1 hour ago, The Engineer said:

I am pretty sure you are right with the weather; the pattern is confirmed with other hot countries. Less cases and low death percentage. Unfortunately many negative reactions in the blog again of people who actually have no clue. Comparing figures over the last 80 days of all countries in the world (my new hobby), it is clear that Thailand is reporting as honest as possible, unlike my own country in Netherlands who are unable to measure all suspects. Please see my graph (not including the last figures of today). 

It is good to see some more scientifically-based responses (although the graphs produced by the statisticians are obviously based on figures supplied by each country, and we can only hope that they are accurate).

Looking at this website,   https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/thailand/,

It appears that the daily number of new infections is now dropping below the number of people recovering, so that is heartening and means that the hospitals are not being stretched too much.

Let's hope we do not have a relapse; we need to get back to work as soon as possible...

6 hours ago, cmsally said:

Err , name of hotel not mentioned. It is right there on the photo of the immigration banner !!

I am often asked for my passport when I post registered letters.

They should crack down on students taking exams at the end of the academic year. Gambling is rife among students as young as four years old, and the cupidity of the teachers is fanning the flames of this bushfire of illegal activity.

By the way, what is the date today?

This information may be out-of-date, but I found the following on the internet regarding sentence reduction according to prisoner class:

Excellent     5 days per month

Very good   4 days per month

good            3 days per month

It is not very much (only about two months per year even for "excellent" prisoners), but it is better than nothing, I suppose.

I think it will depend on her prisoner class (see earlier post by Scouse123). I have been told by Klong Prem authorities that my friend is now class "very good", soon to be upgraded to "excellent", so he should be among the eligible ones if there is an amnesty. 

Thanks to everyone for the helpful responses. My friend is in prison for a drugs offence, but I think that the amnesties usually exclude only drug traffickers , as a lot of prisoners were released from the drug rehabilitation unit in Klong Prem (where my friend is) on the occasion of the last amnesty; however, I suppose the conditions of each amnesty can vary. 

I have a friend who is in prison, and I was wondering whether anyone might have information about when the next prisoner amnesty is likely to be granted. My friend has been in prison since April 2016 and is due for release October 2018 if no amnesty is granted.

Does anybody know whether a date has been set for the coronation of the new king?

Are there any guidelines regarding which items qualify for tax relief?

1 hour ago, elliss said:

   Ban  these  high speed  hearses ,  used  them once  , never  again .

My feeling exactly. I was in one of these vehicles going from Pattaya to Bangkok when I suffered the only panic attack that I have ever had in my life. On the back inside seat, I could not move at all, and I knew that if anything happened, nobody would get out alive except the driver (possibly). The bus stopped after about 15 minutes to re-fuel, and I got out and took a taxi instead.  

These vans are death traps, and I shiver to think what a horrible end these unfortunate people met, trapped in a burning vehicle.

I have a Thai friend who was arrested for having 1.19 grams of Ice, and he has been charged with selling, but the amount seems small to me. However, I know nothing about any of these drugs, and I was just wondering if anyone could tell me what the threshold is that divides possession and selling (for Ice).

I want to thank everyone for their helpful responses.

I stopped using this website about 5 years ago because every post ended up being a nasty and nonsensical off-topic argument. I have been lucky enough to meet somebody who is a lawyer, and if I find any information from him which I think is useful, I will share it here.

Thanks.

A Thai friend of mine has been imprisoned at Lat Yao for possession of drugs. I would like to get some information about the procedure for visiting prisoners and taking supplies to them.

Does anyone know where this information is available in English?

I would also be pleased to hear from anybody who has had experience of visiting the prison.

Thank you.

Good luck and may they have many children.

pink.jpg

I do not think they will have any children, but they will have a good time trying.

I am getting out of here. I wish they would have designated areas for this activity; some people have to get on with their everyday lives.

I went to Khon Khaen a few years ago and throwing water after 6pm there was not allowed. I think there should be some kind of controls on what people can do in Bangkok during this festive period.

Does anybody know what exactly is the fuction of a zebra crossing in Bangkok? Are motorists supposed to stop to allow pedestrians to cross, or is it just a place where people can cross the road without committing jay-walking?

I am not being facetious; I really would like to know.

While I understand the problem I do not like the solution. Universities should be open. THe libraries should be a resource for all. CMU ever since its disgusting treatment of the students at CMU Language Institute seems a more and more xenaphobic place ( and I do not use that word in relation to anywhere or anyone else in Thailand).

I went back to visit my old university (Cambridge) last March. I had arranged to meet one of my Thai former students (who is doing a Masters degree in Nottingham) there, and he was looking forward to having me show him around. I was amazed to find the colleges on the river are charging fifteen to twenty-five pounds to tourists wishing to enter their grounds. I used to wander through Kings College three or four times a week to go my lectures, and in the three years that I was there it did not once occur to me to go and have a look around the chapel or listen the choir.

When I saw the price, I took my student to a pub instead.

rip another highway minivan disaster , sad for the families , i never will set foot in those tins of death ever again

Nothing wrong with the vehicles!

It is the imbeciles who drive them.

I do not agree; there is something wrong with the vehicles. I got on one a few weeks ago, and I was beginning to feel ill, so I decided to get off. It was impossible. Once you are in and the van sets off, you are locked in. There is no room to move, and it is impossible to get out. I started to panic, and luckily, the van had to stop just outside Pattaya so that everybody could get off and pay before proceeding to Bangkok. I paid, and then I called a taxi. I can imagine the horrible panic that must have taken over the people in the van.

RIP

It officially will end the 15th....but there may still be areas to avoid...

Wait until the 17th if possible, things will be back to the usual (ab) normal routine then.

It looks as though I will be waiting until the 17th or even later. I left Bangkok to avoid the festival, and went to Khon Kaen (really nice place); however, I did not give any thought to getting back to Bangkok and all flights trains and buses seem to booked up until Thursday. It is lucky that I am on holiday.