KED

As they continue to transfer corrupt policemen to inactive posts - there must be a huge demand for new hires to replace the vacuum

Current news on this front:

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/boy-scouts-leader-ban-gay-adults-sustainable-31208269

The national president of the Boy Scouts, Robert Gates, says the organization's longstanding ban on participation by openly gay adults is no longer sustainable and is urging change in order to avert potentially destructive legal battles.

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice

Interesting if they are indeed editing these negative reviews; however, I have seen some bad reviews in hotels I was considering booking on Agoda. If they do respond, please share their comments. Maybe they are allowing the property to post a response at the same time.

I also use TripAdvisor comments sometimes when I am looking for more reviews. Just as an aside, it is interesting how opinions can run the entire gamut of Fabulous to Average to Abominal - peoples experiences and expectations are so varied.

So how do Thai students go overseas for post-secondary education get in the door of a USA College/University, and yet graduate!

Of course there are many elite Thais who either have English-speaking parents or have gone to western schools for their education. Also, some less reputable schools in the U.S. are also dipoma mills (remember, Yingluck has a U.S. college degree but is far from proficient in English).

Any Thai student who does well in education does it despite their Thai education, not because of it.

I am sure China will welcome them... well they each have 2 kidneys.

very dark -but all too true as well.

I agree that the western man was a bit too confrontational; however, he does have the right to inquire why he was being stopped. I wish the Thai policemen could speak English - I would be really interested in their explanation as to why the two were being stopped.

If the two sides were able to communicate - it would be a much more informative exchange.

Hello, so it's possible to find very quiet beaches in Philippines ? And no seller turning around ? Or beggars begging ?

But its really not safe and not as relax as in Thailand ? Food and rooms always more expensive also ?

I am asking here because I don't want the opinion of people from US or EU who know nothing and have only been to Philippines in their life. I am looking for people who perfectly know Thailand beach and atmosphere to understand if Philippines are worth going when I like only beach front bungalows and nice sea but don't care anything else (people, culture, etc...)

but don't care anything else (people, culture, etc..

Usually, I say live and let live - but your comment just seems so misanthropic and I am sure if you wore your quote on your neck - you would find people who are more than happy to give you 2 km alone -

I love beautiful, quiet beaches but also treasure the people and cultures I have discovered along the way -

I had same problem as old passport was only 3 years old but full. Immigration guy at desk had to refer to his boss but no problem on entering, just asked me to go to local immigration office to have visas transfered to new passport.

Immigration does not transfer visas. If you have a valid visa you have to use both passports until it expires.

Immigration will do a stamp with info about the visa you used for entry. They will then transfer the your extension of stay stamp and a re-entry permit if you have one.

You can not have two valid Passports from the same nationality at the same time.

It's just not possible.

US citizens can legally possess two passports. Yes, you can have the normal 10-year passport plus a second, limited validity passport, normally valid for 1 or 2 years. Commonly referred to as "Duplicate Passports",second passports offer the ability to travel internationally while processing a visa in the US or to visit countries who do not allow entry to passport holders with stamps from enemy countries.

Although often called Duplicate US Passports, a second passport is not a duplicate passport. The second passport will have its own dates of issue and expiration and their own passport numbers. This is a critical difference between a second passport and a duplicate. In order to get a second passport, the applicant must prove that they are in possession of their standard 10-year passport and that they truly need the second passport. The US State Department prefers to limit the number of duplicate passports, so your reasons must be honest and valid - otherwise the second passport may not be issued.

10 year visa can be used anytime for the ten year period just once.

is your comment about the UK 10 year visa or U.S.? The U.S. 10 year visa can be used many times during the 10 year period - not just once. Immigrations does keep track of the entries and departures - should a person enter for six months and then leave for a few days or a week and then enter again for six months - questions would arise as to why the consecutive lengthy stays in the U.S. - but a Thai (or other nationality) with a 10 year U.S. visa could certainly enter every year for 10 years for a holiday - just no working or studying under a tourist visa.

Sure but I must admit I get annoyed that so many people think gender identity and sexual orientation are the same thing.

Sent from my Lenovo S820_ROW using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I agree, but hopefully as individuals do come forward and articles are written or t.v. interviews are done - society can be educated about the issues such as sexual identity being different than sexual orientation. There are now so many informative and honest videos on youtube - hopefully those who want to better understand the LGBT community can do so.

