petedk

They don't exactly look like billionaires. haha

I did that recently and to my surprise he turned the meter on. When I asked why he just laughed. When we arrived at the destination the meter showed considerably more than the arranged fare, and he charged me the meter price plus 50 baht "Grab fee". I protested for a few minutes but he gradually became more and more aggressive, so I ended up paying the amount he asked for. I haven't used Grab cars since, but I use Grab motorcycles often.

The pink card was quite problematic for me. I first applied to the district office when we had the floods in 2010 and was told to apply after the flood problem had eased up. I tried again a year later and was told to wait as there were some local elections coming up in about 10 or 12 months. Third attempt was around 2015 and was told to wait until; the coup government had settle down. Fourth attempt was late 2016 and was told to wait until after the funeral of the late king. Finally, I absolutely needed the pink card and yellow house book when I retired in order to receive my social security payout and continue my SS healthcare, so I approached the district office again. It was made quite clear to me that they were expecting a little tip of about 10K. Anyway I went ahead and the process took about 3 months of meetings (always with the same documents.) On the day, it took all day from 10 am to about 16.30 and I had to wait outside afterwards with the "brown envelope". While waiting during the day, we talked to another couple who were being processed for pink cards by a different officer. They started the process one week before and were in and out that particular day in about 3 hours, so I opened the envelope and removed 5K. Oh, we had also been trying to get married at this district office for approximately the same number of years. Eventually we got married at a different district office and that process took about 3 weeks.

I didn't have a pink card at that time. I received (paid 5K) for my pink card 4 years ago

On the MRT it is 60. I bought one without any problems. Just showed my passport. BTS refuse to sell them to foreigners. Just as the 20 baht flat rate will be for Thais only.

I tried with my pink card but was refused. "Only Thai people!"

Similar to the high ranking person (I can't remember who) who slapped a security guard at Suvarnaphummi Airport for wanting to do a security check on him.

My thoughts entirely.

What are "tourist areas", what are "special areas", "deignated venues". Yes, it's very vague

I sometimes see security guards, in pairs and with dogs getting on and off the MRT trains. That seems to be enough security. Oh, and of course we all have to go through metal detectors so there is no chance of anyone carrying weapons on the MRT. 🫢

There are CCTV cameras on most trains too. (At least on MRT)

haha In comparison: I was talking to my friend this morning and he was saying that his "girlfriend" (she works in a bar) has been offered a job in Japan. They told her she could earn 150,000 in 12 days and no matter how hard he tried to convince her, she wouldn't believe him. I gues the Russians can demand more money in the tourist areas such as Phuket, so five customers a month is an easy job for her.

And where does one find a comprehensive list of these laws? I have searched Google many times about opening hours, noise levels, public disturbance, but seem to get vague results. Asking for a friend 🙂

Seriously? There are 12 - 14 year old kids doing wheelies on our soi quite often.

Great system, but........ The cops switch off the automation at any opportunity.