New Visa Rules

[patrickoniam]

Not all farangs are nice I have to say. Im thai but i live in Australia, and I go home every year and in places like Pattaya and Phuket and some of the things that i have seen from these farangs really makes me sick. Ranging from old european guys in their 50's and 60's with young thai girls who look 18 - 20 years old. Now, i know that that is their business, but please, get someone thats at least closer to their age. And also drunk farangs, even Aussies, making a complete fools and disrespecting our culture and people and think they own the place. Im not saying all tourist do this but I have seen quite alot.
I think that its good to have foreigners being able to stay in Thailand for long periods of time to work and live. Its good for the economy and good for Thailand, but at the same time, these farangs need to respect the laws and policies in Thailand and what the country decides to do with visa laws. Visas should be given to people who can prove they work in Thailand and making a positive contribution to the country ( just like any other country would ) instead of being a burden to the the country and the people. But if you cant prove that you have work then you should be eligible just for the normal tourist visa - regardless of how much money you spend there. There shouldnt be any exceptions for anyone.
Its the same here in Australia. If you want to stay here- you need to prove you are LEGALLY working here and you pay taxes and you obide by the laws of the country. If you're just a tourist, you stay for how ever long your visa is, enjoy your holiday, then leave when you are suppose to.
Just beacuse the visa laws are a little bit more relaxed in Thailand, doesnt mean you should take advantage of it
And regardless of what new visa laws Thailand brings in - ALL farangs should RESPECT it and obide by it

[DKO]

Hi patrickoniam,

Agree with much of what you say. I am on a retirement Visa so not permitted to work I am 56 and my wife 44.

I have never been to Thailand as a sex tourist (not interested) but I would mention your comment about 50 -60 year Farangs getting girls nearer their age can be argued both ways. Maybe the 18-20 year old girls should seek men nearer their own age.

But at the end of the day as you said it is their business. Personally I do not judge the merits of people on their age alone. There are nice young or older men and nasty ones in both categories as well.

In truth each is getting what they want from each other.

[patrickoniam]

hey dko
You're right there, I guess its just those particular group of men that my comments are directed at. yes, these girls do accept it and im certain that mainly with the younger girls, they dont have much choice as they are after the money. And these older men do have the money so its hard to turn down. Thats how desperate some of them are - to be going with men old enought o be their grand dads. I guess the arguement can be looked at from both point of views cause at the same time, these girls do have a choice whether to accept the money or not.
As for the visas, even if you're on a retired visa? you,ve worked hard all your life and you have the money to support yourself in Thailand. I guess thats something the immigration office needs to look at when applying for visas and see if you meet criterias.But being a retired couple, its totally different to foreigners who stay illegally in Thailand and take advantage of the situation. My view is - as long as you've gone through the right channels and done everything properly and you are not being a burden to the country then Im all for it.
I like the fact that there are alot of foreigners interested in living in Thailand. I think its good for the country, not only economically. It just shows how much they think of Thailad and that makes me proud to be Thai.
But its just a few that do it wrong and take advantage of the situation
Hope you're liking it there!!!
I ll be home next month too!!!

[DKO]

hey dko

EXTRACT
As for the visas, even if you're on a retired visa? you,ve worked hard all your life and you have the money to support yourself in Thailand. I guess thats something the immigration office needs to look at when applying for visas and see if you meet criterias.But being a retired couple, its totally different to foreigners who stay illegally in Thailand and take advantage of the situation. My view is - as long as you've gone through the right channels and done everything properly and you are not being a burden to the country then Im all for it.
I like the fact that there are alot of foreigners interested in living in Thailand. I think its good for the country, not only economically. It just shows how much they think of Thailad and that makes me proud to be Thai.
But its just a few that do it wrong and take advantage of the situation
Hope you're liking it there!!!
I ll be home next month too!!!

Hi Patrickoniam

Totally agree with you on this one. I have no time for for illegals and deliberate over stayers or those that live here thinking they are better than Thais or, are only here for what they can take from Thailand and live a totally self indulgent life without any interest in integrating or really knowing Thailand or its people.

I must be honest and say I have totally failed with the language regretfully. Just do not seem to make headway or remember words. I learnt Spanish (to a moderate level) from books but cannot read Thai script to do that with Thai.

I am here because I am married to a Thai Lady with a 5½ year old son and she wishes to live here. I love it here, and the people, and am happy to consider Thailand my home now.

I will not deny my Company ealry retirement pension pension would not be adequate in the UK but in Thailand it allows my family and I me a much better living than I could get in the UK or EU.

[u]I am mindful how lucky I am[ /u]that (through no special skills or abilities of my own) being born in a richer country and having a pension based on that country's cost of living that (unlike so many Thais) I am very fortunate to have a good standard of living on what would be very little and totally inadequate in the UK.

For your information
The financial requirement for a Non Imm. O Visa based on retirement is 800, 000 Baht in a Thailand bank or pension or income amounting to that (65,000 baht a month) or a combination of the two amounting to 800,000 baht overall.

