Tropicalevo

The one from Back Home that I ignore is when turning right at a T junction. In the UK, you wait for someone who is turning into your road before you pull out. Here, Thais will pull out expecting the person turning off the major road to 'slip' behind them. Never mind about folk in the right hand lane who pull to the left before turning right (and vice versa) Then there is the Right of Way rule. Flashing headlights mean 'I am coming through - give way' 'I am bigger than you' give way. (I ride a motorbike.)

I forgot to take those.

Yes. Not trying to say it. No if's or buts. 100% saying it. For my address, they accepted a copy of my work permit. I also took the original to show them.

Now there's a surprise. Both factories empty whilst the police raided them.

Does that also include sex workers? They are definitely informal workers.

I suspect that the rules depend on your regional office. I live on Koh Samui but I had to go to the Suratthani Land Transport office. It had to be a full five year Thai driving licence. No ifs or buts.

I can confirm that. My wife worked for a private school here on Samui for many years and the SS office were more than happy to collect contributions from all of the teachers. It made their numbers look good. Her contributions were refunded when she died - it paid for her funeral. I have had a work permit since 2002 and always had a new SS card every year or two until 2012. Then I was told that I did not need one. Just remember the SS number. That was my last card.. It may have been about the time that directors were told to pay contribution via standing order from their bank accounts. Not sure of the dates. Sorry.

As I said earlier. That is the theory. Unfortunately, the legal brethren do not give visa extensions on Koh Samui. Reading all of the blurb here on AN, and there is a lot, it varies by location and can even vary by individual immigration officer.

Be afraid Doctor. Be very afraid. The people will decide eventually. You had better hope that the people who are sponsoring (ordering?) you will protect you when that day comes.

I think that you flatter Thaksin too much. He is only one small (but influential) part of the government. The problem with the government is not him, it is control of the masses. They do not want people thinking for themselves and hoping for a better life. This, and previous governments, want the people to do as they are told. The people did not choose this or any military government, so they are not there for the people. That leaves them free to bleed the country dry and for the money to go into the same pockets that pay for the governments to stay in power. They have rigged the laws to gaol or neuter any real threats. They have convinced people, that thanks to the government, this is as good as it gets and any failings are down to outside influences.

You are the foreigner staying there and yes, it is your address that they want. The TM 30 tells immigration where every foreigner is at one point in time. (In theory), Yes, fill in the TM 30 every time. Easy on the phone app apparently. This last sentence varies by the different immigration offices around Thailand or even individual officers. However, in our experience, Samui are quite adamant on this one.

As the owner, you do the TM 30 when you get home. The hotel, AirBnb, hospital wherever will do the TM 30 for your temporary address.

We sometimes have guests staying who need to do a visa extension whilst they are on holiday or long term guests. We give them a print out of the TM 30 report and 'job done'. Extension given.

Nah. He picked up the special 'flour' and took it to Finland but his contact was not at the airport to meet him so he had to wait for the payoff???

Folk with 500,000 baht in the bank are not low-income. The real poor often do not have smart phones. So many false statements in the article. The author has believed the hype from the government's PR people. The whole thing is smoke and mirrors to hide the vote buying. The possible scams are so obvious.

It is bad enough to loose a loved one, but to have to go through all of this because of cheating police and employers ............. Well done to the family.

Vietnam would be a cheaper and more trustworthy option.

But it does help to keep the soi dog population down.

I think that one is just someone's interpretation. It all comes down to the individual immigration office. My own understanding is the same as billd below, some guests have found otherwise. I found it safer to always do one when I get home.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2024/06/26/samui-task-force-cracks-down-on-52-foreign-villas-with-hidden-rentals/ The saga at Chaweng Noi continues. A couple of truckloads of military people on the island a few days ago - heading there. An acquaintance rents a house there (long term). It is near the villas in the article above - but on a different development nearby. His landlord contacted him and suggested that he 'not be at home' the next day as the army were inspecting other villas and developments in that area. He went out for the day.

The girl in our office gave me this number 'Here is the number of Provincial Electricity Authority 077-33282'

Thailand forgets its 'cultural' heritage. Stalls on pavements, street markets and sidecar vendors are some of the things that people remember about their visit to Thailand. Along with the smell of food cooking at the side of the road (and the smell of the drains!) and the sting in the eyes when they throw in the chillies. Yes, they can be pain in the Rse. But small in comparison to the dodgy bribes that officials ask for and the scams that hit tourists every day.

Unfair criticism of Thai people. History shows that mass protesters end up in gaol (without bail) or shot. Would you really do as you say?

Unfortunately, Samui immigration does have a bad reputation. When I first went there for a visa in 2000, a guy called Nok took me into his office (the stationery cupboard) and asked me for a bribe. I walked out. My accountant now processes all of my visa work. It is tied in to my work permit and company accounts. I do not know if she does only visa's for people. She is not an agent. Just a well connected Samui lady. Ingon Accurate Accounting near the temple at Fisherman's village. https://www.facebook.com/people/Ingon-Accurate-Accounting-Services/100076269217090/ The only agent that I know is Herbert, but that is going back a long time now. (20+ years) https://hdvisa-thailand.com/

I think that this is the local office here looking for extra cash. Before my accountant did everything, I used to go to the office in Nathon, then in Maenam. The 'top dog' would make me sit in his office for an hour whilst he processed other passports. Agents would walk in with a handful of 15 - 20 passports. Cash in each one. At least 200 baht, maybe more. This was years ago. I have heard that the large lady can be difficult.