Thailand has yet once again done something to make foreigners lives less enjoyable within their borders, needlessly and purposefully.

https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/10 ... n-pattaya/

And of course, we have the opinions of those affected.....

Foreigners are once again caught up in yet another crackdown, but this time it is not visa overstayers or foreign crime syndicates.

Bar goers in Pattaya were up in arms this week after police put a stop to one of their favourite pastimes.

Last Wednesday (Jan 31) police in Pattaya launched raids on a number of venues popular with expats and foreign tourists.

The purpose of the raids was to confiscate dartboards from bars in Soi 6, as well as at other locations in the resort town.

Thaivisa has been told how police turned up at one Soi 6 bar demanding to see their “dartboard license”, much to the bewilderment of staff.

When the staff were unable to produce the documentation required, police confiscated their dartboards.

When asked how to apply for such license, bar staff were told that the license doesn’t actually exist but will be a requirement imminently.

The existing entertainment license required by bars doesn’t cover playing darts, staff were informed.

Until then, venues in Pattaya are not allowed to let patrons play darts.

It was not only bars in Soi 6 that were subject of the crackdown on darts playing.

Thaivisa also understands the new requirements for a ‘dartboard license’ have resulted in the suspension of Pattaya’s popular darts league, which many expats in the town take part in.

Organisers of the amateur darts league have taken the matter up with officials at Pattaya City Hall, as well as with the Thailand Darts Association in order to seek clarification on the matter.

This wouldn’t be the first time that a crackdown has been launched on what is a seemingly innocent pursuit enjoyed by many expats.

In 2016, police raided the Jomtien and Pattaya Bridge Club, which resulted in 32 elderly foreigners, including an 84 year old Dutch woman, arrested for gambling and thrown in the cells.

The incident made headlines around the world.

petermik

Unbloodybelieveable......whatever next....lunatics are now running the asylum here......:whistling:

Thaiwrath

Does it include the darts fired in go go bars ? Although they fire them at balloons, not a dartboard !

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Darcula

What's next? Ping Pong balls?

Kaoboi Bebobp

I'm not a player but I know a few who love this pastime and it has a very active tournament circuit. But a dartboard licence?!?!?! A ban? OMG, what next? A ban on any vessel made of glass designed to hold alcohol? Removal of knives from the kitchen?

TV Editors, keep "Thailand a laughing stock" headline ready.

Lingba

Dart board license!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!??????????????????.....oh this has gone to far...what a bunch of thieves!

jonclark

So let me get this right - To play darts you need a dartboard license...but the license doesn't exist.

I recommend the police go to Toys R Us - Lots of dartboards there - and openly being sold too!! Lock em up!

Samui Bodoh

C'mon, be reasonable!

Darts are clearly weapons of war that could be used to overthrow the government.

Of course they are banned...

Henrik Andersen

We just have to accept Thailand don't want us farangs to stay in Thailand anymore

Do police come and nok on my door now because I have dart board at home

Thailand is becoming a country I don't like anymore meaby it is better to find a new home in another country

After 15 years here thank you

darksidedog

And the stupidity continues unabated. Confiscating boards for not having a license that doesn't yet exist? Will someone in authority here, please grow a bloody brain?

keith101

I got hit in the chest when i was 8 yrs old (kids playing stupid games) and definitely not a war weapon . A dart board license REALLY ?

richard_smith237

This is quite astonishing... Truly galactic idiocy...

With so many more significant issues which could / should be handled it take a certain degree of sanctimonious idiocy to even consider something as innocuous as darts...

It does seem that the Police in some areas (i.e. Pattaya) make up the rules, do whatever they want, when they want without any logic or common sense.... but even this makes the mind boggle....

CanuckThai

Wow, you just couldn't make this stuff up...amazing Thailand

NanLaew

First the bridge players, then the darts players...

Pool players! You are on notice!!

jenny2017

Nothing can surprise me anymore. What's next? Or is it already April???

You can buy a Dartboard license at Kao San road....

Good way to get rid of the poms...

