is your explanation of what will happen after this supposed extradiction takes place. Exactly how many countries are you licensed to practice law in to be able to render a definitive statement of what the judical process, finding, and punishment will be in all countries of the world?

Find something you actually KNOW something about and give advice on that...

In case you dont know, if you have an outstanding parking fine or a speeding ticket you have not paid in Thailand, when you want to leave Thailand to travel back home, as you go through Immigration at the airport their computer red flag's you for the above. You are pulled to one side and detained until they make inquiries in relation to the above.

The down side to all this is you miss your flight, you are not reimbursed the fare, you are made pay the fine, you already have a record re the red flagging on the computer (unpaid fines).

If you dont have the cash to pay the fine/s, you are further charged. Of course if it is a holiday you get to stay in the clink for a short period of time and if the offence was committed in Pattaya for instance you are bought back to their court house to answer all charges. So be warned.

In case YOU don't know "Oze", giving advice on matters you know nothing about is irresponsible. Thailand, at this point in time, does not have an automated system set up to flag minor traffic offenses. It is also highly unlikely that you would have been allowed to leave the police station or courthouse where you were initially charged with the infraction, without having to pay the relevant fine. Don't just make crap up...

I ran into a big pack of the "Mad Dogs" at my local watering hole in Ban Chang last week. They had members there for an annual get-together of all their Asian Chapters (Vietnam, China, Singapore, etc.). Overall, they seemed like a decent group of guys who enjoyed big bikes and hanging out with their friends. Don't paint them all with the same brush just because this one fellow may be a criminal...

I am an American living in Thailand. I live here with my American wife and 3 young (American born) children.

I hold my passport and my children's passports. Now, while myself and my family are

perfectly happy, I am curious about a possible situation. Let's say my wife decides she wants to leave Thailand with the

children. But, she doesnt have their passports. Can she go to the US Embassy, report their passports lost or

stolen, get new passports for the children and then leave the country without my knowledge? Is there any system

in place within the US Embassy to prevent something like this from happening? Perhaps a requirement for a notorized letter from both

parents giving permission to leave the country or obtain new passports. Lastly, is there anything one could do to prevent something like this from happening, such as, contacting the Embassy and getting on a watch list?

Thanks for any and all replies.

Yes, there is something in place for EXACTLY these types of situations. This applies to both Embassies abroad and Passport agencies in the U.S. For a child aged 16 or under applying for or renewing a US passport, BOTH parents are required to be present, or a notarized statement from the other parent expressly giving permission to issue the passport is required. The only exceptions to this is if you have clear, documentary evidence that you have sole custody of the minor or that the other parent is deceased or missing.

But remember, this works both ways. If you want to renew or replace your children's passports (either here or in the US) you will be required to have your wife appear with you, or have a notarized letter from her. I had exactly this situation with my son a few years back when I travelled with my son to the U.S. When we went to the passport agency in Los Angeles to renew his US passport, they would not process it without his mother's approval. I finally had someone Fed Ex our Thai divorce decree, stating that I had sole custody, before they would issue his passport. For more information, see the US State Department website:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppi/family/family_864.html

Sisaket is a city and a province, so is this the city? If so this would be new news.

Um...EVERY one of the names for the 76 provinces of Thailand is also the name of a city...

My Mrs. says the same thing, and I say that when I want to talk them down.

Mai toursit, pom bahn ti Thailand.

I just estimate what the Mrs. told me is their wholesale cost, and add 15-20% and let them save some face.

But blame the wife for refusing to pay to high. They usually accept that.

No offense, but I can't imagine that any Thai who wasn't either adept at speaking English or had considerable experience deciphering what foreigners are trying to say when they string together a few random Thai words into what they think is a comprehensible sentence, would have the remotest clue as to what you are trying to say.

But even if you were getting your meaning across, it's a total fallacy to think that most Thai merchants will magically respect you and lower their prices simply because you've told them you live in Thailand. Any savvy merchant will just work that into his spiel, tell you how "yes, you stay long time and are very smart" to appeal to your vanity, and charge you as much as he can anyway. All's fair in love, war, and bargaining...

