Full story: Thai Examiner
Monday, November 6, 2023
Change in the tax law does target expats living in Thailand and extends reporting obligations
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Tourist police crack down on women AND transgenders on Pattaya's Beach Road
Following attempts to crack down on ladyboys offering sex on Pattaya's Beach Road last week the authorities have now targeted ALL sex workers.
Channel 7 and other Thai media outlets reported action by the Tourist Police against both women and ladyboys or transgenders.
Last week everyone fled the scene because the cops were in uniform.
Now most of the cops were in plain clothes in the operation that began at 9pm.
But videos showed that the sex workers were still getting wise to the crackdown with many running away from officers across the road or onto the beach.
Phaisan Rattanabanterng, a reporter, joined the crackdown and reported speaking to one sex worker who said they had many mouths to feed.
And they could make thousands of baht in a night.
The customers were nearly all foreigners.
Fines were no deterrent, went the report, with 80% of those targeted having a record of prostitution.
All this was to "restore Pattaya's image", the rhetoric continued.
Twenty nine arrests were made with court appearances and 1,000 baht fines in the offing.
ASEAN NOW notes that if we had a hot dinner for all the completely ineffective crackdowns on sex workers on Beach Road over the years all the news team would be severely overweight.
The moves can be seen in the light of the authorities - with the connivance of the invited Thai press - appearing to do something about the visible sex industry on the streets ahead of the high tourist season.
The sex workers will undoubtedly be back tonight - albeit with a watchful eye for the authorities who might spoil their night.
Source - Asean Now
YOUR AFFILIATE / REFERRAL LINK HERE
.
Saturday, November 26, 2022
Thai Alcohol Control Committee opposes selling booze till 4 AM
The Thai Alcohol Control Committee opposed a proposal to extend the legal hours for selling alcoholic beverages to 4 AM, citing a potential rise in traffic accidents.
Dr. Opas Karnkawinongpop, permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, revealed to Thai reporters today, November 25th, after completing a meeting with the Alcohol Control Committee that the committee initially opposed the idea of allowing the sale of alcohol from 5 PM to 4 AM.
The committee said it was too long because it meant alcohol could be sold for 11 hours per day, which could increase alcohol-related health problems, injuries, and casualties.
Dr. Opas stated the chance of drunk-driving-related accidents could also rise by more than 27% or 10-20 casualties per day if alcohol was allowed to be sold from 5 PM to 4 AM despite all-night police checkpoints.
The Thai Alcohol Control Committee had already considered the economic benefits of the proposal, but still had agreed that the extension should not be mandated, Dr. Opas added.
Nonetheless, the committee’s objection was only a suggestion, which would be forwarded to the National Alcohol Beverage Policy Committee for consideration on December 22nd.
Dr. Opas said the objection against extending alcohol sale hours had nothing to do with another proposal to extend the legal closing hours for entertainment venues.
Technically, the two rules are seperate notes TPN media, and even if the Thai Cabinet agrees to extend nightlife closing hours in theory alcohol sales hours would also need to be legally extended.
The Thai Cabinet is set to meet Tuesday, November 29th, to discuss extended nightlife hours in tourism zones.
Source - Pattaya News
YOUR AFFILIATE / REFERRAL LINK HERE
Monday, November 21, 2022
Nightclub goers tested positive for drugs in #Pattaya entertainment venue crackdown, passport inspections for foreigners to continue
Pattaya – Four nightclub goers tested positive for drugs in a Pattaya entertainment venue crackdown.
More than 50 officers led by Major General Nantawut Suwanlaong, Acting head of the Chonburi Provincial Police randomly inspected entertainment venues in Pattaya to check for the current seven major rules which are:
1. No allowing underage users below 20 to enter bar and entertainment venues.
2. No selling alcohol to underage users below 20 in any venues including restaurants.
3. Entertainment venues must be shut and all customers gone by legal closing times, currently between midnight to 2AM depending on zone.
4. Selling alcohol over the legal time is prohibited at all venues.
5. Allowing weapons and illegal drugs into entertainment venues is prohibited
6. Allowing human trafficking in entertainment venues is prohibited.
6 Allowing illegal gambling in any venue is prohibited.
Major General Nantawut told the Pattaya News that they first inspected ‘New Season’ on Pattaya Third Road where lots of Thais and foreigners were drinking. Some of the foreigners were unable to present their passports and they were taken to the Pattaya Police Station for questioning.
