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

[Bkk Brian]

3 minutes ago, Compass Call said:

Who is Richard Barrow???

I've never heard of him, so he can't be very important or influential!!

If you don't already know then I'm afraid nobody can help you

[elliss]

10 hours 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.

 

     Bon voyage Richard .

    Best wishes from the keyboard warriors , on TV forum ..

 

[Jack Hna]

Just now, Compass Call said:

Who is Richard Barrow???

I've never heard of him, so he can't be very important or influential!!

He is a 50 something blogger that acts like he is still a prefect at college and never grew up. 

[Heppinger]

1 hour ago, tribalfusion001 said:

Tbh, Asian countries do have losing face and it's quite childish. I've had arguments with girls over topics and I know I was correct, I've proved my point with them and then they sulk losing face. Childish behaviour and sometimes saying farang doesn't understand to end a discussion. These were educated girls sometimes, not always 555.

sounds like a right wing, racist, xenophobic conspiracy theory to me

[Heppinger]

58 minutes ago, NilSS said:

Hmm well yes and no. My wife and stepdaughter are both naturalised British citizens. Before that came to be, I personally my daughter to question everything she was told by her British teachers, anyone on the street, anyone in civil service, in stark contrast to what she'd experienced in the first few years of life. Now, it wasn't her country of course, but would her questioning of what she was told have been less legitimate had her British stepfather not encouraged her to do so? Or, is she more entitled now after being registered British? Now we came back to Thailand, I am the only one in my entire family that doesn't have 2 passports. Even so, the rules, regulations and general bureaucracy directly affect not only my life, but the lives of my Thai wife and kids. Should I delegate the complaints to them it's only the effects on their lives that matter?

"Militant social justice warrior". . . come on man, really?

 

 

 

why did you move back to Thailand with your family? sincere question

[Bkk Brian]

Good luck Richard, I'm sure it will be fine, here's a little word from the British Ambassador to Thailand Brain Davidson on Richard published to video on the UK in Thailand facebook 25th March.

 

"I would commend to you Richard Barrow who has a fantastic twitter feed, he offers common sense, practical tips and advice about how to get on in Bangkok during this crisis, whats open, whats not, please don't pester him with questions as I'm sure he's also overwhelmed but do please follow Richard Barrow on twitter, its an excellent feed."

Edited August 14, 2020 by Bkk Brian

[kimcancer]

Next is UBON JOE!

[Led Lolly Yellow Lolly]

1 minute ago, Heppinger said:

why did you move back to Thailand with your family? sincere question

Business interests. I got sucked into the family business, like a black hole, only one way. I also have my own IT consultancy here. 

[Jackcwba]

heard England have been having some nice weather aswell recently so he will enjoy that 555 goodbye mr borrows yes that’s right you are now on borrowed time 555 ... no? ... I’ll see myself out. 

[lemonjelly]

What a storm in a teacup. He might have to leave, but if so, he’ll be able to return sooner or later. 

[Jack Hna]

4 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Good luck Richard, I'm sure it will be fine, here's a little word from the British Ambassador to Thailand Brain Davidson on Richard published to video on the UK in Thailand facebook 25th March.

 

"I would commend to you Richard Barrow who has a fantastic twitter feed, he offers common sense, practical tips and advice about how to get on in Bangkok during this crisis, whats open, whats not, please don't pester him with questions as I'm sure he's also overwhelmed but do please follow Richard Barrow on twitter, its an excellent feed."

Another peenarse

[anchadian]

12 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Good luck Richard, I'm sure it will be fine, here's a little word from the British Ambassador to Thailand Brain Davidson on Richard published to video on the UK in Thailand facebook 25th March.

 

"I would commend to you Richard Barrow who has a fantastic twitter feed, he offers common sense, practical tips and advice about how to get on in Bangkok during this crisis, whats open, whats not, please don't pester him with questions as I'm sure he's also overwhelmed but do please follow Richard Barrow on twitter, its an excellent feed."

Well said Brian.  Concur.

