ersl

I always remember that retiree in Pattaya who, tho' confined to a wheelchair, was found dead under his chair at the bottom of low rise. His arms were tied to the arm rests with electirical wire and to have jumped from the top of the building he would have had to gotten up on a 70cm wall to jump from. Coroner said it was suicide. So yes, Thailand is safe if you are not suicidal. Remember that Russian suicide where he chopped off his own head and hung it in a carry bag off a bridge in BKK?

All this talk about Thaksin. It was the rulling elite that backed him for a large kickback on his scams. They turned against him when they realised that he was going to sell their land out from under them, land given to them by a former supreme person whose name we cannot mention. How do I know this? Well, at the time it was all over the media and also I know a family that has a large swath of that land given to them by a former supreme person who once told me that in spite of the land given them by the former supreme person they had no cash, and they could not sell the land because no one would buy it at the time.

The Elite backed Thaksin until such times as he became a threat to them, then they outlawed him. Did they return the proceeds they got from his schemes?

Thaksin escapes to the UK with case full of cash, still conducting his schemes and doing very well. He had to pull his head because he could not get away with the activities the elite allowed him to do outside Thailand. Makes you wonder if he was allowed to run off to save face for certain group of people. He must have paid off the right people to be able to run off, or was it his reward?

Actually they provide no assitance. Australian so called Embassies and Consular offices are purely for business purposes. See here:

http://www.restoreaustralia.org.au/shes-not-right-mate/.

They should have been here in Hong Kong where an armored car dropped US$Millions on one of the busy main roads this week.

http://rt.com/news/217499-hong-kong-money-spill/

Well, I think it is a strange turnabout. I nearly got murdered in BKK one night in early 2009 for not allowing some 'ladies of the night' free access to my bank account. When I refused and got them off my body they shouted in Thai some thing like,"the falang has stolen my bag." Then a mob formed and chased me. Luckily for me there was a car park full of cars & trucks nearby and hid under truck tray between the tray and the diff housing. I was shitting bricks, not BRICS!

How many Thais do ATN scams, I wonder? Now in the US they just take the whole ATM, no need for card!

Be careful not to paint every one with same slimey brush or prejudice. It's only 20% of any population like that. But who ever they are working for will have greased many palms and as usual never get found out. Like today, with Obama telling every one that the economy is in full recovery, what's going on is just a bit of confuison.

I don't understand why the Australian embassy not helping and arranging for his repatriation back to OZ

and help in settling the medical bills with the guarantee of the family that those cost will be paid,

There were similar cases before and the embassy with in it's power and mandate to be of an assistance here,

why do they keep mom on the issue? dose any one knows? what is the embassy for than?

for a cushy job overseas and cocktail's parties?

The Australia Embasy cannoit step in or help because it is not a real Embassy because Australia is a colony of England, a hidden colony. My son was in a Phillipines prison and they could not help and could only provide a lit of lawyers. He got out with President intervening when Immigration corruption go too big. 1000s of Australians, NZ, English, Canadians and any one from English Commonwealth countries are stuck in prisons across the planet somne will never get out.

I got the death stare once from a monk when I saw him sporting a rolex and a hot babe on each arm standing next to a top of the line people mover. It was then I knew why we shoud never look at monks. Made absolute sense to me at the time. I actually asked him where can I join up and he gave me one of those "if looks could kill" looks and muttered some thing that had the word falang. Seeme he did not take it kindly to being found out.

But IS/ISIS is CIA/MI6/Mossad so how can they beat themselves? S & M???

Who would explain the sudden disappearance of large numbers of secret agency personnel?

Israel has been treating injured IS in the Golan Heights, too.

UK is on the ground in Afghanistan now. Mybest mate's brother is there now on secret mission with other NATO undercovers too.

IS is BOOTS ON THE GROUND!

