#Thailand - A third of expats may have to leave – Survey on new ‘retirement’ visa extension

Thailand’s farang forum, Thaivisa, has conducted two unofficial polls that indicate that many expats will be calling it quits and leaving the Kingdom. The polls are a response from the affected ThaiVisa audience, not indicative of the total expat population living in Thailand.

The polls have been undertaken in the wake of new regulations issued by Thai immigration requiring retirees to lodge money for several months in a Thai bank account.

The unofficial polls report that, while nearly half of those on the Facebook poll say they would be leaving, nearly 70% on the website pages say they expected to “ride out the storm”.

On the ThaiVisa website the question was asked… “Will the new financial requirements force you to leave?”

• 7.9% said Yes

• 22.72% said it would seriously jeopardise their stay

• 69.38% said they would not have to leave

On their Facebook page, a similar question was more clear cut. Asked if the tough new financial requirements for retirement extensions (visas) would force people to leave:

• 49% said Yes

• 51% said No

On the website forum 461 people responded to the survey. On their Facebook page, 968 people responded.

Some opined (grammar and spelling corrected)…

“It does appear that this administration, and especially the biggest joke, are trying to do everything in their power to discourage expats from staying here.”

“To call them ignorant, fearful, xenophobic, non-visionary, and misguided would be a vast understatement. Biggest Joke said he would make things easier and simpler. He is doing just the opposite, and barely even disguising his contempt for foreigners.”

“He is the single biggest threat to the expat community right now.”

“One can only hope that, come election time, all of this nonsense will be over, and both Prayuth and especially the biggest joke, will be sent out to pasture for the rest of their lives.”

“These new rules will hurt the Thai economy if almost half leave unless they change to a spousal visa if they are married of course.”

“The Thai Baht is another major factor in how people can survive here and only the Government can step in and bring it back out of its inflated state which will also improve exports as we all know the weaker the baht the more other countries can import just common sense instead of greed .”

“I will take a wait and see approach before cashing in my chips here in Chiang Mai.”

“One week it’s a new set of financial criteria, the next week it’s something different. I tend to agree that Thai Government Officials simply don’t want us here on a long term basis so they go about putting these ridiculous impediments in our way.”

SOURCE: ThaiVisa

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#Bangkok - A huge international Muay Thai and mixed martial arts event is coming to Bangkok

ONE Championship, the biggest martial arts show in Asia, is coming to the Impact Arena on Saturday, Feb 16 for its next event, ONE: CLASH OF LEGENDS.

While previously known solely for their mixed martial arts competitions (a sport which allows athletes to use all forms of martial arts in a single bout), ONE has recently expanded to add boxing, kickboxing, and Muay Thai bouts to their shows. Those matches take place under the ONE Super Series banner, and have become a regular part of ONE shows.  

The last time ONE came to Bangkok was back in October, and it was a real bash, so if you are a fight fan it's highly recommended to go. 

For ONE: CLASH OF LEGENDS, there is an emphasis on Thai athletes, with some of the nation’s elite martial artists facing off against the world’s best.

In the main event, four-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Nong-O Gaiyanghadao—a professional Thai boxer who has competed in more than a whopping 300 bouts—will face Chinese superstar Han Zi Hao. 

The winner will score the first-ever ONE Bantamweight Muay Thai World Champion.

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You can also catch Lumpinee and Rajadamnern Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Chamuaktong Fightermuaythai against England’s Charlie “Boy” Peters in a ONE Super Series Muay Thai contest.

Additionally, rising Thai star Rika “Tiny Doll” Ishige returns against Kun Khmer World Champion Nou Srey Pov in a mixed martial arts bout.

Ishige began her martial arts training at nine years old, learning more traditional disciplines like aikido and taekwondo. Since turning pro in 2017, she has earned all of her wins via TKO or submission. The last time ONE came to Bangkok, she scored an impressive first-round TKO win.

Another highlight includes three-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Kongsak P.K.Saenchaimuaythaigym facing Russia’s Alaverdi “Dagger” Ramazanov in a ONE Super Series Muay Thai bantamweight contest.

In addition to that, two-time Lumpinee Stadium Muay Thai World Champion Superlek Kiatmoo9 will make his debut against Cambodian superstar Lao Chetra.

There are a total of 12 bouts on the card, and ONE is consistently one of the best shows in Asia — so if you are in to fights do check it out. 

READ CONTINUE - (with more pictures)

 

 Grab a ticket for ONE: CLASH OF LEGENDS before they’re gone at www.onefc.com and www.thaiticketmajor.com

Thai forest rangers train to tackle wildlife crime

This file photo shows forest rangers from Thailand together with Cambodian and Laos rangers holding two armed "poachers" during a mock raid in Khao Yai National Park, Nakhon Nayok province, as part of training to tackle wildlife rime.

 

Nakhon Nayok - Camo-clad rangers ambush a camp in a lush Thai national park, kicking away a machete and a firearm and pinning two suspected poachers to the ground -- part of a training exercise to counter a lucrative wildlife trade.

