wensiensheng

Yeah, it’s hard to fill in a departure date when you are going home 🙄

“The aim is to enhance visitor support and ensure a smoother arrival experience in Thailand.” How can going from not needing to do anything (the current position) to having to do something ( the proposed position) ever ensure a smoother arrival experience? Nothing is smoother than nothing.

You believe the Lithuanian’s story that he walked away and went to bed? While his mate played Russian roulette with a loaded gun in the next room? Can’t say that I do.

Why does she appear to be of African descent? Jarvis racism, no doubt.

Many “accidents” are preventable by following safety protocols. Were they followed in this case? The many previous cases suggest that there may have been some deficiencies in this regard. Writing the whole thing off as “ just an accident “ seems somewhat defeatist and a invitation for more frequent accidents in the future.

“ a rigorous review of the incident and emphasise the importance of stringent safety protocols for tour operators.” Similar to what they said they would do last time a boat carrying tourists got into difficulties?

And they call for an end to misleading social media posts ….

I think the assumption is that the person completing the form is a tourist and therefore resides in a different country to Thailand. It's possible that if a long term extension visa number is entered in the field above country of residence, then it will allow Thailand to be entered. But that is a guess. I haven’t tried it.

I do notice that it requires you to fill in your departure details. There was no need to do that with the tm6 because Departure details could be filled in later on the reverse of the form. For people who actually live in Thailand and haven’t got any details for their next departure, it will mean filling some fictitious details. Which of course can easily be done.

“In fact,there's no word yet on whether travellers must continuecarrying a paper form alongside their digital submission.” What are they talking about? I haven’t filled in a TM6 for years, ever since it’s temporary suspension from use. I guess I’ll find out about the new system that they currently say is chaotic, in a months time when I return. Can’t see that it can be THAT difficult to fill in a few personal details, anymore than it was to fill in the TM6 many years ago

“ New criminal cock-ups like organising online gambling or live-streaming casino actions are now big no-no's.” I think I am right in saying these are currently illegal. Now they are being moved up to big no no status?

Theoretically of course you are right. But sometimes it is what it is. This is one of those times. Take the hit and move on. When in any red light area scams abound and losses like this can happen. Dont want it to happen to you? Don’t go to red light areas.

Also if those who drop out of the educational system prior to age 15 were included. A fair few of those in the rural villages and you can’t rank what is not included.

Being able to read and write Thai and having knowledge of Thai history and customs, isn’t enough to attain a high global ranking. And that is pretty much all the Thai system does. There is basically no acknowledgement of there being life outside of Thailand.

Thai people will even provide video evidence. It seems they love to be voyeurs

The source for this seems to be the little splurge of cases of British people trying to smuggle legal cannabis in Thailand, to Britain where it is illegal and therefore more expensive. Because of the publicity, it’s made the British press and that has sparked a story in Thailand. it’s fairly amateurish stuff, easily sorted by an uptick in sniffer dog activity at a few airports. But, of course, journalism has to try to generate reader reaction and engagement, hence a lurid headline designed to do just that.

Still trying to work out how changing the 60 day visa free rule to 30 days, would have stopped this guy

The actual result of the drug/alcohol tests, rather than your assumption?

Any modern car can go too fast for the road it’s being driven on, and most old cars can too. It’s the driver that determines the speed, not the car

It sounds like this guy had mental health issues to me. His behavior as described is bizarre.

yep, exactly that. There is usually a local person behind the illegal business “owners”. Not sure they ever get penalized though, it’s always the foreign front man

Well that is the crux of the matter imho. It’s not how long, it’s where from, that is the issue.

You have no data to back up that statement. I bet you’re just going off ad hoc news reports on this forum and in the interest of sensationalism, individual crimes by foreigners have been reported here a lot. Make stuff up if you want, but don’t present it as fact.

I can quite see that 21 days would be the average stay for working people coming on an annual holiday. But what this ignores is the “snow birds” , typically retirees, who are looking to spend 2/3 months away from colder climes. These are usually a sought after demographic because they tend not to cause trouble and spend steady money over an extended period of time. I’m sure that the 60 day visa period is very attractive to them given that it is also possible to get an extension. Canadians flying to Florida and Cuba are a typical example. Scandinavians flying to Thailand are another. As are other Western residents who want to escape winter in their own country. One wonders why TAT doesn’t make a big thing about attracting this demographic?

If ASEAN now is this desperate for news, I stubbed my toe walking from the bedroom to the bathroom this morning.