It is no longer the free wheeling happy go lucky place it used to be. The police up and own Sukhumvit both in and out of uniform. Random urine tests! Stall holders cleared of the streets like so much human rubbish. A massive amount of poor people, especially women, in dreadful inhuman prisons for petty offences. Massively wealthy individuals for whom there is no rule of law. A majority of oppressed fearful people for which the full weight of a military backed law machine is used to keep them uneducated, denied health care and denied justice. The world has been looking at Thailand since the Airport occupation and I must say this forum has done a lot to shed light not on amazing Thailand but on a sadly depressing thuggish Thailand. When we came here in the 60s it was especially for the weed. Then for women, partying and music in a relaxed atmosphere. It is not just that Thailand has changed for the worse- the world has tried to move on from petty neo fascism during a period of openness via modern media: Would I let my kids go to Thailand? No. The police and the absence of any rule of law combined with militantly corrupt politicians are more dangerous than any drugs, dangerous roads or foreign illnesses. Bangladesh is now marketing its self as Thailand is but the point is Thailand never used to need to markets itself. Its charm and genial corruption covered a myriad of sins. This is no longer the case.

I agree fully with The Manic. I first went to LOS in 2006 and had a magic time as a single bloke, it was just so friendly every where. People were seemingly innocent. The bars were great fun and cheap. You could get laid almost any where for the sake of it. Thai chicks were so inquistive of our extra leg as we were of their home away from home. Bars were raging parties to all hours. Hookers were cheap and friendlyand fun to hang out with. I remember getting free rides in Taxis who were going home. I even had a big party night with a bunch of Thai police in Pattaya, they carried me back to my hotel and we all got together next day for hair of the dog.

Fast forward to 2009, after the airport blockade. I got in about midday and it was hell to get a taxi for less than 800. I did get one eventually and he promised 200 which ended up 1200, but the guest house I stay in fixed him up and I got in for 400 which I thought was reasonable. I coudn't wait to go up the street for that awesome Thai massage I used to get but the price had gone up from 100 for a good 90 min to to 500 for 50 min.

I came to study and was going to be in BKK for at least 3 months and I was even keen on staying as I did not really know how much BKK and Thailand had changed. It had become the opposite of 2006. My favourite hooker spot would not even look at me, it was Japs only for them. Why? They cum fast and pay big!

The bars were traps, every one of them double billed me. I paid the bill and stayed to finish my poole game or drink and see if I could get some action; fatal mistake. I got hit with the same bill when I left as the action was a high priced rags, and the poole girls who were great sports back in 2006 had turned mean. None could ever beat me then or in 2006 but they got pretty nasty because I won, swearing at me in Thai. I just stopped going to bars.

One night I just happened to be walking past Sukhumvit, not going in at all. It was round midnight. The hookers were pretty aggressive and I just remained polite. One hooker grabbed me and would not release me. She said we are going to the ATM. I told her that she can go alone and tried to break away but she held on. Try as I might to get some excuse nothing worked so I just gave her a shove, nothing too big and made my get away. Well, she started screaming at the top of her lungs about falang. Pretty quickly a bunch of people got together back behind her and within a couple of minutes it was mob and they were angry, so I took off, as I was running I looked back and saw a mob running and shouting about 200 metres behind me. I knew that they would get some one in a car to cut me off and they did just as I thought it so I ducked off into a construction site, just like in a Muay Thai movie. I was throwing barrels and stuff to block them and I was shitting myself because I knew that they were out for blood. I knew I was gunna be really dead, then I saw out back of the building site a massive car park full of cars and trucks. So I jumped the fence and headed into the var park. I did not know I could jump 2 metre fences! Any way they were less than 50 metres behind by now, the little fast fellas and they had weapons in their hands. I jumped on cars and ran from car to car. They were jumping car to car too. So I dropped down and had time to think. I could see many many feet. I thought I was dead. Then i spotted light truck and pushed myself under the tray between it and the differential. It hurt but it was the only thing I could think of. Well, they scoured that car park for a good two hours and came back to that truck maybe 6 times. I waited another hour until there was no sound for 30 minutes. I got out very bruised and went home via back streets.