[Heppinger]

2 minutes ago, NilSS said:

Business interests. I got sucked into the family business, like a black hole, only one way. I also have my own IT consultancy here. 

It took me a while to get my head around the Thai family structure as being a westerner it was an alien concept to me.  It's not until i had children that i really understood and accepted it, looking at western culture now it's easy to see where the societal issues come from.  I describe Thai culture as family socialism, one in all in and no one left behind, and i wouldn't have it any other way.  The business i have provides the bulk of family funding, therefore i'm treated with the same stature as my wife's father.  The foreigners who come on TV and say they are treated like sh^t by their Thai families is because they married a piece of sh^t or they just don't accept or understand Thai culture, sad old men that prefer to go to a bar every night then to be with their families and then pi%s and moan about the way Thais do things.  There's no way i would want to bring up my 2 sons in Australia over Thailand, my young son is trying to figure out why animals are different while my nephew is trying to figure out how many genders there are and how some guy born 200 years ago is racist.  

[Led Lolly Yellow Lolly]

6 minutes ago, Heppinger said:

  I describe Thai culture as family socialism, one in all in and no one left behind, and i wouldn't have it any other way.   

Ditto. I complain and whine like hell, as is my duty as a cranky old phvck, but I know, I'll never get left behind, no matter what. 

 

 

 

Edited August 14, 2020 by NilSS

[Bkk Brian]

8 minutes ago, Jack Hna said:

Another peenarse

Looks like you've yet to grow up

[anchadian]

2 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Looks like you've yet to grow up

 

Well said Brian.  Concur.

 

Childish talk from young Jack.

[Ricebarnandrooms]

I haven’t heard of him or his blogs before so took a look at his twitter account. Seems like a useful site but I did notice he says “My work permit as web designer has already been renewed” 

But he says that his actual work is at the school? If he’s working at the school he has a contract of employment with the school which allows the work permit and no reason not to have his extension.  Sorry something isn’t quite right and as he has been here for as long as me he should know what’s what. Somethings not being said (and forget the conspiracy theories)

[johnray]

They have been doing random searches of businesses recently.  Normally they give you a few days notice.

 

They ask all the staff questions, check the paper and take some money.  A lot of people just ask some friends to turn up for the day and pose as staff.  But recently they have been turning up randomly and catching people out.  A lot of small companies have genuine staff that work at home and come in occasionally.  They can have a hard time if caught out.

Edited August 14, 2020 by johnray

[Bkk Brian]

2 minutes ago, Ricebarnandrooms said:

I haven’t heard of him or his blogs before so took a look at his twitter account. Seems like a useful site but I did notice he says “My work permit as web designer has already been renewed” 

But he says that his actual work is at the school? If he’s working at the school he has a contract of employment with the school which allows the work permit and no reason not to have his extension.  Sorry something isn’t quite right and as he has been here for as long as me he should know what’s what. Somethings not being said (and forget the conspiracy theories)

Yes he used to be a teacher at the school, then for whatever reason took over the web development of their English programs and so hence he's now a web designer for them

[JackThompson]

7 minutes ago, Ricebarnandrooms said:

I haven’t heard of him or his blogs before so took a look at his twitter account. Seems like a useful site but I did notice he says “My work permit as web designer has already been renewed” 

But he says that his actual work is at the school? If he’s working at the school he has a contract of employment with the school which allows the work permit and no reason not to have his extension.  Sorry something isn’t quite right and as he has been here for as long as me he should know what’s what. Somethings not being said (and forget the conspiracy theories)

He says he does tech-work for the school.  He has mentioned having to take unpaid time off to do some of his travel-reports.  He also reported continuing his 90-day reporting and getting his WP renewed. 

For "some reason," after his extension-application went up to Bangkok for the "district sign off," they sent out a team to investigate (was not the Samut Prakan office folks), who carried out a "3 Hour Tour" of his work situation - very unusual.

[MRToMRT]

He has now removed the post from his Facebook page that reported this.

