sharecropper

PhilHarries, on 2010-10-02 09:34:44, said:

Reading some of the replies maybe a more apt name for the site should be Thai Haven't Got A Visa Forum

Thai Film Wins Best Actor Award and Honorable Mention at US Film Festival


Byron Bishop

LOS ANGELES: -- A short Thai-language film has won an honorable mention and its leading male actor, Byron Bishop, has been named Best Actor in a Foreign Film in the Los Angeles Reel Film Festival.

Scripted, Produced, and directed by a young Thai director, Chaya Supannarat, “Unfaithfully Yours” is twelve minutes of twisting plots and unexpected turns, with English subtitles.

Bangkok-based US actor, Byron Bishop, said of his Best Actor award: ‘I am very proud to have won this international award for a Thai language film.”

“The film’s success demonstrates the strength of the next generation of highly talented filmmakers and production teams we are able to work with in Thailand. Chaya is a great director and one to watch for the future”.

Chaya Supannarat said: “I was in Bangkok when I received the email from the Film Festival. I was so scared when I read the word “festival”, and I didn't want to open it because I was too nervous. But I got lucky this time!”

“My lead actor, Byron Bishop won the best actor award and I am so happy for him. He did a great job and I couldn't be happier. In fact everybody did a great job and that's why we have earned our prize.”

NOTES
The Los Angeles Reel Film Festival was founded by a group of industry professionals whose aim is to seek out, acknowledge and award talented independent filmmakers and writers who may not receive the recognition they deserve through the more commercial film festivals. The Festival recognizes filmmakers and screenwriters who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity.
Byron Bishop is a model and actor, and has appeared in many international commercials, Thai language TV programmes and international films including Shadows, Mysterious Island, and King Maker.

He is married to former Miss Thailand World, model and actress, Cindy Burbridge.


-- thaivisa.com 2010-10-02

British Embassy Warns of Detention for Overstayers exceeding 42 days
Pattaya One overstay story vindicated

BANGKOK: -- The British Embassy in Bangkok have posted updated information on their website warning tourists and expatriates who overstay their permitted stay longer than 42 days that they face the risk of imprisonment.

Still current at 2 October 2010 under the heading “Help for British Nationals”, in the section sub-headed “Entry Requirements”, the Embassy advice to British nationals is clear:

“If you stay in Thailand for longer than the time authorised on your arrival, and you do not have an extension of stay or a valid visa, then this is an offence under Thai Immigration law. You will be fined 500 baht per day for every day you overstay, excluding the first day, up to a maximum of 20,000 baht.

Any foreigner found by the authorities to have overstayed their visa is also at risk of being held in detention, fined and deported at their own expense. The Thai authorities have stated they will always enforce detention of overstays for more than 42 days.

They may also be black-listed from re-entering Thailand.”

Source: http://ukinthailand....quirements&pg=4

Under the Immigration Act 2522 overstay is punishable by a jail term of 2 years and/or a fine of maximum 20,000 baht.

"Section 81 : Any alien who stay in the Kingdom without permission or with
permission expired or revoked shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding
two years or a fine not exceeding 20,000 Baht or both."

This is not a new law or regulation; it has been in effect as part of the Immigration Act 1979 and is merely an enforcement of existing Immigration law.

The Royal Thai Immigration Bureau on October 1, 2010 appointed a new Immigration Commissioner. It is widely expected that enforcement of immigration rules and regulations will be carried out more rigorously under the new incumbent.


-- thaivisa.com 2010-10-02




Related articles:
2010-09-24:  Thai Immigration Introduces Jail Time For Overstayers

2010-10-01: Overstay! Pattaya One Strongly Stands By Immigration Story

2010-10-01: Visa overstay – the untold story (PDF Download)

KKvampire, on 2010-10-01 17:42:40, said:

Well right now Suvarnabhumi is probably the safest place to park your car overnight as there's 40 guys with guns guarding it.

There are some major misunderstandings here that need to be cleared up.

Pattaya One are not saying there has or will be a change of Immigration Rules, as suggested in the Phuket Gazette article.

