2 hours ago, Elzear said:

Is ThaiVisa only read -and commented- by .. non Thai people, of which I am (non-Thai, that is) ? It just saddens me how we, non-Thai, constantly denigrate this people and its rulers.. We, non-Thai of western origins, have a different way to think, maybe more Descartian (from French philosopher René Descartes). We tend to analyse, scrutinize, even judge others' opinions, behaviors, and policies. But coming back to where we have chosen to live, who and what are we to always comment negatively on our host country ?Right or wrong, does it matter? Live and let live. We, westerners, always have to opportunity to pull out if we don't like it. Happy Valentine

I’m sure some of the expats here (especially the biggest bashers) would love to pull out as they obviously hate their life here. But sadly, they can’t afford to relocate to their home country, in main, due to insufficient funds. That’s why they are so jealous when they see tourists throwing around money and having a good time. 

1 minute ago, Gweiloman said:

I’m sure some of the expats here (especially the biggest bashers) would love to pull out as they obviously hate their life here. But sadly, they can’t afford to relocate to their home country, in main, due to insufficient funds. That’s why they are so jealous when they see tourists throwing around money and having a good time. 

I think most are stuck because of family. Pulling out the sticks when you have kids at school, etc is not a quick process. It's taking me closer to four years to do, halfway there.

2 hours ago, Grumpy John said:

"Live and let live" hardly applies. You cannot see the lack of legitimacy of the government in LOS?  You cannot see the trash and filth?  Your have never seen someone on a scooter throw an empty container on the side of the road?  80+ people a day die on the roads, you think that is OK....when the situation can be changed with a higher police presence and strict enforcement of the law. I think we TVers are entitled to have a say.....and we do! 

I see it all and I say ‘so what’ ? Thailand is like 2/3 of this world that has little if no consideration for Life and the environment. Corruption, as in those 2/3 of the world is endemic. Religious philosophies and beliefs are so strongly embedded in people’s subconscience that even hints of a righteous christian introduction has no effect. 
We, in the « West » think we are right about everything, forgetting our own wrong sides. Look at US domestic policies in matter of health, look at the French attitude towards all that is foreign, look at Australia with its difficulties in correcting the past with its indigenous population. 

What do you think the Thai people think about us when we always say .. « in my country.. ».

Show your example instead of criticising. If it has the slightest effect, good. If it means the kids in your area will wear helmets, good. If not ... in Rome do as the Roman do. As for the Environment, whatever the West does to save the Planet is another drop in a rising ocean.

So yes, live and let live. And if you cannot bear it, return to where it is or was better for you. Enjoy today, as the locals do.  Tomorrow we could all be wiped out ! 

Happy Valentine

11 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

I’m sure some of the expats here (especially the biggest bashers) would love to pull out as they obviously hate their life here. But sadly, they can’t afford to relocate to their home country, in main, due to insufficient funds. That’s why they are so jealous when they see tourists throwing around money and having a good time. 

I agree about the impossibility to return home, and I empathise with that. But, jealous of spending tourists.. not sure. Not when one choses to live out the beaten tracks. That they may hate their life here is a sad thing. They must look out and not in their melancholic souls.. Look around and « see » how people live and survive with no dream of a future but a meal tonight. 

Maybe reading « The Prophet » by Khalil Gibran could refresh the melancholic and lost souls of some expatriates. 

30 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

I think most are stuck because of family. Pulling out the sticks when you have kids at school, etc is not a quick process. It's taking me closer to four years to do, halfway there.

I don’t understand why it takes so long. My work colleagues and I have been sent on postings all over the world and it doesn’t even take us anywhere close to a year to get resettled, even with kids. For a retired person, this is even easier as there is much less paperwork involved. Sure, there might be a financial hit in some instances (quick sale of assets like properties or vehicles) but aren’t all the expats living here wealthy, as they claim?

 

Oh, I see .....

8 minutes ago, Gweiloman said:

I don’t understand why it takes so long.

Oh don't be so picky. At least we know now that he expects to still be alive in 4 years.

“We might also propose that the Cabinet allow entrepreneurs who run businesses in the entertainment area to stay open until 4am, but we must first survey the operators and tourists to get their opinions.”

 

How about getting the opinions of the countless thousands of workers and schoolkids across the Kingdom who wont be denided a decent night's sleep if this measure is passed.

 

 

so most people in the world don't believe the "numbers" in thailand ? 

 

looool

 

everything not ok ?

19 hours ago, BritManToo said:

And scrap the O-A VISA insurance scam.

That would make me come back again later this year.

Tourists numbers, Up, down, up, down, up, down, I'm confused!

Bringing more Chinese in will drive everyone else out-oil on the fire-this is now a Chinese only country.  10,000+ people are in critical condition worldwide-I bet those deaths won’t have any affect.  Tourist safety is a dream without addressing corruption 

Shaving?????  Half 

1 hour ago, Gweiloman said:

I don’t understand why it takes so long. 

You need to farangize the lot before leaving by getting them grades from a recognized school. Made a mistake by putting them in a bilingual one when a decade ago Thailand still showed promise, all destroyed now. 

 

Plan C if activated takes 8-10h to leave the country with the whole circus.

Edited February 14, 20206 yr by DrTuner

Hmm.... I suggest Thais need to change their attitude towards “aliens” rather than blame a virus? TIT

Thailand you put all your eggs in Chinese Basket , Now Enjoy,  Gamblers of Tourism 

I think the Thai authorities need to wake up to the very real possibility that the tourism industry may never fully recover from this.

