Enormous Shakeup Of Visa And Immigration Rules

[wolfmanjack]

If you have an extension for job and lose job the extension ends. If you have a wife extension and the marriage end the extension ends. But if you have other qualifications you can immediately change to that. You do not have to "prepare" for everything.

Yes but i think it would entail a whole new application, fees and approval process each time. Why not go for the one that lasts the longest if you can.

[JimGant]

My original question was, "does she need a Thai-visa for extended-stay, or , does she automatically get added to mine, with all of the same funds used for both of us?"

As SBK and Axel point out, getting a Thai PP for use on entry/exit from Thailand is the most efficient way to go, since both US and Thailand honor dual citizenship.

But your wife can, if she chooses, enter Thailand on her US passport without a visa, getting a 30-day stamp upon entry. As a Thai national, she then has the privlege of going to Immigration, paying 1900 baht, and getting a one-year extension based on her nationality. No Non Imm visa step involved, no funds in the bank required. Just proof that she is a Thai national (birth certificate, ID card, or expired passport, etc.) Same day service. Multiple re-entry stamp available for 3800 baht.

But, much cheaper and hassle free to get a Thai passport -- unless you like visiting Immigration, as now they're even enforcing the 90-day reporting for Thai nationals on extension stamps.

[ataloss]

To me it's pretty simple; Immigration wants to see the required money in the Thai bank and proof that it came from a foreign source.... Last month I had a meager 30,000 baht in my Thai Bank Account and although they do want a copy of the bank book I had absolutely no problems as my pension made up for the rest of the 800,000 baht.

I have seen so many OP talk about the REQUIRED money in a Thai Bank and this is absolutely false if you can show the other income to make up the difference.

My pension is "average" for an American and there is nothing else "outstanding" about my application that would lead me to beleive I am being treated any different than anyone else who meets the requirements. My last renewal (extension of stay) with a multiple entry permit took 2 hours to process.

Good on ya mate! You had 30K in the bank upon application for renewal and got it, but, did you transfer from your pension source at least 65,000B each month, or what... less, more...nothing? It seems it matters not a great deal how much is in one's account when one applies as you must pay rent, auto whatever each month...but is it not correct at least 65000 must be seen to be coming in from the outside each and every month from your Bt 800,000+ source ? No money coming in, then immigration assumes you must be working, which is a no-no.

What the US embassy is doing in making out a letter may be fine as an 'American' practice when it takes your word yet does not actually see a pension slip from the US government or proof of external retirement income from whatever source; provided this practice were a US in-house only procedure. The thing is mate, all other embassies and consulates require a verifiable copy of our income before they will write a letter on Embassy letterhead to Thai immigration on our behalf. Many non-Americans are concerned that this lackadaisical US embassy approach will (possibly has) compromised the other embassies' approach and we 'non-American' retirees. Suggest it takes no longer to check a verifiable pension source prior to the US embassy staff giving you the letter. I suggest the US Embassy get its act together. Possibly you could advise them of their compromising an already tenuous situation. Cheers...

[lopburi3]

And I would counter than no Embassy that I am aware of is "verifying" your income statement. Some require you submit paperwork, others that you swear. But in neither case can the Embassy say what you show or say is real.

[Noel]

And I would counter than no Embassy that I am aware of is "verifying" your income statement. Some require you submit paperwork, others that you swear. But in neither case can the Embassy say what you show or say is real.

Not that I go this route for my extensions, but if I were to I would provide original documents (pass books, bank statements, share dividend tax vouchers etc) that categorically prove the income is ‘real’.

Perhaps you are you alluding to applicants submitting forged documents..?

[LoveDaBlues]

As time goes by the Embassy 'letter of income' will carry less and less weight IMHO.

New Thai Immigration slogan (copied as usual):

SHOW ME THE MONEY!

we don't want no stinkin letter.....

short money get worried.......

[rayw]

As time goes by the Embassy 'letter of income' will carry less and less weight IMHO.

New Thai Immigration slogan (copied as usual):

SHOW ME THE MONEY!

we don't want no stinkin letter.....

short money get worried.......

