Yes, Thailand welcomes all foreigners to enjoy all there is to in and about Thailand. Whether short or long holiday, or even wishing to retire in Thailand. There are many visas options and paths to do so.

All are welcome ..... IF ...

1. You get the proper visa & honor it's rules

2. Have enough money to support your holiday

3. Have enough money to support your retirement

4. Don't provide false info for your visa

5. Have health insurance or funds to cover medical issues

6. Obey the laws

7. Don't use drugs, including marijuana illegal

8. Don't drink & drive, please use public trans or apps

9. Learn and respect Thai culture

10. Don't set up an illegal nominee business with no intent to be a business

11. Use that uncommon common sense

12. Don't do anything in TH, you wouldn't do in your home country.

ENJOY

Edited July 31Jul 31 by KhunLA

Yes, they welcome us as paying customers.

3 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Yes, they welcome us as paying customers.

Am from the US as well as you where if you don’t pay, then you live out on the streets. Would you like to live out on the streets anywhere in th?

Thailand welcomes people much as before, but the more tourists and foreigners there are, the more negative stories will appear. Social media and algorithms make this worse. Once people watch and interact with a few negative videos, they are shown more of the same, and that feeds more negativity towards foreigners.

The more tourists there are, the more demands there are to make every tourist and expat happy for the same amount of money they used to spend. Thailand is no longer at the point where simply seeing tourists makes people happy and business good. There is more stress, more greedy and cheap tourists arriving, and negative feedback has become a daily concern.

Thailand was once an exotic new destination where people were more polite and forgiving when things were not up to Western standards. I have also been guilty of some of this, but hopefully I am much better now and more sabai sabai than ever after being broken down and broken in.

I wrote this for another thread but chose not to post it there because the discussion had taken another direction. The issue is no longer only about the fair chances Thailand has given tourists and expats, or how some have taken advantage of the trust and benefits given over time. Those who become most worried or angry are often the ones already living close to the limit, trying to maintain a decent life here without constantly worrying about the next rule change or restriction.

What has made life harder for many foreigners in Thailand is the stronger baht and weaker Western currencies. Over the past 20 years, many have lost roughly 30 to 50 percent of their purchasing power, depending on their home currency. In my own worst transfer, the value had fallen by more than 56 percent compared with 20 years earlier. At the same time, prices in Thailand have also gone up.

Still, Thailand is quite manageable, and staying here legally is not really that different. For me, the main change next year is that the Norwegian Embassy will no longer issue income confirmation letters. Those who do not depend on this method will notice little difference.

I am now considering changing to a marriage extension. It involves more paperwork and waiting, but it could still be a sensible move if Thailand eventually gives foreign husbands of Thai women the same advantages that foreign wives of Thai men currently have.

Retirement requirements may also change in the future. Thailand has used grandfathering before when the financial requirements were increased, but only for people who had held continuous retirement extensions since before the specified cutoff date. Whether anything similar will happen again remains to be seen.

13 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Thailand welcomes people much as before, but the more tourists and foreigners there are, the more negative stories will appear. Social media and algorithms make this worse. Once people watch and interact with a few negative videos, they are shown more of the same, and that feeds more negativity towards foreigners.

The more tourists there are, the more demands there are to make every tourist and expat happy for the same amount of money they used to spend. Thailand is no longer at the point where simply seeing tourists makes people happy and business good. There is more stress, more greedy and cheap tourists arriving, and negative feedback has become a daily concern.

Thailand was once an exotic new destination where people were more polite and forgiving when things were not up to Western standards. I have also been guilty of some of this, but hopefully I am much better now and more sabai sabai than ever after being broken down and broken in.

I wrote this for another thread but chose not to post it there because the discussion had taken another direction. The issue is no longer only about the fair chances Thailand has given tourists and expats, or how some have taken advantage of the trust and benefits given over time. Those who become most worried or angry are often the ones already living close to the limit, trying to maintain a decent life here without constantly worrying about the next rule change or restriction.

