What's It All About?

[Poisian]

Right now, I am a US Citizen. I am married to a Thai and we have property and business in Thailand. I've lived in Thailand for short periods, a few months at a time, and it's just wonderful.

I am really bummed out at the way the US is going these days. It sure don't look good, especially the healthcare tyranny. For the first time in my life, I am no longer proud of my country and I am thinking seriously about leaving it for good.

What does it mean to become an expatriate? What does giving up my US Citizenship mean? Is there more information on these matters on this board? Anyone interested in sharing some info with an inexperienced farang?

[thegent]

Originally Posted by Poisian

What does giving up my US Citizenship mean?

It is irrevocable and permanent. Furthermore, unless you are a citizen of another state how would you hope to travel? You would effectively be stateless and unless you qualified for a document under the 1951 Convention who would issue you with confirmation of your identity?

You would be a non-person, without root or home, a fatherless soul doomed to wander noman's land, a mere blob of nothingness, a pointless sack for food and filler of pisspots, a wetbacked spic refugee from shitkicker'sville, a Flying Dutchman without wings and your pointless odyssey would end in nothing but dust and bleached bones.

Actually, it sounds worth it. Renounce now.

[Rural Surin]

Thinking too much.
jing-jing....


[that's what it's all about]

[Necron99]

You can't give up your citizenship until you acquire the citizenship of another country, and that is not being an expat.
Being an expat means you jump through all sorts of hoops and petty annoyances to stay in a country where you are not a citizen. Easily done here if you have a Thai wife.

PS If you ever do get Thai citizenship ( a long and difficult road) then make sure all your assets are out of the US before you renounce your US status (not that you have to) , cause the IRS will give you one last big ass fucking before you go.

[Satonic]

Originally Posted by thegent

It is irrevocable and permanent. Furthermore, unless you are a citizen of another state how would you hope to travel? You would effectively be stateless and unless you qualified for a document under the 1951 Convention who would issue you with confirmation of your identity?

You would be a non-person, without root or home, a fatherless soul doomed to wander noman's land, a mere blob of nothingness, a pointless sack for food and filler of pisspots, a wetbacked spic refugee from shitkicker'sville, a Flying Dutchman without wings and your pointless odyssey would end in nothing but dust and bleached bones.

Actually, it sounds worth it. Renounce now.

Amen

[Davis Knowlton]

Becoming an expatriate is quite easy; move some place other than your home country. I did it decades ago. I am an American, but at 64 years old, have lived about 60% of those years outside of the US. I am a Filipino permanent resident, but retain my American citizenship. Why would you want to denounce it? You have to be a citizen of some country, and a US passport is a document much of the world would love to have. If you don't like US policies, just buy a plane ticket and get gone. Keep the passport and citizenship - it's actually fairly difficult to renounce your citizenship in any case.

[thegent]

Originally Posted by Necron99

You can't give up your citizenship until you acquire the citizenship of another country

Not so in the case of Uncle Sam who allows his citizens to give it up even if that makes them stateless. Given the degree of stupidity that prevails in septicland I do wonder how they can be so cavalier but I suppose it resolves to the notion that the individual is free to do anything he wants even if it is utterly moronic. But then, in a country of 300 million citizens with 300 million guns what else would anyone sensible expect?

[cambtek]

The healthcare tyranny? You want to give up your citizenship because you disagree with domestic politics.
Meanwhile everyone else in the world is queuing up to get into the land of opportunity?
Ask what you can do for your country, not what your country can do for you.
Plenty of real tyranny outside the US, good luck.

[Poisian]

Thanks All, for your responses! Wow!

Actually, I know nothin about these matters, which is why I needed to ask. Your responses have cleared up a lot of my questions already.

Thanks again.

[S Landreth]

Originally Posted by Poisian

Right now, I am a US Citizen.

I am no longer proud of my country and I am thinking seriously about leaving it for good.

What does giving up my US Citizenship mean?

Please let me help you along: Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship

[Poisian]

I'll be keeping my US Citizenship then. Obviously it benefits me tremendously. I've been reading on this stuff all morning and realize there are many ways for me to handle this. I had no idea.

