How will the new visa regulations change Thailand's expat community?

[Berkshire]

Yes, Thai speak English so well already, they don't need teachers anymore...

Sarcasm? As if having a bunch of undisciplined, unqualified, law-breaking foreigners in Thailand would make a difference. Bring over the Filipino teachers! They whine/whinge a lot less.

[rgs2001uk]

Yes, Thai speak English so well already, they don't need teachers anymore...

Sarcasm? As if having a bunch of undisciplined, unqualified, law-breaking foreigners in Thailand would make a difference. Bring over the Filipino teachers! They whine/whinge a lot less.

You also forgot to mention, better dressed and better mannered.

[mrtoad]

Yes, Thai speak English so well already, they don't need teachers anymore...

Sarcasm? As if having a bunch of undisciplined, unqualified, law-breaking foreigners in Thailand would make a difference. Bring over the Filipino teachers! They whine/whinge a lot less.

You also forgot to mention, better dressed and better mannered.

Goes without saying, a lot of the ones bleating are so self entitled because they think they are from a superior country

[ATF]

Yes, Thai speak English so well already, they don't need teachers anymore...

Sarcasm? As if having a bunch of undisciplined, unqualified, law-breaking foreigners in Thailand would make a difference. Bring over the Filipino teachers! They whine/whinge a lot less.

You also forgot to mention, better dressed and better mannered.

You also forgot they are happy to work for 10-12k per month.

[onthemoon]

Cleaning up the guys crossing the line is ok. Retirees will be ok. I am a bit concerned abut the offshore guys that are not eligible for a Type O. They are not abusing anything.

we are fine mate. I am 28/28. I flew out the other day and asked 3 diff immigration officers if i was ok, my passport if full of 28/28. They said, "no problem" I had also asked at soi 5 in Jomtien if i was ok, they said the same. I have had a mate i've known over 20 years come in the last few days with a passport similar to mine. They didn't bat an eye lid at Swampy.

What they are "cracking down" on are the OIs: Out-In. People who do border runs, just walking around the border posts.

I don't think you have anything to worry about.

[onthemoon]

Work permits are handed out to people who, in my opinion, are generally either second rate (at best) or (more often) third rate.

Let's be honest -- how many first rate expats work for MNCs in Thailand? The answer is zero. First rate guys would never consider transferring to Thailand.

Perhaps you don't know how much MNCs are willing to pay first rate expats to get them to take up postings in Thailand.

Or perhaps you do but can't get one of those full expat deals.

Bangkok is a preferred posting for expats from all over the world.

When I worked for European companies over here, my salary was much higher than it would have been in my Western European home country.

Dave has no clue.

[onthemoon]

As far as we know now officially immigration has not said they will draw a hard line on people only spending 90 days out of 180 days in Thailand. Is that correct or not?

What if you have a residence permit in another ASEAN country like China (which I do)? Would that prove you have a job outside and should be classified as a tourist?

It seems to me that if they enforce the new rules at their own discretion like only checking flights from neighboring countries and profiling which is the approach I think they will take, it will only affect those that can't afford to get around it. I don't plan on doing anything differently until they actually start pushing me at immigration because so far they don't even glance at my stamps. We will see after Aug 12 how serious they are about it but the fact that they already started backtracking on extensions leads me to believe they are trying to get rid of the low end of visa runners. People who can barely afford the van ride to make a run and are really doing jobs that Thai could be doing.

I do think it will change the scenery for the better as most people with low incomes won't be able to dance around the enforcement.

They are racking down on OI's = Out-In people. Yes, those who can barely afford the van ride. You'll be fine.

[onthemoon]

More ideas for immigration reform:

Freelancing in Thailand work permits Liberalization

Not full businesses. One person operations with foreigner as worker.

A process where bona fide and qualified freelance workers who do intend to work IN Thailand can make applications for full legalization with visa and work permit. On a case by case basis. Judged value to Thailand or not. Perhaps because such applications would be more complicated and subjective, all routed through a specialist in Bangkok.

Change the rules for those on retirement extensions.

ALLOW volunteer work without work permit. Many retirees have the time, have the skills, and want to help out and many Thais could use the help.

and pray tell how would one assess whether a person is bonofide or not ? all this does is open up another avenue for visa abuse.

how about this solution ?

