Answered6 months ago
What challenges do expats face when navigating Thai immigration processes?
I have spent 45 years of my life travelling around the world on business and occasionally on vacation.
I have lived in Scotland, Mauritius, California, Sweden, Ukraine, Texas, and now Thailand.
I have never experienced anything quite like the bureaucracy and inconsistency of the Thailand Immigration Service.
Immigration rules are enshrined in Thai law, Thai police codes. However, don't be naive enough to think that these laws and codes are applied consistently, because they are not.
Every one of Thailand's Embassies and Consulate Generals around the world can interpret those laws and codes in whatever way they want.
I was recently in Ho Chi Minh City applying to the Thai Consulate General there for what is called a Non-Immigrant "O" Visa which I needed to get before I can open a Thai bank account and apply for an Extension of Stay based on marriage.
The relevant Thai law and police codes are very clear regarding the financial criteria which I had to meet...proof of monthly income exceeding 40,000 baht per month OR proof that I had 400,000 baht in my bank account in Scotland.
I uploaded 3 monthly bank statements as requested proving my monthly income exceeded 40,000 baht. Three days later I received an email instructing me to upload proof that I also had 400,000 baht in my bank account. This is not Thai law, but since the online Thai e-Visa system does not enable you to message or talk to a Thai official I had no option other than to comply.
The application process lead time is 5 working days and I was on day 3. However, because I was asked (wrongly) to upload additional documentation the processing clock was reset to zero.
Instead of being in Vietnam for 5-6 days I ended up being forced to stay for 12 days before I received my visa, 7 days of unnecessary additional hotel and meal costs.
The Thai Immigration process is worthy of a Monty Python sketch and yet if I want to stay here long term with my Thai wife I need to get through it.
Today another Thai Immigration farce.
I need a Residents Certificate in order to apply for a Thai bank account. I went to the Ubon Ratchathani Immigration Office website and downloaded the application form. As advised I made 3 copies of all the documents required and noted the fee was 200 baht if I wanted to wait two weeks for them to process and mail my certificate to me, or 500 baht if I wanted it today.
I arrived at the Immigration Office this afternoon to discover the application form on their website is not current and I had to complete a new one. Immigration then produced an additional form that must be completed by my landlady in Bangkok which is not mentioned on their website, and oh by the way the fee is 900 baht! They also did not want 3 copies of my documents.
To say I was pissed is putting it mildly!
And of course the Thai way is not to complain...about anything! π
I am now eating Western junk food to help get over another Thai Immigration surreal experience. ππ΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ ΏπΉπ
I have lived in Scotland, Mauritius, California, Sweden, Ukraine, Texas, and now Thailand.
I have never experienced anything quite like the bureaucracy and inconsistency of the Thailand Immigration Service.
Immigration rules are enshrined in Thai law, Thai police codes. However, don't be naive enough to think that these laws and codes are applied consistently, because they are not.
Every one of Thailand's Embassies and Consulate Generals around the world can interpret those laws and codes in whatever way they want.
I was recently in Ho Chi Minh City applying to the Thai Consulate General there for what is called a Non-Immigrant "O" Visa which I needed to get before I can open a Thai bank account and apply for an Extension of Stay based on marriage.
The relevant Thai law and police codes are very clear regarding the financial criteria which I had to meet...proof of monthly income exceeding 40,000 baht per month OR proof that I had 400,000 baht in my bank account in Scotland.
I uploaded 3 monthly bank statements as requested proving my monthly income exceeded 40,000 baht. Three days later I received an email instructing me to upload proof that I also had 400,000 baht in my bank account. This is not Thai law, but since the online Thai e-Visa system does not enable you to message or talk to a Thai official I had no option other than to comply.
The application process lead time is 5 working days and I was on day 3. However, because I was asked (wrongly) to upload additional documentation the processing clock was reset to zero.
Instead of being in Vietnam for 5-6 days I ended up being forced to stay for 12 days before I received my visa, 7 days of unnecessary additional hotel and meal costs.
The Thai Immigration process is worthy of a Monty Python sketch and yet if I want to stay here long term with my Thai wife I need to get through it.
Today another Thai Immigration farce.
I need a Residents Certificate in order to apply for a Thai bank account. I went to the Ubon Ratchathani Immigration Office website and downloaded the application form. As advised I made 3 copies of all the documents required and noted the fee was 200 baht if I wanted to wait two weeks for them to process and mail my certificate to me, or 500 baht if I wanted it today.
