224 replies to this topic
Posted 2006-09-15 13:20:12
 makavelithedon, on 2006-09-15 13:04:55, said:
Mak
This crackdown (if it is actually implemented) is in regard (at a wild guess) to pedo tourists and the sexpats, those with sin bars paying no taxes or anything else that resembles a legal framework of business practice.
'Sin bars'?! What are you, a born-again Christian, makakadon?
Fandango
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Posted 2006-09-15 13:44:05
opebo, on 2006-09-15 12:52:52, said: Fangdago, the only 'contribution' that any person can make to any country is the money they spend there, and these visa runners certainly do that. I'm sure on average they spend 60,000 to 100,000 baht per month, all in funds recieved from their homelands, thus obviously benefiting the Thai economy. h5n1, on 2006-09-15 13:14:12, said: i live on 20k a month. i have most of what i need on this budget and will last me well till i collect social security in usa.
Seems to contradict your view opebo. Visa-runners spending 60k-100k per month should go and get a proper tourist visa.
h5n1, on 2006-09-15 13:14:12, said: who cares how much money one has?? if we are not begging or cost the govt anything?? if i enjoy my life @ b20k a month, up to me! thailand is a third world country!!! doubt it? get your A out of bkk/pty and go to issan, far north-south.
this is targeted at a number of people, indians/burmese/bangladeshi's sure -but also kee-neow farang sure. it is truly xenophobic. thai govt dems' is haters dems is...comapring thailand to first world is LAUGHABLE.
as for their laws, i respect them. no reason ANYONE with half million (oe less) in the bank should not be allowed a year visa. all these complicated visas or even worse GETTING MARRIED or putting your savings in a DODGY thai bank....
No doubt the Thai Authorities are mightily pleased to hear such opinions which would seem to justify the change in rules.
Posted 2006-09-15 14:12:22
Fandango, on 2006-09-15 13:44:05, said: opebo, on 2006-09-15 12:52:52, said:
Fangdago, the only 'contribution' that any person can make to any country is the money they spend there, and these visa runners certainly do that. I'm sure on average they spend 60,000 to 100,000 baht per month, all in funds recieved from their homelands, thus obviously benefiting the Thai economy. h5n1, on 2006-09-15 13:14:12, said: i live on 20k a month. i have most of what i need on this budget and will last me well till i collect social security in usa.
Seems to contradict your view opebo. Visa-runners spending 60k-100k per month should go and get a proper tourist visa.
Well, I never said that everyone spends 60-100K permonth, fandgo, just that the 'average' would be in that range. I know when I lived in Pattaya I spent about 80,000 baht/month, and I wasn't in the least extravagant. Presumably the above poster lives in some rural hideway where there is nothing upon which to spend money. In any case, even if he is living on 20,000/month, he's apparentely not working.
leonmac
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Posted 2006-09-15 17:55:58
Wow, long thread. And now folks will be scrutinizing my English structure...
So let me get this straight...
Tourists visas- no change. Some tightening of the Malaysian border regulations.
Voa maximum of 90 days. 90 days must pass before readmittance with said voa.
I'll talk to the Thai consulate tomorrow, see what they can tell me.
Strange changes are afoot in Thailand...
L
Posted 2006-09-15 21:18:18
ChiangMaiThai, on 2006-09-13 00:40:29, said: Bush, on 2006-09-12 17:32:57, said:
maestro, on 2006-09-12 15:56:48, said:
travelguy, on 2006-09-12 17:36:44, said: What does this mean for those of us who go to Penang for a triple entry tourist visa twice a year? The tourist visa is not mentioned in this announcement. Therefore, this announcement means nothing for you.
However, if you are working illegally in Thailand you should nevertheless do whatever is necessary to get legal. The basic policy seems to be the removal of foreigners working illegally in Thailand and if this new rule does not stop them the government may have other ways to do so.
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Maestro
Personally I do not understand the excitement of several members this forum caused by the new tourist visa on arrival regulations.
The typical tourist will come to Thailand most probably twice a year in maximum.
“Tourists” who are seeking other activities than normal tourists normally are looking for, should apply that visa type suiting their activities.
In Europe you have to play by the law, why not here in Thailand?
You are guest of this country - behave accordingly and you will have no problems at all.
By the way, the “new“ rules are just a consequent follow up of the spirit of old rules and visa regulation. Unfortunately the applicants over stretched old conditions too much.