Our article is based on real events and real accounts of people who have been arrested for overstay here in Thailand. Of course, if you speak with an Immigration Officer, they will give the official line, we are giving you the "real" line, which is of far more use to you, if you are facing the prospect of clearing up a visa overstay issue.

There have been attempts to attack Pattaya One before it has even started. I expected that as other publications, here in Pattaya, will clearly be concerned that their market share could be affected from 1st October.

The Pattaya Times Newspaper owned by Mr. Drew Noyes, seems to be at the top of the list at the moment. Have a look at this article which he has published on his website:

No change in visa overstay rules despite web rumor

Immigration Colonel insists visa overstay penalties have not changed. Foreigners must not be afraid to leave the Kingdom of Thailand when they wish. They will not be arrested for overstays less than 365 days, contrary to a recently posted statement of ThaiVisa.com provided by PattayaOne.net.

A recent report on the normally very reliable website ThaiVisa.com and provided by PattayaOne.net is false, according to the head detention officer for the Immigration Bureau of the Royal Thai Police.

"The penalties established under the terms of the Immigration Act 1979 remain in effect.  We do not want foreigners to believe they are in jeopardy of arrest and detention for overstaying their visa if they have overstayed less than one year.  This will cause them even more problems and wasted time. The enforcement guidelines for the governing statute strictly states that detention is mandatory only if the foreigner has overstayed for one year or more. There have been no changes.  In case of overstays beyond 364 days, he or she must be detained. A background check for wants and warrants is conducted. If the overstayer is found to be in no other violation, then he or she appears before a judge in Bangkok and is generally fined 20,000 baht plus court costs and must return to his country of passport issuance. He or she is NOT blacklisted," he insisted.

"However, if a foreigner is wanted by police through the Transnational Crime Data Center, a Thai court or INTERPOL, then he or she will be detained by Immigration if caught or attempting to leave at a border crossing or airport, regardless of his or her visa status" he added.

Under the Act, any foreigner who stays in the Kingdom without permission, or with permission expired or revoked, shall be punished with imprisonment not exceeding two years, or a fine not exceeding 20,000 baht, or both if the overstay exceeds one year. But the prison term is rarely invoked. If the overstay is less than one year the fine is 500 baht per day to a maximum of 20,000 baht. If the offender is arrested or stopped by any Thai police officer for a traffic offense or other incident and found to be overstaying his or her visa, then they will be detained. It's best to clear up the overstay yourself before being caught, he stipulated.

The lawyers at PAPPA Co., Ltd. in Pattaya confirm the penalties have not changed according to several immigration sources. PAPPA Co., Ltd. in Pattaya has helped many foreigners with overstay problems.

"The best advise for those who have overstayed more than 21 days is to turn themselves in at the Bangkok office on Jang Wantana and pay the fee before going to the airport or border. If the overstay is less than three weeks then just pay at the border or airport. If the overstay is more than a year, contact a lawyer prior to revealing your overstay to immigration officers," said Wanrapa Boonsu, Managing Director of PAPPA Co., Ltd.

Pattaya Times, 24/09/10

--

Once again, a complete misunderstanding of the Pattaya One article. We are not saying there has been a change in the rules.
Apart from the clear attempt to advertise their sister company PAPPA, the accusation of our article being false is laughable. To say that Immigration will not arrest foreigners if they have overstayed their visa for less than 365 days is completely wrong and I can only suggest that Pattaya Times remove the article immediately otherwise the IDC center in Bangkok will soon fill up with overstayers who have read the article and have believed it.  

Maestro, an administrator of this board has already highlighted the regulations Immigration Officers work under which effectively gives them complete discretion of how they interpret the rules.
The bottom line is, you are liable for arrest and imprisonment if you overstay your visa. We have highlighted this fact in the Pattaya One article, excerpts of which are available on Thai Visa, and we published the "reality' of the situation and how Immigration Officers are "really" enforcing the rules. You can either choose to take-in what we have said or ignore it. We hope you read it and ensure you never overstay your visa and enjoy your time here in Thailand.    
There are overstayers in IDC Bangkok waiting to be deported, who have overstayed for a lot less than 365 days. This is a FACT.

