Can somebody please explain?

[USajaarn]

Dear all,

I have followed this debate for a while now with some fascination. Only recently did it actually occur to me what is going on. The farang who are complaining about this new policy have actually gotten things all wrong. You are not getting a visa when you come to Thailand, but instead get an "on arrival permit". The purpose of this special arrangement never was to allow somebody to live almost permanently in the country. In fact it is a very fair system and it became abused by a great deal of farang "free-loaders" who just used it to circumvent a legal visa by travelling to Mae Sai for the day. In fact it is not that difficult to get a multiple entry business visa to come and go as you wish if you have legitimate business here (hitting the red light districts does NOT count as "legitimate business interests"!). I don't understand the outcry over Thailand's government wanting to get a better handle on just who is living in their country! In many cases (certainly not all) there are undesireables that have just come to abuse a system where their pensions or savings will strecth farther because of the exchange rate. These people, despite their cries of how much they spend in Thailand, are NOT being altruistic in their intentions! They are here because THEY benefit from being here - not because they are hoping to contribute to Thailand's economy! And what they spend, while surely contributing to the economy, is on consumables like beer and food for themselves.

I happen to agree with this policy change, limiting the entry permit to 3 times in succession, or at the very least I don't begrudge Thailand for making this change which is STILL very generous. The only reason people are pissed off is because THEY have to now apply for a real visa and pay some actual money for it - JUST LIKE A THAI WOULD HAVE TO IN ORDER TO ENTER ANY OF OUR COUNTRIES! Please try and be fair when you criticize policies, for there are plenty that are legitimately criticized. This just does not happen to be one of them.

Respectfully,
USajaarn

[Geoff]

Have to disagree with you there. If you are doing border runs and need to do it every 3 months, the visa fees in doing this is far more than my 1 year spouse visa. I applaud these new laws. I now save a lot of money in visa fees, not to mention the costs of leaving the country. This just forced me to get the proper visa, thats all. But don't think your getting more money from these new laws.

[USajaarn]

Actually Geoff, that is a great point about the cost of going out of country to renew the visitor entry permit every 30 days. It is not only costly of money but of time, more importantly - not to mention the risk to safety of driving on the Thai highways. Why not just apply for the correct visa and be done with it?

cheers, USajaarn

[Rooster]

It is simple. Tourist visa does not require much to obtain other than you have to be citizen of certain countries to receive automatic 30 days tourist visa. The requirements are more rigid when these people are trying to obtain business or work visa. This new immigration rule is not about more money for the Thai immigration department. This new rule is designed to manage the past unchecked abuses of tourist visa by foreigners who are causing social and economic problems in Thailand. These people are generally do not bring in social and economic wealths to help Thailand. They are virtually not much different from those illegal workers from Burma and etc. surround areas; it just happened that they came from the low end of those developed countries.

[harry]

Usajaarn,

Then thousands of Northern Europeans retirees after a live of hard work, buy a house in Italy, France, Spain and other Southern European countries. They like to spend the winter of their lives in the pleasant and beautiful countryside. Not only to stretch their pensions and savings, but also to avoid the cold and dark winter months. They participate in the local village life, don't create hassles or problems. The EU even give them the right to vote in local town elections.
Then thousand others Northern Europeans only spending the winter months in Southern Europe.

The same go's for Retirees who come to Thailand. Most of them promised their Thai spouse to take her back to her home country. And of course living in Thailand stretch their pension or savings. And is this morally wrong? They build or buy a house, decorate it, buy a car and so on. Is this not in the benefit of the local economy?
Usajaarn not all retirees or Farangs spend their life in Pattaya. Just look where Collin, Kees and other participants live. And believe it or not, many retirees with a Thai spouse have to overcome some hesitations, because the live in Italy, France, Spain and other Southern EU countries is even so, or even better than in Thailand. But you know the quote "God weigh and the wife decide"

But what is disturbing them is the fact, that in their home country, their Thai wife has all the rights and prerogatives as the locals. They get very easy the nationality . And as you know in Thailand, its a very different game.

But on the other hand, you are 1000000% correct about the Farang RIF RAF and freeloaders who spend their time in the bars of Pattaya and Pat Pong. I feel deeply ashamed to be a man and a Westerner when I see their behaviour.

i will fo for three months to Thailand next month. I can obtain a 3 month non-emigrant visa with 3 entries without any problem, in the Thai Consulate in Antwerp.I only have to show my marriage certificate that I'm married with a Thai lady. But having an retirement visa is much more difficult.

[Kiwi]

I worked in Thailand as a full Thai employee, because of my Large Salary I paid very high Tax.
On my terminating Pay I Paid close to 400,000 Baht Tax,and then go my passport stamped must leave in 6 Days.

How can the Ex Head of state be negotiating for a britsh Soccer team. Who is smart and who is chicken.

If Commonwealth people can not own land or goods how can he negotiate for a football team.

What about his visa , 90 in 180 days. As A new Zealand man I also feel that we are now to scared. Who from Thailand owns a station in South Island.

[Patrick]

Hi farangs,
Thailand is over now, they don't want us anymore so don't spend more money there, you should come to Vietnam, beleive me you will forget Thailand quickly.

[tddrake]

One quick question, is there a very vocal minority in Thailand that hates on foreigners? If yes, then the guy who suggested Vietname sounds like a very viable alternative.