I arrived at the Immigration Office this afternoon to discover the application form on their website is not current and I had to complete a new one. Immigration then produced an additional form that must be completed by my landlady in Bangkok which is not mentioned on their website, and oh by the way the fee is 900 baht! They also did not want 3 copies of my documents.
To say I was pissed is putting it mildly!
And of course the Thai way is not to complain...about anything! π
I am now eating Western junk food to help get over another Thai Immigration surreal experience. ππ΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ ΏπΉπ
Answer summary
The user shares their frustrating experiences with Thai immigration bureaucracy, highlighting inconsistencies in visa requirements and application processes. They experienced issues applying for a Non-Immigrant 'O' Visa, including contradictory demands for financial proof. The narrative emphasizes the chaotic nature of Thai immigration procedures, causing unnecessary delays and increased costs. The comments reflect a shared sentiment among expats about the challenging and unpredictable bureaucracy in Thailand, with suggestions ranging from hiring agents to cope with the complexities.
139 repliesnewest first
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Ken ************
Stop complaining and get an agent will have no problems
Paul **********
OMFG
Wat funnn was had
Wat funnn was had
Proficient**********
As a world traveler as you are then you need to bite down and accept the facts. Trying get a visa to the us or anywhere else in the world.. Lived in Thailand a very long time abd have never had an issue as I go to immigration read the rule and follow them.. If you cant handle the details then well as they say go somewhere else.
Angela *********
We got our nom immigrant o visa recently. My husbands was faster (12 days) than mine because my passport name was different due to I addrd husbands last name to mine. They contacted me by phone and i submitted marriage certificate. Boom got it within hours. They were very nice.
Dave ******
This is what I have found at every step apart from the embassy in London. An island in a sea of confusion. A simple matter (?) of getting the farang tabien baan. An administrative nightmare of an interview before a thai panel and taking the Mayor of Suratthanni out for dinner or a copy of the wife's house card, ID and marriage certificate. Two desk clerks two answers.
Understand***********
Youre mistaken. Its not 40k wages in your country, you dum dum.
Mark *********
I have been in and out of Thailand for 30 years and it has been consistently like this throughout. It is something you will have to grow used to if you want to keep your blood pressure from exploding your head! Thailand makes up for these difficulties by being a really wonderful place.
Graeme *******
Hope that is Subway you are eating.
Warwick ******
Yep...... Gotta love Thailand....π
Graeme *******
Well I'm not sure why you have problems lived here 5 years do visa extension myself and 90 day reports, never had a problem. I also have traveled the world working 8n some countries never had problems with any immigration even the the USA. But my mate did everything USA customs drag him.away for a few questions, why because he overstayed for a few days many years ago in the USA. Many that come to Thailand don't follow the rules also try to.stay longer than original visa also trying to open bank accounts. So acc why if here on visa excempt for example do you need a Thai bank acc. Yea get an extension for 30 days if extending holiday but once again must have great bosses back in homeland to allow the extension of stay. Then you have the digital people that work while living in countries like Thailand do they adhere to the 180 day rule for income, I'll be the first to admit don't quite understand what they do for a living, as when I worked had to be in place and country to actually do my job. Plus I see a lot of times looking at folks on.FB there occupation is digital creator so is that someone who just comments on FB.
Allan ********
Welcome π to Thailand! Just wait till you apply for the 12 month extensions based on marriage. π
Do let us know how you get on.
Do let us know how you get on.
Greg ******
yuk
Greg ******
i love thai women but cannot tolerate the visa and tax system. fuck it i left to the Phillipines where ivan stay 36 months as a tourist and no taxes on furring income.
trave******
But the comments will say βif you canβt follow the rules, then leaveβ Iβm like what rules exactly π everybody saying something different
Vincent ******
They only want you to use agents do they get a back hander
Ron ******
How to win friends and influence people ..come to their country and complain about how they run it. Got a bit to learn fella.
Sean *************
The Thai learning curve is rough. Eventually you get the hang of it and preparing the package of documents becomes a habit.
We can all empathize with you though.
We can all empathize with you though.
Rodger **********
I have lived and worked in Thailand going on two decadesβ¦β¦I have never had one single problem. Respect the Thai people and follow their laws and you too will not have a problemβ¦β¦you are a guest in their house always, donβt forget that!
