I went to Vientiane last Monday to get a 'freebie'.
I arrived at the Thai embassy gate at 11:20 and it was closed!
A tout informed me that they closed the gate early as they had too many applications to process.
A cursory glance in the area where they process the applications revealed about a dozen people - at most.
The guard inside the compound shouted to me "Tomorrow".
The tout went on to say that he could get me a visa - for a fee of course.
Giving my passport to a complete stranger on a street in Vientiane didn't seem to be a wise move.
I had already booked an Air-Asia flight back to Bangkok on Tuesday.
I had no option, other than to waste a lot of money, but to re-enter Thailand getting a 15 day stamp.
Another experience from the LOS (Land of Scams) reinforcing my decision to check out soon.
Free Visa - A cautionary tale.
I have done visa runs now many times since moving to Thailand 7 years ago. One thing I never count on is dropping of my passport and picking it up the next day, Sometimes things work out fine and at others just like your experience things go wrong.
Turning up at any embassy 40 mins before they close is never a good idea. They may have had lots of other people in from when they opened in the morning and as embassy's shut for lunch at twelve I can only conclude from what you have said that the other 12 or so people there before you would have taken them up to closing for lunch.
My advise to anyone doing a visa run is to make it a small vacation, three or four days so as to avoid any problems that could arise.
Turning up at any embassy 40 mins before they close is never a good idea. They may have had lots of other people in from when they opened in the morning and as embassy's shut for lunch at twelve I can only conclude from what you have said that the other 12 or so people there before you would have taken them up to closing for lunch.
My advise to anyone doing a visa run is to make it a small vacation, three or four days so as to avoid any problems that could arise.
They're supposed to be open until 12:30.
This was my third trip to Laos and carried out in exactly the same way.
Thai embassies aren't getting the revenue they're used to so, once again, they invent another scam.
I wonder how many western embassies would close early due to 'alleged' pressure of work.
This was my third trip to Laos and carried out in exactly the same way.
Thai embassies aren't getting the revenue they're used to so, once again, they invent another scam.
I wonder how many western embassies would close early due to 'alleged' pressure of work.
I understand your irritation. But is it really bad enough to force you to leave?
While in the UK I was hit on two occasions for seat belt 'crimes' and on several more occasions by speed cameras and parking offences. The same in Portugal. Dick Turpin has got nothing on the UK highway system, which robs us of hundreds of pounds annually. The Daily Mail sold a lot of papers on its 'Rip-Off Britain' campaign.
When I first arrived here and was fined 200thb by the Police, I laughed with delight. Thailand is a dream compared and I simply allocate a certain amount of 'tea money' into my budget, so it's not a problem on the rare occasions when I do have to cough up.
When I go to the UK Embassy and have to pay 1800-2100 THB per letter or photocopy, how does that compare to your immigration scam?
Where are you going that is better? Thanks.
While in the UK I was hit on two occasions for seat belt 'crimes' and on several more occasions by speed cameras and parking offences. The same in Portugal. Dick Turpin has got nothing on the UK highway system, which robs us of hundreds of pounds annually. The Daily Mail sold a lot of papers on its 'Rip-Off Britain' campaign.
When I first arrived here and was fined 200thb by the Police, I laughed with delight. Thailand is a dream compared and I simply allocate a certain amount of 'tea money' into my budget, so it's not a problem on the rare occasions when I do have to cough up.
When I go to the UK Embassy and have to pay 1800-2100 THB per letter or photocopy, how does that compare to your immigration scam?
Where are you going that is better? Thanks.
"Let no one who has the slightest desire to live in peace and quietness be tempted, under any circumstances, to enter upon the chivalrous task of trying to correct a popular error."---William Thoms
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That is one of the things i really like about Thailand to.MrPlum wrote:When I first arrived here and was fined 200thb by the Police, I laughed with delight. Thailand is a dream compared and I simply allocate a certain amount of 'tea money' into my budget, so it's not a problem on the rare occasions when I do have to cough up.
The laws are draconian and the motorist gets unreasonably hammered. They should be out catching real criminals instead of turning the highways into tax collection systems.Big Boy wrote:Mr Plum wrote:Fortunately, unlike Thailand, it only happens when you break the lawDick Turpin has got nothing on the UK highway system, which robs us of hundreds of pounds annually.
Was that your excuse for breaking the law then?MrPlum wrote:The laws are draconian and the motorist gets unreasonably hammered. They should be out catching real criminals instead of turning the highways into tax collection systems.
Actually, I think most wouldn't disagree with you, though not wearing a seat belt, speeding and parking illegally, can all be dangerous in their own way.
I think there has been a mood swing on speed cameras and parking illegally (not seat belts) and generally the rules are actually being enforced in a less draconian way. For speed cameras that might have something to do with where the money raised actually ends up?
I think under a Cameron Govt. there will be less of this in any case.
Talk is cheap
So you moved to Thailand for a better lifeMrPlum wrote:The laws are draconian and the motorist gets unreasonably hammered. They should be out catching real criminals instead of turning the highways into tax collection systems.Big Boy wrote:Mr Plum wrote:Fortunately, unlike Thailand, it only happens when you break the lawDick Turpin has got nothing on the UK highway system, which robs us of hundreds of pounds annually.
