[Cleanup: Over four tonnes of rubbish cleared from Rang Kai Bay, Phuket]

I guess the other 96 tonnes are safe for now.

[Russia conscription laws change, leaving some fearful of Ukraine war call-up]

Trump is going to jail. Put that in your Putin and smoke it. Russian draft dodgers are all over Thailand and probably a lot of other countries as well.

[Does anyone know where to get an EZ pass in Pattaya]

I have an M-pass. I bought it at Krung Thai Bank next to the Big C  Marina Shopping Center on Second Road. It came with a card and a device that you glue to the inside of your windscreen. I last used it in May when I took the motorway from Pattaya to Bangkok round trip. Had no problems. I started my May trip with 1000 baht credit on my account. I last topped up the account with 1000 baht last December. I should have around 700 baht remaining. I think I'll drive to Sattahip just to see if it's still working. Oh, and on that May trip I drove up to Khao Yai and used the M-Flow lanes. I believe you have 7 days in which to pay for unregistered vehicles. I went on the M-flow website and paid with a QR code connected to my Bangkok Bank savings account. Again, no problems.

[Parliament reject Pita’s PM bid, Pattaya proposal for opening 24/7 : Tim Newton Today - July 20]

24/7  is probably a good thing. These venues are already open all night with only the ones not stuffing the brown envelopes enough getting nicked by the BIB. If course, Walking Street, Soi Bua Khao will be thrilled. 

 

[repair wheels on rolling suit case/ bags]

Lazada has the wheels in the form of a kit with rods etc.  If DIY has them, buy them. YouTube has a tutorial on how to install them. I make sure you buy a set of 2 or 4. 4 if you want the bag to roll evenly. 2 if you don't care.

[Toll evasion leads to Cambodian driver’s arrest over unpaid Thai charges totaling 71,580 Baht]

If this man owes 71580 bht, then that means he actually owed about 7158 bht originally. It's 60 bht to use those 2 lanes one way. The fine is 10 times, so 600 baht if you don't pay. I was under the impression that you had 7 days to pay and not 2 days. I've used those lanes several times and went to the website and made a QR payment and had no problems. Apparently this driver use the lanes about 60 times round trip. I tried to create an account, but because I don't have a Thai credit card, I wasn't allowed. They wouldn't accept my Thai bank visa/atm card as well.

[Thailand forcing Cashless Society]

I prefer to use foreign bank credit cards that have no foreign exchange fee. My bank seems to have better exchange rates than KK bank, BKK bank, and TT exchange booths. Plus I can pay using the checking account in my country. Thereby not having to send money into my Thai bank. A win-win situation. Also, if I need an ATM, I use a Charles Schwab debit card that refunds any bank fees. A win-win-win!

[Pattaya to Move Forward on Monorail Project, First Beach Rail Expected Done by 2026]

Is this for real? Have any projects in Pattaya ever finished within the projected dates? That was a rhetorical question. Most times I add 5 years to a projection and 300 percent extra cost. This dream looks like 10 years and 1000 percent. I guess pigs are flying again! I hope the cost of port goes down.

[To US Expats in Thailand only. It's about your wallet.]

This post is interesting? When there are more important things like the inflationary nature of bar fines. Or as one beauty put it: "Everything up up!"

[Easy Pass is broken, is there an easy solution?]

I got my M-pass at Krung Thai bank ( the blue bank logo) next to Big C Marina. I've been able to top up at the bank branch on Threppasit Road. I can't remember how much I originally paid, but I had to replace the signal fob and they charged me 300 baht. I used mine last month and it worked fine. I also found out that I could use the M-flow lane on the ring road and avoid the long lines for the M-pass without formal registration of my vehicle. You have 7 days in which to paid. It's 30 baht every time you go through. On the M-flow website there is a link for unregistered vehicles. You input you license plate number (you'll need a thai keyboard) and your province, then the amount you owe will pop up. You can paid using a QR code linked to you bank account. The first time navigating the process seemed a bit arduous, but after that doing it a second time seemed very easy. Hope this helps.

[Central Pattana Launches 190-Baht Express Bus Service Between Three Pattaya and Bangkok Malls]

Is the Apple store in Central World?

[Thai Police Arrest Suspect Wanted By FBI]

He's got a great hair cut.

[Transfer to new US passport -- Embassy says letter is no longer required, as of April 10, 2023]

Put me in agreement with all the posters than complain about the US embassy. They simply don't care about US citizens in Thailand. They're doing everything to do less work and complaints are going on deaf ears. Years ago, they used to do satellite visits around Thailand where you could get extra pages, letters of income, and other services during a 2 day visit. In Pattaya they used to use the Dusit Thani Hotel at the dolphin roundabout. Very good service. But times have change and their attitude about service has done a 180degree turn. It's embarrassing to be a US citizen and have this embassy as the protector of our interests.

