@A.c. **********

Where did you see

"I just remembered the recent news that the initial stay period for visa-exempt entry got reduced from 60 days to 30 days" as a formality?

There was a story in Japan press about a Chinese woman who switched her left and right fingertips (ooouch, surgicaly, in China) trying to fool the Japan Immigration.

Since the story made it into the media, they got her.

@Donald *********

Thai is 2,200km long point to point state.

What is this?

"South are more likely to be Kymer origin rather than Lao."

Is it "Kymer" or Khmer (Cambodia)? My wife can peak Khmer.

Europe, the same distance, like from Stockholm to Rome and you fly over many countries, languages (mutualy unintelligable) , legistratures and cultures.

@Donald *********

You would know that. The name (half derogatory name for all foreigners, "farang" is a deformation of Thai pronounciation of "French". Thais never forgave the French cutting the state of Laos out of Thailand.

Indeed, Thailand is not a reper of democracy but Thai people are much richer, well off and happier than Lao people.

My daughter, a Thai national, can barely understand Thai in Wang Nam Yen (near Cambodia) or in Korat or Udon Thani.

She would say "I know what is being talked about and what is happening around me".

Isan, instead of calling us "farang" say "buksida".

@Stuart ********

Isan, 25 million people, Thai, are the same people as Lao.

Passport has no home address.

I know of a man who married a Lao woman, happy to live in Laos.

He had lived in Bangkog before.

What is the difference? Isan (25 million people) are actually Lao, only that the country was cut out by the French.

Australia, does not certify overseas marriages. It does recognize them as a deed.

How you have made it so complicated.

Married at Sathorn City Council, Bangkok, our marriage certificate (2008) has been accepted everywhere, in Japan too. We are not after a marriage visa but we could.

@Jordan ****

Congrats! You must be talented for foreign languages.

My daughter (now 21) had Thai as the first language she had learned, from 0 to 5 years old.

She is taking 1:1 lessons (400 lessons so far) and she can not make a meningful phone call in Thai language.

Her Thai courses are by an accredited Thai teacher professional (she even comes in the official uniform) : writing, reading, talking.

While, you are going into "advanced" class.