Being Forced out?

[rascalman]

I have quite a dilemma now in my old life. With a few choices to make that I am not happy with. Thailand are throwing out expats who are fine, many like me have lived here a longtime. But if you do not have $25,000 in a Thai bank then no visa. So being very sick does not matter. Nothing matters it seems. I will just have to get out. Being an  old NCO and used to making plans I might have to.
Choice is to live in Cambodia I am thinking Siem Reap not far from Thailand, one hour flight. I can find a condo/apartment for well under $500.00 a month, utilities cheap and food cheap too. Got no choice if immigration does not want me.
My visa expires in October so in June I will go talk to Thai immigration. Then I will plan a short trip to plan it out. I do not expect much help. If you know any expat contacts their please let me know. <email removed per forum rules, please PM> I am not going to go back to the US. Thank so much. 

William 
Bangkok for now
I  
 

[BritManToo]

I like Siam Reap too, one pal who was driven out of Chiang Mai decided on Phnom Penh for some reason.

If you're visiting Siam Reap may I suggest Garden Village Guesthouse and pool bar.

Decant double rooms with air-con for $12/night (through Booking.com) and a nice swimming pool to sit by where they serve beer at 50c/pint all day.

 

Bit backpackery, but no need to interact with the youngsters if you don't want.

My two pals all booked posher (and more expensive hotels) then spent all day sitting and drinking by the pool with me.

[CharlieH]

You would be better placed with this in the Cambodia forum for local contacts.

 

MOVED.

[Puchaiyank]

Google Panama...only need $1,000 per month to satisfy visa there...can work...own land and house...good healthcare...good luck!   ????

[phycokiller]

Siam Reap may be ok, I cant say im familiar with it but Ive looked at rentals there and compared to Phnom Penh they are cheaper and more spacious

[HampiK]

So I guess you one of the 4 embassies who not give out income certificate anymore? Because else nothing would be changed, as you still can use the Income certificate from all other embassies as before. And from the 4 countries, as long you will transfer the amount you claimed before to a Thaibank you should be safe as well.

So I not see why you are forced to leave, or at least not with the infos you gave in your post. If you tell why you are forced to leave maybe someone could give an advice!

[Tomtomtom69]

Cambodia is a good choice everywhere EXCEPT Sihanoukville. You won't be welcome there. However, Siem Reap is an excellent choice and even Phnom Penh is not bad. For beaches, try Koh Kong if you want to stay close to Thailand (in case of medical emergencies or to visit for other reasons from time to time) and for the slow life, or Kampot or Kep otherwise. Other good places are Battambang (though it may be a bit boring for some) or the north-east (Ban Lung) etc.

 

Avoid Sihanoukville like the plague.

[Khaeng Mak]

The move will be hard for sure.  But at least take some comfort in the fact that you will be going somewhere that you are welcome.  That is no longer the case here Thailand.

 

And what of that pretty young girl in you avatar?

[milwaukeeboy]

You're broke, man.

[marcusarelus]

So what are you asking?

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

The U.S. and Cambodia arent on very good terms lately, mainly because of the Cambodian govt. I mention that just because you're an American like me.

 

But more to the point, it doesnt seem that Cambodia necessarily is going to be a reliable long term visa option either, at least if you're not Chinese or Japanese.

 

But the one advantage there, at least, is you primarily can deal with Immigration thru low-cost agents vs having to deal directly with the ever changing, inconsistent Thai Immigration.

[mike787]

On 3/31/2019 at 9:02 PM, Khaeng Mak said:

The move will be hard for sure.  But at least take some comfort in the fact that you will be going somewhere that you are welcome.  That is no longer the case here Thailand.

 

And what of that pretty young girl in you avatar?

Thailand has become the xenophobic country that surprised me. Thanks for nothing.  So much for good guys in, bad guys out.  Here goes another good guy out.

[Saltire]

I left Siem Reap after 5 years to come here almost 3 years ago now, and it was, and still is my plan B.

 

I had a nice studio flat for 250USD a month, quiet, clean and walking distance to everywhere - Siem Reap is definitely cheaper than Thailand in most things with the exception of electricity. My bill here for 2 houses is 1000Baht, SR was easy 3500Baht per month for a studio.

 

But the single biggest difference is the Cambodians are more friendly and sincere BY FAR. There, most smiles are sincere.

 

Good luck.

[1FinickyOne]

what has changed for you that you no longer qualify.... I would be sad to leave after so many years here. 