Bush
These kinds of posts are really starting to annoy me. Can you please open your eyes? There are a significant number of people living in Thailand who do not seem to qualify for any of the visa options UNLESS they are going to permit endless tourist visas. What visa would you suggest a 40 year old retired American apply for who is not married to a Thai and does not wish to work or do business in Thailand?
If he doesn't wish to work or do business in Thailand, then he will basically not be the target of the "new" rules. He can (or has to) put 800,000 Baht on a Thai Bank account on his name and apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa making clear that he retires in Thailand. He will receive a visa for 1 year and can re-new this quite easily every year for another year. If he does not have 800,000 Baht, he is considered to be not rich enough to retire, or in other words immigration would expect that he somehow will have to get a kind of income - which would mean to work.
Posted 2006-09-15 21:29:26
Somsak123, on 2006-09-15 12:13:30, said: Fandango, on 2006-09-15 12:09:50, said:
FarangYaayYaaw, on 2006-09-15 10:39:03, said:
For those of us who visit Thailand ofthen, this isn't a good thing. Not the end of the world, but the removal of a very convienient option.
So, I find it odd that so many of the posters seem to get off at laughing and gloating at those of us who point this out.
What if you are working 28 days offshore, then spend 28 days in Thailand on a VOA, would that be OK, anyone got any ideas about that scenario ??
Sounds okay to me. They don't want you to be a permanent tourist who resides here and goes out of the country for a week-end and then comes back. So if you are away for a month and here for a month, you probably won't appear as a permanent tourist. As I understand it, once you have reached the maximum possible stay (90 days) through consecutive extensions, you have to leave the country for the same amount of time. But if you leave earlier anyway, they probably won't argue when you come back earlier. That of course does not mean that you just can do a visa run every 15 days and then you are fine. I think the point is the ratio between "in the country" and "out of the country". If you land in Bangkok, stay 3 days, go to Wat Arun, come back for a week, go to Singapore and on your way home stop another 2 days in Bangkok, Immigration will sure identify you as a real tourist and not cause any problems. The "in the country 90 days" "out of the country 2 days" is what they want to stop.
Posted 2006-09-16 07:35:37
just one queery I have with the rule of having 800000 baht in the bank for retirement visa do they take into consideration any payments that are made from foreign countrys eg disability or aged pensions
Posted 2006-09-16 09:28:02
[quote name='mitrapaap' post='896259' date='2006-09-15 21:18:18'][quote name='ChiangMaiThai' post='891416' date='2006-09-13 00:40:29']
[quote name='Bush' post='891404' date='2006-09-12 17:32:57']
[quote name='maestro' post='891220' date='2006-09-12 15:56:48']
[quote name='travelguy' post='891179' date='2006-09-12 17:36:44']What does this mean for those of us who go to Penang for a triple entry tourist visa twice a year?[/quote]The tourist visa is not mentioned in this announcement. Therefore, this announcement means nothing for you.
However, if you are working illegally in Thailand you should nevertheless do whatever is necessary to get legal. The basic policy seems to be the removal of foreigners working illegally in Thailand and if this new rule does not stop them the government may have other ways to do so.
[size=1]---------------
Maestro[/size]
[/quote]
Personally I do not understand the excitement of several members this forum caused by the new tourist visa on arrival regulations.
The typical tourist will come to Thailand most probably twice a year in maximum.
“Tourists” who are seeking other activities than normal tourists normally are looking for, should apply that visa type suiting their activities.
In Europe you have to play by the law, why not here in Thailand?
You are guest of this country - behave accordingly and you will have no problems at all.
By the way, the “new“ rules are just a consequent follow up of the spirit of old rules and visa regulation. Unfortunately the applicants over stretched old conditions too much.
Bush
[/quote]
These kinds of posts are really starting to annoy me. Can you please open your eyes? There are a significant number of people living in Thailand who do not seem to qualify for any of the visa options UNLESS they are going to permit endless tourist visas. What visa would you suggest a 40 year old retired American apply for who is not married to a Thai and does not wish to work or do business in Thailand?
[/quote]
If he doesn't wish to work or do business in Thailand, then he will basically not be the target of the "new" rules. He can (or has to) put 800,000 Baht on a Thai Bank account on his name and apply for a Non-Immigrant O visa making clear that he retires in Thailand. He will receive a visa for 1 year and can re-new this quite easily every year for another year. If he does not have 800,000 Baht, he is considered to be not rich enough to retire, or in other words immigration would expect that he somehow will have to get a kind of income - which would mean to work.
