A New Government - A New Policy To Foreigners In Thailand?

[thaigene2]

It's an uncomfortable question - and one that evokes a lot of attention. You can buy a place here - but you can't live here year round, but for stridently controlled circumstances. Would you be more/less inclined to buy if they made it easier to assure your right to enjoy the property year round? Malaysia for example offers ten year visas to those who buy a place there - not Thailand - you get 6 months max!

[thaigene2]

By the way, sorry, I realize there is a flaw in this poll - since you could vote for a couple of questions. So perhaps just vote for what looks like the best answer. Again, sorry there should be other responses - a bit of a novice with the poll thing..

[Maestro]

…I realize there is a flaw in this poll…

You are right. One should be able to vote for one of the “if PPP” questions and one of the “if Democrat” questions. The way it is structured now makes no sense at all.

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Maestro

[thaigene2]

…I realize there is a flaw in this poll…

You are right. One should be able to vote for one of the “if PPP” questions and one of the “if Democrat” questions. The way it is structured now makes no sense at all.

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Maestro

Yep - is there a way to fix this? and add other resonses? Couldn't find a way to 'preview' either. Think it still tells us 'something' though not as good or accurate as it might have.

[cclub75]

Interesting poll... But too early.

We need to know what will be the government, to be able to answer.

Because at that point, we have too many options (PPP, Demo, elections cancelled, PPP dissolved, coalition, re-run, new coup etc.).

[Maestro]

Yep - is there a way to fix this?

I am no wizard at creating polls but had a go at it and with the four questions you had it should now work. Somebody who has not yet voted should test it.

You needed two poll questions, one for PPP and one for Democrat, and multiple poll choices with only one possible choice for each poll question.

An alternative might have been – but I am not sure – a question like “Will the new govermnent, if PPP, make...” plus YES and NO tick boxes, then the same for Democrat.

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Maestro

[PhilHarries]

Personally I don't think it will make any difference who forms the government. Farang ownership of property and residency rights are so far down the "to do" list as to be non existant. It has been stated elsewhere that tourism accounts for 6% of Thailand's GDP, well what proportion of that 6% comes from long term, non working, expats? Okay, if they relax the visa rules that figure rises but IMO not significantly so unless they allow farangs to own land and the xenophobes will whip up the masses against even a token effort on that front. There is a possibility that the Democrats may reintroduce the investment visa but don't expect that TRT morph, namely the PPP, to change what their master has set in stone.

[PeaceBlondie]

I agree with PhilHarries, above. Our concerns as farang are not even on their radar screen, either party; xenophobia is far more important. No need to get our hopes up. Annual visa extensions, no more. The land is for the Thais. Just give her the land, give her the money, and leave her some babies.

[johnnyk]

Exactly, very far down the radar screen and nothing to be gained by any Thai politician.

If politicos stood to gain from making life easier for falangs they would be all over it.

Samesame as pols everywhere else - what's in it for them is the only relevant question.

[Naam]

I think the current poll results are in reverse. And.... the PPP politicos would be more than happy to get all that cashola that is racked in in Malayasia with their "My Second Home" program and the current retirement situation in the P.I. Both countries offer far better programs, especially since thailand has no program but a bunch of hoops and as of late more increased restrictions for those on the shadier side of residence. However, the subisitance economy v increased interest in outside investment will prevail, I hope.

That being said there are more restictions on getting into the Malay programs but once you are in there are like 10 visas etc. I like Filipino Fillies but the place is just oo dangerous. Yo, stay at the Manderin Oriental and have to be worried about getting back the short trip from Bourgous Street. Mai Ow. I'll stay with the Pooying Sua Jing Jing and good old LOS. The whole of S. E. Asia is " A sunny place for shady people"

your posting seems to prove your theory

[Prakanong]

Personally I don't think it will make any difference who forms the government. Farang ownership of property and residency rights are so far down the "to do" list as to be non existant. It has been stated elsewhere that tourism accounts for 6% of Thailand's GDP, well what proportion of that 6% comes from long term, non working, expats? Okay, if they relax the visa rules that figure rises but IMO not significantly so unless they allow farangs to own land and the xenophobes will whip up the masses against even a token effort on that front. There is a possibility that the Democrats may reintroduce the investment visa but don't expect that TRT morph, namely the PPP, to change what their master has set in stone.

Spot on - no pressure or need in their eyes to change any current rules.

People in the position alluded to by the poll do not even appear on the radar.

Now if was a question about opening up the economy to foreign firms and allowing different patterns of ownership and investment a new govt might have idea's about that one way or another.

But for the visa runner - nope

[think_too_mut]

I agree with PhilHarries, above. Our concerns as farang are not even on their radar screen, either party; xenophobia is far more important. No need to get our hopes up. Annual visa extensions, no more. The land is for the Thais. Just give her the land, give her the money, and leave her some babies.

I watched 1000 kids at my daughter's school lined up 8am and singing Thai national anthem, it includes something like "every inch of Thai land belongs to Thais".

They do that routinely, every day before classess. You should feel the enthusiasm they sing it with. Generations have been through that during their school years.

NEVER EVER will Thais allow foreigners to own land there. It is above any political party.

With bare eye you can see the situation for foreigners deteriorating over last 2 years.

[quiksilva]

Personally I don't think it will make any difference who forms the government. Farang ownership of property and residency rights are so far down the "to do" list as to be non existant. It has been stated elsewhere that tourism accounts for 6% of Thailand's GDP, well what proportion of that 6% comes from long term, non working, expats? Okay, if they relax the visa rules that figure rises but IMO not significantly so unless they allow farangs to own land and the xenophobes will whip up the masses against even a token effort on that front. There is a possibility that the Democrats may reintroduce the investment visa but don't expect that TRT morph, namely the PPP, to change what their master has set in stone.

