Is there, or Should there be, an Organised Expats Association

[Pilotman]

This maybe a stupid question, but is there now, or has there ever been, a properly organised and and constituted, Nationwide, 'Thailand Expat Organisation', that can have some credibility with the Thai Authorities, in representing the whole of the Thailand expat community on issues that impact expats here?  I know that there are a few such, smaller groups scattered around the country in various locations, but they seem to be very local and with no real push and credibility, mainly because they are small in membership.

 

As I say, maybe a silly question, as perhaps such a Association already exists and has just passed me by, or is not that active and/or effective? If not, then the establishment of such an Association seems to be an obvious step and may help both expats and the Thai authorities navigate the various thorny issues we all seem to have at one time or another. .   

[Kwasaki]

I thought it was TV. ????

[ThaiBunny]

"a properly organised and constituted nationwide Thailand expat organisation" and "have some credibility with the Thai authorities" are two entirely separate things.  The only places on Earth that have organised immigrant groups that have clout with the national government are (as far as I'm aware) places where immigrants are (a) permanent and (b) have the vote.  We are temporary guests, here a year at a time, and will never have the vote - not even those of us married to Thai citizens.

[Pilotman]

4 minutes ago, ThaiBunny said:

"a properly organised and constituted nationwide Thailand expat organisation" and "have some credibility with the Thai authorities" are two entirely separate things.  The only places on Earth that have organised immigrant groups that have clout with the national government are (as far as I'm aware) places where immigrants are (a) permanent and (b) have the vote.  We are temporary guests, here a year at a time, and will never have the vote - not even those of us married to Thai citizens.

So that's a no then. 

[Pilotman]

6 minutes ago, Kwasaki said:

I thought it was TV. ????

Hardly. 

[ThaiBunny]

2 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

So that's a no then. 

It's one of the things I like about Buddhism (in theory) - a keen sense of not knocking your head against a brick wall

[sammieuk1]

They may well like this idea at booting out time and could be cost effective expunging by the plane load ????

[NCC1701A]

23 minutes ago, Pilotman said:

 'Thailand Expat Organisation',

i had this thought a year ago. but what could be is one person or a small group, maybe one each USA UK EU AU and Chinese for some clout and this small group gets briefed on changes and giving some feed back before announcements are made. Then the group posts new directives on the web.

 

 

[CharlieH]

Sorry Gentleman, this topic has to close.

 

5) You will not use Thaivisa as a platform to gather support to effect changes on religious, political, or governmental issues.