[/quote]
Bad information..
Retirees need to be >50 !!
I spend between 1.5 and 2 mil a year living here not working but being 33 I have no legal visa options (but trivial enough to have a laywer open a company and just lose money annually)..
If they were to scrap the age restriction on retirees I think that there would be no one who could complain about these new regs and still argue that they 'contribute to Thailand' thats about the only hole they have in thier new structure is the high net worth retirees who they claim to want here.
Posted 2006-09-16 16:32:22
sossn, on 2006-09-16 07:35:37, said: just one queery I have with the rule of having 800000 baht in the bank for retirement visa do they take into consideration any payments that are made from foreign countrys eg disability or aged pensions The short answer: yes.
If you don't have B800,000 in a Thai bank, the "shortfall" can be in the form of verified income for the difference.
e.g. If you have only B600,000 in the Thai bank, and can verify income of B200,000/year (roughly B16,700/month) you will satisfy the B800,000 requirement.
To support your claim of income: If you are doing the visa application in Thailand you will need a letter of income-verification from you home country's embassy in Bangkok. If you are doing the visa application (O-A) in your home country, check what the income-verification procedure will be at the Thai embassy/consulate where you will be applying.
Posted 2006-09-16 17:13:31
On reading the views it appears that the imposed immigration visa ACTS are having the desired affect and clearing out lots of the dross.
These scum are not community minded people and do not create any benefits for Thailand whatsoever, including the illegal business controllers, bars, pimps etc.
They can try dregging off to Thailand`s neighbouring countries, but will discover that they don`t want them either.
Hopefully this new ACT will make the legitimate Farang long stay residents, (Retired, marrieds, students, skilled workers) presents more valued in Thailand and pave the way for decent Farang communities, especially in Chiang Mai.
My advice is, if anyone is considering residing long term in Thailand, survey first prior to coming over or even better, stay here for a short time to see if Thailand is for you.
Ensure that you can comply with all the imposed immigration requirements and consider what your financial situation may be in the long term future. Can`t live up to the immigration requirements, you`re history, it`s that simple.
Dont think about living here if you have serious health problems, no NHS here and medical care can be expensive.
Thailand is by no means a multi racial society, a Farang is viewed as a glorified tourist, by the authoroties and the Thai general public, whether married to a Thai, supporting her 2 mothers, 15 children and 20 uncles, makes no difference.
Laws and policies are becoming more servere for foreigners, mostly because Thailand is facing pressure from the West to stiffen up it`s relaxed immigration polices as anti terrorist measures.
Before coming to Thailand, study the facts about living here.
No point in griping afterwards when it all goes arse about face.
For those honest long term residents on non-immigrant visas, who can fulfil Thai immigration and abide Thailand’s laws, will succeed here, receive courteous help from the immigration department and win the respect of the Thai people and their Farang peers.
Edited by kozi, 2006-09-16 17:21:48.
Posted 2006-09-17 12:27:27
Well, well, well who is that scum that make the bom blasts, that for sure are not falangs that spend every month 40.000Bath.
Belief me the land of smile change in the land off tears.
billshot64
Posted 2006-09-17 13:47:58
makavelithedon, on 2006-09-14 09:30:13, said: It's easy for me to understand the concept- Thailand wants genuine 2/3 week holiday makers once/twice/three times a year similar to Spain, France etc etc. Otherwise your not welcome!
Not that difficult to grasp is it?
Mak
As a passport holder of a European country I am entitled to move to Spain, France etc (live, work, buy land and house etc) withouth any embassy/visa/paperwork hassles.
Maybe I should jsut do that. Thank you. 
Posted 2006-09-17 13:51:57
billshot64, on 2006-09-17 05:27:27, said: Well, well, well who is that scum that make the bom blasts, that for sure are not falangs that spend every month 40.000Bath.
Belief me the land of smile change in the land off tears.
billshot64
LOS is so last year.
I prefer instead the Hub of Crackdowns. Or HOC for short. Patent pending. Check for details at www.thailand-hubofcrackdowns.com (another fine Shinawatra Media Enterprise)
Edited by Thaiquila, 2006-09-17 13:54:10.
Posted 2006-09-18 22:32:42
Artisan, on 2006-09-13 08:02:59, said: Bush, on 2006-09-12 17:32:57, said:
You are guest of this country - behave accordingly and you will have no problems at all.
