Visa crackdown risks stranding Phuket expats in Myanmar

[TimTang]

This is NEWS?

That rule has been in effect for years. I would have thought most people knew this.

Am I wrong?

I doubt it would be touted as news if your above statement was correct.

It would read no change to the current visa exemption rules enter and leave Thailand by land border at your leisure as you have been doing.

I've been out of the country for a few years so you could very well be right, but for the last 5 years or so that I was in Thailand, three-strikes-&-your-out was the rule when it came to tourist visas on arrival (particularly the border stations). Maybe they laid off a bit for a couple of years. Who knows? I've been wrong before. Interesting though!

[TimTang]

How many criminals do ya think really use these CHEAP visa services or make this trip themselves to Ranong??

Most criminals I know have money to burn or launder and use air travel usually buisness class to do there visa runs..

All paid for with other peoples money...

Maybe has something to do with Burmese labourers then perhaps?

Though, isn't that rule supposed to apply to all entry points?

That used to be the rule but as Stoneyboy pointed out this wouldn't be news; and he's probably right. Maybe the other entry points have relaxed this rule. I actually got dinged by this rule once in the past and ended up spending about a week in Savanakhet struggling to get a 3 month tourist visa, and it wasn't easy. Visa rules are so unpredictable that you should prepare yourself for the worst whenever you pursue one and don't be surprised when you're stranded in a neighboring country.

[thaifamilyguy]

FYI,

I think it is only a matter of time, could be years, that visa requirements are enforced and stiffened and people will have to accept the new reality or move to another country that is more permisive. I spent two years just on the visa-free 30 days as I was traveling enough and always by plane and the first time I got a 60 day visa I only ended up staying 20. last year I got a resident visa and this decision affirms that. You just need to decide how "ahead of the curve" you want to me and what are the risks. If you gamble and lose then you gambled and lost.

I watched China develop from meeting a guy at a ferry port ahead of immigration and having him get me a 1 year multiple entry, no max stay, biz visa for a hundred bucks to having to second myself to a consulting firm and run some income through 12 years later, to it just being to silly costly in terms of required overhead and tax to stick around. (now in China any expat under 25 yrs old cannot get a work visa, period, no exceptions). China has always been a great example of a country that does what is best for China and screw everybody else, have to respect that.

No country has any obligation to allow foreigners to live in their country. if ever something is a "privilege" and not a right...What we can expect country's to do is whatever they consider is in their best interest (corruption aside) and not in what foreigners believe is in their best interest.

Thailand remains one of the few low cost resident "friendly" country's in Asia but as the region develops that will change. I would encourage anyone thinking of this as an indefinite residence to start to put together a "plan" on how to be squarely within the rules here or somewhere else (Philippines had some good options) It is all purely a personal preference for the level of risk. My heart goes out to anybody getting caught out on the 3rd visa-free entry as i assume those people also are the least able to deal with it financially, etc., but there will be more of these stories over time.

Anyway, for those "on the fence" this may be a necessary "wake up call" I would advice you give it serious consideration.

[stickylies]

Myanmar will obviously become the new tourist hotspot after Thailand kicks them out. I don't care.

exactly my thoughts too... after +/- 30 travels in myanmar (since the 90s) i have a good idea where to settle there when time is there. thailand is so 80ies

ps. any long stayers on andaman ko chang (NOT gulf ko chang!) here on TVF ? most people i know there do back-to-back runs to kawthoung...

[stevenl]

I had a company I sold and an online service I setup that requires no work and generates a nice income with no outside intervention.

I spend per month:

25k rent

2.5k electric

1.5k internet

2k gym

1k bts card

1k laundry service

40k (approx) on food, eating out and going to clubs, cinema etc

8k a month on 1-1 Thai lessons

1k haircuts

So around 80k per month in total. Every other month I'll take a trip away which will run 15-20k. Over a 2 year period I've spent at least an additional 250k or so on Camera, lenses, TV, games console, games, home cinema, movies, clothes and more. I put a decent amount of money into the Thai economy and know many others in the same boat. I'm 30 and have no interest in marrying yet so the visa situation isn't easy.

I'm on a tourist visa (triple entry) and will likely move to an ED visa (and I will attend school), however it would be much easier if there was an option for long term tourists who have no requirement or desire to work.

Sounds like you're working here.

Did you read the first line? Not sure how that "sounds" like I'm working here.

