Emster23

Since you are required by law to have your passport with you at all times (I put mine in zip lock and shove it up me bum when in shower), they legally can't demand your passport. I seem to recall a few months ago this came up, but reasoning with these guys is waste of time, so you idea is great. "You didn't say it had to be my current passport....."

Maybe same philosophy as many Thai bars "Fewer customers, so we must raise prices!"?

Interesting stuff, thanks for posting. I do question Hitler with IQ of 141: was that from bona fide test? Anyone who would invade Soviet Union before securing Great Britain seems to be lacking in areas. Plus he did some other bonehead moves that hastened the end (thank goodness).

If MRAs are correct, seems tourist professionals could have been working here legally since 2009, so one does wonder about the big flap regarding Russian and Chinese tour guides....

I wonder if figure regarding forest land takes into account all the encroachment. Ought to knock that down a few percent at least....

This whole address thing for a tourist visa is absurd. I think the word "tourist" comes from"tour", right? definition: "1. a traveling around from place to place. 2. a long journey including the visiting of a number of places in sequence," They expect you to just plant yourself somewhere and work illegally? Best place to complain is here, and will get more consideration but equal effectiveness (zero) in correcting that behavior. Meanwhile TAT is trying to encourage tourists to stay longer. Go figure. Welcome to Thailand once more.

to be forewarned is to be forewarned applies at times

Ignorance is not bliss

One time I was hiking on Oregon side of Columbia River gorge and we happened to run into couple, woman was from Thailand. We chatted for a few minutes in Thai, impressed the heck out of my friend "Dang, you can speak that language!" So can sometimes surprise when used outside of Thailand...

Folks ask me "When are you coming home?" I tell them I think here in Thailand is more or less my home... I usually go back to Pacific NW USA once a year to see family & friends. Came up with a couple country song titles: "I'd go home if I had one" and "Don't know where to go cuz I've got no where to go".

"Waiter, this coffee tastes like crap!"

"Well I thought you said you were pooped this morning...."

Doesn't quite work... least they seem to know their sh*t from Shinola.

lack of education won't be the downfall of Thailand: they are taking a "multi-pronged" approach to that challenge. Bad government, corruption, cronyism, etc all pitching in and doing their part to make march to bottom unstoppable!

Ditto on Benjamit. Great ice coffee too, and pastries reasonably priced.

I am in similar situation, will be renewing passport soon. I am on retirement visa, which I renewed in March. Rather than a one year visa, they gave me one valid up through November, when current passport expires. I wonder if they will give me those months back when I transfer visa? Anyone have a similar experience with situation like this?

Those who slam democracy: what might you propose instead? “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.” ― Winston S. Churchill

Yes, USA is turning into a plutocracy. However, if people decided to wake up and take interest in government, they could change the Constitution to end that. It is their inertia, distractions, and disinterest that allows those in power to manipulate them. There is still freedom of speech, press, assembly and votes are still counted for determining who is in office. So again, just what do suggest as better? Benevolent dictatorship?

Should have tossed him into the monkey house for a month or two of fun. Deporting him is equal to a get out of jail free card.... Leaves 170 countries or so he could then go to and do some more damage...

Let this be a warning to all would be thieves: no drinking while at work!

I'm from Portland, was just becoming teen when this hit the charts. You hear what you want to hear, like "I buried Paul".... Their albums were great party albums, early ones had background sounds like recorded live. Paul Revere and the Raiders version had sax, both were on charts about the same time. BTW they weren't one hit wonders: they also had song "In the valley of the Jolly Green Giant" (reference to ad campaign for frozen veggies).

They need to get a grip on themselves. Maybe if they made it life size (as per recent news item) it would be too small to notice?

Of course politicians can't change the dates or sink election, only those with pure hearts like monk Suthep can do such things (with military blessing, of course...). I wonder what response would be if redshirts used same tactics that brought down last elected government would be?

The unlimited power of Article 44 is only unlimited when he goes against enemies of his keepers. He dare not bite the hand that feeds him and got him to where he is. The puppet can't cut his own strings...

no passengers = no passenger deaths. Simple formula

Like spraying room air freshener at entrance to meth lab. I suggest tear whole structure down and start over.

I reckon he wanted to become "head" monk but got a tad too literal... everybody knows in the west that it is the foreskins that have the real mojo....

I expect arrivals will be up after Songkran hub bub fully over. I know I'll be one.... Regarding summer vacation in October, perhaps they were thinking of tourists from Australia, South America, South Africa..... but I doubt it....

Ah the repressive bluenoses, who spend their time in fear and dread that someone, somewhere, may be having fun. Imploring those sinners to turn to their imaginary friend in the hope others will emulate their pathetic joyless lives. Kudos for using first post right out of the gate to bash USA. Almost gives hope for Americans....