By Barry Kenyon

[Jun]

The "root cause", and I say this from direct experience, is that many Thai businesses and administrations, including some government agencies, hire managers based on a pay-as-you-go methodology, where recruits for management positions are commonly hired based on how much money they pay for the position, and not based on proven skills, education, and experience as one would expect.

So they buy the jobs?
In addition to being unsuited to the task, if you have corrupt staff, they're going to try and extract tea money from the whole enterprise. In Pattaya, that appears to involve deliberately making processes as awkward as possible so customers go to agencies.
There are people in jobs that should not exist, if they were trying to be efficient and were applying software properly.

[Gaybutton]

So they buy the jobs?

That's right. That is the way many jobs are obtained, usually white collar jobs. Buy the job and be trained once you've paid the tea money. That's how it works with many jobs. The same in Lao too. I don't think it's farfetched to think tea money is the backbone of Thai economics.

[Gaybutton]

Pattaya is always in transformation says Ali Baba restaurant supremo

By Barry Kenyon

September 21, 2025

Naini Grover, Thai citizen of Indian descent, has been observing Pattaya since his father bought the Ali Baba building on Central Road and opened the restaurant in November 1981. “People have always been wrong about Pattaya” he says. “During the early AIDS and later Covid crises, the common prediction was that the city would sink into oblivion like Tombstone.”

Some foreign press have always deliberately ignored the city’s diversification and chosen to treat it as a permanent embarrassment. Yet Naini points out that in 2025 Pattaya competes with Phuket to be Thailand’s most popular beach resort and, according to Agoda’s research, is the best location in the country for microtourism.

When it comes to predicting the future, he stresses that there are many Pattayas as markets always come and go. “In the 1990s, European tourists and expats predominated but there have been successive waves of Russians and Chinese. At the moment the momentum is with Indian arrivals, but that could change too if Indians decide to stop travelling or choose other destinations.

Naini instances the customers at Ali Baba: one evening they are mostly Indian, the next night virtually all Europeans. He adds that wealthier tourists and expats are now strongly in evidence, as indicated by the new visas designed to appeal to them and the surge in investment to build extravagant condominiums all over town.

Ali Baba, which takes its name from the folk tale in Arabic and the legendary forty thieves, is surely the longest-established restaurant in Pattaya under one family management. Naini, the company head since the death of his father, says that there are now around 200 Indian restaurants in or near the city. “We’ll provide you with a detailed list in two weeks,” he promises.

But Ali Baba is top of the bunch and likely to remain so. “My mother, a professional cook, was responsible for training the staff in the early days and her successors have kept up the high standard.” He quotes the letter from an old friend, “If you haven’t visited the Ali Baba then you have never arrived in Pattaya.”

About three quarters of all Indians are vegetarians and Naini thinks that the cuisine is attracting more and more foreigners too. “But veganism is not actually an Indian tradition as most Indians love their milk, their butter and their puddings. A lot of Indians stopped eating red meat for health reasons and that’s an international trend too now.”

He points out that many Thais now visit India as vacationers, thus providing a further source of love for Indian food over time. Naini concludes, “Yes I’m a Pattaya survivor. Ali Baba too has survived all the past perils as well as the superb opportunities in Pattaya for over 40 years. I’m looking forward with confidence to the next 40.”

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/pattay ... emo-519808

[Gaybutton]

More than 100,000 retirees in Thailand now scattered amongst many visa programs

By Barry Kenyon

September 27, 2025

There are no regular Thai government updates on visa volume overall. Thus the commonly-asked question “how many retired foreigners live in Thailand?” can produce only a speculative answer. Several visa options are on the table with choice largely dictated by age, available finance and whether migration is intended to be more or less permanent.

The 10-year LTR (long Term Residence), introduced in 2022, currently has “more than 7,000 enrolments” according to a September 2025 report by the Board of Investment (BOI) secretary general Narit Therdsteerasaukdi. LTR is designed for several markets, including professionals in new industries requiring a digital work permit, but 2,658 “wealthy pensioners” are included in that summary, the biggest single category for eligible membership.

Retirees in the LTR program, at least 50 years old, need an income of at least US$80,000 annually or heavy cash investments in the Thai economy. The key advantages are no limit on the number of dependants, tax-free status for transmitted overseas income, annual reporting instead of the 90 days report and access to the BOI one-stop shop. Almost half the retirees in the program are Europeans with a further near-20 percent from The United States.