And so far as your wife telling you the "wholesale" price and then you magnanimously adding a few extra baht, I've got news for you... Thais (particularly Thai women) are pretty lousy negotiators. Most Thais will simply take the asked for price and try to bargain that down 10-20% without any regard to the actual value of the item. And, unless you're bargaining on an item that your wife regularly buys in bulk, what on earth makes you think she knows the "wholesale" price? Do you think that when she asks the vendor, the vendor will then graciously let her know the true mark-up is so that knowledge can be used by your spouse?

The fact is that Northern and Southern Thais do their utmost to overcharge "snooty, rich" Bangkokians; Bangkok sellers do everything they can to take advantage of "up-country bumpkins" and foreigners (Japanese, Chinese, Westerners) will be charged as much as the seller thinks he can get away with, especially in tourist haunts. That's just the way it is (not just in Thailand) and anybody who doesn't like it should limit their shopping to established stores with fixed prices. Personally, I LOVE bargaining, especially with Thais.

Well, in the states, right now the hot news is that of a 20 and 25 year old went into an "ACORN" branch with a hidden camera and asked about getting government paid help with buying a house to host their "Prostitution biz, complete with underage girls from south america". The managers of the offices (they went to four offices throughout the states), wanted to help them, no one threw them out. Then the videos got posted on the internet, and now the company ACORN is under total fire, it has been getting millions of government money.... The people that broke the story, no charges.... The crooked government is finally cutting off funding to this company, they have no choice, the country now sees the corruption,, well, we saw it before, but now "they" have to do something about it. ITS ON THE INTERNET!

Ahhhhhh, America, you can compare it to finally putting on clean socks and shoes after wearing flip flops for three months in thailand.

Here is the site, if you were wondering... biggovernment . com

Is there a moderator to keep people on topic? What on earth does a political issue in another country have to do with this topic?

Thai authorities have issued an arrest warrant for the 34-year-old Australian who was with Hood at the time he was arrested, but who escaped.

-- abc.net.au 2009-08-05

Escaped? How does someone who has checked in for a flight at an international airport escape from the police?

in reference to the so-called legal and illegal taxi

legal taxi--authorized by govt or airports to service general public. usually those are yellowish taxi. most do have meters installed, even though some do not use it.... lol. they also usually have yellow license plates (?).

illegal taxi--mostly are privately owned autos, not authorized by govt or airports to service general public. almost all do not have meters. they usually come in various colors just like privately owned autos. most have WHITE private auto license plates.

if i am not mistaken.... lol

Yes, you are mistaken. Most people posting on this board do not (understandably) realize what this "crackdown" is really about...

Nakachalet is essentially correct in stating that licensed taxis have yellow plates and private autos have white plates. There are also green plate cars ("livery"), which are licensed to act as private limousines. Private autos are not legally allowed to transfer passengers for hire at the airport, or anywhere for that matter. But eliminating "non-licensed" taxis from operating is not the primary point of this "crackdown"...

Licensed taxis and livery vehicles are required by the AOT to have an additional permit in order to pick up passengers at the airport. There is a monthly fee each taxi has to pay for this permit. Probably 75% of the properly licensed, metered taxis in Bangkok do not have this permit. This means that when they get a fare from the city to the airport, they are not allowed to wait in the queue for a return fare. They must return empty. There are numerous fines levied on these "non-permitted" licensed taxis for parking or stopping. They can pay a small bribe to be allowed into the queue.

This airport "permitting" really serves no purpose other than providing another revenue stream for the powers-that-be. There is no additional security check or other safety measure taken when a taxi driver applies for this permit, as they are already licensed taxis. The primary purpose of this "crackdown" is to get more licensed taxis to pay this fee. Those that do not pay for this permit will be subjected to even more abuse of power and be fined for any miniscule infraction until they finally knuckle under and pay the monthly fee.

The net effect of this will actually be detrimental to passengers. Taxis without the airport permit will be more likely to refuse fares to the airport, as they know they must return empty and also run a higher risk of being fined while on the airport premises. And at least some of the taxis that do pay for the permit will be more tempted to come up with creative ways to overcharge their passengers in order to make up for this addtional expense.

