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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat
    chassamui's Avatar
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    Time to move on?

    I need to ask the question; Is Thailand changing for the better?

    Since the coup, the military government has instituted a number of changes affecting the Thai people and also impacting the lives of expats. I would question the efficacy of the changes in Thai peoples lives and also to an extent, to expats lives,

    There is now talk of the General remaining in a position of authority even after 'democratic' elections have been held. Will he still have the army and S44 to call on if democracy does not go his way? Has he merely cemented the subjugation of ordinary Thai, or has he given them all the benefits of his benign dictatorship.

    Depending on where you live and the lifestyle you enjoy, your perspective will have changed to some degree under the current regime. Has anyone considered a change? Do you see military rule extending its pervasive influence on your lifestyle or are you content to accept even more Thainess as the solution to everyones problems?

    I'm off on a recce to another Asian country this month. I will report back for those interested.
    Heart of Gold and a Knob of butter.

  2. #2
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    It's an interesting thought and one I've considered occasionally. Thing is though the shenanigans of BKK and the like barely affect us at all up here in the north so I doubt we'd go.
    Having said that I've every intention of reestablishing my UK residency when we get back there at the end of the week.
    Always good to have a back up plan.

  3. #3
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    I'm sure the thought has crossed many an expats mind.
    All depends on finances and commitment to Thailand.

  4. #4
    Thailand Expat Slick's Avatar
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    Most of the 12 active posters on here will probably have something like "I don't have any problem like you have" or similar.

    Im leaving hopefully by the beginning of 2018. Im just over it all. Gonna go back home. Junta is foking dumb and I have a pretty long list of irritants, but the end of the day I'm just incompatible with Thailand long term.

    Junta just being one of the final straws I guess.

    I leave all the time for work, and its a breath of fresh air when I land in Singapore.

    Thailand is a place where time almost stops. The world continually moves forward and nothing happens here. Lose good years if you're not paying attention. I mean FFS SpaceX is re-landing un-manned rockets on a dynamically moving barge but over here theres nothing but what you're gonna have for lunch.

    So yeah, planning to fuck this place off, move to FL, buy a new boat & flats fish until I turn lobster red.

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by crackerjack101 View Post
    Thing is though the shenanigans of BKK and the like barely affect us at all up here in the north...
    Or anywhere upcountry/downcountry, actually.
    Particular circles give too much manufactured thought as to how any dictatorial period effects the lives of good Thai and foreigners, alike.
    Social orders and communities have largely remained the same, regardless of government situation - all are free to get on with their lives, be self-sufficient, conduct their businesses, raise their families, and extend the same social/familial connections without real interference from "them".

    Same as it ever was.

  6. #6
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    These threads have cropped up regularly over the years. I've departed Thailand two or three times now, and I find it hard to believe that for anyone who does so that politics plays much of a role...it's most often either economic if you work here, or familiarity breeding contempt if you don't.

    Same as with most places, really.

  7. #7
    Thailand Expat Pragmatic's Avatar
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    I'm in for the long haul. Only thing I can say that gets up my nose is 'immigration rules'. Oh, and immigration staff. Other than that, life just goes on merrily.

  8. #8
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by crackerjack101 View Post
    Having said that I've every intention of reestablishing my UK residency when we get back there at the end of the week.
    Not sure if you do that by any other route than by just living there, do you?

    Presumably your wife is Thai...and that's where things have become more difficult, time-consuming and expensive over the years.

  9. #9
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    A fair spread of responses except for Jeff regurgitating his same old same old. I particularly like
    Quote Originally Posted by cyrille
    amiliarity breeding contempt if you don't.

    Same as with most places, really.
    I've had 8 good years here and the hoops one has to jump through have become smaller an more frequent. Hence the recce.

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat misskit's Avatar
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    The government now is not much different from what it was when I first arrived, though I must admit to thinking the time for military coups was over. I don't know of anything the junta has instituted which affected the lives of people I know, Thai or farang, and everyday life goes on the same as it ever has.

