Who is actually leaving?

[dreaming]

16 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I am surprised that one issue about moving to somewhere else is basically never mentioned: the language!

My Thai is far away from perfect but good enough to interact with the locals - even the Thais who don't speak any English at all.

 

That is why it is not worth learning thai. As soon as you leave thailand all those hundreds of hours of frustration learning the language are useless. I have found the point and grunt method works in most thai villages

[HAKAPALITA]

1 minute ago, dreaming said:

That is why it is not worth learning thai. As soon as you leave thailand all those hundreds of hours of frustration learning the language are useless. I have found the point and grunt method works in most thai villages

No one listens to me whatever language i use.!! I do Enjoy Scandinavians and English trying to speak, reminds me of Spain Package Holidays, " Has Thee Any Bisto Por Favor Chum" or My lot sounding like the Chef on the Muppet Show.. Teachers are the worst, Paddy the Ex Dublin Bar Man now Tefal in 7/11 buying his daily 6 pack thanking the Cashier Profusely in a Thai Language created at his Lunchtime Session.

[BritManToo]

51 minutes ago, Kerryd said:

Some apparently think that if they threaten to leave it will somehow convince Thailand to change the rules in their favour.

I don't think any of us give a f# what Thailand thinks or does any more.

Some of us just wish we had reproduced with another SEA national.

[baansgr]

Lets hope that those of us that have made a life here, have commitments and contribute  to the economy albeit maybe not like tourists but a steady flow year on year are not forgotten. The fact is Thailand has over 30 million tourists a year,  if the new regs make less in numbers leave than one days worth of cashed up tourists,  why would the Government care.  Really retirees are a miniscule number in the fish pond. Evolution, changing attitudes  are upon us. Where will it end,  more money in deposit,  medical for over 60s, no one knows what's ahead... Enjoy while we can but have other plans in place.... It's been good but all good things come to an end. 

[BritManToo]

16 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I am surprised that one issue about moving to somewhere else is basically never mentioned: the language!

My Thai is far away from perfect but good enough to interact with the locals - even the Thais who don't speak any English at all.

That's because it's largely irrelevant.

Filipinos nearly all speak English and I didn't find anyone in Vietnam or Cambodia that couldn't speak to me in English.

Oh, did find a girl in Cambodia that didn't speak any English, didn't seem to matter, I just typed '$30' in my phone and showed it to her, that worked perfectly well.

[baansgr]

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

That's because it's largely irrelevant.

Filipinos nearly all speak English and I didn't find anyone in Vietnam or Cambodia that couldn't speak to me in English.

Oh, did find a girl in Cambodia that didn't speak any English, didn't seem to matter, I just typed '$30' in my phone and showed it to her, that worked perfectly well.

oh,  used to be $20

[Thaidream]

Actually, I believe  several thousands of people will leave over the next year or so.  A small  number will go because of  lack of money , but the majority will leave for all the reasons listed  in this thread  which boils down to a  lack of a happy  and healthful environment.

Having first arrived in Thailand in  1971, I have watched huge changes take place in Thailand- some for the better but in the last 4-5 years a step backward. At the same time other surrounding countries have continued to move forward and in some cases eclipse Thailand. Unless there is  21st Century leadership in Thailand- it will continue to lag behind the rest of Southeast Asia.

 

I, personally won't ever leave  because of my family but I clearly understand why many Westerners are giving Thailand a pass and many expats  will relocate.  As one of the posters indicated- there are now several things in Thailand that have become really irritating to include the Immigration issue.

 

Long term people like myself have become clearly aware of the lack of reciprocity between Thailand and our own home countries.  This is pure selfishness on the part of the authorities and in many cases unbridled greed and extreme xenophobia.

If this trend continues- Thailand will see itself become more isolated from the Western World and that is why this coming election is probably the most  important one in Thai history.

