new visa rules for foreigners

[fftcv]

WHile I agree with gturoff's comments (to a degree) I would like to point out a few items.
1. You do not NEED to speak English to get by here in the U.S. EVERY state offers its drivers test in 20+different languages. Thanks to all of the scum sucking lawyers available, if a store or company doesn't offer their item in YOUR language (whatever language that might be) that compnay is being discriminatory and will be sued. Can you imagine if foreginers were allowedd to sue EVERY time they were purposely overcharged or //// to or made to pay double the normal price???? Thailand does not offer this, you need to bring your own interpretor and you need special paperwork. In the U.S. you just need a passport.
2. WHy should an outsider have to KEEP in a Thai bank more than TWICE what the AVERAGE Thai persons makes?????
You say this to so foreighners don't "spong" off the Thai government. WHat a joke. Foreginers don't go to Thailand to live off the government welfare....They go to retire. Sponging off the governemt is why everyone else comes to the U.S. If you are a foreigner you can get a far better government loan and an increadibly low rate well below what I an American Citizen could ever hope for. Perhaps you forgot about the whole double pricing, owning land, or having a majority stake in your own company. NONE of this applies to any foreginer especially a Thai coming to the U.S.
3. You say that Thai people (or everyone for that matter) coming to the U.S. SHOULD have to be required to provide or jump through the same hoops,,,,,but they DON'T. No border runs, no 90 day check ins, no minimum balances or showing proof of employement, no proof of criminal record, no blood tests and best of all you get FREE (paid for by MY tax dollars) medical.....Non of that crap. Only if YOU are a foreigner in Thailand.

So I hope you understand why so many of us foreigners are not happy with the "the hell with you, you are a foreigner" system currently in Thailand. You are correct though. If you don't like it, since the country only seems to be getting worse, then go somewhere else. You can bet that I and my Thai wife will not be retiring there, nor will be spending my very good pension of $9,000.00 per month there. There are many other countries where I and my money WILL be treated better.

[prommee_NE]

I got bored after reading through the first and last few pages on this thread so I apologise in advance if anything I say has been said over and over. I have seen no big changes in residency rules...

Every case of residency in Thailand is on an individual basis...don't start complaining that some rule applies to man A and man B but not to you. That tactic does not and will not ever work in an Asian country (or the UK or Germany for that matter)...and in my view it shouldn't.

You will always get better treatment, from my experience, if you arrive in Thailand with a visa from your country of residence than you will expecting something, having arrived on a Tourist Visa.

You will always be treated better if you can communicate (even elementary) in Thai..Where I am, even better if you say a few Laos (oops Isaan) words as well.

In Provincial districts, having a written letter from the headman, the headmaster, and the Police department helps...not required but I was after an A++ not a minimum pass. Naturally a letter from the Bank Manager is imperative.

Don't ever argue...

End result...Bank gives you an account, immigration gives you a visa for 1 year (since your last arrival if the first time)...Vehicle office gives you a car and bike licence (if you have them from England (RHD) ). All is friendly.

Tell the truth, I felt welcomed into the Country...but then I am in Isaan...and 100Km from the nearest city/big town.

[Ian]

I got bored after reading through the first and last few pages on this thread so I apologise in advance if anything I say has been said over and over. I have seen no big changes in residency rules...

Every case of residency in Thailand is on an individual basis...don't start complaining that some rule applies to man A and man B but not to you. That tactic does not and will not ever work in an Asian country (or the UK or Germany for that matter)...and in my view it shouldn't.

You will always get better treatment, from my experience, if you arrive in Thailand with a visa from your country of residence than you will expecting something, having arrived on a Tourist Visa.

You will always be treated better if you can communicate (even elementary) in Thai..Where I am, even better if you say a few Laos (oops Isaan) words as well.

In Provincial districts, having a written letter from the headman, the headmaster, and the Police department helps...not required but I was after an A++ not a minimum pass. Naturally a letter from the Bank Manager is imperative.

Don't ever argue...

End result...Bank gives you an account, immigration gives you a visa for 1 year (since your last arrival if the first time)...Vehicle office gives you a car and bike licence (if you have them from England (RHD) ). All is friendly.

Tell the truth, I felt welcomed into the Country...but then I am in Isaan...and 100Km from the nearest city/big town.

I think where you live in Thailand can make a major difference in how you feel about Thailand, I suspect that I made a bad choice, I need to move further north.

[expattaffy]

There appears to be a lot of confusion regarding 12 month visa's to reside in Thailand. What you cannot argue with is the rules up on display boards at any immigration centre. Rule 1/ A alien married to a Thai must have a COMBINED sum of him and his Thai wife in a Thai bank of 400,000 baht, Or a COMBINED earning between him and his Thai wife of 40,000 baht a month. Or a yearly income plus money in the bank amounting to 400,000 baht. A farang would be OK having 200,000 baht in the bank if his wife had a yearly income of 200,000. In the event of an alien not married to a thai lady he would need 800,000 in the bank or an income of 65,000. There is also another clause mentioned, if an alien ADOPTS a Thai child and he has the proof, ie adoption papers he has the same rights as an alien married to a Thai lady. ie 400,000 in the bank or an income of 40,000 a month.

