Expats-Unite !

[swissie]

There are so many issues for Expats that affect us all in the same way, regardless of nationality. = We are all sitting in the same boat!

- One issue arising, affecting all Expats, is the "mandatory-health-insurance" theme. (Latest Thread = Visa, work permit forum), for example.

I wonder how long it takes, before the Expat-Community in Thailand realises, that we need One United Voice to speak on our behalf versus the various Thai-Institutions.

The many Expats-Clubs, divided up into nationalities, just don't have the weight to step up and speak "for the Expats" as a whole.

As a start: How about if the Presidents of the many Expat-Clubs link-up on a quarterly basis, trying to isolate common concerns of the Expat-Community as a whole.

And depending on the urgency of the matter, passing those findings onto members of parliament, or whoever it may concern. Sailing under "The Association of Foreign Residents in Thailand" = (AFRT) or whatever, representing xxx-thousands of Farang-Long-Term-Residents.

Most long-term-farang-residents have made their contribution to Thailand (mostly in a positive way) and continue to do so. I am firmly convinced, that they (we) deserve a voice, when legislative matters hit the political agenda, that will affect their (our) life and future in this country!

Cheer.

[Orac]

Given the widely diverse viewpoints we see on TV on virtually every subject, including the mandatory healthcare one, it would be difficult to find a common position to put over let alone agreeing on somebody who could put these forward for us though I can think of a particular media mogul in Pattaya who would have a wet dream at the thought of becoming a representative of all expats.

[EBlair48]

If we were at all welcome in the country, aside from the 'ol in, spend and out tourist- we might have a chance. But I have no doubt whatsoever the immigration and other authorities could give a rat's butt what we want or need. We are farang.

They don't call it a "non-immigrant" visa for nothing.

[Soutpeel]

What ya going to do "Swissie" burn your bra outside the Thai Parliament ?....maybe you can get the PTP to help you...

The problem "Swissie" with your cunning plan is that the vast majority of farangs have no rights in Thailand because most are not PR or citizens...face facts...if your not a PR or citizen...we are all "perpetual tourists" in Thailand irrespective of the reason we are here...thats what the term "Non-immigrant" on ya visa means...we are not legalised immigrants in this country

[AnotherOneAmerican]

The medical insurance is a troll non-event.

It will never happen, but the trolls like to keep posting about it.

[Hedghog]

There are plenty of other countries in the world.

That one can retire, or Doss around in.

You pay your money you make the choice.

Good luck trying to influence Government policy in any of them,as a VISITOR.

[phuketjock]

May I suggest it might be more appropriate to be "sailing under" the Foreign Association of Residents in Thai Society or

the old F A R T S club.

[Travel2003]

In most of the worlds countries, if foreigners complain, the people will just tell the foreigners to go home to where they came from.

[Gsxrnz]

In most of the worlds countries, if foreigners complain, the people will just tell the foreigners to go home to where they came from.

It might even be considered to be insurgency!

[Gsxrnz]

Given the widely diverse viewpoints we see on TV on virtually every subject, including the mandatory healthcare one, it would be difficult to find a common position to put over let alone agreeing on somebody who could put these forward for us though I can think of a particular media mogul in Pattaya who would have a wet dream at the thought of becoming a representative of all expats.

The media mogul comment cost me a mouthful of coffee spurted over my keyboard - Cheers!

[candypants]

the dyslexic version of the op is "Sexpat Untie"

[Ulysses G.]

The medical insurance is a troll non-event.

It will never happen, but the trolls like to keep posting about it.

It was an April Fools joke that some folks insist on taking seriously - kind of like the Westerners who keep claiming that the word farang is an insult.

[Satcommlee]

But Expat's Clubs have a terrible reputation for attracting fraudsters, swindlers and all sorts of criminal's....

I would actually prefer to see something like Thai-Visa representing a common view than attend a meeting full of people trying to flog you their services, many with dishonest intentions.

[swissie]

What ya going to do "Swissie" burn your bra outside the Thai Parliament ?....maybe you can get the PTP to help you...

