Top 10 hard truths of living as an expat in Thailand

[khunPer]

Today's best quote...????
 

Quote

A few days on the ThaiVisa forum would make you think that all expats ever do is whinge and complain about life in the Land of Smiles...

 

[Vacuum]

33 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Falangs can become citizens here as well.

Only on paper. You'ld still be regarded as a farang.

[giddyup]

17 minutes ago, Vacuum said:

Only on paper. You'ld still be regarded as a farang.

Is a Pakistani in England regarded as an Englishman?

Edited December 2, 2018 by giddyup

[ravip]

3 hours ago, Kwasaki said:

In the UK very difficult unless married to a UK citizen and that doesn't always go well.

If the Thai person is able to buy a UK professional football team then that's OK.

If the Thai person is able to buy a UK professional football team

Which country would refuse a visa to a person who could afford to buy a UK professional football team?

Money talks in this planet - no exception!

It is just that some keep their heads buried in the sand who dont accept this!

[Vacuum]

35 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Is a Pakistani in England regarded as an Englishman?

Considering the amount of them, Englishmen should ask themselves this question.  555

[rascalman]

If we expats have lived here a longtime, caused no problems at all. Spending most if not all of our pension money what are the immigration people thinking? 

Just like many have stated we are not getting any respect in return! I just do no not understand. Something must be done soon. 

[Kwasaki]

2 hours ago, giddyup said:

Falangs can become citizens here as well. Just learn to read and write Thai and sing the anthem.

Are you a citizen yet. ????

[bizboi]

5 hours ago, neeray said:

All true, IF THEY CAN AFFORD IT !

Thats not the point of his post which i totally agree with by the way…..the point is WE are not allowed to THEY are!! Something unequal there perhaps?

[bizboi]

3 hours ago, GreasyFingers said:

Well firstly (in Australia) it is difficult for ordinary Thai people to get a visa for any length of time, even more difficult if they want to work.

But the point is…the LAW doesnt prevent them doing it does it? it DOES prevent you if you’re a westerner trying to own a house &/or a business in Thailand

[bizboi]

2 hours ago, Benroon said:

Have you ever seen the U.K. citizenship test which you need to stay indefinitely ? Have a go at it ..

…but yet we’ve still had 3 million immigrants arrive & stay indefinitely in the last 10 years

[ravip]

2 minutes ago, bizboi said:

But the point is…the LAW doesnt prevent them doing it does it? it DOES prevent you if you’re a westerner trying to own a house &/or a business in Thailand

I guess it works on the Economics Basics: Supply and Demand

[bizboi]

Just now, ravip said:

I guess it works on the Economics Basics: Supply and Demand

Or on the fact that were pushed into accepting them by left wing snowflakes!!

[ravip]

3 minutes ago, bizboi said:

…but yet we’ve still had 3 million immigrants arrive & stay indefinitely in the last 10 years

Majority are economic refugees... for humanities sake, I guess!

[giddyup]

5 minutes ago, bizboi said:

…but yet we’ve still had 3 million immigrants arrive & stay indefinitely in the last 10 years

Lucky you!

[bizboi]

Just now, ravip said:

Majority are economic refugees... for humanities sake, I guess!

i hope you said that sarcastically!!

[giddyup]

18 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

Are you a citizen yet. ????

No, but it's there if you want it bad enough.

[HampiK]

2 hours ago, giddyup said:

Falangs can become citizens here as well. Just learn to read and write Thai and sing the anthem.

and that you have paid tax with a work permit. Which is the point that it's not that easy.

If you not work in Thailand and therefore not pay tax, it is impossible to become a citizen

[bizboi]

1 minute ago, giddyup said:

Lucky you!

Why??? Thats 3 million social security handouts.????

[BritManToo]

7 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Top 10 hard truths of living as an expat in Thailand

Read them all,

9 of them completely avoided by using consulates outside the country.

And I never cared if the bar girls love me, I just want to pay a reasonable price for the services on offer.

[giddyup]

3 minutes ago, bizboi said:

Why??? Thats 3 million social security handouts.????

 

[giddyup]

11 minutes ago, HampiK said:

and that you have paid tax with a work permit. Which is the point that it's not that easy.

