andux

So what happens if someone doesn't do anything and just leaves the country on September 25?

It's not entirely clear.

11 minutes ago, Paradise Pete said:

I've lived in Thailand for well over a decade. I have no problem with dual pricing. I don't pay taxes and I enjoy a lifestyle I could never afford in my country. I'm happy to pay the "farang" tax as my contribution for being there. I'm not wealthy by any means, but I can afford the farang price more than the average Thai can afford the Thai price.

 

You don't pay tax but you don't receive anything either, such as free healthcare or the ability to completely own a business in Thailand or even own your house and a piece of land.

It's good to look at the positives though, but don't make the mistake of thinking that paying a bit more at national parks is all of your "farang" tax. Your "farang" tax is much, much bigger than that.

8 hours ago, sitti said:

They can easily solve this without actually stopping dual pricing.

 

For example:

Thai: 50 Baht

Foreigner: 250 Baht

 

Change it to:

250 baht

*Show Thai National ID to receive 80% off

 

Problem solved

Yes, that's how they do it in some places in Europe, but they do check the IDs, they don't base the prices on whether you look European or Asian.

On the other hand, you opened a whole can of worms with this, showing that the way dual pricing works in Thailand is just the tip of the iceberg of a huge problem of institutionalized racism. To be fair, farangs usually benefit from this racism, but nonetheless an issue that unfortunately doesn't look like it will change anytime soon.

There's no tax on foreign income in Thailand. 

If you bring money into Thailand the same year you earn it, you have to declare it. If it's money earned in previous years, it's not taxable, so you can be fully compliant with the tax department by just bringing in money from a savings accounts and not your salary. It's not that hard considering the low cost of living in Thailand.

26 minutes ago, rvaviator said:

Do you also have a long nose ? ????

 

They all want the jamuk farang.

55 minutes ago, Saradoc1972 said:

As long as I do not end up in the Balkans or the UK, I am fine;

What's wrong with the Balkans? 

For airlines like Thai Airways or other Asian airlines at the verge of bankruptcy, I suggest doing a chargeback if you bought with a credit card.

You'll get your money in 30-60 days.

3 hours ago, djayz said:

Considering how the quality of the service in many businesses in the hospitality sector has dropped over the last few years, I for one amn't sad to read this.

 

Over the past few years, I've been made to fell more like a nuisance in many restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, etc. with staff who are either too busy on their phones or playing around with colleagues to serve us; smileless, joyless welcomes - if any at all -; menus thrust into my hand by service staff who then just stand there impatiently with pen and paper ready to take my order immediately - heaven's forbid I should waste their time browsing through the menu!; sometimes being told "sorry, no have this, no have that" - owner doesn't know how to keep inventory? 

 

I know a lot of people have lost their jobs, and more will in the coming months, and are now struggling to survive, but sometimes life is hard. A lot of them will probably find employment in other sectors. If it weeds out the bad establishments from the good, then so be it. 

 

I'd give anything if I could see a genuine smile again upon entering a restaurant, like 10 - 15 years ago. It really warmed my heart and made me return time and time again. 

 

Now it feels more like we're on a production line - next please! 

One thing that I noticed is that when I'm in a good mood everyone smiles at me. When I'm in a bad mood and having negative thoughts, people seem to be colder.

Give it a try, put a smile on your face and you'll see everyone smiling at you. Thai people haven't lost the ability to smile, but they seem to have an innate ability to read your mood. That's my experience at least.

7 hours ago, jlwilliamsjr18 said:

The lure of drugs, sex, alcohol, on the cheap has virtually destroyed this paradise.  So... it's good that these businesses are dissolving.  Now is the time to repair and move forward, not an instant fix, but real sincere reparation, a new normal. Yes, it's time to weed out the drunken ex-pat mongers, send them home, stop the party venues (Full Moon etc.) Embrace eco-tourism, limit tourism and in the long run, revenues will increase. Young people, not foreigners will have opportunities that lead somewhere, not to debt and poverty, which lead to crime and self hate. NO, I'm not missionary, I'm a realist. 

So basically make Thailand as fun as Minsk?

20 minutes ago, mike787 said:

Seriously doubt they extend...very likely it WILL be time to pay,  

I don't think people have a problem paying. Many in this forum seem to believe that those stranded here are trying to avoid paying a couple thousand baht for an extension.

What the people stranded here want is a clear solution. Some people are unable to return home or to the countries where they work. Here are some shocking news for some of you: not all people live in their passport countries.

Either an extension to the amnesty or the ability to get extensions would be welcome. Kicking all foreigners out of the country doesn't make sense, because thousands of them can't go back to the countries where they work/live due to lots of countries only accepting citizens.

Quote

But Rhodri Francis discovered he could work just as easily in Thailand.

Judging by the fact that he's been coming to Thailand every summer, or that he has a Thai wife and a daughter, it's pretty clear that he "discovered" working from Thailand a long time ago.

And we know he doesn't have a... how do you call it... it's apparently very important... Someone else help me out here.

3 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Appealing?

Not sure.

Any country have a flourishing sex industry at low prices?

 

Yes, Ukraine, which is in that list of 26 countries.

9 hours ago, ThailandRyan said:

 Cities are shutting down again.  People need to get over the issue of their personal freedoms and rights being taken away, and accept what they can not.

Yeah some people need to get used to seeing their kids starving at home, get over some loved one committing suicide for loneliness and depression, and all of that nonsense!

1 hour ago, oznomad said:

Why do guys even contemplate buying a house in a gf or (newish) wife's name?

Rent for a few years. If the location and the wife (not a gf) still appeal, then contemplate for a few years.

What's the rush?

 

 

A high percentage of farangs can't even tell the difference between a bar girl and a college-educated one. Do you really expect them to take wise, long-term financial decisions?

Why not just let it go already? It's almost next Songkran festival anyways.