Popular Post rooster59 20904 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 The mystery of exactly how many expats live in Thailand Over the last twenty or so years, Thailand has become increasingly popular with foreigners who decide to make the country their home. But exactly how many expats live in Thailand has always remained somewhat of a mystery. At various points over the last decade, informal and unofficial figures given to Thaivisa from various government agencies have estimated the expat population in Thailand to be anywhere between 500,000 and 1 million. The discrepancy in these estimates, Thaivisa was told, is due to the different ways in which various government departments and agencies class foreigners as ‘expats’ - i.e a foreigner who lives in Thailand permanently - with many ‘long stay’ foreigners actually still officially classed as being tourists. But figures released earlier this year by the United Nations, citing Thailand’s Immigration Bureau, reveal that Thailand’s expat population is considerably smaller than even those vague estimates. According to figures in the 2019 Thailand Migration Report, there are just 150,707 expats residing in Thailand, of those 72,969 are retirees. According to the report the figures are based on “visas issued in 2017” by the Thai Immigration Bureau. However, it isn’t clear if by “visas” the figures actually refer to extensions of stay issued by Immigration in Thailand or if it also includes actual visas issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Thai embassies and consulates around the world - or both. Citing the Office of Foreign Workers Administration, Department of Employment and Ministry of Labour, the report says there are also 112,834 “Professional and Skilled” foreigners working in Thailand. It’s also not clear if there is a crossover in the figures between those working and those classed as residing in Thailand. Even if there is no crossover, the figures would still put Thailand’s expat population at around 263,000 - well below previous estimates. However, previous studies carried out in Thailand have estimated the number of expats to be higher. A study carried out by the Institute for Population and Social Research at Mahidol University using data from 2010, suggested that there were approximately 440,000 expats living in Thailand, which included 141,000 Chinese, 85,000 Brits, 80,000 Japanese, 46,000 Indians, 40,000 Americans, 24,000 Germans and 23,000 French nationals. Of course it could be that Thailand’s expat community is in massive decline, with 2010 studies estimating the number of expats in Thailand to be closer to 500,000 while the more recent data estimates that figure to be between 150,000 and 263,000. Whether or not previous data sets are even comparable, the reality is that the mystery of exactly how many expats are living in Thailand remains. -- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2019-07-28 Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking Thailand news and visa info 7 2 1 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cornishcarlos 23480 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 13 minutes ago, rooster59 said: which included 141,000 Chinese, 85,000 Brits, 80,000 Japanese, 46,000 Indians, 40,000 Americans, 24,000 Germans and 23,000 French nationals. But no Aussies, tfft.... 😂 4 2 1 27 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post KMartinHandyman 2424 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 Whatever the number was it’s a lot less post amnesty for overstayers and the subsequent boiling frogs policies. 14 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post londonthai 1798 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 (edited) there are 200 other countries passport holders than those mentioned above, so even if there is only a few thousands from each country, that would make another hundreds of thousands. but probably better not to know the figure, because there would be outcry from thai nationalists and another crackdown from the military, that country is overrun by foreigners and have to chop them Edited July 28, 2019 by londonthai 15 2 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post darksidedog 55544 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 15 minutes ago, rooster59 said: Of course it could be that Thailand’s expat community is in massive decline, I know quite a few people who have left, so that is probably true, and of course there are numerous reasons for it. Given immigrations continuously tougher stance, you can only wonder if they are happy about the decline or whether they would be happy for even more of us to leave. 59 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Isaanbiker 6941 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 Just looking at a city in the lower northeast makes me believe that more foreigners are living here full time. When I arrived here in 2002, you could hardly see foreigners here. Now you can see them everywhere, at shopping malls, restaurants, and other places. Pretty hard to understand that the number of expats has declined. But when is a foreigner considered an expat? After 5, 10, or 15 years? 12 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post essox essox 2499 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 6 minutes ago, Isaanbiker said: Just looking at a city in the lower northeast makes me believe that more foreigners are living here full time. When I arrived here in 2002, you could hardly see foreigners here. Now you can see them everywhere, at shopping malls, restaurants, and other places. Pretty hard to understand that the number of expats has declined. But when is a foreigner considered an expat? After 5, 10, or 15 years? GOOD question......they have no idea....all these figures tell us nothing really.....as one person quotes "what/how many ozzies or kiwis??? 5 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post FarFlungFalang 12624 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 23 minutes ago, cornishcarlos said: But no Aussies, tfft.... 😂 That's good then ,it means I'm not here and they won't come after me!Always wondered why I haven't had a knock on the door yet! 5 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Isaanbiker 6941 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 2 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said: That's good then ,it means I'm not here and they won't come after me!Always wondered why I haven't had a knock on the door yet! Amazing, how they could forget Aussies @ their research. 3 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tropicalevo 12419 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 Hmmm it seems that there is no category for me nor for some of my friends. I live here permanently (19 years). I have a work permit and run a business. I do not have a Thai wife and I am not retired. (Only 68 😎) The majority of the farangs who live near me are similar. They also run businesses. 11 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post FarFlungFalang 12624 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 15 minutes ago, Isaanbiker said: But when is a foreigner considered an expat? After 5, 10, or 15 years? I have an Australian passport and I know that after 2 years out of the country and I cease to be a resident of my own country,so my guess would be 2 years. 3 3 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jlwilliamsjr18 1207 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 Expats are in fact one of the golden geese of Thailand. Do the math, if each one, spends 100 dollars a week, thats a sizable hunk for the economy. So, why kill this golden goose? 20 7 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dotpoom 8185 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 33 minutes ago, cornishcarlos said: But no Aussies, tfft.... 😂 (Or... Irish 😨) 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
