28 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Frangs are a mighty economic power. The govt knows that.

Therefore they wouldn’t saw off the branch they are sitting on.❗

What do you mean by “mighty economic power”?

Do you mean Western companies investing in Thailand and importing Thai-manufactured goods, or do you mean us expats living here and spending our money locally?

Japan and China is bigger in investments and in general money maker for Thailand

37 minutes ago, Hummin said:

What do you mean by “mighty economic power”?

Do you mean Western companies investing in Thailand and importing Thai-manufactured goods, or do you mean us expats living here and spending our money locally?

Japan and China is bigger in investments and in general money maker for Thailand

Almost 1 million foreigners living in Thailand and 200.000 "farangs".

On 5/6/2026 at 11:11 PM, swissie said:

Farangs, having lived in Thailand for a long time utter concerns, concerning their future in Thailand. Stricter visa rules and the fact that "permanent residency" is something that legally Thailand does not offer. No matter how long a Farang has lived in the kingdom. This seems to be the main concern of Farangs residing in Thailand.

I believe those concerns are unfounded, concerning "old Farang hands" in Thailand.

Because: The very day, the Thai-Government should find it advisable to tell long-term Farangs "go back home" would cause a Tornado all accross the tabloid-paper universe.

Like: "Europeans that helped to build modern Thailand dispossed". OR: Marriages lasting for decades officially declared "irrelevant". Making it on the 6 o'clock news worldwide. Making Thailand a racist Pariah country, far away from any international standarts.

Just relax. It's not going to happen. Not in your lifetime.

So, not to worry you Farang "old hands" in Thailand. Enjoy the sunset and everything else that Thailand has to offer.

= Amazing Thailand.

Have over 40 years living in Thailand, now a ten-year visa so even easier than those yearly extensions. Other long-term visas available too so based on what I have experienced during my days here is that the govt's have recognized the value of the long stayers as opposed to the short timers though even the 1-year visas have gotten easier with on-line versus have to visit immigration (i.e. 90-day, tm-30 reports) Feel I still live in the paradise I first came to see many years ago.

On 5/7/2026 at 4:00 AM, Rockyroad said:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover,” is widely attributed to Mark Twain.

[Verse 1]

The memories of a man in his old age
Are the deeds of a man in his prime
You shuffle in gloom of the sickroom
And talk to yourself as you die

https://genius.com/Pink-floyd-free-four-lyrics

Your turn ;-)

On 5/7/2026 at 6:47 AM, blaze master said:

Ill even buy him a new clipboard and hi viz vest.

If you do, I'll throw in an orange hard hat & name plate.

On 5/6/2026 at 11:11 PM, swissie said:

Farangs, having lived in Thailand for a long time utter concerns, concerning their future in Thailand. Stricter visa rules and the fact that "permanent residency" is something that legally Thailand does not offer. No matter how long a Farang has lived in the kingdom. This seems to be the main concern of Farangs residing in Thailand.

I believe those concerns are unfounded, concerning "old Farang hands" in Thailand.

Because: The very day, the Thai-Government should find it advisable to tell long-term Farangs "go back home" would cause a Tornado all accross the tabloid-paper universe.

Like: "Europeans that helped to build modern Thailand dispossed". OR: Marriages lasting for decades officially declared "irrelevant". Making it on the 6 o'clock news worldwide. Making Thailand a racist Pariah country, far away from any international standarts.

Just relax. It's not going to happen. Not in your lifetime.

So, not to worry you Farang "old hands" in Thailand. Enjoy the sunset and everything else that Thailand has to offer.

= Amazing Thailand.

Permanent residency is legally possible in Thailand. Very hard to obtain but possible. Took me 2 years to get mine.

Edited May 8May 8 by Dewey

Not accurate.....

...and the fact that "permanent residency" is something that legally Thailand does not offer

As a legal permanent resident in Thailand, for the most part I agree, there are always a number of ways to get legal ways to stay here. Whilst they can revoke my PR if I commit a serious crime for example, that sort of seems reasonable I am still a guest.

Some though will run into financial issues, dwindling pension value for example and it is linked to money.

Pensioners circulate foreign funds into the local economy, if they doing that then its should not be an issue, if that stops or becomes a risk that they become a cost its not in their interest.

