Expats air their concerns with Minister of Tourism & Sports

[webfact]

Expats air their concerns with Minister of Tourism & Sports

Shana Kongmun

 

 

CHIANG MAI: -- In the highest level meeting between resident expats and government officials in over seven years the Minister of Tourism traveled to Chiang Mai to meet with members of the local expatriate community at the Long Stay Tourism Seminar held at the Empress Hotel on Friday, October 21, 2016.

 

The day started off with members of the business and governmental communities discussing growing long-stay tourism not just in Chiang Mai but also Lampang, Lamphun and Mae Hong Son. The need to expand international standard medical services, improve infrastructure and grow human resources to cope with the influx including better language skills and service training were identified as the major factors addressed at the start of the seminar.

 

The meeting, which saw about 125 people attending from the business sector, government and local resident expatriates, was opened by Deputy Governor Prajuab Kantiya representing the Upper Northern Provincial Cluster 1 and Tomrong Vongtaveesukcharoen, Chief of Strategy and Information for Lampang Provincial Office.

 

The Deputy Governor said “Tourism is like a flower that blooms in many colors” and that they government understands the importance developing friendship relationships with foriegners “But the most important thing we want to know is what do foreigners think? What do we need to change? What do we need to do more of or less of? We look forward to hearing from you on this.”

 

The main objectives of the seminar were to support tourism, support development, knowledge and understanding of long-stay tourism in the North and increase the understanding of how to be a good long-stay tourist. . Long stay tourists are defined differently by different departments, the TAT identifies anyone as a long-stayer who has been in Thailand more than year, while other organizations can view people as long-stay who are here for more than a month.

 

Dr. Kannika Pornpatkul, talked about the development of long stay tourism, with a focus on health and wellness noting that Chiang Mai is already well-placed to take advantage of the growth in people coming to stay in Chiang Mai for longer periods of time, not just medical tourists but those who live. She added that developing facilities to an international standard not only provided for the foreigners coming here but also gave local Thai people access to much better medical care. She noted that the government estimates there are 30,000 expats in the North, mainly Americans followed by Japanese and Koreans.

 

She added that there are four main groups that come to stay in Chiang Mai; to retire, to access health care, to obtain an education and to work, especially remotely.  Some of the local expats offered that there needs to be some way for people on visa extensions to enroll in the health care scheme. Also brought up was the issue with terrible air quality in the smoke season but also pollution from cars and trucks. Also mentioned was an interest in retirement communities will assisted living services.

 

Full story: http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd23

 

-- Chiang Mai Mail 2016-10-24

[Pimay1]

Evidently the 90 day reporting was not discussed. Too bad.

[sweatalot]

The same applies to the harassment by questionnaires with intimate questions that should not be the concern of the authorities, home visits by immigration etc.

[kaiyaibob]

36 minutes ago, Pimay1 said:

Evidently the 90 day reporting was not discussed. Too bad.

 

Nancy Lindley representing USA, Australia and Europe.  

She mentioned national problems such as 90 day reporting, the foreign national information forms and spot checks on homes.

Admittedly it doesn't say it was discussed, just mentioned ?? 

[impulse]

Discussing 90 day reporting with the Tourism and Sports Ministry would be like discussing National Park pricing with immigration.

 

May as well take these rare opportunities to discuss issues they can actually help with.

 

[grumbleweed]

Quote

But the most important thing we want to know is what do foreigners think? 

Can't think for a minute why they'd be interested in knowing that

 

We may as well tell them everything is hunky dory because 

1. They'll do sod all

2. If we told them the truth they'd probably need therapy for the rest of their lives

[how241]

It's a start.  People are talking.  It might help, maybe.

[phantomfiddler]

It was a great shame that Khun Anand only chose to be Prime Minister for one year, as he seemed to be the only one who was farang-friendly and passed several laws designed to make our lives easier here. Bring on someone like him :)

[Suradit69]

18 minutes ago, grumbleweed said:

Can't think for a minute why they'd be interested in knowing that

 

We may as well tell them everything is hunky dory because 

1. They'll do sod all

2. If we told them the truth they'd probably need therapy for the rest of their lives

 

You seem to be assuming that the people ("we") who would tell them the "truth" would be typical of the chronic moaners and whiners on Thai Visa. Many expats, possibly the silent majority, would not pose ridiculous complaints or make disparaging comments in a childish attempt to shock "them." 

 

If you're fond of the truth, many of those who complain endlessly are not representative of expats in general. 