    In comparing life in Thailand now with the surrounding countries and their governments, Thailand is much better off.

    It would take a streak of misfortune to drive me out of here. I loathe the thought of living in America again and have no intention of doing so.

    It did occur to me for a few years that I might want to live in Pokhara in Nepal. After investigating a couple of years ago, fuck that! Life is so much better here.

  11. #11
    I am in Jail
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    From what I've seen here in Phuket the immigration fiasco has gotten a little bit better.(Mind I used to rant and rave about the horrors of phuket immigration)
    As far as as rule changes for retirement extentions I haven't seen any except the fee increases for the multiple entry stamp.

    And BTW this thread is not Speakers corner thread, but belongs in the lounge, or perhaps even in MKP or the dog house as it it known today!

    Chuckie, don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out...

  12. #12
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by chassamui
    Since the coup, the military government has instituted a number of changes affecting the Thai people and also impacting the lives of expats
    Plenty affecting Thai folks but what changes are you referring to re expats?

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    The government now is not much different from what it was when I first arrived, though I must admit to thinking the time for military coups was over. I don't know of anything the junta has instituted which affected the lives of people I know, Thai or farang, and everyday life goes on the same as it ever has.

    In comparing life in Thailand now with the surrounding countries and their governments, Thailand is much better off.

    It would take a streak of misfortune to drive me out of here. I loathe the thought of living in America again and have no intention of doing so.

    It did occur to me for a few years that I might want to live in Pokhara in Nepal. After investigating a couple of years ago, fuck that! Life is so much better here.
    Nicely said, Kitty.


  14. #14
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by misskit View Post
    It did occur to me for a few years that I might want to live in Pokhara in Nepal.
    Great spot if you love climbing and hiking and are between 20-40 and don't need to work.

    Above 40, and the healthcare options would be a worry.

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat David48atTD's Avatar
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    We, being the Boys, the Thai Partner and myself currently live in the West, which is quite a change from living equally between both Countries.

    The boys will be schooled in the West.

    Although, there is no plan to 'go all in' to Thailand on the horizon, some of my Families, thus my future lays in visiting/living in Thailand.

    Winning LOTTO changes all the equations

    Tahiti sound nice
    Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago ...


  16. #16
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    Well I won't be going anywhere, can't affort to live somewhere else in SEA, income is here in Thailand.
    Just did 6, 7 months back in OZ, wife working, me house husband, no rent, borrowed car and if not for the rubber money, we would have been in hard times.

    Better to eat, sleep and drink beer here then work just to get by there.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Slick
    Im leaving hopefully by the beginning of 2018. Im just over it all. Gonna go back home. Junta is foking dumb and I have a pretty long list of irritants, but the end of the day I'm just incompatible with Thailand long term.
    Can you be more specific how the current "junta" has been affecting your life in Thailand? Comparison with the conditions as experienced before with the life under the previous government(s)?

    In the past 50 -70 years there were some 40 state coups in Thailand - almost all of them by military - there had never been an international outrage. Only by this "junta". Wondering why it is so?

    And in the same time of this "junta" coup there were another junta coup in Egypt where hundreds (or thousands?) people died.
    There has never been an international outrage (almost).
    Wondering why it is so?

  18. #18
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton
    Plenty affecting Thai folks but what changes are you referring to re expats?
    The constant vagaries of changing rules at immigration offices, reduced licensing hours, WP hassles for those who are working.
    I agree it may not affect all expats as I said in the OP, "depending on where you live and your lifestyle choices".

    My main point is that although these things have always been issues, the backing and enforcement of the military, does not lend any flexibility which may previously have existed.

    So it's just me then? Fine.

  19. #19
    Thailand Expat Slick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Klondyke View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Slick
    Im leaving hopefully by the beginning of 2018. Im just over it all. Gonna go back home. Junta is foking dumb and I have a pretty long list of irritants, but the end of the day I'm just incompatible with Thailand long term.
    Can you be more specific how the current "junta" has been affecting your life in Thailand? Comparison with the conditions as experienced before with the life under the previous government(s)?

