After the Purge is Complete, Will CM be Better or Worse for Those Retirees Who Remain?

[rumak]

7 hours ago, jak2002003 said:

Most of the people who have to leave are just poor losers and social misfits, or a few that have made poor life decisions.  They puff themselves up with importance, thinking they are somehow vital to the Thai economy and by marring their bar girl wife

well............ I can think of a few that post fairly often and claim to be the cream of the crop ,  Their self-importance bothers me even more than the ones having difficulty or just pondering change.  

 

[MickeyDelux]

This seems like a no-brainer. The folks who are knowingly and repeatedly breaking the immigration law are being 'purged' (using the OP's language) shouldn't be here in the first place. Chances are they are breaking other laws or are living in a manner dangerous to themselves or others. No doubt some are like parasites on unsuspecting or kind Thai's or Westerns. And what do they contribute to improve the quality of life of the community? Someone said they do their shopping at the small mom and pop stores which will miss their business once they're gone. Are you serious? This is a contribution? Having an income means I can support and improve my life and the life of my family. We live in and maintain a home, which supports the community and property values. We pay car tax, fuel tax, toll road tax, airfare tax which leads to improvements in the transportation infrastructure and jobs. We buy luxury goods which allows upscale property improvements such as shopping malls and requires international trade exchanges. We frequent fine dining restaurants which provide better job opportunities and pay for Thai people. Yes, we're only one household. But the Western who is living here in a cheap room, eating cheap food and wearing cheap clothes is really in need of help and not helping the economy. Please don't say you're living like a Thai. The Thai's that live in a cheap room, eat cheap food and wear cheap clothes are most likely trying to improve their situation or are in need of help themselves. The Western who has settled into this low lifestyle is showing the signs of mental illness.  And if you're living here and don't feel the need to be a contributing member of the community, then you should move to a place where you do. 

[Gecko123]

1 hour ago, MickeyDelux said:

This seems like a no-brainer. The folks who are knowingly and repeatedly breaking the immigration law are being 'purged' (using the OP's language) shouldn't be here in the first place. Chances are they are breaking other laws or are living in a manner dangerous to themselves or others. No doubt some are like parasites on unsuspecting or kind Thai's or Westerns. And what do they contribute to improve the quality of life of the community? Someone said they do their shopping at the small mom and pop stores which will miss their business once they're gone. Are you serious? This is a contribution? Having an income means I can support and improve my life and the life of my family. We live in and maintain a home, which supports the community and property values. We pay car tax, fuel tax, toll road tax, airfare tax which leads to improvements in the transportation infrastructure and jobs. We buy luxury goods which allows upscale property improvements such as shopping malls and requires international trade exchanges. We frequent fine dining restaurants which provide better job opportunities and pay for Thai people. Yes, we're only one household. But the Western who is living here in a cheap room, eating cheap food and wearing cheap clothes is really in need of help and not helping the economy. Please don't say you're living like a Thai. The Thai's that live in a cheap room, eat cheap food and wear cheap clothes are most likely trying to improve their situation or are in need of help themselves. The Western who has settled into this low lifestyle is showing the signs of mental illness.  And if you're living here and don't feel the need to be a contributing member of the community, then you should move to a place where you do. 

And that attitude, folks, is why I have always been hesitant to live in a farang dominated enclave like Chiang Mai. This elitist, materialist, and exclusionist mindset sets in, attempting to marginalize anyone - foreigners and Thais alike - deemed to be unworthy. You think you're more deserving to be here than others? Keep dreamin', buddy. Probably a moot question: with your attitude, my guess is you won't be around long anyway.

[ZeVonderBearz]

42 minutes ago, MickeyDelux said:

This seems like a no-brainer. The folks who are knowingly and repeatedly breaking the immigration law are being 'purged' (using the OP's language) shouldn't be here in the first place. Chances are they are breaking other laws or are living in a manner dangerous to themselves or others. No doubt some are like parasites on unsuspecting or kind Thai's or Westerns. And what do they contribute to improve the quality of life of the community? Someone said they do their shopping at the small mom and pop stores which will miss their business once they're gone. Are you serious? This is a contribution? Having an income means I can support and improve my life and the life of my family. We live in and maintain a home, which supports the community and property values. We pay car tax, fuel tax, toll road tax, airfare tax which leads to improvements in the transportation infrastructure and jobs. We buy luxury goods which allows upscale property improvements such as shopping malls and requires international trade exchanges. We frequent fine dining restaurants which provide better job opportunities and pay for Thai people. Yes, we're only one household. But the Western who is living here in a cheap room, eating cheap food and wearing cheap clothes is really in need of help and not helping the economy. Please don't say you're living like a Thai. The Thai's that live in a cheap room, eat cheap food and wear cheap clothes are most likely trying to improve their situation or are in need of help themselves. The Western who has settled into this low lifestyle is showing the signs of mental illness.  And if you're living here and don't feel the need to be a contributing member of the community, then you should move to a place where you do. 

