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I am amazed at all of this. This ruling dismisses any possibility whatsoever the notion that Thai's are firm believers in the family unit and reinforces without question the idea that foreigners are wanted only for their money. Shame on you Thailand. And no, it doesn't effect me personally.
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No More Dependent Extension Of Stay If The Host Foreigner Has A Retirement Extension Of Stay PermitAs of Sept 1st 2007
Started by Sunbelt Asia, 2007-09-01 00:48
#27
Advanced Member Posted 2007-09-01 08:57:15
I am not affected as I won't qualify for a retirement visa for many years to come, but this new rule is truly stupid and cruel. Why make it harder for foreign families to stay in Thailand? I can't think of a single reason. At the same time, those that are affected by this rule will be hit very hard. And others who maybe could come up with the money will probably leave in disgust. What kind of government invents new laws that specifically hurt families? It boggles the mind. PS: I think one needs to view this in the context of ever-increasing anti-foreigner laws and increased isolationism in Thailand. It's sad because it hurts the Thai people the most. Good point on condo prices too. I was in the market for a condo but now, not anymore. Not because of this specific law, more like because of the general direction this country is taking which virtually guarantees that the ROI becomes smaller and smaller... retirees getting kicked out, hard to move money out of the country, etc etc. I am exactly in the same position, you think right... Hope new elected gouvernment will change these new rules 
#28
Platinum Member Posted 2007-09-01 08:58:07 Mobi, on 2007-09-01 08:53:43, said: Although this new regulation is to be deplored and will cause much unhappiness and even suffering, the most significant and worrying part relates to the lack of a 'grandfather' ruling. #29
Newbie Posted 2007-09-01 09:02:57
I have friends, (American husband and wife) that have retired here and have contributed to the Thai economy each month to the tune of around 80,000 to 100,000 baht each and every month for several years. Now the Thai government wants to drive these people out?? This looks like a giant step backwards for Thailand. Thousands of vendors here depend on foreigners spending their retirement income here in Thailand for goods and services. I strongly suspect that The Thailand government has made an extremely unwise decision. These foreign retirees that are here take nothing and spend, spend, spend and now the government is telling them to go spend somewhere else??? It is my understanding that Thailand NEEDS dollars brought into the country and now they forcing people to take their dollars and go away???? My function here is to bring dollars into the country and hurry and spend them so I can bring more in.  No i don't think the thai government cares so much about the incone. They would rather let all the lying and cheating poo ying steal money and houses from the farang. Otherwise they would make a law against that and not condone such activity. #30
Super Member Posted 2007-09-01 09:07:25
I suppose the authorities only want farang to visit the country, spend some money and f**k off again.
I wonder how many couples will be affected by this, maybe as many as 50000. Which means that quite a hefty amount of spending will go somewhere else (50,000 couples spending 65,000 bath = 3,250,000,000 bath each month) For that kind of money to be spent by short time tourists, we are talking about hundreds of tourists, costing much more money for Thailand in investment for infrastructure alone. Fact is that a lot of retirees vist the country where they want to retire a few times before deciding. Those visits will also disappear. Less income for Thailand again. I think the authorities want to see more poor Thai people? Or maybe they think the farang are dangerous. We must be, if something goes wrong somewhere, the farang gets the blame. What is next? I wonder when we, the married to a Thai woman will be sent out? I have to be back in Holland next week, guess I will look out for a suitable house to live over there again. I feel very unwelcome in Thailand by now. #31
Senior Member Posted 2007-09-01 09:07:46
What a turn of events!
I was concerned about my gf getting a visa to the USA which turned out to be no problem at all. The real problem is will I be able to renew my retirement visa? #32
The Darkside Blogger Posted 2007-09-01 09:09:00
Hope new elected government will change these new rules When, and if, a new government gets elected, I'm afraid you will discover that changes to retirement rules for farangs will be so low on their agenda that it will never see the light of day. It doesn't matter which part of the political spectrum they come from, no Thai politician has anything to gain by passing laws favourable to farangs. In fact it would be political suicide. And don't be taken in by Abhisit's pro western stance in his articles. Firstly he is most unlikely to be any part of the next government, and even if he is, he will know which side his bread is buttered and not get involved in such legislation. I'm sorry but you must face the facts - it will get much worse before it gets better. #33
Senior Member Posted 2007-09-01 09:10:47
WHO THOUGHT THIS THROUGH ??????
