Cabradelmar

More interested is shrooms than opium.

Deportable offenses for sure... or will they just lock him up for a few years (months). The punishment never seems to fit the crime in Thailand. People get off too easy with simple apologies and a wai. I would be surprised if this Russian's restaurant ownership arrangement and visa are not also sketchy.

That's where we started (and might end up again) with ganja... just need to get a medical marijuana card... Can I get my medical shrooms and opium card too 😂

And got stuck... Because he was off road. In the sand. You'd be surprised what little infractions can void a car rental contract.

Sand has salt (from the sea water)... duh. Sand and salt is corrosive to the paint. Not hard to figure out why car rental companies don't want you off-roading on the beach.

If the rental company finds out the vehicle has a citation for driving on the beach (off-road), the Co. could change him (10,000 baht or more), and even claim more fees for damages (salt water damage). It would definitely void his contract.

Leave the drug dealing to the locals. Far too risky for foreigners. Because if there is one thing Thai authorities will arrest foreigners for, it's drug dealing.

These periodic renewals of Russian visa exemptions are like the old COVID extensions. Except the danger is not getting COVID (or hoping to avoid it), but rather getting scammed, robbed or assaulted by a drunk or surly Russian (because there are more of them). At least they reduced the latest "Russian COVID" visa exemption from 90 to 60 days, so there's that. Progress.

First it's we need 50m tourist a year, and now it's complaints about over tourism... talking out of both sides of their mouths. A 300 baht per person tax is not intended to address over tourism, nor will it. Thailand couldn't care less about over tourism. And the idea of promoting tourism in secondary cities just goes to show they have no idea that tourist do and expect from a trip to Thailand... But it ain't Khon Kaen 😂

Thailand seems to be the only country that does not recognize that a Russian's surly reputation always precedes them.

It's an IDP. An international standard. Not difficult to verify or interpret.

This will catch a lot of tourists by surprise... You also need a motorcycle endorsement included with your IDP if you want to ride a motorcycle in Thailand (legally). A lot of people get a car only IDP because they don't have a motorcycle endorsement to begin with.

Asking people for an IDP is going to come as a big surpise to a lot of western tourists (and probably hurt rental business). Fact is, you can't legally drive in Thailand with only a driver's license from your home country (except for some/most ASEAN countries who signed on to a special treaty). I suspect if the rental company is insured (for loss and damages to assets), renting to someone without a valid DL would presumably void any coverage they did have. Crazy to rent to anyone without a valid DL. And, if the tourist want that free healthcare insurance, if in event they crash, I suspect the rental will have had to be made with a valid DL.

Most everywhere (globally) is struggling with tourist on some level (over tourism, poor behavior, etc.), immigration, and migration due to war, flailing global economies, etc. And while many countries are looking to control, reign-in, or address the problems, Thailand has chosen to largely ignore them and fling open its doors even wider in pursuit of revenue. The areas of Thailand that where once relatively compelling (CM, Phuket, Pattaya, Koh Samui - and most other islands - and even Hua Hin), and now increasing appalling (even to visit, let alone live), be it due to pollution, crime, over tourism, etc. It's sad really. I don't know the future, but at the moment it appears bleak.

Thailand will lose out in the long run if not careful.

Yes. Genius suggestion Mr. PM... arrest those people who continually break the law.

Hold the presses, another clueless boomer doesn't know chit from shinola... 😂

A fugitive deadbeat criminal foreigner... That's like the trifecta of losers.

It's all the same people anyway. Most have accounts on both. Not sure how they will handle existing members status cross platform. Hardly important, really. I'm sorry to see this change, to be honest. Now there is no escape 😂...

Sounds like someone (or two) was looking for a fight and found just what they where looking for...

Again, never enought or too little too late. Police in Thailand just don't like handling criminals. Would rather play peacemaker. My guess is the guy knew the girl. He'll be back. And when he really does do some damage, everyone will just point fingers.

Hopelessness, substance abuse, lack of mental healthcare, all of the above...

There are more than a few mentally unstable people roaming the streets. Thai and foreigners. Don't know how events unfolded here, but you can never be too careful around people you don't know. Sorry to say.

What! 🤯 A crooked Thai visa agent? It can't be 😂 😂 😂

What is deliciously hypocritical is that one of the five Buddhist precepts is "Abstain from the use of intoxicating substances that cause inattention." But if you sell it to someone else who is not a Buddhist I guess it's okay 😂