Bush
"Guest", "Guest"? Guests are invited and do not pay. We are not guests; we have chosen to visit Thailand, or to live in Thailand, for which we pay through the nose.
"We (in bold letters!) have chosen to .... live in Thailand." That's definitely one of the best I've ever read. Well, maybe unfortunately for you that Thailand is chosing whether they want you to live here or not.
Posted 2006-09-18 22:37:31
tartempion, on 2006-09-17 13:47:58, said: makavelithedon, on 2006-09-14 09:30:13, said:
It's easy for me to understand the concept- Thailand wants genuine 2/3 week holiday makers once/twice/three times a year similar to Spain, France etc etc. Otherwise your not welcome!
Not that difficult to grasp is it?
Mak
As a passport holder of a European country I am entitled to move to Spain, France etc (live, work, buy land and house etc) withouth any embassy/visa/paperwork hassles.
Maybe I should jsut do that. Thank you.
Maybe in 100 years or so there will be an Asian Union and you can freely move around between China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam without any embassy/visa/paperwork hassles, work wherever you want, buy house and land.
Posted 2006-09-19 00:01:14
mitrapaap, on 2006-09-18 22:37:31, said: tartempion, on 2006-09-17 13:47:58, said:
makavelithedon, on 2006-09-14 09:30:13, said:
It's easy for me to understand the concept- Thailand wants genuine 2/3 week holiday makers once/twice/three times a year similar to Spain, France etc etc. Otherwise your not welcome!
Not that difficult to grasp is it?
Mak
As a passport holder of a European country I am entitled to move to Spain, France etc (live, work, buy land and house etc) withouth any embassy/visa/paperwork hassles.
Maybe I should jsut do that. Thank you.
Maybe in 100 years or so there will be an Asian Union and you can freely move around between China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Malaysia, Vietnam without any embassy/visa/paperwork hassles, work wherever you want, buy house and land.
Yeah that'd sure be alot nicer than it is now.
Posted 2006-09-19 00:11:18
Comparing with Western countries where any long stay permission means government medical insurance, un-employment benefits, emergency social help and so forth, all paid by the tax payers, is just plain silly. Cheers!
Posted 2006-09-19 07:38:25
mitrapaap, on 2006-09-18 22:32:42, said: Artisan, on 2006-09-13 08:02:59, said:
Bush, on 2006-09-12 17:32:57, said:
You are guest of this country - behave accordingly and you will have no problems at all.
Bush
"Guest", "Guest"? Guests are invited and do not pay. We are not guests; we have chosen to visit Thailand, or to live in Thailand, for which we pay through the nose.
"We (in bold letters!) have chosen to .... live in Thailand." That's definitely one of the best I've ever read. Well, maybe unfortunately for you that Thailand is chosing whether they want you to live here or not.
Sorry it is our human right where whe what to live but every country think that thy can do every thing Thailand to. But thy do nothing about real problems like the moslim problem, the drug, and dont forget nearby every Thai run around whit a gun this are the real problems but not people that want live in a nice country.
Greetings billshot64
Posted 2006-09-19 07:50:05
Firefan, on 2006-09-18 17:11:18, said: Comparing with Western countries where any long stay permission means government medical insurance, un-employment benefits, emergency social help and so forth, all paid by the tax payers, is just plain silly. Cheers!
Exactly. Thailand is not a western country.
People keep saying that Thailand is now a rich country and can act like a rich country.
Sorry, I don't see it.
Just look at average salaries.
Acting like a rich country is basically just putting on airs, puffery not based on reality.
Talk to us in 50 years after you have invested in upgrading your education system ...
Posted 2006-09-19 08:08:56
mitrapaap, on 2006-09-18 15:32:42, said: Artisan, on 2006-09-13 08:02:59, said:
"Guest", "Guest"? Guests are invited and do not pay. We are not guests; we have chosen to visit Thailand, or to live in Thailand, for which we pay through the nose.
"We (in bold letters!) have chosen to .... live in Thailand." That's definitely one of the best I've ever read. Well, maybe unfortunately for you that Thailand is choosing whether they want you to live here or not.
Thank you and you're most welcome. 
Unless you, I or anyone else has had a personal invitation to visit or stay here, we have made the choice. Have you had the privilege of a personal invitation bestowed upon you?...I think not.
But, you are correct; ultimately, Thailand will have the final say.
Posted 2006-09-19 08:23:10
"Talk to us in 50 years after you have invested in upgrading your education system ..."
