https://aseannow.com/rss/44-thailand-news.xml/National and regional news from all around Thailanden“They stated that there is no policy allowing the collection of additional fees in return for preferential treatment during immigration processing.” Of course there is no “policy”. These were officers practicing corruption. “However, the airport acknowledged that large passenger volumes at certain times may create confusion.” No “confusion” about it. Outbound the guy in uniform is in the immigration hall holding a sign saying Fast Track. Inbound you go to the Thai channel and say to the immigration officer there, “fast track” and he lets you in and you go to the office to pay and then go through the Thai channel. I was having medical treatment in Singapore on a weekly basis in Feb/Mch and had to use it on most occasions. I have bladder cancer and simply couldn’t stand in the queue for more than an hour because I couldn’t hold my urine long enough. I had to use the corruption to my advantage, but I wish they could cater for the number of passengers that they have in high season. They DO know the numbers of people in advance. It’s not like they all just turn up. And while we are at it, Phuket international departure and immigration halls stink. These carpets have soaked up all the sweat and dirt and bodily fluids over a few high seasons now and the place is beyond tired.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:27:56 +0000Unfortunately this might have screwed it up for those that do use the unofficial fast track service...for a couple of weeks until it's back to business as usual.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:27:12 +0000FalloutMon, 01 Jun 2026 01:26:38 +0000nuclearMon, 01 Jun 2026 01:25:48 +0000If you live in Thailand and only return to Australia for 1–2 weeks at a time, Centrelink may decide that you stopped residing in Australia before turning 67. They look at where your actual life is based, not just your citizenship. If Centrelink determines that you ceased Australian residency, you may be treated as a Returning Former Resident when you later qualify for the Age Pension. Under the portability rules, a Returning Former Resident generally must remain physically in Australia for 2 continuous years after returning to Australian residence before they can take their pension overseas. If they leave Australia during that period, their pension may be suspended or stopped, depending on the circumstances. To reduce the risk of residency issues, it is important that your circumstances continue to demonstrate that Australia remains your primary place of residence rather than Thailand. Centrelink assesses residency based on the overall facts of each case. Because individual circumstances vary, it is strongly recommended that you contact Centrelink and obtain advice specific to your situation. Services Australia International Services Within Australia: 131 673 Overseas: +61 3 6222 3455 When you call, ask to speak with an international specialist regarding Age Pension residency and portability rules so they can explain how your travel plans may affect a future claim.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:25:40 +0000Big difference between strategic long range drones and tactical battlefield drones. The former can sit out of harms way but this isn't the case the the latter. On the battlefield drone teams are the number one target and no mercy is shown by either side. Will AI eventually take over battlefield and strategic drones? It's very likely but not yet.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:25:14 +0000How do you know it was not a baht baht ?Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:25:09 +0000Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:25:03 +0000"The missing property included an iPhone, a wallet, a passport, a Thai identity card, a Dubai ID card and large amounts of foreign currency. The stolen cash consisted of US$4,000, 9,500 UAE dirhams, EUR800 and GBP400. The total loss was estimated at more than 300,000 baht." Wow, that is some haul, does she have a day job?Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:25:01 +0000I have used it and hope i can again Saves standing all dayMon, 01 Jun 2026 01:24:45 +0000The third floor is the narrow (unsecured) floor between arrivals and departures where there are restaurants, minimarts, and connections with the parking garage. The victim must have been sleeping on the floor or in a chair - not very wise when carrying so much cash...Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:23:50 +0000They had the chance to tear down the illegal beach side bars and restaurants during Covid, but unfortunately there are a lot of wealthy people that “own” those properties. The mayor needs a swift kick in the butt to get this done. A beach promenade would be really nice and you still have plenty of bars open on the left for the sex tourism. Do it now while the numbers continue to dwindle and the fights heat up.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:23:15 +0000ShelterMon, 01 Jun 2026 01:19:32 +0000Articles like this one have appeared regularly for decades, yet Thailand has done essentially nothing about the challenge from Vietnam other than wring its hands 🤷Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:18:23 +0000George Galloway has said he may throw his hat in the ring for the vacant Manchester mayors seat.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:18:12 +0000Valid point, if it was a baht baht he fell or jumped from. It wasn't.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:17:08 +0000Why use a phone to connect your PC to the Internet, when, for Bht 749, there are cheaper options, you can get AIS 1Gb/s wired internet. Unless of course, it is not practical to have a cable fitted. I live 'in the jungle' and the optic fibre comes directly to my router, through the trees.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:15:52 +0000Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:15:28 +0000Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:14:02 +0000Recently, I was reading about the "condo" problem here in Thailand. They claimed that there are 25% more deaths in Thailand than births. There are 400,000 empty housing units. 70% of bank loans for low-end condos that middle-class Thais can afford are refused due to poor workmanship. High-end condos stand half-empty due to the 51% that must be sold to Thais who can't afford them. I know this is not just a problem about a declining population, but it is a factor on the local level.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:12:48 +0000@recom273 thanks for the heads-up about Manayek season 3. I enjoyed seasons 1-2. Will keep an eye out for it.Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:11:08 +0000That is about to change with drone warfare and AI. No need for the "little people".Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:10:35 +0000Wireless mobile phones (not plugged in) do not attract lightning. This is a long-standing myth. Mobile phones do not increase your risk of being struck by lightning. Charging phones (plugged into a wall socket) are potentially dangerous because lightning can travel through the electrical wiring in your house and into the charger. Maybe this was just bad luck, being in the wrong place at the wrong time? RIP to the poor guy!Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:10:11 +0000Are you volunteering to start the ball rolling ?Mon, 01 Jun 2026 01:09:58 +0000CoopMon, 01 Jun 2026 01:09:13 +0000