No true from all I have seen and heard form reliable sources. Pensions letter verifying the embassy have seen PROOF of your pension an income (yes real proof) is sufficient if it amounts to 800K Baht per annum or more. Less and the need the cash in your Thai Bank account for the difference and it seems just at the time your visa is up for annual renewal. So I can keep any excess capital safely in the UK earning better interest and live here easily and well on 600K Baht per anum. Of course if your embassy letter does NOT confirm they have certified proof of your income and only taken your word for it then expect rightly to be asked to "Show Us The Money" as you aptly put it. The US Embassy does as someone said need to get their act together as TIT and not US territory.

[Krub]

And I would counter than no Embassy that I am aware of is "verifying" your income statement. Some require you submit paperwork, others that you swear. But in neither case can the Embassy say what you show or say is real.

British Embassy want to see originals of papers that prove your income before they produce the 'magical' letter.

[lopburi3]

And I would counter than no Embassy that I am aware of is "verifying" your income statement. Some require you submit paperwork, others that you swear. But in neither case can the Embassy say what you show or say is real.

British Embassy want to see originals of papers that prove your income before they produce the 'magical' letter.

And just how do you think they will know if they are real? They do not verify. They only say that you have presented evidence or papers - not that they are real or authentic.

[amarka]

hello jap

surely it cannot be right if a westener earns less than 30,000bht a month - thats only 600euros or so....

if they earn so little and pay no tax or insurance what happens when they reach pension age.. who pays for them then?

it seems like a serious problem to me and better for them and for thailand if they leave now and go and get a proper job and join in society again.

amarka

Sir,

I am repeating myself, but it pertains here. Thousands of foreigners (thousands!!!) are working legally, meaning with teaching license and work permit, for under 30K per month and paying taxes on that. Even for those dong a bit better and making 40K, it's hardly an amount of money to get all excited about.

It's a anomaly that sticks out like a sore thumb, and any discussion about minimum income/cash requirements for foreigners is distorted without somehow factoring in the reality of the 30K Engarishe Teacher. Are you suggesting that these people go home?

Aloha,

Rex

hello Aloha,

yes i realise that thousands of foreigners are either illigal or earning very little.

the bar is being lifted in thailand and the thai authorities clearly do not want these people to stay in thailand and are going to make life difficult for them.

yes i would suggest that they go home and earn a decent wage and visit thailand on holidays if they want to..... and perhaps build up a decent pension and retire in thailand ?

i realise that a lot of these people are in a very sticky situation because they have commitments and family in thailand and will not want to leave...

but .......... what it the future for them? only 30,000bht a month a family to support? i feel very sorry for them and dont know how they do it.. and then when they actually retire what happens then - i assume they have no pension or at least not enough to qualify for a visa....

to me its just a big mess and staying in thailand on such a salary with such a future only makes it worse......

sorry guys - your time is up.....

do what is best for yourselves.........

amarka

Those of us that are working and making around 30,000 baht per month are making enough to live here. In my case my house is paid for and I do not have to pay rent. I have 2 pickup trucks 1 of which is only a year old and a motorcycle that is only 2 years old. I have fruit trees and a garden for vegetables. I am paying for social insurance which does include a pension. My wife owns land in the mountains and by time I retire i should be able to have apretty nice house built in the mountains with enough fruit trees, coffee plants etc to live. Also the pension from the thai gov should be enough to pay monthly expenses in the mountain. Also the sale of my home in chiang mai should allow me to do any extra curricular activities that i want. What is wrong with this scenario ?? The thai gov might not allow it by the time I retire.

hi...

yes i can understand in your case the house is paid for and so on. it sounds as if you have set yourself up ok... unlike many others.

i assume the house is in the wifes name and i guess thats where the problem comes in - you cant show those assets and therefore they cannot be taken into account....

it looks like you are genuine - but i guess there are others like you who would use a "wife on paper" to abuse the system....

and thats the problem... everytime there are a new set of rules - a great percentage of ex pats put all there enegry into bending them instead of complying.... they ruin it for eveyone...

in your case assuming everything is as you say it is - i would agree with you and i hope for your sake you can find a sypathetic customs official to help you -

amarka

[Independent]

I arrived back at Bangkok airport on yesterday's (4 October) afternoon flight from Penang. When I read your article saying that we now get 90 days on a tourist visa without having to visit the local immigration office to buy an extension I checked my visa stamp only to find that my visa only lasts for 60 days. Can I still get an extension on 2 December or what? Does anyone really have any idea what's going on?