Source - The Pattaya News
YOUR AFFILIATE LINK HERE
Saturday, November 19, 2022
China’s Xi takes APEC by storm after stealing the show with hardline statements
China’s President Xi Jinping is taking APEC by storm after making hardline statements about the region. His recent statements have set off tidal waves as worldwide leaders became sidelined in the chaos after Xi reportedly told off Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau and noted what APEC’s goals should encompass.
According to the Thai Enquirer, Xi called on the APEC region to focus on economic development first and save the power struggle between nations as an afterthought.
“The Asia Pacific is no one’s backyard and should not become an arena for big power contests. No attempt to wage a Cold War will ever be allowed by the people or by our times.”
He furthered that the 21st century has been taken by the region as it accounts for 1/3 of the world’s population and more than 60% of the world’s economy. Then, he went on to say that the region accounts for almost 50% of global trade and has the most dynamic growth potential in the world.
“Currently, the Asia Pacific enjoys overall stability. Cooperation in our region has been steadily advanced, and peace, development and win-win cooperation remain the underlying trend in this region.”
He then laid a heavy hand towards what he calls a “Cold War” mentality, unilateralism, hegemonism, and instability, saying such acts are hampering economic ties. Xi says that such a mentality distorts international norms, impedes development cooperation, and ignites conflicts in the region. Then, he blamed such issues as burdening the region’s peace and development.
Xi’s statements were outlined in a six-page document, in which he promoted the Chinese way of modernisation over the current Westernised route. He called out the US influence that is currently seen in the region and proposed a counter alternative that would help “create conditions for ensuring economic development and durable peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.”
The Chinese president’s statements have grabbed headlines worldwide, leaving Thailand’s PM in the dust. His statements were largely unprecedented with other global leaders in awe of his bold speech. Traditionally, such statements have been reserved for the host country of such global meetings so as to not steal the limelight from the host.
Some observers say Prayut will forever be indebted to China with Xi’s recent turf grabbing just another example of how Prayut’s administration serves as only another puppet to China.
Source - The Thaiger
YOUR AFFILIATE LINK HERE
Friday, November 18, 2022
APEC 2022: Protestors clash with riot police in Bangkok, Thailand
Riot police clashed with protestors at Asoke Intersection in Bangkok this afternoon as world leaders gather in the Thai capital for the APEC Summit 2022.
Due to road closures, the intersection is the closest the public can get to the summit which is being held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre from November 16-19.
Police ramped up security in the city in preparation for the meeting and riot police were deployed in anticipation of protests.
The demonstration held in Asoke outside the entrance of Sukhumvit MRT Station today was entitled, “What’s Happening In Thailand?”
Demonstrators made various demands, holding placards that read…
“Expel Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha”
“Stop APEC 2022”
“Release all political prisoners in Thailand”
“Abolish lese majeste laws”
“Free Hong Kong”
“Hang Xi Jinping”
The protest was largely peaceful until the police allegedly confiscated signs and other equipment from demonstrators, which is when some scuffles broke out between protestors and riot police.
A demonstrator told the Thaiger that, “earlier in the day, some protestors were arrested.”
Why are different protest groups coming together and raising all these issues at once?
Demonstrators see the APEC Summit 2022 as the perfect time to raise Thailand’s issues on the global stage.
Not only that, but demonstrators feel safe to come out and protest during the summit, knowing that police wouldn’t dare use brutality or water cannons against protestors – as they did during the pro-democracy protests of 2020 – with world leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Vice President of the US Kamala Harris just a stone’s throw away.
One demonstrator told the Thaiger she was protesting against foreign land ownership in Thailand…
“The government said they will allow foreigners to buy land in Thailand for 40 million baht… If land costs 40 million baht, how will Thai people buy it? How will farmers afford it?”
Source + Link & Video The Thaiger
YOUR AFFILIATE LINK HERE
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
#Thailand - Soldiers and bomb squads to patrol #Bangkok during #APEC
Authorities are now finalizing security measures and protocols for next week’s APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
The police chief has indicated around 30,000 police officers backed by soldiers will be deployed around Bangkok on the meeting days.
Explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) police have carried out a major bomb response demonstration at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, the venue for the leaders’ meeting.
A demonstration of searches for suspicious objects at the main venue for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting was carried out. Police canines and remote-controlled explosive ordinance response robots were used in the demonstration.