[Lupatria]

The Deputy Governor said “Tourism is like a flower that blooms in many colors” 

I can't help it, after reading these flowery words another saying from the botanical sector comes to mind:

"Mushrooms grow in the dark and are fed on cow dung"

[SRCH]

16 minutes ago, evenstevens said:

 with all due respect

Nancy Lindley ,in no way represented  Australia ,   Nancy Lindley  is  President of C/Mai Expat Club, just a nice social club, with absoulate no powers to represent,us Aussies

we have our own  Australian   Embassy   do deal with such matters, if  needed  ,

and to this point of time,they are not interested at all with C/Mai,s  Immgr  Dept  Policy,s  or service  ,  as its their show , and correctly so!!!

a nice early afternoon to all

Were you there? I was,  an Aussie, and as there was no time for all to be represented it was a group representation and it was represented well. Firmly but politely. Doesn't hurt does it?

[neilrob]

The full article is an excellent summary of the main points in the meeting. 90 day reporting and the new, intrusive forms were discussed, but were not central issues. The article mentions again the valuable contributions from Nancy. I just hope the government has the will to take sensible steps, but unfortunately I am not optimistic.

[chiang mai]

I think Nancy is to be commended for her efforts, regardless of whether anything useful comes of the meeting the complaints and issues have been aired.

[Rimmer]

A personal attack has been removed.

[captnhoy]

1 hour ago, Suradit69 said:

 

You seem to be assuming that the people ("we") who would tell them the "truth" would be typical of the chronic moaners and whiners on Thai Visa. Many expats, possibly the silent majority, would not pose ridiculous complaints or make disparaging comments in a childish attempt to shock "them." 

 

If you're fond of the truth, many of those who complain endlessly are not representative of expats in general. 

I am glad that they are having this exchange. If something good comes of it, that is great. I do not expect much though. IMO the chronic moaners and whiners are the one's telling the truth and the apologists like you have your own truth. Mine is just as real as yours. What kind of source could you possibly have to know the numbers of this great divide? Let that silent majority speak up, otherwise it is, ummm, your own prejudice.

[Gandtee]

1 hour ago, phantomfiddler said:

It was a great shame that Khun Anand only chose to be Prime Minister for one year, as he seemed to be the only one who was farang-friendly and passed several laws designed to make our lives easier here. Bring on someone like him :)

And he had common sense. He never fired from the lip, and engaged his brain before putting his mouth into gear.

[Wake Up]

In traveling the world for business we used the golden rule that customers are always right with one exception. There are a small minority of people (all races all countries) that will bitch and complain to God about heaven. To those customers we said goodbye to quickly and permanently.  Not worth our time and mental health to put up with them. I suspect the government of Thailand is aware of the rule and the exception so constantly rushing to gripe and complain about everything puts  you in a terrible position. ?

[Get Real]

2 hours ago, Suradit69 said:

 

You seem to be assuming that the people ("we") who would tell them the "truth" would be typical of the chronic moaners and whiners on Thai Visa. Many expats, possibly the silent majority, would not pose ridiculous complaints or make disparaging comments in a childish attempt to shock "them." 

 

If you're fond of the truth, many of those who complain endlessly are not representative of expats in general. 

Very well spoken!  Just sad to see so many that doesn´t understand that even if they stay long time, they are still some kind of tourits.
Just very positive that these moments exists, because they do not need to listen. Just to give a thanks to the authorities instead.

[grumbleweed]

2 hours ago, Suradit69 said:

 

You seem to be assuming that the people ("we") who would tell them the "truth" would be typical of the chronic moaners and whiners on Thai Visa. Many expats, possibly the silent majority, would not pose ridiculous complaints or make disparaging comments in a childish attempt to shock "them." 

 

If you're fond of the truth, many of those who complain endlessly are not representative of expats in general. 

Here's a novelty, someone whining about whiners

[Sparkles]

1 hour ago, neilrob said:

The full article is an excellent summary of the main points in the meeting. 90 day reporting and the new, intrusive forms were discussed, but were not central issues. The article mentions again the valuable contributions from Nancy. I just hope the government has the will to take sensible steps, but unfortunately I am not optimistic.

I am not a member of the Expats club nor am I a personal friend of Nancy L but anyone who is wiling to give up countless hours to help make Expats  lives more comfortable deserves support not constantly being sniped at or stalked on every opportunity by a few ,mainly one,who apparently have nothing else to do or contribute in a positive way to the foreign community.

I had planned to be at the seminar but a bout of illness laid me low. Many have tried behind the scenes to make a difference to Immigration matters/services here.Its either that or just roll over,which is against my nature.

 

So to Neil and others who attended or have made private represantation well done  ,you havent changed the world but the "dripping tap"  may bear fruit.

 

Finally many of my fellow  Australian friends are members of the Expat Club and I know many who have eased people through the initial move to CM and beyond. The Expats club I would imagine represents many nationalities,rich and poor, some enjoying  wealth and some just getting by. Clubs/meetings are no longer  my go,been there before, but I value the work they do so a little respect for those who try to make a difference would be nice.

