Poll- Do You Feel That Thailand Wants You Or Wants You Out?

[click2delete]

I can only conclude from the actions of the Thai Government, that they want us to leave. Personally I hope we all leave and when I say we, I'm not referring to the whoremongers who come here for a week or two of quickies. I refer to the people like me who have moved here, married, had a child or children and wanted to make Thailand their home.

This country has made promises, contracts, and implied contracts with the foreigners who come here to live only to poke them in the eye at every stage. I am not 50 years old. I am not what Thailand would describe as a retiree but I was able to move here, get a visa extension based on my marriage to a Thai and now we have a child.

I have just found out in order for me to continue getting 1 year extension to my original O visa, I or my wife must go out and get a job to show the Thai Government that we have an income. I don't need a job, nor do I wish to spend my time working. I don't want my wife working either. Bringing up a boy is enough work.

I'm angry.

I came here on a pretext or a contract. The Thai government said if you're under 50 and you marry and support a Thai, you show 400,000 baht in a bank account, fill out our paperwork, and we make your life easier by not forcing you to make visa runs. Fair enough - I came, married a Thai - filled out their paperwork and got my extension.

Now they pull the rug out from under me and expect me to smile that stupid smile like a sheep getting sheared. I'm not a sheeple. There was a contract, there was consideration and there was agreement, and now they have violated the terms.

Most of you are probably here on a retirement visa so your ox isn't being gored. Do you care? Probably not until they come for you. When they change your requirement from 800,000 baht in the bank to 1.5 million or 2 million you might start bitching. At what price will you start twitching?

The retired man or woman on a fixed income doesn't have the luxury of coming up with more baht to put in the bank. Will you scoff at them the Thais renig on their promise?

It has been one thing after another. What or who will be next? Maybe you.

[Austhaied]

You forgot another voting option.

Who cares.. I don't.

[farangsay]

You forgot another voting option.

Who cares.. I don't.

So therefore you're not in Thailand ?

You have no interest in being in Thailand ?

Would you be interested in some very good knitting forums ?

I could also recommend a very good "so you think YOU are a smart-arse" forum.

[Neeranam]

Get off yer arse and get a job!

[scousemouse]

You forgot another voting option.

Who cares.. I don't.

So therefore you're not in Thailand ?

You have no interest in being in Thailand ?

Would you be interested in some very good knitting forums ?

I could also recommend a very good "so you think YOU are a smart-arse" forum.

Play with yourselfs boys........... .

[Maigo6]

When they change your requirement from 800,000 baht in the bank to 1.5 million or 2 million you might start bitching. At what price will you start twitching?

Those figures are but pure pocket change, I will tell you something for nothing..................................

If I was living in Thailand under 50 years old, on a shoestring budget, getting all bitter and twisted, I would ......................

..........leave Thailand and go back to my own country where I could work for a good wage and try to save money, enough money, that would enable me to come to Thailand without the financial woes of so many other Farangs that think they can survive in Thailand on a shoestring.

[Maigo6]

Get off yer arse and get a job!

[click2delete]

When they change your requirement from 800,000 baht in the bank to 1.5 million or 2 million you might start bitching. At what price will you start twitching?

Those figures are but pure pocket change, I will tell you something for nothing..................................

If I was living in Thailand under 50 years old, on a shoestring budget, getting all bitter and twisted, I would ......................

..........leave Thailand and go back to my own country where I could work for a good wage and try to save money, enough money, that would enable me to come to Thailand without the financial woes of so many other Farangs that think they can survive in Thailand on a shoestring.

Pure pocket change for you but not for someone on a budget. But how very arrogant your answer was - smarmy almost - nice to know you have compassion for the older people and pensioners.

Oh, I guess they don't deserve to live their life peacefully, having less money than you they obviously don't fit it, do they?

Elitism - how quaint.

[qwertz]

So,Click, now you know. It's everyone for himself over there. Never burn your boats on the strength of empty promises.

[click2delete]

So,Click, now you know. It's everyone for himself over there. Never burn your boats on the strength of empty promises.

I have money - what I despise, is the waste of my time.

I can always make more money, but you cannot replace time. I'm seriously looking at taking my Thai Family to South America - Panama, maybe Argentina - I need to research the same things I researched before coming to Thailand.

The other plus, is that I want my boy to grow up in a country full of warm people. The Latin People are some of the friendliest and warmest people on Earth. I've spent time in South America and I like it.

I'm coming to the conclusion that Thailand was a mistake. I've got a beatiful boy and a wife but the I am increasingly getting tired of the arrogance and silliness of the Thai Government.

No government is good, but stability is important. Nothing is stable here.

[Maigo6]

Pure pocket change for you but not for someone on a budget. But how very arrogant your answer was - smarmy almost...

Arigato gozaimasu........

Pretentious Moi?

[Neeranam]

If you have money, it's pretty easy to suss out a 1 year visa.

Thailand is great, and so are the people.

It sounds like it's not for a busy guy like you doing nothing.

[cdnvic]

This is just going to be another thread full of swinging handbags isn't it?

[Jingthing]

click2, yes i agree, the authorities can change the rules anytime they please, and there is nothing we can do about it. Don't assume that all of us on retirement visas don't know that or that many of us don't empathize with your feelings. I don't think you are correct that there is any implied long term contract we can assume from the current rules. Your experience is proof of that.

Edited May 12, 2007 by Jingthing

[Maigo6]

This is just going to be another thread full of swinging handbags isn't it?

Same as usual.................