The robots are able to capture x-ray images of suspicious objects so the operator may determine whether an object is indeed an explosive ordinance.
Upon confirmation of an explosive ordinance, the robot can move the object into a collection vehicle that will then move the object to a safe area for disposal.
Anti-drone vehicles equipped with radar will secure the meeting venue against aerial drones. Radio jammers will activate when a drone threat is detected by radar.
Rapid response units will track down the drone controller and seize the drone in question. The controller will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Royal Thai Police Commissioner Damrongsak Kittipraphat indicated the police have full confidence over more than 80% of security measures for the APEC leaders’ meeting. He explained that confidence will reach 100% upon adjustments and additional drills and this will be accomplished before the meeting day.
The police will deploy almost 30,000 personnel in Bangkok who will be supported by some 2,000 soldiers. In addition to providing security, the police will be facilitating traffic around Bangkok during the APEC leaders’ week.
The police chief said vantage points around the meeting venue will be monitored by security officials, including those in plainclothes. Rigorous security will also be provided at the residences and travel routes that will be used by APEC leaders.
Pol. Gen. Damrongsak said the movements of various groups, including those which may perpetrate violence, are being closely monitored. However, no movements of concern have been detected.
Lessons learned from the unrest in 2019 have also been applied to security measures for next week’s meeting.
The police chief asked that the public avoid areas around the meeting venue if they can, as regular traffic may be impacted next week
Source - Bangkok Jack
YOUR AFFILIATE LINK HERE
Monday, December 6, 2021
Thai PM allows New Year countdown event
Thailand’s Centre of COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has been assigned by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to discuss with businesses how a New Year countdown event can be held in a way which will not lead to a COVID-19 resurgence.
The prime minster told the media that he is pleased with the slowdown in new infections over the past several weeks which, he said, is a healthy sign and that the government is preparing to ease lockdown restrictions further, citing the New Year countdown event as one example.
He said that he has told the CCSA to try to conclude talks with the private sector about the New Year event within a week and that it must be held outdoors with measures taken to prevent a new round of infections.
Although the Omicron variant has not been detected in Thailand yet, the prime minister said that he has instructed officials to try to track down the remaining travellers from eight African countries already in Thailand for RT-PCR tests, to make sure they are free from the Omicron variant. – ThaiPBS
Source - BangkokJack
VISA AGENT / How to register for: THAI PASS
.
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Thailand - World’s largest hydro-floating solar farm goes live in Ubon Ratchatani
As part of Thailand’s push to become a carbon-neutral country by 2050, the world’s largest hydro-solar hybrid energy farm has officially gone online and is now generating electricity. The solar farm floats atop the Sirindhorn Dam in Ubon Ratchathani and is as big as 70 football fields.
The massive installation floats on Sirindhorn Reservoir along Lam Dom Noi River, about 660 km east of Bangkok. The farm generates electricity both by harnessing the power of the sun in its solar panels, and generating electricity from the water that it’s floating on with 3 turbines converting the water’s flow into energy.
The energy-generating complex is the largest hybrid system of its kind in the world. 7 solar farms have been built over 300 acres using 144,417 solar panels. The platforms were originally predicted to produce 45 megawatts of electricity. This launch is part of 16 projects in the works on Thai reservoirs around the country that are forecast to create a combined total of 2.7 gigawatts of electricity.
The project cost 1.11 billion baht to complete and officially joined the electrical grid on October 31. The government department the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand confirms that the world’s largest hydro-solar hybrid farm will begin to move energy production away from the current largest source in Thailand, natural gas, with the hopes of massively reducing Thailand’s reliance on non-renewable energy.
Thailand actually set the deadline to become a carbon-neutral country and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2065, but PM Prayut Chan-o-cha made a pledge at the United Nations Climate Change Conference this month to reach the goal by 2050. Last year, hydropower, solar, and wind combined made up less than 10% of the power generation in Thailand, while almost two-thirds of the country’s power was generated by natural gas.
Source - The Thaige
VISA AGENT / How to register for: THAI PASS
Sunday, October 24, 2021
Is mass tourism a thing of the past in Thailand?
Is mass tourism a thing of the past in Thailand as the streets of the most popular tourist destinations are unnervingly quiet.
Along Chaweng’s Beach Road, a usually raucous party area, shuttered shops stretch into the distance.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, it was buzzing with traffic. Now, taxi drivers sit on the roadside, with little hope of finding customers.
