"The Stranded": Highlighting the plight of expats unable to return to Thailand: #4 Injustice for property owners

[hotchilli]

Buy condo or a business, register it in someone else's name have no control, stick a few million in the bank, no problems.

[Neeranam]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

“I am one who has deposited 800k in a Thai Bank. Upon deposit, it is stated that to close the account one must be “physically present” in the same branch the account was opened and with the same passport used, even though it may have expired and a new one issued. Being stranded elsewhere and locked out of Thailand, prevents me from withdrawing the 800,000 when I am in dire need of the funds and stranded in another country due to the pandemic”, he said. 

 

“I contacted a Thai friend who is very highly placed in the financial department of a well-known company in Thailand to investigate. They told me that even they could not function as a legal proxy for a Thai friend who had been caught in a similar situation.  

 

“Thailand won’t let me in the country to close my account and I can’t even hire a lawyer to do it for me. 

Why do you need to close your account? 

 

Why can't you use your debit card? 

 

There are easy ways to get your money to you in another country, assuming you have Internet banking

[Mr Meeseeks]

1 hour ago, vandeventer said:

It's not covid 19,it's the governments from many countries that have the Power to control the many, it's gone to their heads or some group with big money that  are paying them to do this. If you took a vote on this with the Thai people, I am sure they would want all the foreigners to return to Thailand with out all this BS.

A quick straw poll amongst the 200 workers at one of my factories in Chonburi suggests the opposite to be the case.

 

Almost to a man (or woman) they said foreigners should not be allowed entry to Thailand at this time. 

[koolkarl]

Your visa states that you are a non resident alien.  A retirement visa

is simply a 1 year tourist visa with zero benefits and now big costs associated with it.

To invest more than what is needed to live on for a year is simply risky.  For the past 5  years or so, the Thai

government attitude towards foreigners has gotten worse and worse;  more paper work, more requirements, more reporting, etc.

Now with covid, many are in a very unfortunate situation.  The facts were evident a long time ago yet people became

complacent.  Aside from those married to a Thai or work in Thailand, there are many other beautiful countries to retire to

that are far more foreigner friendly.  Thailand only wants you to come for a 2 week beach holiday and then get out.  The sooner you accept reality, the more secure you will be.

 

[jwbrit]

Look at the top of the visa application form. A "retirement" visa in Thailand means you're entitled to a temporary 1 year stay in the kingdom, hardly retirement status.

[connda]

4 minutes ago, koolkarl said:

Your visa states that you are a non resident alien.  A retirement visa

is simply a 1 year tourist visa with zero benefits and now big costs associated with it.

To invest more than what is needed to live on for a year is simply risky.  For the past 5  years or so, the Thai

government attitude towards foreigners has gotten worse and worse;  more paper work, more requirements, more reporting, etc.

Now with covid, many are in a very unfortunate situation.  The facts were evident a long time ago yet people became

complacent.  Aside from those married to a Thai or work in Thailand, there are many other beautiful countries to retire to

that are far more foreigner friendly.  Thailand only wants you to come for a 2 week beach holiday and then get out.  The sooner you accept reality, the more secure you will be.

 

Like me.  The only reason I'm here is because I married 13 years ago and raised a family and have sunk-costs in the house and other family related assets. Without the family ties I'd be outta here.  I originally thought I'd be able to obtain permanent residency when I was working but that didn't pan out. 
My suggestion for anyone considering getting involve with a Thai? Don't. Go elsewhere.  This country has absolutely no respect for Foreigner-Thai families.  And retirees?  Well, just look at how "welcome" you are.  How many of you are locked-out but your assets are locked-in?  Any potential retirees?  Give that some deep consideration before you sink money into assets in Thailand.  Your at best a third-class non-citizen and not necessarily wanted here.

[maddermax]

Perhaps we should go public overseas and publish these injustices warning people against accepting the Thai Government offers of residence, etc.  Maybe this would have the required effect?

[Thaifly88]

Closing a bank account seems to be an onerous process. Why not just withdraw the bulk of the 800,000 thb (or whatever amount you have) but leave some money , a few 1,000 thb, to keep it open.

I believe the withdrawal can be done from outside Thailand using a company (that is inside Thailand) such as Dee Money. Contact DM to find out the process.

IMO though, Unless you really need the money just leave it there until all this is over and you will have a little best egg to kick things off in LOS again. 

[Guderian]

Big deal. There's a lot of Australians stranded in the UK, but you don't hear them bleating about how badly their country is treating them. Grow up, for goodness sake, and realise that this is a global crisis, it's not all about you and what suits you.

