Thailand's most well-known crime investigator, Police General Surachate Hakparn, has openly expressed concerns about the retirement visas and extensions of stay, citing outdated regulations and corrupt practices. During an interview with the Bangkok Post, the deputy national police chief pointed out that the requirement of having 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account, or its equivalent in foreign remittances annually, was insufficient to filter out high-quality applicants. He further highlighted the serious issue of "window dressing," where visa agents and some immigration officers colluded to provide short-term "loans" to applicants' bank accounts.
Police General Surachate suggested replacing the 1979 immigration act, which still governs some visa practices, and he intends to propose this change to the new Thai Cabinet. However, he didn't provide specific policy recommendations for retirement visa extensions, except for emphasizing the need to raise the entry bar, which is currently too low and easily circumvented. The main context of his interview was the urgency of addressing foreign motorbike gangs that have become a problem in Pattaya, Phuket, and Koh Samui. This approach has been labeled "deviancy amplification" by sociologists, as it singles out one criminal issue to justify broader policy actions against a wider segment of society.
Police General Surachate's observations have resonated strongly due to his previous roles as a commander of both the tourist police division and the immigration bureau in 2018-19. In recent years, there have been occasional attempts to tighten the bureaucracy for retirees, such as introducing compulsory medical insurance for certain visas and extensions, notably the "O/A" retiree option initially issued by a Thai embassy. Additionally, bank books have been checked three months after the annual extension is granted. However, these efforts have had minimal impact.
Among several visa options suitable for single or retired individuals, including Elite, Long Term Residence, and Spouse options, the annually renewable retirement visa issued by the immigration bureau remains the most popular due to its affordability and easy availability for foreigners aged over 50. Nonetheless, any policy revisions are likely to take months before being publicly discussed. Some concerns are already being raised about potential unintended consequences of overhauling the system. Most Thai retirees are elderly men aged 65-90 and have no interest in affiliating with foreign mafias or riding motorbikes, except perhaps for leisurely visits to the pub.

At a bustling ganja café located on Pattaya's Walking Street, a foreign man met a tragic end allegedly after consuming what the shop owner claimed was a cappuccino. The unfortunate incident took place on Sunday, July 30.
The deceased man, identified as Hamad Alblaiher, was 52 years old and of unknown nationality. He was found lying unconscious inside the establishment when the Sawang Boriboon Thammasathan Rescue Centre in Pattaya responded to a distress call at 3.46 am.
Eyewitnesses reported that before collapsing, Alblaiher displayed signs of shock, leaving other customers shocked and concerned. Despite immediate resuscitation attempts, he was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The exact cause of his death is yet to be confirmed by the forensic team, but it is suspected to be a sudden cardiac arrest, as per reports from Pattaya News.
The café owner, Suha Demirez, disclosed that Alblaiher's order before his untimely demise consisted only of a cappuccino and water, with no involvement of cannabis. This contradicts the claims made by other news outlets, which had previously suggested that the man had consumed marijuana-infused tea.
Adding to the mystery, the shop staff stated that Alblaiher was a regular customer who had never smoked marijuana on the premises. According to them, he suddenly complained of breathing difficulties before collapsing on the floor, leaving everyone in shock.
While the investigation into the cause of the man’s death is ongoing, Suha is gathering evidence to refute the misinformation surrounding the incident and clear the café's reputation. The authorities are keeping the name of the café confidential until the investigation is completed.
As Pattaya mourns this unfortunate loss, questions linger about the circumstances that led to the foreign man’s sudden passing. The community eagerly awaits the findings of the forensic team to shed light on this tragic event, which has shocked the community and raised concerns about safety at such establishments.

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Thailand has always been a popular tourist destination, but there is now a notable surge in Russian elites heading to Phuket, the country's largest island.
As Western countries impose restrictions due to Vladimir Putin's actions in Ukraine, many Russians are finding a warm reception in Thailand, as reported by Bloomberg. The Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports revealed that from January to June this year, over 790,000 Russian nationals visited the country, marking an astounding 1,000 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Phuket, in particular, welcomed more than half of these visitors, making Russians the primary group of tourists to the island, according to the Phuket Tourist Association.
Yuri Vorona, a restaurant manager in Phuket, described the atmosphere as wonderful and peaceful, with many Russians seeking relaxation and tranquility

Moreover, Russians aren't just temporary visitors; a significant number of them are investing in properties. In 2022, 338 villas were sold in Phuket, with around half of those being purchased by Russians, based on data from real-estate agency Knight Frank Thailand. Russian speakers dominate the island's property market, as Christian Steinbach, the sales director at FazWaz property group, pointed out.
Besides the general Russian influx, Thailand is witnessing the presence of its ultra-wealthy. Russian oligarch Alexander Svetakov's superyacht was spotted in Phuket during Christmas, and billionaire Igor Rybakov held business-coaching classes on the island in January.
To accommodate this growing Russian population, Thailand and its locals are adjusting accordingly. Phuket's airport now makes announcements in Russian, and the cuisine has expanded to include Russian delicacies like borscht and blini, alongside traditional Thai dishes like pad thai and tom yum soup. Russian bathhouses, rock concerts, and the recent opening of a Russian consulate further signify the adaptation to the increasing number of Russian expats.
With the ongoing migration of Russian elites to Thailand, Phuket might soon be recognized as the "Little Russia" of the East.