[connda]

As long as I have no emergency situations, my money should hold out until I die.  In my case, it's not just about having enough money - but it's about leaving my wife with enough funds to continue to live a good, comfortable life after I'm gone to the great beyond.  She already has the house, land, assets to keep her comfortable, and when she passes on it goes to my step son whom I love like my own.

Immigration, and imho Big Joke himself,  doesn't see it the way someone like I do.  I've been in Thailand for well over a decade, have not left the country in over a decade, I care for a family, and intend for my family to be cared for should I die. 

My biggest worry is the constant 'moving of the goalposts' by immigration and the Thai government.  Once they make someone like me have problems being able to stay by making the financial regulations simply stupid (and without grand-fathering) - there will be a majority of expats who provide and care for Thai families in the same boat.  I have a Plan B and Plan C, and probably Plan D, none of which include returning to the West.  But if forced out - really, who suffers? 
Big Jokester - this is directed directly at you.  Your Thai citizens, especially female Thai citizen, will suffer.  I doubt you'll be kicking out the farang wives of Thai males - who by the way, I'm pretty sure I have more money then most of them.  You're not going to target the farang wives of Thai males.  You'll target me, which explicitly means your target my wife and my Thai family.  And you will not care.
Most of us are not blind - we see it coming.  That's a farang trait - being able to see multiple instance of the future.  So - go ahead.  Keep the pressure on.  When the male foreigners who have been supporting families for a long time, even decades, are pushed out???  Our wives will appeal to you - but they are 'just women' and we are 'just farang' or 'just foreigners.'   Lower than dogs.  Most of us compared to Thais are rich dogs - but still just dogs.  So ignore the exodus.  Just unwanted farangs anyway, right? 

[thaijoe]

yes, getting worse in thailand by far if your low on funds,i had a friend live with me in bkk, he moved to phom penh , and been there for 4 yrs and loves it. he never been back to bkk since,said no reason to. the only thing he said abt cambodia is you have to lock up everything, and have velcro on your pockets or button cuz once in a crowd they are good at pick pocketing , but cheap and no hassle for visa, or having money in the bank. just so some greedy thai will rip you off from the bank. good luck on your move, it's only going to get worse, look at the beaches there. no falang

[dotpoom]

Just wondering, if you have lived here a "long time"...why are your figures in Dollars...do you not think we all have to adapt to our new country at sometime. This is an "International" community of ex-pats?

[myshem]

what about being smart earlier and have a marriage with anybody to be sure to get a yearly visa even without money ?

[CMNightRider]

30 minutes ago, connda said:

As long as I have no emergency situations, my money should hold out until I die.  In my case, it's not just about having enough money - but it's about leaving my wife with enough funds to continue to live a good, comfortable life after I'm gone to the great beyond.  She already has the house, land, assets to keep her comfortable, and when she passes on it goes to my step son whom I love like my own.

Immigration, and imho Big Joke himself,  doesn't see it the way someone like I do.  I've been in Thailand for well over a decade, have not left the country in over a decade, I care for a family, and intend for my family to be cared for should I die. 

My biggest worry is the constant 'moving of the goalposts' by immigration and the Thai government.  Once they make someone like me have problems being able to stay by making the financial regulations simply stupid (and without grand-fathering) - there will be a majority of expats who provide and care for Thai families in the same boat.  I have a Plan B and Plan C, and probably Plan D, none of which include returning to the West.  But if forced out - really, who suffers? 
Big Jokester - this is directed directly at you.  Your Thai citizens, especially female Thai citizen, will suffer.  I doubt you'll be kicking out the farang wives of Thai males - who by the way, I'm pretty sure I have more money then most of them.  You're not going to target the farang wives of Thai males.  You'll target me, which explicitly means your target my wife and my Thai family.  And you will not care.
Most of us are not blind - we see it coming.  That's a farang trait - being able to see multiple instance of the future.  So - go ahead.  Keep the pressure on.  When the male foreigners who have been supporting families for a long time, even decades, are pushed out???  Our wives will appeal to you - but they are 'just women' and we are 'just farang' or 'just foreigners.'   Lower than dogs.  Most of us compared to Thais are rich dogs - but still just dogs.  So ignore the exodus.  Just unwanted farangs anyway, right? 

