Is It Time For A Brits In Thailand Forum?

[StreetCowboy]

The OP makes a valid point. It's just a pity that he feels the need to mention that he lives in one of the roughest parts of Glasgow in nearly every thread - is it some form of boasting?

Let me clarify.......Bridgeton in Glasgow is famous / infamous beyond virtually any other borough in Scotland. I will not go into the reasons why, except to say that any idea our English compatriots have of Patriotism towards the Queen and the UK is nothing as compared to here. I mean nothing, so I won't be taking lectures on loyalty to the crown, "Hearts of Oak" etc from anyone on Thaivisa.

On that subject I will say no more, the Scots amongst us know exactly what I'm saying, and everyone else can carry on with their blissful ignorance.

Even though it is a seriously ( and I mean seriously ) rough and tumble area, we have a massive immigrant community, and they are accepted with next to no difficulty. It is possible to be a good patriotic Brit ( and Scot ) without being a closet racist and hypocrite.

So if I refer to where I live, it is for the purpose of the topic and for illustration purposes.

But is it possible to live where you live and be accepted if someone abstains from all alcohol?

You are joking, aren't you?

SC

[bendix]

What we have are anti immigrant immigrants. I think that is a longer way of saying 'hypocrites'.

Cue the malcontents who will whinge that they're not immigrants in Thailand because their visa is stamped 'non-immigrant'.

Oh the irony. Here we have a group of people who resent the influx of immigration 'back home' but are equally resentful in Thailand because they're not allowed to be fully fledged . . . ummmm . . immigrants.

I would say that this is the reply of the topic......in these words Bendix has nailed the utter hypocrisy of many people.

It's a sad burden I carry, theblether. Some people would call it a gift, but I can't.

[steve187]

Why would a person start to read a thread titled, 'uk pensions' rights if they have no interest in the subject, unless it is because they want to do some whingeing about Brits whingeing, and if they do want to read it, how would it make any difference if it was in a british section?

Surely the title would be enough to inform most of the readers on here, what the subject matter was.

And another point is the Brits like to whinge, it is in our nature, be it the weather, the government or anything that pops into our little heads.

[samran]

What we have are anti immigrant immigrants. I think that is a longer way of saying 'hypocrites'.

Cue the malcontents who will whinge that they're not immigrants in Thailand because their visa is stamped 'non-immigrant'.

Oh the irony. Here we have a group of people who resent the influx of immigration 'back home' but are equally resentful in Thailand because they're not allowed to be fully fledged . . . ummmm . . immigrants.

I would say that this is the reply of the topic......in these words Bendix has nailed the utter hypocrisy of many people.

It's a sad burden I carry, theblether. Some people would call it a gift, but I can't.

You carry the burden well there ole Bendix.

[nong38]

I think there is big difference between us here and the immigrants back in the UK. We mostly are not immigrants here, our visa's are non-immigrants, retirement, marriage etc, the people who have arrived in the UK are not on visa's and sooner or later they are likely to become British citizens. They have access to to the UK benefit system, we do not have access to any Thai benefit system. We are allowed to stay here by the Thai Govt who could at any time be asked to leave, its not the same.

Immigrants in the UK are often not interested in fitting into the British way of life, they are in many cases forming a little bit of their own homeland in the UK, once known as a Ghetto in the USA, there are many areas in London which dont feel English, Turkish in Wood Green, Nigeria in Peckham. West Indies in Brixton, Indian sub continent in Southall, Isreal in Golders Green for a few examples, some feel safer than others.

I try and fit in here, the locals have shown little or no interest in wishing to change the local area to a little England, can't understand why not!!!

[2unique]

What we have are anti immigrant immigrants. I think that is a longer way of saying 'hypocrites'.

Cue the malcontents who will whinge that they're not immigrants in Thailand because their visa is stamped 'non-immigrant'.

Oh the irony. Here we have a group of people who resent the influx of immigration 'back home' but are equally resentful in Thailand because they're not allowed to be fully fledged . . . ummmm . . immigrants.

I would say that this is the reply of the topic......in these words Bendix has nailed the utter hypocrisy of many people.

It's a sad burden I carry, theblether. Some people would call it a gift, but I can't.

a blurse?

(blessing/curse)

[msg362]

Is it a coincidence that the British NHS and the India railroads are the worlds two largest employers!

