Why do some foreigners feel mistreated by Thai immigration, and how can the process be improved?

@Simon *********

Right! I'm a second generation immigrant. Back in the 90s, it took my father almost 5 years to get a visa approved to be allowed to visit the US....I'm a US citizen and I see it all the time that people with US/UK/EU passports feel entitled to be allowed in any country of their choice without questions asked.

@Craig *******

I wouldn’t be surprised at all. One can live very well there indeed. You just have to be more selective about location. And the visa process is easy there also. One could live very comfortable indeed in El Nido or other parts of Palawan, Panglao, Boracay would be interesting, Coron, Siargao etc. Even Manila and Cebu city have enough expensive areas that you could live well.

In a world increasingly full of immigrants and expats, the lines are more blurred than ever when we refer to ‘the people’ of any nation. The blender is in full force. But I very much like the ‘happy’ countries like Philippines, Thailand, Mexico and Sri lanka.

@Gio ****

Thai food is by far the best in the world, that’s my opinion and I am sure many would agree, hospitals are good and a huge difference, but those two if they were my biggest concerns, I would live in Thailand, but the Philippines is way ahead in a lot more ways, and it’s what has made my decision every time I visit Thailand

@Craig *******

in what ways do you find the Philippines ahead??

Here is where I find Thailand ahead:

-medical and hospitals. Light years ahead

- internet - miles ahead

- tourism infrastructure

-airports

-easy access international flights

- ferries

-domestic travel

-food -Again the difference is massive

-manufacturing and agriculture

- home construction

-access to western goods and luxury products

Even cost of living is remarkably close depending how you live. And Thailand should be far more expensive

@Todd ********

Did you really read anything I said, I didn’t need to make a list to know all what you said, I said it in a few words, of course Thailand is way ahead of the Philippines in so many ways , but so is Australia and the UK and many other countries, but if you read what I said correctly you will know, the only thing that matters to me and why I choose the Philippines and why I think it is ahead of Thailand is the people, that’s the only reason I need, I can’t stand the twang accent of the Thai language and accent, same as nearly every other Asian country, the Philippines girls are beautiful and their accent is over the top sexy, and all the girls speak English, the Spanish influence of 300 years occupation has made the girl’s gorgeous, that’s why they win miss universe so many times, because you didn’t listen the first time I will repeat again, it’s the Philippines people, the Filipina, that’s why I will never want to be anywhere else, the Thai people no longer care much for foreigners anymore, they once did , but not now, the Filipinos love us and treat us like we are special, or did you not catch that one on my first comment as well

@Gio ****

agree - all that you mentioned are also factors for sure

Paul James that’s on you, not them. Their personal choice is not “rude”. Btw, masking preceded COVID. It’s time to get over your knee-jerk reaction.

@Richard *******

Before Nong Bua had an office I used Udon Thani also. Same as you, I was treated nicely and they sometimes filled out paperwork as well. Generally Thai govt officials do as they are treated. Respect earns respect

@Chris **********

thats good news i have to go there at the end of the month for the first time

@Ruth ******

and it IS MY CHOICE how to perform my extension.

Do you use an agent? From your post I assume you do

@George ********

what I do at the immigration office is actually irrelevant. What I don’t do is make a choice then blame others for my choice. In this case, these folks made multiple choices:

1). Moving to Thailand. Living in Thailand is not a right. It’s a privilege and immigration involves some hoops. Anyone who didn’t know this didn’t do adequate research.

2). Staying in Thailand. They can always leave. Westerners are grotesquely privileged. We have so many choices as to where to live. We can so easily move about. The whining truly makes me sick.

3). They could get an Elite Visa. No more lines.

4). They could hire an agent.

They are apparently swimming in so much cash and independently propping up the whole nation of Thailand that, IF they want to stay despite how infuriating the country is, they could just throw a few bucks at the problem.

@Ruth ******

so you are talking about yourself. Although you sheepishly, avoid the question

@George ********

the question is irrelevant

@Ruth ******

my original comment was..Andrew Soe I would rather queue than give an agent my money!

People can do as they wish. I'm happy to use the qr code, book an appointment, pay 1900 baht and be on my way.

BTW. You generalise too much

@Ruth ******

why are you putting words into my mouth?!!!

Adding to economy?

Complaining?

Queues?

I never mentioned ANY of those!!!!

@George ********

did you read what was in the parentheses?

You are ok with the queues…great! My issue is with the whiny brats saying they have sooooo much money they’re spending in Thailand that the nation (including apparently immigration officers) should be groveling at their feet. If they have the “fortunes” they claim, they would either pay an agent or buy an elite visa. People with such money know that time is money. If the queues are creating them stress, they would pay to avoid them.

