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To open a bank account in Thai, you need at least Non Immigrant "O" Visa. I submitted my application 23. June 2025. and received email approval June 30th 2025 (it was today). Took them 5 and a half business days. Applied from Japan, Osaka Royal Thai Consulate looks after Nagoya. During the application process, you must be within the jurisdiction of that particular Thai Embassy/Consulate. I could not go to Thai on 60 days exemption and wait on the approval there (within Thai). They will quickly find it out and cancel my visa application. My neighbour, an American, 15 years in Bangkok, 2 children, Thai wife, opened his account 15 years ago when the rules did not really exist. He received a call from his bank, June 1. 2025, his account was blocked, asked him to supply some documents that he is living in Thai. That much about 4,000 THB to an agent and "someone knows someone in some bank". My next steps: Go Thai (July 3) with the printout of that "O" visa (still, have to present TDI form about my arrival and departure). Get Yellow Book (I own the condo, wife and daughter have their "Blue Book") and get into the system. With that, go to Immigration for their document (not sure what it is but it is needed). Open a bank account. Transfer 800,000 THB to my newly open Thai account and let it season for 2 months. In the meantime, I can get my Japan driving licence converted to Thai DL, no test, no exam, eyes and reflex test only. When 2 months seasoning of the funds are up, apply for my retirement visa (O). I do not have to sit it out in Thai, can leave and come back 2 weeks before my "O" visa expires, September 27. 2025. No agencies as yet.

I got my scuba ticket at age 14 and I grew up watching Ron and Valery Taylor's groundbreaking underwater films, Saltwater Crocodiles, Dugongs, Great White Sharks etc etc (they consulted and filmed for Jaws). This docco is a bit of a mish mash but very good for vision of stuff you will have never seen before and likely won't again, underwater scenes, islanders, whales, even volcanic stuff. recommended.

developments: Protesters rally in Bangkok to demand Thai prime minister's resignation over leaked Cambodia call. LINK &c. &c. &c. 20,000 by police estimates

Skulls, Smoke and Spirits: Thai Ceremony Honors the Unclaimed Dead A young Thai girl holds a cleaned skull during a Lang Pacha ceremony in Nakhon Ratchasima province on April 18, 2025. The Lang Pacha ceremony is observed by Thais of Chinese descent to give a dignified funeral to the unclaimed dead In Thailand, hospitals hand unidentified bodies and those with no one to give them appropriate last rites to local foundations. These then bury the corpses in graveyards, sometimes for several years, before a weeks-long ritual when they are exhumed, cleaned and all cremated together. In Buddhist belief, the spirits of the uncremated remain trapped between worlds and cannot be reincarnated until monks perform the proper rites. “Spirits without cremation still roam,” said Pisit Pongsirisupakul, vice president of the Dhamma of Buddha Nakhon Ratchasima Foundation, which organized the event. “They suffer and they can’t be reborn. We help them move on, and that’s why this is an act of merit,” he told AFP. Buddhists believe death marks the beginning of a new life, and making merit ensures a better rebirth. “It’s not scary,” said Pisit. “When people die, we all look the same—like skeletons.” Empty eyesocket The ritual begins with volunteers digging up the graves—the event’s name translates as “cleaning the jungle”—before brushing dirt and flesh from the remains and washing them in holy water boiled with tea leaves. One man scrubbed out an empty eyesocket firmly with a toothbrush. The scene is incongruously cheerful: wearing blue surgical gloves, Pimjai Sornrach grinned broadly as she held a skull, declaring “it’s so good, it’s so good”, while her smiling friend held up a femur for the camera. “I just want to be there whenever there’s an event like this,” said Pimjai, a 54-year-old shopkeeper. She started volunteering at 17 after seeing two people killed in a hit-and-run, and says the ritual is about helping others as well as earning merit. “My heart tells me to go.” Accumulated over the course of a decade, some of the 600 corpses were only recently deceased and the smell of death hung over the foundation complex in Nakhon Ratchasima province, north of Bangkok. Some will have been Alzheimer’s patients who wandered from their homes, never to be found by their families, others include road accident victims or undocumented laborers from Myanmar. Laid out to dry, the remains are combined and divided up by bone type and laid out on mats or piled in buckets—hundreds of skulls, leg bones and others. It is a family occasion—two young girls sat alongside rows of skulls, each holding an anonymous head in their lap. ‘Peace of mind’ In the days running up to the ceremony’s climax, volunteers press gold leaf onto the bones, and reconstruct faces on a few. Each set of bones is loaded by turn into two separate crematorium towers—one for the men, one for the women—with the skulls on top completing the stacks. Monks chant and pray before the flames are lit. Later the ashes from each tower will be interred in a graveyard. Thitiwat Pornpiratsakul, 63, began volunteering after he, his wife and two sons survived a bus crash 20 years ago. “Our bus flipped over, and no one came to help us,” he recalled. “My wife and children were with me. We felt helpless.” Since recovering, he has taken part in the ritual every year. “My family and I have stayed healthy, and I believe it’s because we help in this ceremony,” he said. Organizers say the event not only honors the dead, but also highlights a need for legal reform. Pisit has long campaigned for government support to expand DNA testing and connect the civil registration system to police forensics to help identify the unclaimed. “We need a centralized database where families can search by ID and find their loved ones,” he said.

