anotheruser

On 1/15/2017 at 11:14 PM, gamini said:

There are a lot of good and considerate TV members. But unfortunately there is a small group of Thai bashers who have nothing better to do than criticise and twist every good effort that is made in Thailand. They are obviously poorly educated and very low life. They use crude, vulgar and childish language in their posts. They are usually very ignorant about what they post and they deliberately bait other members. Many of us are married to Thais and have Thai friends. It's very upsetting for us when they criticise and bash Thailand. I think that the moderators ought to do something about this. Because it seems to get worse and worse. This is not just my opinion. Many expats that I have met express the same concerns.

That is all fine but I don't want more severe moderation. So you met a substantial amount of people in person and came to the consensus TV is out of line? I really do not wish that people like you influence the moderation in the future. The general already censors our news.

Dress him up in ladyboy clothes and make it convincing. If you don't know how to do this just go to any Robinson's they day he is called in.

On 1/14/2017 at 11:23 AM, James2020 said:

 

 

I'm not a member of Thailand Elite, but considering it  My Thai wife and I went to the Office of Land Transportation (District 3), which is one of the half dozen or so driving license offices in BKK.  My understanding is that everyone is issued a 2 year temporary DL at first, regardless of whether you are a TE member, and at the end of two years, you are then eligible to apply for the permanent 5 year DL.   The temporary DL used to be for 1 year, and many people do not know about the recent change to 2 years.  There are only 2 types of DL available to anyone, either a temporary 2 year DL or a permanent 5 year DL.  The problem is that you cannot get a 5 year DL with a TE Visa.  They require a "long stay" visa, and the TL Visa is a type of Tourist Visa.  Mover1 asked TE about this and they answered that he could only get another temporary DL, which unfortunately for me, does not allow an International Driving Permit.  Just FYI,  to obtain a temporary DL, I needed a medical certificate (1 hour at Bumrungrad, 650 B), an Affidavit of Residence from the US Embassy (1 hour, 1750 , Passport with long term visa and copies of both, valid State DL with copies of front and back, a 305 B fee for the Office of Land Transportation, and watch a safety video with English subtitles for an hour.  I assume a TE member would have to go through this procedure every 2 years to maintain a DL in Thailand, even if you used one of their support people.  The Office of Land Transportation is quite efficient, but it still takes about 2 hours to get a temporary DL.  I strongly recommend taking someone who speaks Thai fluently.

Well if you pay 2,000 Baht you can bring a member of TE. I don't think that is too bad of a value.

15 hours ago, joeyg said:

I pretty much ignore it these days.  Or when someone cuts the line I smile, gesture them to go ahead of me and say mai mi pen ha.  If it bothers you here your head would explode waiting in lines in India.

Once I was in line behind two elderly woman.

 

This young guy comes up and cuts in front of this old lady elbowing his away from the counter.  I grabbed him by the back of his shirt pulled him back very hard and he fell on his butt on the ground.

 

I pointed to the counter and said that's not your spot.  Then pointed to him on the ground and said that's your spot.  He stood up yelling and pointing at me saying he was going to call the police.

 

I said good bring a few.  I'll give them a 1000 rupees each and we'll all kick the shit out of you.  He rushed off still yelling.  The nice old ladies just thanked me.

 

I wouldn't recommend trying that in Thailand...

1 minute ago, JLCrab said:

I should maybe stay out of these working type topics as I haven't worked online or off for 20+ years since the company I helped start when still in my early 20's was sold.

I don't disagree with that.

Just now, BudRight said:

 

That is censored too.

I don't think it is in the same way. I know people get into trouble over FB postings however it isn't on the same level as censorship that happens through True. They could block Facebook. lol That might get the attention of the Thais. Right now nobody cares that a handful of foreign news sources are doing this. Take away FB their might be a reaction.

There could even be a bunch of hackers sittting around pushing their F5 buttons repeatedly.

6 minutes ago, dbrenn said:

Prayuth reminds me of the little boy who put his finger in a hole in the dyke. As if we can't find the same news online. 

 

What next? Censorship of any English language article online containing the word Thailand? We can kiss this forum goodbye if, or when, that happens. ..

It would just migrate over to Facebook much the same way many forums have already done already.

On 11/30/2016 at 6:57 AM, malt25 said:

If you really want to know ...  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Thai_Police

I find ones attitude toward the police can be a big factor in the treatment you receive.

Just my thought though.

I find the amount of money you have to make a bigger difference. I guess we all have different takes on it.

It is a grey area. It isn't strictly speaking legal but nobody cares. Looking back over the 8 reasons is pretty funny. I would say the main attraction for digital nomads out of all of these 8 things that are unique to Thailand only would be.. they take shopping seriously. I am sure that is in the forefront of most digital nomad's minds when considering a country to go to.

There’s a landscape for everyone                 Sure like many places.

Fast Internet and good co-working spaces     This is probably the one that is the most meaningful

Extremely affordable                                        It can be 

Easygoing, friendly locals                Yes, sure of course.

Strong English                                      krub

Plenty of other nomads                    ????

They take shopping seriously         lol

Amazing Weather                           not really

So they get perhaps 2 out of 8 on this list that actually mean anything.

Just now, smotherb said:

This was meant as a joke.

Yes, likewise. lol 

21 minutes ago, JB300 said:

That boat sailed in. March last year, overstay now & you risk a stay in IDC, overstay by more than 90 days & you'll get blacklisted http://www.loc.gov/law/foreign-news/article/thailand-blacklist-for-foreigners-who-overstay-visas/

Given its getting harder to use Visa Exempt (max 2 per year at land crossings) & Tourist Visas I woukdnt like to have an overstay in my passport, certainly not more than 1.

