In my opinion, considering what this guy tried to do, if extortion really was involved, however much they got - it wasn't enough . . .
By Barry Kenyon
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
If you have a legitimate need to use a visa agent, use one well known and reliable. Don't fall for a visa scam - especially since there are so many other scams available for people to fall for . . .
_______________________________________________
Red flags you are being conned in your visa application
By Barry Kenyon
February 6, 2025
Following warnings from VFS Global about growing numbers of Thais and non-Thais being cheated by unscrupulous visa agents in major cities in Thailand, there are many pointers you are at risk. VFS Global is the world’s largest visa outsourcing and technology services provider formally representing the embassies of many countries. Their responsibilities can be checked at www.vfsglobal.com
The following are the more frequent clues that you are being scammed by agents who will grab your cash and not deliver your visa:
▪ You are offered a “guarantee” that the visa will definitely be issued.
▪ There is reluctance to meet you in the company’s office address.
▪ Not to worry if you lack documentation such as verified bank statements.
▪ The fees are much higher than the information published by the embassy.
▪ No problem if you are late and need a visa urgently.
▪ You are asked to pay cash without a formal written contract.
▪ Your destination country allows you to work as a tourist.
▪ No need to provide details of your work history.
▪ You are given a first name and a phone number to deal with.
▪ No need for a refund policy as the success rate is 100 percent.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ion-489738
_______________________________________________
Red flags you are being conned in your visa application
By Barry Kenyon
February 6, 2025
Following warnings from VFS Global about growing numbers of Thais and non-Thais being cheated by unscrupulous visa agents in major cities in Thailand, there are many pointers you are at risk. VFS Global is the world’s largest visa outsourcing and technology services provider formally representing the embassies of many countries. Their responsibilities can be checked at www.vfsglobal.com
The following are the more frequent clues that you are being scammed by agents who will grab your cash and not deliver your visa:
▪ You are offered a “guarantee” that the visa will definitely be issued.
▪ There is reluctance to meet you in the company’s office address.
▪ Not to worry if you lack documentation such as verified bank statements.
▪ The fees are much higher than the information published by the embassy.
▪ No problem if you are late and need a visa urgently.
▪ You are asked to pay cash without a formal written contract.
▪ Your destination country allows you to work as a tourist.
▪ No need to provide details of your work history.
▪ You are given a first name and a phone number to deal with.
▪ No need for a refund policy as the success rate is 100 percent.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ion-489738
Re: By Barry Kenyon
That's the biggest red flag of the lot. There's at least one working boy who handed over his passport and a pile of cash to a lady who claimed to be a visa agent. As I understand it, he saw neither the cash nor the passport again. No mention of any office premises.Barry Kenyon wrote: ↑Thu Feb 06, 2025 6:14 pm▪ There is reluctance to meet you in the company’s office address.
I'm surprised that "agent" hasn't taken a serious beating by now.
However, some of the other items on his list are on offer at well reviewed agencies which have been operating from premises for years.
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
Any red flags at all, time to go to a different visa agent.
Be very careful folks. Scammers know all the tricks and know just what to do and what to say to convince people they are genuine.
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
Thai-Myanmar border electricity cancellations create chaos
By Barry Kenyon
February 7, 2025
The Thai government’s decision to cut power supplies to border regions to combat Chinese-run scam or call centers has punished the innocent as well as the guilty. Earlier this week, interior minister Anutin Charnvirakul toured the area adjoining Myawaddy, a town bordering the river separating Thailand and Myanmar, and pulled the plug on five locations harboring illegal activities.
But hospitals, businesses and gas stations have also been hit, according the reports reaching CNN, even though they are unconnected with scam operations or illegal casinos or people smuggling. The border checkpoints are still operational, but the drivers of goods vehicles say they are worried about fuel shortages and becoming stuck in no-man’s land. The area of Myawaddy, on the Myanmar side, is largely controlled by the Karen Border Guard Force, a pro-insurgency military group opposed the ruling junta.
Hospital spokespeople say that emergency power lines are providing limited relief as gas stations close, but not enough. Growing numbers of people are gathering at refugee centers on the Thai side of the border. It is not clear that the power black-outs are actually closing all the call centers which are said to have large stocks of diesel to run generators. Night photos appear to show suspected buildings still brightly lit.