But only one of of these does anything...and it isn't the one in Britain.

This is not even remotely funny. My daughter in law was cured 10 years ago of a very serious and potentially rapidly fatal cancer by the NHS, using state of the art medicine. Many other people I"m sure can testify to simliar compassionate treatment

[nong38]

So, after 7 pages, are we getting our own forum?

[StreetCowboy]

So, after 7 pages, are we getting our own forum?

Wrell, that'll need to go for public consultation. Then there will be the appeals. Then we can start the formal process rolling; Maybe in time for the Olympics in London; not this year, but the next time...

SC

[elwood]

Is it a coincidence that the British NHS and the India railroads are the worlds two largest employers!

But only one of of these does anything...and it isn't the one in Britain.

This is not even remotely funny. My daughter in law was cured 10 years ago of a very serious and potentially rapidly fatal cancer by the NHS, using state of the art medicine. Many other people I"m sure can testify to simliar compassionate treatment

Good for her - can also state similar for my nephew; given 3-4 months to live after collapsing from a massive brain tumor in USA, treated by the NHS and now, after 3 years, actually back at work for the RN.

My sister, who worked for the NHS for 20 years, always says that for minor treatment the NHS can be a long and frustrating delay for treatment, but for a serious illness they are the best.

[samran]

Elwood, your comments are totally off topic. If you haven't got anything to complain about in the UK, you simply aren't welcome on this thread

[David006]

This entire thread is really skating on thin ice vis-à-vis being Thai-related and being critical of a nationality.

However, there seems to be some interest and the posts have been somewhat civil so far, so I will let it go for now, but any devolvement will result in the thread being closed.

GAG!!!

[StreetCowboy]

This entire thread is really skating on thin ice vis-à-vis being Thai-related and being critical of a nationality.

However, there seems to be some interest and the posts have been somewhat civil so far, so I will let it go for now, but any devolvement will result in the thread being closed.

"any devolvement will result in the thread being closed."

Hear Hear!

Say "No!" to devolution

SC

[MAJIC]

to the blether,

things must of got a lot worse in Glasgow.....your the first Scot who i have read or heard say they are a Brit.

By the grace of God I was born Scottish, by an accident of birth I was born British, by an act of democracy in 2014 I will retain the grace of god and discard the accident.

I am english and think there is a huge amount of hypocricy from my own,they complain about the muslims back home not intergrating and speaking english then they come live in thailand dont speak hardly any thai and knock about in falang bars.

Fredtitmus, your a genius.

I shall pray for you,that your accident of Birth may be corrected in 2014.

[trompelemonde]

Build a wall around Glasgow and make Scotland happy.

Re-build Hadrian's wall (higher) and make the English happy.

It's interesting that an Englishman does not understand the historical importance of Hadrian's Wall..........it was the point where the greatest nation in human history ( the Romans ) held up their hands and said we cannot defeat the people beyond this wall.........( the Scots, or to be exact, the Picts ).

Beyond that wall lay freedom, behind that wall lay a defeated and subjugated England. So that wall is a symbol of our freedom, and a symbol of your defeat and capitulation. Do you still want to build it higher?

How would you like another history lesson? the name "Great Britain" was imposed when the Scottish king took over the English crown, so we Scots had to take over you rabble to make the country "Great".

How about another history lesson? The United Kingdom of Great Britain came into being when we Scots joined England in political union. Only after that union take place did the new country start to make it's way across the world in the "accidental empire".

Before we joined with you, you were nothing but pirates and vagabonds. The first professional regiment in the British army was Scottish, so be careful what you ask for sir, as I can easily destroy the myth of England with the reality of the last 300 years.

You should check your history - most of what you have written above is plain wrong but I don't think that this is the place to discuss it. Thanks.

[bendix]

Immigrants in the UK are often not interested in fitting into the British way of life, they are in many cases forming a little bit of their own homeland in the UK, once known as a Ghetto in the USA, there are many areas in London which dont feel English, Turkish in Wood Green, Nigeria in Peckham. West Indies in Brixton, Indian sub continent in Southall, Isreal in Golders Green for a few examples, some feel safer than others.

I try and fit in here, the locals have shown little or no interest in wishing to change the local area to a little England, can't understand why not!!!