Where bikini-clad sunseekers once browsed souvenir shops and drank at neon-lit bars, a lone street dog stretches on the pavement.
Elsewhere, swathes of Samui’s idyllic, sandy white beaches are almost entirely free of people.
About 40 million tourists flocked to Thailand last year, drawn by its spectacular coastlines, ornate temples and famous cuisine.
In 2022, the country will struggle to attract even a quarter of that number, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Tourism ground to a halt in April, when Thailand imposed a ban on all incoming passenger flights. The country – which has so far managed to contain Covid-19, recording 3,255 cases and 58 deaths – is discussing travel bubbles with low-risk neighbouring countries, but no one knows when these might be established. Borders remain shut to almost all foreign tourists.
The travel sector has survived devastating crises before, including the 2004 tsunami, bird flu and Sars outbreaks.
But the impact of the coronavirus pandemic is beyond comparison, says Tanes Petsuwan, deputy governor for marketing communication at the TAT.
During previous crises, revenue dropped by around a fifth, he said. This year, the coronavirus pandemic is expected to cause a 80% fall in revenues. “It’s a huge impact,” he said.
To make matters worse, Thailand’s economy has become even more reliant on tourism, accounting for almost 20% of GDP, according to Tanes. About 4.4 million people are employed across the industry – in transport, travel agencies, restaurants and hotels.
In Samui, many have gone for months without work. Before coronavirus, Jarunee Kasorn, who works in a local massage parlour in Chaweng, says her colleagues would welcome up to 90 clients a day.
They’re one of the few businesses to reopen on Beach Road, but a whole day can go by without a single customer. “If there are no tourists, then there’s no business,” she said.
Most of the shop’s 20 staff have left the island altogether, and returned to their family homes elsewhere in Thailand.
Though modest social assistance payments were offered to workers during lockdown, this is no longer available.
“Many people say we won’t die from Covid, but we will die because we are not able to eat,” says Ta Sasiwinom, who has just reopened her stall at an outdoor market in Fishermen’s Village, known as the walking street. The past few months have been a struggle for her and her two daughters. “We cook more cheaply – eating egg and rice, rice and egg,” she says.
Parts of the market, and the nearby beach, have begun to return to life. There are groups of visitors and locals peering at the discounted stalls, but it is still nowhere near as busy as it would usually be.
Among those shopping are tourists stuck abroad, foreign residents living in Thailand, and Thais – who the government has encouraged to travel domestically through a stimulus package that offers subsidised hotel bookings.
The scheme, and a looming long weekend, has provided a welcome boost, says Lloyd Maraville, general manager of Nora Buri resort and spa.
Of the hotel’s 144 rooms, about 100 are empty, though this will fall to 85 over the holiday.
Government measures, he adds, “might sustain hotels for a while but it will not be a long-term [solution].” Rooms have been booked at far below the usual rates. “Profit is out of the question at this moment, we just want to maintain the resort,” he says.
Tanes believes that when tourism is able to begin again, the industry will be altered completely.
He hopes for positive change. “I think this is a good time for Thailand to upskill the human resources of the industry to move Thailand [away] from [being an] overcrowded tourist destination,” he says. Mass tourism, and the dependence on large tour groups, he argues, will be a thing of the past.
In Samui, businesses are focused on survival for now. Just last month it was announced that nearly 100 local hotel owners had been forced to sell. Many more remain shut indefinitely.
“I’ve lived here for 20 years and I’m shocked, I never thought it could be like this,” says Rattanaporn Chadakarn, who runs a stall at the walking street.
No one knows if the Great Panic will continue. For now, she adds, everyone is just waiting for the skies to reopen.
Source - BangkokJack
VISA AGENT
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Expats now need THREE MILLION BAHT health insurance
Foreigners applying for non-immigrant (O-A) visas for stays in Thailand of up to one year are now required to have a health insurance policy with minimum coverage of three million baht for in-patient medical fees, instead of the previous 400,000 baht.
Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said yesterday that the new rule is intended to ensure that they will receive proper medical treatment if they fall ill during their long stay in the country.
According to the Thai Immigration Bureau and the Department of Consular Affairs, 3,768 foreigners were granted non-immigrant visas last and this year.
The insurance policies can either be purchased in Thailand or in their home country, but the coverage amount of foreign issued policies must be on a par with the sum stipulated in policies issued in Thailand.
The announcement will likely be met with displeasure and backlash from international travellers hoping to make Thailand their home long-term, or at least for one year.
