I think the obvious answer is yes they are.

Do you agree, or not?

The video details many specific points making that case.

I don't see very much at all to disagree with in it.

There is one thing.

I did know very well from the get go coming for retirement that Thailand wasn't inviting me. Rather I was inviting myself so that's a different less warm and fuzzy dynamic.

I also knew that being on retirement extensions offered no path to permanent residence.

On buying a condo, I knew that owning a condo didn't give the right to live in it.

But I didn't know how it would feel 20 years later to have invested so much in Thailand and offered nothing in return as far as any increased status.

their country, their rules, they owe you nothing.

7 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

their country, their rules, they owe you nothing.

Obviously,

But you didn't answer the question that is the topic here.

Do you agree that Thailand is making it harder for foreigners?

5 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Obviously,

But you didn't answer the question that is the topic here.

Do you agree that Thailand is making it harder for foreigners?

no. foreigners make it harder for thailand.

the folks complaining cant afford to comply with their rules

Just now, Yagoda said:

no. foreigners make it harder for thailand.

the folks complaining cant afford to comply with their rules

You didn't even watch the video.

All the thai subforums and you put it in political soapbox lol.

Anyway you should know already seeing things from their perspective it is a natural reaction to the type of foreigners they get. Assuming you are white, alot of them base their prejudices off of Russians whom are nothing like us of course. And then at a smaller level are these new Gen aussies which are 10x worse. You see the types of people on this forum and wonder why things are becoming harder for you. Thai people can't tell the difference between a criminal and a dad of four. All they see is how much they can get off you.

And the. If you're Asian just apply what I said above but replace russian with chinese

39 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I think the obvious answer is yes they are.

Do you agree, or not?

The video details many specific points making that case.

I don't see very much at all to disagree with in it.

There is one thing.

I did know very well from the get go coming for retirement that Thailand wasn't inviting me. Rather I was inviting myself so that's a different less warm and fuzzy dynamic.

I also knew that being on retirement extensions offered no path to permanent residence.

On buying a condo, I knew that owning a condo didn't give the right to live in it.

But I didn't know how it would feel 20 years later to have invested so much in Thailand and offered nothing in return as far as any increased status.

Compared to what? I have been through the whole process with my wife. Multiple Schengen tourist visas, marriage in Norway, a family reunion application with a 13 month processing time, then a bank account, BankID, and a social security number. Compared to that, Thailand is a walk in the park. The amount of verified translated copies and the total cost ?

14 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You didn't even watch the video.

im a grown man, i dont learn from videos like a toddler

1 minute ago, Hummin said:

Compared to what?

china, the usa, japan, korea?

its all about money for the whiners. thats why there are visa runs, agents, fake deposits....

that was the bad part about cambodia, loads of thai rejects.

23 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Obviously,

But you didn't answer the question that is the topic here.

Do you agree that Thailand is making it harder for foreigners?

No.

It's easier.

When I first arrived here you only got 15 days visa exempt. Since then it increased to 30 then to 60, which was stated as a temporary measure, and probably back to 30 sometime soon.

50 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Do you agree, or not?

Me, no and haven’t yet experienced anything more difficult or different than before.

For others, perhaps, though that may depend on what expectations they have. Example in the video he mentions that foreigners are treated differently in government offices now compared to before. Well, government office workers treat everyone like crap, even Thais and it’s getting worse, so says the wife.

Seems he is referring only to westerners although the title is Foreigners.

• Has the West made visa requirements any easier for Thais?

• Any special reason for Thailand to make it easier for Westerners?

• When all Western countries are tightening their entry regulations, it is only fair for Thailand to tighten their entry rules to protect Thailand's interests - all westerners are not necessarily best visitors in Thailand.

So yes, Thailand is making it harder for foreigners; for Thailand's best interests.

This is primarily about longer stay people.

But consider that you used to be able to open bank accounts on tourist visas.

This expat forum is not really targetted towards Asean peope.

31 minutes ago, harvardgrad said:

All the thai subforums and you put it in political soapbox lol.

Anyway you should know already seeing things from their perspective it is a natural reaction to the type of foreigners they get. Assuming you are white, alot of them base their prejudices off of Russians whom are nothing like us of course. And then at a smaller level are these new Gen aussies which are 10x worse. You see the types of people on this forum and wonder why things are becoming harder for you. Thai people can't tell the difference between a criminal and a dad of four. All they see is how much they can get off you.

And the. If you're Asian just apply what I said above but replace russian with chinese

Mods can move it.

Just now, Jingthing said:

This is primarily about longer stay people.

But consider that you used to be able to open bank accounts on tourist visas.

This expat forum is not really targetted towards Asean peope.

OK so you're white then. Let me tell you something. You will not be able to acclimate to anywhere else anyway but many places in the US are better at the moment but will still be a rough transition anyway not sure how old you are.

If you are in the grass is greener mindset buy some spacex. Just slowly accumulate until you have enough shares when musk takes you to the only place where the grass is greener which is mars. You'll have to adjust your attitude a bit though. Musk is very tolerant of different types of people he just doesn't tolerate a certain subset of us that are guilty for our ancestors past behavior.

Otherwise just suck it up. No it is definitely not better anywhere in south America. Although nayyib bukele is a boss, but El Salvador isn't liveable yet

1 minute ago, harvardgrad said:

OK so you're white then. Let me tell you something. You will not be able to acclimate to anywhere else anyway but many places in the US are better at the moment but will still be a rough transition anyway not sure how old you are.

