Thailand demographics and immigration

[Baron Samedi]

A question just popped up in my head.

I've read somewhere on the internet that Thailand had a rather serious demographic problem (like many countries in the world really).

Why is immigration so tough on visas then ?

A logical move would be to ease immigration requirements - especially for people coming from neighboring countries - in order to support the economy... What are your thoughts on that ?

 

[internationalism]

there use to be pre-covid some 5mln foreign workforce.

Many left thailand at the beginng at pandemic, what they thought would be a holiday back home. And since then were not able to return easily back to work.

That would be changing now with land borders opening

[bogozy]

Thailand are for the thai people. The thai nation are posessing the land of Thailand. The thai nation no want to regain controll, or ownership of thailand soil, by strangers. That is a very respectable policy.

 

  

[Will B Good]

The driving force for relaxing immigration revolves around getting in cheaper labour in order to maximise the profits of the six big families (who are currently ruining the life chances of ordinary Thais).

 

Any long term planning to cope with changing demographics is way out of Thai politicians league.......first question they ask themselves?.....what's in it for me?

[1FinickyOne]

10 hours ago, Baron Samedi said:

Why is immigration so tough on visas then ?

They are not tough on visas... but there are some minimal qualifications that have to be met... 

 

What is it like for an average Thai person to go to a Western country... 

[mrmicbkktxl]

53 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

They are not tough on visas... but there are some minimal qualifications that have to be met... 

 

What is it like for an average Thai person to go to a Western country... 

Comparing apples with....,Thais should not get a visa at all for western countries unless it is a marriage visa,most Thais like to overstay or disappear.,working without permission to do so.Then what is your point of comparing visa rules of first world countries and third world countries?

[1FinickyOne]

6 minutes ago, mrmicbkktxl said:

Comparing apples with....,Thais should not get a visa at all for western countries unless it is a marriage visa,most Thais like to overstay or disappear.,working without permission to do so.Then what is your point of comparing visa rules of first world countries and third world countries?

First of all - this is developing world and in many ways more advanced than places I lived back home... 

 

I am comparing visa rules to visa rules...

 

why is it that so many farang think they are or should be so superior that Thai should roll out a red carpet... because they buy 30 baht noodle soup and help the economy, they are special... do you feel that for some reason that Thailand should be honored to have you here? 

[curtklay]

Thailand should be happy to have me. I follow all the rules, am polite and respectful, and buy a hell of a lot more than noodle soup.

[mrmicbkktxl]

3 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

First of all - this is developing world and in many ways more advanced than places I lived back home... 

 

I am comparing visa rules to visa rules...

 

why is it that so many farang think they are or should be so superior that Thai should roll out a red carpet... because they buy 30 baht noodle soup and help the economy, they are special... do you feel that for some reason that Thailand should be honored to have you here? 

Are you for real?Most tourists don't eat noodle soup and 30 baht times are over.A country what is highly dependent on foreign tourists (12%+GDP) should kiss the shoes of western tourists,before covid friends came here 2 times per year for 2-3 weeks spending an average of 3000Euros per week hotels/flights excluded.After their vaccation was over they back home,no intention to overstay or working here in Thailand.Expats are those guys what kept Pattaya/Phuket,etc floating during pandemic.Expats with a longterm visa here have a pension or whatever minimum 40000bt per months, average I guess over 75000bt,of my 78000bt I put 60000bt into the thai economy,buy food,going to eat,going to mom and pop shops,buying cars and motorcycles etc,so what should be a logic reason for an immigration officer to give me any problem while I extend my visa????Developing ???Developing was before the Army criminals took over now it is going down

[mike123ca]

Thailand is becoming an older society. It is not alone other countries include Japan, China and Germany. As time goes on your going to have an older population and fewer people who are able to have children to maintain the current population. Some countries allow for migration to maintain growth. There are some countries with very strong policies against immigration, but if their population is aging then the countries working class will start to shrink as well as their internal markets. 

[1FinickyOne]

30 minutes ago, mrmicbkktxl said:

should kiss the shoes of western tourists

I really don't think that is going to happen - you have an incredibly warped view of who you are... 

31 minutes ago, mrmicbkktxl said:

so what should be a logic reason for an immigration officer to give me any problem while I extend my visa????

I don't know - do you qualify? I have always qualified and found Immigration to be helpful and polite. Or are you someone who thinks a countries laws should be changed to fit your desires?

 

Are you that self-important? 

 

Never mind, no need to answer - your postings say it all... 

[chilly07]

1 hour ago, mrmicbkktxl said:

Comparing apples with....,Thais should not get a visa at all for western countries unless it is a marriage visa,most Thais like to overstay or disappear.,working without permission to do so.Then what is your point of comparing visa rules of first world countries and third world countries?

Which are which? Don't think you should be classifying western democracies as third world!

[Kwasaki]

12 hours ago, Baron Samedi said:

Why is immigration so tough on visas then ?

Up to them none of my business.

 

At least Thailand would know what to to with 1000's of immigrants turning up on the shores of Bangkok in rubber dingies.

[SAFETY FIRST]

19 hours ago, Baron Samedi said:

Why is immigration so tough on visas then ?

Visa's are easy for me in Thailand, just need to have some money in the bank. 

 

Try getting a visa for Australia. 

 

[Baron Samedi]

27 minutes ago, SAFETY FIRST said:

Visa's are easy for me in Thailand, just need to have some money in the bank. 

 

Try getting a visa for Australia. 

 

Fair play ????

