Popular Post DrJack54 Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 5 minutes ago, TSF said: Same story with me. Been living together in a lovely close relationship for 6 years. There are so many things I now dislike about living here and the scales are tipping more so in that direction. But I can't...and don't want to...just walk away from her, so I stay. My home country is Australia but I don't want to get into the whole spouse migration thing, and I would be hit hard financially if I did. So like so many guys I've painted myself into a corner. And would she really be happy living in Au. A visit is fine. Leaving Thailand for many Thai is last resort. So many farang think Thai will be thrilled live in joint like au (I'm Australian) fact is Thai have country and family bonds that I'm quite jealous of. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubonjoe Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 2 hours ago, ubonjoe said: A off topic inflammatory post meant to deflect the topic has been removed. And a few more and replies to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post darrendsd Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 27 minutes ago, DrJack54 said: You have a point but consider the cumulative evidence. I came to los late in life. Already over 50. First few yrs I just used visa exempt because I travelled so much. Then they tightened that way up. So I'm on extensions based on retirement. Guess what ..now I have 800k in fixed deposit to cover ludicrous changes. Now at CW they want TM30. Never have previously. There are many other examples. That doesn't prove that they "don't want us" it just proves that Immigration want people here who can afford to be here and who can prove where they live here The lure in the past for people coming to or living in Thailand has been the lax rules however times move on but it seems some people can't understand that and automatically shout they don't want us here etc etc without looking at the real picture If you can afford to stay here and follow the rules they set they want you here - if you can't they don't I actually agree with their rules (even though it does affect me as well) and wish that countries like the UK would adopt the same attitude 4 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lkv Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 (edited) 3 minutes ago, darrendsd said: I actually agree with their rules (even though it does affect me as well) and wish that countries like the UK would adopt the same attitude So you agree with 90 day reporting and TM30? Or just the visa part? Edited June 27, 2019 by lkv 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 To the OP: was your last US passport renewal done in Thailand? Did you have a significant history of tourist visas (especially from Vientiane) in a previous passport? I am wondering if now, with less pressure on the embassy, they are doing some checking back on prior applications, at least in some cases. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad103 Posted June 27, 2019 Author Share Posted June 27, 2019 This was my second tourist visa in Vientiane on this passport. First was December 2018. Before that I had an exempt stamp in October. After the tourist visa I got 2 visa exempt stamps. So, it seems that vientiane is only allowing 1 tourist visa per year. Either that or they’re counting exempt stamps or have records of you in the computer like thai immigration does. My girlfriend is Japanese but works in Bangkok with a work permit. I guess we could get married and I could get a dependent visa. Anyway, to update further: I booked a VIP fast track service at bkk airport. I had used them in the past. This time the woman at the desk BARELY let me in. She was staring at the screen shaking her head. The VIP guy said there’s nothing he can do. I kept wai-ing to her and begging her. Finally after five or ten minutes she let me in after saying “promise ten days you leave?” I said ok, I just need to get my laptop and belongings. Im considering moving to Vietnam if my girlfriend can find work with a Japanese company there. Either that or move to japan if we marry. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Brad103 Posted June 27, 2019 Author Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 3 minutes ago, BritTim said: To the OP: was your last US passport renewal done in Thailand? Did you have a significant history of tourist visas (especially from Vientiane) in a previous passport? I am wondering if now, with less pressure on the embassy, they are doing some checking back on prior applications, at least in some cases. My passport renewal was in the US when I went for a while in 2018. And yeah, I do have an extensive history going back over 2 years now on tourist visas and exempt stamps. So I deserve this, I suppose. I definitely don’t feel sorry for myself, but just wanted to report about this new update. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BestB Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 Their thinking is pretty simple. If you are genuine tourist you can only realistically travel for 2-3 months, anything over that and its highly unlikely you are a tourist but more likely doing some work. If you are rich enough to stay in the country without working, then Elite is what they want you to buy. If they made Elite possible to be paid in yearly installment, i think a lot more "tourists" would be getting it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 3 minutes ago, lkv said: So you agree with 90 day reporting and TM30? Or just the visa part? I tend to ramble (personal issue). Think you have hit the nail on head. Some regs are important as Darren mentioned. Some are just nonsense. The lack of efficient methods in Thailand should/is an embarrassment to them. Especially given modern technology. Just have a read of threads about registering for online tm30 etc. Absolute joke. Let's do it by snail mail instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaanbiker Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 4 hours ago, Pattayabeerbacon said: Find a new country my friend Wouldn't we know that by now if there's only one? Immigration officers can deny whatever they want to for whatever reason. Perhaps there were too many stamps???