[CobraSnakeNecktie]

I arrived back at Bangkok airport on yesterday's (4 October) afternoon flight from Penang. When I read your article saying that we now get 90 days on a tourist visa without having to visit the local immigration office to buy an extension I checked my visa stamp only to find that my visa only lasts for 60 days. Can I still get an extension on 2 December or what? Does anyone really have any idea what's going on?

okay I am no expert but have been reading this forum etc and the 90 tourist visa claim was a mistake made by the reporter. The tourist visa appears to be unchanged. 60 days per entry with 30 day extension for 19xx baht.

[geaussie]

Interesting that tourist visas will now be valid for a full 90 days. That saves the 1 mth extension fee of 1900 Baht (2 mth+1 mth). I presume a tourist visa costs about that 2000 Baht. I.e. for the 30 day visa runner/2 times tourist visa the costs just fell 3800 Baht compared to the 2+1 system.

Investment visa: glad that they will grand-father renewals.

Cheers!

Not too sure about that!!!!!

Just got a tourist visa in Savvanaket Laos valid until 30/11/2006.Issued on 2/10/2006.

SO much for 90 days without an extension.

Cost 1000 baht. :

[PeaceBlondie]

Of course if your embassy letter does NOT confirm they have certified proof of your income and only taken your word for it then expect rightly to be asked to "Show Us The Money" as you aptly put it. The US Embassy does as someone said need to get their act together as TIT and not US territory.

Okay, I'll nibble on that bait. I have more right to abuse the USA than its non-citizens do, and I abuse my rights in that regard often. However, an embassy is practically located on its own soil, anyway. The US Embassy, in my American opinion, doesn't lie and doesn't spoil it for every other alien in Thailand. Our embassy and consulate-general just verify that I certified my own statement. But I didn't just provide my self-serving, self-affirmed statement to Thai immigration; I also provided bank statements and had proof of the pensions themselves.

[taxin]

These so called major changes, just make life harder, but with no real improvment in the system, unless you count the tourist visa not needing to be extended. It would also seem that even if you are geuinely married, you could end up with a 7 days red stamp in your passport, and not real explaination given, and no form of legal redress. I look forward to the day, when some has the balls, to take the immigration department to the International Court in the Hague, for seperating a man from his legally wedded wife! Make the most of Thailand whilst you can, doesn't look like there may be so many of us around in the future! And those of you with money, don't bring it here!

Sorry for being a bit slow in responding to the above old post but....

What a complete knob !! When are people going to realise that its not HARDER, its just a little more expensive ! What hard about going to the embassy every now & again for a tourist visa ? KL, Singapore Hong Kong are lovely places to visit, you should look forward to this occasion as a way to sample the delights of other Asian cities, not complain about it !

If you cant afford it guess what, its you guys that they are targeting, and lets hope they do a grand job at booting you out I say !

International court in the Hague, that has to be the most ridiculous thing I have heard on this forum yet !!

Heres to a nice rosey future for Thailand, and an end to all those layabouts giving it a bad image !

[dash]

this is from The Royal Thai Consulate - Birmingham for Visa Applications

(http://www.thailand-visa.com/x.pro/ModShow/ShowPage/30761)

" In addition to this anyone who has entered the three times in succession without a valid visa will be automatically barred from entering the Kingdom under any circumstances for 90 days from the date of the last exit."

I am not yet in Thailand, still working in Switzerland, but when I read this to the letter like "three times in succession without a valid visa" I conclude to the letter that with a succesion of 30 d stamp followed by 60(90) d visa by 30 d stamp will never give the famous 90 d 3 stamps in 180 d and never 3 times in succession, if the visa for 60 days is granted on the basis I have the rigth ....

[expatpuchai]

HI

I CAME TO THAILAND WITH A 60 DAY VISA. WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS TO RENEW IT? ANY HELPFUL REPLY IS MOST APPRECIATED.

