Thread: I'm so happy I'm gone.

Originally Posted by Seekingasylum

Thailand is a wealthy country where the playing field is loaded against the majority whose meek acceptance of their economic lot ensures their economic subjugation.

Hardly unique to Thailand but do carry on.

Originally Posted by Norton

Hardly unique to Thailand but do carry on.

Indeed.
Unfortunately, there's a healthy percentage that are unable to recognize these things.

I've known quite a few gone back to farangland, not one with regrets, and those that return do so for an annual 2-3 week blowout.

Congrats on the move, and good luck with it.

Originally Posted by Norton

Already have a special spot for my urn at the local wat.

When thoughts turn to such things it's really not unusual for many of our peers to have already departed, one way or the other.

Originally Posted by jabir

I've known quite a few gone back to farangland, not one with regrets

None that they will tell you about.

Originally Posted by jabir

those that return do so for an annual 2-3 week blowout.

QED

Hawaii, I'm envious. Good for you and yours. Miss fish took the citizens test not too long ago and is happily a US citizen.

Please do a picture thread once you've settled in. Or a few sunsets over the ocean.

One of the Beatles has a place on the water. Must be nice.

Cheers, fishy.

Originally Posted by OhOh

Presumably you had your family around you in Thailand? Your daughter will get a "better" education, why? Will her classes will be smaller, she will be accepted as one of her peer group more easily, the curriculum is more acceptable, her options will be larger, her further education options are wider?

Me: Yes, to ALL of your questions about schools here in Hawaii. The classes are smaller, subjects are based on making further higher education easier and her options are a lot wider'

Your wife, when applying for her "green card" and is now "on her way" to "obtaining" US citizenship. No personal questions asked during that quest, no paper work required as evidence, no sponsors, no conditions to be adhered too until she "receives" her new citizenship ....?

Me: Seems you know nothing about getting a Visa for a Thai going to the US. It's a long process and I am the sponsor. It took us 8 months to get her initial visa and once we went through customs in Hawaii, the officer said it might take 3-4 months to get her Green card. It took less than 2 months and she can now stay 10 years in the US. I think there is certain time that she has to stay here (3 years) before she can take her citizenship test.



Thailand has immigration/long staying foreigners rules, as do most countries. Your wife and family have found that out. Break the rules and justice will be swift. As some have posted, PPPPP. Others who "ask a friend" are more likely to fail the very simple challenge.

You're right on every country having rules but Thailand is just stupid in the way they do things. All the pictures, maps and other BS just finally pissed me off.



Your local, state and country authorities are "blessed" with GPS to locate you via your postal address, your telephone, your mobile, your media accounts, your internet usage .... Thailand has yet to officially embrace and demand such information. Do Thai Immigration officers demand to know your facebook/.... posting history, demand to check your mobile for your usage?

Me: They tried to get people to file all their posting history and it got shot down. I'm not required to do that here.



Some appear to do their "job" with a little too much gusto. Thai police also post wanted pictures, they also have many stop and question setups on the roads. Checking IDs, passports, car insurance. Again, have the correct papers, stickers, registration documents and it's a 30 second procedure. I don't know how much "hunting down" goes on, isn't that left to third parties?

Me:Total BS about posting WANTED posters, they're all PIXLED. The cops there make up the laws to get what they want. I don't think most of them even know the laws.

But you and your family have made the move and I wish you and your family, all the best in the future.

Thanks for the well wishes though as I wish you and yours all the best in future.

Yes, happy holidays to all. Too bad we didn't pop over to Laos for x-mass.It's allways a good time. I like walking in shorts, a wife beeter and flip flops while strolling along the pavilion where they set up the X-mass tree and all in front of the Mall.

As for Miss fish's citizenship test there are online courses to aid in passing the exam. If you're married she may not even have to go through the exam process. I never looked into that. Miss fish had to memorize the answers to a hundred or more questions pertaining to the US government. Then she had to take an oral exam where they asked her to answer a dozen or so of those questions.

Yes Norton, that sucks. Years ago I figured if I hit 50yrs old and put a bit in a bank it be "all good." Sounds like it's a big hassle now with their book of ever changing rules.

^ That's my plan. There are always people coming and going having children seems to add to the situation.

Good luck with your move Hawaii sounds like a nice place.

At this rate all the cool people will be gone by the time I get there. Ha

@eliminator - best of luck in your move and adjustment in the US. Based on ppl from this forum and many expat vloggers/you tubers, many are leaving TH and going to other SEA countries due to the strong baht & visa requirements.

Originally Posted by naptownmike

At this rate all the cool people will be gone by the time I get there. Ha

No worries Mike, I will keep the lights on for ya. I plan on closing the place as Dillinger asked me to do.


In the big picture, people will always come and go. Part of life. I agree that much has changed since I first started coming here for work back in 2005. But we can't realistically expect it to stay the same can we? With changes, some are good and some are not. The visa deal has been a real mess for those here using the retirement method. For us married guys honestly nothing has changed much. I am always surprised to hear of the ones that have to take pictures in the bedroom and all over the place but we all know that is the variance in the area one lives. We take pics of the front of the house so they can see the address, supply a google map picture, few of the dogs and submit. Quite honestly that's only once a year so not sure how that can be a deal breaker for some. But I guess we all have a thresholds on what we will tolerate.