I always knew that socialism/communism would come to my beloved country, but I always thought they'd be foreign invaders and myself and my countrymen would fight them. I never thought however that my countrymen would beg for and demand socialism! Yikes. Most Amerikans are just dumb sheep, monkeys and hogs. But that's their problem now. Enjoy it, suckers!!!!!!!

Again, thanks all, for your comments!

[Zooheekock]

I always knew that socialism/communism would come to my beloved country,

Most Amerikans are just dumb sheep, monkeys and hogs.

Hmm. Anyway, stay at home. It's better for you and better for us.

[AntRobertson]

Originally Posted by Poisian

It sure don't look good, especially the healthcare tyranny.

Originally Posted by Poisian

I always knew that socialism/communism would come to my beloved country

You might want to reconsider moving to Thailand then. It has, *gasp*, a system of socialised healthcare where treatment is available to all for a nominal fee, cheaper generic drugs and medicines are readily available and healthcare isn't a leading cause of bankruptcy like in the Freedom Lovin'(TM) USA.

Shocking, I know.

[DrAndy]

Originally Posted by Poisian

I always knew that socialism/communism would come to my beloved country, but I always thought they'd be foreign invaders and myself and my countrymen would fight them. I never thought however that my countrymen would beg for and demand socialism! Yikes. Most Amerikans are just dumb sheep, monkeys and hogs. But that's their problem now. Enjoy it, suckers!!!!!!

damn, isn't democracy a pain

lots of fellow citizens who disagree with you voting in the "wrong" party

[Zooheekock]

^^ Quite. Like America, we labour under the iron boot of Marxist-Leninism. Stay where you are, polish your guns and re-read Atlas Shrugged.

[DrAndy]

Originally Posted by Zooheekock

Anyway, stay at home. It's better for you and better for us.

I think so

who needs another whingeing, ignorant expat who moves here because he "doesn't like what is happening" at home

all they do is bring their miserable baggage with them and in no time at all will be calling the locals "stupid", "monkeys" and such-like

[AntRobertson]

Sounds like he'd get along famously with Boon Mee though. So that would be nice. I think Booners desperately needs a friend.

[nidhogg]

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Keep the passport and citizenship...

..and don't forget to keep paying your taxes! (or at least make the return every year)

[Poisian]

Damn! I'm good!!!!!!!

[Davis Knowlton]

Originally Posted by nidhogg

..and don't forget to keep paying your taxes! (or at least make the return every year)

Indeed. No problem for me as I'm on a USG pension - they take out the estimated tax each month before they deposit my check. But, since they always overestimate, I usually get back around 3K after filing, so I have motivation.

[poorfalang]

Originally Posted by Poisian

I am no longer proud of my country and I am thinking seriously about leaving it for good.
What does it mean to become an expatriate?
What does giving up my US Citizenship mean?

[cambtek]

Please, please stay at home in the gulag,there will be a job in the tractor factory for you.

[Agent_Smith]

I think you were all just trolled by Mr. Poisian

[thegent]

I rather think that was patently obvious from the start.

Hence the reply.

[rickschoppers]

My recommendation is to keep your US citizenship and come live in Thailand for awhile. I know things in America are not perfect, but they are a lot better than many other places in the world. My feelings were exactly the same as yours 16 months ago when I thought I would move to Thailand and never return home. Guess what? I am back in the US with the thought of working a little longer and have a completely different opinion of our home country.

Living in Thailand for awhile will give you a taste of what it is like to be an expat. The visa hassles, the missing things that are no longer available to you from food to clothing to many other "creature comforts." There are pluses and minuses to living in another country and my plus and minus columns have changed quite a bit after living, in what I thought, was paradise.

I arrived back in the US on Superbowl Weekend and really enjoyed watching the game and going to the grocery store while hoards of people were shopping for chicken wings and beer. What I am trying to say is, even though you may have a dark opinion of the US right now, once you leave it, that will all change. You will miss things you now take for granted and even may want to return home. By all means keep your US citizenship and join the expat gang to give youself a taste of what it is like being the outsider. It is not always fun and games and you will soon learn that Thailand does not really want us taking up space in their country.