Bangkok Barry

And... the consequences are what? Anyone with an aversion to democracy knows they can operate with impunity as they also know there will be no consequences. The prime example, of course, is Vlad Putrid. The world 'condemns in the strongest possible terms' and then does nothing. No-one protests about Thailand's lack of democracy though as no-one cares for a second about a South East Asian backwater with no influence in anything on the world stage.

So, just as his parole period can begin he's suddenly well enough to leave hospital. What a coincidence.

Quite the opposite. The law is upheld in the face of clear documentary evidence against him. Nothing to do with politics. Surely you aren't one of those idiots who believes the courts are run by Democrats rather than the rule of law.

The verdict was based on documentary evidence, not the Party the judge votes for. Perhaps you don't know that.

Just another story about Thailand's largest criminal organisation.

We use a photo copy of the same map spouse drew years ago. Out here in the sticks not much has changed in decades so no need for a re-draw each year.

I'm lucky with reporting. My IO is 40 minutes drive away and I can combine it with a trip to Big C and Makro. I went on Monday this week and there were zero 'customers'. Maybe everyone avoid Mondays for extension applications etc as they think it'll be busy

Probably, as it is unlikely you'll get another home visit. Other than that, the forms and requirements will be the same. You have to provide the same info year after year after year, even if nothing has changed. In the real world you register changes, in Thailand you register that nothing has changed. But nothing is certain with immigration. We've just had reports that some offices - only some of course, as each office does things their own way instead of by the rule book - being fussy about using a new version of the application form which has a couple of extra lines of dots. That form, it has been said on here, isn't available on their website, only the one they won't accept. TIT. Maybe they'll update their website in a year or two.

I think you miss the point. It isn't about inconvenience, but that Thai Immigration is still using a third class system when modern and more accurate methods are available. Of course, as always with immigration, some offices do it one way and others a different way. Some are in the 20th century and some have advanced to the 21st. Why some persist in using drawings is anyone's guess.

I did that after circumstances led to me letting a one-year extension expire, and I had to begin again as if I had never had one-year extensions before. I'd had several and had been married for over 30 years and at the same address for more than 10. No matter - interview, house visit as if it was a first application. I can only guess they don't keep any record, which is why they treated me as a newbie and also why they need the same info year after year after year after year.

You forgot 'and *** thousand baht' as you are unable to draw a map.

And you don't wonder why foreigners get fed up with antiquated procedures that belong in the last century. In the real world, if people needed a map (and most would not, as addresses in most countries are easy to understand and find - Japan a probable exception) they would send you packing if you drew a map and they'd demand a print out or photo of your address. Thailand, though, loves to do the opposite of the real world in many ways. Reject modern technology and use pen and paper.

Yes. Immigration has not yet caught up with the 21st century. Be patient. Spouse and I have shopped in, for example but not limited to, Global House and when they have our address they pull it up on Google Earth and can see the house, confirm it is ours and BINGO! Immigration still needs a child-like drawing. Are you surprised? Obviously. You shouldn't be.

Nothing new here. Just Thailand's future trying to kill each other. When I was a kid in the UK I was in trouble for carrying a box of matches. Now they carry guns and knives and bombs. Times change, I guess. It's called progress.

Travellers were informed that the flight might divert to Dubai if further incidents occurred, but they were able to proceed to London without interruption

One of the most pressing dilemma's for the Thai government today, and one they are seemingly unable to resolve: Can we allow a person to buy a beer at 3pm.

It depends. I worked with a Chinese colleague and, in my diplomatic way, asked him why everything we buy here from China is cra* and doesn't last. He was surprised and said he had no such problems with things he bought at home. I can only surmise that much of the goods imported into Thailand are cheap because Thais place cheap above quality, so they get what they pay for. And anyway, trying to buy anything that isn't made in China is like pi*sing in the wind, even western name brands like Sharp.

He didn't complain. He asked if it was legal. There's a difference.

All sounds like some offices do, some don't, some officers want, some don't. As usual. Groundhog Day. I'm in two minds whether they simply have no idea what they are doing or are just deliberately being difficult which in their mind wearing a uniform entitles them to be. Probably both at the same time.

Most tourists enter without a visa, don't they?

So many people still don't seem to be aware that there is CCTV everywhere these days. Including a womenswear shop owner I read of once on this site, who installed CCTV to catch shoplifters and it caught her stealing from a customer's bag while she was in a cubicle trying on a dress.

And, of course, the taxi driver blamed the people he killed. We'd expect nothing else in a country where anything is always someone else's fault. Unfortunately for him, An eyewitness reported that the taxi was speeding and lost control before crashing into the victims’ motorcycle, which was travelling in its proper lane.

The world doesn't give a rat's fart about Thaksin or Thailand. What happens in Thailand is of interest only to those inside its borders, and even most of those don't care about anything that doesn't directly concern them.

Before the pandemic there were six Emirates flights from Dubai to Thailand, including two A380s. THAI had one. That tells you all you need to know. Last time I flew the route, December 2022, Emirates still had five after the 're-start' of air services.