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

[thaigene2]

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.

While I don't disagree with your nationlistic premise, Singapore isn't a good example. It's a small city-state with scarcity of land. Thailand is a massive country with thousands of kilometres of beachfront. I think your argument is really more to do with a 'perception' that foreigns are 'buying up all of thailand'.

[ade100]

OK, take another example: Where I used to live on the French Riviera. Traditionally thought of as the playground of the rich but the underlying economy was actually very poor. With the EU making foreign investment very easy, the region was awash with Italians, Russians, Brits, Scandinavians, etc. buying second homes, mooring their boats and coming for holidays.

For the local people there were winners and losers. Many benefited from the foreign investment by maybe selling a few acres of farm land to property developers for a huge sum or setting up a business to cash in on the tourists and second home owners. However the average Frenchy was not happy. They were seeing rents and house prices go through the roof so that they could hardly afford to live. When I was there they came close to voting in a National Front Government.

So the same applies to Thailand. If, as was stated in the OP, a government were to “make it easier for foreigners to buy and live here year round”. There would most likely be a boom in house prices, a dramatic increase in foreign investment and strong economic growth. However, many Thais would loose out, feel bitter and turn against the government. The question is what would be the consequences for the government and Thailand as a whole?

Personally, I don’t now whether its morally wrong or right but I suspect that globalisation and the dictatorship of market forces will prevail. It’s only a matter of time before foreigners will be able to buy land and live in Thailand without much hassle from immigration. How much time, I don’t know.

[Livinginexile]

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

Exactly

If you have big money and are willing to invest here you are more than welcome.

We are not talking millions, but we are talking 300k +

Farangs buying the family farm and renovating it is not a Thai investment.

Ur giving your money away and Thai's know this so why give you a permanent visa?

Invest a few million baht in the Kingdom (not in your wife and inlaws future) and ur visa problems are solved.

Most western countries are the same, owning cheap property does not grant u ongoing or permanent residency.

[marshbags]

Simple answer, no confusion at all......................

NEVER HAPPEN, Unless they come up with a system to rake in extra expat millions while restricting their ownership of any such purchases to be returned to the Thai authorites.

Typically double edged Thai Law Style.

Would you be sucked in ??????? I wouldn,ttttttttttttttttt

marshbags

Edited January 20, 2008 by marshbags

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

It seems to me the governments first responsibility is to it's citizens. There is no advantage to Thailand to have farangs come here to attempt to live as cheap as they possible can. They use roads, power, water and provide very little in return. If you can't bring $$ into the country why should they encourage you to live here. As far as land ownership goes sure it would be great to be able to own the land you live on. Hawaii was a paradise with very happy natives in the 50's, then over the years it was sold off to the Japanese for big bucks and now the natives cannot afford to buy property there. They are not a happy people. The same thing could happen to Thailand.

Fiji got it right, they designated roughly 10% of the land to be freehold. Anyone can buy it and own it legally. The value of that land can skyrocket in price while land nearby stays at a very afordable price to the locals. The remaining 90% can only be owned by Fiji natives, although you can lease it if the local village gives it approval.

It would seem that this would work in Thailand but I doubt they will be willing to part with even 1% of the land. I think we will still be looking for a change in the laws 10 or 20 years from now. Just my opinion.

[ray08]

It seems to me the governments first responsibility is to it's citizens. There is no advantage to Thailand to have farangs come here to attempt to live as cheap as they possible can. They use roads, power, water and provide very little in return. If you can't bring $$ into the country why should they encourage you to live here. As far as land ownership goes sure it would be great to be able to own the land you live on. Hawaii was a paradise with very happy natives in the 50's, then over the years it was sold off to the Japanese for big bucks and now the natives cannot afford to buy property there. They are not a happy people. The same thing could happen to Thailand.

Fiji got it right, they designated roughly 10% of the land to be freehold. Anyone can buy it and own it legally. The value of that land can skyrocket in price while land nearby stays at a very afordable price to the locals. The remaining 90% can only be owned by Fiji natives, although you can lease it if the local village gives it approval.

It would seem that this would work in Thailand but I doubt they will be willing to part with even 1% of the land. I think we will still be looking for a change in the laws 10 or 20 years from now. Just my opinion.

