Hi

 

So, I stayed in Thailand for 8 years. I stayed in Bkk. I made many friends over the years and had a couple of relationships. I got married in China, and moved to China as a result. 

 

So many of my friends, from 32 years old rigjt to 70 years old, lefr Thailand in the last 11 months. I am not talking about 1 or 2 guys. I am talking about more than 30 of my friends left Thailand. If I ask why, they all had one thing in common. The visas.

 

Although the baht is stronger and there are a few other factors, do you guys think that the visa situation for expats is a deliberate effort from thebgov to push foreigners out? Up until 3 months ago when I left Thailand, I have more than 8 toursit visas and never had a problem myself to get a visa ever. 

 

I'd like to hear more opinions on why so many expats are leaving

 

Thanks ????

 

Ryan

 

 

I doubt it's visas alone, though they may say it is. I left as I couldn't afford insurance, but extensions were not a problem once I started using an agent.

However, it's true that LOS is no longer sanuk. Also, the BGs are too expensive now.

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I doubt it's visas alone, though they may say it is. I left as I couldn't afford insurance, but extensions were not a problem once I started using an agent.

However, it's true that LOS is no longer sanuk. Also, the BGs are too expensive now.

Yeah mate, not what it was before. I am stunned to see how cheap China is if I compare it to Thailand. It's very much different.

12 minutes ago, RyanWalker said:

So many of my friends, from 32 years old rigjt to 70 years old, lefr Thailand in the last 11 months. I am not talking about 1 or 2 guys. I am talking about more than 30 of my friends left Thailand. If I ask why, they all had one thing in common. The visas.

Americans?

30 friends? Is these friends trough work or is it mostly expats on pention? since you say visa problem, I guess they did not have enough resourches to continue to live in paradise. 

 

Where did they go? 

Unpredictable Visa Issues...

Fun places are closing...

Pollution...

Baht...

Congestion...

All the signs are changing to Chinese... 

XE is a big factor, although its still cheap to eat and live a modest but comfortable life....entertainment is now more expensive than the West, whereas neibouring countries, booze, ciggies and women are a fraction of the cost to Thailand. The visa situation is tiresome and nothing to do with guys not having the money...its about constant visits to Immigration, 90 days, show money every three months, TMs, its got too overbearing...let's put this to bed, guys with no money use an agent and that scenario hasn't really effected immigration visits to what it was five years ago. The fun factor is also a big issue, constant police stops, rude and aggressive staff in bars, taxis and even places like Lotus and Big C....I'm afraid the thrill of living in Thailand is no more...I also could count many long term expats with ample money/pensions that have relocated for the above reasons.

I think for some it is related to the cost of ongoing health insurance after they hit the magic 70 years, and the fact that they do want have their money tied up in Thai Banks ( no guaranteed protection of funds by reserve bank, being a lender of last resort)  instead of their overseas trusted institutions

23 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

Americans?

Mostly yes

Just now, RJRS1301 said:

I think for some it is related to the cost of ongoing health insurance after they hit the magic 70 years, and the fact that they do want have their money tied up in Thai Banks ( no guaranteed protection of funds by reserve bank, being a lender of last resort)  instead of their overseas trusted institutions

Exactly what my 70 year old friend said who moved to Vietnam a week ago.

19 minutes ago, Tagged said:

30 friends? Is these friends trough work or is it mostly expats on pention? since you say visa problem, I guess they did not have enough resourches to continue to live in paradise. 

 

Where did they go? 

8 guys feom Austria who settled down in Bkk 5 years ago. Young and got money. Visa issues.. Got denied study visas too. These guys get money from abroad etc. Working online so depend on tv's. Few other friends mostly American, moved to Vietnam & Colombia. Some went back home to the US

29 minutes ago, RyanWalker said:

Yeah mate, not what it was before. I am stunned to see how cheap China is if I compare it to Thailand. It's very much different.

It all depends Where you are in China!!! I was in Shenzhen recently and i found it very very very expensive!!! Mibd you...my gf is chinese....so i know what i am talking about.

 

Btw cudos about leaving Thailand. That country imho is way overrated. Not worth it....

 

Hans

Troll post removed

9 minutes ago, baansgr said:

XE is a big factor, although its still cheap to eat and live a modest but comfortable life....entertainment is now more expensive than the West, whereas neibouring countries, booze, ciggies and women are a fraction of the cost to Thailand. The visa situation is tiresome and nothing to do with guys not having the money...its about constant visits to Immigration, 90 days, show money every three months, TMs, its got too overbearing...let's put this to bed, guys with no money use an agent and that scenario hasn't really effected immigration visits to what it was five years ago. The fun factor is also a big issue, constant police stops, rude and aggressive staff in bars, taxis and even places like Lotus and Big C....I'm afraid the thrill of living in Thailand is no more...I also could count many long term expats with ample money/pensions that have relocated for the above reasons.

I agree! I was back in Bkk 2 nonths ago to get my Chinese visa. I went to Big C and could not find a taxi who was willing to let the meter run. 200 to 300bht fares for 70bht trip.. Also from the Chinese consulate, GL finding a taxi for les than 300bht to your destination.

