Leaving after a decade.

[dhream]

 

Never been an issue for me, The only addition I filled in one month ago was a single page if I remember correctly, wanting some extra info.

I agree totally with the above, I File 90 day report online, yes, it IS doable, if you have a little ingenuity. And an attention span bigger than a Fox News consumer.

The 'extra' form is, like most things, not that dreadful in reality. I left most of it blank. The cops themselves don't care! Its just more shit they have to deal with for no real benefit to them either.

Like I said, try Cambodia's 'too easy' visas, filthy streets, and scammy locals, then come bitch to me...

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[dhream]

"Not sure which straw was the final weight!"

Could be the end of the beautiful relationship?

To the OP, you're on a false crusade, everywhere has hi so oppression in some shape or form, that's why Trump, that's why Brexit.
As for the relationship. Good luck finding that in any other country, unless you're loaded, or some amazing in other ways, guy...
The Thais will sort out their own troubles without help from us, any Thai interfering in western politics would be rightly slammed.
So leave them to it.
I think you're making a very expensive mistake.
I'd suggest spending the time and money to go wherever you're going for a 'staycation' it may quickly make you realise and remember why you came here to begin with!

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[dhream]

 

 

I lived in Spain a long time and still have an ex wife and property there.

 

Its a good place to live in general but I do prefer tropical weather.

 

You will have a good time. 

Spain has scammy government property dodges easily googled.
Portugal has better rule of law.
I came from there, never looked back.
Its gripped in depression, they can't even afford to turn on the shops display lights in many cases, assuming they're still in business!

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[dhream]

I shall give you my two cents. Thailand is definitely not the same as I first encountered it 50 years ago but where is. In addition, I am not the same. On both accounts some things are better and some are worse. It is our perception of those things that either gives us pleasure or pause. IMO Thais are still basically the same people they always were but many of us couldn't discern what tht was.

-Thais always wear a mask hiding their true feelings and the longer we are here the more we are able to unmask them- sometimes what we see is not what we like and at other times it is great.

-Thais worry about their future jut like us- but they most often keep it to themselves or suppress their feelings- a difficult concept in a relationship.

- The cost of living is much higher for both Thais and Foreigners making both of our lives more stressful

-It is not the government per se that bothers people- it is what the government may or may not do that creates uncertainty

-The internet and social media have placed before us more of a cross section of the good, the bad and the ugly- where in the past we only were aware of the good.

-Thailand does not have that fun feeling like before because more people are poor, stressed out  and we have also grown up.

-There is no real anti foreigner feeling but as Thailand starts to enforce laws some people are having adjustment problems. The days of living dangerously are coming to an end.

 

In my mind it is still a good place to live but we have to let live.  Based upon what I see in my birth country of America- I have no desire to return and miss very few things. Thailand has and will always be my home but it is not for everyone.  I wish the OP well and I hope he finds his peace whether in the UK, Thailand or somewhere else.

A measured, and thoughtful response.
Worth bumping up to the front page again.

I went through exactly what the OP went through, just last month.

One inexpensive week out of Thailand brought me to my senses fast...

That's why I'm harping on.

Don't burn bridges, there is nowhere like this anywhere, not any of the ASEAN neighbours, and definitely not the PI.

Which is a fools paradise, with an exceptionally dangerous buffoon in charge.

That guy could declare war on all foreigners tomorrow, just based on what he says, and the way he's going... Thailand's political leadership are not that psychotic.

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[jayboy]

A measured, and thoughtful response.
Worth bumping up to the front page again.

I went through exactly what the OP went through, just last month.

One inexpensive week out of Thailand brought me to my senses fast...

That's why I'm harping on.

Don't burn bridges, there is nowhere like this anywhere, not any of the ASEAN neighbours, and definitely not the PI.

Which is a fools paradise, with an exceptionally dangerous buffoon in charge.

That guy could declare war on all foreigners tomorrow, just based on what he says, and the way he's going... Thailand's political leadership are not that psychotic.

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I dont disagree with your assesment but it's worth pointing out a major error.People may be more stressed out than in the 1960's ( though I'm not so sure) but they are not poorer.They are much much richer at every level.One could argue the huge increase in wealth has not been distributed equitably but that's a different issue.

As so often it's not grinding poverty that leads to political conflict.It's the frustration of rising expectations by vested interests and those who benefit fom the status quo.

[MissAndry]

1 minute ago, jayboy said:

That guy could declare war on all foreigners tomorrow, just based on what he says, and the way he's going... Thailand's political leadership are not that psychotic.

 

And Prayut couldn't?

