johnsalat

two friends this month had problems on checkin coming to thailand.

friend one. british passport. checkin at london to fly to bkk. had tourist visa and one way ticket on EVA to bkk. EVA made a fuss that he could not board having only a one way ticket and tourist visa. insisted he buy a ticket on the spot out of thailand before he be allowed to board.

friend two. USA passport. checkin at San Francisco to fly to bkk. no visa, planned to do visa on arrival (30 day) and then some travel around SEA. airline United. checkin counter made a fuss because his return ticket was 65 days out and united said could not board without thai visa because return flight beyond the 30 day visa-on-arrival. he told them he planned to travel around SEA and they demanded to see proof (ie tickets) that he was leaving thailand. he doesnt have them yet because he is buying them here. in the end he convinced them to let him board by insisting on talking to a united supervisor and making a scene.

does this just reflect general airline skittishness about risk? in neither case did the airline offer them the "waiver form" which says they are responsible if they are not admitted into the destination country (i have done this form for other countries, so i know it exists, but neither friend was savvy enough to know to ask for this).

or is thai immigration getting stricter or what?

The same is happening out of Australia ,unless you have the appropriate visa[non-immigrant or retirement] you cannot board with a one-way ticket,so i suggest that this directive has come from the Thai authorities.

Good to have Thaksin's boys back to handle this.

Remember how he threatened the media, doctors and scientists when they could not longer cover up the outbreak?

Even the bird flu became a victim of Talk-sin.

There is also Dengue Fever in Patong Beach ,Phuket i know 3 persons who have contracted it ,but nothing said in the media or print newspapers .

Does anyone have any information or experience on long term car rental from either Ratchaburi or Kanchanaburi .I am looking to rent a car for about a month,but not from an avis or hertz agent...Thanks Johnsalat.