As usual (in Thailand and elsewhere), it all comes down to money...

Correct, flew in on the 1st of May this year and wasn't really bothered in shopping around for a taxi.

Took the first and the 'best' I met and that was AoT Limousine service in the luggage claim section.

I 'bought' a taxi-ticket from Swampy to Amata Nakorn for THB 1,500, a bit overprised, but what the heck.

After I passed the customs there was another AoT boot and one of them took me out with my luggage.

The guy there checked my voucher and started to yell to the guy who came with me outside: THB 1500 no good, THB 2000 is the price. Anyway, they discussed and phoned back and forth for about 10 minutes until I said (with a read headed face): "I want my money back and I want it now!!!!" They forced me to start calling for a BiB and after my first attempt of catching a BiB's attention, they saw that I wasn't bluffing (in fact I was) and they called for the cab.

1,500 THB "A BIT OVERPRICED!?!?!" 300 THB to Bangkok Center is good, 450 THB is a bit overpriced.

1,500 THB is rape without a condom!!!

PLEASE PEOPLE SPREAD THE WORD...THESE GUYS ARE HERE BECAUSE YOU LET THEM GET AWAY WITH CHARGING THESE PRICES!!!

Would everyone who has no idea where Amata is and is yelling in ALL CAPS please raise yor hand?

"The karaoke thing is a huge double standard, why crack down on that and turn a blind eye to massage parlours and go go bars?"

I believe it is only a matter of time.

Without saying whether I agree with it or not, I do not expect to see the sex scene as-we-know-it today to look anything like this in Thailand in five years from now. There is a groundswell of resentment to it among common Thai people, especially women, and a growing movement among the elite towards cleaning up Thailand's image. Like it or not, cracking down on perceived and actual immorality (certainly in public) is a vote winner.

I wholeheartedly agree with this assessment. I think the Thai populous in general is quite weary of their country's reputation as the world's whorehouse. The middle class is growing and has more opportunity for foreign travel and more access to international news and opinion. Ask most middle class Thais and I venture that you will find the vast majority are completely in favor of any measures that will reduce "visible" prostitution and the perception of immorality.

For those who think "TIT" and it will never happen here, well, just look at other Asian cities. Thirty years ago, Taipei, Hong Kong, Seoul, & Singapore all had a flourishing, "open" sex trade. As the general population in these places became more affluent and more aware of global consensus, the cheaper, visible sex-for-hire establishments (catering to both locals and foreigners) all disappeared. Of course, prostitution still exists and, in some cases, thrives in these cities, but not in the highly accessible, open, and inexpensive manner it previously had.

And, whether you realize it or not, the same thing is already happening in Thailand. Less than ten years ago most Thai cities (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Udon, Ubon, P'loke, etc., etc.) all had large, well-known cheap brothel districts. These areas have all been closed down or have been drastically reduced in size and forced to go "underground". Again, it doesn't mean that sex for sale has been eliminated, just that it's not as open and visible as it was in the past.

Like it or not, this trend will continue and will extend to foreign-patronized go-gos and massage parlors. If you think it won't happen becasue of the loss of revenue, then you've underestimated the cleverness and ingenuity of the Thais. They'll continue to make money off horny foreigners via escort services, rip-off "coyote" bars, and all the other schemes used to separate sex-starved old men from their money in other countries. And prostitution will always be available to those willing to pay a high enough price or who know where to look. But the days of user-friendly, out in the open, inexpensive sex establishments in Thailand are numbered.

I'm not saying this because I think it's right or wrong. Personally, I'm kind of ambivilent. I'd like to live in a moral society but would also like to have an endless supply of nubile sex partners available for nominal fee. It's just the way things go...

go to wanchai or mongkok in hongkong. go to khaosiong on the other side of taipei or downtown . go to downtown seoul on the slaezy side. go to downtown tokyo around ginza,shinjuku, etc.etc. tell me no cheap imported sex slaves can be found. even in clean and green singapore, geylang, joo chiat and ang teng and neighborhood residence areas are teeming with prostitutes if not sex slaves of all nationalities - be it chinese, indian, nepalese, indonesians, thais,vietnamese, russians, some europeans, blah, blah, blah, blah. please, please , please, ambivalent or not, your search for that endless supply of nubile sex partners for nominal fees need not stop in thailand and your days are not numbered as far this search of yours is concerned...so long as you are prepared to travel further and research more thoroughly. check the BANGKOK POST a couple of months ago when one reporter was in singapore covering a sexual slavery scandal and the cheap "imports" and locales where this cheap sex exist - before you put thailand at the bottom of your totem pole of cheap sex.