Another longterm visa, Elite or Privilege, has been a rolling program since 2003 and, according to the current website, has “over 40,000” members from 50 countries. There are no age restrictions. Visa length and bonuses vary according to the upfront payment, but the popular Bronze offers a five years validity for 650,000 baht or US$20,000. There are no figures on the number of retirees in Elite, though it is said to be most popular with foreigners who want to travel frequently in and out of Thailand with a permit which is multi-entry without re-entry bureaucracy.

Several annually renewable visas cater specifically for the retiree aged at least 50. The embassy-controlled “O/A” and the immigration-granted “0” differ in detail, but broadly require proof of 800,000 baht or US$25,000 in a Thai bank. “OA” has a requirement about medical insurance, variously interpreted. The UN Network on Migration in Thailand said that, in 2023, there were 126,654 retirees living in the kingdom. But the quoted data is soft. Whether that assumed total has since increased or gone down is disputed by immigration gurus. The immigration bureau itself remains strictly silent.

In July 2024 the 5-years validity Destination Thailand Visa made its appearance. The most recent government figures, in January 2025, show about 30,000 awarded to digital nomads and a further 50,000 to “soft power” applicants such as medical tourists, foreigners with Thai families and learners of Thai boxing or cookery. Some retirees are known to have switched to DTV from specific retiree visas by enrolling for eligible adult education classes. DTV, which requires the applicant to visit a Thai embassy abroad, does not require a Thai bank account as the 500,000 baht security bond can be in a foreign financial institution.

Although 100,000 (to 150,000) is a reasonable minimum guesstimate for retiree numbers, nobody knows a precise figure as there is no single definition of a retiree. Thus some are known to travel frequently to Thailand on the visa exempt category, but are not based here. Collecting data from embassies, for the O/A and DTV visas, is problematical as each consulate is semi-independent and operates its own protocols. Currently, there is no central Thai agency coordinating visas: the immigration bureau, the BOI and the foreign affairs and tourist ministries are all involved.

Moreover, the ground may well be shifting. Retirees on annually renewable visas, who rely on friends or third parties loaning them cash, are now having problems with some Thai banks requiring 800,000 baht to be frozen and untouched for up to four months. Some retirees are known to have panicked about personal income tax, prematurely as Thai lawyer Victor Wong stressed in a recent Pattaya Mail article. Meanwhile, there are calls for a Thai golden visa which would offer permanent residency or a second passport to the global wealthy.

But the most fundamental do-not-know is the recent change of government. With premier Anutin Charnvirakul at its head, we could see a new ministry coordinating all visas, changes to cash requirements, a new and comprehensive immigration act or maybe none of the above. What is clear is the administration’s commitment to increasing digitalization and centralization of the whole immigration system. Further clarity will likely be delayed until after the general election early next year.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ams-520597

[Dodger]

By Barry Kenyon

.......Although 100,000 (to 150,000) is a reasonable minimum guesstimate for retiree numbers, nobody knows a precise figure as there is no single definition of a retiree.......Collecting data from embassies, for the O/A and DTV visas, is problematical as each consulate is semi-independent and operates its own protocols. Currently, there is no central Thai agency coordinating visas: the immigration bureau, the BOI and the foreign affairs and tourist ministries are all involved.

I disagree with the statement that there is no single definition of a retiree. For data management purposes the definition of a retiree is recorded on each and every TM 7 that a foreigner completes when requesting a visa extension in the section marked "reason for request for extension".

Thailand's Immigrations systems, centralized or not, should be able to run a sort option listing ALL RETIREEs within their jurisdiction at any time with a few clicks on the keyboard. If by chance the TM 7 is not set up in their systems to allow for this sorting process they're farther behind than I thought.

If Thailand goes through with its plan to create a centralized department to manage Immigration they will certainly rely on these data, as will the consulates, if for no other reason, than to be able to know how many retirees they have in the Kingdom at any one time.

One would have to wonder (I know I do) if the number of retirees in the various provinces are not being made transparent because a) they don't have their systems set up the right way to be able to see this (which I find extremely hard to believe), or b) there's another reason why they don't want people to see how many retirement visas they actually have on their books.

