Expats in Thailand - Do they appreciate our contribution?

[Andrew Hicks]

It bugs me a bit that while Thailand makes a huge fuss of its tourists and is devastated when they don't come, there's never a mention of the trippers that stay the longest and contribute huge amounts to the economy.

When there's a major downturn we expats stay on and keep spending and that's a big benefit to Thailand. And unlike many tourists we're only on a bender and causing problems for the authorities some of the time and not most of it.

So is Thailand promoting 'long term tourism' as well as it might?

Is there anything about how they deal with us that could be improved and provide better incentives for we wealthy farang to arrive and stay?

Think for example of visa regulations that change by the day and of the irritating 90 day notification that tells them you're still exactly where you were before and only serves to confirm their excellent computer records that you haven't left the country.

Of course we're here because we want to be but what are your views on all this?

Andrew Hicks

[Bobcock]

They pay my wages on time every month.

That's all the appreciation I need.

[DrB0b]

19th century boy's fiction promised me that the natives would worship me as a great white God. It lied

[Attilla the Hen]

The number of expats are economically insignificant.

[kingwilly]

19th century boy's fiction promised me that the natives would worship me as a great white God. It lied

The number of expats are economically insignificant.

But, but, but Stickman's website told me....

[mellow]

They don't care about the things they have, they only care about the things they want. If they cared about expats, the rules in place would all be different.

[ChiangMai noon]

The number of expats are economically insignificant.

not sure about that Attila.

i spent 180baht yesterday and almost that much on Sunday.

[kingwilly]

i spent 180baht yesterday and almost that much on Sunday.

we rest our case,

[Mr Brown]

Bangkok - I spend 320 baht approx a day but save a shitload; which will inevitably get pumped back into Thailand someday

[Loy Toy]

Thailand and more specifically Thais in general only care about themselves and the closest people around them (direct family members).

They live for today and let problems sort themselves out the following day.

As a long time resident of Thailand I ask nothing from this country and certainly expect to receive no free gifts because of the fact I am a contributing farang.

I used to believe I was special here but if anything I am a bigger curse than the tourists that come and go apparently!

If they could do the things I can do half as good as me I would be shafted within a heartbeat.

[watterinja]

They don't care about the things they have, they only care about the things they want. If they cared about expats, the rules in place would all be different.

Hammer strikes nail on head... Beer's on its way...

[Spin]

Expats in Thailand - Do they appreciate our contribution?

I dont get it. Who is "our" and why would expats have to appreciate any contribution they make?

[Bobcock]

The company I work for has at least 50 expats, it'd be down to zero in a flash if they could make a profit without us.

The don't really appreciate us however, more like tolerate.

[kingwilly]

I dont get it. Who is "our" and why would expats have to appreciate any contribution they make?

I'm more interested in 'they' - who is they?

[lingmau]

Appreciated? LOL! We're not wanted, needed or welcome. At best we're tolerated and taxed at 30%+ for fuck all benefit.

We'll be the first ones up against the wall when the revolution comes!

[Felix Sphinx]

Or offered the oldstand by me and deliver shakedown Oh dear boiler room boy Katoeys or do they all become dive masters

[Mr Brown]

^ I've got feeling that's rubberjohnny

Have to agree with BCock; the company I work for went for years refusing to employa farang. When I arrived at this joint the task was easy; they were running their business as if they were still in the dark ages. All I did was a quick modernization and Hey Presto; more profit.

Have a feeling that if they didn't have foriegn customers now they would soon throw me out

And congrats to Andy for starting an OP without spam

[Texpat]

Everyone's in it for themselves.

Everyone.

To think a few hundred thousand expats in Thailand contribute proportionally more than others is nonsense.

Look at the largest number of expats in Thailand -- hardly the kind of people that throw money around. Very likely, on whole, expats take as much or more out as they put back in.

[barbaro]

They pay my wages on time every month.

That's all the appreciation I need.

Yup.

That's the end-all.

If someone wants to give me a pat on the back and an "atta-boy," they can.

But I don't need reinforcement.

I do see the point of the OP, but what would be "appreciation." Farang day?

[dirtydog]

Well I just went down my local noodle soup place, he was bloody closed, so he aint getting 25baht off of me today, that'l teach him

[kingwilly]

I do see the point of the OP, but what would be "appreciation." Farang day?

hug a farang day?

[DrAndy]

19th century boy's fiction promised me that the natives would worship me as a great white God. It lied

that's because you are too short

The company I work for has at least 50 expats, it'd be down to zero in a flash if they could make a profit without us. The don't really appreciate us however, more like tolerate.

and that is normal business practice, in any country

And unlike many tourists we're only on a bender and causing problems for the authorities some of the time and not most of it.

and that hardly makes sense

[barbaro]

Well I just went down my local noodle soup place, he was bloody closed, so he aint getting 25baht off of me today, that'l teach him

Yup.

You snooze, you lose.