It is especially difficult for those hoping to retire in Thailand as insurance policy premiums are infamous for skyrocketing once the applicant passes a certain age, increasing exponentially with age under the assumption that older people are more prone to illnesses and accidents.
As Thailand releases plan after plan to lure back tourists, many complain that the complicated entry process, the rising costs, and constant changes to immigration policy, not to the benefit of international travellers, seems to be simultaneously pushing away the same expats with money that the country claims to be encouraging.
Source - BangkokJack
VISA AGENT
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Thailand - Non-immigrant OA visa applicants required to have ฿3m health insurance
Foreigners applying for non-immigrant (O-A) visas for stays in Thailand of up to one year are now required to have a health insurance policy with minimum coverage of three million baht for in-patient medical fees, instead of the previous 400,000 baht.
Deputy Public Health Minister Sathit Pitutecha said today (Tuesday) that the new rule is intended to ensure that they will receive proper medical treatment if they fall ill during their long stay in the country.
According to the Thai Immigration Bureau and the Department of Consular Affairs, 3,768 foreigners were granted non-immigrant visas last and this year.
The insurance policies can either be purchased in Thailand or in their home country, but the coverage amount of foreign issued policies must be on a par with the sum stipulated in policies issued in Thailand.
Source: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/non-immigrant-visa-applicants-required-to-have-3m-health-insurance/
Source - ASIAN NOW
Our VISA AGENT
Wednesday, October 13, 2021
Thai gov’t already warning of new Lockdowns to come
Thailand may be locked down again if people don’t observe Covid-19 preventive measures once the country reopens, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul warned on Tuesday.
It would seem that some government ministers are hell-bent on sabotaging any hope the Thai people have of returning to something resembling the prosperous country they had until only 18 months ago.
After all, how many tourists are going to risk Thailand as a holiday destination this season if the government is threatening to shut the entire country down again, at any moment, on a whim.
To add to the mixed messaging the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced in a televised address on Monday that he has instructed the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration and the Public Health Ministry to only ‘look into’ opening the country on November 1.
Initially, tourists from 10 low-risk countries will be allowed to travel to Thailand without having to quarantine provided they are fully jabbed and test negative.
The list will be expanded to cover more countries in the first week of December and then again in January 2022.
This morning, Anutin said that the detail of the 10 countries was under discussion and will be proposed to the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration on this Thursday.
Asked about a tendency to close the country again, the heath minister said it depends on Thai people. If they don’t follow the preventive measures strictly, Thailand tends to be shut again.
Meaning, if people don’t do exactly what we tell them too them we will lock them all up at home again.
In addition, Anutin added that risk places like entertainment venues will be monitored seriously, in a bid to prevent the new outbreaks of the sniffles.
Source - BangkokJack
Our VISA AGENT
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Confusion reigns as Thai PM announces end of quarantine and alcohol restart "spoiler"
It was supposed to be Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha's chance to announce the end of quarantine and the opening of the country's nightlife and serving of alcohol.
Instead it has just created more confusion if the online reaction is anything to go by.
Posters on ASEAN NOW seemed more confused than ever and criticized the lack of clarity as par for the course of a government that has chopped and changed at every turn throughout the pandemic but especially over the last six months.
Many felt the proposed relaxation had not gone far enough and that nothing should have been announced before the decisions were set in stone.
Many posters said this kind of "might" and "mull" philosophy was hopeless for foreign tourists who have to plan for a visit well in advance.
Prayuth's Monday televised address was also just a precursor - a spoiler if you like - for the actual decision that will be made by the CCSA on Thursday.
Will they tweak the proposals or reverse them? Tourists both foreign and domestic, expats, and operators in the industry are all desperate to know the score.
Desperate for an ounce of clarity.
As it stands Thai Rath reported what has been announced internationally.
That tourists from ten countries including Singapore, Germany, the US and the UK will not need to quarantine but will need to have been double vaxxed and have tests before and after arriving.
But what other documents they will need and what other countries are on the list remained unclear.
China was also on Prayuth's lips - but there has been no announcement from the Asian giant that they are allowing their citizens to travel. So that is effectively a moot point.
When it comes to alcohol the situation is still utterly unclear.
About as cloudy as a Pernod and water.
The Thai media interpreted the PM's announcement that alcohol would be allowed in restaurants from December 1st.
But that pubs, bars and nightclubs would only be allowed to reopen.
