"Why would you want a light bulb anyway? Gas lamps are so much more reliable!"

- Boomer who laugh-reacts to every post.

Dominic Ireland 81.77 vs 77.74 average life expectancy.

Even with a virus that hasn't yet been accounted for in the statistics*.

Functioning democracy? Being led by an unelected PM, giving positions away to his Eton mates. Millions of pounds for PPE and other Covid related services going to 3 month old chocolate firms and the like.

Give over trying to defend that travesty will you.

@Bobby *******

When I say "right thing" I mean legitimate style visas such as ED and Non-O/Non-Bs. The government recommended people to either 'prepare for leaving' or to arrange appropriate visas, and immigration offices came up with ways (price permitting, even for legitimate cases) to swap without leaving the country.

It's been totally unclear and there were even times when the papers were running messages saying things like "get out by X September or face fines and further issues".

Hi Benz! Good question.

It's affected all of us in some way, but as per the group I presume you mean visa-related problems?

Most people who are not on long-stay visas are finding that the government is not very clear with what is happening. Tourist visa holders have been extended several times now, and usually at the last minute (a few days). Those who tried to do the right thing and get on a long-stay visa (Education, Volunteer, etc.) are finding that they could have had many months extra free. There is still not much clarity even now.

It's not just tourist visa holders either - I arrived back in Thailand just before the borders closed earlier this year.

I'm now on an ED Visa until February. I have a school that is ready to employ me, but I can't change ED Visa to Non-B within the country. My only option is to leave the country (probably quarantine wherever I go for ~50,000 Baht), get the visa outside, return (if I am allowed at that point) and quarantine here again (for another ~50,000 Baht) to convert to a work permit. It's certainly not how I want to spend over 100,000 Baht.

My easiest option is to return to the UK, however it seems that a severe infection that rots the brain has started to spread there because people keep voting for idiotic governments. Plus Covid is rampant due to the pathetic actions of that government. The country just isn't safe to return to.

I love Thailand, I want to stay, but the government doesn't make it easy at all. I have commitments here that I can't just up and leave, and this would have been no problem for me without Covid.