biggles45

endangering families and children who are fleeing from dangerous conditions ' Yet even tho they have crossed over the borders of several countries to get to Mexico, none of these places are' safe' enough to apply for asylum in? How long do we continue to give credence to these safety/danger excuses. It's all about the money.

'who appears to have been subsequently released by authorities after his initial arrest' Now why am I not surprised at this. Obviously a nice little earner for someone. No money to be made in jailing him then.

'I thought they just want to see you have an acceptable balance in your account to provide for yourself.' Well that was the original idea but the latest rules knocked that on the head. Let the balance drop below 400k during the year and IO can refuse to renew your extension. Philippines has very easy immig rules. You can actually enter on a visa-free 30 day, (or a 60 day tourist visa) extend it every 2 to 6 months (for a fee) upto 3 years. Leave for one day and start again, I know several who are doing this.

It was the SRRV which was available to 'retirees' over 35! The visa is still available but you have to be 50+ now.

They already get them, 30 day visa free entry., but pay for a 60 day tourist visa. China, India and some other countries don't get visa-free, they pay for a visa on arrival at the airport. I think this is what they are going to give them for free, not a 60 day tourist visa.

' Despite the thorough checks, no illegal activities were found' Obviously the same group that found no evidence of prostitution in Walking St.

The Residence Letter is a huge money maker for IO so it won't be scrapped. It's supposed to be free, but 300-500 baht cash in the IO drawer for each one is a great source of tax-free income.

'I am also willing to be that the parts may hae tocome frothe factory.' Coincidentaly I watched a YouTube video yesterday on how many luxury cars, Lambo, Ferrari etc use parts from regular cars. When you go to an 'authorized dealer' the $60 taillight from a Camry suddenly costs $1,000.

When I read this article, and a few others from web fact recently, I am struck by the language used. Are they written using AI?

Do people actually get paid for producing these "forecasts" and do they have enough credability that anyone believes them?

Does it really matter how much the money in the bank is? They are criminals so they will steal it or go to an agent who will pay another 'criminal' to approve the extension. This is Thailand where corruption rules but no one wants to solve that problem.

Waste of time, crims would have no trouble raising the money, or getting guns for that matter. Only affect decent foreigner, maybe supporting a Thai family

Spidermike, while I agree with most things you say not sure I can agree with your friends take on violence here. I have lived in AC for 10 years, visited for 17 or so. I have NEVER had any sort of confrontation with a local male. I used public transport for the last 9 years (no car/bike) without incident. I guess I would be an ideal target, 77 years old now, 165cm small, 75 kg and couldn't fight my way out of a paper bag.

Phil1964, it's only in countries that have an agreement with the UK. Philippines is one, Thailand isn't. Strangely enough Australia, a commonwealth country, English King is their head of state, doesn't either!

I sent a personally signed, one page form via LBC couriers from Manila to a business in the Melbourne CBD. It took 5 days and cost me $A42, a licence to print money they have. With the local postal service here it probably wouldn't have made it tho.

What a hypocrite, did everything he could while he had the power to make sure there would be no peaceful transition if the junta backers lost the vote.

They can just pluck them from out of the air. What a great place to work. M|ake any guesses you like, miss the target by a mile with no repercussions, so you get to keep your well paid job, with a generous pension, and make more ludicrous guesses

From the age of 16 I was a telegraphist with the Postal Service in Australia. Typing all day on an electric keyboard my best effort was an error corrected 112 wpm. When I moved to the clerical side at 28 they had started to use WP software and desk top computers. My keyboard skills were very handy. I Left work 26 years ago but still fast and accurate on a keyboard. Somethings you don't forget I guess.

But is it just a 'military bill' or is it full of other wish list items, nothing to do with the military? Both parties are guilty of doing this, then accuse the other of delaying the bill, but neglect to highlight the 'fine print' it contains.

Yes, a bit like the far left Democrats I think!

Headline news today (on ASEAN News also) that the banking system collapsed and people could not pay bills, access money etc. Only relying on on-line transactions in Thailand, with their sloppy record with systems is not a good idea.

Even more annoying to me are the sellers who list a real bargain price (often tv etc) then when you contact them they want you to pay them directly, bypassing Lazada. Good luck getting the goods then!

'could they not eventually take over the properties as they would have the majority of the shares.' If the foreigner dies, are the Thai shareholders entitled to 51% of the sale price

'The interest rates are just mental.....in our village they are 3% per month...' That's a bargain! Here in the Philippines several companies advertise on-line loans. The interest rate is 14.7% a MONTH, plus an establishment fee. GF has relatives who regularly lend out at 10% a month.

The Philippines has two 'Departure' taxes. One is paid by everyone and has been included in the ticket price for many years. The other is called a 'Travel Tax' paid by all Filipinos and foreigners who have stayed more than a year since their last entry. It is 1,620 pesos There are collection booths at the airport tho some airlines let you pay when booking online. When I book flights for GF and I it allows me to pay TT for her and decline to pay for me.