We see on TV many complaints about the processes of 90 day reporting and the headaches of extensions, how the rules are in grey area's and we as foreigners can never be 100% sure of getting our next extension, But just think for a minute or two, how would things be in Australia(in my case) if immigration cracked down and made it so difficult to stay in the country unless you can prove that you can support yourself and then made the laws so grey that they could remove anyone that immigration felt was not able to support them self, then maybe my home country would be a better place to live in because the burden on the tax payer would be reduced and the frustration on seeing farangs on welfare would be reduced.

Your working on the assumption that visa laws in Thailand are difficult for long term stay, they are not...they are straight forward and easy , a Thai national in similar circumstances as some of the farangs living here long term in all likelyhood would even get a foot in the door of Aussie, the UK or US to start with

Turn your question the other way round...imagine Thailand implementing similar rules as there are in Aussie, UK, US...the vast majority of long term deadbeat farangs living in Thailand wouldnt get in the door to stay long term...

When you look at it as protection it makes sense. If immigrants either can financially take care of them selves or go home.Come in working visa same as here but if the work pans out can go for citizenship,Just a bit different than here. If they are contributors to society they stay and get citizenship, if not go home.

When you look at it as protection it makes sense. If immigrants either can financially take care of them selves or go home.Come in working visa same as here but if the work pans out can go for citizenship,Just a bit different than here. If they are contributors to society they stay and get citizenship, if not go home.

Unlike Aussie, US, UK, Thailand has never actively sought to implement immigration polcies and thats the why the rules are different