Richard Barrow may not have his visa renewed and could be forced to leave Thailand

 

 

Image: Richard Barrow Facebook

 

Popular Thailand based blogger Richard Barrow has tweeted to say that it is unlikely his “visa” will be renewed and he may be forced to leave Thailand. 

 

In the tweet, shared on Thursday, Richard wrote:

 

Bangkok Immigration came to inspect my workplace. They were here for 3 hours. Looks like they will not extend my “visa”. They said I most likely will have to leave the country. Nothing to do with anything else. They will give me a final verdict next week. Not looking good ☹️☹️ pic.twitter.com/lbGMYRuZ2K

— Richard Barrow in Thailand ???????????????? (@RichardBarrow) August 13, 2020

 

 

On Friday morning, he provided an update on the situation and thanked people for their messages of support.

 

Thanks for your message of support. My situation is that Samut Prakan Immigration accepted my application to extend my stay based on a Non B visa a month ago and then sent my file to Chaengwattana. I was given a temporary “under consideration” stamp which expires today [THREAD]

— Richard Barrow in Thailand ???????????????? (@RichardBarrow) August 14, 2020

 

 

 

 

I know a lot of people are speculating about the reasons with some crazy conspiracy theories. The Immigration officials gave me no indication that they were targeting me. I only passed last year because some influential people in government called the chief of Immigration.

— Richard Barrow in Thailand ???????????????? (@RichardBarrow) August 14, 2020

 

 

In normal years, I would leave the country and come back with a tourist visa and start again. With the borders closed, my only option is to fly back to the UK. As I won’t have a Non-B visa, I cannot come back for months. Unfortunately, the family home in the UK is being sold. ☹️

— Richard Barrow in Thailand ???????????????? (@RichardBarrow) August 14, 2020

 

This isn’t the first time Richard has spoken about his difficulties renewing his extension of stay.

 

Last year, he tweeted about a similar experience before confirming his extension of stay was renewed at the 11th hour and after widespread coverage in the English language media in Thailand. 

 

It is perhaps worth noting that it is not uncommon for some immigration offices to visit foreign nationals around the renewal time for their extension of stay. 

 

Thaivisa forum has numerous topics posted by foreigners having been subject to visits from immigration at their home or place of work. 

 

However, it remains unclear why immigration officers would need to spend three hours at Richard’s place of work on Thursday.

 

Also on Thursday, an online petition on Change.org was set up to support Richard’s plight. 

 

If like us, you’re a fan of Richard Barrow, you perhaps shouldn’t be panicking just yet. 

 

While undoubtedly this will be a stressful time for Richard, Thaivisa wholly expects the authorities in Thailand to renew his visa and we look forward to Richard sharing his excellent travel content next year and for many years to come. 

 

Keep up the good work, Richard!

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai Visa News 2020-08-14

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

Richard uses Samat Prakarn Immigration I think.

 

Probably just wanting a bribe to renew as has been my experience.

Keep up the good work Richard.

 

That would be a sad day indeed, if they oust him, no doubt it will have an impact as we will need to get behind him on social media apps, like Facebook, Instagram, whatsapp to let everyone we know to spread the word on how Thailand looks at farangs, should be great for future business.

Edited August 14, 20205 yr by 4MyEgo

He must have said something which put someones nose out of joint!   Maybe someone in the current regime...... ????

1 minute ago, 4MyEgo said:

That would be a sad day indeed, too bad he's not the "Boss"

Yes, your right.  But having a little bit of moral fibre is what separates the men from the spoiled little R'soles!

6 minutes ago, Grumpy John said:

He must have said something which put someones nose out of joint!   Maybe someone in the current regime...... ????

I think it's much more likely that his work and business arrangements are the problem. He's never very clear about them. He has a non-B for IT work, works at a school and travel blogging is a hobby. His work permit as a web designer has been renewed (but I thought you had to have the extension renewed first). Unfortunately he never really clarifies the details of his situation. 
If we go the conspiracy route, I would be surprised if things like his aeroplane post had gone unnoticed and that's a whole different kettle of fish from complaining about double pricing or posting pictures of dirty beaches.

Edited August 14, 20205 yr by KhaoNiaw

He raised the issue of dual-pricing, portraying it as a scam against international visitors at a time when tourism is already decimated and the country is trying to figure out how to get the industry going again. You can be sure that someone's not particularly pleased with hm.

16 minutes ago, webfact said:

Also on Thursday, an online petition on Change.org was set up to support Richard’s plight. 

I believe we need to fill in this petition, however being in Thai is a little difficult to understand.............honey get your a.. in here......please ????

 

2 minutes ago, KhaoNiaw said:

I think it's much more likely that his work and business arrangements are the problem. He's never very clear about them. He has a non-B for IT work, works at a school and travel blogging is a hobby. His work permit as a web designer has been renewed (but I thought you had to have the extension renewed first). Unfortunately he never really clarifies the details of his situation. 
If we go the conspiracy route, I would be surprised if things like his aeroplane post had gone unnoticed. 

As above - he appears to indicate either the salary paid or job is suspect by immigration and has been previously so this is nothing new.  He says only high level plea got the extension approved last year.  Labor Department seems to be OK with job and has issued a work permit but with current travel restrictions extension is needed as no option to cross border for a visa run.

Same as last year.

 

Extension will be approved.

 

 

Thailand and the weak, incompetent, feeble and toxic army are not particularly open to criticism. Being as open and notorious as he is, cannot be easy. My guess is this has alot to do with the current "difficulties. 