Its one of the arguments some countries freeze pensions when someone moves abroad, the circulation value of the pension is removed from local economy, even when offset against things like medical care they are still worth more when in home country than abroad do to circulation of money. Layman view though, one semester of economics does not make me an economist.

3 hours ago, Bubbha said:

Not accurate.....

...and the fact that "permanent residency" is something that legally Thailand does not offer

What do you mean ?

3 hours ago, Bubbha said:

Not accurate.....

...and the fact that "permanent residency" is something that legally Thailand does not offer

Alai Wa?..of course they do..get with the program dude.

On 5/7/2026 at 12:50 PM, spidermike007 said:

A lot of expats are leaving Thailand for good reasons. However many of us continue to stay, and in my particular case I enjoy Thailand, I love the Thai people, I find the cost of living to be quite reasonable and the quality of life to be quite high.

If I were wealthy enough I would divide my time between Thailand, Southern Italy, and spend about 4 months of the year traveling including one month in the US to visit friends and family.

The big turn off for me here are the horrific air quality, the heat, the total disregard for traffic safety on these very dangerous highways, and the general lack of progress on so many different fronts.

So why do you stay in Thailand?

On 5/6/2026 at 10:50 PM, spidermike007 said:

The big turn off for me here are the horrific air quality, the heat, the total disregard for traffic safety on these very dangerous highways, and the general lack of progress on so many different fronts

How are these factors considered high quality of life ?

5 hours ago, BeastOfBodmin said:

If you do, I'll throw in an orange hard hat & name plate.

I think he would look fabulous in orange.

31 minutes ago, Dewey said:

What do you mean ?

We are all just guests on temporary stay! Im on extended stay as an retiree, some others are on extend stay of marriage, while very few have Vip visas or Elite, work visas and quite a few boarder and country jumping coming and going.

At once you can not meet the up to date terms, you can not stay anymore.

Edited May 8May 8 by Hummin

5 minutes ago, blaze master said:

How are these factors considered high quality of life ?

You can make a good life here even there is some few issues, same as back home, fresh food and decent general living cost a fortune.

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

You can make a good life here even there is some few issues, same as back home, fresh food and decent general living cost a fortune.

Obviously one can make a good life. But the factors mentioned do not make it a high quality life.

On 5/7/2026 at 1:37 AM, StarOfLight said:

I recall reading something in the Bangkok post a few years back that stated most Thai have about 500 baht in the bank. I read an article just yesterday about how elderly farmers will never repay their debts.

Thai Banks are pretty solid with the exception that there must be massive amounts of bad loans from condos on their books. I'm certainly not saying that foreign money keeps the country afloat but when you think of fractional reserve it can't hurt. Pushing foreigners out, their accounts and their business go as well doesn't seem like a wise move.

I think IO in Bangkok have become more picky. It might also be that they've grown into their job and become more knowledgeable about what they're looking for. But some of the stuff is really really too nitpicky.

Having said all that nothing's essentially changed in Bangkok. I will also say that a lot of drama has been created because of the Chinese and perhaps Indians. I wish that they would look at us westerners a little bit differently.

There's absolutely no hope for this, but I really wish that they would allow foreigners to own to rai of land/ house. Permanent residency for those married over 15 years seems very reasonable.

There have been changes though for instance the fashionable scam now is the condo visa. Like most of the untraditional visas offered in the past 5 years it's basically worthless.

I sense a tightening in the banking system which isn't a good thing, but understandable. It's happening in the United States as well.

In summary, other than minor changes in immigration when I go to make my extension it's the same. I no longer do runners so I can't comment on that lifestyle although that looks like it's far more difficult.

I think most of the complainers or just general complainers about Thailand. I know a guy that just doesn't like being here but is forced to because of family and funds. He constantly complains about everything under the sun. He should have left a long time ago.

I think many up and leave when they're health really starts to go. The ones it's day on probably are married, perhaps don't have the funds to return?

I'd would die far faster living back in the States these days. It's totally depressing. Having just returned I will do whatever I can to absolutely limit my visit forward

A relatively small number of Thai families still dominate much of the economic system, and banking is often tied directly into those wider conglomerate networks. That allows losses in one sector to be cushioned or cross-subsidised by profits elsewhere inside the group structure.

A major bank failure in Thailand would represent an enormous loss of face for the establishment, and historically the military-backed state has acted as the ultimate guarantor of systemic stability. For that reason, outright collapse of the system itself remains unlikely.

