I recently renewed my Retirement Visa in Pattaya for the 6th time. I have visited the Immigration office in Jomtien and the old office in Pattaya many times and I always try the best I can to comply with the letter of the law. Since I "know the drill" now it is usually easy and I can get out of the place with a minimun of problems or delays.

But....I must ask...why do I only see Westerners (Europeans, Americans etc.) in the Thai Immigration Office. I never see Indian, Pakistani, African or other Asians going through the process. Are they exempt??? Do they have a different procedure or fall under different laws or perhaps some kind of "backdoor" procedures. Hey, don't get me wrong...I really don't miss standing in line behind them (phew) but why are some "falangs" subjected to the full procedure and others not????? Are they subject to the same rules???

Probably the "other" people just cannot meet the financial requirements, or do not choose to live in Pattaya?

I seriously doubt that there are special procedures for them.

Apart from a few South Africans, do we have any retirees from India, Africa or Asia here in the forum??

I suspect not, but will be interested to hear from them.