"Go!" team leader Kritkhajorn Tangon yells as the group tackles the actors, who had near them sambar deer antlers and a blade covered in fake blood.

Thailand's conservationists are struggling to stamp out the multibillion-dollar black market in animal parts, finding themselves outgunned by illegal hunters and outflanked by courts.

The country is a key transit point for smugglers moving on to Vietnam and China, two of the world's biggest markets for parts from endangered and protected species.

But efforts by its 14,000 rangers to take down illegal hunters and loggers are often stymied by a lack of resources and training, with about 15 rangers killed each year in deadly encounters.

Impunity also reigns for traffickers who are well connected politically and financially, dodging jail time when there is little iron-clad physical evidence to keep them behind bars.

Gathering evidence, protecting a crime scene and using forensic analysis were some of the skills developed by more than a dozen rangers who took part in the training week led by anti-trafficking group Freeland.

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Among the participants in the event at Khao Yai National Park, which culminated in Friday's mock scenario, were four officials from neighbouring Cambodia and Laos.

"Our investigation skills are still weak... when they (rangers) encounter these situations, they leave loopholes in the collection of evidence," Kritkhajorn told AFP.

"It could result in the suspect walking free."

Freeland has emphasised the need for material evidence as "it cannot be manipulated, whereas an eyewitness can retract his testimony", said country director Petcharat Sangchai, a retired police major-general.

- Transnational gangs -

The training, funded by the British embassy in Bangkok, comes the same week a Thai court dismissed charges against a suspected wildlife trafficking kingpin.

He was accused of smuggling $1 million worth of rhino horns to Thailand but the case unravelled when the sole eyewitness changed his testimony.

A successful conviction has to be handled "correctly from the forests to the courts", said Freeland's program director Tim Redford, adding that widespread wildlife poaching and smuggling involves transnational organised crime rings.

"These criminals are exploiting loopholes in the law, they are exploiting weakness of understanding in judges and prosecutors, and that's why they are winning," he said.

One case which left the Thai public incensed involved construction tycoon Premchai Karnasuta, who was arrested last February after rangers stumbled on his camp in a national park in Kanchanaburi province.

Animal carcasses -- including a rare black leopard -- and guns were found, but Premchai, one of Thailand's wealthiest moguls, denied he was poaching and was released on bail.

Investigation is pending and a court verdict is expected in March.

The tycoon's case was at the forefront of all the participants' minds on Friday as the clearest example of what the rich and powerful could get away with in Thailand.

"If you know who my boss is, you'll get shivers! My boss is Premchai!" shouted one of the "poachers" during the exercise, as the rangers laughed in a moment of levity.

Sourse - TheNation

#Bangkok a top Tet holiday choice for Vietnamese travelers

The Thai capital is the hottest destination this year for Vietnamese choosing to travel during the Tet holiday.

Agoda, a leading global online accommodation reservations provider, has used new bookings data to assess 10 most popular Tet, Lunar New Year, holiday destinations for Vietnamese this year.

Traditionally, Tet is a time when Vietnamese people return home all over the country and the world to join their family for important Lunar New Year rituals, and to visit relatives and friends as part of the festival tradition.

However, the long holiday is tempting increasing numbers of Vietnamese citizens to travel within and outside the country.

This year, Bangkok has overtaken many of famous Vietnamese tourist hotspots like Da Lat, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc. Singapore came sixth on the list, while Kuala Lumpur took the ninth position.

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 Around one million Vietnamese tourists touched down in Thailand in 2018, putting Vietnam among the kingdom's top 10 tourism markets, according to a recent report by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Citizens of ASEAN member nations can travel within the region without applying for visa and stay as a tourist for a maximum of 30 days.

Bangkok’s high popularity among Vietnamese holiday goers is reflected in the fact that 30 airlines have direct routes connecting Hanoi and Saigon with the capital of Thailand.

The Year of the Pig begins on February 5 and the Vietnamese government has approved a nine-day (February 2-10) break for the holiday.

Rising overseas travel is a result of economic development and an expanding middle class, said Nguyen Cong Hoan, vice general director of Hanoi Redtour.

"A more affluent younger generation now wants to see the world. They are willing to spend more money on experiencing new destinations," he said.

According to Mastercard, Vietnam has the second fastest growing outbound market in the Asia Pacific region after Myanmar, with projected annual growth of 9.5 percent between 2016 and 2021.

Mastercard has forecast that some 7.5 million Vietnamese travelers will venture outside the country in 2021.

Source - VN Express

#Myanmar (Burma) - Bagan ready for heritage listing experts

The Department of Archaeology and National Museums is ready to answer questions on the Bagan heritage area from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), says the department’s director.

Richard Mackay, an expert from the council, conducted a survey last September for a report that will be submitted to UNESCO regarding Myanmar’s application to list the ancient city as a World Heritage Site.

“We are preparing to answer the questions of the ICOMOS expert, who wants more information before submitting a final report to UNESCO in March,” department director U Aung Aung Kyaw said. 