[Aussieroaming]

13 hours ago, baansgr said:

I know three long termers, two have already booked their flights for April...leaving behind dogs, girlfriends and a lot of memories....the turning point will be next year at renewal, if in fact the 800/400 rule is enforced, it wont be an option for many, many guys but to leave or overstay.

Nobody discusses 5 or 10 years from now, when the immigration requirements will have likely risen. Will people be able to put away the funds when it increases. Only need to look at the magnitude of change since 1998 to estimate what that cost might be. The 800 k baht is neither capped or static, it will increase over time.

[BritManToo]

2 minutes ago, Aussieroaming said:

Nobody discusses 5 or 10 years from now

I'm old, will probably be dead by then, no need for me to worry.

[Psimbo]

Lets see-  we have a staying or leaving poll. a who is going thread and 20 threads about something that has not even come into force yet. Will the horror NEVER end?

[bkkgriz]

18 hours ago, Pravda said:

Remember many celebrities who claimed they'd leave if Trump won?

 

This is the exact same repeat of that. Empty threats.

I was going to say the same thing. 

[Dario]

1 hour ago, Kerryd said:

Very few will actually leave. 

 

Some apparently think that if they threaten to leave it will somehow convince Thailand to change the rules in their favour.
Some apparently think if they drag out the "what about all the families that will suffer if we are forced to leave" argument, that will convince Thailand to change the rules.

Some apparently think that they contribute so much to the Thai economy that it will collapse if they leave (despite the fact they are threatening to leave because they can't meet the financial requirements so their "contributions" to the economy are probably minimal as well).

Some just like to bash Thailand and will take any opportunity to do so.

 

I suspect that maybe a dozen or 2 might actually leave. Most - that can't afford to be here - will try to fade into the background and hope they never get caught (i.e. overstayers).

 

The rest will grumble and gripe and do what they need to do to meet the new requirements and carry on.

 

The vast majority of us (I'm assuming it's the vast majority) already meet the requirements so it won't be a hassle anyways. We'll just continue on like we've been doing for years. Some will dream about what the country would be like if all the people who keep threatening to leave, actually did leave (and couldn't come back).

I think your assumptions are completely wrong. 

[catman20]

17 hours ago, sanemax said:

Yes. I am considering relocating , jut trying to decide where to go next .

Been in Thailand nearly 10 years and just feel that now is the time to go elsewhere .

Not just the visa situation , as I'm used to that , having spent all my time here on tourist visas and visa exempts .

  Embassys and immigration used to be quite welcoming when applying to visas and entering Thailand , these days its "What are you doing coming back here again" , I could deal with that though , but theres other things going on personally and I just feel that now is the right time to go somewhere else .

   Had a great time here , no hard feelings , just time to move on

keep us all in touch with where you go and what it like there, would be interesting to know. thx

[shackleton]

While expecting a few people will depart for what ever reason Immigration visa  exchange rates ect 

most if married will stay the course as have  families  house schooling commitments

more interesting will be  how many new retirees are coming to Thailand ?  

[tandor]

18 hours ago, roo860 said:

So you came on holiday?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app
 

i have difficulty coming with my wife.

[murraynz]

how can cambodia compare to thailand ?? it is sooo filthy...

[roo860]

i have difficulty coming with my wife.

Never mind try someone elses.

Sent from my SM-G920F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[RJRS1301]

3 hours ago, dotpoom said:

I gave you a "like"....and then I thought ..hang on a minute ....the screaming loud motorbikes with the exhaust modifications....are slowly but surely making me think very strongly about leaving after being here for the past 19 yrs. The problem really is that nothing ever appears to be done about it?

Money in itself is not the issue, it is having to keep it in  a Thai Bank account with only limited access to it, and I need to leave, getting it out of the country.

Having the funds kept in my home country and spending as needed, contributing to the local economy, was all good, but these changes seem as though they will not be applied consistently across the country, and that to me is worry.

If another military  coup, nothing stopping the leaders freezing all accounts held by non Thai, been done before. 