The scam centers, which are accused of kidnapping Chinese nationals to service illegal businesses, still have internet connectivity by operating Elon Musk’s Starlink. This is a satellite constellation and wholly owned American company, providing coverage to over 100 countries and aiming to provide global mobile broadband. The constellation consists of thousands of mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit which communicate with designated ground transceivers.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... aos-489837
By Barry Kenyon
February 7, 2025
The Thai government’s decision to cut power supplies to border regions to combat Chinese-run scam or call centers has punished the innocent as well as the guilty. Earlier this week, interior minister Anutin Charnvirakul toured the area adjoining Myawaddy, a town bordering the river separating Thailand and Myanmar, and pulled the plug on five locations harboring illegal activities.
But hospitals, businesses and gas stations have also been hit, according the reports reaching CNN, even though they are unconnected with scam operations or illegal casinos or people smuggling. The border checkpoints are still operational, but the drivers of goods vehicles say they are worried about fuel shortages and becoming stuck in no-man’s land. The area of Myawaddy, on the Myanmar side, is largely controlled by the Karen Border Guard Force, a pro-insurgency military group opposed the ruling junta.
Hospital spokespeople say that emergency power lines are providing limited relief as gas stations close, but not enough. Growing numbers of people are gathering at refugee centers on the Thai side of the border. It is not clear that the power black-outs are actually closing all the call centers which are said to have large stocks of diesel to run generators. Night photos appear to show suspected buildings still brightly lit.
The scam centers, which are accused of kidnapping Chinese nationals to service illegal businesses, still have internet connectivity by operating Elon Musk’s Starlink. This is a satellite constellation and wholly owned American company, providing coverage to over 100 countries and aiming to provide global mobile broadband. The constellation consists of thousands of mass-produced small satellites in low Earth orbit which communicate with designated ground transceivers.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... aos-489837
Re: By Barry Kenyon
BBC visit to a suspect town in Myanmar:
https://bbc.com/news/articles/c04nx1vnw17o
https://bbc.com/news/articles/c04nx1vnw17o
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
Retirees in Thailand should not stampede to tax offices says expert
By Barry Kenyon
February 13, 2025
A packed audience of the Pattaya City Expat Club, mostly retirees, heard that far and away the best visa for most of them was the “O” retirement category and annual extension of stay. Benjamin Hart, managing director of Integrity Legal in Bangkok and a naturalized Thai citizen, argued in a breezy and combative speech that the permit had several decades of success, was cost-effective and did not currently require medical insurance. Typical holders, said the speaker, had nothing at the present time to fear from the Thai tax authorities.
He criticized alternatives such as the 10-year Long Term Residence Visa, with its compulsory audit after five years, which could well produce unpleasant surprises about Thai taxation exemptions and promotions. He was also suspicious of the 5-years Destination Thailand Visa, noting that its digital application procedure could, in later years, become a protocol to widen Thailand’s personal income tax net for “residents” (staying at least 180 days in a calendar year). Most DTV holders, especially digital nomads, are much younger and richer than run-of-the-mill retirees.
Mr Hart followed up a familiar theme in his widely-watched internet videos by doubting that most retirees should register with the Thai Revenue Department (TRD), especially if they were living on previously taxed income or savings from their first country. He said that there had not been a change in the law about remitted income to Thailand, but merely a reinterpretation by TRD. Mr Hart claimed that the target groups were corporations exploiting loopholes by bringing in huge sums of untaxed income from offshore banks.
But the founder of Integrity Legal also emphasized that TRD was not in the business of refusing offers to redress its revenue shortfall. Tax officers were, at the government’s behest, looking for extra cash and would not turn away any Thai or foreigner wishing to make a contribution. He criticized foreign accountants and lawyers – who were not qualified under alien labour laws to advise on Thai legal matters anyway – for scaring people into the tax office. He returned several times to his main theme: TRD in its cost benefit analysis wants mega cash and not pennies.
Turning to the relationship between retiree-orientated visas and personal income tax, Mr Hart doubted that immigration officers currently wanted to get involved in adjudicating permit applications. However, this could not be ruled out for the future. He speculated that 2025 might be a transitional year, but advised members to keep cool for now whilst doubting that Thailand would actually join the international Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or inflict taxation on worldwide income. Separately, he highlighted that double taxation treaties were extraordinarily complex documents which were incompatible with generalizations.
