By Barry Kenyon

[Jun]

not to mention the 800,000 baht held hostage in the banks - and I'd say that works out to a hell of a lot more per year than the average holiday maker spends no matter what country they come from

Thailand has minimum income requirements for expats, set at I believe, a reasonable 65,000 baht per month. This makes sense, as why should Thailand have any interest in encouraging low income pensioners into the country ?
Having a lump sum alternative also makes sense, as whilst some people have the income, it may fluctuate, or be difficult to prove. The 800,000 baht is similar to one year's income, so the sum is not unreasonable.
However, I don't see why they specify it has to be in a bank. What is wrong with having alternative investments, such as property or stocks ?

The only thing that comes to my mind that actually makes things a little easier is the online 90-day address reporting rather than having to go to immigration.

Surely this whole address reporting thing is pointless, just like many the other immigration processes ?
Anyone who is up to no good will simply skip the reporting or do a fraudulent report.
So what's the point in collecting the data off the law abiding people ?
Then if they really want to ask, surely all they need is an app with a notification that periodically pops up ? "Are you still living at XXX YYY" ? YES or NO.

They should eliminate or automate the majority of immigration processes and fire most of their people. That would free up manpower to contribute something useful to the Thai economy and eliminating daft processes makes life better for expats & tourists.

[Gaybutton]

The 800,000 baht is similar to one year's income, so the sum is not unreasonable.

Mathematically, that is so. But on a practical level it is entirely different. If I were using the 65,000 baht per month method, then if I choose I could put the 65,000 baht in a Thai bank account every month for a year and leave it there without touching it, which would give me 780,000 baht in a Thai bank account at the end of that year. I would then be free to spend any part of it, or all of it if I wish, without any requirement to replenish a single baht of it. But with the 800,000 baht, if I spend any of it and fail to replenish it by a certain date, I would lose my retirement visa. So, it is not quite the same.

eliminating daft processes makes life better for expats & tourists.

I agree. With most of these processes I have yet to understand what use the paperwork and information actually is to them. Obviously I have been doing the 90-day address reports all the years I have lived in Thailand. I have yet to have anyone show up to verify that I am telling the truth about my address. What good do the reports do them? If I were engaged in criminal activity, do they think I would actually be living where I am reporting, just sitting around waiting for them to show up with handcuffs?

No matter where I would be living and no matter how skillfully I try to hide, sooner or later they'll track me down. The number of news items over the years showing them doing just that proves it. If they really want you, they'll find you. So again, what use is the 90-day address report?

And now, since apparently they accept my address reports as genuine, then what is the point of suddenly requiring a TM-30 report too?

Needless to say, all of this is on my "I Don't Get It" list.

[Jun]

But with the 800,000 baht, if I spend any of it and fail to replenish it by a certain date, I would lose my retirement visa. So, it is not quite the same.

Ideally, they need some more flexible proof of wealth.

No matter where I would be living and no matter how skillfully I try to hide, sooner or later they'll track me down. The number of news items over the years showing them doing just that proves it.

I'll bet money that the police only arrange press conferences & news coverage for successful operations.

However, the key point is that the address reporting is pointless.

[Gaybutton]

The ifs and buts of Thailand’s new friendship with Russia

By Barry Kenyon

October 24, 2023

The western democracies are still trying to fathom why Pheu Thai party premier Srettha Thavisin had his photo publicly taken with president Putin at the recent belt and road summit in China whilst inviting the Russian leader for a state visit. Critical social media suggest it was a bad idea because Srettha’s international claim to represent democracy and human rights has hit the proverbial iceberg. Not to mention the negative effects on tourism from traditional markets in America, Europe and Australia. On the other hand, international tourist numbers to Thailand has seldom been affected by the domestic situation for more than a few weeks, even post-coup.

Examined from a Thai perspective, the issues look different. Thailand has had diplomatic relations with Russia for 125 years and the celebrations last year did not attraction any adverse international comment. Indeed, the last czar Nicholas II is commonly credited with helping to save Thailand from imperialist aggression by foreign powers. In 1996, Russia became a fully-fledged “dialogue partner” with the 10-nation ASEAN group, in which Thailand has the second biggest economy, and in 2004 Russia acceded to the treaty of amity and cooperation in southeast Asia.

