Do You Count Yourself As A Permanent Resident Of Thailand

[Oberkommando]

Permanent residency means you have the right to abide in Thailand forever.

Without that right, granted by the Government of Thailand and the Immigration Police, and to which there are strict quotas per year, then you are simply not in any way a permanent resident, regardless of how long you have already spent here, social status or what you'd care to believe.

The only thing that really matters is your rights according to the law (isn't that ironic in Thailand) and if you are on a Non-Imm you don't have any as regards to residing here on a permanent basis.

[jumnien]

Thailand and its predominant religion has taught me the truth of impermanence. Permanence is a delusion we grasp at desperately in our vain attempts to escape the reality of dhamma.

I am not a resident of my native country (USA) and enjoy great tax advantages because of that; that excites me!

[villagefarang]

"Regardless of...what you'd care to believe...the only thing that really matters"

You just have to admire the clarity of the simple mind. Black or white and nothing in between. Rules are rules. Must be nice, not having to think for yourself.

[BEENTHEREDONETHAT]

I'm not a permanent resident but it is my permanent address and I have no other. Every 90 days I have to tell them I haven't moved, and every year I have to show I am alive and still have enough baht to live on. Plan to keep doing that until they holler uncle.

If they said I had to leave I have no idea where I would move to. Guess I'll worry about that when the time comes.

[G54]

I cannot buy land here so would never consider myself here permanently. Not a farm or anything, but enough land to build 1 house to live in without threat of it being taken over by a wife or the government or army and be able to sell it if I wish would make me feel more permanent.

[Oberkommando]

"Regardless of...what you'd care to believe...the only thing that really matters"

You just have to admire the clarity of the simple mind. Black or white and nothing in between. Rules are rules. Must be nice, not having to think for yourself.

As I pointed out, in the eyes of the law, it doesn't matter what you think.

Just because you think that you have the right to live here means nothing if you do not actually have that right!

And you are spot on when it comes to the simple mind of the Thai Immigration Police, it is certainly black and white, and rules are rules, especially when it comes to the rights (or lack thereof) of Westerners in their country, and the enforcement of those rules.

A delicious irony that escapes the deluded.

[MJo]

I legally stay, work, and raise a family in Thailand. I would say that I'm resident here. Mind you, if the more worldly-wise people on Thaivisa feel that I'm deluding myself then I can live with that. At the end of the day though, it would be hard for me to think of a less trivial accusation. I personally couldn't give a flying tuk-tuk how people who stay here choose to view themselves be it visitor, resident, native...Life is too short.

Well said !

I do feel i'm a resident in thailand, i have an apartment that i call home, i raise my family here own a car have bank account etc etc.

However on paper i guess i do not qualify. I sometimes hold non imm visa sometimes only 30 day stamp at the airport. Forms related to home country i have to write down my address back there, forms in Thailand i usually have to state my address here. I also hold work permit in Singapore and Indonesia but Thailand is what i call home where i spend time as much as possible.

Then again as you said, who cares

[beano2274]

If you report every 90days then you are on a NON IMM visa, so not a permanent resident.

I also would love to own land and build on it, but I cannot do that.

[churchill]

I said No - although I have a Thai wife and daughter and I hope to live here for many years - I would always want to maintain links to the UK or Europe as that is where I truely feel at home and is where my roots are - even though the roots are getting longer .

[Oberkommando]

I legally stay, work, and raise a family in Thailand. I would say that I'm resident here. Mind you, if the more worldly-wise people on Thaivisa feel that I'm deluding myself then I can live with that. At the end of the day though, it would be hard for me to think of a less trivial accusation. I personally couldn't give a flying tuk-tuk how people who stay here choose to view themselves be it visitor, resident, native...Life is too short.

Well said !

I do feel i'm a resident in thailand, i have an apartment that i call home, i raise my family here own a car have bank account etc etc.

However on paper i guess i do not qualify. I sometimes hold non imm visa sometimes only 30 day stamp at the airport. Forms related to home country i have to write down my address back there, forms in Thailand i usually have to state my address here. I also hold work permit in Singapore and Indonesia but Thailand is what i call home where i spend time as much as possible.

Then again as you said, who cares

I would certainly care if I had valuable assets and a family in a country where I had no rights to reside permanently.

As GH points out, the indigence of certain members on this thread is a telling factor.

