An interesting discussion was started on our perceived and actual status in Thailand and whether we consider ourselves tourists or residents here. Income is probably the major factor as many still rely on incomes from overseas and are heavily affected by exchange rates; others work in Thailand and get paid in baht. The bottom line, as aptly posted by one observant reader, is that most other countries allow you to take part and become integrated with society if you move there and make the effort. You can achieve a status close to its nationals with relative ease (depending on the country), get loans, credit cards, buy property, apply for citizenship, and even vote in some instances.
In Thailand you are always a farang subject to the whim of whatever immigration policy is being enforced at the time. It doesn’t really matter if you have lived in Hua Hin for 4 weeks or 40 years, so if you do decide to move here permanently the only way to last is with a healthy bank balance.
The usual sighs of dejection echoed across the board following reports in the national media about another foreign land ownership clampdown. Expats and Thailand long termers expect the worst when these kinds of headlines make the news, god knows what new and potential residents or visitors must think. The government wants to prevent large agricultural land grabs by foreign companies or consortiums primarily from the Middle East which is fair play. However, we know from experience that the powers that be often have trouble telling the difference and may well introduce another blanket rule. We are all aliens after all.
Police corruption also cropped up again as visitors asked what to do when pulled over by the boys in brown. Many joined the discussion with their own stories and the consensus was to just smile, pay the bribe (which is usually 200 baht), and move along because it sure beats wasting half a day in the cop shop. It was no surprise that farangs seem to be targeted by the police a little more as they’re seen as mobile cash dispensers as several opinion pieces in national media confirmed.
Seriously though this is a problem that the Prime Minister is trying to tackle as Thailand’s police really do not have the best of reputations; they are a likely second only to Indonesia on the most corrupt list for Southeast Asia.
Hua Hin immigration seem to be up to their old tricks by selectively imposing the often translucent 24 hour reporting rule again. Reports have come in from people that have been fined for not checking in at Hua Hin immigration office within 24 hours of returning to Thailand – some simply went across the border in Ranong to do a visa run! The financial punishment appears to be selective and other provinces are not enforcing this so be aware.