Bitter feeling of foreigners to Thai officers

[Earth]

Concerning to what i have read in the topic of "Immigration in Huahin is moving again" Know that prcscct or pete conmplaining about Thai system and Thai citizens, well....

I do understand your feeling as i mention before hand when i start join this web i said that i am Thai-Chinese, and i do also stay in Britain, USA, and Australia time to time every year. I also met problems from countries i went..

I do understand foreigners that you have got your own family to taking care and have to responsible to what you have made decision to leave your Own country........and chose to stay under the umbrella of Thailand... and you found bitter in your life with Thai citizen!!..... I guess you might have the same problem the other way around too.

I do have heard some conversation of Bank officers in BKK talking about foreigner who do not follow bank policy or regurations...." why don't they get back to their own country... "

Let's say, i am not Banker and i am not Immigration officer, don't blame on me... even i am Thai citizen....don't blame on me!! blame on your own decision to think good and bad whatever you have met things!!

You said you are victim, i am also victim too, but have never complain or blame to any one what if i want to complain i will go to the top officer!! Like you said you are victim of Thai officers, why don't you complain to their boss or why don't you write down a letter to their president!! that is what it is for.... or write to the Bangkok Post or The Nation or YOUr Own Newspaper in your country...would be better?? Smarter?

I understand the feeling of victim like i am not wrong but someone blame on me or talk to me like i am wrong!! Well i forgive them to what they have done by mistaken or their mistake whatever who have done anything.... will get things they have done back in return....whatever way!!

Hope you get back on track what you should do about bad things you dealed, don't just complain... like foreigner said Thai don't like some one who all days keep complaining!!..... Also i don't like receiving bad money from bad people and also don't pay bad money to bad people!!

Cheers,

[Earth]

By the way, i did not attack you personally, prcscct. Also i agree with you on some country's system and mentallity not only concerning foreigners, but concerning Thai people as you mentions... Thanks

[highvoltage]

Thailand does not have to follow other country, thailand is what it is. When all the farangs leave there will be a void and the people who earn from the farangs will get hurt. They will have no choice but to look at other options. Many will loose jobs but in another three years thais will learn and adapt to the new enviornment and life will go on again. So for all the farangs trying to take the thais a hostage with thier money think before so say something. Thai ancestors livied without the farangs and so can the future generations.

[STEVE G]

I think the bitter feelings were caused by corruption and it's not only westerners noticing that:

The Nation
Bangkok, Wednesday 7 July 2010

Corruption is now accepted as a part of everyday life in Thailand. If nothing is done to combat it, it will become a part of the Thai national character.

A recent survey by the Thailand Management Association (TMA) and the Sasin Graduate Institute of Business Administration at Chulalongkorn University illustrates a deep-rooted problem in Thai society. The survey, conducted from May 10 to June 21, shows that most respondents believe that corruption and nepotism remain the critical issues that will drag the development of Thailand away from the desirable vision that we wish to achieve in the future.

In spite of every government's pledge to fix the problem, corruption and nepotism are as prevalent as ever. Allegations of corruption are headline news on a daily basis but very few cases are pursued to a final conclusion. The failure to take serious action encourages people to continue to abuse their power, leaving those who refuse to condone such malpractice, and those who speak out against it, out in the cold.

Although the survey was conducted in the midst of the political crisis, a majority of business people say their main concern is not politics. In fact, many say that, in spite of the deep political differences, the economy still has the potential to grow. About 70% of 378 respondents from leading companies say that in spite of the political turbulence in the second quarter this year, the overall economic prospects next year remain positive.

However, 80% of respondents say their real concern is that prevailing corruption and nepotism will destroy Thai competitiveness. They believe that most business dealings in Thailand are not conducted in a straightforward manner.

These comments from the business sector cannot be taken lightly. The survey results tell what is going wrong in the Thai society, and illustrate the fact that widespread corruption and nepotism are the seeds of the political crisis and conflict.

Of course, none of this is new in Thailand. Due to weak law enforcement, culprits are hardly ever brought to justice. The Thai legal institutions are weak, too. But this must be addressed urgently. Thailand is competing with other countries where transparency, efficiency and effectiveness are being promoted in business practice. Eventually these values will translate into a lower cost of production.