[villagefarang]

Don't see how any theoretical right has any impact on the fact that I have indeed lived here and thrived for most of my life. All this silliness about rights. Life is not fair and nothing is guaranteed. But I have also found that the art of living is not all that difficult for those who can manipulate their environment and are not confined by the simple framework of a simple mind. Think outside the box. Its really not that difficult.

[Oberkommando]

Don't see how any theoretical right has any impact on the fact that I have indeed lived here and thrived for most of my life. All this silliness about rights. Life is not fair and nothing is guaranteed. But I have also found that the art of living is not all that difficult for those who can manipulate their environment and are not confined by the simple framework of a simple mind. Think outside the box. Its really not that difficult.

There is nothing "theoretical" about your rights of abode in Thailand.

And again, because you are obviously not getting it, you are not a permanent resident; i.e. you have no rights to permanently abide in Thailand.

Just because you have managed to stay long term in Thailand, and let's be honest, it is very simple to do so for Westerners, and even taking into account time served, doesn't mean anything as to regards your rights.

I can see why you remain indigent though, with so much time and effort invested and to come to the realisation that you don't actually have any rights to remain in Thailand permanently really must be a source of constant worry, frustration and anguish.

[villagefarang]

Don't see how any theoretical right has any impact on the fact that I have indeed lived here and thrived for most of my life. All this silliness about rights. Life is not fair and nothing is guaranteed. But I have also found that the art of living is not all that difficult for those who can manipulate their environment and are not confined by the simple framework of a simple mind. Think outside the box. Its really not that difficult.

There is nothing "theoretical" about your rights of abode in Thailand.

And again, because you are obviously not getting it, you are not a permanent resident; i.e. you have no rights to permanently abide in Thailand.

Just because you have managed to stay long term in Thailand, and let's be honest, it is very simple to do so for Westerners, and even taking into account time served, doesn't mean anything as to regards your rights.

I can see why you remain indigent though, with so much time and effort invested and to come to the realization that you don't actually have any rights to remain in Thailand permanently really must be a source of constant worry, frustration and anguish.

...And my demeanor is one of worry, frustration and anguish? Now I know your just being silly.

Edited May 31, 2009 by villagefarang

[MJo]

I would certainly care if I had valuable assets and a family in a country where I had no rights to reside permanently.

As GH points out, the indigence of certain members on this thread is a telling factor.

Valuable and valuable... would not kill me to left couple of mil to my kid or my wife if and when she decides to recycle me or if i drop dead tomorrow. And i actually can legally stay here permanently by getting an extension based on marriage. I do not live in constant fear of being deported by evil thai government. I'm fairly sure they are not out to get me and i sleep quite well and without any medication

And if everything goes down to drain there is plenty of countries to move including back home to europe. Will take about a week to find a place to stay, purchase a car and set up accounts etc... H..l move to Phils and within a week you can start a new family if needed.

I take you then only come here for short holidays heavily insured ?

[beano2274]

Lets try and be civilized about this.

Yes we could all, at the drop of a hat, be sent packing from Thailand.

[Scott]

I am a long-term resident, but not a permanent resident. I have no delusions. I have a country and as Robert Frost (I thingit was) once said: "Home is where when you have to go there, they have to take you."

I don't think a lot of people look at their stay here realistically. So the "Thai family" suddenly deserts you, due to divorce, death or whatever. Where do you go? When the money is low and the immigration no longer allows you to stay--where do you go? When you end up with some long-term illness and don't have the resources for medical care, then what? We saw the fall in the GBP had a pretty negative effect on a lot of folks.

I may end of spending my whole life, but I always remember, it won't take much for the gov't to make sure I go packing. With foreigners, you can bet that the Kingdom is definitely a 'fair weather friend.'

[garro]

I think the attitude of some posters on this thread is a bit, well...pathetic really. Why are posters so concerned with lecturing others about who has the right to call themselves what? Why not leave it to Thai immigration to decide who stays and who doesn't; they seem to manage quite well without the need from the 'expert' opinions of the posters here. This curtain-twitching type of behaviour is one of the least attractive that humans exhibit.

Edited May 31, 2009 by garro

[ivowatson]

I finally get it.

Some don't like it that some are not worried and frustrated as they are.

So, could everybody please live in fear.

[garro]

I finally get it.

Some don't like it that some are not worried and frustrated as they are.