Bernie *************
The fun has just begun ππΊπΊ
Steven ********
Iβve been doing Non Os based on marriage for 10 years, using the income criteria. On my application last year I had the same experience, where I was asked to show the equivalent of 400k in my bank in addition to income. I emailed the Thai Consulate in London and politely explained that I believed there had been a mistake and it was a case of either not both. I quickly received a reply apologising for the mistake, followed by an approved Visa.
London will accept email replies or requests only if itβs in response to a specific request by them.
London will accept email replies or requests only if itβs in response to a specific request by them.
James *********
Pain for you m8,.but good Infor for a 'ferrang ISH' beginner...70 days in, so far!
Glyn ********
I think it is 800,000, or proof of a monthly 65,000 baht income for a year. The 800k has to be in the Thai bank for 3 months before applying for the non O visa. Then the balance of your Thai bank book must remain at 800,000 for 3 more months abd cannot drop below 400,000. Then it all starts again 3 months before renewa time Many people simply pay an agent 16,000 to 20,000 baht to make life easier . Also a multiple entry non O visa costs more than a single entry. I am in year 3 and have not had any real problems but as many of you state it often depends on the local official. I always take a Thai friend with me. Dont forget to have a TM 30 completed and check in for your 90 day report if you are in the Kingdom for 90 continuous without exiting. I found getting a driver's license more time consuming than tbe visa process.
Emerald********
So you lived in top countries and now experience 3rd world Asia and think you know it all and had similar expectations? Hahahaha
Havenβt learned anything along those travels
Havenβt learned anything along those travels
Seth ********
any updates
Elijah *****
WELCOME TO THAILAND! haha. Makes you wonder how their government functions. It is catching up to them. Tourism has died and their economy is too.
Eileen ***********
hire a service. donβt go cheap.
Alison *****************
Trails and tribulations of being granted to live in a wonderful country better change your mindset so many challenges to live in this country go with the flow
Galenus ******
I can't see that anybody forced you to come to Thailand. Don't come, we got enough riffraff already here.π
Sterling ***********
I do the same with junk food when I feel like crap. At least you got through it in the end! Thanks for sharing!
Steve ***********
Same thing when opening a bank account. So lazy to read and apply a translation app
Tim ***********
If it is such a pain then go somewhere else. I got a bank account simply by walking into the branch holding my passport and a handful of cash accompanied by a the philosophy that i am a guest here. The immigration in Korat are fantastic and they truly live by the mantra "We are here to help". Of course in places where you get the entitled foreigners who think the colour of their skin somehow affords them special treatment, immigration is a little weary.
If the initial approach just to get permission to live here is such a pain then, my friend, maybe Thsiland us not for you.
I also have lived overseas in places ranging from Yemen & Saudi back in the early 80's through to Singapore, Italy, dubai, Japan, Korea, London, Birmingham, Sweden & montenegro
If the initial approach just to get permission to live here is such a pain then, my friend, maybe Thsiland us not for you.
I also have lived overseas in places ranging from Yemen & Saudi back in the early 80's through to Singapore, Italy, dubai, Japan, Korea, London, Birmingham, Sweden & montenegro
Radu-PetruΘ *******
Have you ever asked a Thai person what they're going through to merely obtain a 2 week schengen visa to Only visit Europe? Don't look online, that's theory, I mean somebody that went through the process as an asian?
Shane ***********
What a Richard Cranium
Mick *****
So many have document issues applying in Vietnam, mainly because they do not understand your foreign documents.Vietnam also very busy because all the people living here on the wrong visa go to there to sort it out. Applying in your home country is always easiest because the staff there know both your documentation and the process. As for the form it happened to me twice in just over a month with residency cert. In March downloaded and completed the form, went to immigration its the old form. Was handed the new form and filled in the correct form and took some copies as I knew I would need to do this again. Went back last week to apply again with the form they handed me in March, wrong form. They changed it again. They gave me the form I filled it in and got my certificate the same day. Finally the additional form your LandLady had to complete would be the TM30, whenever you arrive in Thailand at a hotel or guest house or private accommodation they are meant to advise immigration, within 24 hours, that they have an Alien staying with them. This is done every time and can easily be done online for free. My wife does mine. The fee you paid 900 Baht is not a TM30 fee it will be the fine for late reporting/not reporting. There is no point getting frustrated, as you get more experience and start to understand the system things just get easier.
Ian *****
You got an email reply, wow ....well done.
