Dear @gooddream
I've been one of those "long-term residents" and I got fed up with the way immigration has been treating people like me in past few years.
I'm over 40, I own my own business and all I wanted it to peacefully spent remaining of my life living lose to the sunny beaches in Thailand. Enjoy amazing food, lovely weather and working out on daily basis.
I've been spending my hard earned money. However I started encountering more and more troubles with visas. There is simply no way to stay in Thailand legally any more for people like me. With solid and stable abroad income.
I was even told that managing my own business is illegal, since it means that I would be working on my laptop while being on tourist visa. It doesnt surprise me that tourism is dying and I really hope most of those immigration officers will end up jobless sooner or later. Time for them to swallow their own arrogance.
the exact address where you were going to be staying.
you planned to do what all backpackers used to do and simply turn up and figure out a place to stay once you got to a particular city or area
That has always been silly. While travelling everyone is changing locations. However we needed to provide them with address of very first one.
One completely disillusioned government official suggested that they could develop cheap "tracking bracelets" for all non Thais.
Wow. I can hardly imagine impact of this idea on already dying tourism.
The great news is that they are meant to be creating an app that can be downloaded for free and that someone can perform their arrival information with just 4 clicks. Some people might suggest that this technology could be a way of introducing the "tracking bracelet" and the government doesn't even have to pay for it!
Another HUGE put off from idea of coming to Thailand :/ What about those who are using nokia phones? Or those whos batteries would die? Or those who would not like to install untrusted app? Bloody hell. And it is not true that we're in charge of privacy on our phones. It's nothing more than illusion.
Yours, Piotr
@fitinfun, @majes.tytyty you may find it interesting
There are an ever-increasing number of people who I have known here that are gradually getting fed up with all the nonsense and are moving to another country. It seems as though every week i am hearing about a few more people.
I am like you and I work online at home (wherever that home happens to be) and the constant harassment is something that gets more and more complicated to dodge as the years go by.
I know people on all manor or visas and every time all of us go to renew it we are treated like criminals despite the fact that we have done nothing wrong. They try to make a problem with your paperwork.
Living here hasn't gotten any easier - that paperwork is still a mountain of uselessness, but at least they have eliminated some of the bullcrap associated with simply coming to visit.
Where did you end up moving to?
Hi @gooddream
I'm sorry for such a late reply. I've been quite overwhelmed with work in past few days, but I'm already catching up with Steemit :)
Thank you for your kind reply. I appreciate it.
Initially I moved to Malaysia, however it's only worse (immigrationwise) over there so I ended up heading back to europe. My first winter ahead of me. After 11 years in South-East asia. Wish me luck! :)
ps.
Together with bunch of other guys from Steemit, we've been working lately on "project hope". It is a small non-profit project on STEEM blockchain.
We've recently started delegation program, which would allow our supporters to enjoy weekly PASSIVE INCOME (in form of liquid steem).
Perhaps you would find it interesting: https://www.projecthope.pl/passive_income
Regardless if you would be able to support our efforts or you not, I would absolutely appreciate any feedback possible.
Cheers, Piotr :)