[Twendypreency]

That's a good point. I was wondering how they were counting.
When I arrived back in the States after an ... um... extended... um... visit to Thailand, I had many many man in and out stamps. The immigration folks did not take to kindly of me going into and out of a "drug producing nation" (their words) on a regular schedule.

[Auzuigcx]

i had a nice vacation in thailand and i love thaiboxing...

funny thing is, i only went to thailand as plan b because i couldn't get visa for tibet

but i fell in love with their ability to make you feel sabaai... don't know how they do it, but it works...

[LesLattis]

in Hungary, Thailand has a reputation for being the haven for petty criminals who can stay here until the statute of limitations runs out - there is no extradition treaty between the two countries. according to some estimates, there are a couple of hundred people enjoying the sunshine away from the hands of the law.

the "drug producing nation" might be true, I'm not sure about recent stats, but anyway, who in their right mind is smuggling drugs in this region??

[imporesweemo]

Because! :-)
Thailand is a beautiful country and I love the mentality of the people here.

[Twendypreency]

For me, it begins and ends with my Thai family.

I did not select Thailand as my exchange program location, the exchange program chose it for me. (I asked for some place far from home with a difficult language). There were only 25 of us that went that year from the States and within a year back home, most of those 25 had lost all contact with their family. I, however, had such a transforming experience with them. ...and throughout my life they have been there for the good, the bad, and the really bad. They took care of me in a hospital, celebrated my Master's Degree, mourned the loss of my American mom, sent crazy fun notes and photographs, offered advice when the world collapsed, etc. ...and because of this marvelous relationship, they have shown me their country, their language, their community.... I have been back to work, to tour, to visit...always to recapture that warmth and love and store up for cold days back home.

[adverwork]

I have no idea of Thailand is still on their watch list or not. My government seems to like to put lots of countries on such lists. I have no idea who would be smuggling drugs in Thailand.... haven't they all seen "Brokedown Palace"

Thailand is not currently on the list of major drug-producing or drug-transit countries, but Burma and Laos are.

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
September 17, 2007

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

On September 14, 2007, President Bush authorized the Secretary of State to transmit to Congress the annual report listing major illicit drug transit and drug producing countries (known as the "Majors List"). The report contains Presidential Determinations of the countries that have "failed demonstrably” to make substantial efforts during the previous 12 months to adhere to international counternarcotics agreements and to take measures specified in U.S. law.

In his report, the President identified as major drug-transit or major illicit drug-producing countries: Afghanistan, The Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Burma, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Laos, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.

The President also reported to Congress his determination that Burma and Venezuela have "failed demonstrably" during the previous 12 months to adhere to their obligations under international counternarcotics agreements and take the measures set forth in U.S. law. However, the President determined to maintain U.S. programs that aid Venezuela’s democratic institutions.

The President determined that Guinea-Bissau is becoming a refuge and transit hub for cocaine traffickers from Latin America. International efforts should be supported and advanced to help Guinea-Bissau confront these illicit drug activities.

The President further determined that Bolivia is on track to eradicate 5,600 hectares of coca this year. However, these measures have been outstripped by coca replanting and expanded coca cultivation. The President expressed his concern about Bolivia’s need to improve its counternarcotic results. Further, Bolivia should revamp its national drug policy to make its top priority the reduction and eventual elimination of excess coca crops.

These Determinations required the President to consider each country’s performance in areas such as reducing illicit cultivation, interdiction, law enforcement cooperation, extradition, and measures to prevent and punish public corruption that facilitates drug trafficking or impedes drug-related prosecutions. The President also considered these countries’ efforts to stop production and export of, and reduce the domestic demand for, illegal drugs. Source: The United States Mission to the European Union

David

[LesLattis]

repeat visits? haha. definitely sounds like all the expats who were forced to do 30-day visa runs because there was no way to make their stay legal personally, I have been in and out of Thailand on tourist visas a lot more times than I would ever have wanted to because of the aforementioned regulations (about 13 times from 2001 to 2006.) also, I remember a certain SiamJai at these forums who must have added to the statistics considerably!

[LesLattis]

why not?

[HexcewlyRette]

Speaking only of the forums and chatroom , because it's my only connection to Thailand, it's a place where misfits fit, as long as you are family friendly of course.

[PebydataFeents]

funny thing is, i only went to thailand as plan b because i couldn't get visa for tibet

Tashi telek Noppelchen-la

Unfortunately Tibet has been under occupation by China since 1950. Visas aren't so easy to come by. Many Westerners who go there break the law and just hop on a bus from Sichuan Province. If you are caught by the Public Security Bureau or People's Armed Police without the proper paperwork you will be deported. It's a risky undertaking at the best of times. At the moment it is impossible. People do it because they are trying to get news of what is going on out to the world. Xinhua is not the most reliable source on what is actually happening there.

Kaleh-pe
(go in peace)

[tLO0hFNy]

I keep going back, time and time again, burning nearly all my vacation time in one country. I've made large investments to learn the language, understand the culture, make friends, and getting to know the country. Bangkok won Travel & Leisure's top spot for world's best city. All of the things you can do from the countryside, to the mountains, to the beaches, to the city.

Like Betti asked, why not?

[AutocadOemM]

Trying to narrow it down to a single reason is very difficult. Most of the time, it just slowly grows on me. It is like having a seed lying dormant in your heart. When it meets the right conditions, it starts to germinate and grow.

[zueqhbyhp]

Because its where I feel most at home

[Twendypreency]

Hahahaha! Reminds me of my Philosophy Teacher's final exam question, "Why?"

I was going to leave it a broad question, but maybe I'll give some guide points.

Why are you in Thailand? Why are you spending time on a forum about Thailand? What is it that is Thailand for you? Why the interest, the focus, the passion?

We could all be chatting on the Finnish forums, but no we're here on the Thai forums, why? (And I'm sure Finland is wonderful...just using a random country as example. )

[Twendypreency]

the "drug producing nation" might be true, I'm not sure about recent stats, but anyway, who in their right mind is smuggling drugs in this region?? I have no idea of Thailand is still on their watch list or not. My government seems to like to put lots of countries on such lists. I have no idea who would be smuggling drugs in Thailand.... haven't they all seen "Brokedown Palace"

[NutChusty]

Well it was the place I had my only long distant relationship.

[Twendypreency]

Most of the time, it just slowly grows on me. It is like having a seed lying dormant in your heart. When it meets the right conditions, it starts to germinate and grow. That's a really beautiful description...

[Twendypreency]

I read last night that Thailand receives more repeat tourists than any other country in the world. Maybe that explains why we're all on Thai forums...and not, say, um...Finnish ones.




(from the book Retiring in Thailand -- was doing some wishful thinking last night )

[Twendypreency]

Why Thailand?

[Oswczrdz]

Pure accident.
Unless it is really true that there is no such thing as an accident.