One smart Alec post deleted

sounds a bit like this guy

THE CAPITAL
Bangkok may be uninhabitable in seven years
By Varataya Chailangka
The Nation



Dr Ajong Chumsai na Ayudhya, a Thai scientist who has worked with the US space agency Nasa in the past, said yesterday that the areas around the Gulf of Thailand would be hit by tsunamis and that Bangkok would be under water in less than seven years.

At a seminar yesterday about the impact of global warming on Chiang Mai residents, Ajong said humans were mainly to blame for such disasters because they were using up natural resources, chopping down forests and kept emitting greenhouse gases with no regard for the future.

The United States is the biggest contributor to carbon dioxide at 30.2 per cent, followed by China at 30 per cent and India at 23 per cent, he said. Thailand was at rank 22 or 23 out of the 200 biggest emitters of CO2 in the world. With the current CO2 emission rate standing at 395 parts per million (ppm) from the previous 300ppm, he warned that greenhouse gases would increase and bring about inevitable changes.

Ajong explained that over the past three decades the temperature has risen, with warmer seas killing coral reefs, glaciers melting, storms becoming stronger and earthquakes being of greater magnitude.

Warning that temperatures would rise by approximately 4 degrees Celsius, Ajong said polar bears would be extinct in less than 10 years and the seas would rise by six metres.

So far there have been two significant changes to the Earth.

Firstly, the planet's axis has shifted, changing weather patterns, and secondly, the Earth's crust has displaced, causing more frequent and more severe earthquakes and tsunami disasters.

Thailand, which is located on the Eurasian Plate, will be affected, Ajong warned, adding that the Gulf of Thailand would be hit by tsunamis and affect the South very badly.

Earthquakes within the 6-Richter scale and severe flooding would hit provinces in the North, such as Mae Hong Son, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Phayao, Nan, Lampang and Uttaradit, he said.

The Central region, namely Bangkok, Samut Sakhon, Samut Songkhram, Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi and Ayutthaya, would be under seawater, he said, adding that the capital would be uninhabitable in seven years.


-- The Nation 2010-09-18

fatfather, on 2010-09-18 08:23:58, said:

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming

would be a good place to start learning.

POLITICAL PROBLEMS
Disrespect for law the root of country's woes: Chuan
By The Nation

Former prime minister Chuan Leekpai yesterday blamed people's disregard of laws for many of the country's current problems.

Chuan, the chief adviser to the ruling Democrat Party, said people had a better understanding about democracy these days than in the period immediately after the political system became a constitutional monarchy. However, many people still lacked a good understanding of their responsibilities.

"When people know about their rights, they should also be taught about the [accompanying] duties. We must teach people about regulations and respect for duty. The problems stem from failure to respect the laws," he said.

Chuan, who practised as a lawyer before entering politics more than four decades ago, cited as an example the severe insurgent violence in the deep South, which he blamed on a leader who "failed to respect the rules and resorted to unlawful means" of addressing the insurgency.

"Today both Buddhists and Muslims suffer. Failure to address the problem with the principle of law led to new problems. Being strictly true to the law may not solve all problems, but I can guarantee that this way, you won't see the country going backwards," he said.

The remarks appeared to be a thinly veiled attack against fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose government adopted a hardline stance against dissident Muslims.

Chuan made the remarks in a speech titled "Thai Representatives in the People's Hearts" at Thammasat University during an academic panel discussion organised to mark the anniversary of the death of Prince Rapi Pattanasak, who is regarded as the father of Thailand's modern laws.

A former leader of the Democrat Party, Chuan told the audience he was convinced politicians who respect the rules and laws would also refrain from becoming corrupt.

He said the country's political changes had also engendered corruption among politicians. He estimated that more than half of parliamentarians were elected because they bought votes.

Chuan called on younger aspiring politicians to embrace the goal of becoming professionals, and not to enter politics to protect their families' business interests or to make personal gains.


-- The Nation 2010-08-07