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isaanbiker Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 1 minute ago, DrJack54 said: I tend to ramble (personal issue). Think you have hit the nail on head. Some regs are important as Darren mentioned. Some are just nonsense. The lack of efficient methods in Thailand should/is an embarrassment to them. Especially given modern technology. Just have a read of threads about registering for online tm30 etc. Absolute joke. Let's do it by snail mail instead. It would be great if other ( Western) countries would change their laws for Thai citizens and do not give them a passport after a short period of time. It's not fair anymore, it's getting worse by the hour. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post lkv Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 (edited) 11 minutes ago, Brad103 said: I definitely don’t feel sorry for myself, but just wanted to report about this new update. Well, we thank you for the contribution. Since you have joined in December 2017 you have a post count of 8, so we hope to see more of you in the future. I understand they BARELY let you in at the VIP lane there, after you begged, it had a dramatic effect on me, but nevertheless, what's important is that the outcome was positive. Edited June 27, 2019 by lkv 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BestB Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 1 minute ago, Isaanbiker said: It would be great if other ( Western) countries would change their laws for Thai citizens and do not give them a passport after a short period of time. It's not fair anymore, it's getting worse by the hour. Have you just come out of some cave? Western countries do not give passports to Thai citizens and its hell to go through for Thai passport to get visa into any Western country,not to mention Thai passport requires visa to all western countries, while western countries passport holders get free 30 days visa exempt without having to go through any applications and even tourist visa applications are nothing in comparison to pages of paperwork needed for a thai to obtain visa abroad 11 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrJack54 Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Isaanbiker said: It would be great if other ( Western) countries would change their laws for Thai citizens and do not give them a passport after a short period of time. It's not fair anymore, it's getting worse by the hour. You mean give Thai a passport to another country? Edited June 27, 2019 by DrJack54 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad103 Posted June 27, 2019 Author Share Posted June 27, 2019 Just got a chance to read through the thread as I’m on the airport rail link now. I wish I was making this up like some people think. But, i do understand being skeptical of course. I think we will be seeing more of these posts soon. Last week on Bangkok expats fb group I saw one from a girl with a similar story. I guess this could suffice as some kind proof that I applied for a tourist visa and got stamped in exempt. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Zikomat Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 My guess (and hope) is those stamps are to be blamed. But there should be no discussion: Thai authorities keep making life more and more difficult for those who wish to stay in Thailand for a longer period. Xenophobia is my only explanation for these actions. 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post KneeDeep Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 20 minutes ago, BestB said: Their thinking is pretty simple. If you are genuine tourist you can only realistically travel for 2-3 months, anything over that and its highly unlikely you are a tourist but more likely doing some work. If you are rich enough to stay in the country without working, then Elite is what they want you to buy. If they made Elite possible to be paid in yearly installment, i think a lot more "tourists" would be getting it Actually I don't agree. I think the issue is people not going back to their home country in between visas. If it looks like you go back to your home country, work and then go back to spend your money in Thailand, you be less likely to be bothered. If you just have continued TV and exempt stamps from neighbouring countries, expect a denial and be told to go home. I do not think they mean they don't want you there. They mean go to your home country and act like a tourist if you want us to believe you are a tourist. There may be some IO that misinterpret the spirit of what they are told or just take it too far. But I think the general trend is to stop some, including criminals, who don't ever go home for one reason or another, from abusing the system. They'll tell you to go to your home country and get an appropriate visa. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post stevenl Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 I agree with some other posters, this is about people living here on tourist visa. To live here they want an extension of stay or non immigrant visa. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad103 Posted June 27, 2019 Author Share Posted June 27, 2019 4 minutes ago, Zikomat said: My guess (and hope) is those stamps are to be blamed. But there should be no discussion: Thai authorities keep making life more and more difficult for those who wish to stay in Thailand for a longer period. Xenophobia is my only explanation for these actions. I’m thinking this too about the visa exempt stamps. 1 tourist visa per year sounds too far fetched. But according to the guy’s girlfriend that’s what they told her. Who knows. Seemed more likely to me that they either didn’t like the 3 visa exempt stamps along with the tourist visa or they somehow have access to computer immigration and saw all my history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Zikomat Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 There is no appropriate visa available for those who have enough money available and wish to stay in Thailand for a year or two. These people are marked as illegal workers by the Thai authorities. Which is ridiculous. 3 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post KneeDeep Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 1 minute ago, Zikomat said: My guess (and hope) is those stamps are to be blamed. But there should be no discussion: Thai authorities keep making life more and more difficult for those who wish to stay in Thailand for a longer period. Xenophobia is my only explanation for these actions. Which country wants permanent residents in all but name, unless there are reciprocal arrangements? Can just any Thai go to the USA and stay there in definitely by just renewing their Tourist Visa? This is nonsense, about xenophobia. Maybe some have a skewed view because of what they read in the media and not getting to meet any 'normal' people. But I don't feel anything like xenophobia when I am there. Many here just fail to see how poorly they portray themselves. I'm not xenophobic, but many are just an embarrassment to themselves and to others from their country. Creating a negative impression. So clearly the tightening up is a backlash. With the military in charge, what did you expect? 