How's the air quality up there on your high horse? Can you see the peasantry through the haze when looking down your nose at the scum? 

[likerdup1]

1 hour ago, MickeyDelux said:

This seems like a no-brainer. The folks who are knowingly and repeatedly breaking the immigration law are being 'purged' (using the OP's language) shouldn't be here in the first place. Chances are they are breaking other laws or are living in a manner dangerous to themselves or others. No doubt some are like parasites on unsuspecting or kind Thai's or Westerns. And what do they contribute to improve the quality of life of the community? Someone said they do their shopping at the small mom and pop stores which will miss their business once they're gone. Are you serious? This is a contribution? Having an income means I can support and improve my life and the life of my family. We live in and maintain a home, which supports the community and property values. We pay car tax, fuel tax, toll road tax, airfare tax which leads to improvements in the transportation infrastructure and jobs. We buy luxury goods which allows upscale property improvements such as shopping malls and requires international trade exchanges. We frequent fine dining restaurants which provide better job opportunities and pay for Thai people. Yes, we're only one household. But the Western who is living here in a cheap room, eating cheap food and wearing cheap clothes is really in need of help and not helping the economy. Please don't say you're living like a Thai. The Thai's that live in a cheap room, eat cheap food and wear cheap clothes are most likely trying to improve their situation or are in need of help themselves. The Western who has settled into this low lifestyle is showing the signs of mental illness.  And if you're living here and don't feel the need to be a contributing member of the community, then you should move to a place where you do. 

This "take" on the less fortunate foreigner living minimally is a bit amusing but quite narrow in scope and is a generalization based on many inaccurate assumptions.

 

Showing signs of mental illness? You are joking aren't you. Some are just making due with the pensions they have and do make contributions to Thai society in the way of volunteering at an orphanage for instance or participating in local community events, learning the language and giving local Thais some exposure to what people are like outside of country. The list is endless. These are much more significant contributions than somebody from the west just blowing their big cash wad everyday in and about the community where he might reside... LOL!! take a look around, spending money DOES NOT equate to significant contributions to a society. All that money, usually winds up at the top of the food chain anyways... You want to make a contribution to your community. Go out and teach, contribute to some well meaning NGO's. etc.. etc..

 

[Destiny1990]

1 hour ago, MickeyDelux said:

This seems like a no-brainer. The folks who are knowingly and repeatedly breaking the immigration law are being 'purged' (using the OP's language) shouldn't be here in the first place. Chances are they are breaking other laws or are living in a manner dangerous to themselves or others. No doubt some are like parasites on unsuspecting or kind Thai's or Westerns. And what do they contribute to improve the quality of life of the community? Someone said they do their shopping at the small mom and pop stores which will miss their business once they're gone. Are you serious? This is a contribution? Having an income means I can support and improve my life and the life of my family. We live in and maintain a home, which supports the community and property values. We pay car tax, fuel tax, toll road tax, airfare tax which leads to improvements in the transportation infrastructure and jobs. We buy luxury goods which allows upscale property improvements such as shopping malls and requires international trade exchanges. We frequent fine dining restaurants which provide better job opportunities and pay for Thai people. Yes, we're only one household. But the Western who is living here in a cheap room, eating cheap food and wearing cheap clothes is really in need of help and not helping the economy. Please don't say you're living like a Thai. The Thai's that live in a cheap room, eat cheap food and wear cheap clothes are most likely trying to improve their situation or are in need of help themselves. The Western who has settled into this low lifestyle is showing the signs of mental illness.  And if you're living here and don't feel the need to be a contributing member of the community, then you should move to a place where you do. 

Honestly i suspect that ur highest contribution to Thai society is eating at the CM  Mac Donalds a Deluxe Cheeseburger.

 

[rott]

Mickey "full of my own self-importance", (I do not want to repeat the whole sad post again) for someone who has so much,is enjoying life to the full and is insulated by wealth against the harshness of the world you get very upset over nothing.