Answering questions, Mr Hart dealt mainly with general tax issues for American expats and (wisely) refused to be drawn on the tax problems of individual members of the audience. He concluded by hoping that he had calmed the nerves of typical retirees and had dissuaded a stampede to the local TRD offices – at any rate for now. He was followed by guest speaker Thomas Householder, from Mitchells Artisan Chocolates, who described the history of Valentine’s Day through chocolate candies which date back to the 1840s. The first heart-shaped box of chocolates went on sale in 1861. However, he warned that candy prices were currently bound to rise as the wholesale cost of cocoa had doubled in recent months. Back to harsh reality indeed.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ert-490610
By Barry Kenyon
February 13, 2025
A packed audience of the Pattaya City Expat Club, mostly retirees, heard that far and away the best visa for most of them was the “O” retirement category and annual extension of stay. Benjamin Hart, managing director of Integrity Legal in Bangkok and a naturalized Thai citizen, argued in a breezy and combative speech that the permit had several decades of success, was cost-effective and did not currently require medical insurance. Typical holders, said the speaker, had nothing at the present time to fear from the Thai tax authorities.
He criticized alternatives such as the 10-year Long Term Residence Visa, with its compulsory audit after five years, which could well produce unpleasant surprises about Thai taxation exemptions and promotions. He was also suspicious of the 5-years Destination Thailand Visa, noting that its digital application procedure could, in later years, become a protocol to widen Thailand’s personal income tax net for “residents” (staying at least 180 days in a calendar year). Most DTV holders, especially digital nomads, are much younger and richer than run-of-the-mill retirees.
Mr Hart followed up a familiar theme in his widely-watched internet videos by doubting that most retirees should register with the Thai Revenue Department (TRD), especially if they were living on previously taxed income or savings from their first country. He said that there had not been a change in the law about remitted income to Thailand, but merely a reinterpretation by TRD. Mr Hart claimed that the target groups were corporations exploiting loopholes by bringing in huge sums of untaxed income from offshore banks.
But the founder of Integrity Legal also emphasized that TRD was not in the business of refusing offers to redress its revenue shortfall. Tax officers were, at the government’s behest, looking for extra cash and would not turn away any Thai or foreigner wishing to make a contribution. He criticized foreign accountants and lawyers – who were not qualified under alien labour laws to advise on Thai legal matters anyway – for scaring people into the tax office. He returned several times to his main theme: TRD in its cost benefit analysis wants mega cash and not pennies.
Turning to the relationship between retiree-orientated visas and personal income tax, Mr Hart doubted that immigration officers currently wanted to get involved in adjudicating permit applications. However, this could not be ruled out for the future. He speculated that 2025 might be a transitional year, but advised members to keep cool for now whilst doubting that Thailand would actually join the international Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development or inflict taxation on worldwide income. Separately, he highlighted that double taxation treaties were extraordinarily complex documents which were incompatible with generalizations.
Answering questions, Mr Hart dealt mainly with general tax issues for American expats and (wisely) refused to be drawn on the tax problems of individual members of the audience. He concluded by hoping that he had calmed the nerves of typical retirees and had dissuaded a stampede to the local TRD offices – at any rate for now. He was followed by guest speaker Thomas Householder, from Mitchells Artisan Chocolates, who described the history of Valentine’s Day through chocolate candies which date back to the 1840s. The first heart-shaped box of chocolates went on sale in 1861. However, he warned that candy prices were currently bound to rise as the wholesale cost of cocoa had doubled in recent months. Back to harsh reality indeed.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... ert-490610
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
I have been warning about this for years. If you anticipate ever needing a Thai bank account, get it while you can. Now you may need tor turn to a visa agent to get a Thai bank account, but even they might not be able to help you anymore. If they still can, I'd get an account as soon as you can, preferably with a bank where you can easily transfer in money from your home country. In my opinion Bangkok Bank is best and I would advise trying to get an account with them - as soon as you can, before it becomes essentially impossible. If you think the rules are not moving in that direction, think again.
Don't wait. On your next trip to Thailand, getting a Thai bank account ought to be your first priority.
