Popular Post ICELANDMAN Posted April 24, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2019 1 hour ago, glegolo said: You guys are living in a dreamworld,. Come out for God sake and see the sunshine. There are quite a lot of english and american and australia expats here in Thailand, but what the <deleted> dont you understand, that all the rest of us expats (majority), is NOT of your nationalities..... We are having income-letters and do NOT deposit any 800K in the bank. My God gets real and do not talk for the whole world... glegolo I averaged out, many have more than 800,000 in the bank and spent millions buying a condo or wife home 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragnarok Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 (edited) Who are these government officials of all these foreign countries who took the time to answer your letters, afix overseas postage, and mail back a reply that they deny you a place to live in their country. You wasted my time reading this post, by the way “90 year old Don” made me think this was about some kind of mafia Don. I’m going to write a ‘letter to Thailand’ and say please help this 90-year-old man named Don onto the airplane and expedite his departure from Thailand right away! Edited April 24, 2019 by Ragnarok 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike787 Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 55 minutes ago, Thaidream said: Compassion- it's every person's issue. Please tell me what is wrong for anyone showing compassion to another person. Have we all reached the point in the World where we do not care about our fellow human beings? It appears so. This is a man who is 90 years old- had he gone to an agent- he would have been approved immediately. However, he asked Immigration for some compassion due to his health issues and situation. Most countries and especially Thailand pride themselves on treating the elderly with respect and yes compassion. This report and some of the responses show me how far some of the human race have regressed. Feelings mutual re: "Compassion". However, action speaks louder than words. Thailand's compassion is absent as narrated by the 90 year old and other expats on TVF that have felt the recent wrath of Thai immigration. There is an active exodus of expats from Thailand, wether it be slow, gradual, or expedited but it is an efflux. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Thailand Outcast Posted April 24, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2019 43 minutes ago, mike787 said: Feelings mutual re: "Compassion". However, action speaks louder than words. Thailand's compassion is absent as narrated by the 90 year old and other expats on TVF that have felt the recent wrath of Thai immigration. There is an active exodus of expats from Thailand, wether it be slow, gradual, or expedited but it is an efflux. Western tourists numbers have been in decline here in recent times, so it would stand to reason expat numbers would also eventually decline. If one does not holiday in Thailand, fair chance is one does not retire to Thailand. This has nothing to do with visas, and everything to do with "Thainess" but yes, you are correct, of the expats here now, seriously considering a Plan B was something they procrastinated on, but not now. Many are making serious enquiries in other countries, myself included. 4 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Old Croc Posted April 24, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2019 The OP has indicated he won't deposit 800k to live here until his end of days, thus suggesting he does have that money. He refuses to do so because the regime, or the banks, will benefit from his money when he goes. Apparently he has been submitting affidavits for many years confirming he meets the monetary requirements, but now that he has to prove a monthly income of 65k won't do so because he doesn't use that much, and it would accumulate, again benefitting the wrong people. He has no heirs here, nor at his former "home" which begs the question - who will benefit from his legacy when he goes? Personally, I would prefer to leave it to a Thai wife, carer/housekeeper or even a best mate, by simply completing a will. He doesn't want to stay here under the circumstances, doesn't have a "home" country, but is leaving to re-establish himself in another country at the age of 90. Who would want to do that unless they have no other option? Does he really meet the financial requirements for retirement here, and trying to blame other factors for his situation? It would be a huge price to pay for pride. IMO, his efforts to get an exemption by writing letters to various senior officers, tells the real story. For many years Thailand's lax acceptance of income claims has resulted in a culture of dishonesty that has become the norm with many expats. Immigration's sudden insistence of proof of claimed funds has caught out thousands, and believe it or not, I do have sympathy. I feel there should be some sort of amnesty for long term residents such as Don, and for those who have put down roots within the community. However, this is Thailand - flexibility, common sense and compassion are in short supply. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusarelus Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 2 minutes ago, Old Croc said: The OP has indicated he won't deposit 800k to live here until his end of days, thus suggesting he does have that money. He refuses to do so because the regime, or the banks, will benefit from his money when he goes. Apparently he has been submitting affidavits for many years confirming he meets the monetary requirements, but now that he has to prove a monthly income of 65k won't do so because he doesn't use that much, and it would accumulate, again benefitting the wrong people. He has no heirs here, nor at his former "home" which begs the question - who will benefit from his legacy when he goes? Personally, I would prefer to leave it to a Thai wife, carer/housekeeper or even a best mate, by simply completing a will. He doesn't want to stay here under the circumstances, doesn't have a "home" country, but is leaving to re-establish himself in another country at the age of 90. Who would want to do that unless they have no other option? Does he really meet the financial requirements for retirement here, and trying to blame other factors for his situation? It would be a huge price to pay for pride. IMO, his efforts to get an exemption by writing letters to various senior officers, tells the real story. For many years Thailand's lax acceptance of income claims has resulted in a culture of dishonesty that has become the norm with many expats. Immigration's sudden insistence of proof of claimed funds has caught out thousands, and believe it or not, I do have sympathy. I feel there should be some sort of amnesty for long term residents such as Don, and for those who have put down roots within the community. However, this is Thailand - flexibility, common sense and compassion are in short supply. Your post would be accurate if 76 out of 80 embassies had stopped issuing income letters. But it's the reverse only 4 out of 80. So I'd walk your statement back and put the blame where it belongs with the 4 lazy embassies. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nong Khai Man Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 13 hours ago, scorecard said: IMHO let's keep in mind that the welfare of old farang is not really the responsibility of Thailand regardless of how long you have lived here. Maybe NOT, But They'll take you're Money ALL Day Long !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nong Khai Man Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 10 hours ago, johnmell said: Where the hell is Essan? It's Issan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nong Khai Man Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 3 hours ago, GinBoy2 said: In over 10 years I still only have one Thai bank account. Why would anyone need more?? Me Also after 25 Years !! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Croc Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 10 minutes ago, marcusarelus said: Your post would be accurate if 76 out of 80 embassies had stopped issuing income letters. But it's the reverse only 4 out of 80. So I'd walk your statement back and put the blame where it belongs with the 4 lazy embassies. A good point, but doesn't make my post inaccurate. It just indicates there are many luckier liars out there waiting for the hammer to fall, and hoping Thailand continues to lack common sense. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcnx Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 15 hours ago, BritManToo said: Why not tell us where you're going? Keeping it secret is a troll red flag. Too many expats here are toxic. If he found a gem, he’d be smart to keep it to himself. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dcnx Posted April 24, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2019 4 hours ago, Thailand Outcast said: What do you thing the purchasing power of your income now will be in 25 years time? This is exactly where so many are going to get screwed and they don’t realize it. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackThompson Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 3 hours ago, mike787 said: Times have changed...good ol glory days of Woodstock in Thailand are long over. Wish it weren't...but as some on TVF has said, there are other adventurous countries that are much more welcoming, safer, and a immigration system that fosters acceptance...Thailand is NO longer the Elysium of hedonism. I don't see any reduction in the availability of hedonism; the primary supporters of the gogo bars, and "women of the night" generally, are short-term visitors, who are welcomed at immigration. The 2nd largest group of supporters are longer-stay folks with plenty of extra money to spend - so can easily afford to payoff immigration with an agent, or let 800K rot in a Thai account till forever. The only problems immigration is creating, are for expats who retired here under the original rules - who didn't need to pay off immigration with an agent before now - and whose planning/budgets were based on meeting the original rules. I would guess the overestimated the humanity of Thai immigration, and didn't expect to get a knife in the back. Surprise! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rodney earl Posted April 24, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2019 There is only one reason that thais are smiling at you. All the time they are smiling they are trying to work out how to separate you from your money and after a long time I have had enough and I have already left and I am back in my home country. Never to return.!! 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanLaew Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 (edited) WRT the OP.... buh-bye. Thanks for playing. Edited April 24, 2019 by NanLaew 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NanLaew Posted April 24, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2019 7 minutes ago, rodney earl said: There is only one reason that thais are smiling at you. All the time they are smiling they are trying to work out how to separate you from your money and after a long time I have had enough and I have already left and I am back in my home country. Never to return.!! ...and forever lurking on the fringes of TV and probably other Thai-centic forums and websites, posting such as the above as some sort of salve to your disproportionate sense of being disenfranchised by something (or someone) that you probably did 'love' but never understood of fully appreciated. Thanks for playing anyway. 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post richard_smith237 Posted April 24, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2019 15 hours ago, overherebc said: 15 hours ago, jimn said: I remember your last topic. You can afford to stay but are too bloody stubborn. Ridiculas leaving at your age, I bet you wont last 5 minutes when you leave. Update us on your 91st birthday, somehow I dont think we will be hearing from you again. Post again when you reach 90 although going by the tone of your post that's probably 70 years in the future. I don't think so... Youngsters have not yet lived long enough to get that sour.... He comes across as a typical bitter-barstool-steader... .....Probably in his mid 50's already divorced, quit his factory job to retire over here, hooked up with his latest acquisition in a relationship which is already turning fetid hence the ensuing bitterness... Apologies to others - but that's just the opinion I have of someone who's ready to beat up on a 90 year old Gent who's sadly forced to leave a place he loves. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike787 Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 58 minutes ago, marcusarelus said: Your post would be accurate if 76 out of 80 embassies had stopped issuing income letters. But it's the reverse only 4 out of 80. So I'd walk your statement back and put the blame where it belongs with the 4 lazy embassies. 