Australian Embassy

Having criticised the Russian embassy thinking no western country could possibly be so inept, we met an Australian girl in the embassy area who was rather distraught. Her bag was snatched in Krabi by a motorbike and had her passport in. She came back to Bangkok to get a new one and they said her Thai visa would need 10 days left on it to get a new passport! It didnt, so instead they are issuing a 7 month temporary passport which basically means thats the end of her trip. Passports need a 6 month validity when entering a country.

I've never heard such things and when i needed a new passport in Estonia the British embassy issued it within 24 hours. A Danish and Israeli friend had their bag stolen in Koh Phangan and they got new passports in a few days. Don't know which embassies have similar pathetic rules to the Russians and Aussies, but i cant believe a stolen bag can lead to this much trouble, truly incredible.

I've lived in Thailnd for 5 years and going back to retire in November.
As a NEW tourist, you will be confronted with all manner of scams to get your money.
One common heart pulling one is, the baby in arms crying poor. You will see this baby at Sala Daeng station in the morning, and the same baby with another minder at Lumpinee station later on.
Crippled Street beggers are run by the Mafia and make a fortune from this slave labour. Tuk Tuk drivers are theives, and will always overcharge. Make sure you ask a price when you get in. Your mad if you ride in one as you suck-in all the exhaust fumes along the road. Don't buy jewellry. One of the biggest scams going for the unwary.
You go to Thailand with a soft and kind heart but, after being caught at every turn you become hardened to the scene around you.

Why am I going to retire there? Seventy per cent cheaper then living in OZ. Pension goes further.