[rileythailand]

1st - like many have noted- this is nothing new. And frankly, if you can't come up with 800k or 65k month maybe you should be back in your home country. I and my family have lived here almost 45 years under various visas, jobs, projects and programs. I now use the retirement visa which has the bank deposit or income requirements. I have never had a problem getting my visa or renewing my visa, but I meet the requirements and follow the law of the land. As for bank accounts - I believe the only restriction is that you be on something other than a tourist visa...which makes sense when you consider a tourist visa is for tourism, not work, not immigration or quasi-residency

If you're doing visa runs, working without permits and trying to live below the radar you are merely the same as the Mexican wetbacks who do the same thing in the USA. Frankly there's not much difference between a non-certified English 'teacher' and a farmhand

[kraxlhuber]

I really did not expected that my original posting created such a flood of reply"s.
But the reason one is active here is, to consider other opinions and respect e'm, regardless how trifle.
THANK YOU and keep them coming as Trink said
PS Where is the Night Owl now,any idea??
kraxlhuber

[kraxlhuber]

WHile I agree with gturoff's comments (to a degree) I would like to point out a few items.
1. You do not NEED to speak English to get by here in the U.S. EVERY state offers its drivers test in 20+different languages. Thanks to all of the scum sucking lawyers available, if a store or company doesn't offer their item in YOUR language (whatever language that might be) that compnay is being discriminatory and will be sued. Can you imagine if foreginers were allowedd to sue EVERY time they were purposely overcharged or //// to or made to pay double the normal price???? Thailand does not offer this, you need to bring your own interpretor and you need special paperwork. In the U.S. you just need a passport.
2. WHy should an outsider have to KEEP in a Thai bank more than TWICE what the AVERAGE Thai persons makes?????
You say this to so foreighners don't "spong" off the Thai government. WHat a joke. Foreginers don't go to Thailand to live off the government welfare....They go to retire. Sponging off the governemt is why everyone else comes to the U.S. If you are a foreigner you can get a far better government loan and an increadibly low rate well below what I an American Citizen could ever hope for. Perhaps you forgot about the whole double pricing, owning land, or having a majority stake in your own company. NONE of this applies to any foreginer especially a Thai coming to the U.S.
3. You say that Thai people (or everyone for that matter) coming to the U.S. SHOULD have to be required to provide or jump through the same hoops,,,,,but they DON'T. No border runs, no 90 day check ins, no minimum balances or showing proof of employement, no proof of criminal record, no blood tests and best of all you get FREE (paid for by MY tax dollars) medical.....Non of that crap. Only if YOU are a foreigner in Thailand.

So I hope you understand why so many of us foreigners are not happy with the "the hell with you, you are a foreigner" system currently in Thailand. You are correct though. If you don't like it, since the country only seems to be getting worse, then go somewhere else. You can bet that I and my Thai wife will not be retiring there, nor will be spending my very good pension of $9,000.00 per month there. There are many other countries where I and my money WILL be treated better.

Very true,all obove applys,just one question,how many of us/oltimers residing in Thailand can communicate with the Locals(not nightbirds only) in a passable Thai.
I for instance live since 1981 in Thailand,work overseas and come back on my off-time to stay with my young Thai wife and teenage children with her.
Immigration staff was and is mostly friendly when dealing with them.
Did visa runs in the North of Thailand and East as well.
I did post (new visa rules for foreigners) because some new rules TOOK place since December 2008.
Again each individual has his/her own case.
If you look closely, this topic has the most readed Blog in this catagory

[mike williams]

expattaffy, sorry to disappoint you but the immigration dept changed the rules again just recently, you cannot now combine incomes the farang must either have 400,000 in the bank or an income of 40,000 plus.
The whole thing is just a huge hiss take and I for one am getting hissed off with it.

[hughchi]

Frankly I don't know what anyone's source of information is. Last month I obtained a 1 year multiple entry visa. It cost me $150 and no proof of income or bank accounts was required. Yes, I'm married and have two children and have been living on and off in Thailand for over 26 years. But still, despite all the ranting I read over 8 pages of comments, I find getting a visa is as simple and painless as it's always been.

[weescotsguy66]

The only change I know of is the income requirement for non Im-B married. Before December of last year the couple could combine incomes to meet the 40k per month. Now it's incumbent on the husband only to show 40k per mos. Non Im-O hasn't changed. Oh, and one doesn't need a work permit to open a bank account here.

I live in the Rangsit area (Bkk) and most banks here wants a workpermit for you to open an account.This pisses me off as I am retired and have a Thai wife.Can not get a pensioners visa because I am too young.They sure do not want to make it easy to live here . . . . . .

I also live in Ransit and just managed (May 2009) to get a bank account opened at Bangkok Bank at Future Park and yes it was hassle but the second time I went in with a copy of what it stated on their own website on the conditions openning a bank account. (see link below)

The simplist of methd is a letter with your address on (I had a UK Bank statement and a letter from my bank in UK), a passport (of course) and the last document is a photgraphic driving licence from your country

http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok+Bank ... counts.htm