[Business closures during songkran]

What major businesses are closed during songkran? Banks, Post Offices etc.

[Reminder for 90 day online report does not work(?)]

Did my 90 day report online yesterday April 10. Receive approval with new report an hour later. Worked good for me.

[Renewal by mail (US Embassy) Send self addressed envelope, or just bank draft]

Sent my renewal package in February 28, tracking shows it was received on March 1. According to the embassy they claim they received it on March 6 and processed it on March 8. It is now April 6 and still no passport. Be careful not to have an international flight while you're waiting. Also cannot do a 90 day report

[U.S. passport delays may be four months long — and could get worse]

I mailed in my renewal application and current passport on February 28. Tracking shows it was received on March 1st. I waited 3 weeks called the embassy number, was told I could only email them with an inquiry. Emailed the embassy about the progress and received an auto reply that sent me back to their website and something called "navigator". Couldn't find anything there that answered my questions. So I emailed them 2 more times, receiving the same auto reply. Finally, yesterday someone email me with this response: "Hello,

Your passport was received on Mar 6 and processed on Mar 8.

The new passport is not yet arrived back to our office. When it is become available for a delivery, we will notify you by email with a tracking number for a package.

Regards,
KK
ACS Bangkok

It is now five full weeks and I have not received my passport. I was suppose to take an international flight this Sunday, April 9 that I now have to cancel, pay extra to reschedule. I also have to do a 90 day check soon. I've had to deal this the US Embassy before and never had any good resolutions. 

[US Passport Renewal by mail - How long did it take you?]

Called the phone number and was told to send an email [email protected]. Received an auto reply that directed me to a navigator page and that had no information about how to find out the progress of my renewal. Checked the Facebook page and searched passport renewal progress and got a no information icon. According to the auto reply, if my inquiry can be answered on the navigator page, I would not receive any further replies. I searched the page several times and didn't come up with any links to finding how my renewal was progressing. Hopefully someone will think my inquiry could not be answered on the navigator page and email me. We'll see.

[US Passport Renewal by mail - How long did it take you?]

Second post: I mailed my application on February 28. Tracking shows they received it on March 1. I'm still waiting for the passport, so it's been 29 days since they received it. Supposedly they email a tracking number when they sent back the passport packages, but I haven't received anything yet. I'm getting a little nervous because I have an international flight on April 9. So I'll need the passport by April 6 so I can go to immigration and have the stamps transferred. Does anybody know if there is a way to ask the US embasy in Bangkok about the status of my application?

[US Passport Renewal by mail - How long did it take you?]

I mailed my application on February 28. Tracking shows they received it on March 1. I'm still waiting for the passport, so it's been 26 days since they received it. Supposedly they email a tracking number when they sent back the passport packages, but I haven't received anything yet.

[Indonesia’s foreign retirees fear being driven out as new visa scheme targets ‘filthy rich’]

Pattaya/Jomtien realtors will soon be advertising in Bali. Plenty of surplus condos and small apartments for rent and a 20 minutes or less walk to immigration. They can even bring their Indonesian GFs and nobody would blink an eye.

[US passport renewal procedure]

Is there a step by step procedure or process for doing a US passport renewal by mail? Where do I find the application? Where do I pay? What is needed to sent to the US embassy? Thank you in advance.

[Making new passport at US embassy and transferring existing visa stamps]

Thanks for all the comments. I have to travel back and forth to the US for medical reasons, So I'll also be travelling back in December or January which means I can have the PP processed here in Thailand. Do I have to mail the old passport to the embassy or take it there in person? Also, how do I pay application fee?

[Making new passport at US embassy and transferring existing visa stamps]

I would like to get a new US passport (I'm running out of blank pages for stamps) from the US embassy and have my visa and extension stamps transferred. What is the current procedure to get this done? I thought I read in this forum that a letter is needed to have the stamps transferred. I'm returning to the US next month, so would it be easier to get a new passport in the US and when I return and have the stamps transferred? I'm have a non-immigrant "O" visa with a current marriage extension. Thanks

[Supporting family after death]

Is there anyone in the US that you trust to disperse the money. A younger relative that you could make executor of your US estate or give power of attorney over your investments. I assume IRAs and such. Then instruct that person to disperse money to the family account in Thailand at the required intervals. Check with Charles Schwab.