Once again, what about US?

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I've posted about this before. Thailand, in its efforts to bring foreign money into Thailand, always seems to neglect us expats who are already in Thailand spending our money. We may not be a huge corporation, but collectively we certainly bring a significant amount to Thailand. Those of us who are truly retired are probably spending virtually all of our money in Thailand.

However, it seems that instead of ever giving us a break, it's usually ways to make things more difficult, along with frightening us into thinking they will. This year alone it was the "Big Joke" proclamation that the retirement visa is too easy and too cheap. Then it was the income tax scare, which to this day is still confusing and unclear and there is no certainty as to what will happen with it. The powers-that-be know damned well that many are concerned about it, yet they still have not made it clear whether we will be subjected to an income tax or exactly what paperwork will be required to show we don't have to pay.

Neither of those has happened, but only recently now it's the must have a TM-30 receipt in your passport to get any immigration services, at least in Pattaya. And there still has been no relaxation of the 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account requirement. It is also far more difficult for foreigners to get a Thai bank account if they don't already have one - and holding a Thai bank account is a requirement for the retirement visa.

Unless you are wealthy enough, a personal trip to immigration to extend the retirement is mandatory every year. Why can't they make the extension a requirement every 5 years or so? Why, for those who have lived in Thailand long enough, can't we get permanent residence? If we can't buy property, why can't we at least buy a house in our own name?

Thailand is actively trying to make it easier for tourists and big corporations - but if they are doing anything for law abiding expats other than making things more difficult for us, someone please enlighten me to what it is. I missed it . . .
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Thai Prime Minister Seeks Foreign Investment at APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in America

By Adam Judd

16 November, 2023

Mr. Srettha Thavisin, the Thai Prime Minister and relevant officials attended the 30th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting scheduled from November 12th to the 19th, 2023, in San Francisco, California, USA.

The Thai Prime Minister urged Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) and Analog Devices Company (ADI) to increase investment in Thailand. Srettha further publicly stated about the development progress of the Land Bridge project which will greatly facilitate global supply chains in multinational companies, according to him.

The Land Bridge project is a regional transportation center connecting the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean and will greatly reduce shipping costs. Thailand will be the supply distribution center with the economic bridge connecting the two continents.
Srettha also visited Tesla Company to view the electric vehicle manufacturing process and test-drove a cyber truck which will be officially on sale at the end of November this year in the United States.

Tesla executives also showed an earnest interest in investing in the Thai market which would make a final decision by the first quarter of 2024. The Tesla team will visit Thailand for three potential manufacturing locations within the private sector.

https://tpnnational.com/2023/11/16/thai ... n-america/