The reporting rules are now, that the following may give notification of a foreigner’s name and address:
- A foreigner may make the notification in person,
- A foreigner may authorise another person to make the notification, or
- A foreigner may make the notification by registered post.

The notification must be made within 7 days before or after the period of 90 days expires. This is measured back to the foreigner’s last date of entry into Thailand.

The first application for extension of stay is equivalent to notification of staying in Thailand for more than 90 days.

Offices at which notification can be given:

Notification may be given at:
- The Immigration Division 1 Office, Chalermprakiat Government Complex, Chaengwattana Rd., Laksi, Bangkok 10210,
- Visa extension unit, Chamchuree Square Building, 18th Floor, Phatumwan, Bangkok, but services are provided only to foreigners who have already submitted an application for temporary stay in Thailand at sub-division 3,
- Immigration offices elsewhere in Thailand.

Notification by post
Where notification is given by post, the following documents must be sent:
- Fully completed and signed notification form TM.47
- Copy of all passport pages (up to the latest arrival stamp in Thailand or latest visa stamp)
- Copy of arrival/departure card TM.6 (front and back)
- Copies of previous notifications of staying over 90 days (if any)
- Stamped addressed envelope to facilitate return of the lower part of form TM. 47 after having received the notification. This part must be kept by the applicant for future reference and for future notifications of staying over 90 days.

The above mentioned documents must be sent by registered post and the receipt for registration kept by the foreigner.

Postal applications should be sent seven days before the due date for renewal to:

90 Days Registration,
Immigration Division 1
120 Moo 3, Chaengwattana Road, Soi 7,
Laksi
Bangkok 10210

http://www.scandasia.com

Tourists who have just come from Vientiane said the embassy was clamping down on foreigners who have been using tourist visas to stay in Thailand indefinitely.

An embassy employee said the 60-day tourist visas are meant for genuine tourists and not for people who are living more or less permanently in Thailand.

The employee said there are also suspicions that many of these people seeking tourist visas to Thailand on a regular basis are working illegally in the country.

The 60-day visas are free, at least until the end of March this year, although the 30-day extensions at Thai immigration offices cost Bt1,900.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs sources confirmed that Thai embassies abroad could refuse issuance of 60-day visas if they feel such visas are being misused.

They pointed out that instead of securing tourist visas repeatedly, any foreigner who wish to stay in Thailand on a long-term basis could apply for other visas, such as the one-year retirement visa for those above 50 years old, the one-year marriage visa for foreigners with Thai spouse, business visa and education visa.

There is no sign, however, that other Thai embassies in the region have been taking a hard line as Vientiane.

Visitors have not reported any problem in Phnom Penh, for instance, although visa processing
there takes about three full working days.

In Vietnam, issuance of Thai visas is reported to be business as usual.

There have been reports from Singapore though that a gap of six weeks is required before
a second tourist visa is issued.

Tour agents say that the Thai embassy in Vientiane is by far the biggest issuer of Thai visas in the region.

The current crackdown there, they said, could be an attempt to limit their workload or encourage the use of other Thai embassies in Asia.

The Vientiane embassy’s biggest attraction is its proximity to the Thai border via the Friendship Bridge. The policy, however, could become easier in April if the government allows embassies to start charging again for 60-day tourist visas.

http://www.scandasia.com

The Thai government, together with the Buddhist Council (better known as the Sangha Supreme Council), were able to bring from Norway to Thailand the ‘Dharma Chedi’, the oldest known Buddhist manuscript, which date back 2,500 years. The document was on display at the Buddhamondol Centre between 8 November 2010 and 5 February 2011, allowing the faithful to pay homage as well as further their knowledge of the Dharma.

In addition to paying homage to the Dharma Chedi, the exhibit also included Buddhist chants, food offerings to monks and other gifts to the Sangha (the community of minks), prayers for King Bhumibol as well sermons.

“The government took this initiative to celebrate the birthday of his Majesty, King Bhumibol Adulyadej,” said Thai Culture Minister Nipit Intarasombut, and such step “strengthened ties between Norway and Thailand.”

This ancient scripture belongs to the Schøyen Collection, named after Martin Schøyen, 71, its Norwegian owner, who is a palaeographer and a book collector. His collection contains more than 13,000 manuscript items.

For Professor Jens Braarvig of Oslo University of Oslo, most of the Buddhist manuscripts held at the institute come from the Bamiyan area in Afghanistan.

The Dharma Chedi shows the transition from the oral traditions of the Buddha to the transcription of his teachings.

http://www.scandasia.com

• The ‘Dharma Chedi’ – TeakDoor.com – The Thailand Forum

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• Thousands Mark Anniversary of Thai Red Shirt 2010-Crackdown - Voice of America
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• Thailand No.1 for Indian travellers - The Phuket News

Yunnan, China, i8th February 2011 [PDN] The name of the man is Mr. Lee Foo, 37, from Yunnan province in China. In 2006 he was involved in an incident where a criminal stabbed a knife into his head. When he was hospitalized, none of the nurses noticed the knife as it was stuck, embedded in the head. As a result, Mr. Lee Foo had to live with a knife in his head for 4 years. When his headaches started he thought they were signs of migraine, but he also experienced nose bleeds, as well as blood coming from the nose and mouth. As no one was able to explain the causes of his bleeding, he had to undergo an X-ray scan, from which the shocking truth was revealed. After the discovery, Mr. Foo and his family immediately made the decision to undergo surgery and have the knife removed.

The surgeon Dr. Lua Shi Wei from Yusi Monton hospital, Yunnan, China, said that he had never seen such a case before. It was very unusual to have survived with a knife buried inside the head for 4 years. When the knife was being removed it hardly had any contact with the brain. It was quite miraculous.

http://www.pattayadailynews.com