Ken *******************
Yup. This is what has been called. Thai Logic. Lol. Good luck buddy
Christopher *************
yep, welcome to Thailand !
Nick *****************
Welcome βΊοΈ π
Allan **************
Just go out and build a bridge and get over it. It's part of Thailand Just enjoy yourself if you get so upset over this I'd hate to see you have a real problem to get over π€£π€£π€£
Don ********
IMMIGRATION STAFF IN Thailand is a joke unless your dealing with head iffice in Bangkok\. bribery else where can produce what ever you wantSadly its true.
Dave ********
Always set out by assuming your paperwork is incorrect, and that you will have to visit the immigration department at least 3 times, that way anything less than 3 times feels like a win π₯
Tom *******
Everything you said is correct, but if you think itβs arbitrary and capricious, youβd be completely wrong. Itβs deliberately slow, inefficient, document heavy and steeped in molasses at every stage because youβre doing it yourself and not farming out the work to a Thai person, an agent, who will grease the wheels at every stage and make money which he or she then passes on to the immigration office. Itβs been this way for a very long time, and I donβt see it changing any time soon, well, not until blockchain gets here and thatβs a game changer because thereβll be nowhere to hide the rampant corruption.
Gregory *********
The cheese shop sketch comes to mind from monty python. The residence certificate is free at some immigration offices but you have to wait 7 days. I would for a free visa extension volunteer to edit the thai immigration website and add the real procedures to follow. But that would lessen the entertainment here. I have lived in other countries with bureaucracy and they all have issues. Money talks and patience saves you money. I have been shown sympathy and been approved for many things when caught in catch 22 situations. I never go into an immigration office thinking i will get this done in one trip. So i have learnt great patience in my 45 years of travels.
Adrian *********
I spent 30 years dealing with it. Happy I left!
It is all about money!
Even if you are short of the visa requirement cash, because you spent the money on a Thai persons medical bills tp save their lives. They will kick you out and tell you to come back when you have more money.
Same if you lent money to a Thai person and they have not paid you back. They will tell you to leave!
They do not seem to care!
It is all about money!
Even if you are short of the visa requirement cash, because you spent the money on a Thai persons medical bills tp save their lives. They will kick you out and tell you to come back when you have more money.
Same if you lent money to a Thai person and they have not paid you back. They will tell you to leave!
They do not seem to care!
Annie *******
The word of the day here is "inconsistency". What's good today won't be tomorrow for some obscure reason. Moreover, what's good today with this particular Immigration officer won't be with the next guy sitting besides him. Immigration law enforcement in Thailand is a complete clusterf..k. The baseline is: never ever take anything for granted or be positively sure about anything, chaos is the rule here.
David *******
Good to know nothing has changed!
Sue **********
Now you can imagine how difficult it would be for a Thai to visit Europe, its even much more complicated.
Neo ********
Sue Heimchen They aren't comparable. As difficult as it is in the EU the rules are clearly laid out & easy to navigate.
Sue **********
Neo Nomads well before a Thai netizen can travel to Europe he has to go to Bangkok for a few days to the countries Embassy he wants to travel to and show his bankaccount, has to attend an interview, has to have enough money, has to have a job and if the funds (between 50-100β¬ per day) in his bank are not enough, he will be denied.
Peter *********
Take a deep breath and pause for a minute.
Itβs always been the case of needing landlords Id/tabien baan of house and tabien baan of apartment renting. You even need this if you are doing a tm30 (I fly in and out many times for work ).
Itβs always been the case of needing landlords Id/tabien baan of house and tabien baan of apartment renting. You even need this if you are doing a tm30 (I fly in and out many times for work ).
Cris ******
Oh boy. You are only touching the tip of the ice berg haha. If a form change, price change and time increase was this frustrating, just wait until you are living here haha. I definitely agree with you 100%. And I am sure half these comments are old trolls with the βif you donβt like it, leaveβ garbage. Wish you the best of luck.
David *******
While there are significant challenges in Thailand just try applying for something similar in USA or Australia. Yes you have certainty but most likely certainty that you will not be approved
Eric **********
David Eagle Because soon many overstay...
David ********
I agree with you in regards to a lot of what you have said BUT having gone through the visa process for my Thai wife to visit and eventually work in my country (NZ) we encounted many of the same things. I was told by my visa agent that the NZ immigration officer could operate completely under their own discretion and the guidelines were merely that. We experienced completely contradictory decisions but we just did what they asked and got what we wanted.
