inasia

TerryLH, on 2011-11-03 18:15:54, said:

But the new rules require you to show flight tickets and accommodation bookings before you get a tourist visa?, don't they?

I'm an occasional visitor to Thailand, and in the last 12 months, I've spent 10 weeks in total there.  But the new rules seem to make things difficult.  The OP's question is very pertinent.  I'll be getting a tourist visa soon in Malaysia, and I'd like to know the answer to this question too.

Are the zealous new rules being enforced in Thai consulates in Malaysia?

If they're being enforced, does the return flight booking include the extension period?  Or just within 60 days?

How about hotel/guesthouse bookings?  Necessary?

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Tonto21, on 2011-10-06 23:23:01, said:

I like elephants - but not in THAT way.  I wasn't flashing from my window.

I don't take it personally as such - just a general distain for foreigners that I've been feeling since exploring the south of the country.  (I used to stick mostly to Chiang Mai and Phitsanulok).  We're tolerated in touristic places - because it's good business.

As the only farang staying in the area, no doubt I stuck out like a sore thumb.  Maybe they saw me earlier, looking out, wondering if the rain would ever stop.

Yes, it was a BB-gun.  I wish I'd kept the ball-bearing as a souvenir.  This morning I looked at my 5th floor window from the street.  Definitely not accidentally aiming at anything else.  Deliberate.  Probably more of a prank than malicious - but I wasn't taking the chance.

I spoke to a respectable looking elderly Thai man going into the hotel.  He'd heard about the incident (the whole village probably knows).  He didn't speak much English, but he gestured towards the direction of fire, and he said "No good".  I don't think he was talking about the elephants.  Maybe he was referring to a particular group of youths.  Maybe Thailand has a problem with "Chavs", the same as we do in the UK.

It was a pity to leave.  Otherwise peaceful, rural, quaint and friendly.  One particular nearby understated local-style restaurant had a really talented chef.  My good intentions to walk up the 1277 steps up the mountain every day (weather permitting) have been sadly abandoned.  I did this hike a few months ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

( Does anyone else know anywhere I can stay in Thailand with safe hikes (and no guide) on my doorstep? )

One casualty of the incident was my iPod Touch.  Coincidently on the day Steve Jobs died.  In my haste to pack and leave the room, I packed my bottle of shampoo with stopper loose, and it soaked a few things.

I'm in Krabi town now.

CraigGarrison, on 2011-10-02 13:45:55, said:

I was insulted by the "vagabond" label at first, but the dictionary definition isn't too derogatory, and could apply to independently wealthy travellers like myself.

But the rules are contrived in such a way to keep out genuine traveller tourists, and backpackers.  The Hotel Reservation rule is ludicrous.

The rules are NOT contrived to keep out people living permanently in Thailand.  No mention of limit on tourist visas.  (Travellers go to other places anyway, they don't live permanently in Thailand anyway).

The rules are NOT contrived to keep out teachers working illegally.  They can easily state where they're living.  So can all permanent stayers.

The rules are contrived to keep out backpackers.  Thailand is such an easy country to travel without a plan, and wander off the beaten path.

Let's not fall into ignorant expat stereotypes.  I'm not talking about the Khao San Road rabble (no self respecting traveller would stay there), and I'm certainly not talking about the mythical unwashed dreadlocked hippie who lives in squalor.  Has anyone ever actually seen one of these?  I've heard numerous mention of them on these forums.  But the backpackers I meet are certainly not poor.  They don't flaunt their wealth, and they budget for a long stay - but you can tell from the smart phone they carry, or the laptop they use - that they're not poor.  And if you do the maths, they spend as much on accommodation as many permanently based expats.

More to the point - they support thousands of Thai businesses and guesthouses, who rely on a steady influx of backpackers, walking in off the street.  These businesses would collapse without them.

If the Hotel Reservation rule was enforced - it would certainly have a devastating effect on tourism.  But I doubt it will be enforced.

Just Thai stupidity.  A clueless government minister trying to look decisive and not lose face.  That I can understand.

But I can't understand the anti-backpacker, anti-traveller sentiments on this thread.  Why are we not considered "genuine" tourists?  What's wrong with being a vagabond?  Exploring Thailand, and the surrounding countries?  (and inevitably getting your tourist visa from surrounding countries).

Can someone explain this uninformed and ignorant expat prejudice?