[jollyhangmon]

 

>Support long-stay tourism< !??

 

Really? Since when?

If so, oh ministress, how exactly does this compute with those unbelievable idiotic requirements to your praised multiple-touristvisum, bred out at least by some of your embassies?!
Like proof of work for instance - how many quality-tourists are there who could just fall off the grid for say 6 up to 9 months whilst staying employed, 20, 30 maybe, worldwide? Well, congrats!
 
And that stated and asked to explain they would also settle for a, rather 'any' university degree (?!) if need be, all of a sudden - can you believe this? Now, what does this have to do with anything for c-sake, especially with applicants some 45, almost 50 years of age ...?!

 

Needless to say financial requirements were met  20, 30, 40 - fold, any other too ...  obviously entirely clueless people posted worldwide, does your right hand even begin to imagine what your left one's already doing?

 

Yes, it's truly amazing! 

[DSJPC]

all this from a Tourism & Sports Minister who said not long ago, "I really think Pokemon Go will greatly benefit tourism in Thailand"....what a <deleted>!...and the beat goes on, and the beat goes on....................................

[Saladin]

Were these matters brought up?

 

1. Why is there such inconsistency with issuing visas from one Thai Embassy to another when presumably the rules are made in Bangkok? I have had double entry Tourist Visas from Sydney and Kota Bharu with no problems but in Saigon I could only get a single entry plus they required me to show an air ticket out of Thailand.

 

2. Why a 3 months Tourist Visa is only good for 2 months and then the holder needs to waste a day at the notoriously inefficient Immigration Office to extend it for the last month. If it's a matter of making more money they could just stack the up-front fee. TAT would be well advised to do a survey to ascertain how many tourists opt instead to move on to a neighbouring country and spend their final month's tourist dollars there.

 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, how241 said:

It's a start.  People are talking.  It might help, maybe.

Only if someone is actually listening!!

 

[mki8]

looks like they have now started to realize,  the retired expats are the only ones that keep coming back here and actually spend money here.

[Jonmarleesco]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Dr. Kannika Pornpatkul ... added that there are four main groups that come to stay in Chiang Mai ... to obtain an education ...'

Really? In what? the Thais' education system is shot; what could they possibly teach foreigners?

[elgordo38]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The Deputy Governor said “Tourism is like a flower that blooms in many colors” and that they government understands the importance developing friendship relationships with foriegners “But the most important thing we want to know is what do foreigners think? What do we need to change? What do we need to do more of or less of? We look forward to hearing from you on this.”

We are like a voice crying in the wilderness on this topic. Sorry I cannot see the comparison to a flower blooming in many colors. All I see is drabness darkness (getting up at 2.00 a.m. in the morning to get a queue number) Oh they understand the importance really? but they know what we have been thinking for years so frankly lets quit dancing around the issue. They know what they need to change but still they play the same old tired tune. I can understand being polite in dealing with immigration but this sore has festered for years now and for them to come forward now in this condescending manner is really disingenuous. I hope this effort really produces something positive unlike past efforts.   

[performance]

4 hours ago, sweatalot said:

The same applies to the harassment by questionnaires with intimate questions that should not be the concern of the authorities, home visits by immigration etc.

I do not give them personal info and have never been asked to. I not sure it's even a legal form. it was badly slapped together and did not look legal to me. The last extension I did the girl said just sign the blank form and address. Who knows who cares.

[performance]

4 minutes ago, elgordo38 said:

We are like a voice crying in the wilderness on this topic. Sorry I cannot see the comparison to a flower blooming in many colors. All I see is drabness darkness (getting up at 2.00 a.m. in the morning to get a queue number) Oh they understand the importance really? but they know what we have been thinking for years so frankly lets quit dancing around the issue. They know what they need to change but still they play the same old tired tune. I can understand being polite in dealing with immigration but this sore has festered for years now and for them to come forward now in this condescending manner is really disingenuous. I hope this effort really produces something positive unlike past efforts.   

They are back in the dark age. I just got asked to submitt not one but two applications for extension of stay. They also installed a new copy machine in IMO. Obvious scam to make money. This is 2016 my departed mother could use a PC. One application entered into the system is enough for any man. what were they trying to sell. Thailand is the digital hub haha.

[The manic]

3 hours ago, grumbleweed said:

Can't think for a minute why they'd be interested in knowing that

 

We may as well tell them everything is hunky dory because 

1. They'll do sod all

2. If we told them the truth they'd probably need therapy for the rest of their lives

We? You are not expressing my views or the views of many others. Speak for yourself and remember most visitors here do NOT share your jaundiced views.