[connda]

18 hours ago, webfact said:

"For many years we were very happy in Thailand but now we realize more and more that Thailand does not value us at all. We are only seen as ATM machines and we are thinking of selling our property and finding a country where we are more welcome. 

I laud Thai Visa for what they are doing, but I also have lived here long enough to understand the level of xenophobic nationalism as well as abject greed that drives the Thai elites who run this third-world somtum stand.

As such, all of this foreigners suffering and frustration will not only fall on deft ears, but will cause these people who believe they alone breathe the ratified air of the gods well above the commoner masses of whom foreigners (even those would by Thai social standards are among the rich) are considered the lowest of the low.  And these lowly foreigner DARE to make a scene regarding Thai immigration rules!!! How dare they create a loss of face for beloved, humanitarian Prathet Thai!!!

This will go nowhere.  Honestly if I was in there situation, once I'm able to return it would be for the sole purpose of liquidating assets and moving to a country which actually welcomes foreigner retirees as valued members of their country.  That is not now nor ever will be Thailand.  It's past time to go folks.  We're not welcome here and never will be.

[tomauasia]

This is not news. This anti farang campaign started 1.5 years ago. I was informed by civil servant that it was in play. 

Hence the protesters this gov must be held accountable and audited. As we know they came by gun point. The dissent is now huge Thais are posting on FB thousands. It won't be long until all Thais stand. PRAYUT Must be audited and family 

[TERMINATOR3AB]

It  very obvious  that  Thailand   ..the land of smiles  ..is well and truely over 

Find  happiness you only have 1  life  enjoy it  

There are  so  many  coutries with similar  and better climate to Thailand  

Freindly   non racist people  who appreciate  the help you do for thier country

Pack  up  sell up start a new life  Thailand  will now only get worse  not better  

Old  Thailand is finished  it started  6 years  ago  now is  really  only  there  for Chinese  and  China  

I pity  all you  with  holding s  and propery  and family  in Thaialnd  

They  (Gov) do not  care  mate ...All  I dream of is get my  wife  out of Thailand ...  then  Thailand can go to hell!!!   ( and it will  China )

Good  Luck  Thailand 

[Neeranam]

34 minutes ago, maddermax said:

Perhaps we should go public overseas and publish these injustices warning people against accepting the Thai Government offers of residence, etc.  Maybe this would have the required effect?

The thai government is much better than other governments when allowing retirees live here with ease and other people too. 

[Neeranam]

2 minutes ago, TERMINATOR3AB said:

It  very obvious  that  Thailand   ..the land of smiles  ..is well and truely over 

Find  happiness you only have 1  life  enjoy it  

There are  so  many  coutries with similar  and better climate to Thailand  

Freindly   non racist people  who appreciate  the help you do for thier country

Pack  up  sell up start a new life  Thailand  will now only get worse  not better  

Old  Thailand is finished  it started  6 years  ago  now is  really  only  there  for Chinese  and  China  

I pity  all you  with  holding s  and propery  and family  in Thaialnd  

They  (Gov) do not  care  mate ...All  I dream of is get my  wife  out of Thailand ...  then  Thailand can go to hell!!!   ( and it will  China )

Good  Luck  Thailand 

Nonsense. 

[Pib]

3 hours ago, rupert the bear said:

its about time the embassies got involved or perhaps  we reciprocated,in all matters.what needs to happen is racist greed control needs to be reigned in.in all western countries thais with property/ visas can return or be allowed back and forth to the same extent the locals can.property holders spouses etc.so if this isnt reciprocated do something about it.we are always being preached to from our pc govts about discrimintation and this is clear cut.so clearly act.

Foreign embassies primary objective is to maintain good relations between the two countries/governments.  Unfortunately, that does not include ensuring foreign residents are treated in accordance with foreign norms/laws.

 

[malthebluff]

Time to move on and find a country that actually wants you. Yes covid is bad but it feels like the thai government ate just using this for a excuss to get rid or stop foreigners. It's such a pity that just a few thai can control all thai and yes it's all about money rich getting richer and poor getting nothing 

[BobinBKK]

11 hours ago, Blumpie said:

Your deaths aside, and have nothing to do with the point, there is a logical solution.  Where I live permanent residents and residents who own real estate can certainly come back to our country as long as they self isolate for 14 days on their dime.  Tourism is completely banned, as it is in Thailand and many other countries.  

 

When you already have a valid visa and they won't let you in, and they let others ahead of you who promise to buy a condo that is disgusting.  And everyone knows it.  That is why Thai Visa, expats all over the globe are scratching their heads wondering what's going on.  

