Hat Yai Hell

10 hours ago, ramr said:

You'd have a point if you were talking about ED visas or endless VOA's, both of which have been seriously tightened up in the past couple years anyway.

The ED only changed, in that the rate of "extra payment" to be allowed to get the extensions without problems was increased.  The result - more honest students now must pay the "extra fee" than before (the goal), while the fakers continue paying under-the-table, and continue to skip the classes.

Visa-Exempts - yes - harder now - and worse for those on Tourist Visas also.  Neither of those could be utilized for a "pay extra to stay" system, so the only option was to suppress their use - to force people down other avenues that generate "extra money."

The "crackdown" on marriage-based is just a con-game mixed with xenophobia - especially for those showing foreign income or money in the bank. 

I could see some scrutiny of those coming here (especially from low-wage nations) and using it as a way to take a Thai job - but that would still involve a work-permit, with it's own hurdles - for which the applicant could simply get a B-Visa instead.  Married and working in Thailand applicants already have to show a work-permit. 

To erase all openings for fraud, immigration could add similar language as exists for a B-extension, such that if you qualified financially based on a Thai-based income, and if your job ends, you must immediately show foreign-income or bank-money to continue your marriage-based extension.

But, realistically, the extension given is only for 1 year - so what is all the fuss about?