It wasn't stated that the blanket alcohol ban would be lifted for all establishments.
Prayuth has stated that the tourism industry cannot stand another decimated high season. He has avowed that the risks of reopening outweigh the continuing calamity caused to the economy by the pandemic, especially its tourism sector.
But his comments about the possibility of reversing these "decisions" remains if cases spike, as they are expected to even by the PM's own admission.
Others like the Rural Doctors group have stated in the last 24 hours that Thailand's infection rate is not dropping as official stats state.
Yet another example of "you pay your money and take your choice" when it comes to believing police and stats coming out of Thailand.
Thursday's Center for Covid Situation Administration meeting may provide a little more clarity.
Source - ASIAN NOW
Our VISA AGENT
Monday, October 11, 2021
Thailand can earn THB1.5 trillion by opening on Nov 1
The government hopes to reopen Bangkok and some towns in four provinces to foreigners without a quarantine requirement from November 1, government spokesman Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana has said.
The towns waiting to reopen are Muang, Mae Rim, Mae Taeng and Doi Tao in Chiang Mai, Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan, Cha-am in Phetchaburi and Pattaya City, Bang Lamung and Sattahip in Chonburi.
“These places will be reopened provided there are no big or serious infection clusters between now and November 1,” he said. “The other conditions for visitors are that they must be fully jabbed and test negative for Covid-19 before arrival.”
Thanakorn added that the government expects revenue from tourism in 2022 to reach 1.5 trillion baht, of which 850 billion baht will come from Thai tourists who are expected to take 160 million trips in total and 650 billion baht from 15 million foreign tourists.
“The 1.5-trillion-baht target is about half of the total tourism revenue earned in 2019 before Covid-19 hit Thailand,” he added.
Thanakorn also said that as of September 27, the Phuket Sandbox scheme which kicked off on July 1, has generated 2.33 billion baht in revenue.
As of Thursday, there were 43,026 arrivals under this scheme and most of the tourists came from the United States, Israel, United Kingdom, Germany and France. – The Nation
Source - BangkokJack
Our VISA AGENT
Sunday, October 10, 2021
“The Rescue” – What really happened inside Tham Luang caves?
We all followed the events of the cave rescue. We think we know what happened. But we don’t.
“The Rescue”, by directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, has peered behind the heroic narrative that was cultivated at the time of the Chiang Rai Tham Luang cave rescue in July 2018.
13 young men – 12 teenagers and their 24 year old soccer coach – rode their bikes to the Tham Luang Caves in Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand, for a quick excursion following training of the Mu Pa (wild boars) team. It was Saturday, June 23, 2018. Following torrential monsoonal rain, trapping the team inside, they wouldn’t be seen for a harrowing 9 days, until a team of volunteer cave divers happened upon them. This film explains how improbable finding them was.
It would be another 8 days before an unlikely, and totally implausible, rescue mission eventually brought them all out. Alive.
“The Rescue” shows that this first happenstance, finding the young men, and then actually getting them out alive, was much, much more tenuous and complicated than anyone wanted to admit at the time. The world media gravitated to the compelling human stories – the lost boys, the international co-operation, the worried families, the personalities – to weave and broadcast daily 3 minute grabs about heroism, Thai culture and hope.
We now know the reality was very different. Touched on in the film “The Cave”, the whole search, and then rescue, was a mess of Thai politics, misplaced pride and incompetence. Not a popular conclusion to come to, but without the international volunteer cave divers that were flown in (reluctantly by many of the Thais leading the mission), the 12 teenagers and their coach would have surely perished. Even the valiant and well-trained Thai Navy Seals were completely unprepared for a mission so fraught with danger and outside of their standard training.
“The Rescue” has been skilfully crafted and co-directed by Academy Award winners Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (“Free Solo”) to authentically recreate the situation inside the caves, then use interviews with the cave divers to retell the story. The recreated scenes are seamlessly interwoven with real video at the time.
And you will learn things you never knew about the mission, particularly about the almost impossible method of extraction that, even by their best estimates, had a minuscule chance of success. But, in the end, it was the only chance they had.
Rick Stanton was a retired British firefighter who had spent 40 years diving deep into lonely, claustrophobic caves around the world. Fortuitously, his girlfriend was a resident of Chiang Rai, so he heard about the search situation early on. Rick teamed with another cave diving mate, John Volanthen, to fly to northern Thailand to see if they could help.
