What Is The Long Term Prognosis For The Farang In Thailand

[Pringle]

When the coupe too place, I welcomed the move with some degree of delight. The problems of the previous twelve months were gone and the interim authority were making the right kind of noises which signalled a period of stability and apparent common sense.

People were looking forward to the King's Birthday Celebrations and to the coming tourist boom - the previous year the industry had been badly affected by the tsunami aftermath. Generally, things looked brighter.

But then came the crash of the SET, the introduction of 30% surcharge on condo purchases and, today, the passing of changes to the Foreign ownership laws (a move with will be catastrophic to international business and certainly does not bode well for those investing in this wonderful land). The tourist figures for this year are down, up to 50% down on last year. This is partly due to the poor dollar value, the withdrawal of multiple entry visas (badly affecting the Singapore and near-asia weekend R&R travellers), and the general stability worry after the coupe itself.

The Bangkok bombs havn't helped.

It is not only the tourist trade which has been affected: In Pattaya and other condo hot-spots, finding buyers is akin to the snowflake in hel_l. Major building ventures have been shelved or scaled back. People who bought condos here in readiness for retirement and travelled outside the kingdom to work, have been seriously affected by the 3 month rule ... they are in the absurd position of owning apartments which they cannot live in. As for the "snowbirds" who usually lived here 6 months out of 12, just to avoid the fiece Northern winters, they have gone to South America, Mexico and other asean countries such as Cambodia: Those countries recognised the important dollar investment they bring. Bangkok didn't and still hasn't.

The change to the Foreign Ownership Law has sent shock waves through the internatioal company I work for. The concensus tonight is the company will move its operation to China or Vietnam, rather than change the Thai non-voting arrangement. The single most important thing Bangkok failed to taken notice of (and why they were requested to delay for 6 months) is there is no logistical reason for our company to have its production base here. As a result, at least 150 highly specialised directly employd Thai staff being dumped. The indirect locelly employment lost will be even greater. The key falang staff will simply move with the company.

Maybe I am reading the mood wrong but it seems the message emerging from bangkok is "falangs your time is up, go away".

Is it time for us to join the many Falangs in Loas, Cambodia and Vietnam, who left after the visa changes?

Or do we ride out the political crazy storm and stay in a country whose people and envirenment I love so much.

One deeply depressed Pringle

[Mic]

Thailand has lost it's rank to ba a country I might want to live in.

Yes, we have problems here in Europe and winters are dark and cold - yes - but it's OUR COUNTRY.

After taking off pink sunglasses living is much better over here.

They don't tread us here like unwanted money bringers.

Come on folks...we were all running behind an big illusion.

Nowadays I visit Thailand only for business and as short as possible.

Thailand is not LOS to me but rather the land of cheating

Bye bye Thailand :-)

[Jingthing]

The long term prognosis is that we will all be dead.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

It does feel like Thailand is going through a rough patch, and of course, blaming foreigners is a common tactic of countries in crisis. I think Thailand is going to more and more attract a really different kind of expat, the kind that likes to be in a place that they aren't very welcome in, and are nimble on their feet and game for a challenge! Clearly, other countries are much more welcoming though Cambodia isn't quite yet ready for mainstream prime time. But Thailand is still a great place and seems to be very addictive, and many of us will stick it out until the day they kick us out, individually or collectively. OK. for some, that day is now or soon. Don't burn your bridges!

Edited January 9, 2007 by Jingthing

[Nikkijah]

The long term prognosis is that we will all be dead.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

It does feel like Thailand is going through a rough patch, and of course, blaming foreigners is a common tactic of countries in crisis. I think Thailand is going to more and more attract a really different kind of expat, the kind that likes to be in a place that they aren't very welcome in. But it is still a great place and many of us will stick it out until the day they kick us out, individually or collectively. OK. for some, that day is now or soon. Don't burn your bridges!

I consider myself legitimate - the Thai government may have different ideas but as far as I'm concerned I am going to do everything humanely possible to stay here with my partner and our perfect little boy.