Russia was silent when the Thai coup if 2014 occurred and, under the leadership of general Prayut Chan-o-cha warm relationships continued. In 2017, both nations drew up a statement of reciprocity which gave Russians and Thais 30 days of visa free travel when travelling to each other’s country (now to be extended to 90 days on a trial basis). As regards Ukraine, Thailand initially voted at the United Nations in March 2022 to condemn Russian aggression, but has abstained from later votes condemning the annexation of the occupied territories. Nor is Thailand a formal state signatory of the international criminal court’s attempt to have Putin arrested if he steps abroad. All these developments occurred well before Srettha became the Thai premier.

Putin has also accepted a state visit invitation from Vietnam. In this context, it’s worth remembering that Joe Biden’s trip to Hanoi in 2023 saw an upgrading of ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership between the US and Vietnam. Vietnam’s policy has to be seen in context, namely to avoid being too committed to one side or the other. Similarly, Srettha will visit San Francisco in the United States in November 2023 to attend the summit of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. As political analyst Thitinan Pondsudhirak has written, “Srettha has not turned to Putin at the expense of the west. He wants both.”

Thai-Russian trade is still relatively small at US$10 billion a year. Thailand’s exports to Russia include vehicles, machinery, electronics, vegetables and fruit, whilst imports are mainly oil, fertilizer and steel. Much of the trade now moves through the port of Vladivostok with its offshore banking facilities designed to offset western economic sanctions and the exclusion of Swift from financial transactions involving Russia. Western commentators can hold up their hands in horror about Thailand’s collaboration with the man who has inflicted so much misery on Ukraine and the world. But Thailand is now led by a real estate tycoon who is an accomplished salesman keen to do business worldwide. His bold aim pure and simple is to generate enough national wealth to ensure Pheu Thai wins the next general election in 2027.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... sia-443748

[Gaybutton]

Barry didn't say whether this affects those of us who have been doing our 90-day address reports online. I suppose we'll know soon enough. I do my reports online and I will not trek to immigration unless my next report online gets rejected.

As usual, this procedure makes zero sense to me. Again, those of us complying with the rules end up punished because of a few who don't. If some people did not comply when they moved, what makes immigration think they'll comply now? My guess is most did not purposely avoid reporting their new address. I believe it is more likely that it never occurred to them

In any case, I believe I speak for the vast majority by saying the 90-day address report is of no real practical value to anyone, including immigration, and ought to be dropped entirely.
____________________________________________

90 days immigration report now needs update form

By Barry Kenyon

October 26, 2023

Expats who are reporting their 90 days stay in Thailand with a receipt and a barcode in their passports are now being asked to submit a new TM47 form (that’s the traditional application form for the 90 days). This appears to be a new rule at Chonburi immigration bureau with the intent of “refreshing” the 90 days data base. There have been recent instances of expats moving address and not informing immigration authorities. Apart from filling in a new TM47 form, expats should submit their passport with a copy of the ID and visa page and evidence of their address (lease or yellow book or recent TM30 receipt etc). A new receipt will be given to them to place in their passport.

Separately, expats are again reminded they should not ignore the separate bureaucracy of the TM30 form which confirms local address after returning to Thailand from abroad by land or sea. Expats will need to show an updated TM30 receipt (i.e. issued since the last entry to Thailand) for some immigration services, for example certificates of residence to open bank accounts or renew driving licences or extending some visas). There have been recent instances of fines imposed on foreigners who have an out-of-date TM30 receipt or even none at all.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... orm-443917

[Gaybutton]

This has been talked about often enough, favorably, for a few years now. I hope there has been enough talk and this time they will really do it instead of more talk and more delays.
___________________________________________________

Thai prime minister to push for sex and gender law reforms

By Barry Kenyon

October 27, 2023

Premier Srettha Thavisin has promised to push for parliamentary approval next year of three separate bills to legislate for gay marriage, lawful prostitution and gender choice. All subjects were approved in principle by the previous military-backed administration of General Prayut, but they then became stuck in committee and the thorny run-up to the 2023 general election.

The gay reform will change section 1448 of the civil and criminal code so that marriage is no longer restricted to Thai men and women but will be available regardless of gender. The implication is that gay couples will have exactly the same rights in law as heterosexuals, including pensions and adoption issues. Same sex marriage between a Thai national and a foreigner has yet to be clarified.