What has made life harder for many foreigners in Thailand is the stronger baht and weaker Western currencies. Over the past 20 years, many have lost roughly 30 to 50 percent of their purchasing power, depending on their home currency. In my own worst transfer, the value had fallen by more than 56 percent compared with 20 years earlier. At the same time, prices in Thailand have also gone up.

Still, Thailand is quite manageable, and staying here legally is not really that different. For me, the main change next year is that the Norwegian Embassy will no longer issue income confirmation letters. Those who do not depend on this method will notice little difference.

I am now considering changing to a marriage extension. It involves more paperwork and waiting, but it could still be a sensible move if Thailand eventually gives foreign husbands of Thai women the same advantages that foreign wives of Thai men currently have.

Retirement requirements may also change in the future. Thailand has used grandfathering before when the financial requirements were increased, but only for people who had held continuous retirement extensions since before the specified cutoff date. Whether anything similar will happen again remains to be seen.

Not too surprising, some come to TH, after hearing the OMG reviews of $1 (USD) meal, $10 hotel, and pristine mountains, streams, waterfalls & seas, only to be disappointed with some realities.

Whether true costs away from Nakhon Nowhere, or arriving wrong season, high vs low, dry vs rainy, smog vs clear air.

Even the sextourist, oh yea, sex for $10 .... you want how many 1000 THB 😲

Damn, could have had a crack whore at home for $10 🤣

Saved the airfare, hotel, and expensive crap beer prices

THAILAND SUCKS ... THEY HATE FOREIGNERS

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Not too surprising, some come to TH, after hearing the OMG reviews of $1 (USD) meal, $10 hotel, and pristine mountains, streams, waterfalls & seas, only to be disappointed with some realities.

Whether true costs away from Nakhon Nowhere, or arriving wrong season, high vs low, dry vs rainy, smog vs clear air.

Even the sextourist, oh yea, sex for $10 .... you want how many 1000 THB 😲

Damn, could have had a crack whore at home for $10 🤣

Saved the airfare, hotel, and expensive crap beer prices

THAILAND SUCKS ... THEY HATE FOREIGNERS

I just cooked pork steak and chips for my son and I, $1 each.

My wife and her pal just begged 120bht for their lunch in a local restaurant $2 each.

You can't get much cheaper than that, $6 for four meals.

8 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I just cooked pork steak and chips for my son and I, $1 each.

My wife and her pal just begged 120bht for their lunch in a local restaurant $2 each.

You can't get much cheaper than that, $6 for four meals.

Had 2/1 pizza the other night, 469, and we ate one, so 235, half each, so all of 118 baht for a tasty filling meal in AC comfort. Still eating left overs 2 days later, as just had 2 eggs & a slice for brekkie 😂

For the last few months we have been enjoying the "Thai Help Thai's" program initiated by the present government. You pay 40% for you food products from the local markets and the government pays 60%.

With pork fillets at 150 baht a kilo and less you take home a kilo of nice lean pork for 60B, chicken tenders and breasts are also a great value. 85-90 baht per kilo down to less than 40. Not only for dinners but I have been roasting both and creating great sandwiches, as all the produce is also 60% off.

Yeah you have to have a Thai wife or girlfriend to buy it, but come on what a savings!! Most of us do anyway.

Just made up a chicken salad wrap.

1 hour ago, KhunLA said:

Yes, Thailand welcomes all foreigners to enjoy all there is to in and about Thailand. Whether short or long holiday, or even wishing to retire in Thailand. There are many visas options and paths to do so.

All are welcome ..... IF ...

1. You get the proper visa & honor it's rules

2. Have enough money to support your holiday

3. Have enough money to support your retirement

4. Don't provide false info for your visa

5. Have health insurance or funds to cover medical issues

6. Obey the laws

7. Don't use drugs, including marijuana illegal

8. Don't drink & drive, please use public trans or apps

9. Learn and respect Thai culture

10. Don't set up an illegal nominee business with no intent to be a business

11. Use that uncommon common sense

12. Don't do anything in TH, you wouldn't do in your home country.

ENJOY

13. Don't do anything I wouldn't do.

56 minutes ago, Hummin said:

Retirement requirements may also change in the future. Thailand has used grandfathering before when the financial requirements were increased, but only for people who had held continuous retirement extensions since before the specified cutoff date. Whether anything similar will happen again remains to be seen.

