Mattd

There is nothing illegal about giving a Thai money to buy property as long as it is there property.  And I guess once the UK allows Thais to visit without the need of visa then your argument of double standard might hold some water ... by they way, there are plenty of wealthy foreigners who own land in Thailand.

What  has visas got to do with this?
So, in other words if the UK gave Thai's the right to enter the UK without a visa, then Thailand would let a UK citizen own land in Thailand? (5555555)

Nothing illegal, but do you remember the Interior Minister's statement in Phuket a while back, threatening to take back the land owned by Thai spouses of foreigners, if they could prove the money came from the foreigner??

Actually the percentage of Foreigners owning land in their own name in Thailand is tiny and it is restricted to the very rich, or those that are lucky enough to have Thai citizenship.
The point of the post is the fact that the government are going to investigate land owned by Thai's but purchased by foreigners, as they feel that there will be no land left for Thai's in years to come.

As stated in several posts, a completely, utterly ridiculous statement.

Take myself, I live in a house that is situated on the land my wife owns, yes the money that paid for this came from me, but the deeds are in her name and not mine, so the land remains Thai owned and it always will as it will be passed on to our children.
The money that paid for this was earned here in Thailand, Thai taxes were paid on that money.

But, why is it they fail to understand that the money that the majority of Foreigners paid for land that their partners own came from overseas, this money was not in circulation in Thailand prior to this, which makes it 'good' money (so long as it wasn't earned illegally of course ).

Seems just a tad hypocritical for the Thai government to encourage tourists to come to Thailand and spend their hard earned foreign currency in Thailand, but then say it is illegal for the 'few' to purchase land for their wives, girlfriends, boyfriends etc. etc.
Maybe the likes of the UK etc. should rescind all land / properties owned by the current 'mob' of Thai politicians.

Lakeside Chippy on the Darkside, very good, used to 9999

OK I'll show my age.........
The original reason for this lane was for the buses (not baht buses) that were introduced.
2nd road from Central to North was two way, then the powers that be decided, for whatever reason, that it would be one way, sometime after this, they then decided to introduce a bus service, of course that did not go down well with the baht bus monopoly, so after several scuffles, probably even a few deaths, it became a baht bus lane.
To be honest, I do not think city hall remember, nor care why this lane is there.
Guessing on timing, but one way, maybe 15 years ago, bus lane, possibly as early as 10 years ago, that is just going by the fact I could park right outside an English food establishment and then couldn't, so never been since, shame really, I quite liked the food!

"I do agree but my passport, account info, and withdraw slips all have the same info positively identifying me and corresponding, what much more worth are the bank books then?"

Simple, it has your signature in it, so they need to compare the signature in the book with the signature on the withdrawal slip, they have no other signature for you on file.