and then June 27 ----- Cambodia’s influential ex-premier Hun Sen on Friday accused Thailand’s prime minister of insulting the Thai king, as tensions between the neighbouring countries intensified. He said Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s comments about her military commander — who she labelled an “opponent” — in a leaked phone call with the veteran leader over a border dispute were “an insult to the king”. “An insult to a regional commander is an insult to the Thai king because it is only the king who issued a royal decree to appoint him,” Hun Sen said in a livestream on his official Facebook page. The daughter of controversial ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra — who goes on trial for lese-majeste next week — faces being sacked as prime minister as the phone call scandal has triggered calls for her to step down and her government to teeter....... LINK ----- BANGKOK - Thailand's foreign ministry said on Friday it was taken aback by an unprecedented public attack on the Thai premier and her family by Cambodia's influential former leader, but stressed the need for diplomacy to resolve an escalating bilateral dispute. In a televised address that lasted more than three hours, veteran Cambodian politician Hun Sen rebuked Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for her handling of a festering border row between the neighbours. Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for nearly four decades until stepping down in 2023, also took aim at Paetongtarn's father, divisive billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, until recently his close ally. "It surprised us, and it's quite extraordinary in terms of diplomatic norms," foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters. "Thailand has opened a lot of doors, and I insist that these doors remain open even after what happened this morning." Hun Sen, who is now president of Cambodia's senate but still holds enormous clout, accused Paetongtarn of looking down at him and his son, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. On Thaksin, who faces an impending court case over the legitimacy of a hospital stay that allowed him to skip prison time, Hun Sen said the former Thai leader faked his illness. "Thaksin was not sick," he said. "He pretended to be sick." Paetongtarn, 38, has come under enormous domestic pressure following the leak of the audio of June 15 phone call between her and Hun Sen, in which she appeared overtly deferential to him and also criticised a Thai military commander..... LINK

He's an absolute treasure. If anyone deserved an international prize. Haven't seen this one but have enjoyed many of his other Documentaries. Shame more in positions of power don't listen to him.

The Friend [2024 Movie] When a solitary writer adopts and bonds with a Great Dane that belonged to a late friend, she begins to come to terms with her past and her own creative inner life. A strong lead performance in a borderline maudlin affair.

The Happy Prince [2018 Movie] The untold story of the last days in the tragic times of Oscar Wilde, a person who observes his own failure with ironic distance and regards the difficulties that beset his life with detachment and humor. Beautifully photographed, an uncompromising lead makes for a memorable biography.

Ocean with David Attenborough [2025 Movie] Attenborough explores the planet's undersea habitats, revealing the greatest age of ocean discovery and emphasizing the ocean's vital importance while exposing its problems and highlighting opportunities for marine life recovery. Documentary making at its finest, with breathtaking cinematography, a convincing case for ocean sustainability presented as well as ever by 99 year old Attenborough. Not to be missed.

Dept. Q [2025 TV] A former top-rated detective, is wracked with guilt following an attack that left his partner paralyzed and another policeman dead. On his return to work, he is assigned to a cold case that will consume his life. Great biting dialogue and performances in a hideous plot-line. Another new and excellent crime series, likely more to come.

The Amateur [2025 Movie] When his supervisors at the CIA refuse to take action after his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack, a decoder takes matters into his own hands. Old school thriller format works well with a strong cast and unusaul nerd spy element.

Hurry Up Tomorrow [2025 Movie] An insomniac musician encounters a mysterious stranger, leading to a journey that challenges everything he knows about himself. A modern vibe art house visual cannot save a movie of absolutely no substance, despite some established cast members leading as bait. Cheesy music adds to the slog.

