Back in bournemouth I knew a few Asians and South Americans that were working illegally in restaurants and shops. They said that they did it because it was the only way to stay in the UK year after year, and they were desperate to avoid going home.

I can't understand the thought patterns of Westerners who come to Thailand and spend year after year here working illegally whilst building up a social life, business, renting a longterm condo etc. Are they not worried that their entire lifestyle rests on a knife-edge, and everything could collapse and be snatched away at any time?