If you not work in Thailand and therefore not pay tax, it is impossible to become a citizen

Not according to this:

n order to apply to become a Thai Permanent Resident, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have had a Thai non-immigrant visa for at least three years prior to the submission of your application. Holders of multiple NON-Immigrant visas can not apply. You must have 3 consecutive yearly extensions in order to qualify.
• You must be a holder of a non-immigrant visa at the time of submitting your application.
• You must be able to meet one of these categories to apply for PR status in Thailand:
  • Investment category (minimum 3 – 10 Mil. Baht investment in Thailand)
  • Working/ Business category
  • Support a family or Humanity Reasons category: In this category, you must have a relationship with a Thai citizen or an alien who already posses a residence permit as a husband or wife; father or mother; or a guardian of a Thai child under 20 years of age.
  • Expert / academic category
• and this:

 

You can apply for Thai citizenship if you are working in Thailand or are married with a Thai spouse and/or have a child born in Thailand.

In all cases you will also have to fulfil the following conditions to apply for Thai citizenship:

• You must have lived in Thailand continuously, for at least five years before applying.
• Be a permanent resident.
• Be 18 years old or older and have reached legal majority in your country of origin.
• Be well behaved and have a good background (criminal record; political background; involvement with illegal drugs and, in the case of Vietnamese applicants, personal behaviour will be checked).
• Know the Thai language, including speaking, listening and understanding.
• Be able to sing the National Anthem Sanserm Phra Baramee and pass an interview in Thai conducted by government officers.

Edited December 2, 2018 by giddyup

[HampiK]

6 minutes ago, giddyup said:

Not according to this:

n order to apply to become a Thai Permanent Resident, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must have had a Thai non-immigrant visa for at least three years prior to the submission of your application. Holders of multiple NON-Immigrant visas can not apply. You must have 3 consecutive yearly extensions in order to qualify.
• You must be a holder of a non-immigrant visa at the time of submitting your application. 
• You must be able to meet one of these categories to apply for PR status in Thailand: 
  • Investment category (minimum 3 – 10 Mil. Baht investment in Thailand) 
  • Working/ Business category
  • Support a family or Humanity Reasons category: In this category, you must have a relationship with a Thai citizen or an alien who already posses a residence permit as a husband or wife; father or mother; or a guardian of a Thai child under 20 years of age.
  • Expert / academic category 

 

Looks good, never seen this requirements. Always read that tax-paying is a must.

Anyway I still not have the 3 years yet, so it is only theoretical for myself. But when this information would be true, I guess there should be more people who wanted to try the PR, as you would have big advantages compared to without.

[GreasyFingers]

28 minutes ago, bizboi said:

But the point is…the LAW doesnt prevent them doing it does it? it DOES prevent you if you’re a westerner trying to own a house &/or a business in Thailand

That is not necessarily true. The gov has cracked down on the chinese buying units/condos and that applies to other nationals. If you want to own a house here get Thai citizenship.

[upu2]

Seems like a load of whingers that have not lived in many other countries. Sure Thailand has things we all dislike but our home countries were not that great which is why we left them.

I dont find these rules so bad, just what they are. Either accept them or move on would seem to be the only answer

[Ctkong]

8 hours ago, YetAnother said:

thais do not want us living here and that attitude extends to immigration personnel

Thais are basically feudalistic and xenophobic. They only tolerate foreigners..all foreigners not just whites. 

They love our money though...

one day when the big earner is not tourism anymore, they will show their true colors..

[upu2]

2 minutes ago, Ctkong said:

Thais are basically feudalistic and xenophobic. They only tolerate foreigners..all foreigners not just whites. 

They love our money though...

one day when the big earner is not tourism anymore, they will show their true colors..

Do you really think there is any country that likes foreigners? They all love the money they bring but Thailand may just be more visible in their attitudes than other countries are

[simoh1490]

5 minutes ago, Ctkong said:

Thais are basically feudalistic and xenophobic. They only tolerate foreigners..all foreigners not just whites. 

They love our money though...

one day when the big earner is not tourism anymore, they will show their true colors..

The big earner is not tourism, it's exports, tourism is only about 20% of GDP. including indirect and induced:

 

https://www.wttc.org/-/media/files/reports/economic-impact-research/countries-2018/thailand2018.pdf

[Commercial Diver]

9 hours ago, YetAnother said:

thais do not want us living here and that attitude extends to immigration personnel

Baloney .. 18 Years and NEVER a problem .. At Immigration you get what you Bring (attitude & politeness count ANYWHERE).

[Commercial Diver]

Boy, That was a waste of time

[Kwasaki]

2 hours ago, giddyup said:

No, but it's there if you want it bad enough.

No chance for me I can't sing.