I still had to do my study and every day I got cheated over and over again. One was very peculiar; I'd go for a meal and I love Thai food. I'd find a good eatery and go back the next day, but I would only get half the serving I got the day before. This happened all the time so I asked the school person taking care of us. she said,"It's because you are slim and you don't need so much food." She covered for them. So some how I stumbed upon a chinese lunch shop and they not only did not charge me for half the meal the 2nd time but gave me more for free, every day, as I can speak Chinese very well and even hooked me up with a honey!

When I finished my training I just wanted out of BKK and went south and found the same rip offs so I went to Cambo and had the time of my life. Totally opposite to LOS - Land Of Sour!

I keep up with things in LOS but I can't see me ever going back unless a miracle happens.

One last thing I wish to add is that the world is in the greatest depression since the Great Depression. In HK here prices go up 20% a month for the past two years!!! Every day 100s of 1,000s are doing massive street demonstrations all over Europe and USA. At least 100,000,000 million are homeless and living on garbage. Thais do not look at that now and did not back in 2009.

It is going to get worse, much worse, across the planet.

You aint seen nothing yet!

75% of Nigerrians who had ebola cure themselves by just letting times pass, about 2 weeks.

I am in Hong Kong, no PR but if I did have it I would have to come back every 3 years to check in, but not if I am Chinese, they can go get a second PR and stay there or any where indefinitely. A friend's kids went out for study and lost their birthright for being away for more than 3 years, not so for the Chinese, and they all ran away from China in Cultural Revolution or the famine. Most HK people are reviled by being associated with China, but if you took away their right to go there freely they would be very angry.

The fact is that HK was sold out by London in '97. But still all the big Brit corps run the place, until 2047.

The last UK governer of HK visited a few months back and was ttoally mobbed by HKers begging to take HK back to thr UK, but the reality is that London has a deal with Beijing. London tried to set the HKers up but the whole time they rebelled against the Brits. Now they rebelling against Beijing. That is what HKers do best, rebel.

I was in the Pro Palestine demos and how many HKers came? About 20!!! But then only a few marched. They were mostly Pakistanis, actually, who were using the march as venue for their gripes, and very legitimate gripes too. No one has done international mobilisation for the Drone Assassinations in Pakistan, how come?

I can tell you first hand that HKers are very shallow and totally into themselves, just like the majoriity of Chinese any where. They can never assimmilate, they must remain a pure race, and they always have their own as slaves.

HK has the highest rate of adoslescent suicide in the world, but they have something very few countreis have; infant suicide. Child abuse and abuse and exploitation of lessers is rampant here, human trafficking is booming, taken over first place from Singapore. Most arms shipments go through HK. Police abuse is resembling that of the USA. I was just an eye witness in a case of bashing handcuffed refugees but the defense did a deal with the Police and it never went to Court. The rufugees had to commit to being good for a year, but not the Police, just like it was when the Brits were here doing it to the Chinese.

In my job as a kindergarten teacher the incidence I see of physical and psychological abuse of very young kids by teachers is just horrofic. If I interrupt I get fired the teacher gets ignored, they close ranks on outsiders.

Just ignore the HK critics of China, they are just complaining about something they do themselves to each other!

Just as happened to me in BKK in 2009. Because I would not give over all my savings to some whores so they shouted rape, rape, rape!!! The mob was set up upon me! Get a kife on my neck for not paying the bill twice!!! Have to pay full price for half a meal because I am slim so I don't need a full plate, but have to pay for a whole meal! At least us foriegners don't get that here in HK or China, they are much more cunning and covert than the Thais.

We got moguls here that make Thaksin look good!

Ebola is hoax! Google is your well informed friend.

It is easy follow the law and you have no problems.Try to get a visa for europe as Thai people and you will see were it is the most difficult.

If you work get a workpermit like in every decent country in the world and you get a 1 year renewable visa.If you are retired put 800.000 baht in a thai account and you get also the same visa.The people who complain are those who are doing monkey business and think that as foreigner all is allowed.Dont forget we are guest here no local people.