The problem "Swissie" with your cunning plan is that the vast majority of farangs have no rights in Thailand because most are not PR or citizens...face facts...if your not a PR or citizen...we are all "perpetual tourists" in Thailand irrespective of the reason we are here...thats what the term "Non-immigrant" on ya visa means...we are not legalised immigrants in this country

Ok. As of now, I start collecting bra's and if I have collected 1 ton's worth, I shall take action...................!

But seriously: If the above thinking remains engraved in Falangs minds: Of course nothing will ever change!

Just compare: If a foreigner is allowed to stay in an european country, he is eligible to benefit from the health-care-system, housing assistance, and all the other programs, too numerous to mention. Needless to say, that he doesen't have to show up at immigration every 3 months. Those benefits also apply to Thai-Folks, that happen to live in those countries!

-Therefore, the first goal would have to be (for an AFRT): To open visa-options, that detach the farang from this eternal "Tourist-Visa" and "Non-Immigrant" merry go round. A Farang, living here for years and having supported a whole Thai-Family, and still officially only appears as "a long-term-tourist", to me, this is nothing less than an outrage.

Maybe it would be helpful, if a BBC-Team would make a report of Farangs, supporting Thai-Families for years, but having to ask immigration every 3 months "Can I stay another 3 months"? Not to speak, that they are not allowed to own much more than their underwear. But I know, european reporting as far as Thailand is concerned, is focused on finding places, where prostitution rears it's ugly head.

But again: If the majority of Farangs think "well, that's the way it is", of course nothing will ever change.

Cheers.

[phuketjock]

What ya going to do "Swissie" burn your bra outside the Thai Parliament ?....maybe you can get the PTP to help you...

The problem "Swissie" with your cunning plan is that the vast majority of farangs have no rights in Thailand because most are not PR or citizens...face facts...if your not a PR or citizen...we are all "perpetual tourists" in Thailand irrespective of the reason we are here...thats what the term "Non-immigrant" on ya visa means...we are not legalised immigrants in this country

Ok. As of now, I start collecting bra's and if I have collected 1 ton's worth, I shall take action...................!

But seriously: If the above thinking remains engraved in Falangs minds: Of course nothing will ever change!

Just compare: If a foreigner is allowed to stay in an european country, he is eligible to benefit from the health-care-system, housing assistance, and all the other programs, too numerous to mention. Needless to say, that he doesen't have to show up at immigration every 3 months. Those benefits also apply to Thai-Folks, that happen to live in those countries!

-Therefore, the first goal would have to be (for an AFRT): To open visa-options, that detach the farang from this eternal "Tourist-Visa" and "Non-Immigrant" merry go round. A Farang, living here for years and having supported a whole Thai-Family, and still officially only appears as "a long-term-tourist", to me, this is nothing less than an outrage.

Maybe it would be helpful, if a BBC-Team would make a report of Farangs, supporting Thai-Families for years, but having to ask immigration every 3 months "Can I stay another 3 months"? Not to speak, that they are not allowed to own much more than their underwear. But I know, european reporting as far as Thailand is concerned, is focused on finding places, where prostitution rears it's ugly head.

But again: If the majority of Farangs think "well, that's the way it is", of course nothing will ever change.

Cheers.

Swissie it seems to have escaped you that the foriegners living in europe that you refer to are living there as residents

and as such are eligible for all the benefits you mentioned for that reason. What part of "temporary stay visa" or "non-

immigrant" do you not understand? You may as well pressure tourists to lobby the Thai government for better deals on

their hotels or the exchange rate. Wakey Wakey Missie Swissie

[greg71]

Maybe buy a bag of concrete ,then harden the xxx up

[uptheos]

In most of the worlds countries, if foreigners complain, the people will just tell the foreigners to go home to where they came from.

Not in the UK, we just up the benefits paid to them for fear of upsetting someone!

[Soutpeel]

Just compare: If a foreigner is allowed to stay in an european country, he is eligible to benefit from the health-care-system, housing assistance, and all the other programs, too numerous to mention. Needless to say, that he doesen't have to show up at immigration every 3 months. Those benefits also apply to Thai-Folks, that happen to live in those countries!