By all means, go to Wanchai, Mongkok, Tsim Sha Tsui in HK; Itawan in Seoul; Khaosiang in Taipei; Ginza, Roppongi, and Shinjuku in Tokyo; and all the neighborhoods of "flats" in Singapore; they prove my point exactly. None of them have anything close to the "in your face" inexpensive establishments that still flourish in Bangkok. Please note that in my original post I said "Of course, prostitution still exists and, in some cases, thrives in these cities, but not in the highly accessible, open, and inexpensive manner it previously had."

None of those areas or cities are remotely like they were 20 or 30 years ago. None of those areas still have large "foreign-friendly" clusters of huge go-go bars advertising "bar fines" of about (US) $12, where the girls provide service for an average of $50. (don't tell me Wan Chai - rip off places modeled after US and European go-go bars), none of the places have massive massage parlors located on major roads with dozens of girls sitting behind glass, openly offered to anybody who walks in for an average of $40. But all of these cities USED to have exactly this type of scene, as Bangkok does now. Sure, there's all sorts of sex for sale in these places "underground", if you know where to look. Again, as I said in my original post "And prostitution will always be available to those willing to pay a high enough price or who know where to look".

My original point (and I think that of KhunOr, to which I was responding) and the point that you are overlooking, is that the trend in Thailand is likely to be far less "out in the open" sex establishments because Thais are tired of the international reputation they have. It doesn't matter that Singapore, Taipei, HK, & Tokyo still have plenty of prostitution; it's no longer out in the open like it is in Bangkok. As you said in your post "so long as you are prepared to travel further and research more thoroughly". In Bangkok, there's still no need to research or travel further; it's right there in the open. Ask any random Westerner not overly familiar with Asia as to which city is synonomous with prostitution. You know what the answer is...and that's what I think the middle and upper class Thais want to change. I'm not putting Bangkok on the bottom of any "totem pole", just stating a fact.

By the way, I have no personal "quest" or search; those days are long behind me. I simply added that line for a little levity. And, naturally, there are lots of places other than Thailand with abundant, cheap prostitution. But that doesn't alter the fact that Thailand IS changing...

"The karaoke thing is a huge double standard, why crack down on that and turn a blind eye to massage parlours and go go bars?"

I believe it is only a matter of time.

Without saying whether I agree with it or not, I do not expect to see the sex scene as-we-know-it today to look anything like this in Thailand in five years from now. There is a groundswell of resentment to it among common Thai people, especially women, and a growing movement among the elite towards cleaning up Thailand's image. Like it or not, cracking down on perceived and actual immorality (certainly in public) is a vote winner.

I wholeheartedly agree with this assessment. I think the Thai populous in general is quite weary of their country's reputation as the world's whorehouse. The middle class is growing and has more opportunity for foreign travel and more access to international news and opinion. Ask most middle class Thais and I venture that you will find the vast majority are completely in favor of any measures that will reduce "visible" prostitution and the perception of immorality.

For those who think "TIT" and it will never happen here, well, just look at other Asian cities. Thirty years ago, Taipei, Hong Kong, Seoul, & Singapore all had a flourishing, "open" sex trade. As the general population in these places became more affluent and more aware of global consensus, the cheaper, visible sex-for-hire establishments (catering to both locals and foreigners) all disappeared. Of course, prostitution still exists and, in some cases, thrives in these cities, but not in the highly accessible, open, and inexpensive manner it previously had.