 

 

Yes exactly and wondering why our respective embassies aren't lifting a finger to help any of us. A joint coalition of diplomatic pressure can easily be applied. Cutting off financial aid packages and presenting evidence to the WTO that Thailand clearly does NOT treat foreigners equally as agreed to when they became a member of the WTO. Give "EVERYONE" access to their Thai bank accounts from offshore to pull their money out and access to their property to sell it. I live here on a retirement extension and would NEVER buy property here. For those of you that have brought property here, love the people, love the culture, love the country, sadly enough none of that will ever love you back. I totally agree that it should be made easy for you to return with the same requirements as a Thai national. For what ever reason anyone came to Thailand to live and/or work it was done in good faith on our part and every single one of us deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

 

[Neeranam]

5 minutes ago, BobinBKK said:

Yes exactly and wondering why our respective embassies aren't lifting a finger to help any of us. A joint coalition of diplomatic pressure can easily be applied. Cutting off financial aid packages and presenting evidence to the WTO that Thailand clearly does NOT treat foreigners equally as agreed to when they became a member of the WTO. Give "EVERYONE" access to their Thai bank accounts from offshore to pull their money out and access to their property to sell it. I live here on a retirement extension and would NEVER buy property here. For those of you that have brought property here, love the people, love the culture, love the country, sadly enough none of that will ever love you back. I totally agree that it should be made easy for you to return with the same requirements as a Thai national. For what ever reason anyone came to Thailand to live and/or work it was done in good faith on our part and every single one of us deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.

 

Do you seriously think that foreign retirees with a condo in Pattaya should be treated the same as a Thai citizen? I suggest you look at how Thai retirees are made welcome in the UK or USA, etc. 16 million baht for a start just to get a visa! Take a look at how other countries are refusing entry to tourists, it's not just Thailand. And actually, all these so called home owners who can't get back 'home' did leave of their own free will. There is a global pandemic, stop your whining and accept it. I lost 66,000 baht because of cancelling my trip to the UK in March and accept that. 

Thai banks have internet banking -  simple. 

It was the Taksin government that made things hard for foreigners; incresing visa fee from 500 baht to 1900 baht. Increasing Permanent Residency from 9,000 to 190,000 baht. This current government is doing a great job regarding foreigner rights compared to that one. Naturalization is so much easier now than the past with a change of law to make those men married to a Thai not need to get PR first and the time has been slashed form average 10 years to 2-3 years.

 

[Madeline Thompson]

I am personally very grateful ThaiVisa is publishing these

stories of expats being stranded, and the current Thai

governing body deliberately putting onerous roadblocks

in their struggle to get visas to re-enter Thailand.

 

My son, a teacher, is stuck in Vietnam and has been struggling

to get back to Thailand since June.  He's not part of the 'tourist

hordes', an individual whose entire family - mother, two sisters -

is living here.  There is no excuse for this, he only wants to come

home to Thailand. He is perfectly willing to go into quarantine, and

always has been.  There are thousands of expats trying to get back

into Thailand, and they are very significant in terms of creating a stronger

economy in this country.

[murraynz]

4 hours ago, mike1967 said:

In my 11 years of being in Thailand, the one thing I've learnt is always leave yourself in a situation where you can leave in 30 minutes. Obviously many will disagree but Covid kind of proves my point. I'm waiting to get back but the only thing I have there is my motorbike which is stored at friends house.

I own a condo ,car and thai bank acc with substantial funds.

Im fortunate that i returned to thailand,just days prior to lockdown.

At this stage..im happy to spend rest of life in thailand...

But....i dont burn bridges with home country..

I can  easily leave my belongings in thailand,should i wish to leave..

I have funds to live elsewhere,if i want to.

My point is..dont come to thailand if you cant afford to leave what you have here...

Many expats move here,and they dont even have enough funds to buy a house...renting is ok ,but for those that need to get a mortgage in their thai wifes name...i dont feel sorry for you,should anything go wrong..

[NoshowJones]

1 hour ago, maddermax said:

Perhaps we should go public overseas and publish these injustices warning people against accepting the Thai Government offers of residence, etc.  Maybe this would have the required effect?

That's the first thing I would do if I had to go back to the UK. Use social media to let everyone know about the unelected "PM" and his soldier "politicians" and their treatment of both Thais and Westerners, particularly Westerners.

[Neeranam]

 

 

8 minutes ago, Madeline Thompson said:

My son, a teacher, is stuck in Vietnam and has been struggling

to get back to Thailand since June. 