Yes and look at the mess europe is in... ...with reference to Thai people living in those countries...most of them will be there on "immigrant visa's" or migration visa's...not non-immigrant visas...and immigrant/migration affords the holder some sort of legal status in the particular country...

The proper comparision in this instance is comparing the "benefits" afforded a Thai tourist visiting Europe versus the "benefits" afforded a farang in Thailand who is not a PR or a citizen....so do Thai tourists visiting europe get the benefit of free health care, housing assistance and other programs in Europe.

[candypants]

the truth be told, given some of the foreigner/expats i see around on a daily basis, i'm pretty happy to just keep representing myself.

the expats that truly have the power to invoke any sort of change here are already welcome and treated very well anyways.

As for this insurance crap, you should already have it, or be prepared to accept the consequences of not having it.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Just compare: If a foreigner is allowed to stay in an european country, he is eligible to benefit from the health-care-system, housing assistance, and all the other programs, too numerous to mention. Needless to say, that he doesen't have to show up at immigration every 3 months. Those benefits also apply to Thai-Folks, that happen to live in those countries!

Yes and look at the mess europe is in... ...with reference to Thai people living in those countries...most of them will be there on "immigrant visa's" or migration visa's...not non-immigrant visas...and immigrant/migration affords the holder some sort of legal status in the particular country...

The proper comparision in this instance is comparing the "benefits" afforded a Thai tourist visiting Europe versus the "benefits" afforded a farang in Thailand who is not a PR or a citizen....so do Thai tourists visiting europe get the benefit of free health care, housing assistance and other programs in Europe.

It is only required that they are normally resident to get the health care.

So if there on a two week holiday, no.

But if they are living or working there, yes.

Even if there without a Visa and illegal, if they are living or working there they get the health care.

[yourauntbob]

I think expats should unite with Thai's for the betterment of everyone. just my two baht

[aTomsLife]

I think expats should unite with Thai's for the betterment of everyone. just my two baht

If you've ever tried your hand at teaching here, it might have occurred to you that Thais -- the ones in power, anyway -- wish to prevent exactly this: they don't want an educated, outspoken body politic like we have in the west. "Pornchai not showing up to class -- well everyone must pass, so just hush up and just pass him'".

[Morakot]

Sailing under "The Association of Foreign Residents in Thailand" = (AFRT) or whatever, representing xxx-thousands of Farang-Long-Term-Residents.

So my Chinese and Japanese friends are not allowed to join?

[bangkockney]

OP, name just one country that has such a thing?

[Morakot]

Shouldn't this topic go into the Football/Soccer Forum?

[TerryLH]

"Maybe it would be helpful, if a BBC-Team would make a report of Farangs, supporting Thai-Families for years, but having to ask immigration every 3 months "Can I stay another 3 months"?"

Who does that?

[Travel2003]

"Maybe it would be helpful, if a BBC-Team would make a report of Farangs, supporting Thai-Families for years, but having to ask immigration every 3 months "Can I stay another 3 months"?"

Who does that?

Would be interesting to see how that report would look like.

[mickjn]

The medical insurance is a troll non-event.

It will never happen, but the trolls like to keep posting about it.

I agree with you,never going to happen

[i claudius]

In most of the worlds countries, if foreigners complain, the people will just tell the foreigners to go home to where they came from.

Are you British? because over there if your an immegrant and you complain they fall over backwards to make it more like it was at home ,that's why i live here ,good on the Thais ,their attitude is if you don't like it go home ,pity Britain wasn't the same.

[Travel2003]

In most of the worlds countries, if foreigners complain, the people will just tell the foreigners to go home to where they came from.

Are you British? because over there if your an immegrant and you complain they fall over backwards to make it more like it was at home ,that's why i live here ,good on the Thais ,their attitude is if you don't like it go home ,pity Britain wasn't the same.

Pal, you should let me answer your question first, before you start your rant.

Btw, I have a feeling you are not, based upon your 3rd grade language skills.