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sandman67
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the arguments about GATSO cameras just make me choke with laughter
Here is the situation:
YOU, as a driver in the UK know the law. Wear a seatbelt, no mobiles, and no speeding.
SO
when you break the law and get caught, why do you think its OK to start sniffling "Rip Off Britain"?
speed limits are set to save lives.....not your soding worthless selfish inconsiderate life as a driver of a speeding deadly weapon. My life as a road user or pedestrian.
Cant do the time? Dont do the crime.....or at least dont whine like a pathetic schoolkid when you get caught breaking laws that are there to protect the public from idiots who think they are Sterling Moss.
Get rid of law enforcement on the roads..... and y get Thaland. Ben Hur style Highway Hell. Every long trip is another game of road roulette.
Personally give me cameras, police and a long line of whiny law breakers to keep me chuckling.
Here is the situation:
YOU, as a driver in the UK know the law. Wear a seatbelt, no mobiles, and no speeding.
SO
when you break the law and get caught, why do you think its OK to start sniffling "Rip Off Britain"?
speed limits are set to save lives.....not your soding worthless selfish inconsiderate life as a driver of a speeding deadly weapon. My life as a road user or pedestrian.
Cant do the time? Dont do the crime.....or at least dont whine like a pathetic schoolkid when you get caught breaking laws that are there to protect the public from idiots who think they are Sterling Moss.
Get rid of law enforcement on the roads..... and y get Thaland. Ben Hur style Highway Hell. Every long trip is another game of road roulette.
Personally give me cameras, police and a long line of whiny law breakers to keep me chuckling.
"Science flew men to the moon. Religion flew men into buildings."
"To sin by silence makes cowards of men."
"To sin by silence makes cowards of men."
MrS. Where have you been?sandman67 wrote:the arguments about GATSO cameras just make me choke with laughter
Here is the situation:
YOU, as a driver in the UK know the law. Wear a seatbelt, no mobiles, and no speeding.
SO
when you break the law and get caught, why do you think its OK to start sniffling "Rip Off Britain"?
speed limits are set to save lives.....not your soding worthless selfish inconsiderate life as a driver of a speeding deadly weapon. My life as a road user or pedestrian.
Cant do the time? Dont do the crime.....or at least dont whine like a pathetic schoolkid when you get caught breaking laws that are there to protect the public from idiots who think they are Sterling Moss.
Get rid of law enforcement on the roads..... and y get Thaland. Ben Hur style Highway Hell. Every long trip is another game of road roulette.
Personally give me cameras, police and a long line of whiny law breakers to keep me chuckling.
If you feel nice and secure pootling along at 30, while everyone else is doing 45, then you keep eating rusks in warm milk for breakfast and have someone tuck you into bed at night in your jim-jams. I hope you don't have the radio on when you are driving, or sneak any phone calls on your mobile, or eat or drink with one hand while you drive, or forget to buckle up in the back, because the guilt of doing so must eat you up. Overbearing Nanny State on pain of fine, or imprisonment, or balance between freedom and responsibility? Give me Thailand any day. Yes, I'm aware of the risks to myself and to others but I'd rather be free to choose than forced to comply by populist politicians who don't obey the speeding or alcohol laws themselves.Teams of private hustlers waiting to clamp you when there isn't a parking space to be had is not my idea of freedom. It's piracy.
I agree they should make youngsters wear helmets on bicycles and skates because they need them later to have their brains rattled in their skulls in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Poor bugger. Must drive you crazy living here.
"Let no one who has the slightest desire to live in peace and quietness be tempted, under any circumstances, to enter upon the chivalrous task of trying to correct a popular error."---William Thoms
Spot on Mr P those that hide behind the "law" do it for a reason. You also hear the argument about using your vote. I don't remember when the issue of "breaking the law" ie driving like Stirling Moss at < 5km over the limit was a heinous crime and was actually mentioned as a voter catcher. The slow encroachment of the LCD effect is left in the hands of the council bureaucrats and supported by police (at least in public) and the suited university "safety research" brigade that derive their livings from government grants. There has been a "plethora"of so called "safety" laws passed with questionable outcomes.
There are those that would have us reduced to the LCD as drones and automatons. I remember in Oz when 1 state had .08 as a limit and another .05 for driving under the influence. Yes the LCD effect came into being and ALL states adopted .05 and surprisingly revenues from people being "caught" for .05 and upwards went up.
In Sydney and Melb there are streets and roads where there are 5 changes (or more) of speed within several hundred meters and there are numerous streets where for 2 time events coinciding with school going in and out that the speed limits change again. So Mr S while you are busy looking at your speedo and clock you are also diverting attention from YOUR responsibility ie to drive safety and take due care.
One would assume that as a mature adult you can do this AND also based on your survival rate to date exhibit appropriate Risk taking behaviour and attitudes without the need of being told by anyone. If you read a little on accident causation you will note that the etiology of accidents is complex and not solely related to singular contributors.
Don't mention "common sense" it can't be legislated.