Is he employed by a Thai company/school?

[JAFO]

2 hours ago, micmichd said:

The vast majority of Thai people don't want any Farangs to return to Thailand, either.

I think in general most people in any country do not really likes foreign tourists visiting but you only have to contend with them if you have chosen a "tourist destination" to live. Its not an exclusive Thai behavior. That said though, tourists generate revenue and afford families to have businesses that cater to them. I never cared for foreign tourists when I lived in the states for a variety of reasons but I understood the economic aspect of it all.    

 

In regards to Thailand, I think in general Thailand is quite comfortable not allowing foreign tourist back anytime soon. They simply do not want the risk of managing a pandemic. Where I live its pretty much business as normal and if you did not follow the news you almost wouldn't even know that there is a pandemic. I am very thankful for that as is my wife. I feel for my friends and families in the states. Its an utter mess and will be for quite sometime. 

 

But back to the OP, I am not sure why the Thai govt made a choice to try and get a groups of Chinese tourists here while ignoring the other domestic issues at hand. Sure we can all scream its for the money but in the end that small volume of tourists will bring an insignificant amount of revenue to the economy. I still struggle to understand why the folks who had standing VISA's are not allowed to return as long as they complete the 14 day quarantine. The current process is cumbersome but I know a few that have made it back already and a few business co workers that made it as well. It can be done.

[Sean60]

Incompetency is killing us. 

[DB58]

18 hours ago, johng said:

Hasnt it been said many times.

 

"Never invest more in Thailand than you are prepared to walk away from"

True, and not just about Thailand many countries... but that doesn’t make it right! 

[Pedrogaz]

17 hours ago, Blumpie said:

Extremely frustrating, but these visas do not make Thailand your home at all.  This black swan that happened has sent them back to their true nature.

I wouldn't invest .01c in Thailand.  The place is a total train wreck.  Any other country would allow these people back in after doing the proper quarantine measures at their own expense.  

Thais just don't care.  They want more money, and are not interested in doing the right thing.  Disgusting.  

What exactly are they supposed to do? Open the floodgates and get a million cases of Covid? No thanks. 

[mike1967]

36 minutes ago, murraynz said:

I own a condo ,car and thai bank acc with substantial funds.

Im fortunate that i returned to thailand,just days prior to lockdown.

At this stage..im happy to spend rest of life in thailand...

But....i dont burn bridges with home country..

I can  easily leave my belongings in thailand,should i wish to leave..

I have funds to live elsewhere,if i want to.

My point is..dont come to thailand if you cant afford to leave what you have here...

Many expats move here,and they dont even have enough funds to buy a house...renting is ok ,but for those that need to get a mortgage in their thai wifes name...i dont feel sorry for you,should anything go wrong..

It's horses for courses. Everyone has a different situation. I split my time between the UK and Thailand. I love both countries for different reasons. Your life can be ruined, in a second, in Thailand due to the corruption, not only from the authorities. We've all known stories where, through no fault of their own, people's lives have been turned upside down. My point is, Thailand isn't the place to get into trouble, caused by ones self or not. By the way, I would never put anything in a Thai persons name nor would I want to buy a property there, regardless of my financial situation. Just my choice, everyone is different.

Edited October 20, 2020 by mike1967
Spelling error

[JAFO]

1 hour ago, connda said:

This country has absolutely no respect for Foreigner-Thai families.

 

1 hour ago, connda said:

We're not welcome here and never will be.

For years I have heard and read the above constant diatribe from disgruntled old foreigners who for some reason believe they should be treated with special gloves. Why is that?  I think most are quite full of themselves. Both of the statements above are utter nonsense IMHO, at least from my experience and the many others I know and interact with here. But then again I think ones personal experience is a reflection on how they probably behave or interact with the Thai community and people. I am treated with respect everywhere I go. I have never once been harassed, treated poorly, told to leave, shoved aside etc. 

 

I do know a few that have had terrible experiences but when I heard their story and heard how they behaved its no wonder they get pushed to the back of the bus, ignored and stared at. You get the same in any country.

[mike1967]

3 hours ago, fangless said:

I couldn't even get out to the airport in 30 minutes, never mind leave the country in that time.

Uummm. I'd have to check my original post but I'm pretty sure I said 'leave in 30 minutes' not leave the country within 30 minutes. 

[cracker1]

Regarding Mr. P's problem which seems centred o wishing to close his bank account :

I suggest he withdraws all but 100 TB from the account and leave the account open.

I have done this a couple of times when the "red tape" required by the banks to close an account just becomes to much !