Law Prohibiting Marriage To Foreigners Over The Age Of 50 Proposed To Thai Cabinet

[brieno1955]

Has to be a huge amount of RED FACES...out there.still adding to it.... :D

[bannork]

Has to be a huge amount of RED FACES...out there.still adding to it.... :D

Moderators, please put these worked up and worried posters out of their misery.

I know the Agriculture Ministry is worried about the declining buffalo population in Thailand, but really they have no cause to worry, as seen on this thread there's plenty of the farang variety ready to replace them!

[Preman]

Well, .... I am going to now do my own research to see if this report is crap or not.

But.... I was under the assumption that Thai Visa worked / functioned on ethical rules.

If I find.... and indeed other people find that this was a BS .... post and an April fools joke. I do not think it is good for Thai Visa.

This should absolutely not happen. How can people trust you Thai Visa in the future,..... if you are going to allow this type of crap?

[Teddy3943]

If the so called "innocent" girl falls in love with a Thai man over 50 years old and marries him, would she be better off then falling in love with a foreign man over 50, who needs to have at least 400,000.- Baht in the bank?

Apart from this amount their household will need and spend much more on a yearly basis. I think the average farang spends at least over a million Baht per year in Thailand, which mostly comes from a pension or any other allowance from their country of origin. That means that all farangs together bring every year a very considerable amount of foreign currency into the economy of Thailand. Thailand will give us nothing in return, even if we are in great need. How can a person with a normal brain ever talks about the farangs being a burden to Thailand? The government should be ashamed, even to propose such a law which doesn't respect the free will of (young) adults.

If a Thai woman can marry a Thai man over 50 years old and is prohibit to marry a foreign man over 50 then this is a clear case of discrimination. Furthermore this proposed law shows poor thinking regarding human rights. Really underdeveloped civilization.

[jimbeam1]

Well, .... I am going to now do my own research to see if this report is crap or not.

But.... I was under the assumption that Thai Visa worked / functioned on ethical rules.

If I find.... and indeed other people find that this was a BS .... post and an April fools joke. I do not think it is good for Thai Visa.

This should absolutely not happen. How can people trust you Thai Visa in the future,..... if you are going to allow this type of crap?

I agree with you. I think the Mods should all be suspended for one month.

jb1

[Soutpeel]

Well, .... I am going to now do my own research to see if this report is crap or not.

But.... I was under the assumption that Thai Visa worked / functioned on ethical rules.

If I find.... and indeed other people find that this was a BS .... post and an April fools joke. I do not think it is good for Thai Visa.

This should absolutely not happen. How can people trust you Thai Visa in the future,..... if you are going to allow this type of crap?

IT IS BS... ....yesterday was 1st of April......bl**dy h*ll the longer this thread goes on....the lower IQ shown appears to be going......if stupidity increases with age I think the Thai goverment should impose a law like this...the avergage IQ of the country is low enough as it is without introducing more stupidity into the gene pool.... .

Personally think we should introduce a sense of humour test before being allowed to becoming a member of TV.....

[jdinasia]

Well, .... I am going to now do my own research to see if this report is crap or not.

But.... I was under the assumption that Thai Visa worked / functioned on ethical rules.

If I find.... and indeed other people find that this was a BS .... post and an April fools joke. I do not think it is good for Thai Visa.

This should absolutely not happen. How can people trust you Thai Visa in the future,..... if you are going to allow this type of crap?

you got all worked up .. labelled Thais as racist etc etc etc .. and now you are mad because your post looks silly? Pity Lots of people were caught out on this and almost to a man they started blaming all Thais, or the "elite" and went on and on. Perhaps you might want to take a look at your personal world-view and your views on Thailand and Thai people

[Logician]

Well, .... I am going to now do my own research to see if this report is crap or not.

But.... I was under the assumption that Thai Visa worked / functioned on ethical rules.

If I find.... and indeed other people find that this was a BS .... post and an April fools joke. I do not think it is good for Thai Visa.

This should absolutely not happen. How can people trust you Thai Visa in the future,..... if you are going to allow this type of crap?

'If you find out'??? Not only don't you know, but you're saying there is a chance you never will!

You should hook up with member 'Technikall' together maybe you can take them to task over this deceitful, betrayal of your trust. 'Wouldn't happen on the BBC'

[Logician]

I was about 51 when I met a lady named "A" on Soi Cowboy. She was nineteen. I enticed her into coming to live with me. A few years later we were married. She became pregnant almost immediately and we had a son. A few years later we broke up and she want back to working in Bangkok. She asked for, and got, a divorce. But the son is a fine boy, still has my name, now nine years old and doing well. He still lives with his sister and grandma; I see him almost every month.