    In the past 50 -70 years there were some 40 state coups in Thailand - almost all of them by military - there had never been an international outrage. Only by this "junta". Wondering why it is so?

    And in the same time of this "junta" coup there were another junta coup in Egypt where hundreds (or thousands?) people died.
    There has never been an international outrage (almost).
    Wondering why it is so?
    To clarify:

    The junta is foking dumb but doesn't really effect me other than to see the shit they do in the news & shake my head & wish/be glad that wasnt me, cause it could be. Especially involving the police, which should be separate from the military, but its not, thanks to the Junta.

    And

    There is a long list of other irritants I have that together make Thailand not a place I want to permanently live, invest, and call home.

    Anyone with an income from an international source, looks at Thailand objectively, and compares it to other countries where one could live, invest, be protected by laws & plan for retirement, has good schools, stability.. - probably wouldn't choose Thailand.

    After 10 years of calling this place home between offshore hitches, its personally a place Id rather visit as a tourist and enjoy superficially without giving much of a fuck about anything else.

  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by jamescollister View Post
    Well I won't be going anywhere, can't affort to live somewhere else in SEA, income is here in Thailand.
    Just did 6, 7 months back in OZ, wife working, me house husband, no rent, borrowed car and if not for the rubber money, we would have been in hard times.

    Better to eat, sleep and drink beer here then work just to get by there.
    Concur with James. Economic factors definitely decide where one makes home.

    Sure one can get by and reside in Thailand as a single person on THB 1,000 a day...though you could live a lot better with a vehicle, money for healthcare, dining out and enjoying life possibly with a 'health provider' (and family...or possibly better without the family for some) ...well understanding the increasing cost for extras.

    ◇ ie: What's one hour of "companionship" * where you came from compared to the daily rate here ?
    * the real reason many wound up in Pattaya years ago

    Could you really do that with parity in your home country without a job ?
    Last edited by PeeCoffee; 04-07-2017 at 09:49 AM.

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    As I'm minimally involved with Thai culture and have no interest in the political environment, my only concern is restrictive and inconvenient immigration regulations. Apart from that, as long as the BTS operates on a regular schedule, new restaurants open and the internet functions (relatively) well, I'm reasonably content in the swamp...
    Last edited by tomcat; 04-07-2017 at 06:29 PM.
    Majestically enthroned amid the vulgar herd

  22. #22
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    It will be good to read your report.

    I must admit that whilst Malaysia, Vietnam, Phils and Cambodia have their good points.

    Having travelled to all of these countries,given the choice I think I would probably still opt for Thailand.

    However not an option for me. I am happy in Oz and travel to SEA Asia only on vacation.

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by cyrille
    I find it hard to believe that for anyone who does so that politics plays much of a role...it's most often either economic
    Then you should be made aware of how politics feeds into economics. Obvious basket case = Thailand, which is made obvious when you see how it has fallen from probably being Asean's most promising economy 12 years ago, to the soi dog of east Asia now. The serious money (including Thai) goes elsewhere now.

    I am very open minded to check out other places, after twelve years of constant disappointment here. Cambo looks promising.

  24. #24
    R.I.P. Luigi's Avatar
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    Doesn't really bother me either way.

    Retiring to Chiang Mai in a few years when I hit 40. International School for the sproglette for 12 years, will consider things again at uni age, probably in Thailand and then off her to Europe for her Masters and some traveling. Will reassess things then.

    The Junta or whatever doesn't really affect me motorbiking/off roading/swimming/cooking/Luigi'ing.


    Only way I'd consider moving on is if they ban people from fighting on the internet.

  25. #25
    R.I.P. Luigi's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    I am very open minded to check out other places, after twelve years of constant disappointment here. Cambo looks promising.
    In 20+ years time and I'm pushing 60 (fok) and sproglette is off to Europe, I reckon I'll be considering either Europe (unlikely) or Laos, Cambo or Myanmar, depending on how their infrastructure has developed. Got a feeling the populace might be nicer to an elderly gent and the society a lot more relaxed than how the Thais will be.

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