https://www.chiangraitimes.com/expat-survey-suggests-thailands-popularity-with-western-expats-is-fading.html "Some immigration bureaus are making people feel unwelcome!!!" Ya think?

Is Thailand becoming less welcoming to Western expats according to recent surveys?

expat experience visa challenges immigration procedures Thailand expat survey Thai immigration expat communities Western expats service issues in immigration

Aug 6, 2018

6 years ago

Mary ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

[members only]

"Some immigration bureaus are making people feel unwelcome!!!"

 Ya think?

1,452

views

likes

all likes

replies

images

users

TLDR : Answer Summary

Recent discussions highlight concerns about the welcoming nature of Thai immigration towards Western expats. A survey suggests a decline in Thailand's popularity among this group, with many sharing their experiences of long wait times and inconsistent documentation requirements at immigration offices, especially in tourist-heavy areas like Chiang Mai. Despite the challenges, some expats still appreciate living in Thailand but express frustration with the hassle of managing immigration procedures.

Pascal ********

Phuket 5 minutes to report the 90 days . ok dont go on the monday morning as all stu..p farang meet on monday but tuesday to friday easy in fast out :)

6 years ago

Robert *******

@Mary *******

, Immigration could be a hassle if you like to live in a place with many expats and tourist like Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket. Many foreigners applying for things, I used to live in Krabi, never spend more than 1 hour during an Immigration Visit, including waiting. Moved to a village near Khon Kaen, went to do the TM30, all done in 15 minutes, took this long because my wife let me fill out the form in English, but she had to do it again in Thai as she is the landlord.

6 years ago

Indigo *****

I’d say it’s working!😃

6 years ago

Mary ********

ORIGINAL POSTER

I love it here but hate the immigration hassle in Chiang Mai. I am tired of paying an agency 6000 baht ( plus 1900 for the actual visa extension) but when you try to DIY it is almost impossible. 5 am stand in line and if you aren't among the first 90 come back another day. Changing documentation requirements, some only being requested by this office. So yeah, I feel unwelcome.

6 years ago

Duncan *******

A survey of Thaivisa dot com readers, not exactly a repesentative sample.

6 years ago

Adam *********

Hope the results if this survey gets forwarded to the PM, Immigration Head, & Tourism Head officials. The survey can be further supported by the recent Chinese express lane at BKK airport; when has Thailand done something like this to encourage Westerner Expats or tourists?

6 years ago

Pascal ********

Anyway you love Thailand you stay with some of the minor problems we all know but compare to other countries in Europe for example HA HA HA . You start to hate Thailand easy most big cities have international airport so bye bye :) :)

6 years ago

Robert *******

Did not see much changes in the visa rules in years, except the limit on two land border crossings without a visa. Same old story, blame everybody specially Immigration for all what happens in stead of yourself. I agree with the changed exchange rate, strong Thai Baht against weak Euro/British pound makes it harder to live inside Thailand but nothing to do with Immigration.

6 years ago

Pascal ********

If you live here and get Thai Baht no problem always the same which are complaining the one who always compare their own country with Thailand but can not go back in their own country due to all the problems over there :)

6 years ago

Reply to

Pascal ********

Thai Visa Advice

... members · 40% approval rate

The Thai Visa Advice group is a specialized Q&A forum for visa-related topics in Thailand, ensuring detailed responses.

Join the Group

Thai Visa Advice

View the Conversation

Thai Visa Advice

What are the current rules for entering Thailand on a visa exemption for multiple entries?

209 comments