@Brahim *****

obviously you’ve never been to jail. At least outside of the UK 😂

I just turned 42, been coming to Thailand 7 consecutive winters, 4-5 months a year. I can afford the Elite 5-10-20 year visa. I’m conservative with money, hence I can afford the elite. I wanted to stay longer in Thailand. So I thought to get a one year Education Visa, learn at little Thai, and see how I feel after year one. I could then get a second year language Education Visa, or the ‘Muay Thai’ Education Visa. Again I have in an interest in Muay Thai, fitness, nutrition etc, so money/time well spent. I would then bridge the gap to 45years old with a few tourist and METV’s if there was even any gap to bridge. (Only 6 months now thx to COVID) And if I still wanted to be in Thailand, and didn’t already have an ‘in’ (business set up, work permit, or even marriage if it happened) I could get the Elite. Last year my my intention was to push the window of my stay, but my father passed away while I’m here and after only 8 weeks, I had to go home for his funeral and sort his affairs, I ended up staying in UK the whole year. I was sad I wasn’t there for him and my family. This year I came in December on a three month visa, I was gonna chill and decide on a location for an Ed Visa / Study. But then COVID. I benefited from the visa amnesty, it couldn’t have timed better for me. I had just met a girl, and stayed on Samui until now and just got my Ed Visa here yesterday, (but 20k more than before, but the benefit of not leaving the country for it) and Travel restrictions would’ve almost forced me to choose Samui anyway. I got a amazing villa at COVID pricing since March, that seems to be stretching until at least Xmas now, I am grateful for that. I was super happy/excited and I was never going home. Suddenly my relationship broke down, and I had shunned my friends/contacts for this girl. Now I’m here, an amazing one million euro, four bed, sea view villa, I just bought a jetski (used, of course), I just drive an old scooter, but could afford any bike/car combo. But I’m alone, and suddenly I’m wondering. I could go ANYWHERE in the world, alone. But then yesterday I stumbled into three business opportunities. My main point being, you don’t know what life will throw at you, and you don’t know what thailand will throw at you. Today I’m glad I did not spend the 1m baht on Elite 10yr, but would still consider the 5yr at 500k in 2.5 years. But that’s a long time away, and what is happening here is peculiar to say the least.

@Paul ******

but why ‘weed out any remaining tourists’ when they’ll only come flooding back when things are relaxed ? what’s the difference economically between a tourist and someone with a low income business here (and therefore visa). Not arguing, just curios. If it’s about money/spending, there’s been no question of ‘means testing’. I was getting the same hard time at immigration, as people now posting asking for free accommodation, 3000bht a month rooms, or volunteering for food/accom, or even money for a flight home. On your other point, I thought Bali opening borders on 10th sept ?

@De *****************

Richard barrow is getting a bit too ‘busy’ for some, I believe.

@Eddie ******

that’s why I asked do

Know about it in general, in Samui specifically, or perhaps someone with knowledge can chip in 🙏😂👍

@Eddie ******

and in samui ? Or you just know about Chiang mai ?

@Shelley *******

sorry to hear that Shelley, I am approaching a similar situation. When did it happen, what exact date ? You were told or shown this, or just as it ‘happened’ which province ? Which school ? Thank hiu

@Ken *******

and don’t fancy the airports or planes at the minute

Was actually gonna drive. Stop in Bkk for a night or two. Got access to a nice condo there. I just can’t tell her it’s my ex girlfriends 😂

Never done the drive from surat Thani to bkk, not expecting much, and then never gone out of that end of Bangkok, but I’m expecting a bit more. I have a friend in khon kaen I should visit also.

@Ken *******

half Yorkshire but only actually went back up there once for my granddads funeral. Driven through it a few times.