Yes, you're quite right. I've never seen any farang ghettos in Thailand. I wouldn't know where to go for a pint of guiness in Sukhumvit, a meat pie in Jomtien or a fry up breakfast in Pattaya. I never ever see farangs predominantly gravitating to bars owned by fellow farangs, nor do I recall the last time I heard a farang speak English here - it's admirable how well we have all picked up Thai, and even speak it to fellow farangs.

Seriously, you couldn't make this up, could you?

[MAJIC]

Is it a coincidence that the British NHS and the India railroads are the worlds two largest employers!

But only one of of these does anything...and it isn't the one in Britain.

This is not even remotely funny. My daughter in law was cured 10 years ago of a very serious and potentially rapidly fatal cancer by the NHS, using state of the art medicine. Many other people I"m sure can testify to simliar compassionate treatment

Good for her - can also state similar for my nephew; given 3-4 months to live after collapsing from a massive brain tumor in USA, treated by the NHS and now, after 3 years, actually back at work for the RN.

My sister, who worked for the NHS for 20 years, always says that for minor treatment the NHS can be a long and frustrating delay for treatment, but for a serious illness they are the best.

Still the greatest National Health Service in the World,without it,there would be a whole lot more whinging!

[samran]

I think there is big difference between us here and the immigrants back in the UK. We mostly are not immigrants here, our visa's are non-immigrants, retirement, marriage etc, the people who have arrived in the UK are not on visa's and sooner or later they are likely to become British citizens. They have access to to the UK benefit system, we do not have access to any Thai benefit system. We are allowed to stay here by the Thai Govt who could at any time be asked to leave, its not the same.

Immigrants in the UK are often not interested in fitting into the British way of life, they are in many cases forming a little bit of their own homeland in the UK, once known as a Ghetto in the USA, there are many areas in London which dont feel English, Turkish in Wood Green, Nigeria in Peckham. West Indies in Brixton, Indian sub continent in Southall, Isreal in Golders Green for a few examples, some feel safer than others.

I try and fit in here, the locals have shown little or no interest in wishing to change the local area to a little England, can't understand why not!!!

Please tell me how you 'try and fit in'?

[wolf5370]

The fact that the first reply to this post took to whinging about immigrants 'back home' pretty much proves the OP's point.

I'm just amazed that there wasn't a rant against Tony Blair in that first response.

Racists, Racialists. Who cares?

What we have are anti immigrant immigrants. I think that is a longer way of saying 'hypocrites'.

So yeah, a separate forum please. Fill it with the malcontents and angry people Surrounded by a high wall and fill with water.

I think the Romans already did some of that for us - they call it Hadian's wall

As a Brit myself, I think its not so much about colour or racem but about loss of identity. The UK has always had immigrants and is better for it. British history goes back 35,000 years and from the Celts on, Britian has always 'entertained' immigration (much of it forced historically of course - but not all). Britian had a Black ruler for many years during the Roman occupation for starters (Roman Govenor). The problem now is that due to bad planning by councils and central government there are now large enclaves of individual immigrant nationals, whereas before they just intergrated into society. What you get with pooling immigrants is ghettoisation (when from poorer countries such as Bangladesh) and mass-take-over (from richer communities such as sametic (Jewish and Arabic) and Chinese). The former creates disharmony because of that which comes along with ghettos (gangs, drugs, crime, squallor) and the cost to the public purse, and the former does because of ever increasing property prices and change in local society (shops/clubs/religious buildings etc). Britian as a whole benefits from immigration (the correct sort), there are of course both the undesireable sort (such as assylum - unlikely ecomic benefit, but a moral necessity) and those that cheat the system.