The elimination of corruption and abuse of power must be taken seriously. Otherwise, the government's plan to reform the nation will not succeed. At the same time, the private sector must vigorously support and take part in this effort. Private companies, especially big conglomerates with political connections, must demonstrate responsible ethics. It is true that, over the past decade, the bigger firms in Thailand have grown bigger, while many small and medium-sized companies have been squeezed out because they do not have the political connections enjoyed by the conglomerates and multinationals. It's the big fish who get the big government contracts while the small fry are left to flounder.

The business sector should also be serious in its effort to make a social contribution. Almost 90% of the survey respondents note that good corporate governance among local companies is nothing more than lip service.

Nothing concrete has been done to promote social and environmental causes. Mostly such activities are merely public relations stunts. At a minimum, corporate governance must be observed by the authorities to ensure that companies are not prospering at the expense of the public. For instance, "environmentally friendly" practices must not be compromised.

The public can play a key role in eliminating such abuse of power and malpractice. Many shady politicians and businessmen are widely known to engage in dubious activities, but they are still able to operate freely without any social sanction. Perhaps there should be more whistle-blowers to bring them to book.

The worst aspect of the corruption issue is the growing acceptance of it in society as a whole. It is truly disheartening that an increasing number of Thais view material wealth as the ultimate symbol of success, and that any means to achieve wealth and power is justifiable. Thais are basically a corrupted people who value material gain over righteousness. Thais are all to blame for this, and if they do not change their ways soon, the characteristics of corruption, nepotism, and abuse of power will become ingrained permanently in the Thai national psyche.

[PeteC]

A lot can be learned from the below sites. Pete


http://www.icac.org.hk/en/home/index.html

http://app.cpib.gov.sg/cpib_new/user/de ... tion=clear

[OscarMike]

I think the ill feeling towards officials comes from being ill treated by them and this can happen in any country where you are a minority or you are perceived as being wealthier than its locals, it is called racism and it is married to nationalism.

[Spitfire]

Agree there OM. What almost all foreigners want is an end to the racism and discrimination, which is shamelessly rampant. I contribute more to the society here than many Thais do in almost all aspects of my life here, pay more taxes than many Thais do, integrate as much as I can by marrying a Thai national and learning the language/society to the best of my ability, educate young Thai people and on and on and on etc only to still be treated with contempt by officialdom, it's pathetic. We just want to be treated like it's the 21st century, not the 18th century, got nothing to do with "taking over the place" as has been laughably mentioned.

So, a little sanctimonious from the first two posters IMO, all you have done is confirm the bigoted views that commonly swim around here, I bet both of you are privileged Thais that couldn't give a toss about anyone or anything apart from your money, face and preserving a system that has allowed you to be in the elite. I don't think you would be so dismissive if you had to work in a hotel or at a resort, but hey, you wouldn't have the education to think/question about it then, would you? Why? Because the system doesn't care for those people either.

[Earth]

555, just get back from shopping.

Ok, now what? Yes, tourist are not causing officers to corrupt or meet the problem like some of you meet....., by the way, i don't know what is your problem ......in there!! (I believe the tourist will have no problem same as stay in Thailand for a short period of time....)

But those foreigners who want and need to stay in Thailand for a long period of time and want to stay longer and longer...... till their life time!!..... would have problem...., i guess, like you have had and complain, and want the easier way to stay in Thailand easier!!! way by someone of you said paying money?!! Hey, you are causing them to corrupt!! by your practice!! don't do that...

I do understand that you are stress enough from the exchange rate from 70 Baht to 50 Baht per pound nowaday... but do you think that this is also corrupt?!!

Hey, i understand the problem of your staying in Thailand is less months and days than you have expected from 70 Baht.. now is getting better, did you paid??? to get better? Don't do that!! kik kik

[Spitfire]

I don't think you read my post properly, sorry if it is too difficult to understand as you would need a dictionary to understand it regardless of how capable you think you are in English, not even close to understanding my response. When you have read and translated the difficult bits, then post. It seems that you understand nothing that my last post highlighted, so I will not waste my time with replying again until you give a sensible answer to what I wrote.

[Farang]

'

Earth,

Thank you for the idea of going to the top boss with any complaints on any officer/authority abusing his power or position. The idea of going public with any legitimate complaint certainly has merit.

[Earth]

Thank you "Farang" that is what i try to say.....

Sorry Spitfire, i didn't read yours..