The laws in Thailand in regard to foreign investment and property ownership are very outdated , look at developed nations with more open laws and see where the people have a higher stanndard of living ,What has been happening in Thailand has not worked , poor people are still poor , maybe time to change the rules a bit and open up to world , just as thailand loves to export to bring in foreign wealth ,maybe it should also more openly accept investment and more relaxed laws on foreign land ownership.this will of course not happen soon ,but eventually it will happen or Thailand will be left behind the rest of Asia

[cclub75]

Hawaii was a paradise with very happy natives in the 50's, then over the years it was sold off to the Japanese for big bucks and now the natives cannot afford to buy property there. They are not a happy people. The same thing could happen to Thailand.

Unlikely, because :

Hawaii = 10 400 km2

Thailand = 511 700 km2

Same with Singapore, HK. As land is concerned, there is no point to compare these islands, with a country like Thailand...

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

Hawaii has about 120 people per sq km and Thailand has about 123 people per sq km. Looks comparable to me.

[Lilawadee]

Hawaii has about 120 people per sq km and Thailand has about 123 people per sq km. Looks comparable to me.

How much of that surface is usable land though, compared to Thailand? Isn't Hawaii mostly big vulcanic mountains and stuff?

[backflip]

"...look at developed nations with more open laws and see where the people have a higher stanndard of living..."

Which Asian country allows foreigners to buy and control land directly?

[thaigene2]

"...look at developed nations with more open laws and see where the people have a higher stanndard of living..."

Which Asian country allows foreigners to buy and control land directly?

Malaysia (for a start). Up to two homes (freehold or leashold) worth minimum RM 150,000 (each).

Link: http://malaysiamysecondhome.malaxi.com/mal...e-question.html

[quiksilva]

It seems to me the governments first responsibility is to it's citizens. There is no advantage to Thailand to have farangs come here to attempt to live as cheap as they possible can. They use roads, power, water and provide very little in return. If you can't bring $$ into the country why should they encourage you to live here. As far as land ownership goes sure it would be great to be able to own the land you live on. Hawaii was a paradise with very happy natives in the 50's, then over the years it was sold off to the Japanese for big bucks and now the natives cannot afford to buy property there. They are not a happy people. The same thing could happen to Thailand.

Fiji got it right, they designated roughly 10% of the land to be freehold. Anyone can buy it and own it legally. The value of that land can skyrocket in price while land nearby stays at a very afordable price to the locals. The remaining 90% can only be owned by Fiji natives, although you can lease it if the local village gives it approval.

It would seem that this would work in Thailand but I doubt they will be willing to part with even 1% of the land. I think we will still be looking for a change in the laws 10 or 20 years from now. Just my opinion.

The laws in Thailand in regard to foreign investment and property ownership are very outdated , look at developed nations with more open laws and see where the people have a higher stanndard of living ,What has been happening in Thailand has not worked , poor people are still poor , maybe time to change the rules a bit and open up to world , just as thailand loves to export to bring in foreign wealth ,maybe it should also more openly accept investment and more relaxed laws on foreign land ownership.this will of course not happen soon ,but eventually it will happen or Thailand will be left behind the rest of Asia

Left behind who? Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam? None of which offer foreigners the right to own land.

OK Malaysia, a lovely place if it wasn't for recurring stories like this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6228125.stm

Its a year old but that wont be the last one.

[ray08]

It seems to me the governments first responsibility is to it's citizens. There is no advantage to Thailand to have farangs come here to attempt to live as cheap as they possible can. They use roads, power, water and provide very little in return. If you can't bring $$ into the country why should they encourage you to live here. As far as land ownership goes sure it would be great to be able to own the land you live on. Hawaii was a paradise with very happy natives in the 50's, then over the years it was sold off to the Japanese for big bucks and now the natives cannot afford to buy property there. They are not a happy people. The same thing could happen to Thailand.

Fiji got it right, they designated roughly 10% of the land to be freehold. Anyone can buy it and own it legally. The value of that land can skyrocket in price while land nearby stays at a very afordable price to the locals. The remaining 90% can only be owned by Fiji natives, although you can lease it if the local village gives it approval.

It would seem that this would work in Thailand but I doubt they will be willing to part with even 1% of the land. I think we will still be looking for a change in the laws 10 or 20 years from now. Just my opinion.