My prognosis is this: those who want to stay the most will manage somehow...

Nikkijah

[Mic]

Hello Jingthing,

we will not be dead but in a different state of consciousness and in a different state of matter

very best regards

Mic

[Jingthing]

Hello Jingthing,

we will not be dead but in a different state of consciousness and in a different state of matter

very best regards

Mic

I was a hippie in my youth and enjoyed the hallucinogenics, just like you ...

Edited January 9, 2007 by Jingthing

[ColPyat]

When the coupe too place, I welcomed the move with some degree of delight.

...

One deeply depressed Pringle

Well, i was flamed to bits here by suggesting a few months ago, before the coup, that the opposition to Thaksin might turn out far more xenophobic, nationalist, ideologically driven, and generally more incompetent than Thaksin himself, who was already bad enough.

I have been expecting these sort of developments for a long time, and have prepared myself. I don't make any money inside Thailand, have a visa and workpermit as above board as one can get, and can only suggest to do the same.

Because i do not see things getting any better in the foreseeable future.

And the illusion of that lovely Land of Smile i have put aside a very long time ago, and i can predict that rather soon it will be rather clear for most that Thailand is anything else than what many wish it to be in their dreams.

Yes, i will stay, and mainly have to be careful that the present political and social mess is not infringing to much into my personal level of happiness. Which is easier in some way as i don't depend on the Thai economy for my financial well being.

[Nikkijah]

Well, i was flamed to bits here by suggesting a few months ago, before the coup, that the opposition to Thaksin might turn out far more xenophobic, nationalist, ideologically driven, and generally more incompetent than Thaksin himself, who was already bad enough.

These visa issues arising now and over the last 3 months have nothing to do with the new administration apparently - they were on the cards for many years and were being implemented before the coup took place

Nikkijah

[ColPyat]

Well, i was flamed to bits here by suggesting a few months ago, before the coup, that the opposition to Thaksin might turn out far more xenophobic, nationalist, ideologically driven, and generally more incompetent than Thaksin himself, who was already bad enough.

These visa issues arising now and over the last 3 months have nothing to do with the new administration apparently - they were on the cards for many years and were being implemented before the coup took place

Nikkijah

They weren't scrapped either, even though they do throw many mixed families who have enough money to live here but cannot fulfill the financial regulations into misery. Not exactly a sign of compassion both towards foreigners or fellow Thais dependng on those from our now virteous government.

And the new business regulations were invented by this government.

And instead of creating stability, one of the aims of the coup, i do see Thailand now more instable than a very long time.

Just wait and see what comes next...

Edited January 9, 2007 by ColPyat

[Nikkijah]

Well, i was flamed to bits here by suggesting a few months ago, before the coup, that the opposition to Thaksin might turn out far more xenophobic, nationalist, ideologically driven, and generally more incompetent than Thaksin himself, who was already bad enough.

These visa issues arising now and over the last 3 months have nothing to do with the new administration apparently - they were on the cards for many years and were being implemented before the coup took place

Nikkijah

They weren't scrapped either, even though they do throw many mixed families who have enough money to live here but cannot fulfill the financial regulations into misery. Not exactly a sign of compassion both towards foreigners or fellow Thais dependng on those from our now virteous government.

And the new business regulations were invented by this government.

And instead of creating stability, one of the aims of the coup, i do see Thailand now more instable than a very long time.

Just wait and see what comes next...

Waiting is all we can do, perhaps this new government is going more towards xenophobic or nationalistic policies but at least their original intentions were good, I think any regulations that may hurt people, whether they are Thais or falang in this country are simply ideas that are not thought through.

Nikkijah

[beammeup]

The long term prognosis is that we will all be dead.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

It does feel like Thailand is going through a rough patch, and of course, blaming foreigners is a common tactic of countries in crisis. I think Thailand is going to more and more attract a really different kind of expat, the kind that likes to be in a place that they aren't very welcome in. But it is still a great place and many of us will stick it out until the day they kick us out, individually or collectively. OK. for some, that day is now or soon. Don't burn your bridges!

