4 hours ago, save the frogs said:

They probably just don't like their jobs.

And the excessive hassle may be because people all over the world are getting fake marriage arrangements to get permanent residency.

That is total nonsense it's very easy for anyone much less an immigration agent to be able to discern between a real couple and a staged performance. The degree of unnecessary repetition each year was beyond obnoxious.

I now use a one-year extension through an agent, and all that dreaded hassle is gone from my life.

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

What percentage of expats are on that? I reckon under 1 percent.

Was just saying I wasn't interested in neither citizenship not PR. Citizenship, as I don't want to become Thai, PR because of the tax thing. But this was just an add-on to question I have asked to another poster, as a matter of interest.

Now, I agree with you that Thailand should open paths for better integration to people who have been on yearly extensions for decades, but they won't.

Edited July 30Jul 30 by Peter Crow

1 hour ago, Peter Crow said:

Could you elaborate, as I can't see what's wrong, in the 2nd statement particularly.

Not that I am too much interested, as I don't want the tax exposure resulting from PR or citizenship. And I don't speak the lingo, nor can I sing 😅.

You do not need a WP to obtain a 'marriage extension'. With a marriage extension it is possible to obtain a WP.

43 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I now use a one-year extension through an agent, and all that dreaded hassle is gone from my life.

Same here, I get an agent to handle all the visa tripe. Never been happier and surer it's money well spent.

7 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

What percentage of expat retiree living here, today, do you think was retired here in 1998?

To qualify under the 200k rule they'd now have to be at least 88 years old, born before the Germans marched into Poland.

Also the grandfathering only applies if yearly extensions have been maintained without any break - if they'd ever been stuck outside Thailand at extension time - during the pandemic for instance, it'd be lost.

8 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

I've posted the numbers before, and it's actually financially beneficial for me to keep the 800k invested in my home country, which more than pays for the agent. However, that's not the main reason I use an agent. The main reason is I'm not moving 800k to 3rd world country. I have nothing I can't leave behind and head straight to the airport should I want to or need to.

I completely agree with you. I would never park any money in Thailand because the government is unstable.

3 hours ago, couchpotato said:

You do not need a WP to obtain a 'marriage extension'. With a marriage extension it is possible to obtain a WP.

I reckon @J Branche was saying that those married to a Thai also needed 3 years on continuous work permits to apply for PR or citizenship.

5 hours ago, Jingthing said:

V

Did you watch the video?

I don't need to. As an individual, my life in Thailand is no harder than it was 20 years ago.

7 minutes ago, youreavinalaff said:

I don't need to. As an individual, my life in Thailand is no harder than it was 20 years ago.

That isn't the topic.

Nope. As Pete Townshend wrote they welcome me "with open arms and open legs".

8 hours ago, save the frogs said:

I don't use a spreadsheet.

But I probably should start.

stick to the bum gun, far more hygenic

58 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That isn't the topic.

It most certainly is. The question is " Do you agree that Thailand is making it harder for foreigners?"

No, i don't. That's my experience.

The topic isn't "Do you and other expats you know and have spoken to and asked this question agree that Thailand is making it harder for foreigners?

Edited July 30Jul 30 by youreavinalaff

8 minutes ago, youreavinalaff said:

It most certainly is. The question is " Do you agree that Thailand is making it harder for foreigners?"

No, i don't. That's my experience.

The topic isn't "Do you and other expats you know and have spoken to and asked this question agree that Thailand is making it harder for foreigners?

You're wrong

I would knkw what the topic is

Watch the video in the OP.

That explains the topic.

Thailand is still pretty easy esp. if you're over 50 and have a few quid.

23 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You're wrong

I would knkw what the topic is

I know it's your topic. However, I'm not wrong. I answered your question.

Your question obviously didn't cover what you really were asking.

Ask the Mods to Edit your question. When I see the edited version, I'll answer accordingly.

Edited July 30Jul 30 by youreavinalaff

43 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Watch the video in the OP.

That explains the topic.

The guy gave a good answer...You can be so condescending at times. Let it be.

1 hour ago, couchpotato said:

The guy gave a good answer...You can be so condescending at times. Let it be.

He gave an answer for another topic.

2 hours ago, youreavinalaff said:

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

Of course Thailand isn't.

Why that upsets the OP, I'm not quite sure.

There's nothing wrong with being an old, gay, American Jew, but perhaps it has something to do with it?

People are answering this question that wasn't asked.

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

14 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

People are answering this question that wasn't asked.

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

Not for me. Avoiding farangs makes life great

45 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

He gave an answer for another topic.

No. I answered this topic, using my personal experiences. I'm a foreigner in Thailand. The question refers to me, amongst others, but I can only answer for myself.

11 hours ago, Hummin said:

For most civilized countries, you are not taxed in both countries. I understand the concern for those who are taxed twice, or who are at risk of it.

I understand that many, many forum members have absolutely no clue on how a reciprocal taxation agreement with Thailand works with regard to their homeland. There is absolutely no reason anyone pitching their tent long-term here in Thailand should be taxed twice.

Their numbers are probably surpassed by those that never, ever applied for citizenship, but complain that it is too difficult and offers little reward for the effort.

I recommend that BOTH of the above complainants make the effort to apprise themselves of precisely what rigours their own homeland places on legal migration of Thai and other foreigners.

1 hour ago, youreavinalaff said:

No. I answered this topic, using my personal experiences. I'm a foreigner in Thailand. The question refers to me, amongst others, but I can only answer for myself.

Watch the video and try again.

25 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Watch the video and try again.

Ok. I've watched the video.

My answer to your question, in my experience, is.......NO.

16 hours ago, KhunHeineken said:

I have my Plan B, and it's Danang - Vietnam

Da Nang is very, very nice, very liveable, great food and cheap beer ... but how would you feel about border runs every 90 days?

And if - when - the VN govt pulls the rug on that?

4 hours ago, Jingthing said:

He gave an answer for another topic.

i like this version.

3 hours ago, youreavinalaff said:

Ok. I've watched the video.

My answer to your question, in my experience, is.......NO.

Which of the many specific points in the video based on your experience do you consider to be inaccurate.

For example, I guess you're saying that you own real estate based on the previously lawyer approved nominee system. There has in fact been a massive crackdown. So the crackdown (in your experience) hasn't hit you as yet?

Edited July 31Jul 31 by Jingthing

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Which of the many specific points in the video based on your experience do you consider to be inaccurate.

He mentioned sth about the 49% rule for condo ownership.

I'm guessing he's exaggerating and it's a non issue.

1 minute ago, save the frogs said:

He mentioned sth about the 49% rule for condo ownership.

I'm guessing he's exaggerating and it's a non issue.

4 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

He mentioned sth about the 49% rule for condo ownership.

I'm guessing he's exaggerating and it's a non issue.

Computer says no.

That said, I'm trying to steer this topic to what it's INTENDED to be about.

Agreement or disagreement with the specific points in the video.
That CAN'T possibly be mostly about personal experience as no expats could have possibly experienced the majority of the points. For example the Elite program prices were raised to a level of very poor value. Only a small percentage would have been shopping for or bought that with the new price. THe raise is a FACT though. Get it, guys?

This for the most part is not about your personal experience.

Yes, Thailand is enforcing the 49% condominium ownership rule more strictly, with increased scrutiny on foreign ownership structures since 2023. This means that compliance with the foreign quota is being closely monitored, and violations can lead to serious legal consequences.

Edited July 31Jul 31 by Jingthing