[click2delete]

click2, yes i agree, the authorities can change the rules anytime they please, and there is nothing we can do about it. Don't assume that all of us on retirement visas don't know that or that many of us don't empathize with your feelings. I don't think you are correct that there is any implied long term contract we can assume from the current rules. Your experience is proof of that.

This country runs as if children are in charge. Anyone who doubts that need only to remember the bonehead move by the lady in charge of the BOT and how she lost billions of baht in 1 day. They react much like a single cell entity does when poked, they are all action ( in any direction) and little thought.

There is an implied contract. What it means is that the Thailand government couldn't give a ###### about the people who come here to spend their money.

[Jingthing]

Governments throughout the world act in irrational and dishonorable ways, some more than others. People get hurt, its the way of the world. Why should Thailand be different? It is folly to think that Thailand will be run like Switzerland.

BTW, if you are looking for a haven of rationality and stability after Thailand, I would have second thoughts about Argentina.

Edited May 12, 2007 by Jingthing

[cdnvic]

So long as people keep paying the extra money, they will keep doing it. What you are seeing is supply and demand in action. Many people complain about the the new regulations and the increase in fees, income requirements, and so on. So long as more people are paying up than leaving, it will continue. If the past four years here have been any indication, A lot of people talk about leaving and never do, and many will go to great lengths to stay in Thailand at all costs so as far as the Thai government is concerned, it's a seller's market for visas.

[click2delete]

Governments throughout the world act in irrational and dishonorable ways, some more than others. People get hurt, its the way of the world. Why should Thailand be different? It is folly to think that Thailand will be run like Switzerland.

BTW, if you are looking for a haven of rationality and stability after Thailand, I would have second thoughts about Argentina.

I know little about Argentina. I know more about Venezuela (and to stay away) but Panama is at the top of the list. I also speak read and write Spanish.

I don't want to live in Switzerland, England or the USA - the governments work all too well.

Let's not forget, that Thailand is dropping like a rock on many lists that rank countries according to ..... you pick your topic - Thailand is dropping.

It's a sinking ship and you can be sure the current Captain Colonel Police Major Sargent General in charge will scurry off somewhere before the country makes a thud.

The rats never go down with the ship even though they sink it.

[click2delete]

So long as people keep paying the extra money, they will keep doing it. What you are seeing is supply and demand in action. Many people complain about the the new regulations and the increase in fees, income requirements, and so on. So long as more people are paying up than leaving, it will continue. If the past four years here have been any indication, A lot of people talk about leaving and never do, and many will go to great lengths to stay in Thailand at all costs so as far as the Thai government is concerned, it's a seller's market for visas.

I have a one month old boy sleeping upstairs.

You can bet your life on the fact that I am serious - I'm not thinking of myself, I'm thinking about where I want him to grow up and one thing is sure, if I have anything to do about it, I don't want him growing up here.

I don't want him growing up Thai.

Edited May 12, 2007 by click2delete

[britmaveric]

Stop whinging for starters..... everything runs in cycles. I'd wager things will get better sooner than you might think.

[Jingthing]

click2, sure Panama would be feasible. You have 200 thousand dollars to tie up there? Thats what you'll need for an economic solvency visa. Not sure whether that would cover your family also:

http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20041207151513730

Peru has an investor visa obtainable for a mere 25 thousand dollars.

Edited May 12, 2007 by Jingthing

[click2delete]

Stop whinging for starters..... everything runs in cycles. I'd wager things will get better sooner than you might think.

Not being British, I have no idea what "whinging" is. I'll say it again - maybe you missed it - I have a 1 month old boy upstairs. I am not going to wager when he is concerned.

I came here not with the thought of making a boy - but a boy I made.

The boy comes first. Instability is something I will want to protect him from, not dip him into like a cold pool.

[Jingthing]

There aren't very many stable OR unstable countries in the world who have any welcome mat at all out for younger families who don't offer special work skills, investments, or open businesses. Of course, if you are rich enough, more options. Thats why we have passports. Our home country has to take us with no conditions.

Edited May 12, 2007 by Jingthing

[Maigo6]

I can only conclude from the actions of the Thai Government, that they want us to leave. Personally I hope we all leave and when I say we, I'm not referring to the whoremongers who come here for a week or two

So 99% of the Farangs in Thailand will be unaffected.......................

[Maigo6]

So,Click, now you know. It's everyone for himself over there. Never burn your boats on the strength of empty promises.

And never believe too much in an internet forum.

[Maigo6]

What it means is that the Thailand government couldn't give a ###### about the people who come here to spend their money.

But still they come, and come again, and stay, and buy land in a Thai womans name, and moan and bitch on internet forums about how hard done by they are.

They do have choices, but their future will depend on whether the choice they made was right or wrong.

You know the rules of the game, and it's a game for the big boys, if you can't hack it, sit on the touchline and pass out the orange slices at half time.

Edited May 12, 2007 by Maigo6

[click2delete]

You know the rules of the game, and it's a game for the big boys, if you can't hack it, sit on the touchline and pass out the orange slices at half time.

Blah blah blah - Bloviate away -

You're wrong.

And it would seem that when you are wrong, you are very wrong.

You don't know the rules of the game and neither do I because the children who run the government haven't finished creating them. When they create some more, they'll decide to implement some, ignore others and totally revamp something else.

That's the point, no one really knows the rules of the Thai game.

[Jingthing]

I do think Thai immigration policies are a moving target. Thailand isn't for everyone and Thailand doesn't want everyone, and tomorrow it could be many of us who are foolish enough to feel secure with our status. That said, Thailand's policies are still some of the most liberal in the world.

[jumnien]

I've never once heard of one decent person with a decent income being denied a visa to live in Thailand if that person was really commited to living here. What's the problem?