I started my first company at 20 years old, built it up until I had a good client base and a good team for 8 years and then sold it to a competitor. In the last few years of the company in my free time I developed some software addressing a need in a niche but popular market. I setup partners to sell it, sourced a company to support it if there are any issues and all invoicing and payment is automated so I don't have to do a thing.

So I apologise for how it "sounds" to you but some people are fortunate enough to put themselves in a position where they don't need to work.

Sure I read your first line 'an online service I setup that requires no work and generates a nice income with no outside intervention'. It may all be automated, but it is your service, so (presuming in Thailand) you're required to set up a company etc., and it would be deemed work.

If I'm wrong, no worries, just move because you don't meet the visa requirements, and have not met them in the past.

[Time Traveller]

Great idea by the thai immigration rocket scientists. Those dumb foreign criminals would never think of applying for a visa!

[BudRight]

This is the fact this is Thailand and the Thais makes the rules and laws its their country. This whinging I am young i should be

allowed to break the rules and laws because they don't suit me bullshit. I have gone to the trouble to make sure I get the correct

visa as I am lucky because I can with in the constraints of Thai law. I think the Thais are correct they don't want you if you break

( or do not like) their laws. My home country they have opened their borders and now we have many migrants drawing social welfare

and breaking our country .

My situation I am married to a Thai lady (10 years) who holds a European passport. We also have a 5 year old so applied for a

a non immigrant O multi entry visa. Then went and applied for a marriage visa and do 90 day reporting which is a pain but yes

they are the rules.

<deleted> their laws. Everyone thinks that politicians are corrupt - but when those corrupt politicians pass a law it's the word of God?

The 'it's their country' argument is likewise bullshit. Laws must make sense and they must serve the interest of of the people. These laws don't serve anyone's interest, they're random xenophobic crap.

You just try 'drawing social welfare,' in Thailand, even if you are Thai. As foreigners never benefit from public money and can't own anything in their own names, I fail to see how our presence here hurts anyone.

[TimTang]

FYI,

I think it is only a matter of time, could be years, that visa requirements are enforced and stiffened and people will have to accept the new reality or move to another country that is more permisive. I spent two years just on the visa-free 30 days as I was traveling enough and always by plane and the first time I got a 60 day visa I only ended up staying 20. last year I got a resident visa and this decision affirms that. You just need to decide how "ahead of the curve" you want to me and what are the risks. If you gamble and lose then you gambled and lost.

I watched China develop from meeting a guy at a ferry port ahead of immigration and having him get me a 1 year multiple entry, no max stay, biz visa for a hundred bucks to having to second myself to a consulting firm and run some income through 12 years later, to it just being to silly costly in terms of required overhead and tax to stick around. (now in China any expat under 25 yrs old cannot get a work visa, period, no exceptions). China has always been a great example of a country that does what is best for China and screw everybody else, have to respect that.

No country has any obligation to allow foreigners to live in their country. if ever something is a "privilege" and not a right...What we can expect country's to do is whatever they consider is in their best interest (corruption aside) and not in what foreigners believe is in their best interest.

Thailand remains one of the few low cost resident "friendly" country's in Asia but as the region develops that will change. I would encourage anyone thinking of this as an indefinite residence to start to put together a "plan" on how to be squarely within the rules here or somewhere else (Philippines had some good options) It is all purely a personal preference for the level of risk. My heart goes out to anybody getting caught out on the 3rd visa-free entry as i assume those people also are the least able to deal with it financially, etc., but there will be more of these stories over time.

Anyway, for those "on the fence" this may be a necessary "wake up call" I would advice you give it serious consideration.

You're right! Most Asian countries are becoming more and more nationalistic while the west is being flooded with immigrants due to multiculturalism (which ONLY exists in the west by the way). Multiculturalism is a progressive ideology (developed in the 30's by the Frankfurt School) to ultimately turn western countries into totalitarian communist states by diluting western culture to the point where their culture no longer exists and the various cultures, races, and religions fight among themselves to the point where communism seems like the most logical solution. Asian countries are not following the rules of the New World Order so will ultimately be more successful than the west. It's sad but the destruction of western culture has been very successful and once Obama has destroyed America it'll take less than one generation to complete.

[alocacoc]

I'm in a similar situation like TheRascal. I stay since 6 Years on Tourist Visa. I'm under 50. I did set up my company in Europe many years ago. Finally i sold it and invested the cash into different intl. financial products. Now i don't need to work and i can life from the capital gains. Within the 6 years, not one day overstay. No legal difficulties. Neither in Thailand nor in Europe.