I made a point of saying that I didn’t scroll through the comments to see if you were one of those, so it was clear that comment was not directed AT you as opposed to being a comment in regards to your response.

@Ruth ******

if you are so inconvenient, then why not look at Viet Nam or Laos?

@David *******

where have I complained that I was inconvenienced? I’m not the one whining about immigration 🤣🤣🤣

@Ruth ******

I'm happy to pay 1900 baht for my extension each year.

Some are happy to pay first year and 12 to thereafter.

I am not one of those people.

I am happy to wait my turn in a queue

Last extension I used the QR code and booked for an afternoon appointment.

Richard Julius oh I appreciate it. And you are likely very safe in keeping it.

I personally wouldn’t live there, but hey, everyone is different. The lack of desire to live there is reflected in the relative lack of population there. Best of luck!

@Todd ********

so you use an agent?

@George ********

I don’t anymore. But certainly did. Fantastic service

@Todd ********

are you not living in Thailand now?

George Holland still living here most of the time. Great travel base

@Todd ********

how do you manage your stay here?..if I may be so bold to ask

LTR. It’s is the best visa option they have ever had in this country. Otherwise would still use an agent

@Todd ********

each to their own-enjoy

@George ********

By far the best way to do it in Thailand. Even easier than an agent. Only one escorted visit to immigration per decade. Will definitely enjoy. You too

@Mark *******

Perhaps you should just do that. I'm happy here. I have a 365-day visa which I can just keep extending and extending.

@Steve *******

Who am I trying to kid. I'm like a pig in the shit in Phuket. 🐖

@Arthur *******

staff at US embassy were never rude to me but I interpret their reducing services and long appointment times as anti-expat, plus the plethora of us whose partners cannot get tourist visas in spite of good jobs, passport full of stamps etc.

@Robert *********

to be fair I am going back to 1998. 😁

@Ned *******

sure that's why you were asking questions about a TR visa previously and 90 day reporting. 🤦

@Ned *******

yea sure you are - more likely living in some low end hole of Chiang mai and probably begging on the streets for a few baht!

@Ned *******

You sure are quite the diplomat 🤣

@Ned *******

Indeed, the last time i went thru customs i couldn't help but laugh at him. I'm wondering if fast track would be a little better

@Steve ******

I have lived in Thailand for a long-time with my family and long-term Thai resident and fluent in Thai language. Definitely know about Thailand and its history more than you staying in London, UK. One of the or the best industry of Thailand is tourism bringing billions of dollars every year. If no tourism or foreigners Thailand would be poor like Laos, Cambodia or Myanmar.

@Brandon ***********

It does. Your bra. in just doesn't get it that where did Thais and Siamese come from/ their ethnicities? There are many foreigners who became Thai citizens or PR holders. Some are not good enough so you do Visa extensions until end of your life.

@Milad *******

America completely exists because of foreigners then? And they should be thankful for people that want to go to America? Someone should tell the guards at the southern border that.

Every country in the world exists because of immigrations where human life started in Africa. How far do you want to go back?

@Ronald ***********

Why do keep going back to immigration? I go once a year, make an appointment, in and out in 30 minutes. Many farangs seem to make life very hard for themselves

@Jeffrey ***********

None to count

@Dimitri *******

I see all the shops and businesses which have opened since covid. I don't see many closed up shops around Bangkok. I see Russians flooding into Phuket and buying condos and businesses. You think the western tourists are big spenders? Take a look through some of these groups and see how many are "what's the cheapest way to get here and there?" "Where are the cheapest restaurants?" Most western tourists eat in 7-11 stores, and always have done. So what if the biggest tourist groups are Indian and Chinese? You really believe western tourists are going to drive the Thai economy? Stay away from the hooch shops buddy, it's killing your brain cells.

@Roberto ********

quote: "The average debt per household stands at 272,528 baht in 2023, a rise of 25.04% over 2022. The figures illustrate the highest level in the 14 years the survey has been conducted. " %20average%20debt%20per%20household,s%20when%20they%20retire.

@Dimitri *******

did you actually read the article you posted? It explains why Thais are in so much debt. Spoiler alert: It’s not due to COVID shutdowns. It’s been an issue growing over time.

@Ruth ******

does that matter ? It's about the economy.

@Dimitri *******

your entire argument is that tourists and foreigners are propping up the economy and when they were gone during covid everything was terrible. The article shows that was the case before Covid and has nothing to do with foreigners or tourists.

@Brandon ***********

exactly

@Roberto ********

Go to a tourist market in Bangkok and take a side street. You will see that in most places of shops and restaurants are still closed. Same if you go to Phuket, Pattaya etc. Tourists from India have on average less to spend than tourists from western countries. And tourists from China? They still did not return.