I was born in the East End of London. We were not poor, and we owned our own home etc. Our next door neighbour on the left, was a black family directly from the carabean (my first play friend was the little girl that lived there - and my first taste of bananas too - mother was a loevely big mumma like woman, who dotted on her daughter and me and made us fried green banananas by the truch load!) - the other side where white and I can't remember ever seeing them as a kid. The immigrants then were the Irish- many in the East End then, mostly not a problem and I had several Irish friends growing up too. I play school my best friend was a bot named Paul, who was black. At primary school I had 4 close mates, one Irish, two white and one black. At secondary school I went rhough school with my best friends (and later business partner and uncle to my wife!) who was Thai - I has a crush on a female friend who was Indian for years (never a girl friend, not because of colour or race, but because I loved her as a friend and we both kept it that way as odd as it seems - I know she had a crush on me too btw). Eventually I married an Irish girl, got divirced (after a year) and married a Thai girl. Why am I saying all this? To show I'm not racist? Not at all - I am saying it because I was brought up in a world that was multi-cultural and I did not even think about their colour ar race - of course we often teased eachother about such things (willy size - advantage in hide and seek with dark corners and so on), but it was just mates, went in all directions and that's boys for you. Where I grew up is now the hot bed of racism - with the BNP's first major win (Tower Hamlets council - though not for long!) nand breeding ground for racism. Why? Because in the late seventies ghjettoisation began. Asian immigrants (mostly Bangladeshi) were put into parts of the East End en-masse. The multi-cultural soup was killed by over adding a single "ingredient" to the tune that everyone else became outsiders. Areas like White Chappel, Bow, Stepndey etc became engorged with a single race - and that's what causes racism. Families moved out en-masse to Kent and Eassex - we were one of the last to leave our street (incidently one of the first was my old pre-school playfriend the west indian family next door).

To me its not about immigration nor is it about race - it's about poor social engineering and stupid mistakes on both Labour and Conservative governments in their creation of ghettos instead on concentration on social adhesion and intergration.

Why do Brits moan about it? Well. mostly I think you find the ones that do moan about it are your typical red banner newspaper reader (tabloids - Sun. Mirror, Express, Mail) and believe all the rubbish that these sensationalist journalist write (certain Aussie that became a yank still controls British media!). A lot of us do not moan about such things, of course you can't hear our silence, only the shouts of the Murdoch sound-byte auto-responders!

Me, I moan about somethings sometimes - that's only human. I love it here (in LOS) for all its problems (as anywhere has problems too) and when I do moan about it it's because I feel that often Thais stand back and watch as greedy slime balls, with the same nationality as them, lay waste to their culture, economy. ecology and family for short term personal gain. It is annoying to watch these fools ruin a country with so much going for it - and even more annoying perhaps, that most Thais ignorantly sit back and watch and repeat illogical sound-bytes from whichever propoganda they were last fed. I also moan about the same thing in the UK - I moan when idiots scape goat problems (just as "feriegners" are the scapegoats here, as is immigration back home), when the British government does things for personal gain (usually as a party more so than individual - but same, same), when they waste time blaming eachother and past governments rather than getting on and doing what is right and needed for the country as a whole.

[wolf5370]

The OP makes a valid point. It's just a pity that he feels the need to mention that he lives in one of the roughest parts of Glasgow in nearly every thread - is it some form of boasting?

Let me clarify.......Bridgeton in Glasgow is famous / infamous beyond virtually any other borough in Scotland. I will not go into the reasons why, except to say that any idea our English compatriots have of Patriotism towards the Queen and the UK is nothing as compared to here. I mean nothing, so I won't be taking lectures on loyalty to the crown, "Hearts of Oak" etc from anyone on Thaivisa.

On that subject I will say no more, the Scots amongst us know exactly what I'm saying, and everyone else can carry on with their blissful ignorance.

Even though it is a seriously ( and I mean seriously ) rough and tumble area, we have a massive immigrant community, and they are accepted with next to no difficulty. It is possible to be a good patriotic Brit ( and Scot ) without being a closet racist and hypocrite.

So if I refer to where I live, it is for the purpose of the topic and for illustration purposes.

Yes, the future's bright, the future's Orange

Edited February 23, 2012 by wolf5370

[wolf5370]

You forgot to mention all the technologies we took with us and left free when we ran the world, it was left behind when we left, it was not all take and if we were all that bad why did they all join the Commonwealth when the they left the Empire?

Not arguing with you there. Britain left India with a railroad system and infrastructure, and due to the large English speaking population India is growing as a world powerhouse. The British left Hong Kong and Singapore in a better state than when the found it. I said Britain should rise up again and start invading countries again. The United States does it. China does it. To be a real world player again, Britain needs to start invading and conquering. How is what I said construed as anti-British?

Dont foget cricket either I like cricket.

