@Luit ****************

Hahaha....In 20 years I've lived in 15 nations...choosing a different one each year. That's my lifestyle. There are ZERO rules in the TH immigration system that says I can exit after 90 days and not return to start the clock over again. Check it out...

Two years ago I lived in VN and a border run was required every 30 days....did 5 runs with a bunch of other tourists (all spending $1000s in VN) for my 6 months there. Each time the VN immigration folks welcomed us with open arms and smiles. Like they USED TO DO here...but no longer.

They CHANGED their policy to long term stayers (6 month)....as such I think were will be lots of folks like me not returning. Bummer...but that's what they have created.

@Julien ***

Cool that you've made your residence here. I've always liked TH and Hua Hin in particular. Btw...you missed the "s" on the $1,000s.

Without the long-stay tourists in Hua Hin you'd have a completely different town. Most infrastructure and community improvements made here are because Hua Hin has become a popular long-term stay tourist center. Visit some of the other towns in TH that don't see the high percentage of long-stay folks and you'll understand what a difference this makes.

TH has probably lost me as a long-stay visitor because of their new policy to discourage necessary visa runs to stay more than 90 days. The current entry-hassle policy and under-the-table bribes to return to my leased beach condo and rented motorcycle is not something I will endure ever again. Btw...I'd be in the category of $1,000s spent here a month...not low income.

I can't be the only one with these feelings. Hua Hin without us 6 month stay folks could suffer without our presence. This could have an 'overnight effect' if everyone has the same thoughts as me.

@Johnny ****

This statement is not true. In the USA if you go through the efforts in a different country to get an entry visa ...upon arrival you are granted entry with no hassle. I've witnessed this a number of times and many foreign friends have shared how easy the entry to the USA is when you've gone through the work to get the entry visa like this poster.

Never in the USA would a bribe be asked to someone holding a valid entry visa. This is now becoming common practice at BKK...bribe required when all the paperwork is even in place.

I'm a long-term stay kind of person and TH is not the place to come any longer...imo

@Ivan **********

I don't understand this logic. Many people in the world 'live foreign'. There are no rules to say that a person can't live in Thailand for 20 years (or more), as long as this person deals with their border run obligations correctly.

Recent corrupt immigration events shows that "welcoming" Thailand has changed. They are not as open to long-term stay folks any longer. Their actions at the entry points show they seem happy with folks who never come here much and only stay a short time, but if you want to extend than their goal is to hassle you when entering. Their new M.O. I feel.

Why go through it....there are many other close by countries who appreciate your visits and cash. What made TH so great was their non-hassle aspect at entry. That's gone now for some reason.

VN just changed their policy to be more open. Cheaper to live there and the food is better imo.

@Julien ***

Huh....obviously you've never traveled much in your life. Because someone has to do a border run does not mean they are abusing the host country and not contributing....or low budget folks.

Border runs are standard and mandatory "for anyone" wanting to stay in any country longer then the entry visas/extensions allow. Walk around the public areas and beaches in town and you'll see tons of long-stay tourist dropping $1,000s of US/EURs, etc each month, propping up the economy of many towns like Hua Hin....who need this infusion of foreign cash support.

DTV's are just the newest visa gimmick that many long-stay tourists are going to start using to extend their stays without have to do border runs. Its allowed, so why not work to get one. This irks Thai immigration officers for some reason.

I read and hear many stories of having to pay a bribe to get into TH with your DTV in hand. That's blatant corruption imo. It's soured my thoughts of Thailand because of a recent bribe incident. Vietnam is where I'll be spending my dollars next year...and maybe the year after that, and the year after that, etc.

PM me and I'll tell you what could work....