[dhream]

What has Prayuth said to make you think that?
Quote please...
We all know Deuterte, has publicly called for vigilante executions, which is an invite for anyone to murder anyone they don't like, no comeback.
We all know hes called western diplomats sons of whores. Etc etc.
Give me evidence of Prayuths actual targeting farangs, I'll accept that.
Until then quit trolling.

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[dick dasterdly]

15 hours ago, rogeroc said:

Not exactly that oppressive but it is inconvenient and all pretty pointless and of no benefit to anyone.

Plus, ever increasing pointless forms indicate an 'attitude' that long-staying foreigners aren't very welcome.

 

The government knows as well as the ex-pats that these additional requirements aren't going to bother the criminals - which is why some of us (myself certainly) worry about the way things are going.

[dhream]

Plus, ever increasing pointless forms indicate an 'attitude' that long-staying foreigners aren't very welcome.

 

The government knows as well as the ex-pats that these additional requirements aren't going to bother the criminals - which is why some of us (myself certainly) worry about the way things are going.

You're reading too mutt into this form - NOT "forms" - as I initially did- before filling it out at the airport to get my re entry stamp.

Some jobsworth wanted to 'look good' by inventing it.

His boss, who does not have to deal with it either, thought it was a good idea (these are bureaucrat minds, after all) now they're stuck with it, like we are, and they don't like it!

Its not compulsory to fill most details at all, and the guy going on about photgraphs of his condo and atm card... sounds like he needs to move to a friendlier police district, or change out from a marriage visa.

Even so... let them play their stupid games, there will be another change of guard eventually.

As The west declines, they'll see the money to be made in retirement visas, and make it more friendly, not less.

Enough money trumps EVERYTHING, the one thing expats forget here... if you can't afford here you can't afford anywhere (worth living comfortably in) so why worry?

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[MissAndry]

Flew into CNX earlier this week (from KUL), didn't fill out the back of the arrivals form, wasn't given any other forms.

[RawboneFunksta]

Pretty tired of people who claim to hate Tvisa Forum because it is full of whinging Poms (the descendants of criminals specialise in this particular insult when in fact they are the POMS =prisoners of his majesty) complaining about with no trace of irony.

 

There is good and bad about Thailand and two good friends have recently returned to their native countries taking their Thai wives and children with them. They both feel that Thailand is not the best place to raise children. I tend to agree but my children are well grown and were raised in the UK.

 

Not sure if the recent changes in Thailand affect me or us expats too much but they have changed Thailand and the atmosphere/environment is different

 

1. No democratic process, voting is either vetoed or made meaningless

2. Less social mobility for the poorest people

3. Controls; first sim cards now the discussion about GPS tracking

4. 90 day reporting. We are not generally criminals and yet this process suggests we have to be monitored and now a new form asking for all sorts of information as yet 'optional'. Give it time. Recently a directive asking for yet another photo on the 90 day form. (not a change as such but the cumulative affect)

5. Markets and street vendors being moved or eradicated (not the Thailand I know and love) in the new military state

6. No change in property laws

7. No change in residency applications

8. All of the above painting us a second-class citizens while rich Thais buy up London property.

 

Some of these are new and some not and the good, at least for me still outweighs the bad but should Burma or Cambodia begin to become ever more accommodating of expats, who knows?

[55Jay]

4 hours ago, dhream said:

I know of a guy who just sold everything, including condo, and moved back to Hawaii.

He was sick of 'the Government'

He lasted a month.

Now he 's heading back here, what a huge waste of time and money, family in upheaval, etc.

I myself looked at Cambodia, meaning, I actually went there before selling up.

I lasted a few days! Here is not perfect, but there, it sucks. Big time.

Be very careful about the green green grass over the fence my expat friends!

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Yep, gotta keep a realistic perspective, which includes a check on media influence. 

 

[SoiBiker]

3 hours ago, MissAndry said:

Flew into CNX earlier this week (from KUL), didn't fill out the back of the arrivals form, wasn't given any other forms.

 

I don't think I've ever filled out the back of the arrival form.

[Scotwight]

4 hours ago, RawboneFunksta said:

Pretty tired of people who claim to hate Tvisa Forum because it is full of whinging Poms (the descendants of criminals specialise in this particular insult when in fact they are the POMS =prisoners of his majesty) complaining about with no trace of irony.

 

There is good and bad about Thailand and two good friends have recently returned to their native countries taking their Thai wives and children with them. They both feel that Thailand is not the best place to raise children. I tend to agree but my children are well grown and were raised in the UK.