The American government treats Thais married to Americans much different than Thai Immigration treats Americans married to Thais.  Once the Thai spouse qualifies for their green card and moves to the states, they have the same freedoms as American citizens.  That's more freedoms they have in Thailand, lol.  Then to top that off, all they need to do is live in America, for three years and they are eligible to become US citizens.

 

What Thai Immigration is doing to Americans married to Thais in this country is nothing short of despicable.  One year marriage visas, 90 day reporting, and TM forms for everything under the sun.  Compare this with what the American government offers to Thais married to Americans.

 

It will be interesting to see what Thai Immigration has planned for their big announcement next month.  I'm certain more expats will be forced out of Thailand.  What I find amusing is most of the westerners being forced out of Thailand, is better off financially than most Thai Immigration officers.  

 

[gamini]

47 minutes ago, connda said:

As long as I have no emergency situations, my money should hold out until I die.  In my case, it's not just about having enough money - but it's about leaving my wife with enough funds to continue to live a good, comfortable life after I'm gone to the great beyond.  She already has the house, land, assets to keep her comfortable, and when she passes on it goes to my step son whom I love like my own.

Immigration, and imho Big Joke himself,  doesn't see it the way someone like I do.  I've been in Thailand for well over a decade, have not left the country in over a decade, I care for a family, and intend for my family to be cared for should I die. 

My biggest worry is the constant 'moving of the goalposts' by immigration and the Thai government.  Once they make someone like me have problems being able to stay by making the financial regulations simply stupid (and without grand-fathering) - there will be a majority of expats who provide and care for Thai families in the same boat.  I have a Plan B and Plan C, and probably Plan D, none of which include returning to the West.  But if forced out - really, who suffers? 
Big Jokester - this is directed directly at you.  Your Thai citizens, especially female Thai citizen, will suffer.  I doubt you'll be kicking out the farang wives of Thai males - who by the way, I'm pretty sure I have more money then most of them.  You're not going to target the farang wives of Thai males.  You'll target me, which explicitly means your target my wife and my Thai family.  And you will not care.
Most of us are not blind - we see it coming.  That's a farang trait - being able to see multiple instance of the future.  So - go ahead.  Keep the pressure on.  When the male foreigners who have been supporting families for a long time, even decades, are pushed out???  Our wives will appeal to you - but they are 'just women' and we are 'just farang' or 'just foreigners.'   Lower than dogs.  Most of us compared to Thais are rich dogs - but still just dogs.  So ignore the exodus.  Just unwanted farangs anyway, right? 

Nobody is pushing foreigners out. It's just that Thailand is now trying to get it's immigration more in line with other countries. The problem is that Thailand has been for many years one of the easiest places in the world to retire. .

I don't think any country wants to have a lot of retirees with little money and not paying tax.

Also, most countries do not allow tourists to stay for more than six months.

Your claims do not make any sense at all, because in both Chiangmai and Hua Hin. More and more expatriates are coming to retire there. So much so that the immigration department. In both places have to keep moving to larger premises. 

Foreigners have abused the Thai immigration system. So much so that they are tightening the regulations. 

They welcome genuine tourists and genuine retirees. I don't know where you live or who you associate with. But I find Thailand a wonderful place with lovely, friendly people. I made the proper decisions to have enough money to retire here as I would in any other country.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

29 minutes ago, gamini said:

They welcome genuine tourists and genuine retirees. I don't know where you live or who you associate with. But I find Thailand a wonderful place with lovely, friendly people. I made the proper decisions to have enough money to retire here as I would in any other country.

 

1. There are a lot of "genuine retirees" who would strongly disagree with you about that.

 

2. Stockholm syndrome.

 

[Patriot1066]

2 hours ago, mike787 said:

Thailand has become the xenophobic country that surprised me. Thanks for nothing.  So much for good guys in, bad guys out.  Here goes another good guy out.

Really has it? Or are they just reenforcing rules that have been lax in the past?

 

Seems to me that immigrants need to contribute to their new country or no point if having the inconvenience of having them?

 

 

[Jim7777]

All my bills combined here in Thailand including rent are less than $600 US dollars a month and we live in a big house which is pretty modern and we live very comfortably and we have American cable TV through AIS with great iPhone service and everything here is really cheap.  If you live modestly your bills here would be a lot less than mine and my bills aren’t much even as comfortably as we live.  You have to ask yourself can you afford to retire?  You said something about being an “old NCO” are you retired military?  Because if you’re receiving any types of pensions 800K is not the only option, if you are on a retirement extension you have to at least make 65K Baht a month and 40K Baht a month for a marriage visa extension.  I don’t know what your financial situation is but if you make less than their minimum required monthly income then it’s kind of on you, just because you were writing in whatever income amount you wanted on the Embassy income affidavits for years doesn’t make it right just because they closed that loop hole and did away with income affidavits.  That’s actually why they made the changes but the specific income requirements are actually still the same as they have always been.  

