Tropicalevo

Lovely story thank you.

There is another issue. The government and 'concerned citizen groups' always focus on Bangkok. Here on Samui, it is the wild west on crossings. Most are so badly faded, that with the poor or non existent street lights, one cannot see them. In the busy areas eg markets, the traders and customers park their trucks on them so that you cannot see the non-faded sections. Pedestrians can't walk through the trucks anyway. At one market there are two 'faded' crossing less than 10 metres apart. Then we have 'rogue' crossings. This is where hotels paint a crossing for their guests to cross from the hotel to the beach access. They then put an aggressive flag-waver in a uniform by them - to stop the traffic when the VIP guests want to cross the road. I am tempted at times to take said flag-waver out. I check my mirrors and see an empty road behind me but this dumb cluck is trying to stop me with his 'power' flag. I do not stop.

It is the innocent victims that I always feel sorry for. Phichat's worries are all over and he is at peace. The kids problems have just started.

Thailand (and the others) should respond with a 'high-risk travel destination warning' for Taiwan. It can't be long before it is invaded and they all become Chinese citizens.

The only rechargeable batteries that I have are in my phones so I should be OK.

Why? Nothing has changed (yet). Just people panicking as usual. So, it is the agents that are causing the panic. They are withdrawing their (sometimes) illegal services.

The visa-free entry thing is a red herring. A career criminal will come in on any visa, go straight to Burma and then he/she is not an overstay. It's being able to do a background check that is important, and I do not believe that Thailand did that on the normal tourist visas pre visa-free. 12 million Chinese tourists in 2019. All on visas https://www.statista.com/statistics/1048386/thailand-tourist-arrivals-from-china/

So where's his mum? Hope that Mrs leopard cat is ok.

So we can only assume that the poor lad was still alive and communicative at this point?

What you are suggesting is usually not as easy as just sitting on her butt whilst her staff sell the illegal products.

To the OP. It is not clear if your money is with the 'broker' or in your bank. If it is frozen in your bank account, the solution is simple if it is clean money. You just have to prove to the bank where the money came from. This happened to me many years ago with my account in Jersey. Showed the documents and the money was released. It took about six months. It was a tad embarrassing as I was living overseas and had to borrow money until the bank cleared it. If the money is with the 'broker' then your troubles may be larger. Is he legit?

Do not panic. The article that I read said that the stop was on new bank accounts for new DTV's (or whatever it is called) and new retirements. Not on extensions. However, I would not be surprised if the agents decided to keep a low profile until the rules are finalised. Mind you, the press are not always accurate in their reporting.

Come on PTT. Time to stop funding the military murderers and drug dealers. Buy the gas elsewhere. PS there is nothing to stop the military from appropriating the fuel for other purposes.

I realise that but it would create a state of panic with other passengers and he would be in a ton of trouble with the airline. They would probably restrain him on the flight.

Well done Israel. If the murdering Hamas do not release the rest, start the bombing again.

Now where are the BIB's going to get their fix?

The recent crackdown is in spite of the fact that the scams have been going on for years and years. And the Thai authorities knew about them. Suddenly, tourists stop coming and it's 'Houston - we have a problem'. Shame on you Thailand.

A bit like what he and others do to their opponents aka Thaksin???

Sadly, that is a common occurrence on Thailand's roads - especially here on Samui. I warn all visitors - "no one gives way to a motorbike. Just assume that everyone is trying to kill you".

Including vaping and smoking cannabis. And if the police actually implemented the fines, Thailand would generate a huge income stream and there would be no need for the overseas income debacle.

I have nor signed for anything for years. They just take photos of the package on the table on the deck. I do not use COD as I am often away from the house. I have never lost a package, but I have received packages that do not belong to me. Reason is simple, my address has been here for 25 years and everyone knows it. Most of my customers and guests use my address for deliveries. I do not know about other parts of Thailand but here, the house number does not tell anyone where the house is. You are just given the next number in the sequence when you ask for the Tabian Baan. I built three houses, in a row, next to each other. First is #11, second is #26, third is #52. Thailand Post have given up delivering letters to our area. I have received no standard post for three years now.

But many Thais think that it is only foreigners on free visas that fight. https://aseannow.com/topic/1351782-tourist-brawl-in-phuket-sparks-debate-on-visitor-behavior-video/

And that is just one reason why there should not be casinos in Thailand. There will be more desperate, broke people if they go through with it.

If you keep the money knowing that it is not yours, that is a (minor) criminal offence in Thailand. Contact your bank or better still, the head office via email and explain it all to them. They can track the source. Does your bank statement show the originating account?

I agree with you. He should be escorted. What if halfway through the flight he forgets where he is and tries to open the plane door.