The chance would be a fine thing, 'Thaiquila', as I am 71 years old now!!!
But there is a reasonable scenario that says that Thailand will be doing very well in 2057 (provided it doesn't let itself be swamped by incomers), but Northern Europe will be doing very badly.
Thailand will still be able to grow enough to feed all its people and have enough to export in exchange for whatever else it needs to house them comfortably. But the people in Northern Europe will be very cold in winter , when cheap gas and oil are no longer available.
Look at the UK. What will they be able to do to earn foreign credit that others, in warmer parts of the world, won't be able to do cheaper?
Those who live in cold climes desperately need fusion to be made to work, so they can have cheap energy to give them cheap electricity for keeping warm, but it doesn't look likely that the problems of harnessing fusion are going to yield.
Thaksin looks a lot at the future, and he is a business planner.
He may be seeing that it is time for Thailand to go 'upmarket' in what foreigners it caters for.
So, first improve the 'brand image' by being seen to have no truck with the 'undesirable'.
And what better way to do that than this change in the rules about giving 'permission to stay'?
Edited by Martin, 2006-09-19 08:27:41.
Posted 2006-09-19 08:40:40
I think you assume way too much rationale and long term strategy to these changes. Just look at how incredibly POORLY they have been announced and communicated, with no thought as to the real implications.
And consider another problem with Thailand's long term future: GLOBAL WARMING. That will bring famine, not riches.
Really rich people will mostly continue to be attracted to the places they have always been attracted to, and it is not Thailand.
Posted 2006-09-19 13:29:31
Well, well, well again bomm blasts now at two schools in Songkhla citty the schools are now closst. And the Thai covernment can do nothing about it and stricter visa ruls also not. The bomm's come in part in Thailand after a group make the bomm a other group place the bomm again a other group detonaat the bomm.
Gr billshot64
jefftuko
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Posted 2006-09-26 17:13:43
If you have money to spend, you can also purchase "Thailand Elite Card" for 1 million baht. You bet a bunch of perks (free limo to airport, free golf, free spa for life, etc.) in addtion to the Special Visa Privilege. See below for detail about "Special visa privilege" or you can also see www.thailandelites.com.
VISA
* Special visa privileges for indefinite stay and multiple entries.
Perhaps the most important and attractive benefits attached to Thailand Elite membership are the enhanced immigration and visa privileges. Membership confers the right to stay in the Kingdom virtually indefinitely, with five year renewable multiple entry visas issued to all members - as well as renewable 90-day extendable stays without the usual need to leave the country. In addition, Elite Personal Assistant in Bangkok will be available to facilitate you when performing fast track immigration at Thai Immigration Office.
If you have 1 million baht, i think this is a good investment program. It's also transferable to anyone for another 30 years after the transfer.
Posted 2006-09-26 17:29:00
ChiangMaiThai, on 2006-09-12 10:40:29, said: Bush, on 2006-09-12 17:32:57, said:
maestro, on 2006-09-12 15:56:48, said:
travelguy, on 2006-09-12 17:36:44, said: What does this mean for those of us who go to Penang for a triple entry tourist visa twice a year? The tourist visa is not mentioned in this announcement. Therefore, this announcement means nothing for you.
However, if you are working illegally in Thailand you should nevertheless do whatever is necessary to get legal. The basic policy seems to be the removal of foreigners working illegally in Thailand and if this new rule does not stop them the government may have other ways to do so.
---------------
Maestro
Personally I do not understand the excitement of several members this forum caused by the new tourist visa on arrival regulations.
The typical tourist will come to Thailand most probably twice a year in maximum.
“Tourists” who are seeking other activities than normal tourists normally are looking for, should apply that visa type suiting their activities.
In Europe you have to play by the law, why not here in Thailand?
You are guest of this country - behave accordingly and you will have no problems at all.
By the way, the “new“ rules are just a consequent follow up of the spirit of old rules and visa regulation. Unfortunately the applicants over stretched old conditions too much.
Bush
These kinds of posts are really starting to annoy me. Can you please open your eyes? There are a significant number of people living in Thailand who do not seem to qualify for any of the visa options UNLESS they are going to permit endless tourist visas. What visa would you suggest a 40 year old retired American apply for who is not married to a Thai and does not wish to work or do business in Thailand?
well if it were me I would go to Malaysia or check out Cambodia I think they give 90 day visa but all in all I guess Singapore would be the best answer to your question
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