Spot on - no pressure or need in their eyes to change any current rules.

People in the position alluded to by the poll do not even appear on the radar.

Now if was a question about opening up the economy to foreign firms and allowing different patterns of ownership and investment a new govt might have idea's about that one way or another.

But for the visa runner - nope

Agreed. I cant see any reason for them to change.

[thaigene2]

Yep - is there a way to fix this?

I am no wizard at creating polls but had a go at it and with the four questions you had it should now work. Somebody who has not yet voted should test it.

You needed two poll questions, one for PPP and one for Democrat, and multiple poll choices with only one possible choice for each poll question.

An alternative might have been – but I am not sure – a question like “Will the new govermnent, if PPP, make...” plus YES and NO tick boxes, then the same for Democrat.

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Maestro

Great (or better anyway) - thank you.

[Naam]

what about a poll "will global warming and the changed sex life of antarctic penguins give farangs more rights in Thailand?"

p.s. no need to draw my attention to the fact that i am an alien male bitch. my Old Lady keeps on telling me that since many years

[johnnyk]

The penguins don't care about falangs either

[think_too_mut]

The reson that things will change is that the smell of money is clear.

It does not work that way in Thailand. Nothing will change. They don't give a <deleted> about the money that could come in that way.

Thaksin's government tried to get more money in by selling (miserably failed) Gold Card.

[thaihome]

The fact of the matter is the Thai government does not give a shit about the small farang businessman and probably understandably so, as they are way below the radar and are often just a pain in the ass.

Now, if you got a couple hundred million USD [or Euros] to invest, then you can own the property, get huge tax breaks and your foreign executives and specialist will get visas all day long for as long as they want.

Sorry folks, them are just the facts of life…

TH

[quiksilva]

TH is correct, although the sum is 100 million Baht (excluding the value of the property).

[backflip]

"The Gold Car, and I almost bought one..."

This isn't an automotive discussion thread.

[Gary A]

The only improvement we can hope for is easing the visa requirements. As far as a foreigner owning property other than a condo, it is NOT going to happen. To ease the visa requirements, many farangs would have to pull up stakes and leave. When the number of visas drop rather than increase we may see some action. I know many farangs Thailand could afford to lose. As for myself, I'm staying as long as possible.

[PhilHarries]

The only improvement we can hope for is easing the visa requirements. As far as a foreigner owning property other than a condo, it is NOT going to happen. To ease the visa requirements, many farangs would have to pull up stakes and leave. When the number of visas drop rather than increase we may see some action. I know many farangs Thailand could afford to lose. As for myself, I'm staying as long as possible.

Unfortunately the farangs Thailand could afford to lose are quite likely to be the last to go as nobody else but their home country will have them.

[Naam]

"The Gold Car, and I almost bought one..."

This isn't an automotive discussion thread.

but if you drive around in a Gold Car you get permanent residence and are allowed to buy one rai of land (i think).

[Crushdepth]

Thaksin's government tried to get more money in by selling (miserably failed) Gold Card.

And then there was their pathetic attempt to introduce capital controls on foreign investors (aka Evil Speculator Bastards Trying To Destroy Our Country), which had to be reversed after the market gave them the largest one day hiding in history. Let's face it, foreign investment isn't welcome in Thailand. That's not going to change anytime soon, and frankly why would you bother when there are stable, less risky and more profitable alternatives.

Just rent a property in Thailand and be happy, put your investments somewhere more sensible.

[chownah]

New gov....new policy on foreigners?....gee do you think they will have a new flag too, and a new currency, and change all the borders of all the provinces, and rename the country?

Chownah

[johnnyk]

New gov....new policy on foreigners?....gee do you think they will have a new flag too, and a new currency, and change all the borders of all the provinces, and rename the country?

Chownah

Any day now...

[Naam]

New gov....new policy on foreigners?....gee do you think they will have a new flag too, and a new currency, and change all the borders of all the provinces, and rename the country?

Chownah

Any day now...

but not on a weekend

[tattoodrob]

"The Gold Car, and I almost bought one..."

This isn't an automotive discussion thread.

but if you drive around in a Gold Car you get permanent residence and are allowed to buy one rai of land (i think).

if i had a gold car i think now would be a good time to weigh it in and sell it.....gold is at an alltime high i believe

[thaigene2]

New gov....new policy on foreigners?....gee do you think they will have a new flag too, and a new currency, and change all the borders of all the provinces, and rename the country?

Chownah

Who knows, they seem do it whenever it serves "their" purposes, jing la? chai mai, krap, peee?

[ade100]

First of all this has nothing to do with “farangs”.

Take a look at Singapore; it is much easier to live, work and buy property there. Consequently foreign money is flooding into the country, property prices have doubled in less than two years and the economy is booming (incidentally much of the money is not coming from Caucasians but from the Middle-East, Japan, India and China). However regular Singaporeans may be feeling squeezed out of the housing market but as 80% of them live in good quality government housing the situation is manageable.

Could Thailand deal with a similar situation? The property market being flooded by foreign investment, the economy booming but no place to live for regular Thais. I doubt it. It would lead to even more political instability. Also think of all the accountants, immigration officers, lawyers, agents, etc who are paid to allow foreigners to find loopholes in property laws and visa regulations. Jobs would be lost.

If anything is going to change it will be very slowly and will be through pressure from competing economies in the SE Asia region.