Our marriage had nothing to do with getting a visa. Indeed, when the immigration police revealed that I had to have an untouchable 300,000 baht in the bank I told them "I don't have it, and if I did I would give it to her and she would buy rice fields." You could argue that the reason I never saved 300,000 baht was because whatever came in went to her.

Our marriage did not last, but, proud of our son, I can not call it a "failure".

Later I had a son with another lady, named "C". She and I never married. I give whatever child support I can afford to both of them.

Which is better off; "A" the divorcee or "C" the never-married?

Nothing lasts forever.

Children need more than pocket money and a man that drops in once a month!

It's people like you why this joke wasn't that funny, because it's a law that would do a lot of good to stop people like you doing things like that.

I can't tell you what I think of you and people like you, because I would be instantly banned.

I will just say that you make me want to vomit.

[timekeeper]

I wonder how some Thais might feel about this law?

Most, if not all, of the ones I have asked about it, thinks it's a joke. Typical Govt. grandstanding. The Thai's I talk to say, doesn't the govt. understand, that's it's farangs over 50, who have the nice retirement income which supports the Thai wife and most of her family. Most, not all, farangs under 50 haven't retired yet and even if you are, most govt. pensions don't kick in until your over 60, most times, over 65.

its is a joke

it was always a joke

its an APRIL FOOL

you talked to Thais about it?

jeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........

I regret to inform you all that timekeeper is in hospital.He split his head open after repeatedly banging it against a brick wall.

[Arkady]

I was about 51 when I met a lady named "A" on Soi Cowboy. She was nineteen. I enticed her into coming to live with me. A few years later we were married. She became pregnant almost immediately and we had a son. A few years later we broke up and she want back to working in Bangkok. She asked for, and got, a divorce. But the son is a fine boy, still has my name, now nine years old and doing well. He still lives with his sister and grandma; I see him almost every month.

Our marriage had nothing to do with getting a visa. Indeed, when the immigration police revealed that I had to have an untouchable 300,000 baht in the bank I told them "I don't have it, and if I did I would give it to her and she would buy rice fields." You could argue that the reason I never saved 300,000 baht was because whatever came in went to her.

Our marriage did not last, but, proud of our son, I can not call it a "failure".

Later I had a son with another lady, named "C". She and I never married. I give whatever child support I can afford to both of them.

Which is better off; "A" the divorcee or "C" the never-married?

Nothing lasts forever.

Children need more than pocket money and a man that drops in once a month!

It's people like you why this joke wasn't that funny, because it's a law that would do a lot of good to stop people like you doing things like that.

I can't tell you what I think of you and people like you, because I would be instantly banned.

I will just say that you make me want to vomit.

Unfortunately, a ridiculous law like that would not stop seedy middle aged men like Canfield from having unprotected sex with young Asian prostitutes. The fact that he might deign to visit the progeny of these ill fated liaisons occasionally, doesn't detract much from the fact that they are "look krueng" growing up without a father and without the affluence and international education that "look krueng" are expected to have in modern Thai society. The kids will just be looked at in the same way as the "look krueng" left behind with their prostitute mothers by American GIs in the 60s and 70s.

[Nawtier]

Which is better off; "A" the divorcee or "C" the never-married?

I would say they are both better off without you around.

[Insight]

Is it possible this thread could be closed? Some people need saving from themselves.

[Jezz]

With such a huge response in this tread, no doubt I've missed remarks about these following viewpoints.

How can the government claim that farangs who have 400,000 baht or less in the bank are a burden on the country? What about the amount of money provided by farangs with Thai partners towards housing, improving the lifestyle of the family, and numerous other 'donations'? What assistance would the government grant to farangs who have emergencies, financial problems, health problems, and find themselves in need of support? I think, 'Goodbye, up to you – or your Embassy, Consulate, family at home, or friends.' So where does 'being a problem in The Kingdom' fit in? When this 'Over 50' law takes effect, I repeat an earlier thought of possible knock-on measures; how long before the 800,000 for retirement, or 400,000 for marriage extension goes through the ceiling?

[mark45y]

I was about 51 when I met a lady named "A" on Soi Cowboy. She was nineteen. I enticed her into coming to live with me. A few years later we were married. She became pregnant almost immediately and we had a son. A few years later we broke up and she want back to working in Bangkok. She asked for, and got, a divorce. But the son is a fine boy, still has my name, now nine years old and doing well. He still lives with his sister and grandma; I see him almost every month.

Our marriage had nothing to do with getting a visa. Indeed, when the immigration police revealed that I had to have an untouchable 300,000 baht in the bank I told them "I don't have it, and if I did I would give it to her and she would buy rice fields." You could argue that the reason I never saved 300,000 baht was because whatever came in went to her.

Our marriage did not last, but, proud of our son, I can not call it a "failure".

Later I had a son with another lady, named "C". She and I never married. I give whatever child support I can afford to both of them.

