Bkkthebest

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He told the Nation that in 2015 after being a "law abiding citizen" in Thailand for ten years that his panic attacks meant that he could barely leave the house. He managed to go to 7/11 in the middle of the night but a visit to immigration was out of the question.

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How can you be a law abiding foreigner (not citizen) while you were overstaying in not-your-motherland? 

On 2/6/2019 at 5:59 PM, simon43 said:

It's all about the money....

 

I have a modest income of $1,500 - $2,000 USD per month, which is quite adequate for me to live in Thailand as a single man.

 

For many years, I have undertaken voluntary work, initially as a Thai translator with the Thai tourist police, then running my educational charity in Burma.  I recently returned to Thailand and continue my unpaid charity work.  I can't easily register my 'one-man-band' charity in Thailand, so it's impossible to get a non-immigrant visa and work permit.  In 18 months from now, my Elite visa will expire and my calculations indicate that I cannot save up enough money for either a retirement visa or new Elite visa, although I am spending tens of thousands of my own money in Thailand each month on my educational charity text-books etc.

 

Why can't Thailand recognise not only financial contributions from foreigners, but also social contributions? There must be many retired foreigners who would love to teach as volunteers to 'give back' to Thailand, yet they are not allowed to do so. (Yes, I'm very much aware of my own legal position concerning my volunteer work....).

 

Unless I find a solution, it sounds like I'll be back in Burma in 18 months from now.

 

 

 

 

Thailand has not developed a system to recognise the different aspect and facet of any farangs' contribution to Thailand. Money is very easy to track and account for as it so in numerical format. Remember.. Thailand is still a developing nation and has much to learn. They can't adopt anything more complex than money at the moment. 

On 2/6/2019 at 5:11 PM, apetryxx said:

Color me stupid but I don’t get any of this. I’m on a marriage visa and heretofore I’ve just shown my income stream which is more than adequate. Now the rules have changed and the embassy no longer provides the income verification letter. So,

I have put 400K in the bank (required for the marriage visa extension). Really stupid because I was earning 7% in the U S and virtually nothing here. 

And here we go! We have owned a nice home here for 14 years filled with artwork and a life’s possessions and my wife who is Thai has a good job earning a very excellent salary but none of that counts. My assets in the US are considerable but again, they don’t care. They could declare me persona-non-grata tomorrow and I would have to leave everything behind including my Thai family who I provide for.

This entire immigrant system makes no sense whatsoever.

Yes yes yes, I get it. The Thai system is less evolved and less developed than your first world country. Then why married someone from a less evolved and less developed country in the first place. You know such shit will happen in the future based on your first world educated mind. 

On 2/6/2019 at 4:11 PM, Neeranam said:

Come on, over 90s don't post here. It's for young people over 50.

Middle age farts are not young. Below 35 years of age is young. 

On 2/6/2019 at 4:05 PM, SenorProletariat said:

Shameful. Big Joke and his cronies should hang their heads in shame with this one.

 

Poor old chap - and I thought the elderly were highly respected in Thai society?

 

Mustn't apply to foreigners then.

 

SP.

Correction. Elderly with money are respected. 

On 2/6/2019 at 3:31 PM, TheMacMan said:

I assume because he is old and has limited money - 

the issue with this for many is that if the FULL amount of cash needs to be in a bank 2 months before and also 3 months after (5 months) and then after that must keep minimum of 400k for the remainder.... (and then full circle need the full 800k in again 2 months before the renewal).............. that means 800k cannot be touched for 5 months of the year, and then you only have 400k accessible to live on for the year???   

So people that bring in a small amount per month are better off and less financially restricted then the GOOD citizens that bring in a lump of money to the Thai banks??  

 

Let me clarify:

e.g.) Visa renewal in March, so need 800 in bank January (2 months before)

Get new visa in March, but cannot take any of the 800 out for another 3 months?

So the money sits there and you cannot spend ANY of it until June.....

when then you can only take out a maximum of 400k, 400k has to STAY in the account!? 

So you can ONLY spend 400k of your 800k between June and Dec?

At the end of December you need to top up the ‘locked in’ 400k that you have to keep there with at least another 400k, so that in January you have the full 800k needed 2 months BEFORE you reapply for your next year visa renewal?

 

So really, unless you transfer in MORE than 800k, you only have the freely available 400k to spend from that account over 12 months, in practice? (33,333 baht per month averaged out)....

And the bank keeps and uses the 400k deposit money that you can’t touch???

 

But 65k transferred in every month comes to 780,000 a year, you can spend all of it, and none of it is ‘locked in’

So it is better NOT to keep money in Thailand but only move in what you need to spend?

 

This hardly makes people feel safe and in fact people with cash in the bank are penalised MORE than those bringing in little at a time, where is the logic in that.

if you are a 90 year old retired man, money might be a bit scarce and anything that locks up 400k for your money for a whole year and 800k of your money for 5 months IS A BIG PROBLEM

THAT is an issue here i think.

It is very simple to understand. Thailand wants seniors who have WAY MORE than 800,000 baht to retire in Thailand. Not those who just barely meet the required amount. 

