Agreed.

Then all problems can be solved with a government that actually wants to improve the whole of society instead of a specific sub-group.

This works ok until you are involved in a serious accident.

The latest update on the visa situation is that we have to leave on the 26th right? And there is no way to come back until further notice?

wot, na you just need to renew visa?

But the boarders are closed right? Or do you mean extend the the visa at imigration? I heard you need to get a letter from your embassy if you want to do that?

You're pretty much out of time now. Even "fixer" agent won't be able to help you.

Only option left at this point is hope for an amnesty extension.

I thought if you can get a letter from your embassy you can get multiple 30 day amnesty extensions?
Just not clear if you need a new letter every 30 days and if the embassies are willing to issue them

Just avoid the places where they have checkpoints. I'm averaging probably less than one ticket a year, and that's usually because I screw up and go wrong route without thinking, or drive a route I'm not too used to and they have a new checkpoint location.

Can be a hassle sometimes though, like getting from Nimman to Loy Kroh, avoiding the north moat gas station checkpoint takes some routing.

If I lived somewhere that checkpoints were a fact of life then I'd just get my lazy ass down there a get a license.
Run into checkpoints sometimes in BKK but they seem surprisingly legit. As soon as they can tell I haven't been drinking they send me on my way.

Yup, not willing to donate any money to thai police.

Now that I have my drivers license I go for morning drives around the moat just for fun: the disappointment look on their faces everytime I give them my license is well worth the two days I had to spend jumping through hoops.

0 case policy is straight up crazy and people will start suffering consequences in few months. Most people think 2 days ahead at best and don't realize how this strategy is messed up. Keeping cases manageable to their hospitals capacities is what most countries do, hard to believe some few old military grandpas in TH who know dog **** about economy figured out gto solution to covid crisis and every other country is wrong.

The general was so encouraged by the spending from last week's long weekend that he wants to enact another long weekend.
How to fix a collapsing economy? Take more vacations!
Classic Thailand

It's most likely powerful money lenders wanting to bankrupt people.

While thais like to save face and give face to their superiors, which results in all kinds of actions that don't make sense without that concept; money lenders forcing people into bankruptcy so they sell their properties and businesses cheap is the more likely explanation.

On hipflat there is even a money lender now that lends to foreigners on any kind of visa.

60% of the property value at 12% per year interest for a 10 year loan...

I think all the crazy overpriced restaurants are the results of moneylenders high interest rates and enticing owners to get the fanciest equipment possible from their buddies to maximize spending.

It makes no economic sense for a cafe owner to own the fanciest a 20k USD Italian espresso machine in a normal economy but in the money lender economy they force this onto the lender who will never make a profit, be a covert slave and most likely owe money forever...

Corruption is by design in South East Asia, as it's the only way to transact in a no trust society, where trust extends to close family ties / longstanding relations between families at best.

Why would you help some random person that will most likely never show reciprocity and backstab you if they don't hand you money for helping them out / getting them a job and give you kickbacks longterm to strengthen the relation?

Long term visa approved starting next month. 90 days + 3 extensions, gotta stay in quarantine for 14 days. Here's a list of quarantine hotels along with prices.

https://www.facebook.com/10558450783...1691938888994/

Now if the govt would rebate some of that quarantine money in the form of Thai airways credit or other tourist incentives they could be onto something.

What's the details regarding the 43k insurance part?

https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/118...eed-insurance/

Yea that's silly, forcing insurance for people who already might have it. I was actually considering not overstaying and doing **** legit but the 43k insurance kills those plans. Didn't even mind the 14 day quarantine, could at least be productive while on lock down. Will just overstay, by then they'll be more desperate and actually let people in, or neighboring borders might open, or I'll just freeze in Canada...

You're all just hating. Nobel prize in economic science guaranteed for Prayut next year, easy win.


If 43k insurance is a problem, then don't even look at prices of flights arranged by Thai embassy and ASQ quarantine hotels. Thai gov invited tuk tuk drivers parking in front of Wat Pho to help them with that pricing part.

I've got a friend flying in today. I'll report back all in cost.
Flying from LA

I've had a few friends who have returned and done the ASQ quarantine hotels and reviews are not good. Food sucks, you get it three times a day and it's left in front of your door so no contact with anyone. You cannot order from outside places for delivery. And no alcohol allowed in your room.

You can't trust people to have adequate insurance for anything COVID related. Government is doing the right thing.

If it's 43k baht for 9 months it's not too bad.

Maybe not bad for people like you, we don't all got that easy 9-5 money.