The actual percentage of people as "p-ssed as a newt" and incapable of driving or completing a US style sobriety test is small yet surprisingly they still DO as do those with unregistered and unroadworthy cars/motorcycles etc.
There are also a number of "nongs" who for whatever reason and hiding behind several Aust. Standards who virtually create mayhem, all in the name of "safety" by bottlenecking large flows of traffics on arterial and major roads (peak hour traffic) while they go about their business several meters from the slip lanes. You should see the incidence of tail enders from a reduction of 100 to 40 Km/hr and the increased "rage" events!
Maybe we could adopt the Scandinavian approach and gaol anyone over the limit. These the countries that developed anthropometric data ha bloody ha.
Did observe a Top Gear program that showed the Finnish approach to learner driving - well worth a look!
Lets all have speed limited vehicles set at 30 Km/hr and a fall back of horse and cart just to reduce greenhouse emissions (if we can get the horse to stop expelling hot air)!!!!!!!!
There are those that would have us reduced to the LCD as drones and automatons. I remember in Oz when 1 state had .08 as a limit and another .05 for driving under the influence. Yes the LCD effect came into being and ALL states adopted .05 and surprisingly revenues from people being "caught" for .05 and upwards went up.
In Sydney and Melb there are streets and roads where there are 5 changes (or more) of speed within several hundred meters and there are numerous streets where for 2 time events coinciding with school going in and out that the speed limits change again. So Mr S while you are busy looking at your speedo and clock you are also diverting attention from YOUR responsibility ie to drive safety and take due care.
One would assume that as a mature adult you can do this AND also based on your survival rate to date exhibit appropriate Risk taking behaviour and attitudes without the need of being told by anyone. If you read a little on accident causation you will note that the etiology of accidents is complex and not solely related to singular contributors.
Don't mention "common sense" it can't be legislated.
The actual percentage of people as "p-ssed as a newt" and incapable of driving or completing a US style sobriety test is small yet surprisingly they still DO as do those with unregistered and unroadworthy cars/motorcycles etc.
There are also a number of "nongs" who for whatever reason and hiding behind several Aust. Standards who virtually create mayhem, all in the name of "safety" by bottlenecking large flows of traffics on arterial and major roads (peak hour traffic) while they go about their business several meters from the slip lanes. You should see the incidence of tail enders from a reduction of 100 to 40 Km/hr and the increased "rage" events!
Maybe we could adopt the Scandinavian approach and gaol anyone over the limit. These the countries that developed anthropometric data ha bloody ha.
Did observe a Top Gear program that showed the Finnish approach to learner driving - well worth a look!
Lets all have speed limited vehicles set at 30 Km/hr and a fall back of horse and cart just to reduce greenhouse emissions (if we can get the horse to stop expelling hot air)!!!!!!!!
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lindosfan1
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idiots
Mr Plum said
"MrS. Where have you been? If you feel nice and secure pootling along at 30, while everyone else is doing 45, then you keep eating rusks in warm milk for breakfast and have someone tuck you into bed at night in your jim-jams. I hope you don't have the radio on when you are driving, or sneak any phone calls on your mobile, or eat or drink with one hand while you drive, or forget to buckle up in the back, because the guilt of doing so must eat you up. Overbearing Nanny State on pain of fine, or imprisonment, or balance between freedom and responsibility? Give me Thailand any day. Yes, I'm aware of the risks to myself and to others but I'd rather be free to choose than forced to comply by populist politicians who don't obey the speeding or alcohol laws themselves"
mrplum if doing 30mph in a 30 mph speed zone is to slow you think 45mph is better, you are a bigger plonker than even I originally thought.
Yes slow driving can cause accidents ie 30 mph on a motorway (unless it is jammed up by a plonker who had an accident doing 100mph).
Interesting you do not always wear a seat belt if you had an accident would you refuse treatment by the medical profession you malign so much and go home to your herbs to cure your injuries if not you are an even bigger hypocrite than I thought.
Sandman you are spot on as usual.
"MrS. Where have you been? If you feel nice and secure pootling along at 30, while everyone else is doing 45, then you keep eating rusks in warm milk for breakfast and have someone tuck you into bed at night in your jim-jams. I hope you don't have the radio on when you are driving, or sneak any phone calls on your mobile, or eat or drink with one hand while you drive, or forget to buckle up in the back, because the guilt of doing so must eat you up. Overbearing Nanny State on pain of fine, or imprisonment, or balance between freedom and responsibility? Give me Thailand any day. Yes, I'm aware of the risks to myself and to others but I'd rather be free to choose than forced to comply by populist politicians who don't obey the speeding or alcohol laws themselves"
mrplum if doing 30mph in a 30 mph speed zone is to slow you think 45mph is better, you are a bigger plonker than even I originally thought.
Yes slow driving can cause accidents ie 30 mph on a motorway (unless it is jammed up by a plonker who had an accident doing 100mph).
Interesting you do not always wear a seat belt if you had an accident would you refuse treatment by the medical profession you malign so much and go home to your herbs to cure your injuries if not you are an even bigger hypocrite than I thought.
Sandman you are spot on as usual.
Woke up this morning breathing that's a good start to the day.