There are also never-before-seen conversations between the divers, that chanced upon the team on Day 9 of the search, totally different and revealing compared to the short snippets we saw at the time.
The clips, from Rick’s phone camera, tell us a lot more about the divers and their fears. And the calmness and composure of the trapped young men. We see his attempt to rally the spirits of the 13 team members before saying goodbye with a promise of imminent rescue.
In one of the interviews Rick Stanton, slowly swimming back through the maze of jagged rocks, mud and swirling waters to the cave mouth, realised, having found them, that it would be virtually impossible to get them out.
“Looking into their faces I realised we might be the only ones that ever see them. What in earth are we going to do now?”
Another revelation is the rescue, a few days before the effort to extract the team began, of a smaller rescue of four adults stuck inside the cave. They would have to swum out where they would be immersed in the caves muddy waters for 30-40 seconds. Some of the adults, even after the process was thoroughly explained, panicked, ripping off their face mask. If not for the brevity of the dive, and the professionalism of the divers, they would have drowned.
For the 13 soccer team members trapped 2 kilometres inside the cave, they were a lot younger and they would be underwater for up to 2 to 3 hours! How could this even be possible?
“We were brutally honest, we promised multiple fatalities.”
For the re-enactments, Vasarhelyi and Chin used Rick, John and other divers who were involved in the rescue – the actors playing themselves and their frightening predicament. It also follows the completely outrageous idea from 2 Australian doctors (also cave divers) who came up with an implausible solution to extract the young men.
It’s visceral, raw and real. Highly recommended.
Source - The Thaiger
Our VISA AGENT
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Senior minister wants to see E-cigarettes legalized in Thailand
E-cigarettes could become legal in Thailand if a senior cabinet minster gets his way.
Digital Economy and Society minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn said Thais need to move with the times and modern technology
He said that 67 countries around the world had accepted electronic cigarettes.
Some of them are big ones like the US and China.
Even Malaysia allows them, reported Thai Rath.
The minister said that the devices have far fewer harmful effects than regular cigarettes and can be a useful tool in getting people off them.
He pointed out that campaigns in Thailand to get people to quit were having a limited effect - 10 million still lit up.
E-cigarettes could help people who can't quit because they are less harmful.
He plans to look at aspects of the law to see why Thailand forbids them.
ASEAN NOW notes that the sale of E-cigarettes is quite open in Thailand even though they are illegal.
However, from time to time there are crackdowns on vendors and jail terms await those who sell them
Importers could be jailed for up to 5 years.
Though it is unlikely individual users would be arrested many people have pointed to Thailand lagging behind the rest of the world on the matter.
Countries like the UK have embraced the devices with vaping shops in many high streets now a common aspect of daily life.
Source - ASIAN NOW
Our VISA AGENT
Thai Job Seekers Warned Over Australia Work Visa Scammers
Thailand’s labour Ministry has released a statement warning Thai Job Seekers of scammer offering agricultural jobs in Australia. Scammers are offering they can get job seekers a work visa immediately.
Thailand’s Labour Minister, Suchart Chomklin said the Australian government has yet to finalize the agricultural visa scheme so those looking for work need to be careful about such claims.
Minister Suchart said the work visa scam follows a decision by the GoverThai nationals applying for overseas jobs must go through legal channels in order to receive a reasonable salary and be protected from crimes such as human trafficking,” said the Labour Minister said.
The Australian embassy in Bangkok also stated on its website that the details of the new work visa are still being finalized.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Employment Department Director-General, Pairoj Chotikasathien said last year, his department brought legal actions against 96 scammers. Fraudsters who duped 205 Thai Job Seekers into paying them a total of 17.8 million baht. The Job Seekers paid the money in hopes of finding employment overseas.
Most of the victims were looking to work in Canada, Japan, South Korea, Sweden and Australia, he said.
The Director-General also warned Thai Job Seekers to avoid paying cash upfront to employment agents. He said people should only transfer money to agents that are legally licenced by authorities.
Mr. Pairoj said before applying for any jobs overseas, all Thai Nationals must inform Thailand’s Employment Department and depart through the job-seeker channel at airports.
In order to pass through the job-seeker channel at airports to work abroad legally, all Thai workers must be vouched for by Thailand’s Labour Department and their overseas employers.
Source - Read even more trending CTN Newsnment of Australia to issue work visas that would allow its holders to work in the country’s agricultural sector for three years. The visa would also allow the workers to return to their home countries for three months each year.
