Originally Posted by
Slick
Yeah I had to leave Thailand a few days ago to go offshore myself. Was on a 1 year extension that needed to be renewed in August, but couldn't manage to renew it because my employer wanted me back. Immigration wouldnt renew it early, so, its done and ill need to start the process all over again at some point. So now ive got a wife & kid in Thailand, no visa to return, and little options other than a visa exempt entry and then an extension etc. Hoops and more hoops.
I lived in my wifes hometown for more than a decade but recently took us all out of there and moved to Phuket because I refuse to raise my kid in a tiny isaan town with little prospects and spoken english. Phuket is my last attempt at making Thailand for for us, and if it doesn't, then I will have to make a choice on where we are going to live. My kid is still an infant so she's easy at the moment. Phuket has alot of good western stuff, good international schools, and has an international airport so its the best compromise. If it doesn't work out then I have the option of working in the office in Dubai (less pay) and re-locating my family there and putting my daughter in school there, or moving to the USA and continuing to work offshore. The idea pf putting my kid in an american public school makes me want to take a xanax, so Dubai is looking promising.
End of the day Thailand is becoming more of a headache than anything else, and its clear as day they dont care.