1 hour ago, RJRS1301 said:

I think for some it is related to the cost of ongoing health insurance after they hit the magic 70 years, and the fact that they do want have their money tied up in Thai Banks ( no guaranteed protection of funds by reserve bank, being a lender of last resort)  instead of their overseas trusted institutions

the fact that they do want have their money tied up in Thai Banks 

 

 

Main but not only of the reason for my May 2023 date for leaving then , not in a rush  but steady determinate planning as no automatic solution for inheritance like in my E.U. country  in case of dying …..to much lawyer involving needed

This besides al their continues changes from P government even when in my case financials and own insurance ….. "expat pocket scammers" they are 

 

"Water not standing on my lips , but feel my feet getting wet …."

6 minutes ago, Hans007 said:

It all depends Where you are in China!!! I was in Shenzhen recently and i found it very very very expensive!!! Mibd you...my gf is chinese....so i know what i am talking about.

 

Btw cudos about leaving Thailand. That country imho is way overrated. Not worth it....

 

Hans

Yeah but Shenzhen is a boom city. Wages there are three times what they are in my part of China.

 

Move to where there are no large malls full of designer labels and make her live on rice and noodles. ????

Real expats, with work permits and suchlike, follow the money. China pays more and its cheaper to live, albiet more primitive

8 minutes ago, Hans007 said:

It all depends Where you are in China!!! I was in Shenzhen recently and i found it very very very expensive!!! Mibd you...my gf is chinese....so i know what i am talking about.

 

Btw cudos about leaving Thailand. That country imho is way overrated. Not worth it....

 

Hans

Yeah I am in the North of China. Much cheaper here. For 100bht you can buy a huge bag full of fresh vegetables. General cost of living much much cheaper. 100bht in Bkk has zero value

On 1/1/2020 at 5:05 PM, david555 said:

the fact that they do want have their money tied up in Thai Banks 

 

 

Main but not only of the reason for my May 2023 date for leaving then , not in a rush  but steady determinate planning as no automatic solution for inheritance like in my E.U. country  in case of dying …..to much lawyer involving needed

This besides al their continues changes from P government even when in my case financials and own insurance ….. "expat pocket scammers" they are 

I think as well the lack of transparency in the election, lack of accountability, the policies being made, and the ongoing needing to report, and supplying enough copies of documents to need to be a plantation owner

The ex-pat exodus in Thailand is ongoing. Was this the intention of the xenophobic military junta? Almost certainly. Maybe they're not as thick as you think.

4 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

I think as well the lack of transparency in the election, lack of accountability, the policies being made, and the ongoing needing to report, and supplying enough copies of documents to need to be a plantation owner

That's on the background also , no trust to expect  in future from this bunch , their army sales , small helicopters , and army personnel carriers … say enough which problems they anticipating on …, not really our risk , but it counts with 

2 minutes ago, RJRS1301 said:

I think as well the lack of transparency in the election, lack of accountability, the policies being made, and the ongoing needing to report, and supplying enough copies of documents to need to be a plantation owner

You know there is zero reporting for me on my marriage visa. Got a 2 year visa and have no reporting to do. The 3 month reporting in Thailand is a joke! For what reason they have that, I'd really like to know

2 minutes ago, DaRoadrunner said:

Not sure you wanna know... I hear that in poorer rural parts of China they use human excrement for fertilizer.

 

You all hungry now?

They also do in Thailand, and europe. We even drink the water out of it after it have been processed ????

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I doubt it's visas alone, though they may say it is. I left as I couldn't afford insurance, but extensions were not a problem once I started using an agent.

However, it's true that LOS is no longer sanuk. Also, the BGs are too expensive now.

Didn't you mention the word rifraf in a similar topic ?

 

$$$$$$$$$ is the bottom line imo...

42 minutes ago, CGW said:

Not so sure about that, I have lived and worked in quite a few different areas of China, non of them could be classed as "primitive" polluted yes!

Whatever dude, slapping a dress on a pig wont make it a supermodel. I get it China is huge, Im talking Shanghai then.

The visa changes were the straw that broke the camel's back. Plus the sense that there might be/likely to be another one down the pipeline going forwards. The dam broke and guys packed their bags. To stop the hassle. Had enough. Sure, there were other factors that were accumulating, but they were in the back seat. An amazing own goal by the authorities to kill off business.

Off topic posts removed

I am wondering if the OP's friends were mostly clustered around Bangkok, because if anything rents in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are getting cheaper. Haven't really noticed any serious hikes in other costs. The exchange rate is another factor.

Some Americans I used to know in CM have left because the income they swore to with their Embassy evaporated along with the letters.

Over the years many farangs arrived here and many left.

Many companies hire people for a couple of year and then they are moved to other countries.

Now more and more positions are filled with Thai national and no (expensive) farangs anymore.

And then there are obviously people who decided to come to Thailand and live here i.e. because of all the nice girls.

The girls are still here but the nightlife is a lot more expensive than it was 10 and 20 years ago. And I think that has the consequence that fewer people decide to live in Thailand.

Before I moved to Thailand over 20 years ago I looked at lot of detail like the economy, good living conditions, friendly people, and also not expensive entertainment. At that time Thailand was more or less perfect.

Now I still stay here and I like it.

But if I would now be in the same situation like 20 years ago in a cold European country thinking where to go then I guess I would not move to Thailand anymore. Because it's nothing special anymore and it's not cheap anymore. Now there are other attractive places which didn't exist like that many years ago. And within the EU it's easy for people to move i.e. from a cold country to a warm country without any hassle.