I don't get it. You throw a ball at some sticks and someone tries to hit it with a bat. Like baseball, but more esotoric. I know the word "googly" is involved in cricket. I like the word googly.

How about France? British way, if in doubt, Invade France. Saves on bullets and it's nice walking through the country gettings flags waves at you (even if they are all white)

[janverbeem]

By the way I am British, I live in the UK, I live and own businesses in one of the most rough and tumble parts of Glasgow. I showed these threads to several friends today and they are incredulous, absolutely incredulous and highly amused at the litany of wingeing and self pity displayed by many contributors. Pitiful, quite pitiful.

So at the risk of getting into trouble, and being subjected to a mass attack by the Malcontents, I ask, is it time for a separate Forum called Brits in Thailand so that these repetitive, racist and controversial threads can get parked out of sight of the people that actually enjoy life in Thailand?

So what do you know about people living in Thailand,and if they enjoy or not?

[Mobi]

Immigrants in the UK are often not interested in fitting into the British way of life, they are in many cases forming a little bit of their own homeland in the UK, once known as a Ghetto in the USA, there are many areas in London which dont feel English, Turkish in Wood Green, Nigeria in Peckham. West Indies in Brixton, Indian sub continent in Southall, Isreal in Golders Green for a few examples, some feel safer than others.

I try and fit in here, the locals have shown little or no interest in wishing to change the local area to a little England, can't understand why not!!!

Yes, you're quite right. I've never seen any farang ghettos in Thailand. I wouldn't know where to go for a pint of guiness in Sukhumvit, a meat pie in Jomtien or a fry up breakfast in Pattaya. I never ever see farangs predominantly gravitating to bars owned by fellow farangs, nor do I recall the last time I heard a farang speak English here - it's admirable how well we have all picked up Thai, and even speak it to fellow farangs.

Seriously, you couldn't make this up, could you?

Isreal (sic) in Golders Green !!!!

No, I don't think you could...

[exeter]

to the blether,

things must of got a lot worse in Glasgow.....your the first Scot who i have read or heard say they are a Brit.

By the grace of God I was born Scottish, by an accident of birth I was born British, by an act of democracy in 2014 I will retain the grace of god and discard the accident.

I am english and think there is a huge amount of hypocricy from my own,they complain about the muslims back home not intergrating and speaking english then they come live in thailand dont speak hardly any thai and knock about in falang bars.

Fredtitmus, your a genius.

I shall pray for you,that your accident of Birth may be corrected in 2014.

I speak a bit of Thai and dont knock about in farang bars, please dont generalise. We also have muslim village here, I dont know if it is by accident. Are they trying to create a bit of another land or have the locals told them this is where you live, it floods! Muslims dont want to integrate, they want to take over the world, its a religion you can join but cannot leave. Tolerance is a word they do not understand, boms they do, killing they do, where the Mecca Dance Hall is they do, what a good real ale is they do not! Mine tonight is a Sharps Special, please free to join me.

[exeter]

Immigrants in the UK are often not interested in fitting into the British way of life, they are in many cases forming a little bit of their own homeland in the UK, once known as a Ghetto in the USA, there are many areas in London which dont feel English, Turkish in Wood Green, Nigeria in Peckham. West Indies in Brixton, Indian sub continent in Southall, Isreal in Golders Green for a few examples, some feel safer than others.

I try and fit in here, the locals have shown little or no interest in wishing to change the local area to a little England, can't understand why not!!!

Yes, you're quite right. I've never seen any farang ghettos in Thailand. I wouldn't know where to go for a pint of guiness in Sukhumvit, a meat pie in Jomtien or a fry up breakfast in Pattaya. I never ever see farangs predominantly gravitating to bars owned by fellow farangs, nor do I recall the last time I heard a farang speak English here - it's admirable how well we have all picked up Thai, and even speak it to fellow farangs.

Seriously, you couldn't make this up, could you?

Isreal (sic) in Golders Green !!!!

No, I don't think you could...

You think Pattaya is Thailand, its a place where farangs come for a cheap shag and to be able to drink 24/7, its a first port of call, anyone with any sense moves on aftera while. Pattaya is full of ghettos for sure and now its almost part of the Russian federation, I am so glad I moved on after 2 visits. There are no farang bars here where I live, no farang ghettos and I have to speak a bit of Thai or you dont get by. Pattaya is like a fairground without any rides,but, it suites a lot of people.