And, whether you realize it or not, the same thing is already happening in Thailand. Less than ten years ago most Thai cities (Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Udon, Ubon, P'loke, etc., etc.) all had large, well-known cheap brothel districts. These areas have all been closed down or have been drastically reduced in size and forced to go "underground". Again, it doesn't mean that sex for sale has been eliminated, just that it's not as open and visible as it was in the past.

Like it or not, this trend will continue and will extend to foreign-patronized go-gos and massage parlors. If you think it won't happen becasue of the loss of revenue, then you've underestimated the cleverness and ingenuity of the Thais. They'll continue to make money off horny foreigners via escort services, rip-off "coyote" bars, and all the other schemes used to separate sex-starved old men from their money in other countries. And prostitution will always be available to those willing to pay a high enough price or who know where to look. But the days of user-friendly, out in the open, inexpensive sex establishments in Thailand are numbered.

I'm not saying this because I think it's right or wrong. Personally, I'm kind of ambivilent. I'd like to live in a moral society but would also like to have an endless supply of nubile sex partners available for nominal fee. It's just the way things go...

Hi.

I for one agree to these changes. Have you ever been in the situation where you actually NEEDED an internet cafe, maybe because your computer just died or you were far away from home when your boss called to tell you that you urgently need to reply to a business e-mail? Then you got to an internet cafe and ALL the computers were occupied with kids playing senseless shoot-em-up games, with more kids waiting in line already? So you went looking for another internet cafe and it was the exact same situation there? Happened to me, not once but twice already.

Thanh

So, just to be clear, you support laws curtailing the freedom of Thai business owners and citizens because it adds to your convenience in the off chance you need to send an e-mail? A little self-centered, don't you think? while you're at it, why not propose a law prohibiting minors from entering a 7-11, just in case your boss calls and urgently needs you to pick up a "big-bite" for him? No reason you should wait in line behind a bunch of pesky kids who should be doing something better with their time...

And how about parents bringing their three-year-olds to the theater to watch horror movies which, in the western world, would be restricted to 18+ audiences? No wonder everyone in this country believes in ghosts when they start "learning" of their presence in empty houses from such a young age.

Thanh

Yes, I'm fairly certain that the rampant belief in ghosts so endemic in Thailand has everything to do with Thai parents taking their toddlers to Western horror movies and very little to do with the hundreds of indiginous ghost stories that are part of Thai folklore and are told to just about every child from the time they can walk. Seriously, are you actually advocating a law that curtails the rights of parents to raise their children as they see fit in order to instill your belief system over the parents'? And, by the way, the rating system in most Western countries only prohibit minors unaccompanied by a parent or guardian from entering. The decision of whether to allow your children to view a film is usually left to the discretion of the parent, not mandated by the state.

So if all television is censored to be watched by toddlers, i very much welcome a rating system for movies. Just make sure it is done right! I.e. do NOT censor all movies to be suitable for The Children™ but run uncensored versions that may even show a nipple or a cigarette at times and make sure the audience is 16 or 18 or whatever required (ID check is simple).

Thanh

I actually agree with this logic. It is definitely preferrable to limit access to certain things for minors than for a government to try to play "nanny" by censoring and/or banning things that should be a matter of individual choice and freedom for adults.

While all of the posts on this thread suggesting that the way to salvage the TE program is by dispensing with the frivolities (golf, spas, chauffer, etc.) and adding more legal rights (long-term visas, property ownership) may seem sensible, what is being suggested actually has very little to do with the Elite card itself. What is being advocated is really just a change in both immigration and land laws that would allow you to circumvent the laws currently in place by paying a negotiated fee.

Right or wrong, the laws in Thailand regarding visa requirements for extended residence and prohibiting most foreign ownership of freehold land were put in place for a reason. If you don't think that the powers-that-be in Thailand haven't already considered (and rejected) the idea of simply charging foreigners a lot more money for a long-stay visa if they don't otherwise qualify for one, or allowing foreign ownership of land, but levying a hefty "tax" on these purchases, think again.

If anything, the current trend in Thailand is going the opposite way. They have eliminated the "investment" visa, raised the income requirements for retirement visas, become sticter on the interpertation of the condo act and ownership of land by Thai females with non-Thai spouses. I don't think we're going to see a 360 on this mindset, simply for a few hundred million Baht in extra "fees". Thailand wants less foreign residents, not more. Whether that is fair or makes economic sense is beside the point.