I guess, the visa rules become harder in the future. But, it don't affect me really. Why?

1. I'm not married

2. I don't have a family here

3. I never bought a house or a condo

4. I not put too much money on my Thai bank account.

The most expensive thing i bought was a new scooter.

What i want to say with that? If I'm not longer welcome, i could and would leave Thailand without a huge (financial) loss. There are many other nice country's. So, no reason to chain themselves in a country who nobody knows how it develop.

[stevenl]

I'm in a similar situation like TheRascal. I stay since 6 Years on Tourist Visa. I'm under 50. I did set up my company in Europe many years ago. Finally i sold it and invested the cash into different intl. financial products. Now i don't need to work and i can life from the capital gains. Within the 6 years, not one day overstay. No legal difficulties. Neither in Thailand nor in Europe.

I guess, the visa rules become harder in the future. But, it don't affect me really. Why?

1. I'm not married

2. I don't have a family here

3. I never bought a house or a condo

4. I not put too much money on my Thai bank account.

The most expensive thing i bought was a new scooter.

What i want to say with that? If I'm not longer welcome, i could and would leave Thailand without a huge (financial) loss. There are many other nice country's. So, no reason to chain themselves in a country who nobody knows how it develop.

"f I'm not longer welcome"

Not correct, you have never met the visa requirements for living in Thailand and were therefor never welcome.

[alocacoc]

As long i get a new visa, it looks like I'm welcome. I didn't make the rules. I just follow it.

[jpeg]

This is NEWS?

That rule has been in effect for years. I would have thought most people knew this.

Am I wrong?

Exactly. TV top hits: Any thread header with the words bargirl/sin sot/Taksin/'new' visa rules in it

[Krataiboy]

Now just imagine you are back in your own country - say the USA or Britain - and you hear foreigners have been abusing their tourist visas and taking jobs, running businesses etc.

I can hear the howls of outrage from here! So let's cut the hypocritical cr-p.

[Arkady]

“Some foreigners live here and form their own ‘networks’ to carry out illegal business. Some of the people we are targeting are known associates of international criminals.”

Seems to be a catch all. Didn't the NACC recently say that many corrupt government and state enterprise officials are well known associates of organised criminals? Immigration is also involved in a scam selling fake Thai visas. LOL.

Anyway the walk-in visa was impossible in the past when land and sea crossings to Burma were only allowed for Thais and Burmese. Thailand instituted the walk-in visa in response to tourist demand for day trips to Burma. So it is not surprising they don't want it to be used by people who are living in Thailand on 30 day transit visas.

[surfinglife]

Good job! Maybe Thailand Immigration will finally start taking the ridiculous tourist visa abuse issue seriously.

[ChoakMyDee]

FYI,

I think it is only a matter of time, could be years, that visa requirements are enforced and stiffened and people will have to accept the new reality or move to another country that is more permisive. I spent two years just on the visa-free 30 days as I was traveling enough and always by plane and the first time I got a 60 day visa I only ended up staying 20. last year I got a resident visa and this decision affirms that. You just need to decide how "ahead of the curve" you want to me and what are the risks. If you gamble and lose then you gambled and lost.

I watched China develop from meeting a guy at a ferry port ahead of immigration and having him get me a 1 year multiple entry, no max stay, biz visa for a hundred bucks to having to second myself to a consulting firm and run some income through 12 years later, to it just being to silly costly in terms of required overhead and tax to stick around. (now in China any expat under 25 yrs old cannot get a work visa, period, no exceptions). China has always been a great example of a country that does what is best for China and screw everybody else, have to respect that.

No country has any obligation to allow foreigners to live in their country. if ever something is a "privilege" and not a right...What we can expect country's to do is whatever they consider is in their best interest (corruption aside) and not in what foreigners believe is in their best interest.

Thailand remains one of the few low cost resident "friendly" country's in Asia but as the region develops that will change. I would encourage anyone thinking of this as an indefinite residence to start to put together a "plan" on how to be squarely within the rules here or somewhere else (Philippines had some good options) It is all purely a personal preference for the level of risk. My heart goes out to anybody getting caught out on the 3rd visa-free entry as i assume those people also are the least able to deal with it financially, etc., but there will be more of these stories over time.