Has anyone ever noticed any indication of any decission made by them that shows the slightest indication of the process of thought?????? #34
Newbie Posted 2007-09-01 09:11:54
Does anyone know who is making decisions such as these within the immigration circus? Is there any accountability that can be traced to an individual. Has the point of the present junta been to score points using the easy Farang target? I fail to see the point or improvement in the lives of Thai people by making these changes which in my opinion would only serve to either break up families or eject law abiding residents who have arrived here with the promise of peace and harmony. I would love to see things the way this individual it always starts with an individual person) is looking at the his job of governance and supervision of the immigration laws in Thailand. More rules more requirements can only serve to produce "wrong doing" "law breaking" people... if those people would like to stay. Wasn't this governments mandate of office given in order to combat corruption? Or.. Is it that Farangs are seen as the source of corruption and therefore to blame? What will be the leading manefesto policy of the government to be in the coming election? Purity of the Thai nation? Or someother minor achievement of ethnic cleansing against the foreign element in Thailand? Does anyone have any idea what they are doing? Or..... Is some action better than no action in their minds?
#35
danish pastry member Posted 2007-09-01 09:12:52
doesn't affect me directly at this time, but it's a serious impediment for many good people who want to retire, relax, and spend their ample outside money in Thailand.
I don't believe in tit for tat, but Thaksin and thousands of other Thais residing overseas should be sorely glad this type of bureaucratic stupidity doesn't prevail in the countries they now reside in. I think even the Thai bosses will have to rescind this self-defeating edict - as they have done in the past - when they realize their mistake. #36
Senior Member Posted 2007-09-01 09:13:32
Gee, I wonder if there will be any letters to the Nation or Post about this?
#37
The Darkside Blogger Posted 2007-09-01 09:15:35
Look folks, get one thing straight.
They don't care about foreigners - in fact many derive a diverse pleasure from pissing us off. They don't care about the money we bring. They've all got their own personal fortunes and they couldn't give two hoots what happens to the Thai economy. If every retired farang was kicked out of Thailand tomorrow, it would take years, if ever, for it to have even the slightest effect on the Thai economy. Get real - they don't want you here, and you aint as important to Thailand as you think you are. Sorry, all you dreamers out there.... 
#38
The Darkside Blogger Posted 2007-09-01 09:17:54
Gee, I wonder if there will be any letters to the Nation or Post about this? I'm sure the powers that be are quaking in their boots, just dreading the day the first letter will appear
Edited by Mobi, 2007-09-01 09:29:12. #39
Super Member Posted 2007-09-01 09:19:52
I sense that there are a growing number of middle-class and upper-middle class Thais who don't like the idea that their city could get a significant number of Western retirees.
They weren't bothered about Pattaya/Phuket/Koh Samui going the way of the some coastal regions of Spain, but 'spillover' into other provincial cities raises hackles. When they read of surveys that show that the majority of Brits would like to retire abroad, and hear that Spain and Portugal are getting overly expensive, they must worry that Thailand is vulnerable to a big wave of foreign retirees. #40
Senior Member Posted 2007-09-01 09:23:05
Look folks, get one thing straight. They don't care about foreigners - in fact many derive a diverse pleasure from pissing us off. They don't care about the money we bring. They've all got their own personal fortunes and they couldn't give two hoots what happens to the Thai economy. If every retired farang was kicked out of Thailand tomorrow, it would take years, if ever, for it to have even the slightest effect on the Thai economy. Get real - they don't want you here, and you aint as important to Thailand as you think you are. Sorry, all you dreamers out there.... I agree with you Mobi. We have far far less impact on the economy than many people on here think. I do feel very sorry for the people it affects, especially if they have been living here for some time. It CURRENTLY doesnt affect me, but it's symptomatic of the way things are moving. My Thai wife asked me when we are going to buy a house here...............I said never. I'll keep buying property in my home country and renting it out whilst living in rented property over here. I feel far far safer doing that. If you put all your eggs in Thailand's basket, someone could come and stomp on them one day. #41
Ex Member Posted 2007-09-01 09:24:18
As pleasant and desirable as the country may be, there comes a point where Thailand is no longer a cost effective or desirable option and this type of ruling pushes us all closer to that line. Am I alone in thinking that one morning in the future I might wake up to read a post on TV announcing that Immigration has now doubled to 1,600,000 per year the amount of money required for a retirement visa each year and without the benefit of any grandfather clause? Think about it, it's a very real possibility.
#42
The Darkside Blogger Posted 2007-09-01 09:28:37
As pleasant and desirable as the country may be, there comes a point where Thailand is no longer a cost effective or desirable option and this type of ruling pushes us all closer to that line. Am I alone in thinking that one morning in the future I might wake up to read a post on TV announcing that Immigration has now doubled to 1,600,000 per year the amount of money required for a retirement visa each year and without the benefit of any grandfather clause? Think about it, it's a very real possibility. You better believe it my friend.... 
#43
Star Member Posted 2007-09-01 09:29:17
Remember September 1, 2007 as a sad day in the history of Thailand's dealings with its expatriates, right behind the day eleven months earlier. They very well may rescind this absurdly stupid idea, but it remains in history as handwriting on the wall. I pity the men who fell in love with that beautiful non-Thai girl and brought her to Thailand. And in some cases, we should empathize also with the farang men who made Thai babies in Thailand and may have to leave now.