The agricultural work holder would also be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Australia after 3 years.
While the visa scheme has been announced, However, the Australia n government has yet to actually issue any visas. Job seekers in Thailand need to be wary of scammers claiming to be able to fast-track their applications.
“All job seekers who wish to work in Australia or other countries should thoroughly check the job position and requirements. The Thai government offers access to legal recruitment firms, 125 of which have been certified. Job seekers can access information by going to the website of the Employment Department at ‘doe.go.th/ipd‘.
Australia Work Visas Still Being Finalized
Thai nationals applying for overseas jobs must go through legal channels in order to receive a reasonable salary and be protected from crimes such as human trafficking,” said the Labour Minister said.
The Australian embassy in Bangkok also stated on its website that the details of the new work visa are still being finalized.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Employment Department Director-General, Pairoj Chotikasathien said last year, his department brought legal actions against 96 scammers. Fraudsters who duped 205 Thai Job Seekers into paying them a total of 17.8 million baht. The Job Seekers paid the money in hopes of finding employment overseas.
Most of the victims were looking to work in Canada, Japan, South Korea, Sweden and Australia, he said.
The Director-General also warned Thai Job Seekers to avoid paying cash upfront to employment agents. He said people should only transfer money to agents that are legally licenced by authorities.
Mr. Pairoj said before applying for any jobs overseas, all Thai Nationals must inform Thailand’s Employment Department and depart through the job-seeker channel at airports.
In order to pass through the job-seeker channel at airports to work abroad legally, all Thai workers must be vouched for by Thailand’s Labour Department and their overseas employers.
Source - Read even more trending CTN News
Our VISA AGENT
Saturday, December 26, 2020
#Thailand - 31 provinces now at orange or yellow levels for Covid-19 risk
More provinces were added to Covid-19 risk areas coded orange and yellow.
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) on Thursday had decided to color code provinces as red, orange, yellow or green, depending on the level of coronavirus risk and the strength of measures taken in each province.
On Friday, the CCSA did not clarify the colour assigned to each province. However, based on several official updates on patient numbers, color codes were assigned.
Of the 32 provinces where Covid-19 cases have been confirmed, the only one marked as red was Samut Sakhon.
Those in orange, pointing to more than 10 cases, were: Bangkok, Samut Songkhram, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan.
Provinces marked yellow -- fewer than 10 cases -- were: Saraburi, Suphanburi, Pathum Thani, Uttaradit, Kamphaeng Phet, Phetchabun, Chachoengsao, Ayutthaya, Phuket, Phetchaburi, Nakhon Ratchasima, Prachinburi, Krabi, Khon Kaen, Chai Nat, Udon Thani, Phichit, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Surat Thani, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Sawan, Ang Thong, Ubon Ratchathani, Songkhla and Loei.
The rest of the provinces were marked green to show no Covid-19 cases had been reported in the new wave of infections.
Source - The Nation
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
6 groups of visitors allowed into Thailand
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration announced on 29 September 2020 the 6 groups of foreign visitors allowed into the Kingdom. The Centre also announced the extension of the Emergency Decree until 31 October 2020. The 6 groups of foreign visitors allowed into the country along with the regulations for each group is as follows,
2. Thai Airways Pilots and Crew on Pepatriation Flights bringing Thais back home and sport participants into the Nation. Those on the flight will be quarantined in a state quarantine center. At least 300 persons are estimated to be in this group.
3. Non-Immigrant Visa Holders traveling into Thailand. The foreigners must show their 6-month statement with at least 500,000 THB of deposits.
4. Special Tourist Visa Holders planning for Long Stay in the Nation. Foreigners will have to quarantine for 14 days at the state quarantine center in the province where they are traveling to. Foreigners can travel within a 1-kilometer radius. After they are confirmed to not be infected with Covid-19, the foreigners can leave the state quarantine center and remain in Thailand for 90 days. Visas can be extended 2 times, a total of 270 days. If they wish to travel into a different province they must quarantine again for 7 days.
5. APEC Card holders, these are businessmen approved by 18 Apec countries. This is to help boost Thailand’s economy. The businessmen allowed in are limited to low-risk countries including New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, China, Hongkong.
6. Short term and Long term visitors can travel into the nation for 60 days. Another 30-day extension is allowed with an exception, provided that the foreigners must show their 6-month statement with at least 500,000 THB of deposits. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will determine whether the visitor can apply for the 30-day extension.