They have no desire to become another Myanmar and will probably never need to go that far. That said, foreigners would be an easy group to pressure or marginalise if circumstances deteriorated much as happened recently with Cambodia.

1 minute ago, blaze master said:

Obviously one can make a good life. But the factors mentioned do not make it a high quality life.

Dependes what you do about it during the worst periods. This year it was not that bad except a few weeks, and then medium polluted. And a glassgarden/balcony with air purifier and a big aircon have meda my life much better while Im home.

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

Dependes what you do about it during the worst periods. This year it was not that bad except a few weeks, and then medium polluted. And a glassgarden/balcony with air purifier and a big aircon have meda my life much better while Im home.

You can do those things. I just don't see that needing to do those things contributes to a high quality life. Having to do that just to be safe. Not cool.

27 minutes ago, blaze master said:

You can do those things. I just don't see that needing to do those things contributes to a high quality life. Having to do that just to be safe. Not cool.

Let me plut it like this, where I come from, there is weather 365 days a year, and we have glass balconies, with heaters, not that different than here, so no place on earth is weather proofed and perfect all year around. So what we do, we improvise, and also having the opportunity to travel whenever we want, is also a bonus.

Just now, Hummin said:

Let me plut it like this, where I come from, there is weather 365 days a year, and we have glass balconies, with heaters, not that different than here, so no place on earth is weather proofed and perfect all year around. So what we do, we improvise, and also having the opportunity to travel whenever we want, is also a bonus.

Air quality and whether are not the same thing though.

Just now, blaze master said:

Air quality and whether are not the same thing though.

Well heat and air was two of the things that made me or us wanted to go to Europe, and I did stay more than 6 months the last 3 years, and my wife stayed 6 due to visa. Now she got permanent visa, but we turned around and decided to improve our home and invest here. There is more than just clean air, and the bad season is temporary, and we are not stuck one place either.

8 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Well heat and air was two of the things that made me or us wanted to go to Europe, and I did stay more than 6 months the last 3 years, and my wife stayed 6 due to visa. Now she got permanent visa, but we turned around and decided to improve our home and invest here. There is more than just clean air, and the bad season is temporary, and we are not stuck one place either.

So you leave to find a better quality life. Makes my point. You are lucky you can do that. Many are not and have to deal with it.

All im saying is that in many parts of Thailand the poor air quality takes away from quality of life.

12 hours ago, Hummin said:

Let me plut it like this, where I come from, there is weather 365 days a year, and we have glass balconies, with heaters, not that different than here, so no place on earth is weather proofed and perfect all year around. So what we do, we improvise, and also having the opportunity to travel whenever we want, is also a bonus.

Southern California is pretty close to perfect.

3 minutes ago, StarOfLight said:

Southern California is pretty close to perfect.

I can't afford California! Most here I guess can not make a decent life in California.

12 hours ago, blaze master said:

So you leave to find a better quality life. Makes my point. You are lucky you can do that. Many are not and have to deal with it.

All im saying is that in many parts of Thailand the poor air quality takes away from quality of life.

Then no place in Thailand will do?

I almost moved to Brazil, just by coincidence I meet my wife just before I was going to make my move, and there is clean air and perfect climate, but no freedom as I see it.

Cannot pack up your motorbike and travel the whole country without risking health and wealth.

Edited May 9May 9 by Hummin

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

Then no place in Thailand will do?

I said many places not all. The deep south is pretty good.

2 minutes ago, blaze master said:

I said many places not all. The deep south is pretty good.

There is alot pollution from Indonesia, so even sky is clear. Doesn't mean it is perfect. Still better than Isaan, which can be extremely bad.

13 minutes ago, Hummin said:

There is alot pollution from Indonesia, so even sky is clear. Doesn't mean it is perfect. Still better than Isaan, which can be extremely bad.

I lived in hat yai for a number of years. You didnt always get the effects from indo. Phathalung would be another good choice. Trang ranong and satun would be pretty good too.

1 minute ago, blaze master said:

I lived in hat yai for a number of years. You didnt always get the effects from indo. Phathalung would be another good choice. Trang ranong and satun would be pretty good too.

I enjoyed Krabi and Trang very much, but how is insurance validity in the other provinces? My travel and nomad insurances do not cover those district because of government warnings, but how is the life and health insurance?