I consider myself legitimate - the Thai government may have different ideas but as far as I'm concerned I am going to do everything humanely possible to stay here with my partner and our perfect little boy.

My prognosis is this: those who want to stay the most will manage somehow...

Nikkijah

Perfect might be a slight overstatement! I hate to be the one to tell you this but there is something wrong with his eye balls

[Nikkijah]

The long term prognosis is that we will all be dead.

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

It does feel like Thailand is going through a rough patch, and of course, blaming foreigners is a common tactic of countries in crisis. I think Thailand is going to more and more attract a really different kind of expat, the kind that likes to be in a place that they aren't very welcome in. But it is still a great place and many of us will stick it out until the day they kick us out, individually or collectively. OK. for some, that day is now or soon. Don't burn your bridges!

I consider myself legitimate - the Thai government may have different ideas but as far as I'm concerned I am going to do everything humanely possible to stay here with my partner and our perfect little boy.

My prognosis is this: those who want to stay the most will manage somehow...

Nikkijah

Perfect might be a slight overstatement! I hate to be the one to tell you this but there is something wrong with his eye balls

HAHAHAHAHAHA, don't start beammeup, I've already fought with the masses with regard to my son and his pulling skills! (thats not him in the photo)

Edited January 9, 2007 by Nikkijah

[Boon Mee]

Maybe I am reading the mood wrong but it seems the message emerging from bangkok is "falangs your time is up, go away".

Times have been much worse - like back around the student riots in the mid 70's. Wouldn't give up on LOS just yet...

[kiakaha]

This seems to happen in all the threads, but do you actually know the relationship between the terms "farang" and "foreigner" ? Which term do you think is more accurate to use in a post of this nature?

[Boon Mee]

This seems to happen in all the threads, but do you actually know the relationship between the terms "farang" and "foreigner" ? Which term do you think is more accurate to use in a post of this nature?

'Farang'

Like we are 'Gaijin' to the Japanese...

[kiakaha]

This seems to happen in all the threads, but do you actually know the relationship between the terms "farang" and "foreigner" ? Which term do you think is more accurate to use in a post of this nature?

'Farang'

Like we are 'Gaijin' to the Japanese...

No, Foreigner is more accurate.

Last time I checked, immigration rules applied to foreigners ie: non-thais nationals.

Farang are just a subset of all foreigners.

[Gary A]

MANY years ago I was given some great advice. I didn't appreciate it at the time because I was still young and determined to set the world on fire. As the years passed by, I often thought about that advice. It was; "Don't concern yourself with things you have no control over".

I'm here to stay as long as possible and if the time comes where I have to move on, that's what I'll do. I never spent more than I could afford to walk away from. No jumping off a tall building for me. Besides that, my condo is in only a five story building.

[DFCarlson]

This seems to happen in all the threads, but do you actually know the relationship between the terms "farang" and "foreigner" ? Which term do you think is more accurate to use in a post of this nature?

'Farang'

Like we are 'Gaijin' to the Japanese...

No, Foreigner is more accurate.

Last time I checked, immigration rules applied to foreigners ie: non-thais nationals.

Farang are just a subset of all foreigners.

I think the term "alien" is most accurate. Many of the published rules for visas, etc., refer to the applicant as "the alien". "alien" = "not Thai".

Edited January 10, 2007 by DFCarlson

[terry57]

here we go again with some people saying how thailand is this and thailand is that.

you' ve got two trains of thought here.

#1, some off you want to leave because you feel that thailand is no longer business friendly and you can do better in other asians countries.

ok, thats really easy. pack up your company and head over to greener pastures and stop talking about it.

this debate has been going on forever so make your move.

#2, the other train of thought is that LOS is no longer LOS, and the locals are'nt farang friendly any more and you want to go to another asian country.

OK, thats really easy as well. pack your bags and go where ever you want to go as no one is stopping any of you from doing anything.

when all is said and done, if some people could have a better positive attitude instead of worrying about things they would have a better experience.

nothing stopping you from going home and doing business or living.

bye bye people.

after all you people go that dont want to be here the los will be full of farang that do want to be here.