OK. The situation is grim for teachers and the majority of schools. Most private language schools will not provide "Work Visas" as it means that they will have to show their earnings in order to be able to sponsor teachers. Moe than 50% of schools will lose teachers.

Teachers want to work here legally but the schools will not do the accreditation steps. The schools that have the best pay, or reasonable pay, and conditions fall into this area.

Given the effect this move will have it won't last long and it will be back to business as normal. Visa Runs are forced on so called "illegals" by the Thais themselves, not by the "illegals". All this latest move is going to do is send shivers and panic into the schools industry, especially the teachers, but if they cannot get the Back to Back Tourist Visas then the students will drop out of the private school system, schools will lose their income and shut down.

In Western countries the process is much easier. You just apply for a Temporary Work Visa that lasts for three months or six, and if you find a job then your employer will apply to Immigration. The company or school need not be accredited to sponsor. This is where the stupidity of Asia is most evident. But this avenue is only for people 35 and under, down to 18. Older people are up against it but can get in on Tourist Visas and transfer to Temp Residence without much difficulty. Business Visas are easy to get which is why so many Asians emigrate.

What this latest move will do is push thousands of teachers into neighbouring contries' job markets.

As there are thousands upon thousands of teachers in Thailand on Tourist Visas a forced mass exodus will have a major negative impact on the Thai economy. Teachers recycle Thai money which economically creates productivity and fiscal growth. That's why illegals are in any country. Smart countries convert "ïllegals" into legals to bolster their domestic economies, to turn the money over, to pay the taxes that wealthier residents avoid though systems created by the system.

This latest move is just a rerun of such moves in Thailand over the last 20 or so years. It will go down very fast and last a mere breath of existence. But, we teachers live in hope that they will come to their senses and force the schools to come clean with their earnings and give us all a "Work Permit" which we all qualify for in any case. Unqualified teachers who work in government schools just do a short course to qualify and then they can get a "work visa". But even government schools play the "screw the teachers game" too. Government schools may employ teachers for up to 2 years on Tourist Visas, and they will make the necessary arrangements for the Visas too, and reimburse the teachers as well.

Therefore this move is aimed not at "illegals" but at Thais not paying their taxes, billions upon billions of Baht. But rather than Thais confronting the Thais because it is cultural suicide, they are doing it by proxy.

Casualties will be minimal. Then back to the way it always was.

Hi all , planning a trip to macau and hongkong this march , heard that we can get a visa at macau airport very easily , do i need to get a visa to HK from bangkok as i planning to use 2 out of 5 days in hongkong , do i need to get a multiple entry visa if i plan to visit HK twice , called today at chinese embassy , but no response , any suggestion or ideas will be appreciated......

Hi,

If you are a westerner you don't need to get a visa from a consulate/embassy. You just arrive, they put two stamps in your passport, one saying when should leave by. Macao is a month. Hong Kong is 90 days unless you are English, then you get six months. You get a new Visa every time you arrive, by stamp. That means every time you go into Macao you get a month, starting again, same in Hong Kong but for 3 mths or the 6 as I said. No fees. Just fill out the form on the plane and ferry that the crew will give you. You can get a free ferry from the Venetican Casino if you go there and spend some money. But if you don't want to stay in Macao and don't want to go to any casinos then you can get a taxi to the Talpa Ferry terminal, it's right next to the airport. I walked but it's a bitch with luggage, but only a 10 min walk.

How do I know? I left Hong Kong via Macao on 28 December 2008.

Macao is very polluted and some what expensive. Hong Kong is the same but very interesting.

Macao and Hong Kong are SARs - Special Administrative Regions. They have their own governments so you get no info from the Chinese embassy about them.

Need more info just send me a message. I lived in Hong Kong until 28 December 2008.

ersl

As my British Passport is getting rather full, I thought I would give the Cambodian e-visa a try to save space. Will be travelling to Aranyapretet.

I know that there has been several subjects on this matter but can someone advise me as to the correct website I should use and experiences of those who have recently applied and obtained visa.

Advice would be appreciated.

