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good australian hangouts ?
No.....that bit is ideal for a first visit. I do fail to see the attraction of a national, of any country, visiting Pattaya and wanting to spend all their time with other nationals of his country. -
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Here's what happens when the world's richest man buys the presidency
I'm talking about the difference in the vote counts not colored dots on a map. Normal people don't require colored pictures to understand issues -
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Thailand Unveils E-Visa System, Streamlining Travel for 2025
Yes thanks. I also heard of passport entry stamps showing entry to the country you are supposed to be in. -
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Why all the negativity?
People may appear to complain or find fault more often due to accumulated life experiences, a tendency to resist change, or frustration with unmet expectations. It can also stem from a desire to share wisdom or maintain control in a world that feels increasingly unfamiliar as they age. -
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THAILAND LIVE Thailand Live Thursday 19 December 2024
Illegal Foreign Tour Guides Exploit Thai Visa Loopholes FILE photo courtesy: Thai Rath Efforts to curb illegal tour guides in Thailand face new challenges as visa-free stays and lax law enforcement allow foreigners to dominate the industry, warns the Professional Tourist Guides Association of Thailand. Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1346599-illegal-foreign-tour-guides-exploit-thai-visa-loopholes/ -
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Illegal Foreign Tour Guides Exploit Thai Visa Loopholes
FILE photo courtesy: Thai Rath Efforts to curb illegal tour guides in Thailand face new challenges as visa-free stays and lax law enforcement allow foreigners to dominate the industry, warns the Professional Tourist Guides Association of Thailand. Recent uproar on social media highlighted the issue when a Russian guide, unlawfully operating at the Similan Islands, used a Thai guide as a nominal front. The guide struggled to enforce national park regulations as tourists indulged in risky behaviours like jumping from rocks into shallow waters. Association committee member, Paisarn Suethanuwong, voiced concerns over foreigners exploiting Thailand’s thriving tourism sector. The introduction of visa-free policies, allowing stays of up to 60 days for tourists from 93 countries, inadvertently facilitates illegal work practices. Official data suggests tourists typically remain for around 15 days or less. However, Mr Paisarn pointed out cases of foreigners, notably Chinese individuals, engaging in unauthorised work at construction sites in Bangkok. Previously, foreign guides might poach jobs from licensed ones, but now they control business operations in places like Bangkok and Phuket. They openly target tourists from China, Russia, India, and South Korea, operating outside the law. "Thailand forfeits tens to hundreds of billions of Thai Baht due to these illegal practices, diverting tourism income abroad," lamented Mr Paisarn. He stressed the importance of law enforcement to tackle this issue, noting that guiding is a profession reserved for Thai nationals. Thailand has approximately 50,000 to 60,000 licensed tour guides, including 20,000 English-speaking and 10,000 Mandarin-speaking professionals. While Mr Paisarn acknowledged the potential shortfall, especially for languages like Russian and Polish, he adamantly opposes illegal foreign hiring. “A feasible strategy is to have Thai guides work with foreign tour leaders for support," he proposed. "Dominance by foreign operators is unlawful." He urges the government to connect legitimate tour guides with companies to provide employment opportunities, enhancing their practical skills and competitiveness against foreign counterparts. The rise of independent travellers and the decrease in large tour groups due to the pandemic hasn't severely impacted Thai tour guides, who continue to lead small private tours that often require escort services, notes Mr Paisarn. However, foreigners continue to seek and exploit loopholes, directly marketing to customers and further complicating the regulatory landscape. Robust regulatory and enforcement efforts are essential if the local industry is to thrive and maintain lawful practices, reported Bangkok Post. -- 2024-12-19 -
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Srinagarind Hospital overwhelmed by 830% rise in cancer patients
The government instituting the NHSO Cancer Anywhere program, it's in the article.- 1
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