[Susco]

12 hours ago, Jackcwba said:

He’s an attention seeker end of story.

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

 

 

You may be on to something there, because I remember the same story 1 year ago

[pookondee]

2 hours ago, Ricebarnandrooms said:

I haven’t heard of him or his blogs before so took a look at his twitter account. Seems like a useful site but I did notice he says “My work permit as web designer has already been renewed” 

But he says that his actual work is at the school? If he’s working at the school he has a contract of employment with the school which allows the work permit and no reason not to have his extension.  Sorry something isn’t quite right and as he has been here for as long as me he should know what’s what. Somethings not being said (and forget the conspiracy theories)

Many questions could be asked.

 

Are all the conditions of the visa being met...?

the same way as if a normal Jo Blow handed in the paperwork himself?

 

Does his employer pay him the minimum amount as stipulated by law, and the correct tax payed?

 

Is whatever he actually does do in a grey area as far as duties performed possibly being on the banned list?

 

Maybe in previous years he simply paid a certain amount to have others "fix" the details?

 

Maybe now they are actually asking all the conditions be met??

or the cost has gone up and he has reacted in the same way as he complains about the double pricing?

 

One thing is for sure...

 

If the authorities have a

"bee in their bonnet" about him

they need not have spent 3 hours investigating his office to find an excuse to nail him, they could have done it in 30 minutes max.

 

The very fact they have made a pomp of going through his sหit for 3 hours suggests to me that he IS going down.

 

Better start booking a flight for Sept 26 buddy.

  

 

[AndrewMciver]

13 hours ago, Jackcwba said:

He’s an attention seeker end of story.

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

 

 

 He does this fake suspense of will he or will he not be renewed every year. 

 

I often wonder how he travels the country so much, yet is meant to have a full time job teaching. He is one absent teacher in that regards then. 

[AndrewMciver]

Did he change from teacher to web designer when everyone kept asking how he was travelling so much and not teaching.

 

Convenient. 

[spermwhale]

14 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Richard uses Samat Prakarn Immigration I think.

 

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

I guess you didn't read the article

[AndrewMciver]

14 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

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. 

 

Good grief. 

 

I'm not a fan of angel Barrow, but calling for an end to dual pricing is hardly akin to 'Black Lives Matter' or Female rights. Thailand is no longer some third world country, it's tourism economy (before the pandemic) is one of the strongest in the world. It's clearly a racist/xenophobic outdated practise. 

 

Imagine the outcry in any western country if there was a sign up at an attraction asking more money for 'Thai citizens'. 

[AndrewMciver]

13 hours ago, smutcakes said:

Richard used to be great, but he has got far to big headed and attention seeking.

He lost all independence when he started taking free be holidays off Hotel groups. How can he be neutral and independent when he spends long weekends on their dime with free 5 start accommodation.

 

I am sure he will be fine with his visa, he has this every year, its almost as if he loves the attention.

 

Taking up free stays in 5 star hotels a few months back, and then getting angry when people would question if his opinions are compromised, and how it effects his saintly image - was a low for him. 

[AndrewMciver]

10 hours ago, Pilotman said:

Improvement for whom?  whining, winging farangs?  The Thais make more money, they don't  give a monkeys toss what you, me, all of us and especially this Barrow person, think about it.  He was an idiot to think he can make an ounce of difference. Best bit of advice I ever got, from a long time farang here, is to always be the 'grey man', never draw attention to yourself by word or deed.  Good advice that.  

 

You will only realise how offensive it is if you ever stepped foot in London, take a trip to Buckingham Palace for a tour of the palace. You look at the price list, and they have a seperate, more expensive price for Thai citizens. 

 

In saying that, i have no issue paying the fees. Not many sites or parks i go to. 

Edited August 14, 2020 by AndrewMciver

[torturedsole]

I never understood the excitement caused by dual pricing and LOS isn't the only country to have it.  Some people take it far too personally.

 

LOS is still a poor country and I don't have a problem paying the tourist price to keep the locals in work.  That's how it works.