ONE THING I'VE NOTICED ABOUT THIS COUNTRY, THE ONLY ABSOLUTE RIGHT FOREIGNERS HAVE HERE IS: THE RIGHT TO SPEND MONEY.

HOWEVER I SUSPECT WITH THESE NEW VISA/IMMIGRATION CHANGES, THAT ALOT OF THAT MONEY IS NOT COMMING BACK TO BE SPENT HERE.

CIAO, JM

[lapamita]

[thais and mr taxsin

Maybe you ask tourists what they not like.............

--streets like a minefield, jump like a rabit

--rubish,rusbish,sukerpook ( plastic at most) everywhere on the beaches

--foreigener pay at points 10 time more than thais, and maybe even 20times more like taxin want, 20thb for thai,200 for foreigners, maybe 400 in future for one waterfall without water

--the modern very beautiful archtitecture beton without paint

bu what they like

--infrastructure

--main point for everybody or 95% THE GOOD PRICES FOR HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS

--the girls and nightlife

--the crouded streets even in the night with friendly people

--many foodchoices of foreignfoods

--many foreigners stay longterm for good comunication

the thai tourism industrie is flying high, but for how long..............................

it is costing a lot of money................................

better think for nature and keep country clean,,,,.........................

[Noel]

Wow!

Three truly outstanding posts in succession...

[Pringle]

At some stage, the Thai authorities will have to confront the real issue – its not one of illegal workers exploiting the situation but people caught in a Catch-22.

The problem is work permits.

Many of those regarded as "illegally" working here would love to register business interests and pay taxes, etc. But they can not.

The reality is the work permit application system is archaic, ridiculously paper intensive, time consuming and fraught with delays and administration problems: I have been through the process, twice, and have experienced it all first hand – I still have nightmares over the last application which required me to submit over 300 sheets of paper. Put bluntly, the work permit application system is insane. Despite the size of the company with its international reputation and known huge Thai inward investment, each application takes not less than three months from the time of application to the time immigration approves the papers. Each delay and one month’s extension requires an additional trip to the work office to apply for one month work permit extension, and the payment of 870 baht per extension. The cost to my company is huge, both in financial terms and in man hours lost.

So if this is what is experienced by a large multi-national, one with an experienced immigration/work permit specialist, what chance does an individual have in tackling the application process?

The solution to the illegal working is not in the visa system – the work permit system needs urgent reform. It needs to be aware of current international business and trade: Thailand has not woken up to the crucial factor of the Internet. It created a level playing field where people can work anywhere in the world. The current system makes no allowances for those who live here but work via the net … five close friends live here working internationally via VPN’s – virtual private networks. One is an architectural technician, another a computer graphics specialist (living here for many years and supporting a large extended Thai family): Two work in publishing, proofreading and typesetting. All would love to work here legally: They cannot because there is no provision under which they can be granted a work permit.

They are victims of a myth. The policy driving these restrictive regulations is the fear falangs will take jobs the Thais should do. If you look at the jobs falangs do here, it us easy to see in reality the fear is a myth: In the case of my friends, not one of the jobs they do could have been gained by a Thai. The work comes from years of nurturing personal contacts, personal technical expertise and ability, and from their personal reputation. That networking built up over many years draws work and income directly into this country. Thailand is the direct beneficiary.

Further, despite several of the guys being run off their feet with work overload, they cannot employ Thais to assist them. The falangs are so-called illegals, undesirables, unwanted . The fact they could be passing on their experience and utilizing the international connections to nurture new businesses here is simply being ignored.

To resolve the number of illegal foreign workers, Thailand should simplify the application process. One key change should be the introduction of automatic 3 month work-permit and tax number when issuing Non-0 visa holders – other Asian countries already do this: The more complex current work-permit application system should remain for those working for registered Thai business and government schools. For the small business/self-employed.

The fears of the criminal fraternity (i.e., the Russian organised crime) will abuse this 3 month-at-a-time business visa are genuine. Regrettably, whatever visa system employed, they will circumvent them. But by having a new visa option, would provide Thailand with sufficient funds to tackle the criminal problem with targeted policing and improved IT detection systems.