And besides, most of the people on this board who are saying that they think an elite card that gives additional visa an land benefits is agood idea would be screaming bloody murder and discrimination if it were worded differently. Lets say it was announced that foreigners married to Thais could purchase one rai, but would be subject to a one million Baht transfer fee. Or, for those who don't meet the requirement of a one-year "O" or "B" visa that your other option was to purchase a visa for 100K THB. Do you really think most of the posters in this forum would consider that progress?

i agree with groucho marx:

i would never join a club that would have someone like me

for a member

No, that was Woody Allen`s quote from the film, Annie Hall.

Wrong, Sassienie... Barry is correct. Woody Allen was paraphrasing and plagiarizing Groucho in Annie Hall. The original Groucho Marx qoute ist "I don't care to belong to a club that accepts people like me as members". http://www.watchfuleye.com/groucho.html

What expat would shop at KP anyway. All they sell is overpriced souvenirs etc.

Indeed, KP merely serves most as an idle distraction between flights,

better to hang out at a coffee shop (or bar), at least they're still safe havens, ... for now.

Bar, what bar? There are no bars or pubs in Swampi. Sure, restaurants on the fourth floor serve beer & wine, but there isn't anything remotely like an actual "bar" in the entire complex. And once you've passed security and immigration your choices are even more limited. Pretty incredible for a brand new international airport that was promoted as the "best" regional hub airport in SE Asia, but doesn't even have enough capacity to service existing domestic flights. Touts roam freely with total impunity and accost anyone who even momentaritly looks lost or makes fleeting eye contact. Compare this to the new HK airport or the remodel at Changi. Where did the money go? Why would anybody be surprised that they're always coming with new scams. Suwannabuhmi is a national disgrace...

No its not, nor is it the best. As usual, the truth lies somewhere in the middle. Very much like most posts in TV.

Sorry, Gnome, but I disagree... Yes it is... The fact that it was heralded by its promoters as exemplary, the fact that it's brand new but not up to true internationals standards, the fact that touts from the old airport were allowed to freely (with AOT's complicity) move to the new one and continue fleecing tourists, the fact that a good portion of the original construction budget went missing and that's why there are insufficient gates to handle domestic traffic...these all add up to a "national disgrace". The fact that it is not the worst airport in the world (although I would venture to say it's the most poorly constructed major hub airport constructed within the last five years) does not make the "truth lie somewhere in the middle". It is still a disgrace.

I don't know what other posts are typically like on this site (as I don't spend a lot of time on it), but your post was rather flippant.

What about the tourist police located at the airport - I was at the airport recently and sthere is a very large store-front office on the second level housing the tourist police. I was under the impression that the intention of the tourist police is to intervene for foreigners and represent them in the case of any criminal or legal upset that may be happening. Where were they during this entire ordeal.

The job of the Tourist Police is to assist foreigners who have been VICTIMS of crimes, not to lend assistance to those accused of having COMMITTED crimes. In any event, it's fairly common knowledge that the Tourist Police are the weakest branch in the Thai police heirachy. There's no way they're going to step into the middle of an investigation (or scam) being conducted by another department.

What expat would shop at KP anyway. All they sell is overpriced souvenirs etc.

Indeed, KP merely serves most as an idle distraction between flights,

better to hang out at a coffee shop (or bar), at least they're still safe havens, ... for now.

Bar, what bar? There are no bars or pubs in Swampi. Sure, restaurants on the fourth floor serve beer & wine, but there isn't anything remotely like an actual "bar" in the entire complex. And once you've passed security and immigration your choices are even more limited. Pretty incredible for a brand new international airport that was promoted as the "best" regional hub airport in SE Asia, but doesn't even have enough capacity to service existing domestic flights. Touts roam freely with total impunity and accost anyone who even momentaritly looks lost or makes fleeting eye contact. Compare this to the new HK airport or the remodel at Changi. Where did the money go? Why would anybody be surprised that they're always coming with new scams. Suwannabuhmi is a national disgrace...