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moe666 Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 (edited) When do you stop being a tourist after the first, second or third. This has been coming for a while, you guys are slow on the up take. They are just tired of people living here on tourist visas and 30 day entries. I wonder if they have been consulating the US Edited June 27, 2019 by moe666 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Zikomat Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 1 minute ago, KneeDeep said: Which country wants permanent residents in all but name, unless there are reciprocal arrangements? Can just any Thai go to the USA and stay there in definitely by just renewing their Tourist Visa? This is nonsense, about xenophobia. Maybe some have a skewed view because of what they read in the media and not getting to meet any 'normal' people. But I don't feel anything like xenophobia when I am there. Many here just fail to see how poorly they portray themselves. I'm not xenophobic, but many are just an embarrassment to themselves and to others from their country. Creating a negative impression. So clearly the tightening up is a backlash. With the military in charge, what did you expect? Let's compare the average salaries in USA and Thailand. What are the chances an American citizen will come to Thailand to work illegally? And making all those costly trips every 3 month just to stay here and work? I have no other explanation but xenophobia. 7 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post brewsterbudgen Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 There is no appropriate visa available for those who have enough money available and wish to stay in Thailand for a year or two. These people are marked as illegal workers by the Thai authorities. Which is ridiculous. Do any countries give unrestricted visas which allow 1-2 years stay? Thailand is easier than some, as you can get an Elite visa, if you can afford it. Sent from my SM-A500F using Tapatalk 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zikomat Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 3 minutes ago, moe666 said: When do you stop being a tourist after the first, second or third. This has been coming for a while, you guys are slow on the up take. They are just tired of people living here on tourist visas and 30 day entries. I wonder if they have been consulating the US What makes them tired of the LONG time tourists? Is there something disgusting about staying in this country for a longer period? They could easily solve the problem by introducing, let's say, one year tourist visas. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GeorgeCross Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 5 minutes ago, moe666 said: When do you stop being a tourist after the first, second or third. This has been coming for a while, you guys are slow on the up take. They are just tired of people living here on tourist visas and 30 day entries. I wonder if they have been consulating the US sounds like they finally found out a way to deal with all the digital nomads to me 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BestB Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 7 minutes ago, Zikomat said: Let's compare the average salaries in USA and Thailand. What are the chances an American citizen will come to Thailand to work illegally? And making all those costly trips every 3 month just to stay here and work? I have no other explanation but xenophobia. Actually quite a few American citizens come to Thailand to work illegally . Not all work 9-5 jobs. Plenty of digital nomads, guys playing stock market or poker. Some decade ago was mates with American programmer who earned big bucks and did not need to go to office, he was living in BKK and sending all codes via email. Not to mention many working as "managers in bars" or teachers(without education) because they enjoy the life style Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritTim Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 21 minutes ago, KneeDeep said: Actually I don't agree. I think the issue is people not going back to their home country in between visas. I used to argue that returning to home country would reassure immigration that you had not set up home in Thailand. Then, there was a case of someone coming with an METV from home country after over four months away, and being denied entry. Soon after, there was a similar occurrence. I now still believe both having an actual visa, and coming from home country, improve your chances. However, every immigration official and supervisor has their own biases, and nothing guarantees entry if the official wants to designate you as "not a genuine tourist". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post moe666 Posted June 27, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted June 27, 2019 3 minutes ago, Zikomat said: What makes them tired of the LONG time tourists? Is there something disgusting about staying in this country for a longer period? They could easily solve the problem by introducing, let's say, one year tourist visas. people are having a hard time dealing with change. Thailand was a open book for years, come stay as long as you like, over stay no problem, ah get a education visa and never go to class, work out of your hotel room on computer no problem just make a 30 day run every 30 days. Guess what boys those days are over the government has decided to get control of the people coming, going, and staying here and a lot of you are having a real problem with that 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BestB Posted June 27, 2019 Share Posted June 27, 2019 8 minutes ago, GeorgeCross said: sounds like they finally found out a way to deal with all the digital nomads to me They just realised if you rich enough to have such a long holiday, you should have enough cash to buy into Elite and if you are not, either you working or not worth having around anyway. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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