Alan **********
Sounds a bit like our uk judiciary, make it up as they go along
Christian ******
Truth
Peter *********
Welcome to Thailand πΉπ the country who loves paper work lol π don't for get your have to renew each year
Graeme *******
Of course you are correct, that is what comes with no colonization. But if living here we have to go though the process.
Abu ********
Thailand is not suitable for foreigners to live. It's one of the best destinations for tourism .
Peter ***********
Perhaps you are not very good with admin.
Robert ********
yep, get used to it , as it will never change , coruption ,stupidity and repedity is fully installed in to thai culture and nothing ever changes, just go with the flow , T I T !
Steven *********
Smh
Radius ******************
God i love thailand π
Osian ********
As your excellent, faultless even, post states, the problem in Thailand is it's not acceptable to be confrontational, and you should never cause someone in authority to lose face, so exactly how do they improve or even know they need to improve, hence nothing ever does improve
Christopher *************
Osian Ledger Yes, that's the problem in a nutshell
Arve ****************
Well.
Thais would say the same about traveling to Europe or us.
It's 12-18 months now for "spousevisa" tok Norway, sameiet for kids.
So nothing special whit that.
Thais would say the same about traveling to Europe or us.
It's 12-18 months now for "spousevisa" tok Norway, sameiet for kids.
So nothing special whit that.
Frank **********
Arve Lufc Pedersen but the laws are consistent within each State or Province. And immigration law in western countries are applied equally in each country.
Sue **********
@Frank *********
no they are not. If a Thai wants to travel to France then there are different requirements from Switzerland and so on.Frank **********
Sue Heimchen no I meant within a country and Europe is not a country.
Gary ******
Nothing is ezy in Thailand, just confusing , to many rules , and every immigration officer has a different view
Christer *****
You think you could have argued your way out of proof of 400 000 in the bank? π
Alan **********
TL:DR Was there a question in there somewhere ? π€£
Robert **********
The 40,000 per month has to be deposited in a bank account for a year, or else get a certification with your government, which very few embassies do anymore.
Greg ***********
Robert Gerchalk the 40,000 THB do not have to be "deposited for one year" - - - - - -this kind of money "has to get transferred into your Thai bank account, every month, month for month, not missing a single month, coded as coming from abroad, for consecutive 12 months" . . and Immigration wants to see an updated bankbook and the 12-months bank statement
Terry ********
Greg Alexander right, but for the first 12 months you have to have the money in the bank while youβre accumulating those transfers to show immigration.
Greg ***********
Terry Shurts You forgot: most Immigrations do not accept 12 monthly transfers of 40,000 THB as financial proof for the 1-year extension. Either you work legally in Thailand as a foreigner on a minimum income, or you use the income affidavit of your embassy (IF they still issue it), or you got the 400,000 THB deposit. Only for the retirement extension, you can use the 12-months transfers statement from the bank over consecutive transfers, month for month, of a minimum of 65,000 THB coming in from abroad
Derek ***********
Traveling and living is very different
Riley *******
Welcome to Thailand!
Nongnuch ********
don't let it surprise you . . . . you might not even be really finished with the complete process. Just in case your marriage is not yet registered insideThailand, you won't be able to apply for the 1-year extension of stay based on being married to a Thai wife. Because for this application to the 1-year extension, you need a fresh printout of the marriage registry, called Kor Ror 22, from the local Amphur Office
Kenneth ************
SHIT HAPPENS
Excellent*********
The system is shameful.
It's completely corrupt we all know how and why they like you to use an agent ππ€¬π€¬π€¬
It's completely corrupt we all know how and why they like you to use an agent ππ€¬π€¬π€¬
Toby ******
you'll get used to it 555 your time spent living elsewhere is clearly not applicable. As for documents, always bring all of them, and also the other ones.... and make sure you have copies!
Michael *******
My 90 day report and annual renewal visit are typically a pain in the ass. Iβm in Bangkok. Everything in order, Thai Wife visaβ¦I use an agent so I can sit in a chair and read a book until it is done. That much effort is worth the reward of another renewal with multiple reentry stampβ¦
Andrew ********
Yeah they are doing that to everyone they want to see savings once you do renewal you can do the income part in thai bank
HΗΔ±nz ***********
Too many inconsistencies for me to take this post seriously.
