Why is the process for foreigners to move to Thailand so cumbersome?

It's all designed too get you to use a thai agent.it helps the thai people.its deliberately confusing for that reason

Moving to any country is cumbersome!

Crazy

Most countries the same . Malaysia even worse

Try Italy. The rules can literally change depending on which consulate you have to go through or the interviewer. $31,000 per year in sustainable income. And though they don't say it 250 to 300k in stocks, bonds, minimum.

I’ve given up with the idea

Look at america and canada and europe. The destruction immigrants have done. Thailand does not want that. So go eat a hot dog and stop crying

Citizenship is even more crazy.

Try to move in Philippines..

Why do so many people assume that just because they have enjoyed time in a country it should be easy for them to live there permanently?

Look around you at the tourists in bars, enjoying cheap alcohol, female company and behaving like drunken idiots.

There is limited respect for Thai culture and Thai way of life.

Why do people make comments about Thais not speaking English but make no attempt to speak in the native language?

Why would you expect to have tomato sauce and French fries?

How many of you make abusive comments about foreign people living in “your” country!

If you choose to live in “their” country you should respect their customs and traditions.

How easy do you think it is for a Thai National to visit another country?!!

Just follow the regulations. Suggest hire a Thai lawyer or certified travel agency to process the paperwork.

Ya. I think Thailand is actually pretty straightforward and does really well in their immigration and visa system. Try getting a thai wife to a western country.... you will experience true retardism haha

they don't want foreigners to go and live in thailand long term. they want tourists that go for short time and spend money

They never wanted loser sexpats and digital gonads. White people have one job. To be rich and captains of industry, technology and fortune 500 companies 🤣

Have you compared Thailand with UK/USA/EU? I think it is very very easy … to move to Thailand.

Easier than most countries

Wait until you see Japan. Bro

Their country! And many countries have same. Colonial times gone so you can’t just march into other countries and make demands

Trying moving to Australia….

Fairly rich coming from an American

It’s not difficult at all !

It's much more difficult in the UAE and other countries.

Yes, I have had some experience with 3 other countries and it’s not so different ref. difficulty.

why why why.... ask not. just enjoy.

Try moving to Great Britain or Canada or USA or any number of countries.

They don't want cheap expat. Go for elite visa it should easier.

Because they want Thailand to be for Thais. Any foreigner trying to settle down here long term is seen as suspect. And immigration will always give you a hard time, even after 20 years.. The only way to be relatively tranquil is the get the Thai nationality..which is near impossible to get..

Because if they didn't it would end up like the UK!

Oh the horror paper work and a bank account!

Looking at your profile, it looks like you are from the US. It's much easier for you to come live here than it is for a Thai person or really anyone from a foreign country to move to the US. I'm from the US too and US immigration doesn't make it impossible for me to bring my Thai wife to the US on vacation but it's damn close to impossible. Thailand makes it exceedingly easy for you to come retire here. MOST countries require much more than $25K US in the bank. Many require a substantial real estate purchase or some other type of investment in their country. Thailand is easy, straightforward and inexpensive IMHO.

Thailand is difficult to move? Did you know how hard is to move into USA? 😁

If you think is hard. Better not come, you not going to like the real hard bits

Because people take short cuts ✂️ and make it harder on others with fake bank funds etc .

Not so difficult really if people research the requirements before coming.. Thai embassies and consulates are among the most helpful and accommodating in issuing visas.

Lollll not compared to going the other way

Why shouldn’t they? Does your country make it easy for foreigners to move there? NO

Fairly easy here. Try Spain they want you to have 30k euro.

Compared with where? What other country in the world lets you stick 800,000 baht in the bank (400,000 if married to a this citizen) and essentially let you stay forever?

I just handed my passport and papers to the girlfriend with a few thousand baht. She then went off and did everything 555 You'll probably be in the same situation later on.

Till then just use an agent, they know every short cut too. Like paying to have you're bank balance verified with 800k baht in it for the visa requirements etc.

Personally I've got the funds, so save around $200AU there with the agent.

I'd definitely would use one first, then look into doing it yourself once established online. I only really use services as it's hard with my medical condition 😔

@Jim *******

try moving to a ‘western’ country if you weren’t born there and you find out how difficult if not impossible it is and that is even if you speak their language. Thailand is far less bureaucratic than most ’western’ countries.

Because they aren’t the USA

I know a Canadian who applied and waited for several *years* before he was allowed to live and legally *work* in the US. I've met many expats in LOS who simply found an employer, got a contract, Non-B visa, and work permit (with a salary to boot!). Took them but a few weeks. Hundreds of expats have done it. Really, it's easy.

Correct Adam..Try Australia for example..

Coming from a country where we allowed millions of unvetted illegals to enter, receive full benefits including legal to delay deportation without any investigation into their backgrounds or ability to support themselves, I’m 100% in support of Thailand vetting every single foreigner.

Try France or Germany

LOOK AT ENGLAND WITH 7 MILLION MIGRANTS IN 10 YEARS.

Go somewhere else.

Ah yes, the very difficult and cumbersome task of opening a bank acount... 🙄 How did you ever survive back home??

It's pretty straight forward IF you are legit of course the gov of the country needs to filter applications accordingly they want to make sure u have enough means to live here and not becoming a burden to them for example working illegally or overstaying without a valid visa why does the immigration needs to see your 800k (retirement)in bank before they approve your extensions

While Africans roam the sois off Sukhumvit

Are you for real?

Try going the other way (legally) if you are Thai.

It certainly should be harder with more higher financial requirements judging by the low level of tourists and current foreigners….the last 5 yrs has been a major decline in quality of life for Thais due to foreigners

What do you see as 'cumbersome'? It's quite straightforward and easy overall. Find the visa that best fits your situation or consult a reputable agent.

Try bringing your Thai wife to UK to live near impossible.... Imo

They set up nearly impossible requirements so that you guys give up and hire an agent who will pay them some big bribes on your behalf!

It’s actually a relatively easy process. You mention you’re married to a Thai (from another post). Try getting her a visa just to visit your home country let alone live there. That you will find cumbersome and bureaucratic.