To not reform the work-permit system but to further pursue this policy of visa restrictions will be seriously damaging to Thailand. For me, despite having job, corrects funds and fully legal status, I am seriously considering an offer from Vietnam … it’s because my Thai investment is in jeopardy. Worse, the continuing visa nonsense confirms my worst fears about my current investment safety.

My concerns are not alone: On Sunday, I had news from an architectural friend to say the condo sales business is Pattaya and Phuket is in crisis. It seems that no-one is willing to invest in a condo they cannot gain a visa to live in. It transpires many condo purchases are for people not yet retired. Some used the properties as a second home, some snow birds avoiding harsh winter in the US and EU, while other lived here permanently but fly out to do business elsewhere. Most plan on retiring here eventually.

But the end of renewable VOA, the drastic changes to the multiple entry visas and the removal of the investment visas, has thrown a very long shadow over current condo residents and potential buyers. It has hit the residential construction booms hard. One landmark condo development seems doomed unless commonsense returns to the visa situation.

But it’s getting worst not better. Today, I am told the non-immigrant O marriage visa is to be further restricted, linking it to a work-permit holders only. This is to prevent VOA holders switching to married visa status as a work around the ending of the VOA. Daily, it seems the restrictions are getting tighter. Those granted 3_mill investment visas are in panic as it seems they cannot renew their existing visas. Some will loose everything.

For all of us living here in Thailand to seriously consider both our future and investments. The future is bleak, very uncertain; if the current visa witch-hunt continues, your investment and mine could be destroyed at the stroke of a pen by some faceless bureaucrat, and without any recourse. It could happen tomorrow, without prior announcement.

Do not consider yourself immune. Those with 3 million visa investments who should have had some security, and those second-home condo business commuters have unfortunately discovered how insecure investing in Thailand can be. You could be next.

Let us hope, for everyone’s sakes, the new regime will instigate some stability and reason into this fiasco.

Tomorrow will be long overdue.

Pringle.

[rayw]

Of course if your embassy letter does NOT confirm they have certified proof of your income and only taken your word for it then expect rightly to be asked to "Show Us The Money" as you aptly put it. The US Embassy does as someone said need to get their act together as TIT and not US territory.

Okay, I'll nibble on that bait. I have more right to abuse the USA than its non-citizens do, and I abuse my rights in that regard often. However, an embassy is practically located on its own soil, anyway. The US Embassy, in my American opinion, doesn't lie and doesn't spoil it for every other alien in Thailand. Our embassy and consulate-general just verify that I certified my own statement. But I didn't just provide my self-serving, self-affirmed statement to Thai immigration; I also provided bank statements and had proof of the pensions themselves.

I would never state or accuse the US Embassy of telling lies and do not think it is their intention of spoiling it for others. But the system they use is blantantly open to easy abuse and ridicule.

I just take my letter from the UK Embassy who verify that they have seen real (yes real) proof of my pension, and that is all the Thai immigration seem to want or need to see. If I had to produce the evidence to the Thai immigration directly then there would be no need for the Embassy letter. They do it this way because they trust the foreign embassy to give the verified facts and to avoid hundreds of different bank statements and pension pay slips all in different languages and formats from all over the world. It is an emminently sensible way to achieve the pension/income proof they need by using the Embassy letter. The US Embassy letter system however is blatanly open to abuse and IMHO would carry no weight to an intelligent immigration officer (and most I have found are far from stupid). So by you showing them your US bank statements and pension documents directly that did carry the weight needed that was missing in the wishy washy US Embassy letter that verifies nothing.

How much easier though if you just gave the real evidence to the Embasssy in the first place, just once off, for them to clearly in their letter verify your income as every one else sensibly does. The one original letter can then be used each year thereafter without you producing US bank statements and pension documents again, so much easier and more efficient. The only tiem I will need a new Embassy letter is when my pension has increased and I want to claim more verified income as I will in just 4 years time when my pensions exceeds the 800K needed and I willnot need to show my capital top up any more .. hmm all things being equal that is !!.