Which is better off; "A" the divorcee or "C" the never-married?

Nothing lasts forever.

Children need more than pocket money and a man that drops in once a month!

It's people like you why this joke wasn't that funny, because it's a law that would do a lot of good to stop people like you doing things like that.

I can't tell you what I think of you and people like you, because I would be instantly banned.

I will just say that you make me want to vomit.

Unfortunately, a ridiculous law like that would not stop seedy middle aged men like Canfield from having unprotected sex with young Asian prostitutes. The fact that he might deign to visit the progeny of these ill fated liaisons occasionally, doesn't detract much from the fact that they are "look krueng" growing up without a father and without the affluence and international education that "look krueng" are expected to have in modern Thai society. The kids will just be looked at in the same way as the "look krueng" left behind with their prostitute mothers by American GIs in the 60s and 70s.

The thousands of Aussies stationed in Thailand during Vietnam were impotent? You should really amend your post to read Aussies and Americans. And to be fair a lot of Americans married Thai women during the war. There were 50,000 stationed in Thailand for 10 years.

[IAMSOBAD]

Deleted by irate member who thinks this was a very poor joke.

Edited April 2, 2011 by IAMSOBAD

[malcyx]

Well i read this about combodia, didnt think much about it..<BR>Now im no ploitician , but i am semi intelligent i think..<BR>OK. So farrang cannot marry after he50..<BR><BR>Why dont they do things sensibly rather than discriminate against older men..<BR>would it not be fairer and better for them financially if they introduced <BR>an age gap law, rather than stopping older farrang marrying any lady..<BR><BR>e.g the age gap between any coupl should be no more than 15/20 years..<BR>Thus we all have the choice of happiness in our later years..<BR><BR>Many farrang wealthy or not dont want to live in thailand until they are properly retired..<BR>And if the thais stop them marrying, then rather than old farrang marry very young lady, he<BR>can just fuc_k and use as many as he wants...what a shame they dont come up with original<BR>ideas in thailand, just make "copies" 5555 <BR><BR>Personally i thnk this will cause more ploblems..<BR><BR>seems staying single is the wiser choice if this law passes..<BR><BR>seriously though, if anybody is in contact with any official run the age gap past him and see if he thinks it better idea..<BR><BR>TOO late now though perhaps..<BR><BR>They judge every farrang as wanting lady young enogh to be daughter or grand daughter, im<BR>40 and the youngest lady iv been with is 25... if i want a bride i want one about 10 years younger or same age...<BR>SIMPLE... <BR><BR>Now even more ladies are gonna harrass men to go with them and get married and get rich quickly.<BR>the ladies and their are hundreds of thousands of them who are now over 35 will never have chance to marry farrang.. because they too old..some might "get lucky" but i fear many lonley lady over 35 from MAY 2011.<BR><BR>I would lie to know if you guys and ladies here think the age gap rule would be better for everybody...<BR><BR>Im back on 7th April.. no point in looking for future wife now.coz i reckon meet lady, fall in "love" , live together few years.decide to get married, i would be too old.. by that time id be 45/46.<BR>And thats only if i meet a good decent "innocent"(555) one on this trip..<BR><BR><IMG class=bbc_emoticon alt= src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/mad.gif"> sorry if i went on a bit...<BR>but it is stupid on so many level.. more than i can be bothered saying right now..<BR><BR>Happy days everybody, make the best of it while you can..<IMG class=bbc_emoticon alt= src="http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif"> <BR><BR> .<BR>

[balo]

Its April 2nd today.

Is it still a joke or is it real?

[Tywais]

Its April 2nd today.

Is it still a joke or is it real?

Look here.

[jdinasia]

Is it possible this thread could be closed? Some people need saving from themselves.

Nah !! This is like watching a train crash in slow-mo ... but funny as well as horrific

[baboon]

Timekeeper - How`s the concussion?

I have far more important things to do than read some of the blatherskytes on here,but in a sick way I am rooted to the spot...

[animatic]

Is it possible this thread could be closed? Some people need saving from themselves.

Nah !! This is like watching a train crash in slow-mo ... but funny as well as horrific

And of course you can't look away

like a puppy in a car window going past the butchers!

[Mugg]

Which is better off; "A" the divorcee or "C" the never-married?

I would say they are both better off without you around.

D. None of the above.....

[StreetCowboy]

In THAILAND Hundreds of Britons protested in Thailand yesterday against new laws preventing any foreigner over the age of 50 from marrying a Thai woman - before they were told that they were the victim of an April FoolS Day prank.

A news item on the Thai website Thaivisa.com said the laws were introduced and a bill would be passed through parliament on May 1st. Ministry of Interior spokesman Tawatchai Suksoom was quoted as saying: 'Many older foreigners seem to marry Thai women so they can stay in Thailand under less strict requirements. Instead of needing to meet the requirements of 800,000 baht in the bank they only have to show 400,000 baht a year when married to a Thai.