amdy2206 458 Posted July 28, 2019 Share Posted July 28, 2019 What about teachers? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarFlungFalang 12624 Posted July 28, 2019 Share Posted July 28, 2019 1 minute ago, Isaanbiker said: Amazing, how they could forget Aussies @ their research. Bloody pisses me right off I'll tell ya Ha Ha,but I don't blame them as I'm not much of a flag waver myself just don't mention that Aussies core value is a fair go or I'll go off on a never ending rant! 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sammieuk1 28975 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 I can only confirm 1 Brit living here and unfortunately its me🤔 1 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post frankholland 5 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 Maybe we can make an estimation ourselves. I live in Korat, and do my retirement extention begin september. The extention has a number. The average number for the last 4 years is 4500. So that means in a year the korat immigration issues about 6750 retitement extentions a year. The most expats live in Bangkok, Pattaya, changmai, pucket and udon thani. If people from those regions make the same estimations for their province, we can see if we come close to the 72000. 3 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post FarFlungFalang 12624 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 5 minutes ago, jlwilliamsjr18 said: Expats are in fact one of the golden geese of Thailand. Do the math, if each one, spends 100 dollars a week, thats a sizable hunk for the economy. So, why kill this golden goose? That's easy,they don't want Thailand to become the Hub of Expats! 3 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NormanW 767 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 6 minutes ago, amdy2206 said: What about teachers? , the report says there are also 112,834 “Professional and Skilled” foreigners working in Thailand?? 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bluesea 211 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 Is that the figure before the expats stated to leave Thailand or after ? I would like to see these figures again next year.!! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post legend49 5365 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 just 150,707 expats residing in Thailand, Multiply that by 600,000 baht; average between the 2 levels of 400 k and 800 K per year in Thai banks. Not to mention what they spend daily. And we are still treated as 3rd rate people. 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post yellowboat 16076 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 40 minutes ago, darksidedog said: I know quite a few people who have left, so that is probably true, and of course there are numerous reasons for it. Given immigrations continuously tougher stance, you can only wonder if they are happy about the decline or whether they would be happy for even more of us to leave. Yes, they are pushing people into neighboring, more welcoming countries. Thailand is quickly being turned into a one trick pony by the junta. Key word being "trick". 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ratcatcher 29772 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 49 minutes ago, cornishcarlos said: But no Aussies, tfft.... 😂 As a Canuck, I'm glad we fall into the quiet, invisible minority. 🇨🇦 7 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cornishcarlos 23480 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 Just now, ratcatcher said: As a Canuck, I'm glad we fall into the quiet, invisible minority. 🇨🇦 No Cornish either, result for me... 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NormanW 767 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 Just now, ratcatcher said: As a Canuck, I'm glad we fall into the quiet, invisible minority. 🇨🇦 I'm half English half Scottish and half Irish. I wonder they'd place me??? 3 11 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Isaanbiker 6941 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 12 minutes ago, FarFlungFalang said: I have an Australian passport and I know that after 2 years out of the country and I cease to be a resident of my own country,so my guess would be 2 years. I can't believe that it's already 17 years of living here. I pay income tax for the last 15 years, happily married, got a TL, a clean Police Clearance, but nobody had yet offered me a five-year visa. Or a passport from this country. These are rough times for overstayers, no matter where they are. Considering the "Farang hunt" that has started, I'm confident that many more will be "detected" and execu.. aeehhh deported. 6 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 300sd 2796 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 1 hour ago, rooster59 said: Whether or not previous data sets are even comparable, the reality is that the mystery of exactly how many expats are living in Thailand remains. Thank you. I know as much now as before I read this article. The last paragraph quoted, could have come after the headline... 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Isaanbiker 6941 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 Just now, NormanW said: I'm half English half Scottish and half Irish. I wonder they'd place me??? You're a 150 % human, that's for sure. 3 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BobbyL 6276 Posted July 28, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted July 28, 2019 80,000 Japanese! Apart from the Yipoon guys I see on the golf course, where are they all? Especially the Japanese females 😋 1 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaanbiker 6941 Posted July 28, 2019 Share Posted July 28, 2019 16 minutes ago, frankholland said: Maybe we can make an estimation ourselves. I live in Korat, and do my retirement extention begin september. The extention has a number. The average number for the last 4 years is 4500. So that means in a year the korat immigration issues about 6750 retitement extentions a year. The most expats live in Bangkok, Pattaya, changmai, pucket and udon thani. If people from those regions make the same estimations for their province, we can see if we come close to the 72000. Nope, you'd also have other nationalities, I guess you wanted to find out how many Westerners have settled down? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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