Bottom line is that if the world would allow individuals to express their gender identity and sexual orientation without prejudice, then this would not be news. However, it is good for society to see that the LGBT community are mostly the same as the rest of society - individuals who want to be happy and to love and be loved. Hopefully, if Bruce Jenner's transition is televised, maybe it will offer support to others in the transgendered community to be comfortable and true to themselves. And if you aren't interested - then simply change the channel.

As a gay man, I empathize with transgenders fight toward awareness, equality and dignity. I think any positive media coverage is still a good step toward helping the non-transgendered community understand the prejudice that the transgendered community experiences. Once LGBT people areable to live their lives as equal individuals without prejudice, then I can also enjoy the luxury of being bored about LGBT civil rights issues.

From my 8 years living in Thailand with my Thai bf/husband, I have seen a wide range of reactions. My husband's parents are from China and he is not out to anyone in his family (he is in his mid-40's); however, all his co-workers know and his classmates from university also. I have western friends who are accepted by their partners families and others who have never met the parner's families.

My biggest concern is that there are so few positive role-models in Movies, TV, elected-office. I feel that if there were more visible positive LGBT people - then I believe Thai society would come to be more accepting and not just tolerant.

It is truely a tragedy that any part of society would condem anyone simply for who they love. I do feel that the world is slowly changing to allow LGBT individuals more respect, equality, diginity, and acceptance. Sadly, there are many countries, religions and cultures where there is little or no enlightenment. I do hope that the entire world does evolve and allow people the right to be who they are and to love who they love. Someday.

I enoyed seeing both seasons - and was surprised to find that Delta Airlines had 2 episodes available on their inflight entertainment (I thought this would be too racey). I haven't lived in the U.S. for 8 years but did feel that it was a more realistic portrayal of a segment of the gay community.

My life is not affected by the opening of this new mall; however, it is sad that is just a big clone mall with nothing to set it apart from the other malls within a stone's throw. The floor plan just seems to be tile and escalators - not much architectually interesting and no shops I haven's avoided before. I think Terminal 21 is better designed - but I only visit there when meeting others.

Quote : "The town of Chiang Mai is perfectly rectangular"

When I walked around the moat with my Garmin GPS (ie inside the moat but on the pathway along the moat's bank) I measured each side as 1 mile on each side (Give or take +/-). Does this make it square and not rectangular?

all squares are rectangles but not all rectangles are squares...f.y.i.

I agree that it is not always clear about what to fill in thesmall space proviced; however, it does seem like most information is ignored as long as something is completed. Just fill out to the best of your understanding

12 years in Pattaya, but the posh end

oxymoron - jumbo shrimp - open secret...posh Pattaya

Hi ked,

You mention chiang mai ........ there and bali are my 2 preferred places in SEA!

and within Bali - definitely Ubud is the most magical - glad you share my interests :-)

Good for the OP for posting - it is always good to know options in the area. I live in Thailand but visit Indonesia often (both Bali and Java). No place is perfect - but I do feel that Bali is a much better destination for holiday or living than Koh Samui or Phuket. If you are not a beach person, then Chiang Mai does compare closely with Bali - with each offering a different experience. If you are over 50 and looking to date 20 year-old locals, Thailand is the place for you.

I have visited Indonesia regularly over the last 10 years and just got back from 3 weeks there. Any holiday depends on what you are looking for - but I cannot find anyone who would enjoy more than 2-3 days in Jakarta - get out as quick as possible and visit Bogor, Bandung - only a few hours by train. Yogyakarta is very traditional Java and worth a few days along with Borobodur if you have never seen it. Other interesting places for a few days are Semarang / Malang. Bali is a nice beach area but the main areas of Kuta/Legian/Seminyak are just for beach holiday and tourists - but if you gu up north to Ubud -you will see more of he beauty of Bali and it's people.

I travel throught by train or plane and have never felt unsafe or threatened - so much natural beauty and while a Muslim country - it is a more gentile version than other countries.

When/If this online reporting works - it will indeed be a great option than mailing or reporting in person or haivng someone report for you. Hopefully, Thai immigration will open it up to more browser options and also use a more secured option since birthdate and passport numbers and names are being transmitted.

I am not an IT expert - but shouldn't there have been some testing and a Beta group to work out many of the issues? Algough a rough start-up for online reporting is better than none.

On lengthy flights, it is not uncommon for 1 hour longer or shorter flight times as a result in the change of normal tradewinds.