Remember, if one branch turns you down when applying for a Thai bank account, don't give up yet. Try other branches.
_______________________________________________________
Foreign applicants for Thai bank accounts facing new crackdown
By Barry Kenyon
February 16, 2025
Foreigners wishing to open a Thai account face additional hurdles from Monday February 17. Even those who require a savings or current account to apply for a Destination Thailand Visa (with 500,000 baht) or for a non-immigrant “O” retirement permit (with 800,000 baht) are likely to find difficulties. Well-connected and popular agencies, such as Tik Tok based in Jomtien, have advised on social media that they will be unable to assist with opening bank accounts for foreign customers until further notice.
The Thai government, via the Bank of Thailand, has officially launched a renewed attack on mule accounts in Thailand aiming to curb financial fraud and money laundering. Freezing a staggering 1.8 million bank accounts suspected of being mule accounts, the Anti-Money laundering Office says that 2,500 account holders have actually been arrested during the past year. Police enquiries are now centering on telecommunications companies, digital platforms, e-wallet service providers as well as actual consumers.
The timing of the announcement likely reflects the Thai government’s allied campaign against scam call centers, especially those based in Myanmar and Cambodia. Thai electricity supplies have been cut in some areas with limited success. Meanwhile, attempts continue to ensure that Thai mobile banking accounts match with the SIM card holder’s name. That has already led to various difficulties, for example for foreigners using their wife’s name or for registered corporate accounts registered under the managing director’s personal phone number.
Government officials are reluctant to give a timescale for the latest crackdown on foreigners trying to open bank accounts in Thailand. Tellers at Thai banks told Pattaya Mail that the problem might last for several weeks whilst investigations continue into fake websites, messaging apps, social media and individuals suspected of involvement in banking criminality. Some bank staff say that the biggest single issue involves Asian tourists opening bank accounts to launder cash into capital-flight cryptocurrency which is hard to track.
There is currently no formal ban on banks opening new accounts, but they commonly refuse on the grounds that “the applicant’s intentions are unclear” a catch-all phrase which penalizes (for example) all tourist visa holders with permission to stay less than one year. Banks can also suspend accounts if they suspect money laundering, fraud, terrorist financing or drugs and human trafficking proceeds.
According to Siam Development, the overall situation highlights how regulatory solutions in Thailand often create more problems than they solve. The fight against mule accounts is necessary, but a more precise strategy is required: one that targets the actual criminals before freezing bank accounts indiscriminately. For the short term at least, businesses and foreign nationals must brace for further banking difficulties in an already challenging environment. In other words, Keep Calm and Carry On. As best you can.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... own-490881
Don't wait. On your next trip to Thailand, getting a Thai bank account ought to be your first priority.
Remember, if one branch turns you down when applying for a Thai bank account, don't give up yet. Try other branches.
_______________________________________________________
Foreign applicants for Thai bank accounts facing new crackdown
By Barry Kenyon
February 16, 2025
Foreigners wishing to open a Thai account face additional hurdles from Monday February 17. Even those who require a savings or current account to apply for a Destination Thailand Visa (with 500,000 baht) or for a non-immigrant “O” retirement permit (with 800,000 baht) are likely to find difficulties. Well-connected and popular agencies, such as Tik Tok based in Jomtien, have advised on social media that they will be unable to assist with opening bank accounts for foreign customers until further notice.
The Thai government, via the Bank of Thailand, has officially launched a renewed attack on mule accounts in Thailand aiming to curb financial fraud and money laundering. Freezing a staggering 1.8 million bank accounts suspected of being mule accounts, the Anti-Money laundering Office says that 2,500 account holders have actually been arrested during the past year. Police enquiries are now centering on telecommunications companies, digital platforms, e-wallet service providers as well as actual consumers.
The timing of the announcement likely reflects the Thai government’s allied campaign against scam call centers, especially those based in Myanmar and Cambodia. Thai electricity supplies have been cut in some areas with limited success. Meanwhile, attempts continue to ensure that Thai mobile banking accounts match with the SIM card holder’s name. That has already led to various difficulties, for example for foreigners using their wife’s name or for registered corporate accounts registered under the managing director’s personal phone number.