 

Not sure if the recent changes in Thailand affect me or us expats too much but they have changed Thailand and the atmosphere/environment is different

 

1. No democratic process, voting is either vetoed or made meaningless

2. Less social mobility for the poorest people

3. Controls; first sim cards now the discussion about GPS tracking

4. 90 day reporting. We are not generally criminals and yet this process suggests we have to be monitored and now a new form asking for all sorts of information as yet 'optional'. Give it time. Recently a directive asking for yet another photo on the 90 day form. (not a change as such but the cumulative affect)

5. Markets and street vendors being moved or eradicated (not the Thailand I know and love) in the new military state

6. No change in property laws

7. No change in residency applications

8. All of the above painting us a second-class citizens while rich Thais buy up London property.

 

Some of these are new and some not and the good, at least for me still outweighs the bad but should Burma or Cambodia begin to become ever more accommodating of expats, who knows?

No change in 90 day reporting.  Change in upward mobility as more poor graduate from college every year.  No change in democratic process.  No sim card tracking.  Street vendors not being harmed as much as in the past.  (ya I been here a while).

Rich Thais were always rich and landowning class.  Upward social mobility much greater now than 20 years ago.  A lot more whinging poms around (seems like)

[Seraphina]

On 23/08/2016 at 8:38 PM, daveAustin said:

Seraphina, you would be surprised at the prices (esp groceries, cars and mobiles), the level of service and how easygoing most people are. Jobs can be a hassle with big gaps in CVs.

 

Hi Dave, you may well be right. It's a good point too. I haven't actually lived there for such a long time and during my last visit (so long ago, I can't remember), I was quite surprised how cheap food was even at Marks and Sparks. I was comparing prices to France, not Asia - and certainly not China which has so far proved to be far cheaper than both Thailand and India.

I imagine the killers for me would be everyday things like petrol, drycleaning and good quality shoes/clothes as these carry VAT (and good dressmaking is difficult to find in the UK). Of course, there are the larger things such as buying a new car, buying a house or renting an equivalent property to what you have here.

 

It's so easy to get used to tax free living when it's sustained, but I agree with you, you could well shop around. I don't anticipate returning and I'm definitely out of touch! Indeed, I was very embarrassed just recently when I asked for 100 pound notes at a local exchange house the other day, only to be told they didn't exist!

[Scotwight]

1 hour ago, tropo said:

Duterte has not "publicly called for vigilante executions", and you made no mention of what his war is - it's against drug dealers and corruption. (we all know? LOL - do we? You know nothing by the sounds of it). The way you tell the story it's like you're trying to insinuate he has declared war against foreigners. He hasn't and life for foreigners continues as it did before May... unless you're a drug dealer.

 

Our family is from an area of the Philippines where drug addicts have been running wild for many years. Three of my brother in laws have f****d up their lives with shabu (yabba). A mayor close by to our area has just been arrested for running a huge drug business. We're very happy about his war on drugs. You will not believe how easy it was to get drugs in the provinces.

 

The killings are only if the drug dealers resist with weapons, in which case they will be shot, and what's wrong with that? There's no vigilanti executions. Unfortunately there have been some cases where psychotic police officers have taken this power too far, but it was not ordered by Duterte. Some were probably carried out by politically motivated parties trying to oust him.

 

The lady killer in the story is a contract killer shoots people in the head and if she leaves the team they will shoot her.  Sounds pretty much like a mob hit to me.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37172002

 

[GuestHouse]

13 hours ago, Berkshire said:

 

It's not a rule, but more like common sense.  Why would someone who's not even in Thailand anymore, who claims to hate Thailand and wants nothing more to do with Thailand, yet, continues to post relentlessly on Thai web forums?  Sort of goes to motive and intent...don't you think?

 

I can think of lots of reason why people who are not in Thailand might wish to continue posting on Thabased web forums. As many reasons as anyone might have who has lived in Thailand for a long time, intends to live/retire to Thailand, lives in Thailand part time, lives in Thailand most of the time but elsewhere part time, has a wife/girlfriend/family in Thailand - the permutations are near limitless.

 

What I can't recall are these individuals you frequently refer to in your claims of 'hating Thailand', or variations along the theme of 'Thai haters/bashers'. 

 

We've discussed the point very many times Berkshire.

 

Its all part of human nature.

 

When people are genuinely happy with the choices they have made, nobody else's opinions on those choices matter a jot. Though when people make a poor choice, or know on some level that the choice they made is not as good as they are telling themselves - then they do get upset when others criticise their choice. 

 

Be happy with the choices you have made and don't let the views of others on your choice spoil your day.   

[WhamBam]

I have been back in the U.K. since March. There were reasons I had to come back. Many things to sort out and put right. If I'd had a choice, I'd have stayed in Thailand.