THB 1.0 Million captialised Ltd company formed

No requirement for 4 employees

as business is conducted out side Thailand 20-25% withholding/provisional tax

Pay into social security fund

Pay for private medical insurance

Annual fully audited books by an independent audit company

I support this suggestion.

[JDGRUEN]

In my opinion - if the 'crackdown' and new visa regulations changes continue to progress and likely morph into broader areas - that in two years time - maybe less - the 'Expat Community' in Thailand will consist of - mostly men over age 50, a fair amount of men under age 50 who are married to Thai women... and a spattering of people - mostly men who have business visas... And that the Thai Expat community will shrink from a 'guestimated' - rough estimated number of 550,000 to 250,000 or so.

[duanebigsby]

3. A cyber worker visa

Agreed. The world has changed. Tons of people now work from home and use the internet to make money.

Work permits are handed out to people who, in my opinion, are generally either second rate (at best) or (more often) third rate.

Let's be honest -- how many first rate expats work for MNCs in Thailand? The answer is zero. First rate guys would never consider transferring to Thailand.

But "cyber workers" are different. I have read that lots of these guys congregate in Chiang Mai. They offer a whole range of services (SEO, copy writing, programming, etc), and by all accounts are often very good.

I think these guys should be entitled to (as you put it) a "cyber visa" costing 50K - 100K per year. The relatively high cost would obviate the need to pay tax.

So nice to hear that my working here with a proper permit makes me 2nd or 3rd rate.

Of course you hate everyone teaching English too. What horseshit.

[wow64]

Yeah OP has less idea then my small toe.

I work for an large IT Company here as a Project Manager.. each week we are getting many requests from our US & UK offices to see if we have openings for staff to transfer here also from Expats in our China and Malaysia plants. For us this is where it all happens and our high end products come out of Thailand.... if this is the short straw I am loving it. I have worked at our China site and I dont want to go back..

[onthemoon]

In my opinion - if the 'crackdown' and new visa regulations changes continue to progress and likely morph into broader areas - that in two years time - maybe less - the 'Expat Community' in Thailand will consist of - mostly men over age 50, a fair amount of men under age 50 who are married to Thai women... and a spattering of people - mostly men who have business visas... And that the Thai Expat community will shrink from a 'guestimated' - rough estimated number of 550,000 to 250,000 or so.

Interesting opinion. Now, would you like to back it up with some facts:

Number of foreigners living in Thailand with and without work permits. Age demographics. Foreign males married to Thai women and foreign females married to Thai men.

That's just for a start, I'll ask more questions if you are able to answer these.

[ExpatJ]

3. A cyber worker visa

Agreed. The world has changed. Tons of people now work from home and use the internet to make money.

Work permits are handed out to people who, in my opinion, are generally either second rate (at best) or (more often) third rate.

Let's be honest -- how many first rate expats work for MNCs in Thailand? The answer is zero. First rate guys would never consider transferring to Thailand.

But "cyber workers" are different. I have read that lots of these guys congregate in Chiang Mai. They offer a whole range of services (SEO, copy writing, programming, etc), and by all accounts are often very good.

I think these guys should be entitled to (as you put it) a "cyber visa" costing 50K - 100K per year. The relatively high cost would obviate the need to pay tax.

There are a large number of MNC package expat families here- japanese, korean and western- all first rate since there is no way MNCs are going to be paying @500,000 baht plus a month (in US$/UKP) to expat staff who are not first rate. The thing is you dont go to the places bars/restaurants/hotels that they go to so you dont notice them:)

[farang000999]

1. Low earning teachers who have been doing visa runs will probably be better off in the long run because schools will be forced to get them work permits - or not have a farang teaching English.

2. The 20-40 yo cyber crowd will be the most effected group. This group will shift into manipulating the Education Visa and getting married. Some will move elsewhere. A couple will purchase Thai Elite Cards.

[rgs2001uk]

3. A cyber worker visa

Agreed. The world has changed. Tons of people now work from home and use the internet to make money.

Work permits are handed out to people who, in my opinion, are generally either second rate (at best) or (more often) third rate.

Let's be honest -- how many first rate expats work for MNCs in Thailand? The answer is zero. First rate guys would never consider transferring to Thailand.

But "cyber workers" are different. I have read that lots of these guys congregate in Chiang Mai. They offer a whole range of services (SEO, copy writing, programming, etc), and by all accounts are often very good.