12 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

That would be a sad day indeed, if they oust him, no doubt it will have an impact as we will need to get behind him on social media apps, like Facebook, Instagram, whatsapp to let everyone we know to spread the word on how Thailand looks at farangs, should be great for future business.

I'd never ever go on face<deleted>, instagram, or any of that <deleted>, but if he has been "spreading the word on how Thailand looks at farangs" he is quite rightly going to get the boot out of LOS. Biting the hand that feeds one is never a good idea.

Can't believe how many farang aliens think they have "rights" in LOS.

 

Want to stay- smile, keep mouth shut on social media <deleted>.

Trouble is none of them know their <deleted> from their Elbow.

8 minutes ago, SteveK said:

He raised the issue of dual-pricing, portraying it as a scam against international visitors at a time when tourism is already decimated and the country is trying to figure out how to get the industry going again. You can be sure that someone's not particularly pleased with hm.

If he actually said that on a public platform and can be identified, he must, IMO be a bit thick to do so. Lives in LOS, but apparently knows little about how things work there. Perhaps he needed to get out of his digital bubble and smell the traffic fumes.

I never understood how Tweeting or Blogging could be considered a "business" anywhere.  Guess I still live in the past.  Hope he gets his Visa worked out.

Also on Thursday, an online petition on Change.org was set up to support Richard’s plight. 

 

Many people seem to find 'solutions' to their plights in such .org's!

Edited August 14, 20205 yr by ravip

I think he had or has a deal with the TAT or some ad agency and litrually bit the hands that fed him more than we know. 

 

Public figures need to be scrutinised and he has made himself exactly that so it's time to learn more about him.

 

This travel blogger spent 25 years in one country with no desire to go elsewhere, no family or wife? Came here so young and yet did not get schooled on how to behave. Sought the need to become an enemy of the state after years of travel blogging. Something don't add up. There is a real story behind this guy.

 

 

2 minutes ago, Jack Hna said:

I think he had or has a deal with the TAT or some ad agency and litrually bit the hands that fed him more than we know. 

 

Public figures need to be scrutinised and he has made himself exactly that so it's time to learn more about him.

 

This travel blogger spent 25 years in one country with no desire to go elsewhere, no family or wife? Came here so young and yet did not get schooled on how to behave. Sought the need to become an enemy of the state after years of travel blogging. Something don't add up. There is a real story behind this guy.

 

 

Absolutely correct. Something don't add up.

9 minutes ago, Skallywag said:

I never understood how Tweeting or Blogging could be considered a "business" anywhere.  Guess I still live in the past.  Hope he gets his Visa worked out.

Tweeting or Blogging per se, will not be considered a "business" anywhere, for sure.

It's when one start to 'correct' a government or the like that gets the pot boiling - anywhere!

37 minutes ago, Grumpy John said:

He must have said something which put someones nose out of joint!   Maybe someone in the current regime...... ????

He is a farang helping farang with accurate information and he has campaigned ruthlessly against 2 tier pricing in Thailand. They don't like the truth!

22 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I'd never ever go on face<deleted>, instagram, or any of that <deleted>, but if he has been "spreading the word on how Thailand looks at farangs" he is quite rightly going to get the boot out of LOS. Biting the hand that feeds one is never a good idea.

Can't believe how many farang aliens think they have "rights" in LOS.

 

Want to stay- smile, keep mouth shut on social media <deleted>.

I think you are quite spot on.

 

Thailand never likes to be criticized and people that do, soon find out they are not welcome.

 

The Thai gov't can silence the Thai's but never the foreigners and that troubles them

Just now, ravip said:

Tweeting or Blogging per se, will not be considered a "business" anywhere, for sure.

It's when one start to 'correct' a government or the like that gets the pot boiling - anywhere!

165k followers on Twitter and numerous blogging websites all with the message of not advertising. So he knows exactly how to market things without appearing to market them. Natural non advertising of Thailand, it's an ad agencies dream.

 

 

2 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

He is a farang helping farang with accurate information and he has campaigned ruthlessly against 2 tier pricing in Thailand. They don't like the truth!

I think he'd be fine if he had a watertight work/business situation that fully complied with immigration rules. There's obviously something there that leaves him open to greater scrutiny. 

6 minutes ago, PatOngo said:

He is a farang helping farang with accurate information and he has campaigned ruthlessly against 2 tier pricing in Thailand. They don't like the truth!

TBH, not only 'They", many 'others' too hate the truth! Sometimes, the truth is very bitter. LOL

28 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

If he actually said that on a public platform and can be identified, he must, IMO be a bit thick to do so. Lives in LOS, but apparently knows little about how things work there. Perhaps he needed to get out of his digital bubble and smell the traffic fumes.

 

You want to claim that you never criticized Thailand or it's government on this public platform?

1 minute ago, KhaoNiaw said:

I think he'd be fine if he had a watertight work/business situation that fully complied with immigration rules. There's obviously something there that leaves him open to greater scrutiny. 

He has a work permit for his school job, he makes nothing from his travel blog, the authorities are just fragile and worried that he gets attention from other farang!

Ain't easy being a farang dissident. Jonathan Head learned it as well. On the bright side, at least it's not off to a CCP gulag - yet.

2 minutes ago, ravip said:

TBH, not only 'They", many 'others' too hate the truth! Sometimes, the truth is very bitter. LOL

Regardless, the truth is the truth, like it or not! It rattles me how people can live in denial!

He’s an attention seeker end of story.

look at all this suspense he has created and now watch him get extended next week.