Anyway, for those "on the fence" this may be a necessary "wake up call" I would advice you give it serious consideration.

You're right! Most Asian countries are becoming more and more nationalistic while the west is being flooded with immigrants due to multiculturalism (which ONLY exists in the west by the way). Multiculturalism is a progressive ideology (developed in the 30's by the Frankfurt School) to ultimately turn western countries into totalitarian communist states by diluting western culture to the point where their culture no longer exists and the various cultures, races, and religions fight among themselves to the point where communism seems like the most logical solution. Asian countries are not following the rules of the New World Order so will ultimately be more successful than the west. It's sad but the destruction of western culture has been very successful and once Obama has destroyed America it'll take less than one generation to complete.

Wow, awesome post!

[Hardy99]

I'd happily pay for a long term visa. I'm under 50 and not married. Which type of visa is it I need...?

Enough Money to set up a Company. Employ 4-5 Thai citizen and then get your work Permit.

Let a Company employ you if you are able to work - and find a company has some needs..

or stay legaly in your home Country until you qualify for stay in any other Country you like to life..

[TheRascal]

Sure I read your first line 'an online service I setup that requires no work and generates a nice income with no outside intervention'. It may all be automated, but it is your service, so (presuming in Thailand) you're required to set up a company etc., and it would be deemed work.

If I'm wrong, no worries, just move because you don't meet the visa requirements, and have not met them in the past.

I think you just made this up. I don't work within the country and my money comes to me with no intervention , the same as dividends to a shareholder or money from savings. I consulted a lawyer here to be sure - my guess is that he probably knows better than you.

Who says I don't meet the visa requirements? I got tourist visa and I'm a tourist. I spend time relaxing in Bangkok and travelling to other parts of the country. I've got the money to support myself without working and I leave the country when required and extend when I can - I don't see how I don't fit the requirements.

If I choose to get an ED visa I will need to prove I have income to support myself - again no problem, I will need to go to classes - no problem, I already pay to study independently and additional classes will be a bonus.

[Hardy99]

Thaibreaker is absolutely right!

It seems incredible that a country like Thailand which relies so heavily on tourism, makes it so incredibly difficult for people to stay here for any more than the standard 28 days!

This paranoia even extends to the well-off ! For instance, a private individual cannot own or operate a helicopter in Thailand ! Why not? Apparently because they might go smuggling with it across the various borders!! But you can own a fixed wing aircraft which would be far more convenient and carry more goods! Any development I am involved in, will have a hallmark all-weather Helipad included, as one day someone will see common sense! I am relying

on it !

A Tourist mostly is a Person visit a Country for Holidays.. because they work at home, then 4 weeks is far enough. Thailand even give then 2 possible extensions.. if you stay more then 3 month you are not a "Tourist" and thats very simple against the law...

[stevenl]

Sure I read your first line 'an online service I setup that requires no work and generates a nice income with no outside intervention'. It may all be automated, but it is your service, so (presuming in Thailand) you're required to set up a company etc., and it would be deemed work.

If I'm wrong, no worries, just move because you don't meet the visa requirements, and have not met them in the past.

I think you just made this up. I don't work within the country and my money comes to me with no intervention , the same as dividends to a shareholder or money from savings. I consulted a lawyer here to be sure - my guess is that he probably knows better than you.

Who says I don't meet the visa requirements? I got tourist visa and I'm a tourist. I spend time relaxing in Bangkok and travelling to other parts of the country. I've got the money to support myself without working and I leave the country when required and extend when I can - I don't see how I don't fit the requirements.

If I choose to get an ED visa I will need to prove I have income to support myself - again no problem, I will need to go to classes - no problem, I already pay to study independently and additional classes will be a bonus.

So you don't have a business in Thailand, that means your money comes from abroad.

So if you're living here, sure you can do that on tourist visa, but if you're living here and doing that on tourist visa you are abusing the system. And you know full well you're doing that, just don't like to acknowledge that. Possible, yes, for how long, nobody knows.

[mickeymouse22]

a get a proper visa. not that fn difficult. and quit your whining you could have to sit in a thai embassy for an interview proving that your not a whore monger and why you are coming to thailand. just as a thai girl has to prove (in most western emabssies)she is not a whore who has worked legit her whole life and wants a holiday

[Jaakko]

a get a proper visa. not that fn difficult. and quit your whining you could have to sit in a thai embassy for an interview proving that your not a whore monger and why you are coming to thailand. just as a thai girl has to prove (in most western emabssies)she is not a whore who has worked legit her whole life and wants a holiday

Getting a proper visa is difficult for us "whiners", almost impossible, that's why we whine. If we could get a long term visa, we would get it. Young singles are betweeners and we are the ones who whine mostly. There is NO visa for us. I haven't seen a married oldtimer complaining about this.

