What about us? Furious retirees/expats in Thailand slam proposals to attract wealthy foreigners

[Neeranam]

2 minutes ago, BobinBKK said:

I had just returned to Thailand from holiday in The Philippines when all the doors around the world were slammed shut.

Curious why you'd go on holiday to the Philippines, the beaches perhaps, or the food?

 

[Bkk Brian]

2 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

My point being, don't all other countries do the same?

The USA, for example, asking retirees to invest $500k, to weed out the ones with no money. 

Some expat retirees complaining here have low self-esteem issues.

No your point was clear: "Don't all countries try to attract the richest tourists?"

[300sd]

One would think that the way to attract "wealthy foreigners" would be to show these wealthy foreigners how well the Thai gov't is treating the foreigners already living in the county!

 

It's only common sense......

[mokwit]

8 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

I am under no illusion, but probably nearer that first rung  than the ones that wear a Chang vest when going to Tesco Lotus food court, or drive a pickup ???? 

It's always good to have the superior class of Expat commenting here.

[WhiteBuffaloATM]

Logically & fairly, if foreigners have bought one main residential property, have thai wife or thai child, lived there say 80% timewise over say a five year period, they should be given Permanent Residency and that Home & Land Freehold.

 

Problem is there are too many cheap charlie “ illegal immigrant” types arriving on one way flights, no intemtion to ever leave, renting very low rent places or living rent - free cramped in with thais , with little money, who are driving the annual cheap charlie visa grubbing process and the thai- only land owning laws.

 

Of course, govt here has no interest in helping these types, as benefit to thailand is insufficient so they are not wanted or encouraged.We wrongly allow this nonsense, in different form, in western countries on “compassion” grounds. No such Compassion Here. Thailand is for Thais and Needed High Value Foreigners ( inc. Teachers / Volunteers). They dont need or want any farang hobbyist rice farmers or buffalo herders …..

 

 

 

[The Cipher]

Quote

The reality is that people who have money will always comes first in Thailand, no matter who you are or where you come from. And that includes Thai people.

This isn't unique to Thailand. Many countries have, or had, immigration options specifically targeted to folks with capital. Canada and Singapore are two developed countries that immediately spring to mind.

 

Do the new visas explicitly say that those angry folks inherently aren't eligible? Not as far as I know. They just might not meet the criteria at the current time. It is what it is.

 

Complaining doesn't help. Figure out a way to meet the criteria or keep on keeping on. Existing visa pathways aren't closing, so I just don't see how this affects a lot of the folks who are angry about it.

[BangkokReady]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

"What about those foreigners who have lived here for years, have families, jobs, cars, houses, stay out of trouble, support the local community and are here long term, not just to move money about, invest then (leave) as things get ugly?"

Thailand: "What about them?  If you don't like it go home!"

[mokwit]

1 minute ago, The Cipher said:

Existing visa pathways aren't closing

I wouldn't be too sure of that.

[Neeranam]

2 minutes ago, mokwit said:

It's always good to have the superior class of Expat commenting here.

I'm not superior, I was an English teacher <deleted>. At least I know the dress code in my new country, unlike so many I see around town. 

[DavisH]

50 minutes ago, mikebell said:

They are trotting out this hoary old chestnut more and more frequently now as desperation sets in.  The wealthy will not come to live in a place where there is no rule of law; no police force; dangerous roads AND a pandemic of corruption from the local cop up to the very highest in the land. Droughts and floods alternate regularly and then there are the dogs!

They should stick with what worked before. Loads of backpackers and general tourists with their who like the "wild west" feel of Thailand. They will more than make up any income from these "wealthy toursits", which will not come in any significan numbers anyway. This pland is just borne out of desperation - but they won't hotels and businesses shutting - only large numbers of tourists will do that. 

[LosLobo]

4 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Curious why you'd go on holiday to the Philippines, the beaches perhaps, or the food?

 

Perhaps the food? Obviously you have never been to PI.

[BE88]

30 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

If a Thai retiree wants to live in the USA, he must invest 16,000,000 baht, yet USA retirees here moan about just SHOWING 800,000 baht ONCE a year at immigration. 

Foreigners who work here, and give to the country, can get PR or citizenship, in quite a simple process(especially if married to a Thai).

I find it laughable when I hear a retired butcher, Bert from Bolton, who married Buriram Noi from the Pink Pussy bar, complain about not getting a Thai ID card. 

You are a Thai, that explains everything

[mommysboy]

Married with children, but no rights! It's a precarious existence. But I made my choice I guess.  You'd have thought wouldn't you?  But there again Thailand has always been like this and always will be.

[The Cipher]

2 minutes ago, mokwit said:

I wouldn't be too sure of that.

I read a few of these articles because I'm curious about whether I qualify and would want to apply for any of these (I'm still not sure). But I didn't see it written on any of those that the existing residents or their visa avenues would be impacted by the new move.

