Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing whether or not retirees, well I should say whether or not Immigration is “having a go” at retirees here in Thailand, when dealing with their Retirement Visa issues. I thought of making this video after reading a recent comment on one of our prior videos, quoting directly: "Love your blogs and all the good information. I do think that Thai Immigration are having a go at the Retirement Visa people." I can definitely see how you could see that, I really can. Thai Immigration is a Byzantine thing to deal with on a good day and yeah there have been all kinds of talk of rule changes, talk that really hasn't come to much fruition.

One thing I think it bears repeating, it's the notion of sort of 'this too shall pass', insofar as Thai Immigration floats a lot of ideas. I have become kind of inoculated against it and I don't get overly upset but especially new retirees, I could see how you could get worried that Thailand is trying to kick you out or Thai Immigration is gunning for you or something like this. At the end of the day that really isn't the case. Now, will rules change? Yes I imagine they probably will change even more moving forward but at the end of the day, I think Thailand rather likes having retirees here in the Kingdom and we certainly enjoy the economic benefit. Now could the process for retirees especially with regard to Visa and Immigration matters be more streamlined? Yeah I think it could. That said, I deal with the US Immigration System all the time. It is maybe shades of gray different; it's different in its own way but yeah it has got Byzantine aspects. I often wonder if they are intentionally trying to make me pull my own hair out.  

At the end of the day, Immigration is something that is difficult to deal with. Bear in mind retirees by the way, all of the folks that maintain ongoing Business Visa and Work Permits, yeah, they look at retirees and say "hey, come on, you're not dealing with anything near the documentation we are!" That said, it's apples and bowling balls; it is not really a one-to-one comparison, but bear in mind, at the end of the day, yes Thai Immigration has a job to do but I don't think they are having a go at anybody.