I think these guys should be entitled to (as you put it) a "cyber visa" costing 50K - 100K per year. The relatively high cost would obviate the need to pay tax.

There are a large number of MNC package expat families here- japanese, korean and western- all first rate since there is no way MNCs are going to be paying @500,000 baht plus a month (in US$/UKP) to expat staff who are not first rate. The thing is you dont go to the places bars/restaurants/hotels that they go to so you dont notice them:)

Not so far from the truth.

Does the OP posses a tuxedo and when and where was the last time he wore it?

[happysanook]

It is time to crack down on these law breakers Thai doesn't need these people The Expat Community will be more high class

This a great idea and will improve Thailand for all

I am glad this is being done

Thanks

More high class...........

Greetings xxxxxfromPattaya

It´s ok if the Thais start to enforce their laws, but please, completely overhaul the whole Visa system then. Even if you´re legal it´s not really "fair". The Visa based on marriage is a good example- that´s a joke!! 90 days, no land, no rights, annual renew, ridiculous. If they really mean it they would have the chance to clean up and then modernise the whole system now. I hope things will get better soon, but there´s not much hope I guess. Don´t think the army is interested to make Thailand fairer or more open to foreigners (the root of all evil )

+1

These guys are so amusing. Thinking they're better than someone who in and outs on tourist visas. Really man, Thailand would be far better off without a bunch of old, drunk, useless retirees.

[bendejo]

When there was a tightening of the rules a few years ago I noticed that in Vientiane, which was at the time the easiest place in the region for a multi-entry visa, it just about did away with all the Africans. The headquarters, a cafe not far from where I was staying, had become deserted. Every account I've ever heard about the Bangkok immigration detention center (Soi Suan Pru?) tells how the majority of the people in it were Africans.

So, is Suk Soi 3 less crowded these days?

[AYJAYDEE]

It is time to crack down on these law breakers Thai doesn't need these people The Expat Community will be more high class

This a great idea and will improve Thailand for all

I am glad this is being done

Thanks

More high class...........

Greetings xxxxxfromPattaya

It´s ok if the Thais start to enforce their laws, but please, completely overhaul the whole Visa system then. Even if you´re legal it´s not really "fair". The Visa based on marriage is a good example- that´s a joke!! 90 days, no land, no rights, annual renew, ridiculous. If they really mean it they would have the chance to clean up and then modernise the whole system now. I hope things will get better soon, but there´s not much hope I guess. Don´t think the army is interested to make Thailand fairer or more open to foreigners (the root of all evil )

+1

These guys are so amusing. Thinking they're better than someone who in and outs on tourist visas. Really man, Thailand would be far better off without a bunch of old, drunk, useless retirees.

how about sober ones?

[kevozman1]

It is time to crack down on these law breakers Thai doesn't need these people The Expat Community will be more high class

This a great idea and will improve Thailand for all

I am glad this is being done

Thanks

More high class...........

Greetings xxxxxfromPattaya

It´s ok if the Thais start to enforce their laws, but please, completely overhaul the whole Visa system then. Even if you´re legal it´s not really "fair". The Visa based on marriage is a good example- that´s a joke!! 90 days, no land, no rights, annual renew, ridiculous. If they really mean it they would have the chance to clean up and then modernise the whole system now. I hope things will get better soon, but there´s not much hope I guess. Don´t think the army is interested to make Thailand fairer or more open to foreigners (the root of all evil )

+1

These guys are so amusing. Thinking they're better than someone who in and outs on tourist visas. Really man, Thailand would be far better off without a bunch of old, drunk, useless retirees.

Most of them are elitists who had to move to a border line third world country to feel elite. Back in the city or wall street these guys would be chicken feed, but that exchange rate into Thailand goes straight to most of their heads. Really sad.

[AYJAYDEE]

It is time to crack down on these law breakers Thai doesn't need these people The Expat Community will be more high class

This a great idea and will improve Thailand for all

I am glad this is being done

Thanks

More high class...........

Greetings xxxxxfromPattaya

It´s ok if the Thais start to enforce their laws, but please, completely overhaul the whole Visa system then. Even if you´re legal it´s not really "fair". The Visa based on marriage is a good example- that´s a joke!! 90 days, no land, no rights, annual renew, ridiculous. If they really mean it they would have the chance to clean up and then modernise the whole system now. I hope things will get better soon, but there´s not much hope I guess. Don´t think the army is interested to make Thailand fairer or more open to foreigners (the root of all evil )

+1

These guys are so amusing. Thinking they're better than someone who in and outs on tourist visas. Really man, Thailand would be far better off without a bunch of old, drunk, useless retirees.

