SOURCE: ThaiVisa A decade ago there seemed to be various ways to stay in Thailand long-term. There was a bit of wriggle room in the interpretation of the guidelines and there was always ‘ways and means’ of securing a visa (nudge nudge, wink, wink). But the screws are being tightened on expats, retirees and long-stayers who are finding their options to keep living in the Land of Smiles diminishing fast, either through changed regulations or a more rigorous enforcement of the existing rules.
South-east Asian leaders will assemble for the 34th ASEAN Summit in Bangkok this weekend to discuss a range of hot topics.
Ayutthaya Historical Park has sent a notice to the popular Ayutthaya Elephant Palace, located on Pa Ton road, to vacate the area within 30 days to allow for improvements of the park’s landscape. The elephants, keepers and mahouts are still providing services to tourists visiting the park. Laithongrient Meephan, owner of the Elephant Palace, told Thai PBS that he is concerned that both employees and elephants will be affected by the eviction
PHOTO: Sarah Lazarus – CNN Thailand is best known for its beaches, astonishing street food, markets and diverse south-east Asian culture. But how many people get out of the cities and tourist traps and get to experience the real Thailand
The body of a woman has been found in her house in Pathum Thani just north of Bangkok. Police estimate she has been dead for at least six months. Khukot police were alerted last evening (Wednesday) that the body of 46 year old Thiphaphat Phaksuk, who lived alone in the Lam Luk Ka district, had been found at the door of the toilet on the ground floor of the two-storey house
VIDEO: Krabi Pitak Pracha Rescue Foundation / Newshawk Phuket A Phuket tour bus, pickup truck and car have been involved in a major incident in Krabi. One person has died, a 7 month pregnant woman sustained serious injuries and 12 people were taken to hospital with minor injuries after the collision between a Nakhon Si Thammarat to Phuket bus, a pickup truck and a car last night. Ao Nang Police in Krabi were notified of the incident at 8pm last night on Phet Kasem Road in Khao Kram, Krabi.
… and 27 of them are from the pro-Junta Palang Pracharat Party.
PHOTO: NawawNa.com A Syrian national has told immigration officials that arrested him in Mukdahan that he didn’t know how to get an extension to his visa. 45 year old Ghassan Bajbouj was arrested after he presented his passport to Pol Capt Wilailuk Thawacharee at the Friendship Bridge 2 checkpoint in Bang Sai Yai in the north eastern Thai city.
Scuba divers, sea walkers and restaurant boats are poised to face new restrictions as the government aims to protect Pattaya’s islands, Koh Larn, Koh Sak and Koh Krok. The Chonburi Deputy Governor met with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to draft an announcement that would designate the three islands as protected environmental areas. The latest draft will be the third in the past nine years but none of the others have ever been implemented. The deputy governor explained the contents of the draft announcement and promised that meetings and public hearings will be scheduled.
The mother of a young amputee in Phichit, who lost her left leg two years ago because of cancer, is asking for help to get her daughter a prosthetic leg for better mobility. The mother, Plubpueng Butrnoi, says doctors had to amputate the left leg of her 9 year old daughter Nattaporn two years ago to save her life