Bruno ********
Think of all the economic potential being destroyed by the bureaucracy. It's more expensive to run an llc here than in Switzerland...
I fear that in 2 decades Cambodia will have overtaken Thailand.
I fear that in 2 decades Cambodia will have overtaken Thailand.
Jair ******
Look at the bright side...you burnt a ton of calories running around. And I'm sure your wife will make you a solid meal to recover. Happy wife, happy life..everything else is just noise.
Jay ********
Somewhere in Thailand there is a huge warehouse stacked full of immigration paperwork in triplicate
TIT as they say
Wait until they want gps coordinates for your house plus a detailed map and the home visit
The extension of stay based on retirement is not as much hassle
TIT as they say
Wait until they want gps coordinates for your house plus a detailed map and the home visit
The extension of stay based on retirement is not as much hassle
Graeme *******
Jay Cutler marriage visa pretty easy , most only do home visit once and map done on computer takes 5 mins.
Paul *******
Graeme Drake For marriage lots more paper work required plus your under concideration for 1 month as applications go to Bangkok for approval.
Pat *****
Jay Cutler hand draw the mapπ
Lim ***********
If you think immigration is bad, wait til you deal with Thai banks. Different branches of the same bank within the same city can have different rules π. Rules changes very fast with no reasonable notice period.
Don't even get me started on Land offices...
Don't even get me started on Land offices...
Lim ***********
Bangkok Bank and Kasikorn Bank are the two big banks here. Bangkok bank is the worst in my opinion after the big hooha down in Pattaya which caused the bank's immediate suspension of most farang's bank accounts and took months before they unsuspend them.
But they have kept the daily transaction limit for the first time foreigners at THB 2 million per day.
Kasikorn bank used to have 5 million daily transaction limit for foreigners 3 years ago and last year they suddenly reduced to THB 50,000 overnight without notice. I appealed as we were building our house and 50K daily limit is very difficult to work with. So they raised it to 2 mil. But new account holders were restricted to 50K limit. But this is in Udon Thani. You can validate with Bangkok branches.
I much prefer Kasikorn bank to Bangkok Bank. They appear to be slightly more organised. π
But they have kept the daily transaction limit for the first time foreigners at THB 2 million per day.
Kasikorn bank used to have 5 million daily transaction limit for foreigners 3 years ago and last year they suddenly reduced to THB 50,000 overnight without notice. I appealed as we were building our house and 50K daily limit is very difficult to work with. So they raised it to 2 mil. But new account holders were restricted to 50K limit. But this is in Udon Thani. You can validate with Bangkok branches.
I much prefer Kasikorn bank to Bangkok Bank. They appear to be slightly more organised. π
Sterling ***********
@Lim **********
I'm about hopefully to be approved for my 90day non O so I'll be opening a Thai bank account in the next two weeks I hope. Any particular bank you would recommend. I'm in Bangkok.
Deborah *******
Sterling T Steves I opened one with Krungsthai 7 months ago and my Bf opened one there 3 weeks ago on a Non O visa. It was fairly easy. He was turned down by Kasikorn.
Ken *******************
@Lim **********
so true. These two are the problem makers that blockaded Thailand to move upward.
Jay ****
Now you know how it works here. Enjoy the life now.
John **********
If anything it's the opposite of bureaucracy. There are rules set from on high which are loosely followed by and interpreted differently by different government offices, and quite likely differently by individuals within those offices. Rules can change fairly drastically with staff changes, so every time you want to use an immigration office you need to check what their most recent requirements are. Just wait until you start dealing with banks, every branch of every bank interprets requirements slightly differently perhaps even more so than government offices
John ********
The fine for drifting into a bus lane in Scotland is Β£100. My Non O retirement visa and 1st year extension combined were half that.
Get some fucking perspective you entitled twat or go somewhere easy you can afford.
Get some fucking perspective you entitled twat or go somewhere easy you can afford.
Bill **********
Don't forget, unemployment is practically zero.
Michael *******
John Wenman thanks for putting that clearly for all of us to enjoy! Nuff saidβ¦..
Richard *******
John Wenman And there it is
Betty *********
Richard Wilde John Wenman sounds a very educated chap . His way with words is amazing.
John ********
I failed my English O level. But I donβt care.
Michael *********
I'd argue that in reality the way it works here is = whatever the person across the counter from you is telling you to do in that moment, that's what you need to do. So many things here are in gray areas, advantages and disadvantages accompanying.