Government officials are reluctant to give a timescale for the latest crackdown on foreigners trying to open bank accounts in Thailand. Tellers at Thai banks told Pattaya Mail that the problem might last for several weeks whilst investigations continue into fake websites, messaging apps, social media and individuals suspected of involvement in banking criminality. Some bank staff say that the biggest single issue involves Asian tourists opening bank accounts to launder cash into capital-flight cryptocurrency which is hard to track.
There is currently no formal ban on banks opening new accounts, but they commonly refuse on the grounds that “the applicant’s intentions are unclear” a catch-all phrase which penalizes (for example) all tourist visa holders with permission to stay less than one year. Banks can also suspend accounts if they suspect money laundering, fraud, terrorist financing or drugs and human trafficking proceeds.
According to Siam Development, the overall situation highlights how regulatory solutions in Thailand often create more problems than they solve. The fight against mule accounts is necessary, but a more precise strategy is required: one that targets the actual criminals before freezing bank accounts indiscriminately. For the short term at least, businesses and foreign nationals must brace for further banking difficulties in an already challenging environment. In other words, Keep Calm and Carry On. As best you can.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... own-490881
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Gaybutton
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Re: By Barry Kenyon
I've said it a million times and I am going to keep on saying it whenever I think it is appropriate. If you need or anticipate ever needing a Thai bank account, you need to get it before it becomes completely impossible - and every time we hear about new rules, that impossibility gets ever closer.
When I first came to Thailand I had no problem getting my first Thai bank account with Bangkok Bank by simply showing my passport. Now there are all kinds of hoops to jump through and what seems like the Catch 22 about you can't get the retirement visa without a Thai bank account and you can't get a Thai bank account without the retirement visa.
If you can't get a Thai bank account on your own, as far as I know reputable visa agents can still get an account for you. If you think that won't soon change (if it hasn't already), think again. The way things seem to be moving, I think you can forget about tea money helping at all with banking issues.
_________________________________________
The future of retiree bank accounts in Thailand
By Barry Kenyon
February 19, 2025
There is currently no official ban on Thai banks opening accounts for foreign tourists. But it’s clear that the government’s latest attempts to reduce call center scamming and flight-prone cryptocurrency deals are having a very marked effect. In a separate announcement, the beginning of April 2025 will see new accounts subject to further bureaucracy such as biometric authentication via facial recognition and the restriction for each account to be linked to a single registered device. It’s certainly possible that accounts may then become easier for short term tourists to open provided they have sound reasons, for example purchasing a condominium unit or applying for a long stay visa or financing a dowry. Whatever.
In the meantime, some thwarted tourists may have alternatives. Some embassies are still willing to confirm regular income (even if not transmitted to Thailand) and may have authority to issue letters of guarantee to more than one nationality. Richer wannabe expats may reexamine alternative visas such as Elite or Long Term Residence, neither of which demands a Thai bank account at application. Not to mention the Destination Thailand Visa which, in some Thai embassies, has multiple options for proving the 500,000 baht (US$19,000) baseline requirement. Of course, each of these visa choices has its pluses and minuses, so individual research is crucial.
Another option is to forget about permits for now and opt for a border run giving 60 days visa exempt on entry with an automatic extension at local immigration for a further month. The extension fee is a standard 1,900 baht (US$54) provided the paperwork is in order. But fines may apply if address verification (TM30) or the 90 days address notification (TM47) has been overlooked. Although it is true that foreigners cannot reside in Thailand forever on visa exempt entries, the route may provide a temporary reprieve whilst opening bank accounts remains uncertain.
For the future, it is possible that other government agencies may be able to confirm the income of expat individuals: for example, foreigners registering with the Thai Revenue Department (TRD) and submitting a tax return on overseas transfers. These individuals will have a receipt showing the amount they transferred in the previous calendar year and the tax paid. When submitting a tax return, expats do not provide any income documentation or personal wealth information: they simply write the appropriate amount on the form. The point here is that the receipt will have the government logo at the heading.
