New condo buyers offered visa and Elite Card but stranded expats are left out in the cold

[richard_smith237]

29 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

50 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

The treatment by Thailands Government of those foreigners with existing ties to Thailand has been nothing less than absolute abhorrent and despicable. 

If a foreigner has a legitimate reason to enter they will be allowed in. 

 

The only group not allowed in as far as I am aware are 'retirees' as they are considered high risk. 

 

What constitutes 'existing ties'? 

 

Thats a very simplified and somewhat sanctimonious outlook there. 

 

As you mention, lots of retirees are unable to return. 

As are those under 50 who own condos or property here. Those unmarried yet with partners, those unmarried with children. Those with Elite visa’s are supposedly permitted to return but the process is even more long winded than the existing hoop jumping involved with the application for CoE. 

 

 

The argument then turns to the use of the term ‘legitimate reason to enter’ - who decides this? 

 

Those who could enter last year, can’t this year - someone has moved the goal posts regarding ‘legitimate reason to enter’.

Before July, I was ’stuck outside of Thailand’ with no 'legitimate reason to enter’ come July, I'm considered ‘legitimate’ because I held a piece of paper (marriage cert) and returned a few weeks later.

 

 

IF a returee has a Covid-19 Negative result what additional risk is he to Thailand? 

People have to enter with medical insurance thus, any cost of treatment is covered. 

 

The ‘considered’ higher risk is nothing more than sanctimonious codswallop. 

 

If prepared to quarantine anyone should be permitted to come to Thailand, especially those with ties. 

Property owners, in relationships, those with existing rental contracts, vehicle ownership - there are so many factors which could be considered ‘existing’ ties to Thailand - anything which shows someones life is in Thailand.... 

 

 

 

 

 

[richard_smith237]

34 minutes ago, kwonitoy said:

Why all the angst about treatment of foreigners?

 

Thai politicians and bureaucrats don't give a rat's patooy about Thai people, why should they care about falangs?

It does not matter to them how much money we bring in, they don't care.

You show up in a private jet and a billion baht bank account they'll smile, give you a TEMPORARY visa and ask how long are you staying and when are you leaving please?

foreigners as always are just one stamp in your passport from being out the proverbial door

 

You kind of miss the point of a forum designed for discussion... 

 

The same argument could be applied to ‘why all the angst’ regarding the road fatalities?, ‘why all the angst’ regarding teachers beating kids?, ‘why all the angst’ [your subject here] ?.....

 

Taking your outlook of simply accept everything would leave no room for any form of discussion.

 

 

[ThailandRyan]

Looking over the OP I found a glaring inconsistency right at the top of the Article.  The Photo is of a house, and not a Condo.  Mixed messages all over the place.

 

[cardinalblue]

The moral of the story - don’t invest in a country that isn’t your own....

 

love works 2 ways....one way love spells out delusional....

 

See you in 2022....

[metisdead]

An post using some offensive comments has been removed. 

[DrTuner]

I've said it before and I'll keep saying it: check the stamp on your passport. "admitted until". A temp is a temp and making substantial investments when your permit to stay can be cancelled at a seconds notice is high risk business. Up to you.

[hhinhh]

This policy will keep foreigners away from the real estate market if they see that they do not have access to their investment for a long period. This happens and may happen in the future as well. Nothing is worse for an investment case than uncertainty

 

 

[ourmanflint]

2 hours ago, rupert the bear said:

i made the mistake of investing in this place,im here but i cant leave as i cant return,so a version of events.it means i cant work or visit a family member whos ill.in the future when this lifts i will sell up and leave.i do actually own 100% my property its just the mkts slow right now.the problems the govt reaction on all levels.the lack of any rights for foreign people even if u r married or have children ,have invested in a business that provides tek and employment.i feel this gov is more incompetent nationalistic and corrupt than others,even thais as shown by the demos have had enough and are saying what they think for possibly the first time,fascists usually pull the nationalistic card as a last ditch attempt to stay in the game.i do feel its time eu/usa/uk/japan pulled the rug from under them.this gov is looking to china as a blueprint to stay in control ad infinitum as has cambodia and laos.obviously thats not in ours or most thais interest.we see eu and usa has taken a hard stance on putin poisoning his enemies and a soft tack on china who have millions in the camps,so looking for moral guidance in that direction is not hopeful but unlike russia and china thailand is heavily reliant on the eu thru japan set of countries for just about everything.its in those countries best interest to safeguard their citizens rights and also help the thais to throw off this fascist shroud.leadership should come from the usa but theyve always used thais fascism or ignored it ,see the military govs during vietnam war and the previous reaction to govt massacres.usa is going thru a political quagmire the last god knows how many yrs with bush obama trump and now this election fiasco so a lack of competent leadership once again.so it looks like people must make their own minds up so when the cuffs come off IMO i think we will see westerners and their businesses leave in large nos to be replaced by greed control IE PRC unless thais can push the status quo out the door.

Translation

Quote

I made the mistake of investing in this place, I'm here but I cant leave as I cant return, so a version of events, it means I cant work or visit a family member who's ill.