On July 25, the Cabinet meeting approved a proposal to increase entrance fees for foreigners visiting historic sites in Thailand. However, Thai nationals will continue to pay the same rates as they have since 2008.
The new entrance fees for historical sites are as follows:

• Historical parks for Thai nationals: 20 baht per person, for foreign nationals: 120-200 baht (previously 100 baht).
• Archeological sites or significant places for Thai nationals: 10-20 baht per person, for foreign nationals: 80-120 baht (previously 50-100 baht).

As for admission fees to national museums, the revised rates are:

• Small national museums for Thai nationals: 10 baht per person, for foreign nationals: 80 baht (previously 50 baht).
• Medium-sized national museums for Thai nationals: 10-20 baht per person, for foreign nationals: 120 baht (previously 50-100 baht).
• Large national museums for Thai nationals: 20-30 baht per person, for foreign nationals: 200 baht (previously 100-150 baht).

For highly visited national museums, like the National Museum in Bangkok, the new rates for Thai nationals will be 30 baht per person and for foreign nationals: 240 baht (previously 200 baht).
Additionally, four other registered historic sites and national museums that used to charge fees for foreign language audio guides will now offer them for free. These sites include:

• Historical Park – Sdok Kok Thanom, Khok Sung District, Sakaeo.
• Wat Kudi Dao, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya district, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
• Nakhon Nayok National Museum, Mueang Nakhon Nayok District, Nakhon Nayok.
• Surin National Museum, Mueang Surin District, Surin.

The government spokesperson, Tipanan Sirichana, stated that "entrance fees for Thai nationals will remain unchanged to promote learning, preserve cultural heritage, and foster a sense of national identity across all generations without increasing the financial burden of tourism on Thai citizens."

Phuket Police officers have conducted an investigation into complaints regarding foreigners working as barbers in Patong Subdistrict, Kathu District, Phuket Province. This occupation is one of the 27 jobs that are strictly prohibited for foreigners.
The business in question is located at 200 Pee Road, Rat Uthit, and it is managed by a Thai woman. Among the employees, there was a male barber named Osamh, who was found giving haircuts to tourists when the police arrived for their investigation on July 19.
In response to the situation, the police requested to examine Osamh's documents related to his entry into Thailand and his work permit. However, it was discovered that Osamh did not possess a work permit. He held Jordanian citizenship and admitted to working as a barber at the shop.
As a consequence, the officers arrested Osamh and took him to the Patong police station to formalize the arrest, inform him of the charges against him, and explain his rights.
Another establishment that came under investigation was a beauty salon in Choeng Thale Subdistrict, Thalang District, Phuket. It was discovered that three Russian women, aged 34, 32, and 26, were either working or being employed as beauticians without the required work permits.
The Ministry of Labour has recently issued a stern warning to employers and foreign workers to strictly abide by the law. Employers found hiring foreign workers without valid work permits or employing them for unauthorized work could face fines ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 baht per foreign worker.
In cases of repeated violations, the penalties may include imprisonment for up to 1 year, fines of 50,000 to 200,000 baht, or both, as well as a three-year ban on hiring foreign workers. Foreign workers who engage in unauthorized work or work without proper permits could be fined between 5,000 and 50,000 baht and may also face deportation.

Thailand's lower cost of living and more laid-back lifestyle have become a draw for an increasing number of Hong Kong residents looking to relocate, which is fueling the country's property market as foreigners eagerly purchase flats.
David Chan, a 31-year-old real estate agent, made the move to Thailand in 2019 and now assists other Hong Kongers in finding property and settling into Southeast Asia's second-largest economy.
Since the political unrest in Hong Kong and their personal dissatisfaction, Chan has noticed a 30% surge in demand and inquiries from Hong Kong residents interested in moving to Thailand.
This trend is encouraging news for property developers, particularly after a challenging period during the COVID-19 pandemic when sales plummeted and inventory soared. Insiders believe the worst may be over for the sector, as sales are picking up, with one developer even expecting a 50% increase in demand from foreign investors.
Property prices in Thailand are approximately one-quarter of what they are in Hong Kong, making it an attractive option for families with children. Additionally, many Hong Kongers have taken advantage of Thailand's residency programs, which allow them and their families to stay long-term in the country.
These programs include a long-term resident visa scheme launched last year, with the goal of attracting 1 million wealthy investors or talented foreign residents over a five-year period. Successful applicants receive a 10-year, renewable multiple-entry visa, granting them the right to work in Thailand.
Official data reveals that foreign buyers purchased property worth 158.6 billion baht (US$4.59 billion) in 2018 and 2019. However, sales to foreign buyers fell by roughly a third from 2020 to 2022, totaling 160.3 billion baht, according to government data.