I love you yanks as I said but you do go about many things in strange ways at times, maybe that is why I love you lot for the fun you give us. Lucky that us Brits are not at all eccentric

Edited October 5, 2006 by rayw

[number6]

I certainly dont spend 65K per month and I am sending money to the in laws and paying for College schooling for 2 others

Sorry nonsense Ive lived here 5+ years maybe in sticks at local school no air con no UBC no hols no eating out except noodle stalls you can live on less than 65k a moth. I have 1 car dont do anything extravagent eat out at thai restaurants mostly 300 baht a time (for me my wife and includes beer), air con elec 5k a month, normal doctors bills etc 5k a month, schools not posh 8 k a moth etc etc to live western you need at least 65k a month to live poor thai i agree 8-10k but dont compare 2 types of living and dont compare a shack in issan with a nice place in BKK or even a decent place in Chiang Mai

[number6]

These so called major changes, just make life harder, but with no real improvment in the system, unless you count the tourist visa not needing to be extended. It would also seem that even if you are geuinely married, you could end up with a 7 days red stamp in your passport, and not real explaination given, and no form of legal redress. I look forward to the day, when some has the balls, to take the immigration department to the International Court in the Hague, for seperating a man from his legally wedded wife! Make the most of Thailand whilst you can, doesn't look like there may be so many of us around in the future! And those of you with money, don't bring it here!

Sorry for being a bit slow in responding to the above old post but....

What a complete knob !! When are people going to realise that its not HARDER, its just a little more expensive ! What hard about going to the embassy every now & again for a tourist visa ? KL, Singapore Hong Kong are lovely places to visit, you should look forward to this occasion as a way to sample the delights of other Asian cities, not complain about it !

If you cant afford it guess what, its you guys that they are targeting, and lets hope they do a grand job at booting you out I say !

International court in the Hague, that has to be the most ridiculous thing I have heard on this forum yet !!

Heres to a nice rosey future for Thailand, and an end to all those layabouts giving it a bad image !

Agree 1,000,000% why should Thialand put up with cheap charlies - if you aint got dosh go to UK and join other how ever many hangers onto our wonderful social system - work and make money then enjoy - to many expats here living on peanuts - why should thialand accomodate them they dont give much except moan like mad - good riddence and when and if I aint got dosh kick me out ok - until last 2 year or so i did not understand how many froangs areon social from USA etc etc - most only here for sex etc.

Im married to Thai properly invested about $ 500,000 for my thia wife and kid and am 1,000,000 happy - if they want me out up to them but id rather stay thnak you till i go

[kozi]

I am English in my 50s living in Thailand on a non -immigrant visa as a pensioner.

Able to live on my pension income and also keep a minimum of 800000 baht in the bank at all times, plus have enough surplus that will hopefully secure me when the visa stake increases (and it will).

Of course costs will rise over the years, so I am currently paying voluntary NI contirbutions in the UK which will give me a state pension when I am in my mid 60s on top of my company pension that I am already gettng. This should cover my living inflationary costs in the long term.

Far from rich, but have planned my life in Thailand wisely.

My advice is, if you are not in a reasonable secure position financially and have to use your visa stake to support yourself/family in Thailand: STAY IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY.

Idiots and dross that come here thinking the goal posts will never be moved are in for a rough game.

[baboon]

I phoned Suan Plu today about extending my "Marriage Visa" the officer I spoke to just kept repeating same as last year to each question I asked.

When I asked does the money have to be in the account 3 months in advance and remain untouched until the extension is granted he just repeated for you the same as last year!!

Now I am even more confused!!

There is no change for you because you already are in the 400k system and will remain able to use it. Only those making first application are likely to be hit with the 40k income requirement. The 3 month may well be something they tell you to do on your next renewal but believe it will only be closely checked for those who are suspect (no money until application and then gone).

Sorry Lopburi, but what about those on an existing non o multiple entry based on marriage? Are we still in the existing system? I can only show 400k annually from my bank savivings in the U.K.I can prove the money in my account is not here today, gone tomorrow. I do not work. I have no criminal record. Am I out? Thanks in advance.

Edited October 5, 2006 by baboon

[baboon]

You know what? Another day, another reason to crap oneself. As I mentioned on a previous thread, first they came for the jews.... Now there are many posters not crowing so loudly anymore as the reality starts to finally set in. YOU sir, after 27 odd years here, YOU sir, with your SUV, House and your MGID who lets face it, owns the lot are not laughing quite as loudly at the moment are you?