In the future when this lifts i will sell up and leave. I do actually own 100% my property it's just the markets slow right now.

 

The problems the govt reaction on all levels, the lack of any rights for foreign people even if u r married or have children, have invested in a business that provides tech and employment, I feel this gov is more incompetent nationalistic and corrupt than others, even Thai's as shown by the demos have had enough and are saying what they think for possibly the first time, fascists usually pull the nationalistic card as a last ditch attempt to stay in the game.

 

I do feel it's time EU/USA/UK/Japan pulled the rug from under them, this gov is looking to China as a blueprint to stay in control ad infinitum as has Cambodia and Laos. Obviously that's not in ours or most Thai's interest. We see EU and USA has taken a hard stance on Putin poisoning his enemies and a soft tack on China who have millions in the camps, so looking for moral guidance in that direction is not hopeful but unlike Russia and China, Thailand is heavily reliant on the EU thru Japan set of countries for just about everything, it's in those countries best interest to safeguard their citizens rights and also help the thais to throw off this fascist shroud.

 

Leadership should come from the USA but they've always used Thai's fascism or ignored it, see the military govs during Vietnam war and the previous reaction to govt massacres. USA is going thru a political quagmire the last god knows how many yrs with Bush, Obama, Trump and now this election fiasco so a lack of competent leadership once again, so it looks like people must make their own minds up so when the cuffs come off IMO I think we will see westerners and their businesses leave in large numbers to be replaced by greed control IE PRC unless Thais can push the status quo out the door.

 

[Mr Meeseeks]

3 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

I've said it before and I'll keep saying it: check the stamp on your passport. "admitted until". A temp is a temp and making substantial investments when your permit to stay can be cancelled at a seconds notice is high risk business. Up to you.

Concise, correct and to the point. 

 

Some folks here still don't get the joke apparently. Oh well, more fool them. 

[skorp13]

Blatant as it can be, it's all about money

[Kadilo]

17 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Concise, correct and to the point. 

 

Some folks here still don't get the joke apparently. Oh well, more fool them. 

Which joke are you referring to?

[Guderian]

The article is about buying condos, but it leads with a picture of a detached house.

[phantomfiddler]

To my way of thinking, there is something innately wrong with selling someone a property and then denying them access to it ????

[Firefan]

20 minutes ago, phantomfiddler said:

To my way of thinking, there is something innately wrong with selling someone a property and then denying them access to it ????

Spot on. And the original Investment visa (extension) was based on 3M Baht condo (or time deposit, or gov bonds). Since changed to 10M Baht. That made some sense, especially since it was invented during the Asian crisis hangover, and foreign investments was much needed. Looks like we are in the same situation now.

[biggles45]

My now 81 year old friend retired to Thsiland 30 yesrs ago. Bought a house (company) and only went home once a year for a month to see children. 

He is stuck in his home country, impossible to get covid cover at 81, tho he has health cover in Thailand for the 20 years. Thousands more like him I am sure

[outsider]

"New condo buyers offered visa and Elite Card but stranded expats are left out in the cold"

 

Of course! Stranded expats, long-term visa holders - the lot - are all washed-up goods in the eyes of the powers-that-be in Thailand. There really isn't much left in this bunch and whatever is left to be squeezed is taken care of by the daily scams, harassment etc. What the Thai authorities are looking for is new, juicier fodder who have no idea what they are buying into, so the merry men can go on squeezing, extorting and scamming.

 

 

[Geoffggi]

The thing I find amazing in Thailand it the various embassies are not lifting a finger to help, this situation and the way the Thai government is treating everyone must have been reported in every country in the world, I can but hope they are saving this information for a rainy day as it really is scandalous how the Thai government are treating people who have made investments in good faith only to defecated on by this none elected government 

[davidmann]

5 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Pretty clear that they don't want foreigners coming in at the moment and that is both justifiable and understandable given current circumstances and public opinion.

 

When will these people learn that they are only temporary visitors for purposes other than tourism and plan accordingly? 

 

 

about. time somone said what the problem is where did it start. ,all the world is suffering   , Health/Death/Economy ,WHY.  all due to the Chinese eating wild animals.  People dont  earn enough buy normal food like the rest of the world. 

[Mr Meeseeks]

2 minutes ago, Geoffggi said:

The thing I find amazing in Thailand it the various embassies are not lifting a finger to help, this situation and the way the Thai government is treating everyone must have been reported in every country in the world, I can but hope they are saving this information for a rainy day as it really is scandalous how the Thai government are treating people who have made investments in good faith only to defecated on by this none elected government 

Should the Thai Embassy make a complaint to the Australian Government?

 

Currently nobody is allowed into Australia except citizens and permanent residents.

 

Thailand is actually letting different groups of people in, including foreign work permit holders, permanent residents, business people, married, those with Thai children etc.

 

Thailand is being pretty fair considering public opinion, yet folk think they should just swing open the doors.

 

Dream on.

[Redline]

The Thai government can't be trusted, so investors of all kinds are looking elsewhere~including corporations.

Lack of thinking things out and planning causes distrust, and trust is very difficult to regain.