Most of them are elitists who had to move to a border line third world country to feel elite. Back in the city or wall street these guys would be chicken feed, but that exchange rate into Thailand goes straight to most of their heads. Really sad.

please provide your data for such a general statement

[kevozman1]

Sorry I do not have any stats for that.. funnily enough.. but I was reviewing a graph in deciding what makes you make such silly comments, here is what I what I came up with.

http://www.funnyjunk.com/funny_pictures/1715810/Troll/

[AYJAYDEE]

Sorry I do not have any stats for that.. funnily enough.. but I was reviewing a graph in deciding what makes you make such silly comments, here is what I what I came up with.

http://www.funnyjunk.com/funny_pictures/1715810/Troll/

GIGO

[geronimo]

It will have a significant effect on a large group of foreigners who, for whatever reason, reside in Thailand and then do the border runs. Most of these people work in Thailand but pay no taxes as they have no work permit (working illegally). The military want to squeeze these people out or force them to comply with the legal requirements in order to work.

This has been understood by previous governments and efforts were made but like most things here, after an initial push, things slipped back to norm.

There is another dynamic about to enter the arena ...... ASEAN begins certain changes in 2015 and apparently (I'm not certain) any citizen from any of the ten member countries can enter another member nation without a visa and gain employment (without work permit). Should this be true then I see a massive exodus of Philipinos coming here and they will take the jobs as they have the English skills and will work for little.

Interesting times ahead

[thairastawoman]

Yes, Thai speak English so well already, they don't need teachers anymore...

Sarcasm? As if having a bunch of undisciplined, unqualified, law-breaking foreigners in Thailand would make a difference. Bring over the Filipino teachers! They whine/whinge a lot less.

You also forgot to mention, better dressed and better mannered.

Goes without saying, a lot of the ones bleating are so self entitled because they think they are from a superior country

I am not a teacher but I also think that I come form a superior country, what's your problem with that ?

My country leads the work and I am proud about it, the rest of the world should respect our citizens because I wonder what the world would be without us...

[pigeonjake]

i new some would start to get bitter,

come on boys play nice

[wow64]

I am not a teacher but I also think that I come form a superior country, what's your problem with that ?

My country leads the work and I am proud about it, the rest of the world should respect our citizens because I wonder what the world would be without us...

hahaha awesome.. I think you have something stuck in your butt, your own head maybe.

[kevozman1]

I am not a teacher but I also think that I come form a superior country, what's your problem with that ?

My country leads the work and I am proud about it, the rest of the world should respect our citizens because I wonder what the world would be without us...

hahaha awesome.. I think you have something stuck in your butt, your own head maybe.

Exchange rate heroes and people who love to move thousands of miles away to play the rich country card. This new breed of expats sounds great.. can only imagine the levels of resentment growing amongst Thais who already have to deal with enough elitism in their own society.

[ukrules]

I am not a teacher but I also think that I come form a superior country, what's your problem with that ?

My country leads the work and I am proud about it, the rest of the world should respect our citizens because I wonder what the world would be without us...

Merely out of interest where are you from thairastawoman ?

[mrtoad]

Yes, Thai speak English so well already, they don't need teachers anymore...

Sarcasm? As if having a bunch of undisciplined, unqualified, law-breaking foreigners in Thailand would make a difference. Bring over the Filipino teachers! They whine/whinge a lot less.

You also forgot to mention, better dressed and better mannered.

Goes without saying, a lot of the ones bleating are so self entitled because they think they are from a superior country

I am not a teacher but I also think that I come form a superior country, what's your problem with that ?

My country leads the work and I am proud about it, the rest of the world should respect our citizens because I wonder what the world would be without us...

You must be one of those self entitled, self righteous Americans with that statement? Please don't be a Brit.

[mrtoad]

I am not a teacher but I also think that I come form a superior country, what's your problem with that ?

My country leads the work and I am proud about it, the rest of the world should respect our citizens because I wonder what the world would be without us...

Merely out of interest where are you from thairastawoman ?

Odds on USA?