Must Read So proud to be Thai! American born funny man gets Thai nationality at last

[Orton Rd]

As I said i am not claiming he is or his family but the ones who brought these kids here in the 70's were hard core cultists, some are still here.

[baansgr]

Great news, good for him,.at last

[Jane Dough]

1 hour ago, Orton Rd said:

Seems his parents where children of god cultists and he was brought up in it, changed their name to the family in the 90's as a result of the accusations of widespread child sexual abuse and corporal punishment, completely barmy like most cults. Many who grew up in it have been phsycologicaly damaged, not saying he was, but you have to wonder.

Sounds like Orton Rd has finally gone round the bend. 

 

Rooster

[BestB]

Big congrats only took 30 odd years 

[EricTh]

Born to missionary parents?

 

Is he trying to convert Thai people to Christianity or was he converted to Buddhism instead?

 

So what's the criteria for a successful citizenship? Able to tell humorous stories?

 

Then there are many comedians on the internet who are qualified.

Edited February 12, 2020 by EricTh

[Tropicalevo]

Well done sir. I wish you long life and happiness.

[Fex Bluse]

I hope he is happy but I do feel rather sorry for him for the massive downgrade in status.

[samran]

1 minute ago, Fex Bluse said:

I hope he is happy but I do feel rather sorry for him for the massive downgrade in status.

Why? He now is a dual national...best of both worlds. 

[Yadon Toploy]

2 hours ago, Misterwhisper said:

Now just imagine if our western countries treated literally hundreds of thousands of Thai-born wives and other Thai expats the same way. Instead, they normally receive permanent residency after a couple of years and even get the option to take on the nationality of their host country after a further couple of years hence. With very little bureaucracy involved. Because humanity has greater priority and we DO recognize their contributions to our societies. I also should add that their residence permit or naturalization document usually doesn't cost them a single cent (unlike in Thailand). 

 

  

Reciprocal laws are the way forward.

 

Marriage, visas, business, land... the lot.

 

Level the playing field.

 

We've been taken for mugs long enough.

[samran]

35 minutes ago, Yadon Toploy said:

Reciprocal laws are the way forward.

 

Marriage, visas, business, land... the lot.

 

Level the playing field.

 

We've been taken for mugs long enough.

Bring. It. On!

 

Westerners can line up in the rain for hours with huge Manila folders of documents just to get a three month tourist visa, if they aren’t rejected without the IO looking at it. 

 

Thais can throw a measly $25,000 in the bank and effectively live forever in the west on ‘retirement‘ extension.

 

Yes, quite a good idea this reciprocal stuff...

[Yadon Toploy]

6 minutes ago, samran said:

Bring. It. On!

 

Westerners can line up in the rain for hours with huge Manila folders of documents just to get a three month tourist visa, if they aren’t rejected without the IO looking at it. 

 

Thais can throw a measly $25,000 in the bank and effectively live forever in the west on ‘retirement‘ extension.

 

Yes, quite a good idea this reciprocal stuff...

Not to mention all the million dollar British homes that would go on the market or have to be transferred to dodgy shell companies lest they be taken off Thai hands.

 

All wholly Thai owned businesses in the UK would immediately require 51% local ownership. An absolute boon for the  investor as Thais feverishly tried to offload shareholdings

 

The amount in the bank needed to retire would have to match the cost of living in Britain though, 800,000thb for Thailand is about right, but much higher for the UK, around £250,000 kept in the bank, can't touch it though.

 

I agree, it's a brilliant idea.

[johng]

4 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

sounds like children of god

we are all  children of Paradise ????

 

[lungbing]

They will still call him 'farang' to his face and behind his back.

[Orton Rd]

3 hours ago, Jane Dough said:

Sounds like Orton Rd has finally gone round the bend. 

 

Rooster

You don't believe the COG were involved in child sex abuse then? or that they set up here in the 70's

[Misterwhisper]

1 hour ago, Yadon Toploy said:

Not to mention all the million dollar British homes that would go on the market or have to be transferred to dodgy shell companies lest they be taken off Thai hands.

 

All wholly Thai owned businesses in the UK would immediately require 51% local ownership. An absolute boon for the  investor as Thais feverishly tried to offload shareholdings

 

The amount in the bank needed to retire would have to match the cost of living in Britain though, 800,000thb for Thailand is about right, but much higher for the UK, around £250,000 kept in the bank, can't touch it though.

 

I agree, it's a brilliant idea.

And don't forget: We also could finally charge them ten times the local entry fee to the London Eye, the Eiffel Tower and other attractions across Europe without having to feel guilty about it. Because after all... someone has got to pay for maintenance and upkeep.

[Thian]

5 hours ago, bluesofa said:

I remember him posting a video complaining about the trouble he was having with (I think) red ants in his house.

He managed to make his rant humorous which the Thais really liked.

Yes i remember that, he wanted to eat them! But he is also a member of this forum, maybe he can post that ant movie again?

[samran]

2 hours ago, Yadon Toploy said:

Not to mention all the million dollar British homes that would go on the market or have to be transferred to dodgy shell companies lest they be taken off Thai hands.

