[The Big Clean-up on the Morning-after Pattaya's Songkran Festival]

Have to laugh at the use of the word "sanitized."

[Briton allegedly hits and kills Thai motorcyclist]

According to this report, he hit the windshield and then ended up 200 meters away? There has to be more to the story.

[The Mods]

I'm amazed by their knowledge, restraint and help. They need to be praised for this. I've received the benefit of their expertise and just want to say thanks.

[More rules and issues]

Another question remains - where does the extra 3,100 baht per extension go? The school? Or immigration?

[More rules and issues]

I'm done with ED Visa program. I'm tired of all the changes.

This week one of the teachers said there would be layoffs for some of them as the number of students has "dropped by 80%." That sounds like hyperbole, but there's no doubt that the class sizes have gotten smaller. It's unfortunate that the real students (myself included) ended up being affected.

They also mentioned that they were informed by immigration that the school would need at least 90 students on the 5,000 baht VIP 90-day service.

Not worth the hassle. I've gotten enough through school to continue on my own and save the money. They want the students to sign up for 400 lessons (equivalent to a year) at approximately 40,000 baht. With the VIP service, that is not much less than the yearly cost of the Elite Visa.

Another day in paradise...

[Big stash of US dollars found in bag in Bangkok hotel]

It says the money was in a safe inside the bag. If you can kick it and it opens, apparently not so safe.

[Immigration targeting ED holders 5000 baht fee for 90 days]

I usually don't notice old, faded posters when walking around, but this one appears new outside Big C Extra, Pattaya.

[Three European tourists beaten by Pattaya bouncers]

A Google search indicates that Ronnie Kray died of a heart attack, so probably not him

[Education Visa Clarification.....]

Yeah, changing by the moment. Right now it seems to be 4 x 2. And Pattaya has gone off the rails with their 1,900 baht vs. 5,000 baht special. Keep checking with your school.

[Working full time with a ED visa during a probation period]

The 5,000 baht option for a stamp in Pattaya allows you to do what you want (per the Office Manager at my school). You supposedly can work, not attend classes and leave the country anytime. The 1,900 baht do-it-yourself option requires you to attend classes faithfully and you cannot leave the country during the 90 days. You get 15 day stamp while they check your attendance and if all is well, the 75 day stamp follows. BTW, this option requires 4 trips to immigration. First trip they check your paperwork and give you a number to come back the next day to pick up your passport. Same for the 75 day stamp.

[Savannakhet tips]

You will have to fill out a Laos immigration form on arrival. Make sure you have two passport photos with you. Also, I was the last one through immigration on my trip and by the time I finished there were no taxis or tuk-tuks. Had to pay a guy from immigration 400 baht to take me to my hotel.

[New rules for ED visa]

It appears in addition to this 157% increase, more money will be needed to be shelled out because the 8-hour/week requirement will require students to run through the hours of instruction they purchase faster. They are penalizing "real" students for the faults of the unscrupulous ones who work rather than go to school. How about putting the onus on the schools to report the abusers to immigration and not screw the legitimate students?

[New rules for ED visa]

My understanding is that the managers of all Pattaya language schools are required to attend a meeting today with Immigration/Education to go over all changes to the system. Should be interesting to see what shakes out.

[Savannakhet Thai Consulate stop same day service 1st Feb 2015]

I was apparently lucky to be one of the last souls for same day service. Strangely, the consulate has a brass sign indicating hours that they gave up on a while back. I was number 5 in the morning and like 150th in the afternoon. Not a major problem because there was no way to fly back to BKK until the next day.

[Yingluck to make closing statement to National Assembly in impeachment case]

Hey, Timewilltell, you're point about not answering questions is a bit off the mark. Holder has refused to answer his contempt citation for years!

[Police Complaint filed against new owners of Pattaya Golf Course]

Why are they not pointing at the building?

[All ATM's to temporarily close Nov 14 for testing]

It's INTERBANK transactions that will be affected. You are supposed to still be able to use your card with your own bank's ATM. Having seen how updates can go sideways even for the venerable Apple, fingers crossed.

[Pattaya Baht Bus Drivers caught-up in Chinese get-rich-quick scam]

Emster, you got the phrase wrong. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is (too good to be true).

[Taxi fare to go up 8-13% in December]

Check out the Grabtaxi application. They guarantee using the meter. Works in Pattaya, not sure about BKK.

[Expats complain about traffic, but police say crackdown working]

Seriously? Signs should be in English? How arrogant!

[Cambodian arrested following Russian bag snatch in Jomtien]

Why is a Russian tourist carrying US currency?

[Airline strands 300 Chinese tourists at Phuket Airport]

So group three has to pay their own way? I would think they are equivalent to the first group...


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[Thai Police to restore confidence in train travel]

Now they just need to figure a way to keep them on tracks!


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[12 die in van, truck crash in Chaiyaphum province]

The English in the headline would lead one to believe Vietnam is now uninhabited.

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[UK: 'Skull Cracker' Michael Wheatley absconds from open prison]

Open prison is an oxymoron!

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