More scandals with Thai immigration after a number of new incidents come to light, the latest the alleged kidnapping and extortion of a Chinese man, a Chinese woman separately abducted in Pattaya, sculpture scandal on a beach in Pattani, some fuzzy maths with the 45 day visa waiver, Patong bars having to close at 1am at the moment... why? Thais holding back on overseas travel at the moment, a Russian overstays their visa for nearly 3 years, and the election date has been announced for the next Thai general election.

 

Thanks to 5 Star Marine for premium private charters in Phuket...
https://5starmarinephuket.com

 

Tim Newton Today is a daily, independent look at Thai and south East Asian regional news.

 

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 - Election date has been announced for the May Thai general election
2:00 - Immigration police caught in kidnapping and extortion of Chinese man
6:20 - Chinese woman abducted and her family extorted for reward in Pattaya
8:46 - Sculpture scandal along Pattani beach?
11:00 - Thai are holding back on overseas travel at the moment
14:00 - All Patong bars punished over underage sex-trafficking scandal
15:43 - Russian man caught for overstaying visa - nearly 3 years!

 

 

As Thailand increasingly becomes overwhelmed by Chinese triads and Russian gangsters--and as China extends de facto control over Thai institutions such as immigration, police, and industry--these type situations will become the more and more frequent norm. Thailand is being Shanghaied. 

50 minutes ago, John Drake said:

As Thailand increasingly becomes overwhelmed by Chinese triads and Russian gangsters--and as China extends de facto control over Thai institutions such as immigration, police, and industry--these type situations will become the more and more frequent norm. Thailand is being Shanghaied. 

Or with massive influx of Chinese citizens, become "Tibetized."

2 hours ago, John Drake said:

As Thailand increasingly becomes overwhelmed by Chinese triads and Russian gangsters--and as China extends de facto control over Thai institutions such as immigration, police, and industry--these type situations will become the more and more frequent norm. Thailand is being Shanghaied. 

Don't forget Aussie biker gangs and British ganglanders..... all those who use the term "nanny state" as a perjorative in fact.