Health insurance costs are becoming prohibitive after 70 

[RJRS1301]

15 hours ago, baansgr said:

Thailand is still one of the cheapest places providing you are not a boozer or kerb crawler...daily living costs are extreem;y cheap. I love the PI and will consider moving there, however as Im not a real drinker/smoker/sexpat its not a lot if any cheaper than here for daily needs but the visa situation is a breeze.

Philippines, gun rule does not appeal, extra judicial killings (no thanks) and if u upset the fanatic running the place visa removal and deportation.

[BritManToo]

17 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

Philippines, gun rule does not appeal, extra judicial killings (no thanks) and if u upset the fanatic running the place visa removal and deportation.

According to the Spaniard thread, in Thailand if you annoy the girl you took home for the night, 500kbht (5 year) VISA removal and jail before deportation.

Edited February 25, 2019 by BritManToo

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, murraynz said:

how can cambodia compare to thailand ?? it is sooo filthy...

Siam Reap and Chiang Mai looked about equal to me.

[malibukid]

have the money but don't like being squeezed. too scared to put a large amount in a foreign bank in a political unstable country, and my business manager agrees. besides i can always get a non-o.  not tied down here, played it smart. and btw i did leave after Trump won.  unlike these Hollywood phonies.

Edited February 25, 2019 by malibukid

[Jingthing]

I can't say that I'm actually leaving any time soon. I wish that I could. The writing on the wall has evolved to knocks on the door at 3 in the morning (literalists please ignore).  However, based on my personal situation (stuck with a hard to sell condo that will now become even harder to sell) it's going to be very economically difficult to leave even as the new rules are a financial burden as well. But I'm still working on a plan to leave eventually … 

 

Signed, 

Boiling Frog feeling sweaty

Edited February 25, 2019 by Jingthing

[myshem]

Most people here are grumpy old men with a big mouth, but as soon as they start using their brain they quickly understand that they have nowhere else to go !

 

[BritManToo]

6 minutes ago, Benroon said:

Irrelevant - there is no guarantee it would be kept 

It's all irrelevant as the UK won't leave the EU anyway, zombie apocalypse more likely.

[BritManToo]

Just now, myshem said:

Most people here are grumpy old men with a big mouth, but as soon as they start using their brain they quickly understand that they have nowhere else to go !

 

Any of the SEA countries look like other places to go.

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Any of the SEA countries look like other places to go.

Especially Cambodia. I hadn't realized until recently that they have a SUPER EASY retirement visa, fly in, get an ordinary visa, then go to a travel agent and pay about 300 dollars for the year. No other financial requirements. Not saying everything about Cambodia would be superior to Thailand, but that is, by about 1000 percent. Of course, like Thailand, they are not offering any permanent residence based on retirement status. 

[myshem]

5 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Any of the SEA countries look like other places to go.

 

I know them all and nowhere can compare, and you exactly know this as everybody here.

 

 

[BritManToo]

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Especially Cambodia. I hadn't realized until recently that they have a SUPER EASY retirement visa, fly in, get an ordinary visa, then go to a travel agent and pay about 300 dollars for the year. No other financial requirements. Not saying everything about Cambodia would be superior to Thailand, but that is, by about 1000 percent. Of course, like Thailand, they are not offering any permanent residence based on retirement status. 

Yep, once you're in, no need to ever see an immigration officer or queue in a government office.

Huge choice of places to eat both local and foreign in PP and SR.

Nobody seemed to care about your sexuality either.

Edited February 25, 2019 by BritManToo

[myshem]

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Especially Cambodia. I hadn't realized until recently that they have a SUPER EASY retirement visa, fly in, get an ordinary visa, then go to a travel agent and pay about 300 dollars for the year. No other financial requirements. Not saying everything about Cambodia would be superior to Thailand, but that is, by about 1000 percent. Of course, like Thailand, they are not offering any permanent residence based on retirement status. 

 

Yes it's acceptable if you like weed and booze, but it's nowhere a western style country as Thailand.