The General just announced on the public television yesterday that he told the Immigration Bureau to be flexible on the Visa runs[1][2] citing lack of English teachers and academics. They're currently looking for solutions and even though I'm Thai, I really hope to hear a good news on this.
Strange that the military seems to think most of Visa runners are English teachers, though.
> Strange that the military seems to think most of Visa runners are English teachers, though
Probably just the most visible. From what I understand, plenty of schools rely on foreign english teachers but aren't prepared to hire them legally.
I'm still not really sure why they don't go the legal route - maybe the extra effort involved, or maybe because they want to pay less than the mandated minimum salary for foreigners.
For those not familiar, minimum salary is not standard across the board in Thailand, it depends on nationality. For most "western" foreigners it's 50K THB/month, whereas for Thai citizens it's about 9K THB/month.
Stickman's audience is not really digital nomads. Just look at the ads and the bar (and bar girl) reviews.
Anyone who wants to legitimately live in Thailand or work here can jump through the hoops, it's easier than most places. The crackdown is mostly aimed at migrant laborers from Cambodia and Myanmar, and at backpackers who spend their time in Thailand drinking and smoking pot.
> Stickman's audience is not really digital nomads
That's an understatement if I've ever heard one.
I skimmed the linked page and this little gem jumped out:
"Some support a Thai partner and kids, perhaps their own kids, perhaps their partner's from a previous relationship. Throughout Pattaya, Isaan and the north thousands, maybe tens of thousands, fit this profile - and they could be shut out."
I dont profess to be an expert on all things Thai, but after 2 years here, that sentence tells me plenty. You could equally describe exactly the same group of foreigners with much fewer words: "retiree sexpat".
> Anyone who wants to legitimately live in Thailand or work here can jump through the hoops
This is absolutely true. I went through the process while the protests + failed election were going on, and the biggest hassle was departments being closed/relocated, and road closures while heading to meetings with our lawyer in BKK.
Strange that the military seems to think most of Visa runners are English teachers, though.
[1]: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Immigration-Bur...
[2]: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/754033-immigration-burea...