[StayinThailand2much]

A number of Asian countries (Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, China, etc.) have the same demo-graphic problem, but simply do not want (mass) immigration. Similar to, say, Australia up to the 1970s, they do not want ethnically diverse and multicultural societies. The British, Australian, New Zealand, German, etc., governments have a good number of ethnic Indian, Chinese, Turkish, etc., government ministers. - Thailand's ruling class, as well as its population want to avoid such a scenario, so the aim is to limit the length of visas, in order not to create a 'permanent' foreign population.

Edited May 30, 2022 by StayinThailand2much

[sanuk711]

8 hours ago, mrmicbkktxl said:

Comparing apples with....,Thais should not get a visa at all for western countries unless it is a marriage visa,most Thais like to overstay or disappear.,working without permission to do so.Then what is your point of comparing visa rules of first world countries and third world countries?

Just amazing the response to some of the post on here---Thai's are now the over-stayers of the world. I wonder how many millions have walked into America--- Their crossing the English Chanel in rubber dinghies by the 1,000s. Living in Oz through the 70s/80s/90s there was never less then 80,000 over-stayers-- so many of them were English that I hardly heard any complaints when they used to have their Amnesty's every few years.

 

Hard for Thais to get a Visa because--- "Thais like to overstay or disappear.,working without permission to do so."......................

 

 

Fact-- The UK like most western countries , biggest problem is with people who dont need a Visa to come there--or Visa on arrival, --

Migration Watch UK, a think tank that lobbies for a reduction in UK immigration numbers, reports  that the number of UK visa over-stayers has doubled over the past five years.--- "Additionally, the report states that a further 250,000 people per year, from at least 55 countries whose citizens do not require a UK visa for entry, (or Visa on arrival,)  also be in Britain unlawfully, raising the total to 340,000

[swissie]

10 hours ago, bogozy said:

Thailand are for the thai people. The thai nation are posessing the land of Thailand. The thai nation no want to regain controll, or ownership of thailand soil, by strangers. That is a very respectable policy.

 

  

Switzerland had a very liberal "Immigration-Policy" for decades. With the result that almost 25% of the population has a "Migrant-Background" by now.

If Thailand does not want such a scenario, can't blame them. More power to them. Long live strict immigration rules.

[StayinThailand2much]

23 minutes ago, sanuk711 said:

Living in Oz through the 70s/80s/90s there was never less then 80,000 over-stayers-- so many of them were English that I hardly heard any complaints when they used to have their Amnesty's every few years.

Just look at the large number of Malaysian overstayers in Oz. Similar to other 'Western' tourists, it is very easy for them to get a visa.

[sanuk711]

1 hour ago, StayinThailand2much said:

Just look at the large number of Malaysian overstayers in Oz. Similar to other 'Western' tourists, it is very easy for them to get a visa.

yer I am sure the demographics have changed a lot since I lived there 25 years ago.

[Lorry]

11 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

I have always qualified and found Immigration to be helpful and polite.

I have always qualified and found Immigration to be unhelpful and impolite. 

[AlfonsV]

3 hours ago, swissie said:

Switzerland had a very liberal "Immigration-Policy" for decades. With the result that almost 25% of the population has a "Migrant-Background" by now.

If Thailand does not want such a scenario, can't blame them. More power to them. Long live strict immigration rules.

The difference is that the migrants in Switzerland usually are relatively quick integrated and are allowed to work after a while - as far as I know. In Thailand, the elder expats who are not integrated in a working process which would increase the GDP. And if they are working than it is for a international company and the net product doesn't remain in Thailand.
I am not an economist, perhaps I am wrong.

 

[1FinickyOne]

9 hours ago, Lorry said:

I have always qualified and found Immigration to be unhelpful and impolite. 

Everyone I know who qualifies seems to breeze.. why do you think you have problems? 

[Lorry]

11 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

Everyone I know who qualifies seems to breeze.. why do you think you have problems? 

I said they are "unhelpful and impolite". I don't have problems.

(You are trying to blame the victim, always stupid)

 

Nobody I knows seems to breeze. And I don't know people who don't qualify. 

 

Through the years,  please tell me how you breezed through TM28, TM30, online 90 days, CoR, CoE, Thailandpass... just to name a few of the enjoyments Thailand has given us during the last 8 years or so.

[MikeyIdea]

On 5/31/2022 at 8:43 PM, Lorry said:

 

Through the years,  please tell me how you breezed through TM28, TM30, online 90 days, CoR, CoE, Thailandpass... just to name a few of the enjoyments Thailand has given us during the last 8 years or so.

By getting a residency, also easy if you qualify 

[KhunLA]

Don't think immigration is tough on anyone.  Plenty of folks from neighboring countries enter to visit and especially work.  Some locals may think too many.

 

Shy of 40 million tourist pre-c19, that shy of 60% of the Thai population.  Stretches the infrastructure to its limits, and a bit beyond in many places.  Don't think more are needed.

[Puwa]

I'm no expert, but I'd say there are significant challenges ahead. In addition to a shrinking workforce, Thailand has a huge wealth gap and a notably poor education system. All these flashy new highways are crammed with deliverymen making starvation wages.

 

https://thailand.un.org/en/96303-thailand-economic-focus-demographic-change-thailand-how-planners-can-prepare-future

 

"Thailand’s rapid aging is particularly striking—and worrisome—for its income level. The median age in the population has increased rapidly to about 40. While lower than the current median age in Korea and Singapore, the latter two economies reached a similar median age at much, much higher levels of per capita income. Thailand is running out of workers at a time when the country has not yet acquired the skills, capital, and technology to really increase their productivity."