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Several YouTube channels have already reported that cities like Chiang Mai, which is normally fairly busy year round, has been described as a ghost town during the offseason this year. Thai officials can't have their cake and eat it too.
No Farangs - No Thai Bhat. They'll eventually figure this out. Simply put there are way too many Thais that rely on foreign dollars to make a living. Give it a year and I'll bet much of these nitpicky requirements will fall by the wayside. I'm sure the Thai officials are tired of the Cheap Charlies and sex pats. Really can't blame them for this. Really it's the ultimate Catch 22. What's a government to do? Keep the local business owners happy or keep the upper crust Bangkok elite happy knowing the lower echelon expats are gone? Can't have both. I predict in the long run, the tourist dollar wins.
I think some of the upper crust think they can simply replace the farang with Chinese, but those on the ground no better. I have never seen a group so willing to collectively shoot themselves in the feet, as the Thais. Chinese influence is problematic.
I just got my fifth consecutive, one year extension. Had to buy a Thai health insurance policy, this year..not a problem..and they are finally checking to make sure expats have money over here. Many of the deadbeats are on their way out. Good riddance. For years the us embassy would give you an income affidavit, and never verified it...that has come to a screeching half. Switching from an OA Visa to an O Visa will bypass the insurance requirement, for now..some of the over age 80 simply are not insurable.
Yes, it's good many of the deadbeats are hitting the road.
Don't hold your breath on that one! They'll just find their way to Cambodia, Vietnam and Philippines.
Of those leaving Thailand, but not going home..I would say 3/4 are going to those three countries.
I would like to check out Vietnam, but most of the reports simply state cheap beer..which is a start, but when Thailand was becoming popular there were countless reports of great everything.....
Of those leaving Thailand, but not going home..I would say 3/4 are going to those three countries.
I would like to check out Vietnam, but most of the reports simply state cheap beer..which is a start, but when Thailand was becoming popular there were countless reports of great everything.....
Now the snappy term (more often than not) used to describe Thailand's popularity is that it's "the hub" of everything.
Of those leaving Thailand, but not going home..I would say 3/4 are going to those three countries.
I would like to check out Vietnam, but most of the reports simply state cheap beer..which is a start, but when Thailand was becoming popular there were countless reports of great everything.....
The problem with Vietnam is most people don't speak English. So you live in a bubble with other expats. The big metro areas like Ho Chi Minh City have adult entertainment districts in certain areas if you're into that activity. And unlike the Philippines proper young women don't normally date older men especially foreigners.
I've seen a ton of Thai Expats doing YouTube Videos on Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines...and to a lesser extent, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Where else would they go? They definitely won't being going back 'home'...they go to Southeast Asia for the easier lives and cheaper prices.
Mexico is just too dang scary, but would have some positives over SEA.
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