48 minutes ago, KarenBravo said:

Because Thai government wants retirees with money. They have enough poor people of their own without importing from abroad people that may become a burden.

 

If a farang has no money he sleeps on the street and begs for food.....

 

How many farang beggars have you ever seen? I bet almost zero........

If a farang has minimal low income he does not sleep on the street or beg and is a burden to no one....

A low income farang might very well be helping to support more Thais than a Hi-so tourist that stays at the Hilton and eats at 5 star restaurants.........All farangs contribute to Thais Great or Small...

 

And the condescending farangs on this forum who are full-of-themselves even help contribute hot air....

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

I would say having 50K GBP in a UK bank account as well as a monthly pension lifts me above 'poor Thai people' status.

But there's still a mountain of (sometimes insurmountable) hoops to jump through if I don't pay them a 25kbht bribe through an agent. If I do pay the bribe, I can be as poor as a Thai and immigration are totally happy.

 

Why do I need to provide them with letters from my bank, written less than a day ago?

They can look at my bank balance on my phone apps if they like, no way to falsify.

Oddly enough I can buy a m/c (as I did earlier this week) and pay all sorts of bills on my phone app, Thai person totally happy in shop to take a photo of my transaction on their phone as evidence and hand over the goods.

 

Why do I need my landlord to turn up at immigration? (especially if he doesn't live in Thailand)?

They gonna turn up where I live anyway and have a look for themselves (and I've lived in the same place the last eight years).

 

Why do I need to show a Kor Sor 2 to prove I'm still married or still a parent? 

My wife or kid is required to be at immigration with me.

 

It's all BS, and I'm tired of the white expat Thai bum lickers hating on me and my family.

If you don't have a family or kids, immigration should chuck you mongers all out.

Their country; their rules. Simple innit?

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

 

If a farang has no money he sleeps on the street and begs for food.....

 

How many farang beggars have you ever seen? I bet almost zero........

If a farang has minimal low income he does not sleep on the street or beg and is a burden to no one....

A low income farang might very well be helping to support more Thais than a Hi-so tourist that stays at the Hilton and eats at 5 star restaurants.........All farangs contribute to Thais Great or Small...

 

And the condescending farangs on this forum who are full-of-themselves even help contribute hot air....

You see the problem with this and many other posters, is that it presumes some 'right' to live here.

Thailand sets the rules. They may be illogical and nonsensical, but, it's their country.

It is undeniable that they, like many, many other countries set a financial hurdle if you want to live here. That is not only their right as an independent country, but it makes sense, too. If you can't jump that hurdle, then, you're not wanted. Simple.

That is not condescending, or being a "Thai apologist". It's just one of those inconvenient facts.

Wonder how many of you "moaning minnies" have aired your grievances to the people who actually have the power to change things instead of coming here and venting to equally powerless people as themselves.

16 hours ago, Falconator said:

Two options:

Pay health insurance costs of nearly $10,000 per year in the US

Pay health insurance costs of $2,000 per year in Thailand

 

 

 

What about if he doesn't hail from the USA at all? Oh...you thought there were only two countries in the whole world? 

Wow...just....wow...

6 hours ago, checkered flag said:

However, this thread is about meeting the immigration financials to live in Thailand. Not supporting hookers in Pattaya.

 

No, it isn't.

 

Why are people staying in Thailand when then can't meet TI's financial requirements? is the topic.

 

So the answer could be that they like the weather or entertainment or that they have a family to support etc

 

It's just you and a couple of others who have used it as a vehicle to try to boast about what you have.

6 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO they demand it to keep out those that are too poor to be able to pay for exceptional situations like hospital after an accident. Quite right too.

If you don't want to comply with the requirements go live at home, wherever that is.

 

What if Thailand is their home?

6 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO that person hadn't done sufficient research to know it was a bad idea to invest millions in a home that he could never own, and if his situation changed he might have to go home.

It's not like things haven't changed significantly many times in the past few decades.

 

IMO the fault lies with the naive person that thinks things will never change and acts as though they have a right to live in LOS, when they do not.

 

It is the right of Thais to set whatever requirements they like, just as it is the right of other countries to stop Thai girlfriends visiting the boyfriend's home country because they can't satisfy the imm. officer that they will leave.

 

 

Oh please....everyone is super smart after the fact. There are possibly people that have been here for twenty to thirty years. Not everyone has a twenty or thirty year plan and even if they did, things change. They just live their lives. Maybe met someone, started a family, bought a house and are doing fine. But they might not have 65k per month to show or 800k in the bank because of exchange rate issues. Still contributing to the Thai economy and their communities. One size does not fit all and people can have legitimate complaints about being caught up in such a rigid ruling.