BrightQu********
Michael Horatio a reasoned and kind response relevant to almost every question in this group
Bede ********
If you dont engage an agent and crease palms you will have problems. Simple
Graeme *******
Bede Lipman rubbish.
Robert ********
lived in thailand since 2017 and never greased a palm , do it right and it will turn out right! seen so many palm greasers fall over so many times !, you will get caught one day , and now its getting closer every day , finally computers are now here in thailand ,they just have to learn how to use them and many will be in the shit , T I T
Bede ********
Welcome to Asia
Toby ******
Bede Lipman that is not necessarily true... but it depends on how you define a problem. I would say the additional 30K baht you have to pay an agent is more of a problem than producing a few extra sets of documents. It is true every office has their own specific interpretation of the rules and set of requirements: the actual rules are kind of a guideline....
Giraffe *********
Toby Shaw I pay
*****
baht for agents service included the 800k dead moneyToby ******
Giraffe Wranger but the 800k dead money is not corruption, it is a kind of insurance for Thailand. I agree it is inconvenient for us but it is prudent for them.
Ishmael *********
Giraffe Wranger details?
BrightQu********
Toby Shaw ergo per your latter statement, the problem can never be consistently defined and therefore solved consistently... and hence the existence of this FB group
Bede ********
Toby Shaw If you dont pay and support the graft system you will have problems.
Toby ******
Bede Lipman i have never paid a bribe here in 20 years. I do my own visas. No problem. But I live in the North: it may be different down South
Danny *******
Thanks for sharing. How can we help?
John ****
I gave up over their tax laws . Even revenue office have no clue .
ScenicB*******
Yes agreed, in 2026 it could be so much easier. Ah I remember the old days when it was soooo much easier.
Osian ********
ScenicBeet5068 WHEN?
ScenicB*******
Osian Ledger 2004 it was the best here, the goldern era! The vibe is very different now.
Flemming ****
Apparently first time really travelling out in the world π€£π€£π€£
Sterling ***********
Flemming No what a nonsense comment when the guy literally he has lived in 4 other countries in the first paragraph.
Emerald********
Sterling T Steves ya Texas and Sweden just like 3rd world Asia
What an absurd comparison
What an absurd comparison
Charoen *******
Flemming No you are an idiot. Those Thai boots taste good?
Sujy *********
You will now hear a bunch of angry old fart telling you to "leave if you are unhappy". But you are factually correct. The thai bureaucracy is one fo the worst in the world.
Graeme *******
Sujy Sujaree well that's probably the way it is, one would think.same in.any country you visit or decide to live in. Most of those "angry old farts" as you put it probably live here have paid for a house/condo brought a vehicle and put plenty of money in the economy.
Greg ******
Sujy Sujaree not angry, not an old fart. thailand πΉπ bureaucracy and taxes on foreigners are a clusterfuck.
i left
i left
Bernard *********
Sujy Sujaree you are not a real traveler to say that !
Fizul *********
Sujy Sujaree Your prediction came through. π€·
Sujy *********
Fizul Bacchus :)
Greg ***********
Sujy Sujaree where I live, bureaucracy is far worse than the one in Thailand
Yo***
Sujy Sujaree But leave if you are not happy in Thailand or a foreign country, this is really true and the optimal option for foreigners. I was retired to an other country before, that country really sucks for me. So I left that country and came to Thailand. I am satisfied so far in Thailand. π
Majin ******
Young some people aren't here to take it up the ass pal. We have a right to say it's annoying
Rodger **********
Majin Beau who cares
Ken ********
Young
Yo***
Majin Beau what I meant with leave country if not happy is, not the right to say something, freedom of speech is good. But, if a foreigner lives in such bad conditions in a foreign country, life is simply bad too. This harms himself first. Stressful and unhappy living. Is there any good reason to live like that? Even, he speaks freely bad about the country, nothing will be changed at all, thailand is made by thais. not foreigners. so I just said it, for himself or herself. not for Thailand. Leave Thailand if really not happy in Thailand. no reason to live in a hell condition.
Yo***
Majin Beau fully understood that people can complain and annoy . There is no perfect place. I also sometimes do that. Everyone can say what they want to say. But for me, when I talked something bad about that country where I was before, someone overheard it and call the police. And five policemen knock your door. I had that experiences before in that shit country. Of course, at least, I can complain about Thailand. No police knocks my door. so I must be satisfied in Thailand. ππππ
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