The laws in Thailand in regard to foreign investment and property ownership are very outdated , look at developed nations with more open laws and see where the people have a higher stanndard of living ,What has been happening in Thailand has not worked , poor people are still poor , maybe time to change the rules a bit and open up to world , just as thailand loves to export to bring in foreign wealth ,maybe it should also more openly accept investment and more relaxed laws on foreign land ownership.this will of course not happen soon ,but eventually it will happen or Thailand will be left behind the rest of Asia

Left behind who? Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam? None of which offer foreigners the right to own land.

OK Malaysia, a lovely place if it wasn't for recurring stories like this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6228125.stm

Its a year old but that wont be the last one.

In regards to investment , Hong Kong leaves thailand way behind, 100% company ownership and favourable taxes, Singapore lower taxes ,my point is that Thailand still has a over protective attidude to foreign investment and even immigration laws for the people investing ,currency controls etc, made worse by the coup granted ,I think one would agree a more open attitude would only bring in more money into the country,

[ade100]

It seems to me the governments first responsibility is to it's citizens. There is no advantage to Thailand to have farangs come here to attempt to live as cheap as they possible can. They use roads, power, water and provide very little in return. If you can't bring $ into the country why should they encourage you to live here. As far as land ownership goes sure it would be great to be able to own the land you live on. Hawaii was a paradise with very happy natives in the 50's, then over the years it was sold off to the Japanese for big bucks and now the natives cannot afford to buy property there. They are not a happy people. The same thing could happen to Thailand.

Fiji got it right, they designated roughly 10% of the land to be freehold. Anyone can buy it and own it legally. The value of that land can skyrocket in price while land nearby stays at a very afordable price to the locals. The remaining 90% can only be owned by Fiji natives, although you can lease it if the local village gives it approval.

It would seem that this would work in Thailand but I doubt they will be willing to part with even 1% of the land. I think we will still be looking for a change in the laws 10 or 20 years from now. Just my opinion.

The laws in Thailand in regard to foreign investment and property ownership are very outdated , look at developed nations with more open laws and see where the people have a higher stanndard of living ,What has been happening in Thailand has not worked , poor people are still poor , maybe time to change the rules a bit and open up to world , just as thailand loves to export to bring in foreign wealth ,maybe it should also more openly accept investment and more relaxed laws on foreign land ownership.this will of course not happen soon ,but eventually it will happen or Thailand will be left behind the rest of Asia

Left behind who? Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam? None of which offer foreigners the right to own land.

OK Malaysia, a lovely place if it wasn't for recurring stories like this:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6228125.stm

Its a year old but that wont be the last one.

Not true old chap. In Singapore its pretty easy to become a PR and then you have the right to own land, not that there's a whole lot to own in Singapore...

[dressedingreen]

I seem to remember a similar attitude from the rank and file in the UK not too many years ago. "Coming over here ... taking all our jobs". Similar eruptions in Europe from time to time since WW2. And fortress Europe is difficult enough to get into, even for a few weeks vacation, especially if you're from outside the favored few countries. It's not a Thai problem, or even an Asian problem. It's an international problem. As a species, we're still too close to the clan mentality. Politicians, of course, will always use whatever they have to to get into/stay in power.

DIG

[ilyushin]

It will only become more difficult to live here regardless of the government. Long term stay will be difficult for anyone with PR.

Visas for continued stay will become more difficult to apply for and also renew.

[mouse]

I am so tired of the complaining about Thai Immigration policies, property rights etc. Don't like it go home, or did you forget where that was?

As a farang in Thailand I must agree with the Thai Government's policies of both the past and very likely of future policies, in trying to clean up and control who lives and invests in Thailand. Take a look around the area of Thailand you live in.........How many farang come from questionable backgrounds, i.e. those with criminal convictions, non convicted criminals, child molestors, those working without work permits, those that insist on operating under the radar, to avoid taxation in one country or another and the many other less than desirable people, that are not even wanted in their own countries. Why should Thailand tolerate being used as a trash heap for these type of people.

I am tired of the endless drunks, the sexual predetors and other low lifes, that come here from whereever. In some cases there are loosers that sleep on park benches when home in places like London or Frankfurt, yet live here with total immunity while at th same time flaunting the rules set by the Thai people for controlling their acess to this wonderful country.

Certainly I do not speak to the majority, of which many have lived here, some for years, paid their required fees, met all requirements and also succumed to the taxation and work permit rules. I say good on them. Get rid of the farang trash and we should all stop complaining about policies designed to keep life here simple, clean and the Paradise it has always been!

My flame recepticle has been activated.