Big Thailand visa changes from June 1

[Tod Daniels]

I thought this was a thread about the proposed (and approved but not yet enacted) changes to the entry/visa/extension process.

Seems to be turning into people saying "look how much I spend here, I'm important, I contribute, why isn't my visa category changing?"

If long stay foreigners factored in to the equation in the least believe me they'd have fooled with the visa/extension rules to reflect it. 

Sadly we do not..
 

[In Full Agreement]

On 5/28/2024 at 7:35 PM, bob smith said:

what the hell is going on in this country?

 

One minute they can't wait to get rid of us, the next they are welcoming all and sundry with open arms!

 

make your bleedin minds up will you!

 

bob.

 

The country is Thailand inhabited by Thais.    

 

They can do what they want,  Bob.    

 

They can change the rules every five minutes should they so choose.

 

 

[Tod Daniels]

1 minute ago, Mike Lister said:

Trust me when I say that I have never had a skewed perception of my importance to the Thai economy, nor that of expats in general. In fact, I've argued the same point that you are trying to argue here, more times than I care to remember.

 

But you have to be very careful about how you present the argument. On a one to one comparison basis, expats on average outspend tourists but overall, the sum total of all tourists outspend the sum total of all expats.

 

 

That was said quite succinctly, and I will give you three thumbz up for that  👍👍👍

[Mason45]

13 minutes ago, Tod Daniels said:

That was said quite succinctly, and I will give you three thumbz up for that  👍👍👍

I believe that us expats legally married to Thais should be treated much better, we've given our wives one thing that Thailand couldn't give them. A LIFE.

[Caldera]

14 minutes ago, Mason45 said:

I believe that us expats legally married to Thais should be treated much better, we've given our wives one thing that Thailand couldn't give them. A LIFE.

 

I think this delusion is shared by many foreigners who married a Thai. But surprisingly enough, I see many Thais having a life without any help from a foreign "savior".

[Mason45]

12 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

I think this delusion is shared by many foreigners who married a Thai. But surprisingly enough, I see many Thais having a life without any help from a foreign "savior".

I take your point but if a Thai woman has most things she needs then why go to Pattaya, especially women in their mid 40's.

[Bday Prang]

36 minutes ago, Caldera said:

 

I think this delusion is shared by many foreigners who married a Thai. But surprisingly enough, I see many Thais having a life without any help from a foreign "savior".

Hardly a delusion, there are many Thais for whom the presence of a foreign husband  has drastically  improved their quality of life, often to a level they could only have dreamed of. The benefits are often not limited to just the wife herself but often to the entire family.   Surprisingly enough I have seen this quite often  

[george]

This topic is interesting, but keep it on topic.

 

Cheers

 

 

 

 

 

[Rob Browder]

22 hours ago, Mike Lister said:

Trust me when I say that I have never had a skewed perception of my importance to the Thai economy, nor that of expats in general. In fact, I've argued the same point that you are trying to argue here, more times than I care to remember.

 

But you have to be very careful about how you present the argument. On a one to one comparison basis, expats on average outspend tourists but overall, the sum total of all tourists outspend the sum total of all expats.

I look at it this way - every foreigner spending foreign-earned money in Thailand, who isn't a criminal, is a net-benefit to Thailand.  Each of us - whether "tourist" or otherwise - supports multiple Thai salaries with our spending.  There is no sane reason to create roadblocks preventing this inflow of wealth, from law-abiding foreigners, to the people of Thailand. 

 

That said, with regard to restrictions on new visas proposed, or existing ones, it of course makes sense to prevent those coming from nations with a lower wage-level from flooding in to take jobs illegally - where working an 'under the table' (illegal) job in Thailand pays better than what they could make in their home-country.  This has the opposite result in terms of harm/benefit to Thai people. 

[Mike Teavee]

Meanwhile Philippines is offering Immigrant (PR) Status to people married to a Filipino/a...    

 

 

 

 

[MeePeeMai]

On 6/19/2024 at 1:19 AM, Bday Prang said:

Hardly a delusion, there are many Thais for whom the presence of a foreign husband  has drastically  improved their quality of life, often to a level they could only have dreamed of. The benefits are often not limited to just the wife herself but often to the entire family.   Surprisingly enough I have seen this quite often  

 

True, but no acknowledgement or credit is ever given from the Thai authorities for this act of kindness.

[Olmate]

On 6/19/2024 at 5:00 PM, Tod Daniels said:

I thought this was a thread about the proposed (and approved but not yet enacted) changes to the entry/visa/extension process.

Seems to be turning into people saying "look how much I spend here, I'm important, I contribute, why isn't my visa category changing?"

If long stay foreigners factored in to the equation in the least believe me they'd have fooled with the visa/extension rules to reflect it. 

Sadly we do not..
 

Yes agree but i.still  have  no answer, is the.visa  60.days for straylya operating now🙏

[mania]

I also never considered myself special & more deserving but....I will say over the years I have wondered why when a Thai man marries a Foreign bride she gets many benefits both visa & even citizenship if desired

 

Yet if a Thai woman marries a Foreign man no such benefits..

 

I know... I know TIT but I still just wonder at times 

Edited Saturday at 02:37 AM by mania

[rocketboy2]

24 minutes ago, mania said:

I also never considered myself special & more deserving but....I will say over the years I have wondered why when a Thai man marries a Foreign bride she gets many benefits both visa & even citizenship if desired

 

Yet if a Thai woman marries a Foreign man no such benefits..

 

I know... I know TIT but I still just wonder at times 

 

It's because, Thailand is firmly rooted in the dark ages, on many issues.