 

I have been enjoying life here in the U.K. in many ways. It feels so much slower, easier and cheaper.

Driving, shopping and other daily things are more pleasurable on the whole.

Dealing with people and making business calls seems less hassle too.

General life is pleasant with less hassle.

 

I'd spent most of the last 8 or so years in Thailand. I still have friends there. Yet there was an undercurrent in many different ways. That pressure of constantly being hustled and hassled. Yet, with those Thai people I did know and saw on a regular basis, I found them to be friendly and helpful. It is those who just want to use us or try it on that seems to be the norm outside of those Thai people I know.That I do not miss.

 

Overall, I'd suggest giving it a break from Thailand if you feel under pressure and if you have the means to support yourself back in your home country.

Personally, I'd do so in the late spring / summer months. The temperature adjustment is radical.

 

Take a break. Don't burn all your Thai bridges because you might like to go back.

 

Personally, I am seriously considering going back to Thailand for 3 of the winter months to see how it feels.

 

 

[SoiBiker]

 

20 minutes ago, GuestHouse said:

 

I can think of lots of reason why people who are not in Thailand might wish to continue posting on Thabased web forums. As many reasons as anyone might have who has lived in Thailand for a long time, intends to live/retire to Thailand, lives in Thailand part time, lives in Thailand most of the time but elsewhere part time, has a wife/girlfriend/family in Thailand - the permutations are near limitless.

 

What I can't recall are these individuals you frequently refer to in your claims of 'hating Thailand', or variations along the theme of 'Thai haters/bashers'. 

 

We've discussed the point very many times Berkshire.

 

Its all part of human nature.

 

When people are genuinely happy with the choices they have made, nobody else's opinions on those choices matter a jot. Though when people make a poor choice, or know on some level that the choice they made is not as good as they are telling themselves - then they do get upset when others criticise their choice. 

 

Be happy with the choices you have made and don't let the views of others on your choice spoil your day.   

 

I love it here, and I'm very happy with my choice to live here. But I still reserve my right to bemoan the fact that the most prominent online forum for those of us who live here is dominated by whiny miserable types who moved here for all the wrong reasons and then either lack the nous to get out, or do so but then spend years coming back to the forum and running the place down in some weird attempt to justify their decision. 

 

Thailand is an awesome place to be, and this forum ought to be a celebration of that fact. Sadly, most of the time its anything but.

[GuestHouse]

2 minutes ago, SoiBiker said:

 

 

I love it here, and I'm very happy with my choice to live here. But I still reserve my right to bemoan the fact that the most prominent online forum for those of us who live here is dominated by whiny miserable types who moved here for all the wrong reasons and then either lack the nous to get out, or do so but then spend years coming back to the forum and running the place down in some weird attempt to justify their decision. 

 

Thailand is an awesome place to be, and this forum ought to be a celebration of that fact. Sadly, most of the time its anything but.

 

Putting aside your conclusions of the how/why these 'whiney miserable types' moved to Thailand and whether or not your assertion that they lack 'nous' as purely supposition on your own part, your claim that these people 'dominate' this forum doesn't stand scrutiny. 

 

 

[Naam]

59 minutes ago, GuestHouse said:

 

Putting aside your conclusions of the how/why these 'whiney miserable types' moved to Thailand and whether or not your assertion that they lack 'nous' as purely supposition on your own part, your claim that these people 'dominate' this forum doesn't stand scrutiny. 

 

 

 

"dominate" might be too strong but i agree with soi-biker's

 

Quote

Thailand is an awesome place to be, and this forum ought to be a celebration of that fact. Sadly, most of the time its anything but.

 

[kannot]

11 hours ago, SoiBiker said:

 

I don't think I've ever filled out the back of the arrival form.

i always  fill it out with completely wrong answers.

[kannot]

5 hours ago, WhamBam said:

I have been back in the U.K. since March. There were reasons I had to come back. Many things to sort out and put right. If I'd had a choice, I'd have stayed in Thailand.

 

I have been enjoying life here in the U.K. in many ways. It feels so much slower, easier and cheaper.

Driving, shopping and other daily things are more pleasurable on the whole.

Dealing with people and making business calls seems less hassle too.

General life is pleasant with less hassle.

 

I'd spent most of the last 8 or so years in Thailand. I still have friends there. Yet there was an undercurrent in many different ways. That pressure of constantly being hustled and hassled. Yet, with those Thai people I did know and saw on a regular basis, I found them to be friendly and helpful. It is those who just want to use us or try it on that seems to be the norm outside of those Thai people I know.That I do not miss.

 

Overall, I'd suggest giving it a break from Thailand if you feel under pressure and if you have the means to support yourself back in your home country.