As for Hawaii, while I respect Eliminators choices to move, Hawaii isn't free of crime in fact there is lots of it, it is extremely expensive, has loads of tourists and as my few friends that live and work on a few islands say "the constant same weather year round wears on you". Not sure what island Eliminator moved to as lots of people say "Hawaii" being they are the Hawaiian Islands. My one friend lives on Molokai and the other the Big Island. Wife and I have been to both to visit. The Big Island is a tourist mess and all the Chinese that people are complaining about in Thailand, Just go to the big Island....

Originally Posted by Norton

When I did my first long stay O visa (Retirement) about 20 years ago, the Gov of Thailand and I essentially established a contractual agreement. The significant changes since then amounts to a Gov breech of that contract.

You're...joking, surely?

You sound like some ex-prime minister of the place.

If it were anyone else I'd say they couldn't possibly be that conceited.

Originally Posted by Norton

Hardly unique to Thailand but do carry on.

The realpolitik of life is a function of the human condition but the current situation in Thailand is somewhat unique among more developed and civilised countries which permit their citizens to stand for election without the need for a tertiary education qualification.

Quite a nifty way to prevent true democracy.

Originally Posted by Norton

They do indeed but the constant changes here are not typical in other countries. When I did my first long stay O visa (Retirement) about 20 years ago, the Gov of Thailand and I essentially established a contractual agreement. The significant changes since then amounts to a Gov breech of that contract.

Essentially, you are a sound chap but living in the boonies can be an insidious affliction hampering the intellect. We'll let this one go this time but please pull those intellectual socks up and let's have no more utter gibberish. Careful, you do not want to lapse into the terminal phase and get Jeff's Syndrome, do you?

Could it be a case of the grass being greener at the other place?

Every place has b.s. in America the constant rules and having to worry about everyone's feelings is insane.

My wife is in management and constantly hears back that she's been to hard on a worker or they feel overwhelmed. You guys rail on Thai's for stupidity but I see plenty here daily that would give them a run for their money.

As for the Baht what can you do it's always up and down usually down when I've had to buy a house or something F it. I always try and remind myself no one asked me to come to Thailand so try and deal with it. Getting all pissed about everything Thai is bad for one's mental state.

Seems if money is plentiful enough one should have the freedom to come and go. If your living on the edge and feel trapped that's probably not much fun anymore.

Anyway I hope you enjoy your new start and everything works out.

Well said! There is too much negativism and misplaced cynicism in the world.

Damn Nappy, wife in management. I wish someone could manage mine.

Originally Posted by Norton

When I did my first long stay O visa (Retirement) about 20 years ago, the Gov of Thailand and I essentially established a contractual agreement. The significant changes since then amounts to a Gov breech of that contract.

What is the difference number wise between long term retirees/family connected then and now?

I believe the visa "contract" is of a years validity. Extension to the visa similar. As for Government "administration changes", it appears to be a global issue, not just Thailand.

There does appear to be "movements" bent on interrupting peace afoot in Thailand.

Originally Posted by fishlocker

Sounds like it's a big hassle now with their book of ever changing rules.

I've deduced it's the "at the discretion of the TIO" statement which is the root cause.

Seems if money is plentiful enough one should have the freedom to come and go. If your living on the edge and feel trapped that's probably not much fun anymore.

02:00. the fire escape, Face down and not much left. Shlocker.

Originally Posted by naptownmike

Could it be a case of the grass being greener at the other place?

It usually always is. Isn't that why some of us moved here? I know it certainly played a part in it for me.

Originally Posted by naptownmike

Every place has b.s. in America the constant rules and having to worry about everyone's feelings is insane.

Good Lord, Isn't that the truth. I just returned from 2.5 weeks in the states, some for business, some for pleasure. To watch and read US news is down right depressing. From the President arguing with a 16 year old in twitter to some news gal that got her back area touched by some guy during a marathon and it made headlines news that she felt "Violated and has lost all her power as the man that touched her took it from her" FFS!!!!!

It's utter lunacy in the U.S. I couldn't imagine trying to navigate through it all now. Everybody is so PC, Fukn lawyers made it that way. Can't call someone a name when they are stupid or risk being sued. Can't tell someone at work they look nice because they can complain and you risk being fired for sexual harassment. It used to be you hugged someone when you hadn't seen them in a long time, can't or lawsuits might be pending for unsolicited contact.

Originally Posted by Eliminator

Total BS about posting WANTED posters, they're all PIXLED

I can assure you during my limited visits to our local police station there are always a display of unpixillated, admittedly low definition mug shots, stuck on the wall of "wanted men and women" and possibly "gender neutrals". I don't visit the place often so they may not change the wanted poster very often.

I must admit there are not any over-stamped with any "red starred apprehended" success marks.