Let's see: If a single immigration office processes 10,000 retirement visa's a year that should result in around 19 million baht of revenue - which of course repeats itself every year (10,000 X 1,900 THB fee).

This is Thailand... and even Rod Sterling would be amazed.

[Gaybutton]

Music festivals are of zero interest to me. I'm the type who would be the first one on line if it was an Ethel Merman, George Gershwin, or Irving Berlin concert, but the types of so-called music on offer these days - not for me. If they change their minds about allowing casinos - that is for me.

"and many family-friendly venues" - I think I've made it quite clear my opinion about that . . .
_________________________________________

Reinventing the resort is music to Pattaya’s ears

By Barry Kenyon

September 28, 2025

The incoming Thai government is keen to promote the diversification of Pattaya’s soft power attractions. Bhunanan Patanasin, former president of the regional business and tourist association, said that hosting large-scale international, electronic music festivals will draw millions of global visitors. He pointed to Tomorrowland, recently voted the world’s top musical festival umbrella in DJ Mag, an industry media outlet.

The three-day event scheduled for December 2026 requires very detailed preparation and will be held at Wisdom Valley, near Pattaya, an attractive and expansive area with easy access to transport hubs. The greater Pattaya area is host to 3,500 hotels. Mr Bhunanan said the event will be officially announced in November 2025 at Shanghai’s Hero Dome during an inaugural musical event in China. The Thai tourist authorities believe that many younger and affluent Chinese, unimpressed by organized tours, are keen to travel abroad independently .

Thailand has ambitions to become the cultural hub of Asia and will hold a Tomorrowland event annually for five years. There are also proposals to establish an Event Academy to enhance the music industry skills of Thais to world class standards. Previous attempts to promote international musical extravaganzas were delayed by the covid pandemic. Prime minister Anutin Charnvirakul is keen to promote Thailand to international audiences in general although the 2026 Tomorrowland event was first agreed by the now-defunct Pheu Thai administration.

Pattaya business leaders say that the city is creating new attractions such as theme hotels, waterparks, sports facilities and many family-friendly venues. However, there are still weaknesses such as no realistic transport facilities in the city beyond baht buses and ride-hailing via online apps. Alternatives such as an overhead rail network or a regular public bus system have not gone beyond the drawing office stage largely because of the sheer expense. One solution, represented by Tomorrowland, is to base more tourist attractions well outside the city limits.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ars-520698

[Gaybutton]

Just like so many things, does it come as a surprise to anyone that the details are unclear and confusing? Does anyone expect the details to become clear before implementation - and then the clarity attempts will be just as confusing, if not more? I won't be surprised if those who are supposed to collect these fees will be just as confused and whether or not you'll have to pay will be upon the "wisdom" of whoever is deciding whether in your case you have to pay or not.

Yes folks, yet another well thought through move likely to be implemented without anyone involved on the paying and receiving ends having any idea what is supposed to be going on . . .
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Stepping onto Thai soil will soon cost “tourists” 300 baht

By Barry Kenyon

October 4, 2025

In an announcement free of any detail, the new tourism and sports minister Atthakorn Sirilatthayakorn has insisted that the long delayed entry tax of 300 baht (US$9) will be start to be collected “within the next four months”. Known as “ka yeap pan din”, a tax to step onto Thai soil, the proposal has been on the table for five years, but previous governments never implemented it because of practical issues.

The latest announcement suggests that all tourists entering by air, land and sea will pay a common 300 baht. How the sum will be paid remains a mystery for now. It is not payable by Thai citizens, so the notion of including the tax on air tickets poses titanic problems as airlines were quick to point out last year. Nor do we know how to define a foreign tourist. It obviously includes 60 days visa exempt visitors, but whether (for example) retirees on annually renewable visas will escape is speculative. Those holding a Destination Thailand Visa, a tourist permit, must leave the country at least twice a year. Would they receive some kind of discount on re-entry?

An efficient mode of revenue collection has escaped at least four earlier tourist ministers. Setting up toll booths at airports and land and sea entry points would be an unthinkable strategy for awesome delays and anti-marketing confusion. Linking the fee to the newly introduced Thailand Digital Arrival Card with a credit card facility is possible, but the devil would certainly be in the detail. Such a move would also be very unpopular as the TDAC, introduced last spring, was promoted as being entirely free of charge.