 

I would say that anybody who brings money into the country and takes nothing from the state is contributing to the economy. I think basically you are just a wind-up merchant.

[Formaleins]

I think we will just end up higher in profile once the first lot have been booted out. Then they will move towards round 2 and start looking at the targets on our backs.

It must be pretty obvious by now that we really are not wanted here as long term residents, we are never permitted any sort of permanence. Every 90 days reporting like a criminal where you live? No, Thailand only ever wanted tourists, they never expected people to stay here and then woe upon woe....CRITICIZE their way of doing things! Hell that was never meant to happen!

 

If you recall a few years ago around the time of the 2nd Red Shirt uprising in Bangkok, (I think it was Sondhi at the time - one of the high ranking Yellows) that suggested Thailand effectively close itself off from the rest of the world for 5 years to get its house in order!

 

This was a high ranking government guy making these suggestions, he was quite happy to close the country for 5 years, destroying all and any income from tourism and foreign investment in order to meet some sort of moral and spiritual goal that he believed Thailand should follow. It made not one iota of difference if half of the country that depended on outside income starved to death (however it really meant that the poorer classes would suffer - but what the hell, let them grow rice and coconuts!)

 

So if the upper wealthy people that are running the show behind the scenes care so little for their own people, do you really think that any of us FARANGS fit into their long or medium term goal? We are nothing more than an irritation, a thorn in their sides a bit difficult to pull out and get rid of as long as there are Thais living and working in foreign countries in a sort of reciprocal arrangement.

 

What I could see however, is that they use their usual charm and make their statements that those Thais living outside of Thailand are NOT REAL THAIS - as they so often do, eventually forcing them to make a choice of being a REAL THAI and coming home to the nest, or ostracizing them forever as NOT PROPER THAIS.

 

Then they could effectively close the country for the 5 years in order to complete their re-education of the great unwashed, and in the meantime rid the country of all these damn foreigners that have no idea what THAINESS or being a THAI really means!

 

So in a nutshell, no, I don't think it is going to get better in the least, I think if anything it is going to get a hell of a lot worse.

[mngmn]

1 hour ago, MickeyDelux said:

We frequent fine dining restaurants which provide better job opportunities and pay for Thai people.

Please share! Where does one find these 'fine dining restaurants'?

[worgeordie]

14 minutes ago, mngmn said:

Please share! Where does one find these 'fine dining restaurants'?

I think he means McDonalds !

regards worgeordie

[likerdup1]

12 minutes ago, mngmn said:

Please share! Where does one find these 'fine dining restaurants'?

I know a chain of them.  They have pretty golden arches outside and a friendly red haired man who greets you wearing a flashy red and yellow suite. His welcoming wai bring in all the adoring Patrons. They sell a very consistent western menu of two all beef patties special sauce lettuce cheese on a sesame seed bun.

[Cat ji]

23 minutes ago, mngmn said:

Please share! Where does one find these 'fine dining restaurants'?

"fine dining." ???? 

 

And the rest of it... ????

[dcnx]

No offense, but you’re delusional.

 

Those who can’t meet the updated  financial requirements are the lowest hanging fruit.

 

Once they are gone, who do you think the new low hanging fruit will be?

 

Plan for the worst and hope for the best because you’re next.

 

 

[dcnx]

5 hours ago, Gecko123 said:

And that attitude, folks, is why I have always been hesitant to live in a farang dominated enclave like Chiang Mai. This elitist, materialist, and exclusionist mindset sets in, attempting to marginalize anyone - foreigners and Thais alike - deemed to be unworthy. You think you're more deserving to be here than others? Keep dreamin', buddy. Probably a moot question: with your attitude, my guess is you won't be around long anyway.

Exactly. That guy is a cancer.

 

[marcusarelus]

8 hours ago, mngmn said:

Please share! Where does one find these 'fine dining restaurants'?

When I lived there a while ago there was a place called the "the house" I think and a couple of places on the river and the boiled eggs at the hot springs were good.  I used to date the lady boy who worked at the brasserie so that was fun.  But the smoke was too much for me and the women to hi so - so I moved. 

[Pravda]

I never lived in CM. Does that count as leaving?

[wwest5829]

22 hours ago, marcusarelus said:

Why not ask the expat club if a lot less people at the meetings?

Yes, the number of attendees is down. However, the reason appears to be directly related to the air pollution numbers having been in the hazardous range. We will have to wait and see what the attendance is after the air clears to see if there are other reasons for lower attendance.