 

All wholly Thai owned businesses in the UK would immediately require 51% local ownership. An absolute boon for the  investor as Thais feverishly tried to offload shareholdings

 

The amount in the bank needed to retire would have to match the cost of living in Britain though, 800,000thb for Thailand is about right, but much higher for the UK, around £250,000 kept in the bank, can't touch it though.

 

I agree, it's a brilliant idea.

Gbp250k isn’t really reciprocal. I mean after all they could just decide to live up north? That’s basically the same as moving to Isaan right?

Edited February 12, 2020 by samran

[Fex Bluse]

4 hours ago, samran said:

Why? He now is a dual national...best of both worlds. 

It's important to know when to be proud and likewise when to be embarrassed.

[gunderhill]

6 hours ago, Jane Dough said:

Sounds like Orton Rd has finally gone round the bend. 

 

Rooster

Well  at  least he can make  it.  unlike many Thai drivers who manage to crash even on straight roads.

[geriatrickid]

8 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

well thats lovely, I chose to stand for an anthem and have my integrity questioned for that. Sad how life has degenerated into ad hominem and groupthink.

On the contrary,  group think relates to following along and conforming, which is what you did.

 

In respect to the OP, 30+ years  to achieve something which  only takes a fraction of the time  for Thais when they apply for citizenship in the world that is governed by rule of law. Considering the fact that there are hundreds of thousands of people some  2nd, or 3rd generation born who are still denied citizenship based upon their ethnic origin, it was indeed quite a feat. Unfortunately, I do not see it as something to celebrate. It should not have taken so long and is the reason in large part why Thailand lacks innovation and vitality.  

 

As much as some on TVF criticize western countries immigration policies, those new immigrants have enriched the countries with wealth, intelligence and  drive. Countries that seek to remain "pure" stagnate. Not arguing to open the floodgates, but  new people in controlled doses  is beneficial.

[impulse]

9 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

Probably wais taxi drivers, wears a yellow shirt and stands up at 6 PM, weird, 'proud' ? 

 

Kind of funny that most guys posting here are rarely up early enough to know that it happens at 8:00 AM, too.

 

[Jingthing]

Do I detect a Brooklyn accent?

[Jare]

10 hours ago, nev said:

 Is this a joke.☺️

They did say he was a comedian... I wonder how many local Thai villagers think he was making fun of them with this weird excessive gone native stuff. Will he still be taxed on his worldwide income, or will he be able to afford giving up American citizenship?

Edited February 12, 2020 by Jare

[Borzandy]

17 hours ago, Flugg said:

No pointing at all. My disappointment is immeasurable and my day is ruined.

" He went through the Thai education system "

[Aussieroaming]

Good for you fella, its obviously something you deeply wanted. Good news story

[yankee99]

16 hours ago, Misterwhisper said:

Congratulations to Udom. His long wait has finally come to an end.

 

The man grew up here, went to school here, raised a family here, earns his living here, pays his taxes here. He speaks perfect Thai with almost no noticeable accent, has integrated extremely well (and even down to the humiliatingly submissive "kraab", it seems), feels and thinks like a Thai, and loves this country from the depth of his heart. Yet still he had to fight an uphill battle and jump through hoops for decades, and despite the fact that the vast majority of bureaucrats that handled his case were very very likely direct descendants of (Chinese) immigrants themselves.

 

Now just imagine if our western countries treated literally hundreds of thousands of Thai-born wives and other Thai expats the same way. Instead, they normally receive permanent residency after a couple of years and even get the option to take on the nationality of their host country after a further couple of years hence. With very little bureaucracy involved. Because humanity has greater priority and we DO recognize their contributions to our societies. I also should add that their residence permit or naturalization document usually doesn't cost them a single cent (unlike in Thailand). 

 

  

Seems he didn't know the process here. The cost is only 5000 baht and since the new government it takes roughly 3 years if married. 

 

The usa takes at least 3 years with a green card before citizenship and cost a lot more 

Edited February 13, 2020 by yankee99

[RandolphGB]

He'll still be a farang, no matter how much he grovels. 

[Jingthing]

5 minutes ago, RandolphGB said:

He'll still be a farang, no matter how much he grovels. 

Yeah but he definitely wins a Gold Medal in the Thai-ier than Thai category!

[Baerboxer]

18 hours ago, Orton Rd said:

Probably wais taxi drivers, wears a yellow shirt and stands up at 6 PM, weird, 'proud' ? Came here as a missionary sounds like children of god cult, quite a few of those including singer Christy and Jonas Anderson

 

Not sure what you mean by god cult. But I met Christy and Jonas couple of times. First at our local immigration office when they were renewing their extensions of stay several years ago; and secondly when they were performing at a local Loy Kratong event. 

 

Both were nice to talk to and Christy was very nice to my disabled son.

 

Good luck to this guy. He's been here since very young and made a life for his family.

 

 

Edited February 13, 2020 by Baerboxer

[mickey rat]

Lucky man.????