UK Gibraltar Deal Triggers Backlash: UK ‘surrendering Gibraltar’
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USA Bribes and Betrayal: USAID Official at Center of $550M Corruption Scandal
Tip of an iceberg. -
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Thailand’s Losing Its Edge — Is Vietnam the Next Real Deal?
I’ve been seeing more and more posts on YouTube and the web saying “Thailand is finished,” and while that might be a bit extreme, I get where people are coming from. Something’s changed. Many long-time visitors and retirees are growing increasingly frustrated — and not just because prices are rising (which they are). They are rising everywhere worldwide. Dual pricing is more blatant than ever. Not just in parks and temples, but also in taxis, restaurants, and even everyday items — you get quoted one price, while the Thai person behind you receives another. Add to that the visa mess — rules changing all the time, inconsistent enforcement, and immigration officers who seem to go by how they feel that day — and it’s no wonder people are getting frustrated. Even ASEAN NOW itself had multiple long threads recently where this came up again and again. What’s worse is the shift in attitude. Foreigners used to feel genuinely welcome. Now it often feels like you’re just a wallet with legs. That has been going on for years, but it's become more blatant, and they don't seem to care. Scams are more common, there's more aggression in nightlife areas, and in certain parts of the country, It’s just full-on hustle 24/7. For people who aren’t here for the bar scene or don’t want sex tourism shoved in their face, it’s becoming less appealing. That said, I think many people rushing to Cambodia are doing so because they’re priced out, not because it’s better. Outside of Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, the infrastructure is still weak, and Sihanoukville is a complete disaster thanks to failed Chinese casino projects. Cambodia is cheaper and visa-friendly, but it’s not a real alternative to Thailand for most people. It simply lacks appeal. After three or four days, I'm eager to get back home to Thailand. Vietnam, on the other hand, is playing its cards right and getting its act together. Great beaches, solid infrastructure, a growing expat scene, and they’re working on long-stay visa options — possibly even a 10-year visa for foreigners. It’s cleaner, less intrusive, and doesn’t have the same "walking ATM" vibe. For people without roots in Thailand (such as family or business), Vietnam is becoming increasingly attractive. I won't leave Thailand because of my partner, and I have roots here. However, I will live quietly, pay my living expenses, and probably curb my previous penchant for changing cars every three years, etc. I will probably have a spending binge when I go to Vietnam or Cambodia, where I feel I get better value for money. Thailand’s still got a lot going for it, no doubt. But it’s definitely at a tipping point. If they don’t sort out the immigration headaches, stop gouging tourists and policy flip-flopping, and bring back some of the old warmth, more and more people will quietly (or loudly) move on. -
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Khor Ror 2 with new passport
ubonjoe indicates it's not an issue in this post. Perhaps one of the married guys will post first hand advice. Also https://aseannow.com/topic/1181526-kor-2-marriage-certificate-update-how-to-do/ -
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Wise Transfers Successful
Make transfers to BBL on Monday or Tuesday. Wednesday can be sluggish; forget the rest of the week. -
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Report Drive Drunk, Lose Your Car: Thailand’s OAG Pushes Tough New Proposal
Great idea. And Ducati guys doing wheelies too. -
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Who's watching the state of origin?
It's just another game highlighted by the cheap shots.
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