There is no suggestion here that it is, or should be, compulsory for all expats to report to the TRD. Many live on historic savings and others may have exemption because of specific detail in double taxation treaties and a host of other factors too complex to discuss here. However, for those who do feel it necessary to obtain a tax identification number based on overseas transfers, this route could conceivably provide the necessary authority to open a Thai bank account. The current system of retiree permits, especially the “O” non-immigrant visa with annual extensions, has been basically the same for 30 years apart from larger cash requirements. The assumption that nothing much will change in the next 30 is unduly optimistic.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... and-491241
When I first came to Thailand I had no problem getting my first Thai bank account with Bangkok Bank by simply showing my passport. Now there are all kinds of hoops to jump through and what seems like the Catch 22 about you can't get the retirement visa without a Thai bank account and you can't get a Thai bank account without the retirement visa.
If you can't get a Thai bank account on your own, as far as I know reputable visa agents can still get an account for you. If you think that won't soon change (if it hasn't already), think again. The way things seem to be moving, I think you can forget about tea money helping at all with banking issues.
_________________________________________
The future of retiree bank accounts in Thailand
By Barry Kenyon
February 19, 2025
There is currently no official ban on Thai banks opening accounts for foreign tourists. But it’s clear that the government’s latest attempts to reduce call center scamming and flight-prone cryptocurrency deals are having a very marked effect. In a separate announcement, the beginning of April 2025 will see new accounts subject to further bureaucracy such as biometric authentication via facial recognition and the restriction for each account to be linked to a single registered device. It’s certainly possible that accounts may then become easier for short term tourists to open provided they have sound reasons, for example purchasing a condominium unit or applying for a long stay visa or financing a dowry. Whatever.
In the meantime, some thwarted tourists may have alternatives. Some embassies are still willing to confirm regular income (even if not transmitted to Thailand) and may have authority to issue letters of guarantee to more than one nationality. Richer wannabe expats may reexamine alternative visas such as Elite or Long Term Residence, neither of which demands a Thai bank account at application. Not to mention the Destination Thailand Visa which, in some Thai embassies, has multiple options for proving the 500,000 baht (US$19,000) baseline requirement. Of course, each of these visa choices has its pluses and minuses, so individual research is crucial.
Another option is to forget about permits for now and opt for a border run giving 60 days visa exempt on entry with an automatic extension at local immigration for a further month. The extension fee is a standard 1,900 baht (US$54) provided the paperwork is in order. But fines may apply if address verification (TM30) or the 90 days address notification (TM47) has been overlooked. Although it is true that foreigners cannot reside in Thailand forever on visa exempt entries, the route may provide a temporary reprieve whilst opening bank accounts remains uncertain.
For the future, it is possible that other government agencies may be able to confirm the income of expat individuals: for example, foreigners registering with the Thai Revenue Department (TRD) and submitting a tax return on overseas transfers. These individuals will have a receipt showing the amount they transferred in the previous calendar year and the tax paid. When submitting a tax return, expats do not provide any income documentation or personal wealth information: they simply write the appropriate amount on the form. The point here is that the receipt will have the government logo at the heading.
There is no suggestion here that it is, or should be, compulsory for all expats to report to the TRD. Many live on historic savings and others may have exemption because of specific detail in double taxation treaties and a host of other factors too complex to discuss here. However, for those who do feel it necessary to obtain a tax identification number based on overseas transfers, this route could conceivably provide the necessary authority to open a Thai bank account. The current system of retiree permits, especially the “O” non-immigrant visa with annual extensions, has been basically the same for 30 years apart from larger cash requirements. The assumption that nothing much will change in the next 30 is unduly optimistic.
https://www.pattayamail.com/latestnews/ ... and-491241
Re: By Barry Kenyon
I like Barry and appreciate his articles, but I have to say that he's all over the place with this one.
He went from bank changes that MAY or MAY NOT take place one day regarding opening bank accounts - to special visa's - to tax identification cards - to 90 day reporting/TM reports - to border runs, etc., etc., etc. And there hasn't been one single change in any of the topics (or sub-topics) that he touched on.
Nothing but speculation which doesn't benefit the expat community at all IMO.
He went from bank changes that MAY or MAY NOT take place one day regarding opening bank accounts - to special visa's - to tax identification cards - to 90 day reporting/TM reports - to border runs, etc., etc., etc. And there hasn't been one single change in any of the topics (or sub-topics) that he touched on.
Nothing but speculation which doesn't benefit the expat community at all IMO.