But the grandfathering on retirement extension has been published there in both the 2008 and 2014 ministerial reg versions so it was well posted that one should if possible always maintain consecutive retirement extensions.

1 hour ago, Hummin said:

There is more stress, more greedy and cheap tourists arriving, and negative feedback has become a daily concern.

And mostly from the same locations.

19 minutes ago, marin said:

For the last few months we have been enjoying the "Thai Help Thai's" program initiated by the present government. You pay 40% for you food products from the local markets and the government pays 60%.

Pretty generous program, and would have thought geared more to the less fortunate.

฿70k a month income, far from poor, but if having a mortgage & car payment, then funds may be a bit tight, especially if raising a kid or 2.

Nice to know my VAT payments are helping out.

Only for Thais, if Thai, my income (SS) would disqulalify me

Wife's bank accounts easily disqualifies her.

3 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Pretty generous program, and would have thought geared more to the less fortunate.

฿70k a month income, far from poor, but if having a mortgage & car payment, then funds may be a bit tight, especially if raising a kid or 2.

Nice to know my VAT payments are helping out.

Only for Thais, if Thai, my income (SS) would disqulalify me

Wife's bank accounts easily disqualifies her.

I try to ensure that my wife would ALWAYS qualify for such schemes.

1 hour ago, novacova said:

Am from the US as well as you where if you don’t pay, then you live out on the streets. Would you like to live out on the streets anywhere in th?

Brilliant,The international left always act offended when someone points out that foreigners are mainly welcome as paying customers… same intolerance as those young foreigners on the BTS who started abusing a Thai passenger then hit her with “Sorry for bringing money to your country".

Tourists should expect to be paying customers but Thailand in general offers very little in the way of rights to legal long term residents (if you don't have permanent residence).

If you want to compare to a country that does, look at France.

19 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Tourists should expect to be paying customers but Thailand in general offers very little in the way of rights to legal long term residents (if you don't have permanent residence).

If you want to compare to a country that does, look at France.

I don't expect any country, USA included, though glad it would, to support me, at any time in my life, with housing, food or medical care, if really needed.

Part of your birth rite, and Yanks are happy to help legal Yanks, when sh!t happens.

But not because, 'I or you chose' not to work or earn a living, expecting to be taken care of. Something wrong with that picture. Get some self respect and a job & support yourself.

In USA, most states, you need a reason to be subsidized or taken care of, usually inability to work. My tax $$$ at work, a good thing. Don't mind helping, though have seen that system abused. e.g. ... mother with kids, having BF living in subsidized house, with food & healthcare bennies, when earning more than enough to be disqualified. Just not married, or income earner reported as residing there.

Other, abled bodied, working age folks not wanting to work, so hit the streets for hand outs. Prefer my tax $$$ not go to support them. So off to sanctuary cities & states they go.

Don't think leftist citizens of UK, EU, AU/NZ get that, as social programs, I think, will support abled bodied, unemployed citizens. Not where I would want my tax $$$ to go.

Edited July 31Jul 31 by KhunLA

1 hour ago, hotandsticky said:

I try to ensure that my wife would ALWAYS qualify for such schemes.

That is the key. The way Thai tax laws are set up my wife's income falls in line, but they have a very strange way of calculating taxes. Commissions create a loophole area.

2 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Tourists should expect to be paying customers but Thailand in general offers very little in the way of rights to legal long term residents (if you don't have permanent residence).

If you want to compare to a country that does, look at France.

France expects its' residents to contribute through tax and other means to the country, something that many Western long-term residents of Thailand seem to object to.

3 hours ago, marin said:

For the last few months we have been enjoying the "Thai Help Thai's" program initiated by the present government. You pay 40% for you food products from the local markets and the government pays 60%.