On 2/6/2019 at 2:34 PM, Nong Khai Man said:

Moreover, 800000 bath is not that much......O.K I'll send YOU My Bank details so YOU Can transfer it to Me !! After All in your'e OWN Words it's NOT That much.....

If you have to worship a measly amount of 800,000 baht, you should not be in Thailand. Please leave.. You are a potential problem to Thailand. 

On 2/6/2019 at 2:10 PM, mickymouse1 said:

Losers...also whoever wants to live/retire there is loser????lovely Laos..Cambodia Indonesia's 1000s of islands even Malaysia more civilised in their treatment towards foreigners wanting to bring money in.

By all means, pls move to Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. No one is forcing you to stay in Thailand. Bye!!! 

On 2/6/2019 at 2:04 PM, spidermike007 said:

The biggest joke has been an unmitigated disaster for Thailand. Everything he touches, turns to crap. He is the polar opposite of a crime fighter or a guy who fights corruption. And he has turned the immigration department into a far more xenophobic entity than it was before. They were already arrogant and surly. Now?

 

Get him out. Remove him now. And Prayuth, get out now too. Neither of you fabulously incompetent men are wanted, needed, liked or helping anyone but the elites, the super rich and those in power. 

 

A note to those in power. You are mistaken. We are not the enemy. Alot of us bring an awful lot to the table here. 

You can always bring your awful lot to another table in another country. No one puts a gun on your head to put your awful lot on a Thai table. 

On 2/6/2019 at 11:27 AM, Gecko123 said:

I hear where you're coming from, but given that a substantial percentage of Thais have income less than 30k, and the average social security benefit in the US is $1,360 the 65k cost of admission seems somewhat arbitrary. It should also be kept in mind that this change was announced without warning less than 90 days prior to implementation after remaining the same for decades. This is a fairly significant change and a longer lead in time to make adjustments would have been useful. I don't think this shows much sensitivity to the financial realities many people face.

The immigration already show much sensitivity to foreign stayers, but only to those who can afford it. Those who can't, need to pack up and leave. 

If you don't even have the funds to sustain yourself prior to 90 days or even 30 days of this implementation, then you should leave and go home. This is the sensitivity they are putting up. 

On 2/6/2019 at 8:38 AM, webfact said:

Many have said that the new rules are designed to stop the practices of unscrupulous visa agents and the expats who pay them for their services. 

 

But large percentages of expats in recent Thaivisa forum and Facebook surveys have said they are being forced out of Thailand. 

So these large percentage of expats uses unscrupulous agents for their service? 

2 hours ago, stud858 said:

Even if it did, like cigarette smoking. Don't worry about it.

 

Obviously, you know nuts about body and health. 

5G will kill human beings.. Gosh..when will Thai people learn? Expect tons of cancer and death.. 

1 hour ago, DNPBC0 said:

A change in air movement (ie from south to north instead of the reverse) is responsible for the current lowering of pollution levels in BKK, but at the same time levels have been rising in Isaan. Bangkok's gain is Isaan's pain.

The perfect chance for bangkok self praise and medal honoring. Quick, before the wind change direction again. 

7 hours ago, Vacuum said:

 

 Wonder what they actually know. They know where I live (after all the 90 day reports I've made) but still needs a new report every 90 days,why is that?

If you pay 500,000 baht for a visa, you don't have to make you way to do the reporting, somebody will do it for you. 

I thought this is exactly what Pattaya is portrayed as? What image are you talking about? 

Quote

PM2.5 – has been a threat to the public’s health for a long time. And no one has an idea on the source of these harmful PM2.5.

Why do they not check about land clearing by fire in their own provinces and also of Cambodia? They might find some clues on it.

Really? From vehicles? I thought the smog problem is caused by land clearing fires from Cambodia and Thai provinces. 

Quote

Bangkok Governor given strong powers as pollution spreads

Giving him power to blow away the smog and haze? The way the Thai media word their version of English is confusing at times.

what's with Thai and rolex watches. There are so many much more luxury watches in the market but rolex seems to be in the Thais' mind.

8 hours ago, Jimbo1964 said:

It would also help if people stopped burning tyres when its dark. This was Bangna Trat KM 5.5 on Saturday night.

May i ask how you get the PM2.5 reading? i thought the Thai authority claim that they do not have equipment for PM2.5 measurement?

19 hours ago, legend49 said:

TAT will go to any measure to attract tourists. Fake news.

Exactly, Thai husband only gives diamonds stud rolex to mistresses, not to wife. 

12 hours ago, Jimdandy said:

Shouldn't these stories be 'yet another DISHONEST cabby? with a story about the bad they've done? When you think about it the back story seems to be that most are dishonest...What are they really saying? Is it so bad that you have to look for the honest ones and assume you'll be ripped off in general unless you are fortunate enough/or lucky enough to get an honest cabby

Nope, it is all about the face.. If it is honest, the face value will be x100.  The face value vibe would be so strong that it will affect the wallet of the owner and out comes the 5000 baht reward. 

So it is all about the 5000 baht reward and a whole ton of Thai honest face.. Wow..