4 embassies are the genesis of expat exodus. Impressive deduction... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post richard_smith237 Posted April 24, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2019 20 minutes ago, JackThompson said: The only problems immigration is creating, are for expats who retired here under the original rules - who didn't need to pay off immigration with an agent before now - and whose planning/budgets were based on meeting the original rules. What rules have Thai Immigration Changed? The only rule I can see is the enforced seasoning of 800k baht in a Thai Account (for 2 months before and 3 months afterwards, or something similar). Additionally, a lot of people have been caught out by the Embassy's refusing of provide Affirmation of Income because so many people were caught out lying and the Income claims were impossible to confirm due to freedom of information laws in our home countries. You mentioned that "didn't need to pay off immigration with an agent before now"... What does that mean? Are you implying that unless you use an agent your retirement Visa will not be processed even if you meet all the requirements (800k in a Thai Bank). So is it just the Affirmation of monthly income which preventing people from meeting the requirements? IF so, thank all those before you who exaggerated their income and abused the system. 7 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post richard_smith237 Posted April 24, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2019 1 hour ago, marcusarelus said: Your post would be accurate if 76 out of 80 embassies had stopped issuing income letters. But it's the reverse only 4 out of 80. So I'd walk your statement back and put the blame where it belongs with the 4 lazy embassies. The 76 our of 80 may not have to comply with the stringent freedom of information laws that the 4 Embassies who've stopped issuing Affirmation of Income letters. The issues is that Embassies have been issuing Affirmation of Income letters to people who've been lying. Due to freedom of information laws Its impossible to verify the incomes claimed, thus, it has been impossible for the Embassy staff to know who's lying and who isn't when all the recipient has to to is 'swear a declaration'... this potentially places the Embassy in a legal grey area. It would take such man-power and legal process and a great amount of time to accurately affirm applicants monthly income that it would be too expensive - All you retirees would complain at the costs which would likely be prohibitive. Thus, its unfair to imply that the Embassy's are lazy - they are simply taking themselves out of the equation where they are legally affirming something which cannot be confirmed. People are upset with the Embassy's for this - but it's not their fault. Blame Thai Immigration for placing an impossible expectation of the Embassies in the first place. As soon as other Embassies recognise their potential legal vulnerability on this, they will follow suit and close up shop. 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Isaanbiker Posted April 24, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2019 (edited) 19 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: What rules have Thai Immigration Changed? The only rule I can see is the enforced seasoning of 800k baht in a Thai Account (for 2 months before and 3 months afterwards, or something similar). Additionally, a lot of people have been caught out by the Embassy's refusing of provide Affirmation of Income because so many people were caught out lying and the Income claims were impossible to confirm due to freedom of information laws in our home countries. You mentioned that "didn't need to pay off immigration with an agent before now"... What does that mean? Are you implying that unless you use an agent your retirement Visa will not be processed even if you meet all the requirements (800k in a Thai Bank). So is it just the Affirmation of monthly income which preventing people from meeting the requirements? IF so, thank all those before you who exaggerated their income and abused the system. I'd met a British gentleman who'd bought his visa and work permit somewhere in Bangkok, and I had to interview him after he applied for a teaching position. Even telling him that he could have had all documents to leave the country to come back on a real visa, and later apply for a real work permit, he denied and even got a bit louder, telling me that he'd have "that all." When the time came, and we took him to Immigration, he's so lucky, because the officer was a nice guy. The Thai head and I were friends with the officer and met each other pretty often, never had such a problem before. The Ayuthaya Immigration stamp was missing, pretty easy to figure that out. He was told to leave LOS on the same day, Not much longer and the friendly Immigration officer at Phiboon Immigration was gone and replaced by a female who had hairs on her tongue. He'd been too kind to foreigners and had to leave to Nakhon Nowhere. I saw his fake stuff and told him many times to get legal, but he didn't listen. You can't help people who are dishonest all their lives long, can you? In short. There are some people who just buy a stamp and a book that looks like a real work permit. Here's an example: https://forum.thaivisa.com/topic/933322-fake-visa-from-agents/ Edited April 24, 2019 by Isaanbiker 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chainarong Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 (edited) 16 hours ago, overherebc said: Use by dates seem to cover everything here. Use by dates will be something every expat will have to be aware of, people change, countries change, unfortunately nothing stays the same, no matter where you are. Edited April 24, 2019 by chainarong Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike787 Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 19 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: People are upset with the Embassy's for this - but it's not their fault. Blame Thai Immigration for placing an impossible expectation of the Embassies in the first place. As soon as other Embassies recognise their potential legal vulnerability on this, they will follow suit and close up shop. it's unfair to hold Embassies legally accountable to "heresay". The Burden of Proof one has sufficient funds rests with the individual, not the government. Adding to the challenge, Thai immigration is not meant to be an efficient system, why else do we have issues. Thai immigration has admitted they themselves do not understand their rules. Why else is such a system so perilously disorganized, and functions consistently inconsistent? Why else is the expat community surprised, bewildered, and frustrated at guessing what the best option or path is to navigate thai immigration. Richard_smith237 explains it clearly in the quote. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BritManToo Posted April 24, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2019 7 minutes ago, mike787 said: Thai immigration is not meant to be an efficient system, why else do we have issues. Thai immigration has admitted they themselves do not understand their rules. Why else is such a system so perilously disorganized, and functions consistently inconsistent? I always assumed it was to maximise the opportunity to secure bribes either through an agent or direct. Without corruption the rules are usually obvious and simple. 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GinBoy2 Posted April 24, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted April 24, 2019 (edited) 4 hours ago, RotBenz8888 said: I hardly ever meet any Germans these days, quite different from 15 years ago. Have a feeling they've found some better places to retire. It's funny. When I first moved to Thailand, in our local area, there were a few Brits, Swedes, one Norwegian, two Americans (inc myself) and a German. When I left, the German was the 'Last Man Standing' Edited April 24, 2019 by GinBoy2 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
from the home of CC Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 53 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said: People are upset with the Embassy's for this - but it's not their fault. Blame Thai Immigration for placing an impossible expectation of the Embassies in the first place. As soon as other Embassies recognise their potential legal vulnerability on this, they will follow suit and close up shop. From what I understand my embassy (CDN) requires tax documentation, what you pay in taxes vs income docs (from Revenue Canada). Plain as day and impossible to fake, I don't see them closing up shop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusarelus Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 5 hours ago, GinBoy2 said: In over 10 years I still only have one Thai bank account. Why would anyone need more?? I wonder how you ever lived in Thailand. 1. Direct deposit account for SS. 2. Normal every day account and phone banking (not too much in this acount for safety). 3. FD account. 4. Stock trading account. 5. The one where you keep the big bucks. That's 5. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackThompson Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said: What rules have Thai Immigration Changed? The only rule I can see is the enforced seasoning of 800k baht in a Thai Account (for 2 months before and 3 months afterwards, or something similar). Two additional months one cannot spend out of the 800K at all, then 400K they can never spend out of. Before, one needed 3 months living expenses plus 800K and they were set. Quote Additionally, a lot of people have been caught out by the Embassy's refusing of provide Affirmation of Income because so many people were caught out lying and the Income claims were impossible to confirm due to freedom of information laws in our home countries. Why are there no reported cases of people "caught out lying?" Surely the anti-farang propaganda networks would have been blasting out that news. Not to mention, for Aussies and Americans, it is a felony charge in your home-country, after you get done doing time on the Thai-charge. The freedom of info protections go out the window if a legal case is brought (subpoenas get around that), which it would be, if Thai authorities had reported perjurous embassy-letters. Quote You mentioned that "didn't need to pay off immigration with an agent before now"... What does that mean? Are you implying that unless you use an agent your retirement Visa will not be processed even if you meet all the requirements (800k in a Thai Bank). Many of those who cannot reach the Newly Moved Goalposts will be using agents - immigration's partners. That is why immigration did this. They want "tribute money" - and could not give a hoot if anyone "really" meets some arbitrary money-standard. Quote So is it just the Affirmation of monthly income which preventing people from meeting the requirements? IF so, thank all those before you who exaggerated their income and abused the system. No, we can thank the fact that immigration engineered a way to force more honest people to agents. Before, people needed 65K gross monthly income on average. Now they need to "import" 65K monthly - even if they don't spend that much, and/or receive money in different time-increments, and/or may have other expenses in their passport-country. 15 minutes ago, from the home of CC said: From what I understand my embassy (CDN) requires tax documentation, what you pay in taxes vs income docs (from Revenue Canada). Plain as day and impossible to fake, I don't see them closing up shop. They contact the tax office and verify the figures? Or the document itself is really hard to counterfeit - like money or something? Edited April 24, 2019 by JackThompson 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GinBoy2 Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 5 minutes ago, marcusarelus said: I wonder how you ever lived in Thailand. 1. Direct deposit account for SS. 2. Normal every day account and phone banking (not too much in this acount for safety). 3. FD account. 4. Stock trading account. 5. The one where you keep the big bucks. That's 5. I'm too young for SS. I have my regular SCB savings account, and the fixed SCB FD for the credit card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcusarelus Posted April 24, 2019 Share Posted April 24, 2019 (edited) 2 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said: I'm too young for SS. I have my regular SCB savings account, and the fixed SCB FD for the credit card. You said you didn't know why anyone would need more than one. I told you. It is common knowledge with anyone who lives here. Especially of one has a business. Of course you need more than one account. Edited April 24, 2019 by marcusarelus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now