Darlinghurst and Surry Hills has some good restaurants and R&Ts but Haymarket is definitely Thaitown I live halfway between the Haymarket and the Airport and there is probably 8-10 Thai Massage establishments within walking distance. Always very discreet and strategically located close to alcohol establishments. You just need to look for the below to know what's on offer.

Regarding the weed situation in LOS – it occurred to me (please correct if wrong) there has been a huge surge in tourism to Thailand in the past few years and more so than other historical tourist destinations. Why is Thailand so popular these days particularly with the young? Does this increase in tourism not coincide with the Kingdoms legalization of marijuana? It just could be completely legal weed is the attraction. After all, what other country can you holiday in where weed is completely legal? Afghanistan, Gaza? Really, I don’t know of any. NONE! And don’t confuse decriminalization with legalization as they are not the same. Mess with it and you may kill the golden goose. I mean hell – it brought me back after an absence of over 10 years and I reside in a recreational state. Really, I think that was the deciding factor that led me to return. Could be those legions of tourists Thailand has been enjoying recently just might decide to holiday some place else next year. Be it by design or accident, Thailand currently has the winning recipe for popular tourism. Don’t do what Schlitz beer did. Don’t wreck it.

Priceless

So here is where the Thais in Oz live With the exception of Haymarket I'm not sure there is a direct correlation to good food or happy endings

I won't post it here, because 'merica. Another good reason to not travel to the USA https://www.newsweek.com/jd-vance-bald-baby-face-meme-shown-irish-parliament-2091049 That photo will be trouble for you, if it's on for phone on arrival...

I'm sure there is already a "special tax" in place unofficially. You don't run a business which such a high profile without some form of tea money.

Interesting development, I’ve been wondering what was going on with the Thai government effort towards reversing the legalization of weed. Seems the genie has grown too big to stuff back into its bottle. Too much money being made now – pull the plug and the loss of a growing billion dollar industry might result in an economic recession. Can’t have that, time to compromise, read Rx medical marijuana. What about the weed tourist industry? How are they to obtain it? Make it too difficult/expensive and they may not return. Creating a hurdle of red tape, laws and bureaucracy wouldn’t be good for anyone. Think headlines - legends of foreign tourists locked up in Thai jails for smoking pot. Seems to me their best bet is to leave it the way it is, maybe a special tax would be the best solution to keep the bureaucrats happy. But who pays the tax? What’s the difference, at the end of the day all the weed they are selling is worthless crap anyway. Laughable to suggest anyone could become “addicted” to 1% stripped weed. Forget the fact that THC has no physical withdrawal symptoms (definition of addiction).

LINK Senate president Hun Sen has sent a blunt message to the man who he once described as his “Godbrother” – former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra – accused Thaksin of betraying him and warning that he will expose his treasonous actions, including betraying the Thai monarchy. However, he noted that he would wait to see Bangkok’s reaction first. “I’d rather let others betray me first; I don’t betray others first. Now that I’ve been betrayed, I feel I must reveal what the Thaksin family did to betray their nation. This is a warning: You should teach your children, and they should understand their father and others, he said, as he spoke to displaced Cambodian citizens in Preah Vihear province on June 26. He explained that he plans to discuss the ups and downs of Cambodia-Thailand relations more deeply tomorrow, June 27, in order for both Cambodian and Thai citizens, who he said all desire peace, to understand the nature of the relationship. “I never imagined that a family I helped would rise to become prime minister and cause such issues. One moment they claim to have power, the next they say they don’t. Tomorrow, I will talk about this,” he said, referring to Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the daughter of Thaksin. He also directed pointed comments at Thaksin. “If you act arrogantly, I will expose everything you told me, including your insults to your king. Discipline your children. You have a child as prime minister, and I have a child as prime minister. But don’t mistake me for someone you can cross. I owe Thailand nothing,” he said. He indicated that Thaksin’s family owe him a debt of gratitude, which he does not seek to collect. What he wants is a relationship of equals, without interference. Hun Sen and Thaksin’s families once shared a close bond. Both Thaksin and his sister Yingluck Shinawatra, also a former Thai prime minister, have stayed at Hun Sen’s home. The Senate president shard his hopes that a new Thai prime minister will resolve the current issues with Cambodia, as he is unsure who currently holds the authority to negotiate effectively. “Right now, we don’t know who to negotiate with or who holds real power. Is it the military, a political party, someone behind the party or the prime minister? We don’t know who has true authority. We understand that only when a new prime minister takes office might there be willingness to resolve these issues,” he said. “Cambodia doesn’t see Thailand as an enemy. We only see a small group of extremists, some military and some politicians. We will work with Thailand, whether it’s the yellow shirts, red shirts or any other group,” he added. Niem Chheng The Phnom Penh Post Asia News Network