Personally, I'd do so in the late spring / summer months. The temperature adjustment is radical.

 

Take a break. Don't burn all your Thai bridges because you might like to go back.

 

Personally, I am seriously considering going back to Thailand for 3 of the winter months to see how it feels.

 

 

I too just came back from 6  weeks in  the UK ( went  in the summer) and found the weather appalling, was hoping to do many things but gave up as it was  too miserable, it  reminded me of how non existant Uk summers  really are. For me I find yob culture in the Uk too much.

[tropo]

8 hours ago, Scotwight said:

The lady killer in the story is a contract killer shoots people in the head and if she leaves the team they will shoot her.  Sounds pretty much like a mob hit to me.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37172002

 

From your article:   "He estimates that between 30% and 35% of people in his neighbourhood are addicts"

 

Yep, sounds about like our province in the Visayas. I've personally had to deal with 3 addicted family members over the last couple of years, and each of these has children to look after, which are being neglected. Guess who picks up the pieces?

 

From your article: " In Tondo, the shantytown area next to Manila port, most of the residents applaud the president's tough campaign. They blamed the "shabu" scourge for rising crime, and for destroying lives"

 

Yep, understand that well - ditto for our province.

 

People who are standing by in other countries pontificating about these "atrocities" have no idea what is really going on over there.

 

I'm all for it - kill all them bast**ds. Yes, there may be some collateral damage, but it's worth the risk.

[473geo]

12 hours ago, Naam said:

 

"dominate" might be too strong but i agree with soi-biker's

 

 

 

Nah there are many threads that run on this forum where discussions are not focussed on the flaws of Thailand

 

Mostly the few people who continually advise Thailand is not perfect are vociferous and persistent, frequently these comments are exacerbated by similar aggressive dogmatic attempts to highlight and label the poster as a 'whiner',  as evidenced on this thread.

 

I am surprised by the aggression shown to the OP by some posters in response to the 'I am leaving' threads.

I am mystified by the 'my home country is crap' reasoning. You may justly feel for various reasons, Thailand has, and, will continue, to improve your lifestyle. That in turn does not make your country of origin crap. By way of example the UK is just fine at the moment, in my opinion, of course, we are accustomed to perpetual change and face challenges as they arise. Be it employment, weather, political change, winning medals at the Olympics.

 

So to Thailand and Dennis making a personal choice to leave. Has there been change? certainly, for better or worse? well that would depend on your personal circumstance, and that applies to Thai and foreigner alike. The conclusion reached at this personal level and a subsequent choice to leave, or stay, need not imply that the lifestyle of others warrants the same action.

 

Take it easy guys.

 

 

 

 

[AlexRich]

16 hours ago, SoiBiker said:

 

 

I love it here, and I'm very happy with my choice to live here. But I still reserve my right to bemoan the fact that the most prominent online forum for those of us who live here is dominated by whiny miserable types who moved here for all the wrong reasons and then either lack the nous to get out, or do so but then spend years coming back to the forum and running the place down in some weird attempt to justify their decision. 

 

Thailand is an awesome place to be, and this forum ought to be a celebration of that fact. Sadly, most of the time its anything but.

 

Before I left the UK for Thailand I viewed a great deal of blogs, web sites, etc about Thailand, particularly if the writers where actually living here. I want to read a range of views and opinions, the good and the bad, as they can be quite useful ... better to learn by the mistakes of others than make them yourself. No country is perfect, and everyone's opinion on  place is different depending on their character and their experiences ... good and bad. 

 

So, on balance, I don't think that Thai Visa should be a celebration of how awesome Thailand is ... as a newcomer I'd rather not be a lamb to the slaughter ... give me the good and the bad ... and I'll make up my own mind once I get here and have accumulated some experiences.

 

[SoiBiker]

A balance of good and bad would be nice. Sadly, the relentless negativity tends to drown out anything else. 

[Naam]

2 hours ago, AlexRich said:

everyone's opinion on  place is different depending on their character and their experiences ... good and bad

 

depending also on ignorance, lack of education, intolerance, disappointment that a foreigner in Thailand is not automatically treated as Bwana or Sahib...

 

shall i go on?

[GuestHouse]

37 minutes ago, SoiBiker said:

A balance of good and bad would be nice. Sadly, the relentless negativity tends to drown out anything else. 

 

I have to agree with you on this. The OP has been treated to a barrage of negativity and personal abuse for simply stating that he's leaving Thailand for his own personal reasons. 

 

[SoiBiker]

If it's not working out for whatever reason, better to leave and be happier elsewhere than to stay here and moan about it.