Suggestions for new Visa categories

[Spitfire]

Hi WL, just throw my 2 bahts worth in on one of those fronts. Regarding the work permit, I think they have been moderately successful on getting people to have work permits in the last 3-4 years.

Now, it's very risky to work without a work permit, even at schools in the far flung places, probably still happens but not so much now. I reckon the MoE/MoL departments read them(schools/universities/colleges) the riot act around 4 years ago about 'getting their house in order'.

When I first got here there was no work permit provided for me, and many others, teaching in 2001-2003, just sent off to the border to renew the tourist visa, and that is at a well known chain of schools. Now, that same place is even getting work permits for agency staff straight away.

The days of the backpacker/aging drunk etc teacher are not over but have been curtailed to some degree.

It appears that they have made a difference on this one. In a lot of places now, Hua Hin included I'm sure, you can't even fart without a work permit and there are a lot more hoops to jump through than before.

To get a work permit for teaching you also need the teachers license now, if you are teaching students under 17-18, no exceptions. This requires all sorts of stuff, like attending a cryptic Thai culture course that few can pass unless your Thai is as good a level as Roel or Buksi.

Definitely have tightened it up from before.

Not sure about the other sections, will leave for other posters.



Edit: Typos

[hhfarang]

In a lot of places now, Hua Hin included I'm sure, you can't even fart without a work permit

Uh Oh! I've been breaking the law daily (sometimes hourly) and didn't even know it!

[Super Joe]

SJ,
Genuine question - how successful do you think the Thai government's immigration rules and policy have been at preventing that list of things you posted (work illegally, don't pay taxes, undertake illegal activities, take jobs away from locals, have to pay for emergency hospital bills, costs associated with foriegners deaths etc. )

Haven't a scooby sorry, just mentioned why I believe Governments set requirements for people to be able to support themselves.

SJ

[JAJA]

Interesting suggestions. Malaysia has a program similar to the type of program contemplated called "Malaysia my second home".
The Philippines are also starting to look at attracting foreign residents/investors. Maybe, just maybe, the powers that be will one day consider that Thailand needs to be competitive with other nations who seek foreigners with capital. However, Thailand for all its interaction with other nations is still unusually xenophobic.

[PeteC]

..... Maybe, just maybe, the powers that be will one day consider that Thailand needs to be competitive with other nations who seek foreigners with capital. However, Thailand for all its interaction with other nations is still unusually xenophobic.

Great comment. Simply put I think it's insecurity, being unsure, being scared, lack of self confidence etc.

As we've talked before on here, they have a sense of duty but little sense of responsibility or innovation given the nature of the system here for centuries.

Everyone leaves it up to someone else to take the lead.

Those who ultimately do take the lead seem to be twisting their mustache with an evil grin and a cartoon caption above their head filled with $$$$$ signs, current PM a pleasant and long overdue exception.

Proud to death that never colonized, and scared to death that the slightest opening or compromise will lead to colonization when it really won't.

What opening would lead to is the demise of the generational corrupt and controlling Thai politicians once and for all IMO. Pete

[Super Joe]

JAJA, Those countries programs were aimed at the rich only, can't get a work permit on them etc and have been a flop as a result.
Malaysia 2nd Home has sold just 510 properties in it's time, an average of 7 per month or something daft like that. Good ideas IF the investment levels were reasonable, but they are only to attract the wealthy.

SJ

[Spitfire]

Proud to death that never colonized, and scared to death that the slightest opening or compromise will lead to colonization when it really won't.

True...ish....but debatable. Certainly occupied at times but depends how far you go back. It's certainly a bold statement but is based on semantics and they are happy with it. When does occupation become colonisation? Did the US occupy the Phillipines or colonise it? Is it just a matter of how long they stay? How long is long enough?

As far as cultural colonisation goes then it's all academic, it done/over and they blatantly, and greedily took it on . Take away the foreign influences here and there's virtually nothing left, maybe village life. Very little of what you see in any city can be considered as originally Thai.

A lot of Thais think the tuk-tuk is a Thai invention, no it's not, it was invented in 1929 in India by a British colonial dude.

What opening would lead to is the demise of the generational corrupt and controlling Thai politicians once and for all IMO.

That may well be true Pete. People's hands may not be so freely allowed inside the cookie jar.

[PeteC]

....A lot of Thais think the tuk-tuk is a Thai invention, no it's not, it was invented in 1929 in India by a British colonial dude.....

Good stuff to balance SF, thanks.

However I can't resist the above. True statement, and his grandson is a member of HHAD. He just posted yesterday on this exact thread for the first time in more than a year. Pete

[Spitfire]

Spooky, can't work out whether you're yanking my chain or not.

[PeteC]

Really Pete? Not yanking my chain are you?

I know which post you're going on about, makes sense with his name. If true, then spooky, but cool!

We'll see if he confirms or denies, but don't hold your breath. Pete