He did not say what questions would be asked.

U Thu Ya Aung, secretary of the Myanmar Archaeology Association, said there are three possible outcomes to the listing application process.

“One is Bagan is added to the World Heritage List; two is that listing is deferred as in 1994, when UNESCO requested that stronger laws and a management plan be created to protect Bagan; and three is that the application is denied.

“At present, the management of the Bagan heritage area prioritises development over protection. The authorities are still allowing new hotel projects and roads in the heritage zone, even though there is enough space outside the zone,” U Thu Ya Aung said.

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To reduce traffic within the ancient city last year, the regional authorities re-opened Tharabar Gate, the last wall from the Bagan era. The increasing number of vehicles using the route is worrying to experts.

“Even though Tharabar Gate has a security team, some domestic travellers are climbing up its wall. The traffic and crowds of people are threatening the long-term sustainability of the gate,” U Thu Ya Aung said.

Recently some Bagan and Nyaung-U residents protested to call for more information about the proposed cultural heritage law.

The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture is amending the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Heritage Regions Law, which has passed the Amyotha Hluttaw (Upper House) and Attorney General’s Office and will be tabled in the Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House).

“The new law proposes that people not be allowed to do any renovation, even for building a fence in the heritage zone, without obtaining permission from the Department of Archaeology.

 We want regulations to be more flexible for residents of the heritage zone,” Daw Khin Moh Mon Aung, a resident of New Bagan, said.

Source - MMTimes

#Cambodia’s largest waterfall flowing between two nations

Located in Preah Vihear province, it is Cambodia’s largest waterfall with 26m of tiered rock-face and goes by three names – the Sopheakmit waterfall, the Lbak Khoun waterfall and the Preah Nimith waterfall.

Sitting slap bang on the Cambodian-Lao frontier, the upper Mekong waterfall is a spectacle to behold, as its turquoise-blue stream cascades over a gauntlet of limestone rocks, frothing and churning as it races downstream. 

Located in Preah Vihear province’s Preah Lean Community Forest, it is Cambodia’s largest waterfall with 26m of tiered rock-face, and goes by three names; the Sopheakmit waterfall, the Lbak Khoun waterfall and the Preah Nimith waterfall. 

Previously, due to poor infrastructure leading to the waterfall, both local and international tourists who wanted to see the beautiful view had to travel via Laos to visit the site. 

But a recently constructed road has now opened up this attraction for tourists and locals in Cambodia, says Kong Vibol, the provincial tourism department head. 

Previously, due to poor infrastructure leading to the waterfall, both local and international tourists tourists who wanted to see the beautiful view had to travel via Laos to visit the site. The water is at its most clear and calm between November and May.

“This cascade has been in Preah Vihear since the province was established in 1964. But at that time we did not have good infrastructure to reach there, it was quite hard to develop the community. 

“According to primary school books, we call it Lbak K houn.

But the name Sopheakmit emerged when Steung Treng province officials brought tourists to the place and famous singers began writing songs using the name Sopheakmit. 

The name Preah Nimith occurred when the local community worked with tourism department to change its name back to the original one,” Vibol says. 

He said that though the road is dusty and difficult, Preah Nimith waterfall welcomes visitors all year round, but between November and May, the water is at its most clear and calm.

To reach the waterfall, drive from Preah Vihear town on National Road 9 through the deserted Prey Long forest to Chhaeb II commune’s Dorng Plet village and continue on the dusty road roughly 65km from Steung Treng town.

Source - PhnomPenhPost 

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#Thailand - Round ’em up, ship ’em out – another 500 foreigners arrested in crackdown

Authorities rounded up 503 foreigners for overstaying their visas, illegally entering Thailand and other crimes during simultaneous searches at 217 locations around the country early Friday.  

 Immigration Police Bureau deputy chief Pol Maj-General Itthipol Itthisarnronnachai says the raids are part of the government’s crackdown on transnational scammers, card skimmers and drug traffickers, as well as foreigners breaking immigration laws.

The searches took place at locations including four schools, 73 private firms and shops, six service establishments and 50 hotels and hostels, he said.4 Iranians,3 Lao, two Russians and an American, an Indian, a Chinese and a Mongolian were charged with overstaying their visas.

94 Lao, 86 Burmese, 68 Cambodians, 2 Vietnamese and an Indian and South Korean were charged with entering the country illegally.

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There was an additional 121 Thais, 50 Cambodians, 40 Burmese, 6 Lao, 6 Vietnamese, 3 Indians, 2 Filipinos, 2 Chinese, 2 Australians, 2 Russians and a Briton, a South Korean, a Greek and a German who were detained on numerous other charges.

He said 43 separate operations were included in the clampdown and resulted in the arrest of 6,971 foreigners.

Last year in October, following a deadline set by the Thai PM to seek out, arrest and deport overstayers and criminals, it was declared there were no more illegal foreigners living in Thailand.

Source - TheNation