Which is why there is the agent avenue. So people can get on with the lives they have made here.

I for one, am not affected by any of their rules. But am also not so selfish and blinkered to imagine that everyone has the same circumstances.

 

Here we have those who imagine they sit in some ivory tower, flanked by those who were forced to go home because of a lack of funds. 

But that doesn't cover those who have ample funds, are supporting their families and have lived here for many years. Those people should have their status 'grandfathered', with only new arrivals subject to the requirements.

 

Really disgusted by some of the comments here.

A troll post / general flame also a reply has been removed

6 hours ago, luckyluke said:

Spending big/small money, in Thailand, for whatever, is a choice.

Complying to the laws and rules of Immigration is a necessity to be able to get the permission to stay for a laps of time,

despite the laws and rules may appear as being stupid/unrealistic.

 

 

 

Thank you for stating the obvious. 

 

Why are people staying in Thailand when then can't meet TI's financial requirements? is the topic, not what are the financial requirements for staying in Thailand.

2 minutes ago, Eindhoven said:

 

 

Oh please....everyone is super smart after the fact. There are possibly people that have been here for twenty to thirty years. Not everyone has a twenty or thirty year plan and even if they did, things change. They just live their lives. Maybe met someone, started a family, bought a house and are doing fine. But they might not have 65k per month to show or 800k in the bank because of exchange rate issues. Still contributing to the Thai economy and their communities. One size does not fit all and people can have legitimate complaints about being caught up in such a rigid ruling.

Which is why there is the agent avenue. So people can get on with the lives they have made here.

I for one, am not affected by any of their rules. But am also not so selfish and blinkered to imagine that everyone has the same circumstances.

 

Here we have those who imagine they sit in some ivory tower, flanked by those who were forced to go home because of a lack of funds. 

But that doesn't cover those who have ample funds, are supporting their families and have lived here for many years. Those people should have their status 'grandfathered', with only new arrivals subject to the requirements.

 

Really disgusted by some of the comments here.

I would/do  agree with much of your opinion but to be fair to the overall debate there are  those who persist in defying any sort of compliance to Immigration conditions who have no ethical legitimacy or other than that defiance.

Just now, Dumbastheycome said:

I would/do  agree with much of your opinion but to be fair to the overall debate there are  those who persist in defying any sort of compliance to Immigration conditions who have no ethical legitimacy or other than that defiance.

 

So address those people. 

I know people who have been here for most of their adult lives. Have run successful businesses etc Going back to where they were born is not a good option, when they already have a house and and income here.

So these people should be protected.

6 minutes ago, Eindhoven said:

Which is why there is the agent avenue. So people can get on with the lives they have made here.

I for one, am not affected by any of their rules. But am also not so selfish and blinkered to imagine that everyone has the same circumstances.

 

Here we have those who imagine they sit in some ivory tower, flanked by those who were forced to go home because of a lack of funds. 

But that doesn't cover those who have ample funds, are supporting their families and have lived here for many years. Those people should have their status 'grandfathered', with only new arrivals subject to the requirements.

What I don't like in your post is that you seem to believe that there is a causal link between the tough situation of some expats and the existence of the corrupt agent system. This situation allows corrupt IOs to get rich illegally on the back of people who are in dire straights.

It would be much more effective and humane to enforce, strictly all requirement for a few probation years and then, very officially show more leniency to those who have made Thailand their home. In fact the core issue could be the fact that Permanent Residency is only available to those who work or invest in Thailand, even though some of those eligible may earn less than the better off retirees.

 

34 minutes ago, Eindhoven said:

 

What if Thailand is their home?

Any place you have to report every 90 days is not your home.

1 hour ago, Eindhoven said:

 

What about if he doesn't hail from the USA at all? Oh...you thought there were only two countries in the whole world? 

Wow...just....wow...

Free healthcare in Eindhoven? Sign me up!

Wait, but your taxes pay for that too, so it's not actually free.

Mandatory Dutch taxes that pay for the universal healthcare system come out to be more expensive than private health insurance in Thailand.

 

That's why there is no need to complain, because truly free healthcare does not exist in most developed countries either.

I hate to break the news but your home lies in the country that your passport originated.

10 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Any place you have to report every 90 days is not your home.

Thais also have to put up with all those household registrations and regularly going to get amphoe documentation.

Americans have to put up with complicated annual tax forms and drivers license renewals, or else they go jail.

Governments make us check in every now and then. It's a fact of life.

China gets worse, but that's a totally different story.

Just now, Falconator said:

China gets worse, but that's a totally different story.

I was in China, the only time any official wanted anything of me was to see my passport when I bought a railway ticket, and again going through the boarding gate. I was really surprised nobody watched me or followed me around. It was as if I was invisible.

