dougball

On Dec. 8th, I applied for a Tourist visa (Ottawa) and the fee was taken the following day.  It is still in processing.  Reviewing documents.  This delay is very upsetting as my room and flight had to be paid for in advance. Almost every year from 1988 to 2015, I visited Thailand with an easily obtained tourist visa.  I was hoping to start vacationing in Thailand again but this visa application experience will cause me to seek other beaches. I don't understand Thailand rational in making the visa application so difficult and worrying.

Well, that's alright for the russian "tourist" but here I am in Canada struggling to work through the online application for a Tourist visa.....more specifically, the supporting documents  that must be attached electronically. An email to the Thai embassy was no assistance and Thailand has closed the consulate in Toronto.  My 60 day plus 30 vacation has been reduced to  30 using an "on arrival" free visa.  I guess some tourists are more important than others.

My doctor put me on 0.25mg a year ago for diabetes.  Almost immediately it reduced my appetite. My meals reduced in size and snacking was much less.  I lost 30lbs and discovered an enjoyment of exercise...so the weight loss came first.  I'm still on the low dose and, in Canada, it's free for me. No side-effects. I'm 78.

After a 10 year absence, I was eager to return to Thailand for an extended vacation. The online Tourist Visa application was easy until I got to the requirement to provide proof of accommodation. On previous trips, I would book a hotel for 3 days then find a suitable place when I arrived.  I will not blindly rent a place without seeing it personally.  Thailand may lose me as a tourist.

For me going to the beach was a daily happening.  I didn't go for the sand or the sun.  I went for the entertaining show.  I went for the world coming to my chair with all it's offerings. I went for the feeling of being catered to at a reasonable cost.  I won't go otherwise.  Just compare the number of people in the open areas compared to the concessions.