So, could everybody please live in fear.

Any sense of security people have anywhere is only illusion. It can all be taking away in an instant. Ask the people born in England who were suddenly whisked off to other countries under rendition. Laws change, governments change, but at the end of the day it is up to ourselves to decide what we are.

[thaimate]

you are a" resident" if you live somewhere ,i am not "resident" in Britain as i no longer live there ,my home is in Thailand ,therefore i am a "resident" if i leave and go back to live in Britain then i will be a "resident " there .

what a stupid discussion.

[SMEEERE]

Well to me a permanent resident is one that dosent need a visa, so as the thais do not see me as a permanant fixture nor do i ..

[SMEEERE]

i think we are permenant residents of the country that issued our passport arent we ?. im sure if i were in trouble in another country whilst visiting it wouldnt be the thai embassy that id call, i know what they would say,.

Edited May 31, 2009 by SMEEERE

[SMEEERE]

Ive been in thailand 8 years and am still an alien on a visa, my wife and daughter were in the uk for 2 years and have PR status for the uk,ill never feel i "belong" in thailand til they say i dont need a visa,.

[Geekfreaklover]

i think we are permenant residents of the country that issued our passport arent we ?. im sure if i were in trouble in another country whilst visiting it wouldnt be the thai embassy that id call, i know what they would say,.

I think that's citizenship, but I know what you mean.

[Moonrakers]

you are a" resident" if you live somewhere ,i am not "resident" in Britain as i no longer live there ,my home is in Thailand ,therefore i am a "resident" if i leave and go back to live in Britain then i will be a "resident " there .

what a stupid discussion.

It is not as simple as that where immigration concerned. A Thai, for example, cannot just go to the UK and say "OK, I live here now", there are procedures to follow.

If you stay in a Koh Samet hotel for the weekend does it mean that it is your residence? No it doesn't does it as your residence is your home. The same principle applies, only not as simplified.

You should think twice before suggesting that somebody is stupid. Not only is it unnecessary, it could also backfire on you.

[SMEEERE]

i think we are permenant residents of the country that issued our passport arent we ?. im sure if i were in trouble in another country whilst visiting it wouldnt be the thai embassy that id call, i know what they would say,.

I think that's citizenship, but I know what you mean.

im fairly comfortable on a retirement visa here, however im ready to pack if told to,.

[beano2274]

you are a" resident" if you live somewhere ,i am not "resident" in Britain as i no longer live there ,my home is in Thailand ,therefore i am a "resident" if i leave and go back to live in Britain then i will be a "resident " there .

what a stupid discussion.

Obviously it is not stupid as you replied to it....

So you are a resident of Thailand in your opinion, do you have to get a visa or extension to stay here? When you fill out forms at the Embassy for a passport or other things, which address do you enter when it states Permanent address?

Do you vote? by proxy, then you are a resident of England.

My permanent address is in England and my Current address is in Thailand.

Edited May 31, 2009 by beano2274

[BigSnake]

Just out of curiosity I would like to ask the Question.

If you live here, do you consider you are a permanent Resident or not?

In another topic this was discussed, when you fill in a form, what is your permanent residence, is it your home country or Thailand (I don't mean those with PR), I mean the teachers and the other workers.

If you vote in your home country then that is your permanent address, IMHO.

If you have a Visa or Extension to stay in Thailand then again you are not a permanent resident of Thailand, this being my opinion.

What do you think?

Have a year to year extension for 17 years but legal as you stated I cannot be call a permaneny resident of Thailand, hmmmmm!!

[JUDAS]

When I lived in Ireland I didn't think of it as the place of my permanent residence, nor when I lived in England, though I hold passports which give me every right to live there.

Now, after living in Thailand for 10 years, this is my home, my place of residence. I have a wife, family, employees etc here and pay taxes like a good "citizen." I really don't care what label is applied, but this is my home and I see no reason why that would change in the foreseeable future, unless off course I listen to all the prophets foretelling the imminent demise of foreigners ability to legally remain here.

[abdulrahman]

I voted:not sure.

For Thailand I'm not a Permanent Resident without PR.

For my Country I am resident in Thailand;my main and only address is here,lost same benefits (won same others)because of that.

Expat?the same problem:I considered myself an Expat for many years when working outside my Country,now that I'm retired,not sure.

TiT If and when a problem develop,will deal with it!