Totally different from my expectations.

2 minutes ago, Falconator said:

Thais also have to put up with all those household registrations and regularly going to get amphoe documentation.

Americans have to put up with annual taxes and drivers license renewals, or else they go jail.

Governments make us check in every now and then. It's a fact of life.

China gets worse, but that's a totally different story.

A country where you will never be able to own property is not your home. You can theorize all you want but I'm fine understanding Thailand  can never be my home much as it can't be yours.

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

I was in China, the only time any official wanted anything of me was to see my passport when I bought a railway ticket, and again going through the boarding gate. I was really surprised nobody watched me or followed me around. It was as if I was invisible.

Totally different from my expectations.

You obviously traveled only within and between big cities.

 

I have been all over China, and foreigner registration can be a nightmare in some backwater locations.

53 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Any place you have to report every 90 days is not your home.

Folk in prison probably don't like it, but for many it is their home....????

3 hours ago, redwood1 said:

 

If a farang has no money he sleeps on the street and begs for food.....

 

How many farang beggars have you ever seen? I bet almost zero........

If a farang has minimal low income he does not sleep on the street or beg and is a burden to no one....

A low income farang might very well be helping to support more Thais than a Hi-so tourist that stays at the Hilton and eats at 5 star restaurants.........All farangs contribute to Thais Great or Small...

 

And the condescending farangs on this forum who are full-of-themselves even help contribute hot air....

Do they meet the requirements of Thai Immigration or not? Only those who can meet the low bar that's set should be given permission IMO.

53 minutes ago, Falconator said:

Mandatory Dutch taxes that pay for the universal healthcare system come out to be more expensive than private health insurance in Thailand.

 

That's why there is no need to complain, because truly free healthcare does not exist in most developed countries either.

Which one would you rather have if you have a hand-full of existing preconditions?

1 hour ago, Eindhoven said:

 

So address those people. 

I know people who have been here for most of their adult lives. Have run successful businesses etc Going back to where they were born is not a good option, when they already have a house and and income here.

So these people should be protected.

Successful people shouldn't have problem, but those who are unsuccessful do. 

5 minutes ago, checkered flag said:

Successful people shouldn't have problem, but those who are unsuccessful do. 

Have you got any friends....?

11 minutes ago, KarenBravo said:

Which one would you rather have if you have a hand-full of existing preconditions?

Which means it's better for retired Europeans with pre-existing conditions to retire in Europe?

2 hours ago, Eindhoven said:

 

You are just making it up as you go along.

You don't even know if you have a longer experience than most. How would you? 

Any more hi-so stories? Super sad. So far, we've had the Mercedes and Volvo Turbo. Yours and your wife's income of US$200k. Hi-so friends. Mud slinging at other forum members who have been asked for money, suggesting that they live in seedy places. 

So sad that you feel the need to try to impress people on an anonymous forum. It really isn't necessary. No one is looking up to you here, nor are they impressed.

 

 

Not trying to impress esp you. I'm not poor and dependent on others. Every foreigner here is a guest and should must be financially responsible. Many people have hard luck stories but shouldn't be a burden on Thai society or anyone else. Most embassies have repatriation programs for those who get stuck in situation where they can not any longer live. Why would Thailand want permanent backpackers and/or those with backpacker mentalities? Nothing against backpackers per say, but some pride themselves by being able to live off the land. It's disgusting seeing these people bumming cigarettes of of poor Thais and/or asking for handouts. 

2 hours ago, Eindhoven said:

 

Beginning to think that you are Trolling the thread. Claiming to to be upper middle class, but can barely spell correctly. 

Replying to someone who is clearly describing someone from the UK, with a reference to Walmart U.S.A. 

Why aren't you busy socialising with your middle class Thai friends?

 

I have local acquaintances who have worked their way up from poverty, to some who are already at the top of the chain. Yet. no mention of them. Yet, you have already mentioned what you have, your former salary, where you have worked, that you have been here the longest, the status of your 'friends' etc

Why? Are you hoping to have some kind of status on this forum? If so, it doesn't work that way. 

No need to try so hard to impress. Nobody cares.

 

 

 

 

 

So you should have zero problems meeting the financial requirements fro Thai Immigration.

3 minutes ago, checkered flag said:

So you should have zero problems meeting the financial requirements fro Thai Immigration.

I am one of your unsuccessful chaps, but I can afford a spell checker...????

16 minutes ago, transam said:

Have you got any friends....?

Sure do,  but not those who are irresponsible and don't man up to their responsibilities. It could be a tightening of the screws (end of Sept) on some who prefer not keeping money in a Thai Bank to prove they are self reliant.