Visa Old Age

[pipchatel]

Hi. I noticed a few times in C M immigration quite a lot of Old guys, really looking very frail indeed. one guy was in a wheel chair. He looked like a Vampire had had a go at him. He really should have been in bed. I would say he was 80+

After doing all my paper work (I am a young lad of 63) I asked the officer what happens when some one is either too old or too ill to come to the immigration office to do the visa?? She looked at me quite startled and said" You must come thats it"

So maybe this has been a topic before. I would say a lot of ex pats here are well, yes, getting older. The day will come when we just cannot physically get to the immigration office. Has any one come across this problem? It makes you think when you really are in that state and not moving,not going very far at all, just give up with the visa. They cant fine you once your dead!

[lopburi3]

I believe Sunbelt has mentioned that it can be done by a legal service but to do so both must appear the first time. Not sure if that is still true, or if countrywide.

[Artisi]

If you're at an age when you might not see your current visa expiry date - why not just disappear into the wood work and not worry about any further extensions - it's unlikely you will be leaving the country (and if you are capable of this you can certainly front-up for a visa renewal) - so the chances of being sprung without a visa is very unlikely and if you are caught just pay the overstay fine.

On the other hand you could always arrange an ambulance to deliver you to Suan Plu and wheel you in on a hospital bed - that should certainly get some attention and possible prompt service - as I'm sure they wouldn't want to to die while lined up waiting your turn to get your visa issued.

[keestha]

The OP asked a very good question!

What happens to expats who are still in Thailand when they are so old that they cannot take care properly of visas and other paperwork anymore? Normally in Thailand old people are taken care of by the family, and one can only hope for the aging expat that he also has a family/family in law that he has instructed in time, when his mind was still clear, when and how to assist him with his visa extensions.

I remember that when I was travelling in India in the seventies, people told me there were old people's homes for British people who stayed on in India after it became independant in 1947. A number of years ago I heard mentioning that there was an old people's home for westerners in Pranburi, south of Hua Hin, but I have no idea if this is true or not.

Maybe time to start contemplating a Thaivisa members old people's home!

[Jingthing]

I imagine many if not most end up returning to their home countries.

[sleepyjohn]

I remember that when I was travelling in India in the seventies, people told me there were old people's homes for British people who stayed on in India after it became independant in 1947. A number of years ago I heard mentioning that there was an old people's home for westerners in Pranburi, south of Hua Hin, but I have no idea if this is true or not.

Any Britishers who have really fallen on hard times can apply to stay in a Cheshire home. There's one in CM and several more around Thailand I believe. A great friend of my ex girlfriend has worked in the London HQ for years.

Actually I just looked it up and it seems like it might be multinational rather than British only, and for any disabled folk......good for them I thought it was a kind of old fashioned outfit for distressed gentlefolk.

Edited August 15, 2007 by sleepyjohn