 

 

[Upnotover]

33 minutes ago, Olmate said:

Yes agree but i.still  have  no answer, is the.visa  60.days for straylya operating now🙏

No.

[JayClay]

On 6/19/2024 at 6:19 PM, Bday Prang said:

Hardly a delusion, there are many Thais for whom the presence of a foreign husband  has drastically  improved their quality of life, often to a level they could only have dreamed of. The benefits are often not limited to just the wife herself but often to the entire family.   Surprisingly enough I have seen this quite often  

 

2 hours ago, MeePeeMai said:

 

True, but no acknowledgement or credit is ever given from the Thai authorities for this act of kindness.

 

Act of kindness my Rs!

 

If you want to be remembered for an act of kindness, go do some charity work.

 

Claiming that marrying and supporting somebody is an "act of kindness" is pure delusion that could only be believed by the most narcissistic of people.

[MeePeeMai]

55 minutes ago, JayClay said:

 

 

Act of kindness my Rs!

 

If you want to be remembered for an act of kindness, go do some charity work.

 

Claiming that marrying and supporting somebody is an "act of kindness" is pure delusion that could only be believed by the most narcissistic of people.

 

Wow, snakebit or what?

 

56 minutes ago, JayClay said:

The benefits are often not limited to just the wife herself but often to the entire family. 

 

I would call taking care of a woman's entire family and raising their standard of living being "kind" or showing "kindness".  I'm sorry that you disagree but in the USA (for example), taking care of your wife's entire family is extremely rare and probably never done nowadays.

 

I never said I wanted to be remembered for anything and I certainly am no narcissist.  I don't even have a wife myself.

 

Relax, take a chill pill Junior!

[JayClay]

4 minutes ago, MeePeeMai said:

 

Wow, snakebit or what?

 

 

I would call taking care of a woman's entire family and raising their standard of living being "kind" or showing "kindness".  

 

Indeed. A totally selfless act, in which the husband expects nothing in return....

 

[Persuader0963]

So let's recap.

 

It's been close to a month since the announcement was first released, with an initial start date of 1 June. One month later, nary a squeak from the government since then.

 

TIT.

[Pattaya57]

Yep, thread could probably lose the "Breaking News" banner 😆 

[JimTripper]

7 hours ago, Persuader0963 said:

So let's recap.

 

It's been close to a month since the announcement was first released, with an initial start date of 1 June. One month later, nary a squeak from the government since then.

 

TIT.

One wonders why that's the case. Was it meant to shake up & confuse like so many other immigration matters? 

Edited Wednesday at 10:23 AM by JimTripper

[bamnutsak]

Yeah, someone dropped the ball on the implementation.

 

Makes it challenging for tourists to plan excursions.

[Pattaya57]

I'm really surprised how slow this has been to implement. All through covid they'd announce 60 day extensions for covid just before it was to expire and then implement in 2 days, same with the 45 day visa exempt, temporary rules announced and implemented in 2-3 days

[Raindancer]

8 hours ago, Persuader0963 said:

So let's recap.

 

It's been close to a month since the announcement was first released, with an initial start date of 1 June. One month later, nary a squeak from the government since then.

 

TIT.

I think if you go back to the original announcement, it is rather confusing.  They mentioned 1st June as implementation date and then further on in the announcement, they mention  1 Sept 24.

 It's anybody guess, that what is to be announced next.

Edited Wednesday at 11:10 AM by Raindancer

[JimTripper]

On 6/22/2024 at 9:31 AM, mania said:

I know... I know TIT but I still just wonder at times 

Stop thinking & complaining. TIT. Have a good one. Go drink more beer.

[GypsyT]

On 6/19/2024 at 1:17 PM, Mason45 said:

I believe that us expats legally married to Thais should be treated much better, we've given our wives one thing that Thailand couldn't give them. A LIFE.

Statistics in EU show when Thai lady gets divorced she NEVER re-marry an other farang......

 

But she is happy to stay there - alone 🙂

So, in a way you are correct!

 

 

 

Edited 20 hours ago by GypsyT

[transam]

7 minutes ago, GypsyT said:

Statistics in EU show when Thai lady gets divorced she NEVER re-marry an other farang......

 

But she is happy to stay there - alone 🙂

So, in a way you are correct!

 

 

 

What statistics....?  🤔

Plus, its nonsense........

 

[JTXR]

"Tourists wishing to work and sightsee can now be issued five-year visas for stays that last up to 180 days, which can be extended for another 180 days. Previously, they were only permitted to stay twice for 30 days each. "These new rules target digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, as well as those interested in learning Muay Thai and Thai cuisine," Mr. Chai explained."

 

Then why on earth should I continue with OA-based extensions (66K transferred per month, mandatory health insurance), when I can become a "digital nomad" and get what amounts to essentially full-time entry for 5 years?

[GypsyT]

transam - there are many good ones.

Start w this;

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1369183X.2019.1565403

 

- If not time to read all go down to "Conclusion". It explains a lot what Thai women feel and do.

 

 

[JimTripper]

38 minutes ago, JTXR said:

Then why on earth should I continue with OA-based extensions (66K transferred per month, mandatory health insurance), when I can become a "digital nomad" and get what amounts to essentially full-time entry for 5 years?

Well, you would need to go through the trouble of registering a shell business and get a business license (if you don't already have one, or a legit one).

 

With that comes tax implications in your home country, depending on where it's filed. For example, possibly having to file quarterly or semi-annualy even if the business makes no money depending on where it's based.

 

In many areas the license is not free. That adds to costs. Also, you would need to setup a virtual office for mail and as a business address in that juristiction. Possible, but costs can add up.

Edited 19 hours ago by JimTripper