Click here to read our September 2018 News.

On October 15th, Thailand's Dictator General Prayuth Chan-ocha launched Facebook, Twitter and Instragram accounts to communicate more closly with the public, he claims. In reality, the dictator's new tool is primarily created to give him a digital platform for his political campaign. A few days before the relase of his new tools, his handpicked National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) eased its ban on parties engaging in political activities. However, they are still prohibited from using digital platforms for political campaigns. Once again, Thailand's Dictator takes an unfair advantage of the situation in the run-up to a possible general election.

On October 13th, 2018, the National Legislative Assembly [NLA] of Thailand's ruling Military Junta published a 20-year National Strategy in the Royal Gazette. It's a tool for Thailand's Dictator General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his handpicked National Council for Peace and Order [NCPO] to get rid of an elected government in the future if it doesn't follow the rules enshrined in the 79-page strong document. The paper covers six areas, namely national security, national competitiveness, human resources development, social equality, quality of life and the environment and development of state administrative systems. Compliance with the paper will be monitored by the National Strategy Committee, which will inform the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) if it sees a non-compliance. The NACC will then consider the case and if any agency is found guilty of malfeasance, its chief may face suspension from public offices or from position, expulsion or a jail term. The new political system designed under junta-sponsored laws would render the election meaningless, leaving voters with the right to vote but unable to truly determine the country's leaders or public policies.

Thailand as well as the Philippines dropped in HSBC's latest Expat Explorer survey. Thailand ranks now 21st, down six places from a year ago, the Philippines slipped from rank 17th to 28th. A total of 31 countries were examined during March and April of this year. It's Thailand's fault, and the penalty for the empty promises made during the last four years by Thailand's Military Junta.

Recent trends also show that Chinese tourists prefer Japan over Thailand. Moreover, Tourists are reporting a dramatic surge in harassment by Thai Police and scams by Taxi Drivers.

For the second time in less than four years*, Thailand's Dictator General Prayuth Chan-ocha has assured Japan he will hold an election next year. As during his first visite to Japan in 2015, the Dictator did not give a specific date. *In 2015 Prayuth promised Mr Abe that Thailand will have an election in 2016. In 2016 Prayuth promised the United Nations General Assembly that Thailand will have an election in 2017. In 2017 Prayuth promised Donald Trump at the White House that Thailand will have an election in 2018. In 2018 Prayuth promised Mr Abe that Thailand will have an election in 2019. How can you ever trust this man?

Since more than 20 years the Provincial Waterworks Authority do not providing running water to residents of Khopai Soi 11. According to Sutat Nutchpan, the 'shocked' director of the office, the residents have to wait another year - at least - to get the water... That's World Class Pattaya! For additional information please read the report on Pattaya Mail.

Maj-General Surachet Hakpal, the new head of Thai Immigration and known as Big Joke in the media, started implementing his tough anti-corruption campaign at immigration offices nationwide. If you have to pay a visa fee, you have to pay 2'000 Baht now - and not the 2'300 Baht that had become the norm during the last decade(s). Big Joke also vowed to go after all agents and their customers nationwide involved in procuring visa extensions with fake documents. We wonder how some officials want to finance their lavish lifestyle in the future...

Prachatai English: Thailand is now beginning to turn into an aging society and will gradually have greater number of retirees. Most retirees will face small pension and (maybe) not free medical treatment. more...

Because of safety worries in Phuket the arrival of Tour Groups from China dropped by 50%.

Thailand's Dictator General Prayuth Chan-ocha, in his capacity as leader of the ruling National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), issued an order on September 25th to replace the current Mayor, Anan Charoenchasri, with Sontaya Kunplome. Sontaya Kunplome is the older brother of Itthiphol Khunplome, who acted as the city's Mayor from 2006 until 2016. Both are sons of the Godfather of Chonburi and are members of the Dictator's cabinet. For additional Information please read: Khaosod English The Nation Bangkok Post The Godfather of Chonburi The Legacy of Mayor Itthiphol Khunplome

Bangkok Post: Mr Sontaya's father, Somchai Khunpleum, had yet to pay about 100 million baht in compensation to Pattaya City in relation to a garbage dump site deal with the city. Somchai was found guilty in 2005 of engineering the transformation of a forest reserve in tambon Khao Mai Kaew of Chon Buri into a private land plot that was sold to Pattaya City for 93 million baht to be used as a landfill site. Pattaya Mayor was duty-bound to support the confiscation of Somchai's assets to pay the compensation. more... The Nation: New Pattaya Mayor promises to cover his father's debt... Bangkok Post: Sontaya has no role in probe of his father. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam has downplayed growing worries over a conflict of interests that may put Sontaya Kunplome in trouble... Pattaya Mail: Government stresses appointment of Pattaya City Mayor benefits the Nation Pattaya Mail: Sonthaya rolls back clock in Pattaya mayor's office Bangkok Post: Sontaya lays out priorities for Pattaya, stressed the need for the city to quickly address water, environmental and traffic problems

For additional Information about the current situation in Thailand please read:

• Bangkok Post
• Khaosod English
• Prachatai English
• The Nation
• The Isaan Record

Pattaya News Flash does not report about the daily crimes in Pattaya. It you are interested in - and you should for your very own security - then please click Pattaya Mail and Pattaya One.

No News are Good News

Pol Maj Gen Pinit Maneerat, the Military Junta's spokesman for Pattaya, announced that the city has invested 24 million Baht* to install a free WiFi system along Pattaya Beach for the general public and tourists. It's the third time City Hall announces a Free WiFi service during the last 10 years or so. The last two times TOT Public Company Limited, a Thai state-owned telecommunications company, was responsible for the (failed) service. This time City Hall claims that they made a 1-year contract with state enterprise CAT Telecom Plc. According to Pol Maj Gen Pinit Maneerat CAT installed 24 hotspots along Pattaya Beach, from Dusit Thani to the Bali Hai pier area. To use the Free WiFi users have to register with their personal details. In return they will get two hours of free access per day. For its Thai citizens Pattaya City Hall published an instruction to register (automatically?) - but not for the City's real breadwinner - the tourists. *A spokesman from City Hall corrected the press release and said that the City has to pay 14 million Baht/year for the 24 hotspots.

Since General Prayuth Chan-ocha and his Military Junta launched their Coup d'état on May 22nd, 2014, Thailand's Visa ground rules are constantly changing. More over, not every consulate can issue all the different Visas. Some smaller consulates even display notices to the effect that non-immigrant visas are unavailable. Our advice: Before booking your holidays please contact the Embassy in your country to obtain information about Thailand's latest regulation(s) and check the Chonburi Immigration Website or the website of Thailand's Immigration Police.