@Dimitri *******

Everywhere I go everything is open. And I see coach loads of Chinese tourists. 😂

@Roberto ********

a new quote for you: "According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the current market for Chinese tourists coming to Thailand remains relatively sluggish. In the first six months, about 1.6 million Chinese tourists visited the country, making it difficult to reach the target of 5 million." /22/chinese-tourists-visit-thailand-in-first-half-of-2023/#:~:text=According%20to%20the%20Tourism%20Authority,the%20target%20of%205%20million.

@Dimitri *******

How many from Western Europe? Or they still whining about the air fares?

@Roberto ********

till now everything you said is proven to be untrue, simply by posting some articles. Household debt up with 25% in a year, Chinese tourism at of previous numbers. Keep looking at the railroad projects 🤣

@Dimitri *******

I'm looking at the cranes on the Bangkok skyline. My household debt is fine, I don't ask others what theirs is. 1.6million is a lot of people. There's heaps of Chinese here spending money. Why are you so worried about tourism levels? I'd be happier without tourists

@Roberto ********

I only object to people who do like everything is ok. I don't have any household debts, no debts at all. But most Thai are in big problems.

@Dimitri *******

Actually you're the one needs to open your eyes.

@Roberto ********

OMG. You are blinded by some rail projects. But it seems to me that you do not see what is really happening. A debt increase of 25% in a year. But you see nothing.

@Ruth ******

Its relevant to the discussion because the argument is that Thailand needs the foreign cash that tourists and expats both bring into the country in different ways.

The country needs said cash, because the state is in a financial hole.

One of the factors behind said financial hole is the poor decision making by several governments - like spending tens of billions of Baht it could not afford on submarines which are basically useless for their intended purpose.

A country like the US, or China, can afford things like aircraft carriers, submarines etc (albeit at the cost of things like providing healthcare & welfare to its own citizens). Such countries also have the resources to maintain & use them to project power, to the point that acquiring them at least makes some semblance of sense.

Neither of those things apply to Thailand, which, in the case of the Chakri Narubet aircraft carrier, spent 6 billion Baht they didn't have, on an item that they got basically no strategic advantage from.

Also, the incoming Pheu Thai government is proposing giving every citizen 10,000 Baht.

That money is going to have to come from somewhere

@Ruth ******

agree.. Ditto the super wealthy not paying enough taxes... That BTW is repeated in almost all western countries... I recalled many years ago, the chairman of Woolies paid a princely

£1.00 personal income tax...

@Robin ******

That's just not true. Rural areas were badly affected.

@Jeffrey ***********

Did you go there at all?

The rural townships in Korat and elsewhere in Isaan that I went to were pretty much unaffected. Life just went on.

@Robin ******

Yep, same in Ubon.

@Robin ******

My lady's village and the closest town were hardly affected by covid.

@Robin ******

The money is not made in these rural areas. They live on the money they get from their kids who work ehhhh...

@Brandon ***********

There were no foreigners, no tourists. But it had nothing to do with a lack of foreigners ?

@Dimitri *******

Lack of tourists, short stayers. They don't need to go to immigration office. The longstayers were here during covid. Many beachside places were open. I visited many places during covid. It was great.

@Roberto ********

Yeah, I also skated between Nana and Asok on Sukhumvit road. It was a great time. But we still see the economic damage caused by the lack of tourists.

@Dimitri *******

why would anyone go to a beach city when the beaches are closed?

@Brandon ***********

Yes. Tourists did not visit Thailand anymore. Beaches were empty. Restaurants were empty. They still did not recover from the economic damage because there were no tourists spending money years ago.

Paul Amestoy You just did the same thing you’re complaining about. Good go!

@Paul ********

Facts. Do some research before you spout bullshit!

@Huafeng *****

I am sorry....what latest situation?

@Huafeng *****

it's actually pretty easy to fix, but you wouldn't like it...lolol

@Brandon ***********

think you should study economics and open your eyes and see how much foreigner money goes into Thailand

@Paul ********

NOT nearly as much as you think from 'farangs' living here long term. Chinese tourists far outweigh 'westerners' in the spending department!

@Steve ******

yes.. The Chinese outspent the western farang at 6:1 ( stats figures before Covid 19)... So if anyone was half a business person, will also be bias and skewed towards the greater spending power tourists.

@Paul ********

foreign tourism make up about 4% of GDP. Less than 2% comes from western tourists. The effect of international tourism in certain areas may be greater than in others. In our area foreign tourism contributes less than 0,5% of GDP.

@Ron *****************

old data.. 7.6% in 2022 and before it was more than 11% so tourism is a significant part of Thailand's GDP.... Since the COVID few hundred businesses closed and are much more homeless than before...