It remains to be clarified who or what will benefit from the about-to-be-imposed tourist tax. Maintaining or improving tourist sites, such as temples or parks, has always been cited. Another suggestion has been to help make second-tier cities more attractive as a way of deflecting visitors away from traditional Pattaya or overcrowded Phuket. It’s safe to assume that most of the cash will be spent by the government at its sole discretion. Thus, in theory, it could be spent on marketing campaigns abroad.

But what about tourist medical insurance? Would the new fund mean that tourists, however defined, would get free hospital treatment for emergencies? Obviously not. Maybe there will be a discretionary fund of some kind requiring prior registration, or maybe compensation will be available for costs associated with foreigner deaths after serious accidents. Or maybe the fund will be restricted to improving tourist safety by providing more emergency vehicles or teaching hospital staff more languages.

The new minister stated that the entry tax will require clarification to foreign tourists how they will benefit from parting with their cash. So far, the response on social media has been hugely negative. Given that the tax is due to be implemented no later than January 2026, there are enormous pressures to sort out the detail amazingly quickly. Or announce yet another delay.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... aht-521250

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No light at the end of the bullet train tunnel

By Barry Kenyon

October 8, 2025

The long-heralded super-train to link U-tapao airport with Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang remains in the doldrums. The new transport minister, Phipat Ratchakitprakarn, says he has no wish for contract cancellation, but wishes to speak with the private sector concessionaire Asia Era One Co. The scheme was notionally agreed as far back as 2019, but with little discernible progress.

Amongst the many problems are alleged failures to transfer private and public land for project use, investor frustration by partners and doubts about future fundraising for the 224.5 billion baht adventure. The bullet train idea is seen as a flagship initiative of the Eastern Economic Corridor, created by the post-coup administration of general Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Some commentators believe the existing plan is too ambitious, especially as U-tapao-based flights and destinations have developed more slowly than anticipated since the pandemic. Alternative suggestions include expanding the existing double-track sections from Laem Chabang to U-tapao and increasing train frequency.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... nel-521797

[Jun]

No light at the end of the bullet train tunnel

Thailand doesn't yet have fast trains anywhere. Despite having poured an obscene quantity of concrete building elevated lines.

From memory, the Airport Rail link is supposed to be capable of 160 km/h, but they shut the express service & it gets nowhere near that.

[Gaybutton]

Thai weed laws under review once again

By Barry Kenyon

October 9, 2025

Thailand’s roller-coaster cannabis rules are in flux again after a promise by the Ministry of Public Health to undertaker a review. This comes after mounting pressure from the campaign group Writing Thailand’s Cannabis Future (WTCF) which supports the nascent industry.

The network is asking for a cancellation of the 2025 ministerial announcement – under the now defunct Pheu Thai administration – to require purchasers to visit a doctor and obtain a medical certificate prior to buying from a registered clinic. The list of maladies included chronic pain, insomnia, epilepsy and Parkinson’s disease, apparently banning weed as a recreational drug.

Thailand once had very strict penalties against cannabis, but legalized it for medical purposes in 2018. In 2022 the Food and Drugs Administration removed the drug and hemp from the list of narcotics. That in turn led to around 18,000 retail outlets opening nationwide, especially in tourist orientated cities, with minimal controls by the state. Claims that most shops and weed cafes have now closed is disputed by many residents.

Pattaya retailer Ake Khatttiyadamrong urged the new government, under liberal-minded premier Anutin Charnvirakul, to revert to the 2022 declaration which allowed cannabis sales without a prescription. Reformers are also calling for the introduction of a cannabis health card to allow purchase in retail outlets without regular trips to the doctor’s office.

WTCF secretary general Prasitchai Nunuan said public concerns about misuse had been exaggerated by those wishing cannabis to be outlawed again. He explained there were already laws in place to protect children and pregnant women, whilst preventing open advertising and sales near schools, temples and hospitals.

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. However, FDA is very short of inspectors.

The Ministry of Public Health will now assign the Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine to conduct a review during the current month and submit recommendations to the minister for onward transmission to the Cabinet. With a general election looming, a controversial subject such as cannabis may need to wait for a crystal-clear status.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ain-521959