With pork fillets at 150 baht a kilo and less you take home a kilo of nice lean pork for 60B, chicken tenders and breasts are also a great value. 85-90 baht per kilo down to less than 40. Not only for dinners but I have been roasting both and creating great sandwiches, as all the produce is also 60% off.

Yeah you have to have a Thai wife or girlfriend to buy it, but come on what a savings!! Most of us do anyway.

Just made up a chicken salad wrap.

Hats off, sir. That (those?) is a rather elegant chicken wrap. My wraps usually end up looking like thin open sandwiches😁

2 hours ago, KhunLA said:

I don't expect any country, USA included, though glad it would, to support me, at any time in my life, with housing, food or medical care, if really needed.

Part of your birth rite, and Yanks are happy to help legal Yanks, when sh!t happens.

But not because, 'I or you chose' not to work or earn a living, expecting to be taken care of. Something wrong with that picture. Get some self respect and a job & support yourself.

In USA, most states, you need a reason to be subsidized or taken care of, usually inability to work. My tax $$$ at work, a good thing. Don't mind helping, though have seen that system abused. e.g. ... mother with kids, having BF living in subsidized house, with food & healthcare bennies, when earning more than enough to be disqualified. Just not married, or income earner reported as residing there.

Other, abled bodied, working age folks not wanting to work, so hit the streets for hand outs. Prefer my tax $$$ not go to support them. So off to sanctuary cities & states they go.

Don't think leftist citizens of UK, EU, AU/NZ get that, as social programs, I think, will support abled bodied, unemployed citizens. Not where I would want my tax $$$ to go.

Straw man garbage

28 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Straw man garbage

This is an invalid rebuttal. Please explain yourself.

1 minute ago, SOMEB0DY said:

This is an invalid rebuttal. Please explain yourself.

No.

5 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Yes, Thailand welcomes all foreigners to enjoy all there is to in and about Thailand. Whether short or long holiday, or even wishing to retire in Thailand. There are many visas options and paths to do so.

All are welcome ..... IF ...

1. You get the proper visa & honor it's rules

2. Have enough money to support your holiday

3. Have enough money to support your retirement

4. Don't provide false info for your visa

5. Have health insurance or funds to cover medical issues

6. Obey the laws

7. Don't use drugs, including marijuana illegal

8. Don't drink & drive, please use public trans or apps

9. Learn and respect Thai culture

10. Don't set up an illegal nominee business with no intent to be a business

11. Use that uncommon common sense

12. Don't do anything in TH, you wouldn't do in your home country.

ENJOY

Which is perfectly fair and sensible. Yet many will argue...

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Tourists should expect to be paying customers but Thailand in general offers very little in the way of rights to legal long term residents (if you don't have permanent residence).

If you want to compare to a country that does, look at France.

France would be the last place in the west I would live. The United States is the only country in the west I would ever consider living or going back to live. Thailand, Japan and Korea all appealing, but I’m only eligible to live in Thailand and Japan.

1 minute ago, ronnie50 said:

Which is perfectly fair and sensible. Yet many will argue...

Yea, criminals or lazy layabouts that think a country owes them something.

7 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

No.

Ok then whatever be that way

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Tourists should expect to be paying customers but Thailand in general offers very little in the way of rights to legal long term residents (if you don't have permanent residence).

If you want to compare to a country that does, look at France.

their country, their rules, they owe you nothing

6 minutes ago, SOMEB0DY said:

The United States is the only country in the west I would ever consider living or going back to live

the best place to live as long as you dont mind driving.

33 minutes ago, SOMEB0DY said:

Ok then whatever be that way

If you aren't a native English speaker, PM me and I will explain.

Otherwise, you should have easily understood the meaning by context.

29 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

their country, their rules, they owe you nothing

the best place to live as long as you dont mind driving.

The brainwashing really worked on you, huh?

38 minutes ago, SOMEB0DY said:

France would be the last place in the west I would live. The United States is the only country in the west I would ever consider living or going back to live. Thailand, Japan and Korea all appealing, but I’m only eligible to live in Thailand and Japan.

France would be really great if it wasn't for the French.