 

Although I do think immigration should lower the income requirement at least a little bit for people like you who make enough money to live here but maybe not as much as what immigration requires but unfortunately that’s not up to me.  That’s why you have to at least know what their basic immigration rules are for everything especially financial requirements before deciding to retire here.  Good luck.  

[NoshowJones]

On 3/31/2019 at 5:49 PM, BritManToo said:

I like Siam Reap too, one pal who was driven out of Chiang Mai decided on Phnom Penh for some reason.

If you're visiting Siam Reap may I suggest Garden Village Guesthouse and pool bar.

Decant double rooms with air-con for $12/night (through Booking.com) and a nice swimming pool to sit by where they serve beer at 50c/pint all day.

 

Bit backpackery, but no need to interact with the youngsters if you don't want.

My two pals all booked posher (and more expensive hotels) then spent all day sitting and drinking by the pool with me.

Is that how you want to spend your life, lazing by a pool and drinking all day?

What about when, not if, your liver gets shot? I understand medical care in Cambodia is limited.

[natway09]

So you worked here & lived here for how long ?

Their are very little changes to the rules & you must have known ?Tell us the real reason ?

[natway09]

Jim 7777 Well said.

[Mansell]

There are not many civilized countries in the world that demand a foreigner must keep around 25,000 US dollars in the bank for half of the year, and half that he cannot touch.....ever!

Of course the Thai government can do whatever it wants, but these are not normal requirements compared to the rest of Asia, or most of the world. They could figure out a rational and equitable plan for farang to stay here just by sitting down and discussing it with us.

There is a short sightedness to their long term vision for their country......if they have a long term plan...... and not just a knee jerk reaction to everything. If you look at the world and the gravy train going to countries, it all tends to change and sometimes rapidly. It is kind of like the chosen bar, club, or restaurant in your home town. They ride the gravy train until people's tastes and desires change, and when that happens it is usually very quick and quite decisive. We have all seen this where we used to live. Thais do not seem to remember how things were before the farang arrived over the years. But they will all be shocked, bewildered and dismayed when other countries become the chosen ones. And when that happens, and it will, they may well be offering financial incentives for us all to return. Morocco back in the early seventies used to offer cheap gasoline to tourists.....something like buy 10 liters and pay for 6. Of course that is probably long gone with the crazy gas prices worldwide. But it was a way to get more tourists. The smarter countries will siphon off the Thailand tourists by being smarter and innovative. Thailand will eventually learn the hard way, unless they get a leader with brains and vision.....and I hope they do. ................Just one man's opinion.

[totally thaied up]

36 minutes ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

1. There are a lot of "genuine retirees" who would strongly disagree with you about that.

Yes

 

We are in Australia now. My Thai wife does not need to report. In fact with her tourist visa, she could infact apply now onshore for PR. Our countries make it easy for our spouses to gain PR but Thailand has become a xenophobic backwater over the last four years.

 

The changes are dramatic. I am not looking for 50 cent beers and hookers - I want somewhere that my wife and I call home but if Thailand keeps this up and hardens the conditions of us that are married, many of us will be fcked and it is the wife that will be affected, but whenever did the elite care about them.

 

Nope, never... 

[ubonjoe]

A inflammatory post and a reply to it have been removed.

[mike787]

1 hour ago, gamini said:

Nobody is pushing foreigners out. It's just that Thailand is now trying to get it's immigration more in line with other countries. The problem is that Thailand has been for many years one of the easiest places in the world to retire. .

I don't think any country wants to have a lot of retirees with little money and not paying tax.

Also, most countries do not allow tourists to stay for more than six months.

Your claims do not make any sense at all, because in both Chiangmai and Hua Hin. More and more expatriates are coming to retire there. So much so that the immigration department. In both places have to keep moving to larger premises. 

Foreigners have abused the Thai immigration system. So much so that they are tightening the regulations. 

They welcome genuine tourists and genuine retirees. I don't know where you live or who you associate with. But I find Thailand a wonderful place with lovely, friendly people. I made the proper decisions to have enough money to retire here as I would in any other country.