This law does not affect me, and yet it very much affects me. First they came for the backpackers, but nobody objected. Then they came for the visa runners, and nobody wrote the MFA or the Immigration Police. Then they came for these men and ladies, and most of us will do nothing. At this rate, it will affect me directly, at any moment. Until today, I only thought of returning to Mexico/Latin America as a fallback position in the distant future. Now I will very seriously seek employment and permanent settlement there, in the immediate future. Farang have no future here, none at all beyond the expiration of whatever stamp graces your passport by the questionable generosity of the Thai government. A sad day in farang-Thai official relationships. #44
Advanced Member Posted 2007-09-01 09:32:21
The whole situation with "Visa's for Farang" is to say the least fluid in Thailand. You never know what changes we are going to face next. This latest change will I feel result in a net reduction in the number of retired folks living here.
You can't help feeling if the Thai/Chin ruling class aren't trying to get some sort of pay back (They still blame "Farang" for the crash of 97). I don't think the average Thai is at all anti farang it just seems to be the powers that be. What next Farang husand-Thai wife rule changes!!!!. If rules are changed that result in the Thai wife of a farang husband losing her fiscal support. Then maybe there would be some interest shown by the Thai people, but I wouldn't be that sure. I also don't hold out much hope of any changes in the near future to improve the situation. I have lived in Thailand over 20 years and the actions of the government still never fail to prove again that this is "Amazing Thailand". #45
Senior Member Posted 2007-09-01 09:32:58
Remember September 1, 2007 as a sad day in the history of Thailand's dealings with its expatriates, right behind the day eleven months earlier. They very well may rescind this absurdly stupid idea, but it remains in history as handwriting on the wall. I pity the men who fell in love with that beautiful non-Thai girl and brought her to Thailand. And in some cases, we should empathize also with the farang men who made Thai babies in Thailand and may have to leave now. This law does not affect me, and yet it very much affects me. First they came for the backpackers, but nobody objected. Then they came for the visa runners, and nobody wrote the MFA or the Immigration Police. Then they came for these men and ladies, and most of us will do nothing. At this rate, it will affect me directly, at any moment. Until today, I only thought of returning to Mexico/Latin America as a fallback position in the distant future. Now I will very seriously seek employment and permanent settlement there, in the immediate future. Farang have no future here, none at all beyond the expiration of whatever stamp graces your passport by the questionable generosity of the Thai government. A sad day in farang-Thai official relationships. This law is so stupid, that I hope to god someone at the immigration department reads what he has just written and realises what the hel_l he has just done. Why are these issues not debated in parliament anywhere? #46
Ex Member Posted 2007-09-01 09:35:19
Why are these issues not debated in parliament anywhere?  You are forgiven for forgetting momentarily where you are.
#47
Senior Member Posted 2007-09-01 09:40:19
Peace Blondie, you are spot on. I and others have been saying that the writing was on the wall for the majority of foreigners in Thailand for quite some time. These xenophobic laws are being passed because the powers that be feel that they don't need us anymore. Since no action was taken in the past when Thailand changed the immigration laws to get rid of "undesirable" foreigners, it was clear that they could slowly push the bar up and make more and more of us "undesirable". It's a simply matter of time before most of the "good" foreigners who had their visas "sorted" out are the next on the hit list. I don't expect any change in government to affect these laws and this trend. We are not wanted anymore.
#48
Bagwan Posted 2007-09-01 09:42:02
Quote If you are applying for the extension of stay based on retirement. You now need to provide a map from Immigration to your house. Will a sketch suffice? Seriously...is this a joke? I notice that the jingoistic Thais who come here are very silent on this subject. Maybe they've gone somewhere quiet to play with themselves over the prospect. Although I am unaffected by this latest madness I am now making arrangements to visit Cambodia and the Philippines with a view to re-settlement. I shall enjoy reading about the implosion of Pattaya. #49
Platinum Member Posted 2007-09-01 09:44:00 Mobi, on 2007-09-01 09:28:37, said: chiang mai, on 2007-09-01 09:24:18, said: As pleasant and desirable as the country may be, there comes a point where Thailand is no longer a cost effective or desirable option and this type of ruling pushes us all closer to that line. Am I alone in thinking that one morning in the future I might wake up to read a post on TV announcing that Immigration has now doubled to 1,600,000 per year the amount of money required for a retirement visa each year and without the benefit of any grandfather clause? Think about it, it's a very real possibility. #50
The Darkside Blogger Posted 2007-09-01 09:44:28
The map is no big deal.
If the maps required for marriage extensions are anything to go by, they will accept a simple hand drawn map, with some key places marked in Thai. Similar to ones you are asked to provide by any company who wants to make a delivery to your home. They just want to know where to find you, so they can check if you have complied with any new rules they decide to impose. 
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