If you are in the grass is greener mindset buy some spacex. Just slowly accumulate until you have enough shares when musk takes you to the only place where the grass is greener which is mars. You'll have to adjust your attitude a bit though. Musk is very tolerant of different types of people he just doesn't tolerate a certain subset of us that are guilty for our ancestors past behavior.

Otherwise just suck it up. No it is definitely not better anywhere in south America. Although nayyib bukele is a boss, but El Salvador isn't liveable yet

Bizarre post, You didn't watch the video.

No, actually I think it's easier than when I arrived, 2000. Better roads, better infrastructure, better & cheaper phone & internet options.

More visa options, more English spoken & signage. More international food vendors & chains. Much better shopping, food for home cooks, online or delivery services.

More transportation options, and way more info available for those wanting. Everyday living has gotten easy.

All govt services (Imm, DLT, Amphur services,have been streamlined and more effecient (location dependent), with interprovicial computer conectivity.

Coming to Thailand, whether for holiday, or long term is so much easier than Thais trying to go to my home country (USA) and suspect most countries, Uk & EU, where most 'westerners' come from, along with AU & NZ.

Edited July 29Jul 29 by KhunLA

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Bizarre post, You didn't watch the video.

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Bizarre post, You didn't watch the video.

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Bizarre post, You didn't watch the video.

You ask for our opinion but not if itz not what you want to hear

12 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

This is primarily about longer stay people.

But consider that you used to be able to open bank accounts on tourist visas.

This expat forum is not really targetted towards Asean peope.

so what. what do you need one for on a tourist visa.

1 minute ago, KhunLA said:

No, actually I think it's easier than when I arrived, 2000. Better roads, better infrastructure, better & cheaper phone & internet options.

More visa options, more English spoken & signage. More international food vendors & chains. Much better shopping, food for home cooks, online or delivery services.

More transportation options, and way more info available for those wanting. Everyday living has gotten easy.

All govt services (Imm, DLT, Amphur services,have been streamlined and more effecient (location dependent), with interprovicial computer conectivity.

yeah thailand sure isnt the asia of 40 years ago lol

5 minutes ago, harvardgrad said:

You ask for our opinion but not if itz not what you want to hear

Your opinions were completely off topic. Trying to hijack this into weird stuff about white people and comparing to other places.

In inflation linked terms when was it last this cheap to secure long term visas? 800k hasn't risen for what 20 years?

What else of significance is there really?

The tax thing is a big big negative for many of us.

Another example the DTV visa which is for 5 years.

People can't have Thai bank accounts with those!

That is a big expensive people for them.

There are so many examples.

Again, if you want to actually address this question INTELLIGENTLY, watch the video.

7 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Your opinions were completely off topic. Trying to hijack this into weird stuff about white people and comparing to other places.

The only thing I said that might not be true is you being able to live on mars if you're old. Otherwise all correct and fair game since you are the one who put this in political soapbox. I like it Xtra soapy

Visa still cost the same as 2000, I think, 1900 THB and hasn't change, any noticeable amount.

Financial requirements to stay long term hasn't changed since 2000 ...

... 400k lump or 40k monthly income

... 800k lump or 65k monthly income

Even driver's license for car & MB has remained, I think. Impressive considering 25+ yrs of world inflations since I've been here. Utilities; electric & water have barely budged upward in 25 yrs.

I've had a bank account in almost every different bank available, and banking is a breeze. I can't think of 1 negative thing, one negative change, since I've been here.

Inflation seems to be less than home countries and European countries, if news blips are accurate. Nat. Park fees have gone up, but if not liking, simply don't visit. The area around most parks is the same or better than what's offered in the park & FREE.

7 minutes ago, harvardgrad said:

The only thing I said that might not be true is you being able to live on mars if you're old. Otherwise all correct and fair game since you are the one who put this in political soapbox. I like it Xtra soapy

Not interested in engaging with people just here to be pests.

Harvard Schmarvard.

GOODBYE.

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

their country, their rules, they owe you nothing.

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

their country, their rules, they owe you nothing.

Utter BS, try telling that to Thais who move to the countries that we come from. If one thing upsets them they scream racism. I suggest reciprical rights but then again that only applies to democratic countries

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Not interested in engaging with people just here to be pests.

Harvard Schmarvard.

GOODBYE.

I thought you made this thread because you were asking for help and my advice is genuine. I think you are only here to complain though. That's the problem nowadays and why things seem unsustainable. If you are a manchild at your age then how do you expect the younger generations to hold everything together

As I have posted before, the 800k baht can't stay 800k baht forever. It's already been 800k baht for decades.

Eventually, the Thai government will increase it. It could be a small increase to keep pace with inflation and the higher cost of living, or they could increase it significantly, in the hope of attracting more wealthy retirees, and clearly out the not so wealthy.

So, in the future, I can see this rise making it harder for foreigners to retire here.

2 minutes ago, KhunHeineken said:

As I have posted before, the 800k baht can't stay 800k baht forever. It's already been 800k baht for decades.

Eventually, the Thai government will increase it. It could be a small increase to keep pace with inflation and the higher cost of living, or they could increase it significantly, in the hope of attracting more wealthy retirees, and clearly out the not so wealthy.

So, in the future, I can see this rise making it harder for foreigners to retire here.

Nothing is permanent and I see things shifting in favor of things being easier for passport bros instead of retirees. So cheap Charlie's lose out

Edited July 29Jul 29 by harvardgrad

1 hour ago, Yagoda said:

their country, their rules, they owe you nothing.

Maybe there is no word for compassion in Thai?