 

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but it sorta just feels like a case of bruised egos.

[Old Croc]

59 minutes ago, Pravda said:

It's the same like when you've been with a certain bank for 20 years and they give $300 to new customers who open a checking account with them and nothing to their old and loyal ones.

 

So, what about you? Nada. It's just business.

 

 

Not a reasonable comparison.

It's very easy to move your business and money to another bank if you are not being looked after as a valuable customer.

Moving your life and family to another country is a completely different thing. 

[ThailandRyan]

24 minutes ago, smedly said:

and you are right down there with the rest - be under no illusion that you're not

But he is not as he believes he is on the same rung socio and economically because he has residency and is a Thai Citizen now which he says is just so easy, but not available to a retiree.  Loves to grind it in and always the first to accuse others of Thai bashing.

Edited September 15, 2021 by ThailandRyan

[Pravda]

Just now, Old Croc said:

Not a reasonable comparison.

It's very easy to move your business and money to another bank if you are not being looked after as a valuable customer.

Moving your life and family to another country is a completely different thing. 

 

It's a reasonable comparison. In both examples they are looking for new suckers, not the ones that have been sucked dry.

[ThomasThBKK]

3 minutes ago, BE88 said:

You are a Thai, that explains everything

So what?

 

It's correct.

 

Retirees just put money in the bank and are done with it here, super easy. It's harder in other places.

 

 

1 minute ago, The Cipher said:

I read a few of these articles because I'm curious about whether I qualify and would want to apply for any of these (I'm still not sure). But I didn't see it written on any of those that the existing residents or their visa avenues would be impacted by the new move.

 

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but it sorta just feels like a case of bruised egos.

Right, this is just additional visas, does not affect anyone who is here already. People just love to be butthurt, complaining about more possibilities to stay here and lol calling it xenophobia....

[Fat is a type of crazy]

In Australia you would need to bring in significant funds and or start a business to get such a visa. I think the current retirement conditions in Thailand are fair and reasonable though it would be good not to have to report each three months. If it can be done online then no big deal.

If Pravda's post is correct, the criteria for extra benefits are not that onerous, compared to other countries. Seems fair. 

Edited September 15, 2021 by Fat is a type of crazy

[BE88]

2 minutes ago, ThomasThBKK said:

So what?

 

It's correct.

 

Retirees just put money in the bank and are done with it here, super easy. It's harder in other places.

 

 

Right, this is just additional visas, does not affect anyone who is here already. People just love to be butthurt, complaining about more possibilities to stay here and lol calling it xenophobia....

If you use two different names you are just a troll to poll this site and it deserves no answer

 

[metisdead]

A post with a graphic that was copied from the Bangkok Post has been removed. 

[Misty]

3 minutes ago, The Cipher said:

I read a few of these articles because I'm curious about whether I qualify and would want to apply for any of these (I'm still not sure). But I didn't see it written on any of those that the existing residents or their visa avenues would be impacted by the new move.

 

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but it sorta just feels like a case of bruised egos.

Hopefully you're correct. However, some have been watching the current gyrations going on with Malaysia's "My Second Home" (MM2H) program.  Reportedly after Malaysia hired KPMG as advisor, the gov't announced a plan to change the MM2H program by increasing the requirements. substantially.  Not surprisingly, there was a huge expat outcry by those who'd purchased homes and made a life in Malaysia, and the changes have been at least temporarily put on ice.

 

But it's been suggested that Thailand may be trying to do something similar with its McKinsey & Co advised "wealthy expat" program, albeit in stages.  At least the Thai program seems so poorly thought out there will be few takers. Still, that's not much comfort if the ultimate intent is similar to Malaysia's.

 

 

 

[Rampant Rabbit]

49 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

apply for a thai elite card and buy one of our condo's

Whilst not forgetting the small  print which states they can  remove any of their priveleges at any time and have done so over the years,  including the whole  scheme  completely.

[mokwit]

6 minutes ago, The Cipher said:

I read a few of these articles because I'm curious about whether I qualify and would want to apply for any of these (I'm still not sure). But I didn't see it written on any of those that the existing residents or their visa avenues would be impacted by the new move.

 

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but it sorta just feels like a case of bruised egos.

You are quite right there is nothing that says the existing visas will be impacted, but when they introduced the Elite visa other visas got harder, when they introduced the 6 month tourist visa that requires such things as a letter from your employer stating they will rehire you, multiple entry tourist visas became impossible.

 

The way I think it would play out would be they would see that you have been renewing your retirement extension continuously over several years they would say that you should really be on the "correct" visa for long stay.

[tingtong]

39 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

If a Thai retiree wants to live in the USA, he must invest 16,000,000 baht, yet USA retirees here moan about just SHOWING 800,000 baht ONCE a year at immigration. 

