Comments on: Thailand visa no have

by: Anonymous

Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:36:24 +0000

I agree with jaafar….that’s true.
Live here with tourist visa, is it not strange?
but if Thai live “there” with tourist visa, there’re an alien!

by: jaafar

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:09:12 +0000

The “hateful reform” everyone is talking about is simply limiting the number of farangs living in Thailand who are neither genuinely retired, nor working for a living. As a long-term resident, let me assure that — SF and such cases aside — a lot of the former “visa runners” were unwanted for a reason: they were into drugs or other forms of crime.

I have many friends who hold work permits, and many friends who have retirement visas. None of them has reported any problems.

One major problem here is that SF refuses to work, or try to get a work permit. He also refuses to try for a student visa by studying Thai full-time. He prefers to complain about “them.”

by: farang2

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:54:20 +0000

I am sorry to hear this bad and sad news. I wish you luck in future. I suppose I am lucky in that I have a non-imm B visa but every time I get it renewed I have terrible inner traumas. even though the place I work at is big, international and well known both inside and outside Thailand. I know that in the past ‘gifts in kind’ have passed between my employers and the officials.

When I retire in a few years time I shall certainly not be staying in Thaiand but probably to more visa-friendly Malaysia or even Laos.

Good luck SF. Keep posting.

by: Gmac

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:55:31 +0000

SF, I’m very familiar with the noose being formed to drop on the heads of all expats living in LOS. I have been splitting my time 50-50 between living in the USA and Thailand. But this last time, it was my ladyboy who threw a crimp in the works by wanting to stay in the USA. Perhaps all’s well that ends well. You might find that Chalerm appreciates you more during your infrequent trips back to Bkk. And you might discover a whole new exciting world for your irresistable charms when you travel to other Asian countries.

by: Frischmix

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:28:22 +0000

Let me translate this comment for the benefit of English speakers who are too lazy to learn German:

Hi Silom! Such bad news. I am in Thailand from the 6th to the 22th of March. If you need help, tell me what I can do. I eagerly read your blog and it has given me a lot. If you need something (including a couple of thousand baht cash), let me know.

Your faithful fan!

Jan

Hi Silom,
was für Neuigkeiten! Mies. Ich bin vom 6 bis zum 22.03. in Thailand. Wenn du Hilfe brauchst, dann schreib was ich tun kann.
Ich lese dein Blog sehr gern und er hat mir viel gegeben. Wenn du jetzt etwas brauchst (auch ein paar tausend Baht in bar), dann sag Bescheid.
Dein treuer Anhänger!
Jan

Silom Farang says:

Thank you, Jan. I appreciate your support. If I get run over by a tuk-tuk you can come visit me in the hospital!

by: ralfyboy

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:59:28 +0000

Maybe you can do a circuit….Malaysia, Loas, Thailand, then repeat….or ad Myanmar…
have you considered going to Nepal? or Sri Lanka,
they have nice brown boys there, too!

I think Chalerm can travel to visit you in
any of those places.

It seems there are alot of scams everywhere
over there, so be careful!

I hope you can atleast get back to take care of
your things, release your property, etc…
set up some arrangment w/Chalerm.

Well, anyhow, this is distressing news, I was hoping
to be in Thailand for atleast 3 months at a time
when I retired, but now, maybe I cannot, but
could settle for Malaysia. It is more expensive
though, so maybe Laos, or other country.

Hey, there’s always Vietnam!!!!

Wow, this looks like it could be an adventure….
opportunity, etc…

You might have to travel a bit lighter….
well, I’m sure over the last 2 years, you’ve agonized over it.

Chalerm is luck you stuck it out as long as you have….

all the best,

by: Jeff

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:33:01 +0000

Good luck in Malaysia & keep up the excellent blog.
Most countries have the good sense to encourage immigration from self supporting people who bring in money. Pity Thailand isn’t one of them.

by: Silom Farang

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:03:03 +0000

The Thaksin regime also tightened the rules. People hoped the junta would loosen them but it got worse.

I expect nothing from the neo-Thaksin government led by Samak. Samak is no friend of Westerners.

I have discussed my visa problems with Chalerm, including the Malaysia alternative. Chalerm is not worried. To worry is un-Thai. He takes my continued material and emotional support for granted even if I go abroad. When I am in Farangland he worries that I will not return to Thailand. He doesn’t seem to worry about that when I am in Malaysia. Wherever I am he wants me to be available on the phone 24-7.

by: WooHoo

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 18:05:35 +0000

It is interesting to note that this sudden rush of tightening of the Visa rules have come about under the current regime. If it’s true that it is to change shortly, then I guess the visa rules could all change again in the coming months too.
Not that we can guarantees which way it will change !
If this has become the final straw for you and your businessman-friend Silom, I have no doubt there are many, many more who will now leave. Lets hope a new Administration “sees the light” and reverses the recent trend. Fingers crossed.
On a personal note, I feel sure (from your writings) that you will cope well with living somewhere else. Indeed you may even find it quite exciting.
But I worry for Chalerm. (Maybe I shouldn’t, but I do!) Have you discussed it with him yet? How do you think he will cope?

by: jason105

Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:07:54 +0000

Hi Silom:
This is definitely not good news!
Like many others I had visions of moving to LOS upon retiring in the very near future. Your predicament is not a very encouraging sign. Although my situation would be a little different, the prevailing attitude is what is disturbing. I am not sure what their ultimate goal is, but this policy seems heavy-handed and unfriendly in the extreme.
Whatever you decide to do, please keep us all informed as we have become addicted to your adventures, observations and writings.
Wishing you all the best.