Bangkok, well to me its just a hub to pass through, I have no knowledge other than I need to have to pass through so I can make no comment, but London I know and its a collection of Ghettos alright, there are over 250, 000 Nigerians alone in London and this Britain's capital city. Before you write your comments you should go and have a look and a listen, listen to the languages in certain areas and wonder if you are in England. The comments from 6000 miles away are not anything I recognize, what Nong says is not that far off the mark, one the reasons I am here. Not to get drunk every night and have a different bird in bed every night, we all have our reasons. We see the world through different eyes, obviously.

[Mobi]

Immigrants in the UK are often not interested in fitting into the British way of life, they are in many cases forming a little bit of their own homeland in the UK, once known as a Ghetto in the USA, there are many areas in London which dont feel English, Turkish in Wood Green, Nigeria in Peckham. West Indies in Brixton, Indian sub continent in Southall, Isreal in Golders Green for a few examples, some feel safer than others.

I try and fit in here, the locals have shown little or no interest in wishing to change the local area to a little England, can't understand why not!!!

Yes, you're quite right. I've never seen any farang ghettos in Thailand. I wouldn't know where to go for a pint of guiness in Sukhumvit, a meat pie in Jomtien or a fry up breakfast in Pattaya. I never ever see farangs predominantly gravitating to bars owned by fellow farangs, nor do I recall the last time I heard a farang speak English here - it's admirable how well we have all picked up Thai, and even speak it to fellow farangs.

Seriously, you couldn't make this up, could you?

Isreal (sic) in Golders Green !!!!

No, I don't think you could...

You think Pattaya is Thailand, its a place where farangs come for a cheap shag and to be able to drink 24/7, its a first port of call, anyone with any sense moves on aftera while. Pattaya is full of ghettos for sure and now its almost part of the Russian federation, I am so glad I moved on after 2 visits. There are no farang bars here where I live, no farang ghettos and I have to speak a bit of Thai or you dont get by. Pattaya is like a fairground without any rides,but, it suites a lot of people.

Bangkok, well to me its just a hub to pass through, I have no knowledge other than I need to have to pass through so I can make no comment, but London I know and its a collection of Ghettos alright, there are over 250, 000 Nigerians alone in London and this Britain's capital city. Before you write your comments you should go and have a look and a listen, listen to the languages in certain areas and wonder if you are in England. The comments from 6000 miles away are not anything I recognize, what Nong says is not that far off the mark, one the reasons I am here. Not to get drunk every night and have a different bird in bed every night, we all have our reasons. We see the world through different eyes, obviously.

Huh!!

All that diatribe just because I wrote: "Isreal (sic) in Golders Green !!!! "

Yes, bendix, you really couldn't make it up if you tried.

Incidentally, the last time I was in Golders Green, admittedly a good few years ago, I don't recall seeing any local parks masquerading as Kibbutzes, but who knows, maybe things have changed for the better...

[submaniac]

Has the British government ever looked at the immigration policies of other countries? I love how the Brits who want to tighten immigration policies have to defend themselves against accusations of racism (or "racialism"--which is a term I have not heard before this thread). Immigration is not about race, or religion, it's about control over population and a country's finite resources. Every other freaking country on the planet has tighter controls than Britain, and don't go telling me that every other country in the world is racist, Islamaphobic or anything else.

Let's take a look at Canada and the United States. These are two countries that are pretty much as close to each other geographically and culturally as can be (at least for the non French speaking portions). The Canadian and U.S. pronounciation accents are even almost identical. I have U.S. citizenship. Let's even say that I was caucasion. And let's say I wanted to immigrate to Canada from the U.S. Canada actually has public benefits (such as universal healthcare) that the United States does not, and U.S. citizens actually try to move to Canada. It is really hard for an U.S. citizen to obtain the right to reside permanently in Canada. It is also difficult for a Canadian citizen to obtain the visa to permanently reside in the United States. It's not racism, it's because both countries want to protect their resources. Britain and the United States are very close culturally. Even for a white, anglo-saxon British citizen, it will be difficult to obtain a permanent residency visa to the United States. Why? The U.S. is really tough on immigration. Mexico doesn't freely allow people from Guatamala, Honduras, etc. from immigrating.