I am legally married with a few bob in the bank, fall through the loopholes and realise my love affair with Thailand can be ended at any point with some official not liking the look of me. If there is any justice in the world, I hope to be on the same flight home with some of the formely [or current] smug feckers who used to enjoy pontificating. ONE DAY IT WILL BE YOU!!!

[farangsay]

You know what? Another day, another reason to crap oneself. As I mentioned on a previous thread, first they came for the jews.... Now there are many posters not crowing so loudly anymore as the reality starts to finally set in. YOU sir, after 27 odd years here, YOU sir, with your SUV, House and your MGID who lets face it, owns the lot are not laughing quite as loudly at the moment are you?

I am legally married with a few bob in the bank, fall through the loopholes and realise my love affair with Thailand can be ended at any point with some official not liking the look of me. If there is any justice in the world, I hope to be on the same flight home with some of the formely [or current] smug feckers who used to enjoy pontificating. ONE DAY IT WILL BE YOU!!!

Right on Baboon.

You speak straight.

Too many self-satisfied [people] in these threads.

Very best of luck in what you decide to do.

Edited by Admin2

[Cyberstar]

Right now, this thread is very similar to a late-night bar past its closing time ... nothing left, but a few grumbling, unloved grumblers sobbing in their stale beers ..

[Mobi]

You know what? Another day, another reason to crap oneself. As I mentioned on a previous thread, first they came for the jews.... Now there are many posters not crowing so loudly anymore as the reality starts to finally set in. YOU sir, after 27 odd years here, YOU sir, with your SUV, House and your MGID who lets face it, owns the lot are not laughing quite as loudly at the moment are you?

I am legally married with a few bob in the bank, fall through the loopholes and realise my love affair with Thailand can be ended at any point with some official not liking the look of me. If there is any justice in the world, I hope to be on the same flight home with some of the formely [or current] smug feckers who used to enjoy pontificating. ONE DAY IT WILL BE YOU!!!

Right on Baboon.

You speak straight.

Too many self-satisfied [people] in these threads.

Very best of luck in what you decide to do.

Edited by Admin2

reality starts to finally set in. YOU sir, after 27 odd years here, YOU sir, with your SUV, House and your MGID who lets face it, owns the lot are not laughing quite as loudly at the moment are you?

I am legally married with a few bob in the bank, fall through the loopholes and realise my love affair with Thailand can be ended at any point with some official not liking the look of me. If there is any justice in the world, I hope to be on the same flight home with some of the formely [or current] smug feckers who used to enjoy pontificating. ONE DAY IT WILL BE YOU!!!

Right on Baboon.

You speak straight.

Too many self-satisfied [people] in these threads.

Very best of luck in what you decide to do.

I personally have no problems with my retirement visa and with my not inconsiderable funds, they could probably raise the goal posts ad infinitum, and I'd still probably be OK.

However, all the things that have happened this year, what with with land crackdowns, visa crackdowns etc.,have left me feeling distintly uncomfortable, and I feel a whole heap less secure in this country than I used to,

I think that anyone who sits on thier high horse, and preaches to less fortunate expats that if they don't have enough dosh they should ship out, are nothing better than selfish, arrogant, unfeeling prigs of the worst possible kind, who are totally lacking in compassion for their fellow human beings, and if there was any justice in this world would be the first to be thrown of of this country.

Ironically, they are the very ones who I left England to get away from.

My heart goes out to all of you who have been caught up adversely in these visa changes, and I hope you all find your way forward, and the very best of luck.

[Krub]

And I would counter than no Embassy that I am aware of is "verifying" your income statement. Some require you submit paperwork, others that you swear. But in neither case can the Embassy say what you show or say is real.

British Embassy want to see originals of papers that prove your income before they produce the 'magical' letter.

And just how do you think they will know if they are real? They do not verify. They only say that you have presented evidence or papers - not that they are real or authentic.

I was just comparing the US and UK Embassies way of providing us retirees with 'the' letter.

One asks you to swear/declare, the other asks you to show some evidence.

I am not judging just comparing.