And this has nothing to do with whore mongerin. Whore mongerers are very welcome to thailand, the existence of Pattaya alone is a proof of that.

I thinks its sad how many farangs "okay" this just because it has no affect for them, you guys are so selfish... . Some did that in nazi germany when jews were dragged into chambers..."rules are rules" they said

[mickeymouse22]

a get a proper visa. not that fn difficult. and quit your whining you could have to sit in a thai embassy for an interview proving that your not a whore monger and why you are coming to thailand. just as a thai girl has to prove (in most western emabssies)she is not a whore who has worked legit her whole life and wants a holiday

Getting a proper visa is difficult for us "whiners", almost impossible, that's why we whine. If we could get a long term visa, we would get it. Young singles are betweeners and we are the ones who whine mostly. There is NO visa for us. I haven't seen a married oldtimer complaining about this.

And this has nothing to do with whore mongerin. Whore mongerers are very welcome to thailand, the existence of Pattaya alone is a proof of that.

I thinks its sad how many farangs "okay" this just because it has no affect for them, you guys are so selfish... . Some did that in nazi germany when jews were dragged into chambers..."rules are rules" they said

i can think of two visas which are easily obtainable for you right now. so quit being lazy and making excuses. you don't even have to travel back to your home country to get them.

1. tourist visa.

2. education visa you may have to learn a little thai in case the immigration officer ask you in thai. if you don't really plan on learning thai then stick to the tourist visa.

guess what? you won't have any problems with the immigration officer. he is quite happy to stamp you in seeing you have a proper visa and not a passport filled with 30 and 15 day arrivals. my passport at one time happened to be filled with 10 years of tourist visas. never once did the immigration officer say anything about not welcome to thailand.

[stevenl]

a get a proper visa. not that fn difficult. and quit your whining you could have to sit in a thai embassy for an interview proving that your not a whore monger and why you are coming to thailand. just as a thai girl has to prove (in most western emabssies)she is not a whore who has worked legit her whole life and wants a holiday

Getting a proper visa is difficult for us "whiners", almost impossible, that's why we whine. If we could get a long term visa, we would get it. Young singles are betweeners and we are the ones who whine mostly. There is NO visa for us. I haven't seen a married oldtimer complaining about this.

And this has nothing to do with whore mongerin. Whore mongerers are very welcome to thailand, the existence of Pattaya alone is a proof of that.

I thinks its sad how many farangs "okay" this just because it has no affect for them, you guys are so selfish... . Some did that in nazi germany when jews were dragged into chambers..."rules are rules" they said

The problem is, there has not been a change in the visa rules. People complaining about this have not been in the country legally, or against the intention of the rules, so far. So it can not come as a surprise that a loophole is being closed. Complaining about new rules that affect many people can IMO be justified, whining about existing rules being enforced not.

[alocacoc]

a get a proper visa. not that fn difficult. and quit your whining you could have to sit in a thai embassy for an interview proving that your not a whore monger and why you are coming to thailand. just as a thai girl has to prove (in most western emabssies)she is not a whore who has worked legit her whole life and wants a holiday

Getting a proper visa is difficult for us "whiners", almost impossible, that's why we whine. If we could get a long term visa, we would get it. Young singles are betweeners and we are the ones who whine mostly. There is NO visa for us. I haven't seen a married oldtimer complaining about this.

And this has nothing to do with whore mongerin. Whore mongerers are very welcome to thailand, the existence of Pattaya alone is a proof of that.

I thinks its sad how many farangs "okay" this just because it has no affect for them, you guys are so selfish... . Some did that in nazi germany when jews were dragged into chambers..."rules are rules" they said

To me it seems more, that some peoples just feel jealous that young peoples are able to living here without need to work. Many expats worked hard over decades to realize their dream to living here. Then some of them lost their money to whores

But yes, to get a tourist visa is quite simple. They close a loophole and open another one.