I actually feel it is very high as Thailand is a cheap country to live in BUT its Thailand's right to ensure there is plenty to fall back on. Maybe they are allowing for illness treatment and the fact that treatment is chargeable for non Thai citizens. (that I could understand). Non Imm. Visas based on Marriage require less (only 40,000 baht income per month (totalling 480,000 Baht per annum) and you are permitted to work in in Thailand (subject to rules & regulations on what work a foreigner is permitted to do)

I am not sure why the huge difference between marriage and retirement but its Thailand's right decide on the rules and ours to accept them or stay away.

[browngirl]

Bravo ! I am happy to learn that Thailand is finally going to take action and get rid of the thousands of foreigners who take advantage of our country by not paying any taxes.Also our kids will have a better future not being tought English by some "native farang" without any qulifications.If they want to stay and work here then apply for a work permit and pay taxes,simple!

Its crazy that you say that since foreigners seem to provide an income for thailand..not to mention that women and men seem to seek out foregners to support their lifestayle.We in return should deport all the Thai nationals that come here with the "new love of their life" when all you really are looking for is a free hand out like..

[Sean Moran]

Bravo ! I am happy to learn that Thailand is finally going to take action and get rid of the thousands of foreigners who take advantage of our country by not paying any taxes.Also our kids will have a better future not being tought English by some "native farang" without any qulifications.If they want to stay and work here then apply for a work permit and pay taxes,simple!

Its crazy that you say that since foreigners seem to provide an income for thailand..not to mention that women and men seem to seek out foregners to support their lifestayle.We in return should deport all the Thai nationals that come here with the "new love of their life" when all you really are looking for is a free hand out like..

Welcome to the forum BG, and good point made.

Moreover it seems that your protagonist failed to differentiate between formal qualifiacations and real qualifications, although I suspect he was referring only to the former, which are prey to wayward tourists of not always the nicest kind.

[patrickoniam]

Hi Dko
You are very very lucky!
Im trying to get back to BKK myself to live. Just trying to organise everything here in Sydney and tie up loose ends so i can leave here and come home!!
Its good though that you have your retirement fund in pounds but living cost is in baht!. Its definitely a great exchange rate
Im a little worried as the rate for AUD to baht at the moment is not so good for when im there next month. I remember when i was there last july, exchange rate was 1aust dollar = 32baht, now its only 23baht
My mum is doing the same thing as you when she retires, shes going back home to live aswell. And the pension laws are good in Australia. The government just introduced a new rule late last year - stating that if you are retired, you can claim a pension from the Australian Govt and live overseas. So mum is going to claim her pension in Australian $$ and like yourself, pay in Thai baht. Its great. The exchange rate is not as good as the pound but still, she'll get more money than alot of people who are working. One of a VERY few good things our government is doing

[DKO]

Hi Dko

EXTRACT: Its good though that you have your retirement fund in pounds but living cost is in baht!. Its definitely a great exchange rate
Im a little worried as the rate for AUD to baht at the moment is not so good for when im there next month. I remember when i was there last july, exchange rate was 1aust dollar = 32baht, now its only 23baht
My mum is doing the same thing as you when she retires, shes going back home to live aswell. And the pension laws are good in Australia. The government just introduced a new rule late last year - stating that if you are retired, you can claim a pension from the Australian Govt and live overseas. So mum is going to claim her pension in Australian $$ and like yourself, pay in Thai baht. Its great. The exchange rate is not as good as the pound but still, she'll get more money than alot of people who are working. One of a VERY few good things our government is doing

I regret you are mistaken about the GBP-Baht being a great rate. Those being paid in GBP are currently being hammered by comparison with even only a year ago. My pension 13 months ago was converted at 69.48 Baht to 1 GBP and was about 62,000 Baht. Now at 49 -50 Baht to 1 GBP (and getting worse) it only yields about 43,500 Baht. (30% drop in income). It is hurting us now, I have to say and causing me problems meeting the Retirement Income requirements.

Hope yours and my rates improve soon.

One of the few not suffering against the Thailand Baht currently is the US Dollar which seems to be on a high.
In the last 6-8 months it has climbed from year long lows of around 31 baht to 1 US Dollar to today's rates of just over 35 Baht to 1 US Dollar (and climbing).

Seems to me that the more trouble the US and Thailand their currencies do quite well, whilst others currencies like the UK GBP (and recently EURO) by comparison collapse when in deep trouble. I will NEVER understand currency exchange rate logic .

[stilljustbrowsing]

I am very pleased by your LAST comment, or are you going to prove yourself to be a hypocrite?

[henryooo]

Unless the rules have changed, I come from Canada for October to April.
I buy the double entry tourist visa at a cost of about 2000 baht, from the embassy
here. This gives me 60 days when I enter and then can purchase another 30
days at Pattaya immigration for 1900 baht.

I return to Canada in Dec. for family Christmas, usually after 60 days in Pattaya
so I do not have to spend the 1900 baht, and then back to Thailand in
early January when I can repeat the above process for my 90 days until April.

If you do not want to go to your home country after the first 90, then a van
run to Cambodia or a flight somewhere nearby, could activate the second 90 days.

All of this could add up to 8000 baht.