Foreigners who work here, and give to the country, can get PR or citizenship, in quite a simple process(especially if married to a Thai).

I find it laughable when I hear a retired butcher, Bert from Bolton, who married Buriram Noi from the Pink Pussy bar, complain about not getting a Thai ID card. 

 

Yet most case if someone marry a local, god forbid gas children together, and still able to show money regularly...an easy residency.

 

Not in Thailand!

 

Indeed, ppl with families are long overlooked, and offered little, in exchange to supporting a Thai family, and for the privilege for parking 400k on an acct for zero interest. Plus paying re-entry if as much as visit home country once in a while.

 

Owning as little as 200m2 plot for a modest house is no-no!

Paying local price many places a no-no.

Do it for family, but can't deny the fact that often regretting. However once the kid halfway thru school, it is no turning anymore really.

That makes it suck no less.

[Neeranam]

7 minutes ago, ThailandRyan said:

But he is not as he believes he is on the same rung socio and economically because he has residency and is a Thai Citizen now which he says is just so easy, but not available to a retiree.  Loves to grind it in and always the first to accuse others of Thai bashing.

Same rung as whom?

 

What BS, do you really think a retired 70-year old taxi driver that comes here and marries a peasant girl half his age should get citizenship? 

 

Can't you see that Thailand has a unique situation here with the sexpats and has to have rules like no land to protect the country. 

 

Maybe should get together in our Chang singlets and protest.

 

 

 

 

[Neeranam]

11 minutes ago, Fat is a type of crazy said:

In Australia you would need to bring in significant funds and or start a business to get such a visa. I think the current retirement conditions in Thailand are fair and reasonable though it would be good not to have to report each three months. If it can be done online then no big deal.

If Pravda's post is correct the criteria for extra benefits are not that onerous compared to other countries. Seems fair. 

I looked into OZ citizenship when I was younger but it was much harder than in Thailand, unless I married a local. 

[Boarn]

I moved to Thailand in 2005, 16 years old and the naive ambition to get rid of my citizenship and obtain Thai citizenship, a hatred of all the West has become, wrongly assuming that it must be easier for a Westerner to get Thai citizenship than a Thai to get a Western citizenship based on financial benefits obtained. Of course at the time there was a lot less information around and I was rather young and naive.

 

I stuck with it though as I moved here in good faith, good faith in the understanding that Thailand will always be a dirt cheap place to live, where I could go out for a fantastic night in Bangkok for actual pocket change. I committed and am now under the bus. Although I earn a lot more than I did back then, relatively I am far worse off, I was, and still am due to commitments, planning on staying here and putting up with the nonsense, it's still better than 'home' and the fact that the place I want to live (pre 2008 Bangkok), doesn't exist here, or anywhere else for that matter, if it did I would be there.

 

The fact that the government are going after wealthy foreigners is a stab in the back to those who moved to a dirt cheap country on the understanding it would remain so. No to Chinese (mainland) and Indian tourists, we could go to Indian for that! When I arrived there were only a few so to change 'my' and 'our' Thailand so much is a spit in the face. The last time I was out in Bangkok down Soi 4, walked in to one place, looked at the menu and they wanted 160 for a small beer, this was not an 'entertainment' venue as well. Out of principle this is sick, Bangkok was Bangkok because Bangkok was extraordinarily cheap and just by the very nature that you came from a Western country, where your pittance was enough to live like a king here, means that it should have remained this way, you just simply can't get the same enjoyment than you could when it was cheap, sort of like, what, they'll do all that for 10 quid???!!! Wow what a thrill, it just doesn't have the same ring if you replaced the 10 with 75!

 

Thailand is ruined yet I remain, where else can I go, there exists no place like I want, pre 2008 Bangkok, the government will continue down the wrong path for long stay expats, we can't do anything, goalposts are moved and shifted, yet we remain and suffer. The countries we left behind are becoming a cesspit of PC and woke, the country we moved to develops and foreigner demographics change. I've tried Cambodia (Chinese ruined ), I've tried Laos (didn't like it and Chinese ruined it), I've tried the Philippines, (some things better, most worse), I don't like Vietnam.... WHERE CAN I GO, HELP ME!!!

[mokwit]

5 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Same rung as whom?

 

What BS, do you really think a retired 70-year old taxi driver that comes here and marries a peasant girl half his age should get citizenship? 

 

Can't you see that Thailand has a unique situation here with the sexpats and has to have rules like no land to protect the country. 

 

Maybe should get together in our Chang singlets and protest.

 

 

 

 

So why are you entitled to citizenship and 'taxi driver that comes here and marries a peasant girl half his age' isn't? You are just projecting your own prejudices into how you think the Thai's think.

[wprime]

Someone else gets something nice and it makes them feel bad. These people are pathetic.