[Tchooptip]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

when will all this stop ,we marry thai lady ,build house here come and live ,most of cause no problems ,we support there parents,educate there children ,then get hard time from the government ,visa runs ,our thai wife can come to the west get visa for life without any investment ,can start new life with no problems from the government /work,in the UK free health care ,,about time thailand ,gave as old gents little respect for our efforts ,for sure marrying a thai lady is better than ending up in a OAP home ,well maybe ,and well maybe cheaper

Get a marriage visa, very simple problem solved. No more border runs.

Retirement visa even more simple less hassle!

[Tchooptip]

a get a proper visa. not that fn difficult. and quit your whining you could have to sit in a thai embassy for an interview proving that your not a whore monger and why you are coming to thailand. just as a thai girl has to prove (in most western emabssies)she is not a whore who has worked legit her whole life and wants a holiday

Getting a proper visa is difficult for us "whiners", almost impossible, that's why we whine. If we could get a long term visa, we would get it. Young singles are betweeners and we are the ones who whine mostly. There is NO visa for us. I haven't seen a married oldtimer complaining about this.

And this has nothing to do with whore mongerin. Whore mongerers are very welcome to thailand, the existence of Pattaya alone is a proof of that.

I thinks its sad how many farangs "okay" this just because it has no affect for them, you guys are so selfish... . Some did that in nazi germany when jews were dragged into chambers..."rules are rules" they said

The problem is, there has not been a change in the visa rules. People complaining about this have not been in the country legally, or against the intention of the rules, so far. So it can not come as a surprise that a loophole is being closed. Complaining about new rules that affect many people can IMO be justified, whining about existing rules being enforced not.

I will add only two words : Of course

[mickeymouse22]

a get a proper visa. not that fn difficult. and quit your whining you could have to sit in a thai embassy for an interview proving that your not a whore monger and why you are coming to thailand. just as a thai girl has to prove (in most western emabssies)she is not a whore who has worked legit her whole life and wants a holiday

Getting a proper visa is difficult for us "whiners", almost impossible, that's why we whine. If we could get a long term visa, we would get it. Young singles are betweeners and we are the ones who whine mostly. There is NO visa for us. I haven't seen a married oldtimer complaining about this.

And this has nothing to do with whore mongerin. Whore mongerers are very welcome to thailand, the existence of Pattaya alone is a proof of that.

I thinks its sad how many farangs "okay" this just because it has no affect for them, you guys are so selfish... . Some did that in nazi germany when jews were dragged into chambers..."rules are rules" they said

To me it seems more, that some peoples just feel jealous that young peoples are able to living here without need to work. Many expats worked hard over decades to realize their dream to living here. Then some of them lost their money to whores

But yes, to get a tourist visa is quite simple. They close a loophole and open another one.

personally i could care less how old, young, rich or poor you are. nothing really has changed. certain laws and rules regarding visas being enforced now for what ever the reasons are. nothing you can do. really all thai immigration wants is for you to have a proper visa. some you qualify, some you don't, some people need different visa then others. there is a visa you can get. it would be great for all of us if we just signed in at the airport and signed out unfortunately it don't work that way. but what is good about thailand. you can always get from point A to point B. sometimes its not a straight line and takes longer but you can get there.

[alocacoc]

I agree with your comment mickeymouse22. For myself, I'm making an effort to hold a proper visa. In my case a tourist visa. I don't get the point why some people do not want even a tourist visa which is actually easy to apply. But also I don't get the point why some others condemn/criticism visa runners like me. It is a way which works so far.

So, you see who i addressed in my comment before.

[TheRascal]

I agree with your comment mickeymouse22. For myself, I'm making an effort to hold a proper visa. In my case a tourist visa. I don't get the point why some people do not want even a tourist visa which is actually easy to apply. But also I don't get the point why some others condemn/criticism visa runners like me. It is a way which works so far.

So, you see who i addressed in my comment before.

I agree with you dude that there's a lot of jealousy here. Posters claim that people like you or I who are here for 9 months at a time are abusing the tourist visa but I don't see how.

1. I get a triple entry tourist visa in my own country

2. I abide by the rules, don't work, extend when I can and fly out for a nice weekend trip at the end of 90 days.

3. I spend my time by the pool, visiting sites of interest, taking photographs and going to various cities and islands across Thailand.

Not sure where I don't fit into the tourist mould - just because my holiday is longer than a traditional one doesn't mean I'm not a tourist - the triple entry tourist visa allows this and I'm completely within the right to live this way.