shakya

yes if you have 40 million baht to invest (ahem ! )

How many times have we heard these speeches about tackling corruption?

Yet day after day we read stories that the corrupt will be weeded out and transferred to an inactive post. If Thailand wants to rid itself of corruption (well most of it), you have a policy of prosecution and punishment not a game of musical chairs.

It is not that those in power do not understand it! They do for look at the drug laws and sentencing. Why is the law so harsh for relatively minor use? I suggest the reason is because there is a mentality that drugs are truly evil and should be eradicated although sure the laws are also used for less altruistic reasons.

Yet there are laws against corruption which is hard for individuals to prove, yet after going through all the effort of exposing these people, they serve no jail time. Often the corruption is really treasonous involving such huge sums of the national treasury. It is a truly evil thing, affects every Thai every day and yet is treated with disdain.

As for political reform, there will need to be educational reform before much headway is made with the politicians since most of the candidates seem to be mentally challenged. Simple beliefs and ideology is not enough if there is an ill educated and naive brain behind it since such people have no capacity for debate and reason and are incapable of rationalization.

If the public, who are in a similar state of confusion and brainwashed in the corrupt operation of society as the norm, have such people offered up for election, what hope is there? Add to that a muzzled press through the defamation laws and external reassures and threats and the public cannot even get informed in the extremely unlikely event that they even wanted to.

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Just to make matters worse Thailand is getting a very bad press this am on Aljazeera concerning slavery issues, prawn workers are being sold for 400 dollors, then having to work for years for no pay, when/how will it all end ? My heart sunk on hearing this, there will be severe restrictions from America and Europe, the press release goes on to stay... sad, really sad

Ahhhh the truth of Democratic PTP

. Me me me.

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Army just taken over governance of country.... Aljazeera

So it is 6 AM and I am watching CNN. No mention of it.. Let's try BBC.

It's on Aljazeera

What about those on SEMI-RETIREMENT (let's say, 6-9 months out of the year in Thailand) who for various reasons don't want the "commitments" of the retirement OA visa? These regulations affect them directly.

Now here's the thing, I would say that from ALL the classes of foreigners here, ie. tourists, working expats, illegals etc, the ones who contribute the most money into the Thai system (and take the least out of it) are these people exactly, the semi-retired here. They normally don't work here, but they spend lots of money here for long periods at a time (the very idea of semi-retirement).

The message to those people from immigration is they don't want them....because that takes a bit of grey matter...and Thai immigration heads hurt when they have to think.

People like me...Im far from old enough for a retirement visa, i'm not married to a thai, i don't have a company..

I come here from time to time, i use money, i return home to work from time to time, spend most of my time in my home country working and return to Thailand when i'm between jobs & waiting for new job.

In the future i see my self as unwanted in Thailand..

You have no problem, just don't work here without a permit.

And have your holiday set up as a holiday.

Just have your return ticket ready... no problem

Why do we keep going over this '' old subject''... the rule of thumb here is do not buy anything in Thailand with a view to holding on to it. If you care about what happens to your partner, or for the sake of sanity in one's relationship. Make a gift in your mind to your loved ones and do not hold on. After all most Thais will never have the advantages of a social housing and security network such as we enjoy in Europe. My partners house is a gift from me, i call it her pension after all she will get bugger all from her government.

Death toll is up but we are going to reward officials for doing their job... Go figure.

incorrect ... only in provinces where there are no fatalities.

I live in Nongkhai i hadn't noticed any difference, the same madness on the road with folk driving vehicles that they just can't handle still applies regardless of season

An incentive scheme would be helpful

Really sorry to read this, hope it works out for you

The truck was dragged by the Bangkok-Nong Khai train for about 300 metre.

In addition to the deceased truck passengers, I feel sorry for the train engineer who no doubt will have this image etched in his memory for a long time as he had a front row seat for this horrific tragedy.

I am so sorry for yet another senseless accident, happens too many times to keep count. When will road-craft training become compulsory in this wonderful country. My prayers go to all those poor families who are now grieving.

So, the Doll is going back to America end of next month to see in the arrival of his first grandchild. He'll be gone 10 days or so. I have this great idea to surprise him upon his return, by knowing how to ride a motorcycle. He's tried to teach me before, but I'm a panicky stopper. Does anyone know if there's a motorcycle teaching class in town? I couldn't use his bike, b/c it's way too new/expensive/pretty, so it would have to be a crappy bike, and an automatic. Anyone have any ideas? (Besides committing me to an institution)...

Dear Rrose this will strike a chord with all experienced well trained motorcycle riders, there are so many serious accidents in this country due to a complete lack of road-craft riding skills. I do hope that you find someone to train you properly, i have been riding in Thailand for a long time. I was trained in the UK, by police volunteers many years ago,it has stood me on good stead ever since, i am not in Nongkhai but considering moving there soon, i want to take a Thai- Ed course, good luck.

I would like to add my prayers for The King, if only the people would listen to his advice

Just got back from Vientiane, i have 2 years worth of back to back tourists visas, i asked embassy if i was facing a refusal, the reply was no problem. Still free till next march, absolutely no hostility what so ever

Go for it

How long is that visa good for ?

2 x 2 months back to back

I see you're a new member. It looks like you're missing out on 2 months and not getting full value from your tourist visa.

You can go 2 months + 30 days extension + 2 months + 30 days extension = 180 days on a double entry tourist visa.

Thanks for reporting the good news!

I live in Nongkhai, it's 400 baht cheaper just to cross the border

Just got back from Vientiane, i have 2 years worth of back to back tourists visas, i asked embassy if i was facing a refusal, the reply was no problem. Still free till next march, absolutely no hostility what so ever

Go for it

Hi,

many thanks.

I plan to go there in a few days.

I was used to "exemption visa" stamp, so what do they require now ?

still the same : 2 ID photos, photocopy of passport and the fee, that's it ?

By the way is it still possible to get 2 x 2 months Tourist Visa in Vientane now ?

Thanks !

free tourist visa until next March

Just got back from Vientiane, i have 2 years worth of back to back tourists visas, i asked embassy if i was facing a refusal, the reply was no problem. Still free till next march, absolutely no hostility what so ever

Go for it

How long is that visa good for ?

2 x 2 months back to back

Just got back from Vientiane, i have 2 years worth of back to back tourists visas, i asked embassy if i was facing a refusal, the reply was no problem. Still free till next march, absolutely no hostility what so ever

Go for it

good news if you tell the truth its no problem to get a tourist visa so thanks for the post

you better believe it, shame u don't know me i dislike liars intensly

Oh bye the way... new visa form

Just got back from Vientiane, i have 2 years worth of back to back tourists visas, i asked embassy if i was facing a refusal, the reply was no problem. Still free till next march, absolutely no hostility what so ever

Go for it

good news if you tell the truth its no problem to get a tourist visa so thanks for the post

you better believe it, shame u don't know me i dislike liars intensly

Just got back from Vientiane, i have 2 years worth of back to back tourists visas, i asked embassy if i was facing a refusal, the reply was no problem. Still free till next march, absolutely no hostility what so ever

Go for it