There's some argument to give Trump a Nobel gong and allow him to take credit for any positive international developments of recent years... In the interests of balance, I LINK to such an article. ----- IMHO this idea is parabled with the following: 10 men are pushing a cart up a hill containing their families and valuables, with the reigns held by an orange buffoon. The objective is to get the cart to the top safely. This should take 1 day. The buffoon insists that 5 of the men dance around the cart blowing trumpets, waving flags and adoring, said orange man. This will now take 2 days or longer, due to 5 men being sub-optimal for the task of pushing the cart. It looks like the 5 pushing men, will achieve the task in near enough 1 day, because of extraordinary efforts. The buffoon insist that the dancing men give him a prize. -----

In my youth, I was an avid enthusiast, and now I'm old enough to see, that widespread use would result in a significant portion of the population growing up with no education, ambition and aforethought. "Everyone can be high functioning whilst stoned" - no - few can do it. That argument is made to me frequently by a chap I know, that is a meth user but holds his head up in society.

Fell down this one recently. Must suck to be an average law abiding US citizen having to deal with this level of corruption _________________________

Thailand, the first country in Asia to legalize cannabis, is re-criminalizing recreational sales Thailand legalised non-prescription cannabis sales in 2022, but has reversed that decision. In short: Thailand has banned shops from selling cannabis for non-medical use. The country legalised cannabis in 2022, leading to the growth of a $1 billion industry. Stricter laws became possible after a party supporting decriminalisation left the coalition after a phone call about cross-border tensions with Cambodia was leaked Thailand is further tightening control of cannabis by banning stores from selling the herb without a prescription. Thailand became the first country in Asia to decriminalise cannabis in 2022, which boosted Thailand's tourism and farming, and spawned thousands of shops. But the country has faced public backlash over allegations that under-regulation has made the drug available to children and increased addiction rates. The ruling Pheu Thai Party previously promised to re-criminalise the drug, but faced strong resistance from its former partner in the coalition government, the Bhumjaithai Party. But last week, the Bhumjaithai Party, which supported fewer controls, quit the Coalition over a leaked phone call between Cambodia's former leader and Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, which exposed her apparent mishandling of cross-border tensions. On Tuesday, Thailand's health minister, Somsak Thepsutin, signed an order that banned shops from selling cannabis to customers for recreational use. "Cannabis will be classified as a narcotic in the future,"he said. The legalisation of cannabis has led to an increase in Thai farms growing the herb. The order also sought to reclassify cannabis buds as a controlled herb, but did not detail any penalty for violations. Phanurat Lukboon, secretary-general of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board, said his agency was ready to study and implement the regulation changes. He also said a study done by his agency last year found the number of people with cannabis addiction spiked significantly after it was decriminalised. The changes will take effect when it is published in the Royal Gazette, but it remains unclear when that will happen. Government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsu said unregulated access to cannabis created serious social problems, particularly for children and young people. "The policy must return to its original goal of controlling cannabis for medical use only," he said in a statement. Decriminalising the recreational sales of cannabis has led to a billion-dollar industry in Thailand. Reversing a billion-dollar industry The tightening regulations have left some cannabis industry members like Punnathat Phutthisawong, who works at a Bangkok dispensary, stunned. "This is my main source of income," Mr Phutthisawong, aged 25, told Reuters. "Many shops are probably just as shocked because a lot of them invested heavily." Australian Daniel Wolf was one of many tourists visiting cannabis shops on Bangkok's Khao San Road. "There are shops everywhere, so how do they reverse this? I don't think they can, it's absolutely insane." The Thai government says the legalisation of recreational cannabis sales has led to children taking the drug and rises in people with addiction. The Thai Chamber of Commerce previously estimated the industry, which included medicinal products, could be worth $1.8 billion by 2025. Cannabis activist Chokwan Kitty Chopaka said the sector could have transformed Thai agriculture, medicine, and tourism, but uncertainty and policy reversals have stymied any sustainable growth, said "The cannabis industry has become a hostage to politics," she said. AP/Reuters