Hi,

I got a 3 month Bus Visa yesterday here in BKK. It took all of 30 min. Either way you'll lose a page as they'll pasted one at the border.

If you want to know where the embassy is send me a message as the Website & phone no. is wrong.

ersl

the trip ends up at 9000 baht(can get 500bt rebate). the company also offers "holiday-visa" trips to kohkong and other areas.prices vary. up to you. im going to poi pet in about 2 months. ill report on the experience! regarding the rebate, send me a message and ill give you more details. take care!

Well, it's 2800B to PP on Asiaair.com, 2500B for the two visas, 500 for one night in a hotel plus 1000B. Rip Off! You put in your forms one day and pick up the next, takes about an hour incl. taxis, total. I did it in Jan 09.

Go by bus and save 3000B and have 3 days in Sihanoukvile! Otres Beach is superb and cheap.

ersl

Nowhere on the Chinese Embassy in Thailand's web site is there an explanation for the types of L visas(including length of time and cost for each - e.g. 30, 45, 60 day visas). I wrote them but have received no replay to date. Does anyone know?

You can only get an L Visa for 1 month. You have to provide Flight/Bus/Train booking copies, and hotel booking copies. You can get bogus details through agents in HK. You only get one entry.

Cost varies according to your nationality.

You can get a 12 month Multi Entry L Visa in your home country via an agent, or in the US too. You need to google it or send me a message and I'll try to get my friend to tell me the details of the the one he got on Los Angeles.

ersl

The Cambodia Business Visa cost USD$35. Good for 3 months, and can extend it in Cambodia, indefinitely.

All you need to take to the embassy is your passpot, a photocopy (zerox) of your passport, a passport photo, and your $35. They told me, over the phone, it takes 4 hours. I'll report back when I get one next week.

The Embassy is not where all the sites say it is. Here:

518 Pracha Uthid Road

Wang Tong Lang

Phone: (BKK) 02 957 5851 (You may have to persist to get through)

* Near Huai Kwang MRT

ersl

Hi,

After spending hours and hours and phone calls I found the Cambodia Embassy. The official site lists the wrong address and phone, fax etc.

Here it is:

518 Pracha Uthid Road (note the two separate words)

Wang Tong Lang

Phone: BKK 02 9575851

It's near the Laos Embassy, not far from Huai Kwang MTR

ersl

I just did a run, 60 Day Tourist Visa, to PP via Poipet and back via Ko Kong 9 Jan in/16 Jan out;

Poipet they want 1,000Baht extra on top of the USD$20 but they'll settle for 100Baht BUT if you just insist nicely and firmly you'll only have to wait 10 minutes before they'll stamp you through, providing there's no rush or large group behind you.

Koh Kong: don't go through in large group such as a bus or two buses full as it will take you 2 plus hours. Best go to Koh Kong the night before and go early on the first bus or van, tuk tuk etc. The Thai side is a piece of cake and as oof yesterday they were issuing walk in 30 day Visas, last week only 7 day Visas at Poipet. You can get a van to Trat on the Thai side, or just get the van arranged by your bus provider to Trat. Either way you7 get a taxi van to trat which takes about an hour or so.

I was going to Rayong but I missed the last bus at Trat for Rayong by 1 hour due to the slow at the border. Last bus to Rayong goes at 3. Later buses go to BKK.

I just got Single Entry 60 Day Tourist Visa in PP; 13 Jan 09. The easiest Visa I've ever got in my 7 years in Asia. 15 minutes from filling in the form to picking it up the next day. They want minimal info on the form; just personal data such as on your passport and home address, no need to fill in the other slots, one photo, USD$35 and they give change! They say to come back the next day between 3 and 4 PM, but I gotthere at 2:3)PM and it was ready, just had to ask for it. BEWARE of the scammer Camodian Guard by the gate; he asks for and extra USD$15 to get it done and in yuour hands at the same time you get it any way.

You got to submit the application in the morning from 8:30AM to 12:30PM Mon - Fri.

This seems to be the same for "western nationals", a Ghanian I met had to pay USD$300 and furnish lots of fincial and guarantor data.