k1w1

Here's the conspiracy theory....

This is a Tourism Authority of Thialand (TAoT) initiative. It invloves airlines, bus companies, immigration checkpoints and a couple of widely publicised murderers as well as seedy individuals who live in Thailand without paying taxes and hence have no rights.

1: Mrs 40% (the head of TAoT) likes to take back handers.

2: Airlines like to make extra cash.

3: Bus companies clogging border checkpoints

4: Airlines see potential revenue stream

5: Airlines lobby Mrs 40%

6: Mrs 40% gets a nice little kickback

7: Plays well in international press

8: Enforces stricter controls of undesirables

9: Works well in local press 1 month before election

10: Forces many people working illeagally to go legit or pay more money to immigration dept and airline companies.

Sounds like a nicely crafted plot to a production from the greatest Director Thailand has ever had. A few good bit parts and money flying all over the place.

- When people fly they spend more so it helps the local area economy more and gives the Director a few brownie points at the next ASEAN meeting.

In essence it doesn't cut down on illegals but makes them pay more for the option. It's only a problem when they start kicking people out for working.

Other countries have a 2-3 times a year policy of cracking down on illegals. Will Thailand follow that trend too?

The new rules are no different from the Korean system.

Everyone there does the 3 month (or 6 for canadians) visa run or gets a work permit.

At least in Thailand you can set up a company for $1000 in Korean you have to have $30,000.

However this rule severely f's up a lot of peoples plans for hte next two months so it is a serious issue for many of us.

I have heard you can set up a compnay for $100 in Singapore but the cost of living makes it difficult to survive.

Personally my not retired Farang wife and I (also not retired) have booked our tickets to Penang now to avoid the inevitable rush in the next three weeks.