If some people find over staying and using visa exempts to still be a useful way of living in Thailand who are we to say anything? Even in the worst case scenario they end up in the IDC. At least they are still able to be in Thailand right?

11 minutes ago, smotherb said:

It only costs B20k for the coveted Overstay Visa and the OV can be combined with any other visa to allow you a longer stay and avoid the additional  penalties.

Sure there is more than one way to skin a cat. I personally don't take the chance of being thrown into IDC and blacklisted but for others this might be a palatable choice. For some the savings is worth the risk.

Just now, YeahSiam said:

 

No it doesn't since I'm under 50 myself but no way would I hand over 100K a year for a visa that still wouldn't allow me to work anyway.

As long as you are happy with what you are doing for visas to stay here is all that matters. For me the TE still came out to be a good value considering the alternatives.  

8 minutes ago, YeahSiam said:

 

Might come as a shock to some, but not everyone wants to stay in Thailand for 5 years

I don't want to either. I had to do something to get a visa to stay here for the past year and a half or so. So I got a TE I have no intention of being here another 3.5 years. They don't give many other options for people under 50. That news may come as a shock to you.

So as you can see the article ignores one of the most important things for a digital nomad which would be easy visas.

The visa really isn't that big of a deal. If you are a digital nomad and earn even somewhat decent money you should be able to afford a 5 year TE assuming you aren't over 50. The 100,000 a year is a small cost of doing business as everything else is so cheap according to the article. 

If you don't earn enough to lay out for a visa whatever kind it is to live here then you are a digital refugee not a digital nomad. 

Easily get punched? Afraid you loat me now please take your meds.

3 minutes ago, JLCrab said:

Yeah -- I know it's dark and raining but how come I can't see that high horse you're sittin' on?

To say have a good evening just sounded more polite than <deleted> off evidently you don't take a hint easily. Are you even in thailand?

At my condo near Asoke. Any other questions boss? It is raining and the pic isn't great but that is Petchaburi road if you are familiar with Bangkok. On the left is the airport link to Swampy.

Yes it does get tedious. Have a good evening.

5 hours ago, Robert24 said:

Tourist visas aren't a good option if you want to stay in Thailand longer. I've had a number of them from their consulate in Laos where you can still get them relatively easy. But it's still a headache to do this every 3 months + after 2 months you have to go to Immigration to extend it. And embassies/consulates in other countries can be very difficult to give Tourist visas, i.e. Singapore. And if you travel frequently, it's not a good option neither. So all in all the TE option is a good option if you are below 50. I got the 5 year one because it will get me closer to the age when I would be eligible for the retirement visa option. But agree the 20 yr option looks like a good deal too.



Sent from my SM-J710F using Thaivisa Connect mobile app
 

Yes, no shit Sherlock. It is becoming very obvious what is going on. This is why they can curtail benefits. This is no longer a visa system that deals in fairness it has been swallowed by the xenophobia which is commonly referred to as Thai immigration, 

There aren't any of the adamant supporters that were from earlier on.  It is unfortunate that we are in a political climate where this program possibly won't work. 

It isn't for lack of trying but the general government they deal with is so obtuse there is nothing more that can be done. 

It seems they simply don't want foreigners no matter how they try to sell it. They will raise requirements for everybody else or else I have a wild imagination. 

The people that want this program to fail will be subject to higher levels of scrutiny in the future.  

1.6 in the bank is my guess, 90 a month. article 44

I would like TE to respond but they don't. 

Sorry but there comes a point that I don't need to live in Thailand this badly. There are no longer any die hard supporters of this program. I used to be one of them but they literally do fuk all for you.

I can't go through the fast lane with my boyfriend? lol 

The service is absolutely pathetic. the visa is still okay.

13 minutes ago, hgma said:

The end of the much promoted 'Medical Hub' in Thailand?

Get a visa between heart attacks. don't have a stroke more than twice a year.

5 hours ago, stevenl said:

Maybe they thought of this, but did not consider people living in Laos their responsibility.

Sent from my ROBBY using Thaivisa Connect mobile app
 

The numbers of expats in Laos are not that large.  They will survive this no problem people that settle in Laos tend to be a bit tougher than the average Pattaya transplant.  

The lining in the cloud is this will make it harder for others to come to Laos. Thailand doesn't care and that is actually right. The lack of empathy from people in Thailand is what is irksome. I hope they tighten up on visas in Thailand and bring the righteous to their knees.  lol 

10 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

So why choose Laos as a base then? Choose a country to live where you can get those things if they are important to you. Don't blame Thailand for regulating its borders. Blame Laos for being underdeveloped or start a company there which will import these goods and make some money.

Because up until a few weeks ago these restrictions didn't exist? that's like asking a retiree why they moved to Thailand if they couldn't meet new requirements for having $300,000 in a bank that was introduced a week ago. 

I hope that all people commenting on this site that lack empathy for others find themselves in the worst circumstances later on. 

On 1/8/2017 at 5:37 PM, JLCrab said:

The implications are simple: Other than the now 2 allowed land border visa-exempt entries per year, a non-Lao citizen living in Laos can either enter Thailand on a visa obtained at the Thai Embassy or Consulate in Laos or get a Lao citizen to cross into Thailand and do their shopping for them and bring the items back into PDR Lao.

 

Visa-exempt entries via air are still non-restricted.

I hope someday you can find the ability to see a tree in the forest. 

The one million option could be a better deal simply because if I am npt mistaken it is transferable if you change your mind.