For the first time since the 1960s, adult prostitution will become legitimate as sex workers (female or male) will be legal professionals who will have the same rights and responsibilities as all other Thais in lawful employment. The implications of the legislation for Thailand’s nitery entertainment businesses, including go go bars and their working practices, have still to be demystified.

The third bill will concern gender identity and will oblige official certificates (for example ID cards and passports) to accept the gender that a Thai individual identifies as, whether male or female or other. Srettha said that he intends to push for all three major reforms to be passed simultaneously under one heading. Parliamentary approval for the trio of issues is certain as the largest parties, including Pheu Thai and Move Forward, are already committed to support the reforms. Once the laws are changed, Thailand will have the most liberal legal environment in Asia for the subjects identified.

https://www.pattayamail.com/news/thai-p ... rms-444020

[Dodger]

Legalize Prostitution...Legalize Gay Marriage...Legalize Marijuana...and make it legal for bars to stay open all night.

There is a God!......

[bkkguy]

Legalize Prostitution...Legalize Gay Marriage...Legalize Marijuana...and make it legal for bars to stay open all night.

I saw a birdie flying by
It dropped a message from the sky
And as it hit me in the eye
It made me think, if pigs could fly ...

[Gaybutton]

It made me think, if pigs could fly ...

Apparently you think they can't . . .

[Gaybutton]

Thailand on the way to becoming a visa-free zone for foreign holidaymakers

By Barry Kenyon

October 30, 2023

Following prime minister Srettha Thavisin’s announcements to boost foreign tourism to Thailand, 80 percent of holiday arrivals no longer require a prior visa or a visa on arrival. They have become visa exempt, or visa free, travellers as far as Thailand is concerned. Although the nationals of half the countries in the world still do need visas for any visit, they by and large provide miniscule numbers compared with the privileged giants.

Traditionally, visa exempt tourists were mainly from established markets including the US, Australia, the UK and much of mainland Europe. In 2016, then prime minister general Prayut extended their 30 visa exempt days to 60 days by allowing them to extend a further month on payment of 1,900 baht (US$55) at local immigration offices. Thailand also has agreements with her Asean partners which permit stays of between 15 days and a month without any visa requirement.

Since coming to power two months ago, Srettha has announced that Russian tourists can now stay visa-less for 90 days rather than the previous 30, whilst Chinese arrivals (plus Kazakstan) become visa-free for the first time with just 30 days. But the premier also announced that the six months’ measures could become permanent and that his administration was considering allowing Indian citizens free access for 30 days, thus cancelling the visa on arrival status which currently costs each entrant 2,000 baht (US$58).

Informal promises have also been made to cancel the visa requirement for Taiwanese nationals and nationals of some Arab states. If all these reforms do occur, Thailand will have a visa-free environment for 90 percent plus of foreign tourist arrivals. Visas remain in place for all nationalities for non-tourist reasons such as employment, retirement, marriage and family, study or investment. Police spokespersons have said that some of these mostly-annual visas are in need of review because the regulations are too lax, but nothing to date has been heard. Meanwhile the Tourist Authority of Thailand has been promoting the Elite visa (5-20 years), although this cash upfront route does not permit employment.

Defending the virtual collapse of visas for tourist-orientated visitors, Srettha’s spokespersons have said that immigration police feel they can effectively monitor foreigners post-arrival and that the traditional visa bureaucracy often failed to pinpoint miscreants in any case. During the post-2014 coup administration, there were many scandals involving Chinese and Russian nationals in particular such as illegal working as taxi drivers and tour guides in Phuket and enrolment at language schools in several cities without the required paperwork.

It is certainly true that monitoring foreigners in Thailand has become easier for police investigators. State-of-the-art immigration computers can now identify individuals even if they change their names, whilst smart technology can identify the location of suspicious cell phone users. That is reflected in the growing number of lengthy visa overstayers who have been picked up by Thai immigration agents even without anyone notifying the authorities. Thus Thailand is on course to becoming the most popular international destination without tourist entry visas. But the broader issues of public safety and possible international criminal activity are taking a back seat. For now anyway.

https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ers-444223