'Additionally, many of these people seem to come to Thailand simply to marry much younger girls. In many cases they are old enough to be their father. I am concerned that these people are attempting to circumvent the rules by marrying innocent Thai women. If these people don't have enough money to retire then they shouldn't be here and become a burden to Thailand.'

Over 650 foreigners, mainly Britons wrote in to complain, accusing the government of being amongst other things racist and abusing human rights.

Read more: http://www.dailymail...l#ixzz1IKAQrgCF

BUMP!

THings that go 'bump' in the night; Sockpuppet expects this to run until it becomes true...

Remember, Sockpuppet warned you!

SC

[Pawpcorn]

What possible advantage to anyone from this idiot law?

Maybe to give pause to reflect, perhaps for the first time, just HOW discrimination (of any type) really feels like.

Judging by the 37 pages this has generated... I'm thinking a LOT of people are discovering, for the first time, just how it feels to be told (by the authorities) that you can't do something as basic as... marry the person you love.

AND maybe next time the subject of two people, who really love each other, are devoted to each other, partners for life, who would cherish being able to be legally married but CAN'T, due to this same quality of unthinking and insensitive discrimination REALLY FEEL!

...just because they are both guys, or both girls.

NOW you guys know how it feels!!! The "shoe's on the other foot" now, and OMG the RAW INDIGNATION!!! HOW DARE THEY!!!

NOW you know. That's ONE possible advantage, however unintended... an educational tool, or method of consciousness expansion, or lesson in sensitivity, humane behavior, and humanity.

You'll never be able to "unlearn" this lesson, so welcome aboard.

Buckle down, methinks there's rough sailing ahead...

Edited April 2, 2011 by Pawpcorn

[tampasailor]

My wife say, we ok honey we marry before date pass~!!! tooo funny~!

[Chua]

This proposal is silly, unnecessary, and counter-productive.

1) The same lifestyle will still continue with or without the marriage. Prohibiting marriage to foreigners over 50 does not prevent them from living with Thai women nor impregnating them.

2) Thai law recognizes that a foreigner and Thai lady who have a baby will be better supported if the foreigner remains in Thailand, so it is not surprising that unmarried foreigners with Thai babies can stay in Thailand with no financial requirements at all! This proposal, if it were to become law, will create many more single parent "families" where the father has no real responsibility and the mother has no financial security. This policy is therefore going to hurt Thai society more than help it.

3) The requirement for only 400k baht for a marriage visa vs. 800k baht for a retirement visa seems to be the source of the issue. This rule has always been backwards -- how is it that to take care of two people requires half the money to take care of one? They should reverse those figures anyway; it just makes more sense, and would then have the side effect of discouraging those retires who have 400k baht but not 800k from seeking a wife. If Thailand is so concerned about the husband having the funds to take care of the wife, why don't they have such a rule for Thai men as well? Since they don't have such a law, it is clear that this proposal a xenophobic, racist attempt to attack foreigners.

4) There is another bias and unwanted side effect such a law would have if it bars all marriages to foreigners over 50... it would have a huge negative impact on Thai women over 50 as well. Since its a statistical fact that most women marry men the same age or older than themselves, older Thai women will find it very difficult to marry a foreigner.

5) If passed, this rule would cause a huge drop in the Thai economy because the news of it alone will wake up the world to the fact that the Thai government doesn't like older foreigners and discourage those folks from visiting and living here. It seems likely that the 50+ age group spends more on average than the younger, backpacker segment of tourists and residents. So the government would be shooting itself in its own foot, economically.

The fundamental issue here seems to be xenophobia and poorly thought out visa rules. Those are the areas where the Thai government ought to focus their attention.

[dantilley]

Keep them coming please! Great entertainment.

A comment relating to this thread is #2 highest "liked" comment on the Daily Mail article by the way.

[Carib]

This only shows how some members jump onto every bandwagon passing by, how thick can one be .......

Funny and sad at the same time.

[aussiejohn]

A monumental win for the sex tourism industry. More single women on the street...lower prices. Way to go Thailand........ruin any chance to legitimize young women through marriage.

What a shame. Especially because there is really no benefit to marrying a thai anyway when compared to the benefits in the uk and us. It is like children are running this country. They should do the opposite of this and award valid marriages and demonize people who stay here and do NOT get married. I am sure the uscis would work closely with them to introduce a framework by which marriages are examined for validity. It costs around 3000 dollars to go from marriage to green card in the us without a lawyer. That would be a welcomed income stream for Thailand and would eclipse the 400,000 baht discrepancy. And they could even go ahead and make it 800,000 for everyone who wishes to marry a girl under 25.