[findlay13]

23 hours ago, Peterw42 said:

Yes, I have been asking the same in other threads. Everyone is leaving, the tourists have stopped coming and the Thai economy is about to collapse, a guy in a bar told me. 

I dont know anyone leaving, and I know a guy who knows a guy, and he doesn't know anyone either.

LMAO!

[dotpoom]

Another good result might be... "an end" ...to all these posts about staying in or leaving Thailand.

   How about simply doing whatever on chooses to do and pretend that nobody else really cares either way? 

[DLock]

If the new laws to serve to rid the country of those that can't afford to be here and contribute to Thailand in a meaningful way...then thats a good thing. 

 

But I doubt there will be any condos or cars or available cute girls to be had. These guys are living in 3,000 baht fan rooms, 30 baht street food, 7/11 beers and staying  with well past their prime bar girls.

 

So if you know lots of people from your circle of friends that are leaving because of visa rules, then that says more about you than anything else.

 

If I make it to 60 years old, and my life worth doesn't allow me to leave 800,000baht in a bank as a visa guarantee...shoot me.

[Bournville]

Omg. Could your question be more arrogant? No it couldn't!

 

So if I have less money than you that makes me a worse neighbor than a rich man? 

 

So 63.000 baht a month... is poverty level to you? I can't write here what I think of you. 

[scorecard]

On 4/18/2019 at 8:58 AM, Kelsall said:

Sorry, gang I know several and I don't know that many people overall.  People are leaving.

 I'm not convinced by your claims, not all all, and it seems quite a few others here are also not convinced.

[luckyluke]

 

Still don't need any amount on a Thai bankbook. 

 

Still don't need to transfer monthly at least 65000 Thb to Thailand. 

 

Still can obtain a Letter of Income at my embassy. 

 

This letter is still accepted with great pleasure at Immigration (practically no work for the officer).

 

It may change (sure some will be delighted it happens). 

 

In the meantime, I enjoy it here since 2000 and no plans to leave. 

 

I transfer monthly 2000 Euro to Thailand and spend them. 

 

Good I am 70+, my desiderata are different now they were, as I now only receive +/-70000 Thb for my 2000 Euro, there was a time when I got 100000.

[jesimps]

The posts that I see from people who've decided to leave aren't because they're "on the poverty line", but because they're cheesed off with being jerked around and having an uncertain future here because of the constant changes. 

[Unify]

On 4/18/2019 at 8:46 AM, Pattaya46 said:

Ok. I stopped reading the OP right after the first sentence. Way to many BS topics recently on ThaiVisa 

BTW I personally know one guy who left Chiang Mai (or a bit North of it) after 6 years living there. The reason has nothing to do with Immigration but with Pollution.

Same here. I left CM, but not because of any new rules, but because of the pollution. I'm in Phuket at the moment, and completed a retirement extension with no problems.

[malibukid]

42 minutes ago, jesimps said:

The posts that I see from people who've decided to leave aren't because they're "on the poverty line", but because they're cheesed off with being jerked around and having an uncertain future here because of the constant changes. 

no one at immigration seems to be on the same page.  

[malibukid]

23 hours ago, BritManToo said:

Went to Phnom Penh last week, was drinking with five or six other expats.

1 left from CM when his pension fell below 65k (exchange rates), 2 left when the Junta overthrew the elected government.

Most of them seemed happy enough living with much younger Cambodian girls, all moved over from Thailand.

I'm the last guy I know (out of my group) left in CM ..... only because of my two Thai children, the others already moved on.

i left when Bush was elected.

[Gecko123]

21 minutes ago, malibukid said:

you sound like a lovely human being, are you American?

My post was intended as social satire.

 

https://literarydevices.net/satire/

Satire is a technique employed by writers to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption of an individual or a society, by using humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule. It intends to improve humanity by criticizing its follies and foibles.

[The Theory]

On 4/18/2019 at 7:45 AM, Kelsall said:

I could see things getting better once those who are living essentially at the poverty line leave.  Some I know spend their days complaining about the cost of things and trying to squeeze the Thais for every last baht, thus giving us all a bad name. 

You mean “Cheap Charlies”. 

????????????

I’m still here and not living !!! ????

[rott]

Thailand is a place where there is a continual turnover of westerners. There will always be those moving on, but it is getting more unfriendly towards new arrivals while other places are opening up to them. So not difficult to see a slow decline in numbers here.