1 hour ago, Surelynot said:

I thought the exact same thing........

 

Seems a different sort to me. Full of Twittersnark and deliberately combative over minor things.

Just now, John Drake said:

 

Seems a different sort to me. Full of Twittersnark and deliberately combative over minor things.

Yes...weird!

The nonsense factory is in full swing these days it seems !

Utterly mental the lot of them ????????????

The high earning millionaires are generally workaholics in their own countries where they are already quite comfortable.  Why would they want to spend $500,000 on low interest government bonds or overpriced condos in order to be able to work 20 hours a week?  Makes no sense.

 

The people working for foreign companies are already here or will be hired as needed with the employer handling all the visa/immigration issues.  What would be the purpose of jumping through hoops for a 10 year visa?

 

The retirees 50+ already have many ways of staying here and spending money.  800k in the bank.  Proof of far less than a $40,000 pension or a 20 year elite visa for $33,000.  No need to buy a $250,000 condo.

 

Those with high skill sets?  Thailand (and every other country) already wants/needs them.  Now they have to jump through even more hoops?

 

Here’s what they can do....

 

Change the million baht 20 year elite visa to a lifetime visa with no 90 day reporting/annual extension of stay/5 years at a time requirements and I’ll buy one tomorrow.  I don’t even need the right to buy land.

 

 

16 minutes ago, Brian Tripp said:

Will this come true? 

Only if you land in Oz on top of the wicked witch of the west and take her ruby red slippers before your dog Toto gets taken by flying Monkey's. Yet there does seem to be a yellow brick (golden) road somewhere, but it is not here.

   What about those of us already here.  I've done all the requirements for #3 Retirees.  Where's my 10 year visa and right to buy land.   Not holding my breath--this will go the way of all the other changes proposed.  Nowhere.   

2 hours ago, Joe Farang said:

What happens when the 10 years is up ?

Rinse and repeat

 

Thailand has never been and will never be  really interested in foreigners staying longtime in the country 

 

The Thai authorities just want a regular flow of money coming from abroad and for some reasons (Probably valids) they think that after 10 years you have been milked enough and it's now time to find a newbee less aware of the tricks and gullible enough to be plummeted

2 hours ago, webfact said:

To qualify for a 10 year visa they will need to invest US$ 500,000 in Thai government bonds or real estate.

 

Really?  this is the TAT equivalent of the Nigerian Scam.  Most rich people didnt get there by throwing their money away.  Cant imagine this would have people lining up.

Well, at least they are thinking with more creativity, and showing us something. Anything comes as quite a surprise, as the lack of talent within the TAT is astonishing. Sometimes, it would appear that the tourism authorities in Burundi, Bangladesh, Haiti, and Afghanistan have more talent and creative juice.

 

It is a start. Hopefully they can get retrograde minds like Prayuth and Phiphat to buy into it. Their minds tend to run backwards, nor forward into a bright future for the nation. 

 

Having said that, I was thinking from the beginning of Covid, and the shutdown, that with the huge losses, the mind numbing collapse of the tourism industry, and the lack of revenue, that there was at least a remote chance some humility might be developed amongst these guys.

 

The most important thing for these guys to wrap their heads around, is the fact that Thailand needs the outside world 20X more than the world needs Thailand. 

Just assuming, this typical TAT proposal would come true,

what could be some likely “collateral damage” ?

 

1) Digital Nomads taxed in Thailand (they are working from TH, so that could be interpreted as local earnings)

2) retirees from a country with no or only weak double tax agreements could see their pensions taxed in Thailand

3) the current regulations (800,000 p.a. or 65,000 per month) could be dropped in favour of the new regulation 

This is the first sensible solution that the TAT has proposed. Certainly the third item regarding retirees. Let us hope that it is implemented since  thousands of present retirees would be able to get a 10 year extension. I know that most of my friends would qualify too.  The requirements are very reasonable for genuine retirees.

1 hour ago, GlassWayOverHalfFull said:

Why not. I could live anywhere in the world and year round I'd choose here

Just out of curiosity, you are here for the temples or for the food ?

Thailand does not need a military defense. TAT keeps foreigners out of the country.

'Have to show $80,000 in pension income over the last two years or $40,000 per year and have $100,000 in health insurance.'

 

More evidence they think we are all rich, not many have $40.000 pensions a year, and if they did would probably want to be elsewhere

Guys we need to stop thinking this is only about westerners.

I strongly suspect this is aimed at the Chinese.

This could attract a lot of wealthy Chinese given they could now own property outright, squirrel cash overseas and not have the inconvenience of yearly visa renewal.

Given they already have their own ermm, cough, clubs and restaurants here, it might be attractive to many of them.