Edited October 15, 2020 by Redline

[mvdf]

5 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Who buys property to live in, in a country where they have no right to reside?  ????

 

 

People who haven't done their homework. Financially serious homework.

[Geoffggi]

13 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Should the Thai Embassy make a complaint to the Australian Government?

 

Currently nobody is allowed into Australia except citizens and permanent residents.

 

Thailand is actually letting different groups of people in, including foreign work permit holders, permanent residents, business people, married, those with Thai children etc.

 

Thailand is being pretty fair considering public opinion, yet folk think they should just swing open the doors.

 

Dream on.

Who other than you mentioned Australia? I said world wide, maybe too much for you to comprehend....LOL

[toho]

I wanted to stay in Thailand during the Covid-19 period, but because of official regulations in my European home-country I had to return to Europe in May.

Plan was to go to Europe and enjoy a holiday together with my girlfriend from Laos, we stayed in my condo in Thailand, arranged for plane ticket and visa. Due to Covid-19 we had to cancel her ticket, because non-Schengen persons were not allowed to enter Schengen during that time. The embassy was not helpful at all, we have to arrange for a new visa all over again (lots of paper, time, travelling, money). So I returned to Europe alone, while my friend stays in Thailand in my condo, as she can not return to Laos right now. I support several families in Thailand, own a condo in Thailand for 15 years, since my retirement  I stay about 7 months in Thailand (retirement visa, permission to stay expiring next month, can not be extended by Thai embassy in Europe, why not??). And feel discriminated. Hungry money wolves give permits if you invest one million dollars. But people who own real estate already, support families, support economy for years already, are completely neglected by Thai authorities. A shame and one more reason (apart from all the red tape: visa, 90 days, re entry permits, etc, etc.) to sell my properties in Thailand and think of another country to settle down. Because Thailand does not care. Oh no, only for new money coming in. Once upon a time a Thai teacher told me: Money = God.  Indeed.

[vandeventer]

It's so easy buying a Condo, but just try selling one in hard times when people are short of cash. Or if you are in a hurry to leave Thailand and need to sell.

[Mr Meeseeks]

9 minutes ago, toho said:

I wanted to stay in Thailand during the Covid-19 period, but because of official regulations in my European home-country I had to return to Europe in May.

Plan was to go to Europe and enjoy a holiday together with my girlfriend from Laos, we stayed in my condo in Thailand, arranged for plane ticket and visa. Due to Covid-19 we had to cancel her ticket, because non-Schengen persons were not allowed to enter Schengen during that time. The embassy was not helpful at all, we have to arrange for a new visa all over again (lots of paper, time, travelling, money). So I returned to Europe alone, while my friend stays in Thailand in my condo, as she can not return to Laos right now. I support several families in Thailand, own a condo in Thailand for 15 years, since my retirement  I stay about 7 months in Thailand (retirement visa, permission to stay expiring next month, can not be extended by Thai embassy in Europe, why not??). And feel discriminated. Hungry money wolves give permits if you invest one million dollars. But people who own real estate already, support families, support economy for years already, are completely neglected by Thai authorities. A shame and one more reason (apart from all the red tape: visa, 90 days, re entry permits, etc, etc.) to sell my properties in Thailand and think of another country to settle down. Because Thailand does not care. Oh no, only for new money coming in. Once upon a time a Thai teacher told me: Money = God.  Indeed.

I thought if you were a property owner you are allowed in?

[Ks45672]

5 hours ago, darksidedog said:

Expecting a sensible and coordinated approach on anything from the Thai authorities is a waste of time. Foreigners to their mind are simply not important. The fact that we add so much to the economy is a point they can't get their heads round and long term, this is going to bite them in the you know where.

Farangs are not responsible for much of Thailand's revenue....

Most thais couldn't give a toss if they never saw another farang

[Kadilo]

45 minutes ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Should the Thai Embassy make a complaint to the Australian Government?

 

Currently nobody is allowed into Australia except citizens and permanent residents.

 

Thailand is actually letting different groups of people in, including foreign work permit holders, permanent residents, business people, married, those with Thai children etc.

 

Thailand is being pretty fair considering public opinion, yet folk think they should just swing open the doors.

 

Dream on.

Would you be so kind as to show me where it says “those with Thai children” are allowed back in as clearly you are a lot more clued up than me. Thank you. 

[barney42bb]

Thinking you can invest and own a bean in Thailand...

 

Sheer folly....

 

But still they come with their money in droves.. To Invest ???...

 

Then feel the huge sense burning from the flames.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

But this is in stark contrast to many existing condo owning expats who are stranded abroad and can't even get get back to their lives and investments in Thailand.

As usual it's all backwards.

[DPKANKAN]

6 hours ago, Mr Meeseeks said:

Pretty clear that they don't want foreigners coming in at the moment and that is both justifiable and understandable given current circumstances and public opinion.

 

When will these people learn that they are only temporary visitors for purposes other than tourism and plan accordingly? 

 

 

Pretty clear all they want is new money coming in, ignoring previous expat family ties or investments. 'It's all about the money money money' as the song goes!!!????????????????????????????????