This new regulation is about showing a flight ticket at the embassy/consulate when you apply for a visa. It is shown to the MFA and not immigration when you enterOriginally Posted by peterpan
This new regulation is about showing a flight ticket at the embassy/consulate when you apply for a visa. It is shown to the MFA and not immigration when you enterOriginally Posted by peterpan
well this is a right royal pain in the arse.
I'm off to Singapore in a few days and was hoping to get Tourist Visa there but since realising it is Chinese New Year and it's a holiday on Weds,Thurs I've bought a one way ticket to Cambodia(Air Asia) in case.
So will I be able to get a 30 day VOE on my return to Bangkok or even a TV from the embassy in Singapore. What happens if I can do neither as Cambodia is in the region.
Will they leave me to rot in Singapore or just lock me up when I arrive back in Bangkok and then deport me to the UK?
As predicted the rules continue to tighten.
There's too many foreigners living in Thailand. That's not my opinion; that's the opinion of the Thais, and so they are doing something about it. Problem is, that number of foreigners is increasing all the time and so the rules will continue to tighten until the number of foreigners starts decreasing.
It stands to reason, as tourist arrivals increase (if we are to believe the TAT) on a yearly basis so will the amount of foreigners that just don't want to leave.
Now we have a scenario where there are more Western foreigners living here than ever the Thais are slowly removing the loopholes we once enjoyed so the least desirable foreigners are slowly being eliminated from staying in Thailand permanently.
I would think it won't be long before we see the nail in the coffin for the longstayer and the dreaded '90 days and you're out' applying to anyone who doesn't report to Immigration.
Care to point out the 'policy document' where they state this?Originally Posted by EmperorTud
I think that you can read that off from the passing of the laws. Laws are a reflection of a countries wants. Look at the FBA as an example. No longer do they want a 50/50 company based on holding but rather on voting rights. That means foreigners are out.
The problem with many Westerns in Thailand is that they think fluck everyone else I have a better piece of paper and so I am safe. Nobody is safe. I recall the attitude of Dr Pisspong on Thaivisa that Thailand wants all the poor Westerns out. Well looking at the FBA clearly money is not the issue - never has been!
So, where's the policy document that says there are too many foreigners living in Thailand then? You might 'believe' it's the policy, but you can't quote an official source can you?
You sound like another TV 'the sky is falling' reject.
My official source is an official in the higher echelons of Immigration.
As for policy documents for your perusal look no further than the official documents illustrating new and effective visa restrictions and the draft of the FBA.
The sky isn't falling for me, yet, as the visa regulations or new FBA won't affect me for the time being or for the foreseeable future.
If you cannot see what is happening in front of your nose don't be angry and frustrated at other members for pointing it out to you.
Absolutely not. Some landlords may ask you to sign a registration form (once), which they then submit to the police, but most don't even bother (mine never has). No police registration, no visa or border runs, no work permits, multiple entry and exit visas, no bureaucratic hassles.
The Thais have a looong tradition of making it very difficult for foreigners to establish any kind of permanent or long-term foothold on sacred Thai soil. It goes back centuries, when the first European traders were even forbidden from living on dry land (they basically had to live on their ships). The mentality is not going to change much this side of Armageddon, either.
Last edited by PattyFlipper; 02-02-2008 at 08:03 PM.
What about those who live in say Cambodia or Vietnam, but who use Bangkok as a transit stop or even for medical services? Can't leave the airport? Can't even get on the plane to Thailand in the first place?
If there is any truth to this, and it is not just the rumour mill working overtime, that settles it for me. I've been itching for a valid excuse never to set foot in Thailand again. In future, I shall use KL or Singapore if I can't get a direct flight from Phnom Penh.
Last edited by PattyFlipper; 02-02-2008 at 08:07 PM.
^ too true - Thailand is just a doss hole for cheap whores and little else.
Originally Posted by EmperorTud
So, not official at all in other words. I'll just file this under 'bollocks' then.
FACT: It was their stated policy to reduce the amount of foreigners staying in Thailand on 30 day entry stamps. A stated policy written, which you can find online, to reduce the number of foreigners living in Thailand. It was initially effective now they will go after tourist visas and possibly Non-Imms.