4 minutes ago, kingofthemountain said:

Just out of curiosity, you are here for the temples or for the food ?

For the culture and awesome treatment by the government.

2 minutes ago, Rookiescot said:

Guys we need to stop thinking this is only about westerners.

I strongly suspect this is aimed at the Chinese.

This could attract a lot of wealthy Chinese given they could now own property outright, squirrel cash overseas and not have the inconvenience of yearly visa renewal.

Given they already have their own ermm, cough, clubs and restaurants here, it might be attractive to many of them.

How, as the Chinese can only move so much money out of the country without landing in prison themselves.

5 minutes ago, kingofthemountain said:

Just out of curiosity, you are here for the temples or for the food ?

There are temples?

1 minute ago, ThailandRyan said:

How, as the Chinese can only move so much money out of the country without landing in prison themselves.

They will find a way....as sure as eggs.

Just now, ThailandRyan said:

How, as the Chinese can only move so much money out of the country without landing in prison themselves.

Yes I imagine it would be very tricky for those Chinese business men to achieve that. ???? 

1 hour ago, WineOh said:

And once again, absolutely nothing to the benefit of those married here with children.

 

It's all about the MONEY, never about the HUMANITY. 

 

You are so right!!! 100% agree with you!!!

 

In 6 yrs spent millions of baht. In education for the kids, living expenses, land+house+monthly support to the Thai family, etc. But, after i refuse to go with them, 5 officers force me to the ground and drive me into the 'interrogation room' (money extortion room), only for having me "caught" with a tape measure in my hands, measuring available space for new furniture in a place i rent. Honestly, foreigners in my home country are treated much better and more respectfully than foreigners in this country.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Surelynot said:

Is it my imagination?.......there seem to be quite a few new members coming on an immediately launching into battle?

I've noticed that too.  Claims that "I've lived here forever" and a few dozen posts that sound like adverts for Thai ministries marketing campaigns.
I'm working on Page 3 of my "ignore" list adding a few of these accounts that have come out of nowhere recently and immediately became policy-apologists as well as going into attack-mode against legitimate critique.

The right to buy land, are we talking about buying a building block or 1000 acres!?

 I think the fact I live here and spend 30000k baht a month on rent,

 

30000000 baht? WOW

OK so Thailand woke up late, as those things are running in many countries.

Nothing new , just late

5 minutes ago, clivebaxter said:

'Have to show $80,000 in pension income over the last two years or $40,000 per year and have $100,000 in health insurance.'

 

More evidence they think we are all rich, not many have $40.000 pensions a year, and if they did would probably want to be elsewhere

$3333.33 USD is $40K a year or at todays THB exchange rates is 1,245,200 THB.  Of course the minimum THB required to stay here as a retiree is only around 65k Thb a month or 780k Thb for the year or around $2,088 USD, and yes many can barely afford that if they are on SS from the US, but most of those that meet the requirement also have money in the bank own a home already as well as either a car or motorbike and support a family.  If married the income is less and so with a SS pension from the US many already have that covered as well.  This is a nonstarter for many as well as still having to do 90 day reports.  

2 hours ago, webfact said:

The proposals given by the Tourism Authority of Thailand during a video conference with Thai premier Prayuth Chan-ocha at Government House yesterday would see four target groups be able to work in Thailand without a work permit, pay just 17% tax on local earnings, buy property and land, and stay for up to TEN years.

So after ten years bye bye and leave it all behind...

how about permanent residency rights?

7 minutes ago, TKI said:

 

You are so right!!! 100% agree with you!!!

 

In 6 yrs spent millions of baht. In education for the kids, living expenses, land+house+monthly support to the Thai family, etc. But, after i refuse to go with them, 5 officers force me to the ground and drive me into the 'interrogation room' (money extortion room), only for having me "caught" with a tape measure in my hands, measuring available space for new furniture in a place i rent. Honestly, foreigners in my home country are treated much better and more respectfully than foreigners in this country.

 

 

 

All they care about is money.

 

They couldn't care less about the human side of it.

 

If they aren't profiting from financial gain they just aren't interested in helping us at all.

It's a disgraceful attitude and it needs to change IMO.

TAT still haven't embraced the concept of selling. Rather than attract the elite farang (who will depart at the first sign of trouble), set the bar lower and make it worth the while of the ordinary guy who has family and roots in Thailand. A 5 year visa, renewable if they've kept their noses clean and contribute to the economy, dual land-ownership with a Thai national (the wife) and a work permit for 20 hours a week. It's not difficult when you think about it.

2 hours ago, KhunBENQ said:

A milllion millionaires/high skilled professionals/wealthy pensioners/workers at billion dollar companies.

What are they dreaming of at night?

You quoted what they're dreaming of, problem is when they wake up they still think it's a good idea.