 

With other tropical destinations now offering better value, better customer service, better standards of spoken English, combined with the fact that Thailand is a well-known hotspot for scamming/cheating, has terrible, rude immigration and a corrupt farang-hating government, who is going to want to work all year to give their holiday money to such a country?

 

But they brought this on themselves, as we all know tourism had been going south for years due to a series of inept decisions and the increasingly militant behavior of the Thai immigration department. God knows why they have to be so rude.

Edited February 14, 20206 yr by SteveK

5 hours ago, SiSePuede419 said:

"After initially dismissing the epidemic as principally a Chinese problem, U.S. policymakers in recent days acknowledged it will damage the global and U.S. growth outlooks.

 

Federal Reserve Board Chair Jerome H. Powell said this week that there will “very likely be some effects on the United States” from the epidemic, which has closed thousands of Chinese factories that supply American companies.

 

Among the first tangible effects in the United States is a decline in the number of Chinese tourists.

 

Visitors from China represent a lucrative market for U.S. airlines, hotels, luxury retailers and entertainment venues, with average spending of about $6,500 per person."

 

But the Pattaya Barstool Dillitant Brigade said when they travel the Chinese only buy instant noodles and gob a lot. ????

 

Of course the big difference is the effect on GDP.

 

US tourism in total, both domestic and international only amounts to 2.5% of GDP, and the Chinese portion of that is insignificant.

 

Thats a far cry from the significance of the tourism market for the Thai economy

21 hours ago, Beggar said:

"We might also propose that the Cabinet allow entrepreneurs who run businesses in the entertainment area to stay open until 4am, but we must first survey the operators and tourists to get their opinions.”

 

I think we had this already. If he asks me then I will leave Thailand when the red light districts can be open until 4 am. Far too many noisy sex bars at every corner here in Pattaya already and he still wants more. Me not. And TAT should be honest and make advertisement for Pattaya as one of the biggest red light district in the world and not as a destination for family tourists. 

Take away the Pattaya sex bars and you have a grotty Thai fishing village.

If they were really concerned of the farang long term stayers with their lucrative, by Thai standards , pensions. They would reconsider the imposition of the stupid health insurance against the O-A visa. This insurance is very selective Targeting a specific group of people.

21 hours ago, White Christmas13 said:

Not all farangs drink, take baht buses or visit brothels.

Sorry WC but thats his life and existance  so all that he can imagine.

1 minute ago, Huckenfell said:

Sorry WC but thats his life and existance  so all that he can imagine.

If you don't drink, take baht buses or go to brothels, then what the bloody hell are you doing in Pattaya? It's a dump.

20 hours ago, impulse said:

 

But it's funny how so many on here object to being lumped into an unsavory category, while blind to the irony of lumping Indian and Chinese tourists into similar categories. 

 

There's more millionaires in China and India than there are in the UK.  Not a higher percentage, but just on sheer weight of numbers. 

 

But only the poor ones come here. The rich go to Europe etc.

I don't get it. He said the tourism dropped to half and Chinese tourism even to almost nothing? Then he goes on to say April will be good again and he even need to discuss measures to reduce airport congestion?? What b.s. is that? Want to make people believe that in April the airport will be incredible congested and all will be good again? Again lying to the people. Thai style to make hopes and then slowly slowly admit that they were false. How can govern a country based on lies and total disregard of the real situation...

Edited February 14, 20206 yr by P100

3 minutes ago, Huckenfell said:

But only the poor ones come here. The rich go to Europe etc.

Same same farang? Lol

How about taking serious steps to make long stay people NOT LEAVE? Instead of pushing them out?

 

What impact will have to extend bar closing times to 4a.m.? Is that the solution for Thailand's tourism problem? I never looked up bar opening times before decided for a country to go for holiday...

 

These government guys seem to live in a different word where reality has no impact on them...

 

Fix problems that are not real or at least not really big and important but leave unanswered the basic questions that require balls to be tackled...

Edited February 14, 20206 yr by P100

10 hours ago, saengd said:

Expats on Thaivisa Forum regularly threaten to leave Thailand for good for a variety of reason but very few ever do, their reasons include pollution, excessive heat, excessive drought, immigration rules, unsafe banks, dirty streets and beaches, a strong baht, military rule, traffic road deaths, the grass is greener in Cambodia, Vietnam, the PI and Malaysia, it's Wednesday, my mate said I should!

It would be annoying if it was'nt true.

23 hours ago, CGW said:

Which village is missing it's idiot today? April, he is kidding himself at best! somehow I doubt the first thought for the Chinese, after being in quarantine for months and surviving will be a holiday in Thailand!

Forcing Chinese into extended coronavirus holidays on New Year means they all will have to recuperatethe missing working hours so no more holidays to contest airports in April. Stupid minister.

Curious... No mention of high baht, no mention of lack of Western tourists, no mention of high unemployment (especially for Thais) in tourist areas, no mention of ridiculous double pricing for tourists!!!

Someone,somewhere (at the very top downwards!!) needs to *get a grip* of LOS very quickly before it's too late.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Huckenfell said:

Take away the Pattaya sex bars and you have a grotty Thai fishing village.

This will never happen. The water is too dirty for fish.