By Barry Kenyon

[Jun]

Many tourists in Pattaya have told Pattaya Mail that it is still easy to purchase cannabis over-the-counter. They say that many retail outlets can arrange a medical certificate without the customer needing to visit a doctor. Police have previously stated that they still await clear instructions, whilst explaining that the rules should be enforced by the Food and Drugs Administration.

Relaxing the laws created a boom in cannabis outlets.
They have now tightened the laws.

The authorities have the option of enforcing the laws, ignoring them or going around collecting tea money from a whole new business segment.

Now which do we think will happen in Pattaya ? Was that the plan all along ?

[Gaybutton]

Now which do we think will happen in Pattaya ? Was that the plan all along ?

I don't know if that was the plan all along, although it wouldn't surprise me if it was. Many of the shop owners probably invested all they had and all they could borrow to go into business. If they have to close down they could lose everything and find themselves in dire financial circumstances. I doubt the government would step in to bail them out. That would make it easy for some to take advantage of the situation.

However, it was Anutin who pushed for fully legalizing marijuana in the first place. Now he is Prime Minister. It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

[Gaybutton]

New British passports and associated regulations in Thailand

By Barry Kenyon

October 12, 2025

The latest version of the navy British passport will have a new Charles III Coast of Arms and advanced security features such as holograms, translucent features and laser markings. The passports are due to be rolled out in upcoming December, though the older blue and Burgundy passports will contain to be lawful until they expire.

British authorities are reminding travellers that many countries have acceptance rules for foreign passports. Thailand insists that there must be six clear months left before expiry. Thai immigration officers at air, land and sea entry points can be very particular about the state of the passport with water smudges or jam stains being a particular issue. It’s advisable to keep them in a plastic cover.

Thai attorney and immigration lawyer Jessataporn Bunnag said tourists must be careful about visas and passports. “Thai e-visas are now issued by embassies in paper form and are no longer stamped into the passport. Thus visitors must retain the email from the embassy to show immigration officers on entry and if an extension is required.”

He also said that British passports could easily be renewed by expats in Thailand. “It’s a straightforward procedure requiring the application form, two correct-size photos, an online payment form and proof of address in Thailand. The applicant does not need personally to visit the passport application center in Bangkok, run by the VFS, but can delegate the job to an agency.”

He explained that the documentary proof of Thai address must be issued by the UK or Thai government or local authority and could include a valid Thai driving licence or pink residency card. Correspondence from the UK, for example from the tax authority, is also acceptable. If the passport is applied for in Thailand, the address must be here. Proof of address in UK is irrelevant in this particular context.

Some applicants for a replacement British passport must submit the details of a third party known to them. The categories include lost or stolen passports, applications for children and cases where the bearer is no longer recognizable from the photo in the old passport. Dr Bunnag said the most common problem was using an online credit or debit card which permits a transaction in UK. “Some Thai cards may have restricted overseas validity and require prior authorization. Card failures can lead to irritating delays and extra expense.”

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... and-522286

[Gaybutton]

Oh well, looks like I'll have to cancel my dream holiday in Afghanistan. Maybe instead I can go to Kuwait and rent motorbikes . . .
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Thailand remains steady in international passport rankings

By Barry Kenyon

October 15, 2025

The 2025 Henley Passport Index has ranked Thailand as 61st or 62nd in the world (depending on the source), allowing visa-free travel to 80 countries. Visa-free can include visas on arrival, but excludes countries which require a prior application for permission to enter. The survey attempts to categorize worldwide geographical mobility.

The Thai ranking shows little change from previous years. Many of her visa-free countries are Asean partners and a number of Latin American states such as Brazil, Chile and Peru. But they also include Russia and China which are important sources of tourism. Visa requirements for Thai nationals remain firmly in place for the European Union, UK, US and Australia.

Other news in the Index, compiled from data of the International Air Transport Association, include the United States dropping out of the top 10 for the first time, now typing with Malaysia at number 12. This is partly due to president Trump’s perceived “anti-foreigner” policies which have led to both China and Vietnam declining to place Americans on their expanding visa-free policies.

The 20 year-old Index is becoming harder to monitor as countries introduce requirements which fall between extremes. For example Thailand has introduced the TDAC, or digital landing card, which is not a vetting procedure but could be used with other computerized data to refuse entry. Similar moves are afoot in Europe and elsewhere.

The Index also notes that there is increasing interest worldwide in Golden Visas or buying a second passport by investment. For example, the United States is set to introduce a US$5 million bar to work and live there without restrictions. Thailand does not currently offer second-citizenship in this way.

Henley notes that the total number of countries counted in the survey is 199. There are 28 other territories, not included, which are microstates or venues which do not issue their own passports. The least valuable passport, according to the survey, is Afghanistan’s which offers visa-free access to only 26 countries.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/thaila ... ngs-522671