[DragonQuest]

been here for well over a year and im still happy, if anything there does seem to be a fewer farang here due to the facts, but better for me, its open season and no bag-limit , eheheheheheheheh

[samtam]

I really can't see what's changed. Perhaps people's sense of reality. I think it's best to have a realistic perspective of living in Thailand, to see the bad with the good. That hasn't changed. Maybe some of the recent events have brought less obvious facets into perspective. A reality check is no bad thing.

[Jet Gorgon]

Thailand has lost it's rank to ba a country I might want to live in.

Yes, we have problems here in Europe and winters are dark and cold - yes - but it's OUR COUNTRY.

Oh, sure. And you paid for all the refugees to come in, gave em free accommodation, job preferences, and voting rights, and look at OUR COUNTRY now. MY MP dishes out literature in two other languages and I heard one national got banned from flying the country flag outside his house.

[PeaceBlondie]

Whatever the leaders of Thailand and its provinces do, we can make an almost sure bet: they won't spend much time considering what effect their actions have on aliens. Sometimes they don't consider other Thais. We either roll with the punches, or we roll on out of here. But we don't call the tune; we just try to dance with the tune they pick.

Does the Ministry of Labour, Foreign Affairs, Interior or Education make rulings that affect aliens, and they honestly don't consider (or care) about us? Yes. Even at local levels.

[bendix]

Don't go giving us that common sense stuff PeaceBlondie. Every thaivisa member worth his salt knows that every person in the Thai Government is obsessed with farang and spends every waking hours devising ways to harm us. It is their sole raison d'etre.

Let's not forget - we are the most important thing about Thailand, and considerably more important than all those funny looking little brown-skinned fellas one sees on the streets.

[Briggsy]

Don't go giving us that common sense stuff PeaceBlondie. Every thaivisa member worth his salt knows that every person in the Thai Government is obsessed with farang and spends every waking hours devising ways to harm us. It is their sole raison d'etre.

Let's not forget - we are the most important thing about Thailand, and considerably more important than all those funny looking little brown-skinned fellas one sees on the streets.

[terry57]

Don't go giving us that common sense stuff PeaceBlondie. Every thaivisa member worth his salt knows that every person in the Thai Government is obsessed with farang and spends every waking hours devising ways to harm us. It is their sole raison d'etre.

Let's not forget - we are the most important thing about Thailand, and considerably more important than all those funny looking little brown-skinned fellas one sees on the streets.

you been smoking the wacky tabaky today bendix. :D

love it

[ilyushin]

If you have doubts you should leave now. I will remain and endure the growing pains of the political process in Thailand. It has been worse and will always be in flux. I would not compare Thailand to Laos , Vietnam or Cambodia. The same problems will happen there soon enough.

[terry57]

If you have doubts you should leave now. I will remain and endure the growing pains of the political process in Thailand. It has been worse and will always be in flux. I would not compare Thailand to Laos , Vietnam or Cambodia. The same problems will happen there soon enough.

yes mate,

all this talk of bolting over to vietnam, cambodia and laos is a load of <deleted>.

ive been to all these country's and one would have to be mad to think things are fantastic over there compared to thailand.

but if you think better boys, off you go then and good luck.

[Boon Mee]

This seems to happen in all the threads, but do you actually know the relationship between the terms "farang" and "foreigner" ? Which term do you think is more accurate to use in a post of this nature?

'Farang'

Like we are 'Gaijin' to the Japanese...

No, Foreigner is more accurate.

Last time I checked, immigration rules applied to foreigners ie: non-thais nationals.

Farang are just a subset of all foreigners.

Agree - realized that right after I posted earlier.

'Alien' or 'foreigner' are most correct.

[Pakboong]

If you have doubts you should leave now. I will remain and endure the growing pains of the political process in Thailand. It has been worse and will always be in flux. I would not compare Thailand to Laos , Vietnam or Cambodia. The same problems will happen there soon enough.

Not to mention that they have all had serious revolutions within our lifetime.