Does Thailand allow anyone to freely immigrate? No. Most of the TV members have to do regular visa runs. Thai citizenship (though it has been done by at least one TV member) is pretty much impossible. Laotion, Hmong, Hill Tribe people of asian decent also BORN in Thailand have a hard time obtaining Thai citizenship.

Right now in the United States we're ramping up for the next elections. I can assure you that NONE of our candidates are saying "hey, we should loosen up our immigration policies and allow more people to move to the United States." That is a certain way to get booted out of office.

[exeter]

replying to an earlier post golders Green is a Jewish area, like Edgware and Radlett, of course there are no Kibutz or whatever this is England and the Jewish areas do at least try and fit into the English landscape. Its obvious that they are Jewish but they do speak English and they dont go round killing people or scamming them, they have integrated the right way, I am not Jewish by the way and before we start getting racist let me just say as white man that where that topic is concerned I am a 2nd class citizen, you can have as many black this or that organisations, competitions or whatever you like as soon as white one is on the go, some one will jump and shout racist! When did a white person ever shout racist to another lot and win? Its tilted against white people accept that, not right but thats the way it is. One of the nice things about Thailand is that I dont get that sort of crap here, no stupid politically correct stuff, health and safety gone mad, oh the joy of living here! Amen.

Edited February 23, 2012 by exeter

[wolf5370]

Has the British government ever looked at the immigration policies of other countries? I love how the Brits who want to tighten immigration policies have to defend themselves against accusations of racism (or "racialism"--which is a term I have not heard before this thread). Immigration is not about race, or religion, it's about control over population and a country's finite resources. Every other freaking country on the planet has tighter controls than Britain, and don't go telling me that every other country in the world is racist, Islamaphobic or anything else.

Let's take a look at Canada and the United States. These are two countries that are pretty much as close to each other geographically and culturally as can be (at least for the non French speaking portions). The Canadian and U.S. pronounciation accents are even almost identical. I have U.S. citizenship. Let's even say that I was caucasion. And let's say I wanted to immigrate to Canada from the U.S. Canada actually has public benefits (such as universal healthcare) that the United States does not, and U.S. citizens actually try to move to Canada. It is really hard for an U.S. citizen to obtain the right to reside permanently in Canada. It is also difficult for a Canadian citizen to obtain the visa to permanently reside in the United States. It's not racism, it's because both countries want to protect their resources. Britain and the United States are very close culturally. Even for a white, anglo-saxon British citizen, it will be difficult to obtain a permanent residency visa to the United States. Why? The U.S. is really tough on immigration. Mexico doesn't freely allow people from Guatamala, Honduras, etc. from immigrating.

Does Thailand allow anyone to freely immigrate? No. Most of the TV members have to do regular visa runs. Thai citizenship (though it has been done by at least one TV member) is pretty much impossible. Laotion, Hmong, Hill Tribe people of asian decent also BORN in Thailand have a hard time obtaining Thai citizenship.

Right now in the United States we're ramping up for the next elections. I can assure you that NONE of our candidates are saying "hey, we should loosen up our immigration policies and allow more people to move to the United States." That is a certain way to get booted out of office.

This is tue, but the UK is tiny in both area and population compared to the States. It does not have the same resources and has a rapidly aging population (that, because of its social welfare policies, is a real drain on the country). This means immigration of young, working people is indeed a requirement just to be able to pay for people who are living longer. The UK has experimented with various immigration systems (at least policy wise even if not actively) like the Australian/Canadian points system for example. There is also the "issue" that Britain owes certain obligations to its old empire and commonwealth people have an easier time visiting and staying. However, yes Britian really does have a very easy immigration policy (once in the country - visas may not be so easy though!), but attempts to modify or change this always results in large debate and far right accusations - which always leads to either abandoning the ideas or watering them down. There is a citizen test that came in a few years back - I know people that have failed it - my wife is a British citizen and achieved it with simply being married to me a few years and living there (and swearing and oath of allegience).

[Ulysses G.]

I love how the Brits who want to tighten immigration policies have to defend themselves against accusations of racism (or "racialism"--which is a term I have not heard before this thread).

The onlt time I have heard the term "racialism" before this was on an Ali G. video and I thought that he was pronouncing racism wrong and that it was part of the joke.