FACT: The Labour Dept. have been instructed to reduce the some 1,500 new work permits issued monthly to foreigners in order to keep the numbers down. There are some 150,000 active foreigners with work permits in Thailand.
FACT: Neighbouring Thai Embassies and Consulates have been instructed not to issue certain visas, not to issue visas at all and some to refuse visas to foreigners who appear to be staying permanently in Thailand on tourist visas and entry stamps.
FACT: The FBA, which IMO will come into force soon whether we like it or not, is to discourage foreigners from doing business in Thailand. While you could argue this is not directly aimed at reducing the number of foreigners in Thailand it is certainly conducive.
FACT: The Investment visa was scrapped showing conclusively that money was not a concern and even foreigners with money, willing to invest in Thailand are still not welcome to stay here on a long term basis.
FACT: The TAT's continuing campaign to bring a "better class of tourist" to Thailand. In other words, they want fewer foreigners that stay a short time and spend more money. Again, policy.
I could go on, but to argue that it is not Government policy in the face of irrefutable evidence seems rather foolish.
Link please?Originally Posted by EmperorTud
A tourist is not a resident. If someone is foolish enough to believe they are 'living' here on the basis of that or 30 day stamps, then they are in for a long overdue wakeup.Originally Posted by EmperorTud
The FBA is already in force (since 2000 when it replaced the 1972 Alien Business Law) You're refering to legislation to modify that which was introduced by the last government but was never completed. That's not to say something similar won't be reintroduced.Originally Posted by EmperorTud
It could be argued that this was scrapped to make room for the 'Elite card' scheme. I wouldnt make that claim as I don't have the facts to back it up.Originally Posted by EmperorTud
Link please?Originally Posted by EmperorTud
You claim it's offical government policy that "there are too many foreigners living in Thailand", yet you are unable to substantiate that claim with a specific verifiable link. Instead you prefer to extrapolate an opinion based on hearsay.
I'd stick to doing movie reviews if I were you. You were at least partly amusing there.
You, sir, are a God among men....
Short Men, who aren't terribly bright....
More like dwarves with learning disabilities....
You are a God among Dwarves With Learning Disabilities.
Link please?Originally Posted by EmperorTud
You honestly shouldn't need a link to something that was so widely publicised and just introduced in October 2006. It's pretty much well documented here and on other forums. I'm surprised it escaped your attention.
A tourist is not a resident. If someone is foolish enough to believe they are 'living' here on the basis of that or 30 day stamps, then they are in for a long overdue wakeup.Originally Posted by EmperorTud
Of course a tourist is not a resident however many people were living on tourist visas and visa-free entry stamps for many years. Government policy was and is to reduce and eventually eradicate that number.
The FBA is already in force (since 2000 when it replaced the 1972 Alien Business Law) You're refering to legislation to modify that which was introduced by the last government but was never completed. That's not to say something similar won't be reintroduced.Originally Posted by EmperorTud
Nit picking really. The point is valid.
It could be argued that this was scrapped to make room for the 'Elite card' scheme. I wouldnt make that claim as I don't have the facts to back it up.Originally Posted by EmperorTud
It could be argued but the bottom line is the same; it serves to reduce the number of ways foreigners can legitimately stay in Thailand.
Link please?Originally Posted by EmperorTud
Again, widely publicised and continuing Labour Dept. policy.
You claim it's offical government policy that "there are too many foreigners living in Thailand", yet you are unable to substantiate that claim with a specific verifiable link. Instead you prefer to extrapolate an opinion based on hearsay.
Policy is a sum of the laws being introduced and those laws are irrefutably aimed at reducing and restricting the number of Western foreigners living in Thailand.
I'd stick to doing movie reviews if I were you. You were at least partly amusing there.
Save the wee digs and snide remarks for MKP where they belong pal.
^ So you still can't come up with any actual links? Just vague references to 'other forums' - hardly official mouthpieces are they? No links to any government websites? Immigration department? Labout department? No?
Thought not.
Links to what? The laws are been enacted and some are now being enforced. Evidence enough to assess Government policy.
You seem to completely ignore the solid evidence I have given to support that reducing the number of foreigners in Thailand is Government policy, yet incredulously, have provided absolutely no evidence to the contrary!
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