All the Pom's can protest by wearing this t-shirt

After a couple of years vacationing in Thailand twice a year (Jan./Feb. & July/Aug.) it became evident Thailand suffers form a sort of cognitive dissonance whereby most Thais don't like foreigners but love their money. The 'smiles' are really shit-eating grins... because they're ripping you off. I watched as idiotic liquor selling hours were introduced. I watched ever increasing taxes on tobacco and alcohol. I watched as the paperwork for an Extension of Stay became supremely ridiculous. I watched the Chinese tour group invasion. I was extorted by Immigration on my last visit... that was 'the last straw'.

Thailand wants tourists... groups and couples who book expensive 4/5-star beach resorts, are picked up and dropped off by the resort at the airport, and never leave except on a resort-booked tour. They do not want independent travelers.

Fuck Thailand.

Cruisemonkey wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2018 6:07 am After a couple of years vacationing in Thailand twice a year (Jan./Feb. & July/Aug.) it became evident Thailand suffers form a sort of cognitive dissonance whereby most Thais don't like foreigners but love their money. The 'smiles' are really shit-eating grins... because they're ripping you off. I watched as idiotic liquor selling hours were introduced. I watched ever increasing taxes on tobacco and alcohol. I watched as the paperwork for an Extension of Stay became supremely ridiculous. I watched the Chinese tour group invasion. I was extorted by Immigration on my last visit... that was 'the last straw'.

Thailand wants tourists... groups and couples who book expensive 4/5-star beach resorts, are picked up and dropped off by the resort at the airport, and never leave except on a resort-booked tour. They do not want independent travelers.

Fuck Thailand.

But in another thread everyone tell us how wonderful Thailand is! I think if I had ebough money to live well in Thailand with an Elite visa I would have enough moneyb to live somewhere nice instead

Vietnam:
- easy multiple entry, one-year visa (no reporting every three months)
- bottle of Saiagon Red or Green beer in restaurant or bar 15000 dong (21 baht/66 cents); bottle of Tiger beer 20000 dong (28 baht/88 cents)
- pack of Craven A cigarettes 20000 dong (28 baht, 88 cents)
- bowl of pork noodle soup 20000 (28 baht, 88 cents)
- 58 sqm one-bedroom apartment with ocean view, western kitchen and swimming pool in Vung Tau 8,000,000 dong/month (11000 baht/$350)

I'm currently on Phu Quoc paying $25 per night (in high season) for a 43 sqm Garden View Room with Kitchen here -
http://www.phuquocgardenresorts.com/en-us
It has a 42" Samsung TV I hooked my laptop to with HDMI cable, many English language TV channels and super fast wi-fi. There's a beautiful pool and a great buffet breakfast (included). It's modern with quality furnishings/appliances: the BEST mattress ever, a 2-burner Electrolux stove & full size fridge/freezer, and Aqua washing machine. There's a nice bar, pool table and volleyball court. The bathroom has a rain shower and sink with proper counter and good lighting (I can see to shave). The service is exemplary. The property is like big park. I rent a Honda Airblade moto for 100000 dong/day (140 baht/$4.40).

Why go to Thailand... or Cambodia?

It just makes me smile, but I like Thailand and Thai people.

Cruisemonkey wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2018 2:49 pm Why go to Thailand... or Cambodia?

Because the Vietnamese language sounds like a combination of cats fucking, Chinese, and machine gun fire

Arget wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2018 3:23 pm 12 month visa here is about $300
Vietnam visa $600

I paid $385 ($250 for the 'Letter of Permission' and $135 for the 'Stamping Fee' on arrival). I heard (from a CEO poster) who was quoted $200 for the Letter... making it $335 total (it's less than $300 for U.S. citizens). Prices for the 'Letter' vary... shop around (the $135 'Stamping Fee' is fixed).

Captain Bonez wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2018 3:20 pm

Cruisemonkey wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2018 2:49 pm Why go to Thailand... or Cambodia?

Because the Vietnamese language sounds like a combination of cats fucking, Chinese, and machine gun fire

LOL... there's always a down side. To me, Thais sound like retarded chickens.