Oh by the way, when you say other people educated or uneducated, don't judge other with the standard of your wife, we all know where do you get her from, like bar girl....that the reason why she has soo sooo patient........ to those non sense or grumpy old man.. and unreasonable,

Personally, i would be happy and rather to see farang with farang's wife.... it look more not selfish to excuse that you leave your foreigner's wife and stay in thailand cause of young Thai lady....with no knowledge and uneducated like some of you mention.... and excuse that this is the reason why you stay in Thailand..... Why don't you bring her to your country to let her educated over there!! Also you kid andwife will have better life!! AS YOU WISH...

Hurr, at least "Farang" understand what to do..... what i try to explain how to solve the problem, don't complain more... lazy to hear.. grumpy old man...

[hhfarang]

Oh by the way, when you say other people educated or uneducated, don't judge other with the standard of your wife

Earth, we're not all like that, nor are all of our wives as you describe. I married a Thai who is indeed younger than me, but she has a higher level of formal education than I do, and she did live in the U.S. for 8+ years but always wanted to come back to Thailand because she loves her country and culture, so I gave in and moved here for her.

that the reason why she has soo sooo patient

That doesn't come close to describing my wife either!

[buksida]

Earth, please keep the personal insults off this forum and stick to the subject material.

Personally I think all officials/bureaucrats are a-holes, it comes with the job description regardless of what nationality they are!

[kendo]

Earth,
I think your comments are un just, my wife has lived in the U.k for nearly 5 years works hard and she is educated we are both under 40 years old.
We would really love to live our lives in Thailand but it's almost an impossible dream until retirement age ask yourself why is this....
Thailand makes it so hard to have a life here without you having to pay a high price for it and you will still be treated like a second rate citizen, you can't own land you have to pay through the nose for visas and do visa runs, everything is stacked against a farang for the benefit of a small minority of elite Thais.
I will say in my opinion that your beautiful country could have far more wealth and a stronger position in the worlds economies that would benefit everyone but for the minority they have a hold all fool them.
You have to look at the bigger picture.
Thailand could prosper far more and I believe if someone makes there home in Thailand they are contributing to your economy so have a right to have an opinion.
Kendo.

[Takiap]

Earth, you really do need to wake up and smell the coffee. Not all Farang marry bar girls, and even if they did, it would be none of your business. You yourself have said it's wrong to judge others, so why then do you pass judgment on girls who choose to work in the bars? I bet many of those girls have more decency in the small toes than what many "well educated" Thais have in their entire bodies.

Next........we don't all leave a woman behind in our own countries so we can marry a younger women here. If that's what you truly believe, then I pity you. Yes, I am older than my wife, but I was never married before. Also, men all over the world are often older than their wives. Lastly, what's wrong with wanting a young wife in the first place? After all, the "well educated" and highly "respectable" Thai men in this country also fancy young women, and that while they are indeed married to another woman.

You also say we should take our kids back to our country? What about the rights of our kids? Are they not Thai? Yes they are, and as a parent of two such kids, I feel I should have a little bit more respect shown to me when dealing with things such as visas.

And, before you start bubbling on again, I have lived in several countries, and I have never experienced such arrogance as I have here when dealing with officials. In Thailand, if you work for the government, it's as if the sun shines out your backside. Where I come from, and in all other first world countries, government employees are not above the law. Instead, they are public servants, and are seen as being such. Yes I know, Thailand is not a first world country, but I'm sure they would like to be one oneday, and if so, then attitudes need to start changing.

You know, the last time I dealt with immigration, I had every bit of paper you can imagine. I had originals and copies of: my passport, my wife's ID, the house blue book, marriage certificate, and both birth certificates. The officer I was dealing with still refused to stamp my passport unless I was willing to go and fetch my kids out of their classrooms so they could see them in person. Does that sound like rational behavior to you. Of course they only needed to see one child at first. This then allowed them to continue their game by sending me back to fetch my other child as well. The icing on the cake came when they started asking my kids questions like who am I, and do we all live together in the same house.We do live in the same house, but even if we didn't, it would be none of their business, because according to Thai "law", I can be here supporting my kids whether I live under a bloody tree. Why question the kids in the first place? Do they really thinks there's a "kids for hire" service in Hua-Hin? So now you, Mr Thailand Perfect", tell me, was the officer just being extremely unreasonable, was was it due to a lack of intellect? Whichever one of the two it is, it makes that person unfit to be in that type of job

Anyway, this type of nonsense is not about to go away so, I'll just continue viewing such people as I see fit.