Belgian snapped off on strict Thai Immigration rules
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A Belgian man has claimed that the stricter application of Thai Immigration rules regarding "overstay" is the cause of his attempted suicide.
The man, who lived in Thailand for ten years, is now back in Belgium, without a job and without a “home” and there is only one thing he wants and that is to end his miserable life. He considers the Thai Immigration responsible for his panic attacks, which led to the destruction of his beautiful life in Thailand.
Visa overstay
In March 2016, Thai authorities decided that foreigners who exceeded their visa date by more than 90 days would face a one-year ban. The Belgian, Nicolas H, then turned out to have exceeded his visa by more than a year, which would mean a three-year ban. Nicolas had lived in Thailand for ten years without any problem, but the prospect of being expelled caused him severe panic attacks. He could hardly leave his house ever since, went to a 7-Eleven in the middle of the night to buy groceries, but he didn't dare visit Immigration to solve his problem.
Vietnam
Finally he decided to tackle the problem, traveled to Vietnam, paid a 20.000 Baht fine on his departure, but was stamped with a 3-year exile from Thailand. However, Vietnam was a hopeless solution for him, made several suicide attempts and was repatriated with the help of the Belgian embassy. Back in Belgium, he now leads a vagabond life with a tendency to take his own life.
Letter sent
The Nation recently posted a letter to the editor of him in English, which I've translated (sometimes loosely) below:
Thailand's stricter approach to “overstay” has destroyed my life
I have lived in Thailand for 10 years as a law abiding citizen. I don't do drugs and don't even drink alcohol. In 2015, at the age of 38, I started experiencing panic attacks every time I left my apartment.
I was in a state where I could only go out at 7:10 AM to the local XNUMX-Eleven to buy food and other necessities. Of course I couldn't renew my visa. I tried to get a bus into Cambodia but XNUMX minutes after we left the station I had to ask the driver to pull over and let me out. I was in full panic attack mode.
In 2016 I started to feel better and decided to solve my visa problem by taking a flight to Vietnam. I paid my 20.000 baht fine at Don Mueang and was banned from entering Thailand for three years. I knew there was a good chance this would happen, but the feeling I had when I realized I wouldn't see my friends or use my stuff again was one of complete hopelessness.
After living off my savings for two years, I was nearly broke. Soon after I tried to end my life, failed and was offered help with repatriation by the Belgian Consulate in Saigon
Unfortunately I accepted the offer. Since the day I arrived in Belgium two years ago, I have become homeless and drifted from shelter to shelter. I've always had a stable life, worked all my life, but I'm now in a position where the only option seems to be to end my life, which I can't even call a life.
I understand the need to enforce immigration laws rigorously, I do. But immigration officials should take some more personal situations into account when assessing visa issuance.
wg Nicholas H
Finally
Initially I thought it was a strange story with my conclusion being “Own fault, big bump”. But after learning a bit more about panic disorders, see: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic Disorder I became more understanding of his situation. He should have sought help in Thailand at the time, but now it is too late. I hope for his sake that the Belgian government will provide him with the necessary help to get his life back on track.
Source: The Nation
I am in the same boat and am looking for a solution to this problem. I have one month left and can't travel due to a broken leg. 42 years old in Thailand and now has to leave behind his wife, children and grandchildren and live as a homeless person in the Netherlands. Thanks to Big Joke.
Theos,
What do you mean by "I'm in the same boat"?
You say you have 1 month left. Do you mean that your current residence status will expire in 1 month? If that's the case, there's definitely a solution. You can extend your stay based on medical necessity. For that, first go to a doctor who has to declare that and then you go to immigration.
A broken leg is very annoying of course and will make traveling a bit more difficult than usual, but I don't think it's impossible with the right doctor's advice and some help from others.
No Theo S. Big Joke is not the cause of your problems, but your panic reactions. You don't want to listen to solutions. You always had a retirement extension and I don't understand what your problem is with the new minor adjustments for Dutch people. Your story doesn't make sense or is confused by your age. Stop blaming Big Joke and start listening to the advice of RonnyLatya in particular.
Theo,
I was at the immigration in Chaing Mai and there was a Thai beauty with a medical certificate and a photo (on A4 size) of a falang who was in the hospital. OA extensions were simply issued for a year and because a photo is also taken at immigration, the Thai beauty kept the photo in front of the ball. That really worked perfectly. No problem.
“42 Years in Thailand”… What do you mean? Have you been living in Thailand for 42 years or is “42 years” your age?
Do you have grandchildren of yourself or of your Thai(?) wife?
You have one month left… (?) One month of what.
An unclear outline of your situation.
You have plenty of time, but you need help from someone with adequate transportation and a person who understands immigration matters.
A wheelchair and common sense will easily solve your problems.
You can ask me for help and advice. I have a big car (Pickup 4doors) and live near Amnat Charoen. I have been arranging my annual residence permit renewal myself for more than 20 years.
Khunang Karo, a heartwarming response from you to offer TheoS help, advice and transportation! Know from previous postings by TheoS that he is of an advanced age.
Horrible. Why does this have to be applied so quickly. If it had been said that these changes would take effect in a year, many could find a solution. The overstay is another case and that too is sad.
Sorry I think it's a strange story, he starts with 2015 and 38 years has been residing in Thailand for 10 years where he has not worked otherwise he would not have had a problem, {with a work permit.} If he then talks about his whole life worked. It's strange about 38 years and already 10 years in Thailand he sometimes started working 30 years before his birth or so. A VERY WEIRD STORY.
I read that his panic attacks started when his savings were running low. Maybe that's the reason and not the extension of the visa. If he goes to live in Thailand in his late 20s and maintain a girlfriend and after 10 years the money is gone and he has to go back to Belgium to earn money…
Sad story, he won't be the only one. Just goes to show that a plan B is necessary.
This is how debt problems arise in the Netherlands, just let it run its course, don't open the mail anymore, etc. And that's how it quickly goes downhill. Don't wish this on anyone, but for God's sake take action if a hopeless situation lies ahead. Don't let it trudge on before it's too late to straighten something out. Wish you the best and hopefully a solution….
Ls I think it's a strange story, panic attacks, I understand that, but if you are 2015 years old in 38 and have lived in Thailand for ten years, without any problem, you are deported from the country with Belgian help and become a bum and homeless in Belgium; but how did you live in Thailand? if that was from your savings, then you had a nice capital and that has now expired within 2 years ?? So I have serious doubts about this story.
In 2015, he was 38 years old and had been living in Thailand for 10 years. In 2016, he had been living off his savings for 2 years. Why doesn't this gentleman tell the whole story, for example what he did in the 8 years before to earn his money. And there are rules and only when you reach the age of 50 you can live "permanently" in Thailand unless you work there, for example. Every country, including Belgium and the Netherlands, does not just allow any person to live there, so why should Thailand do so. And also let him tell a little more about his family life or whatever so that the reader gets a better picture. So from me he can stay in Belgium with his age of 40 now. The panic attacks are perhaps a result of his actions, namely the willful violation of the rules of residence.
Such lovely people, so gentle! That Thai smile! And that beautiful culture, oh, oh, oh, how heartwarming!
There are adequate treatments for anxiety disorders, especially in Belgium and the Netherlands, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. This treatment can also be supported medicinally. The drugs are also available in Thailand. I don't dare comment on good psychiatric treatment.
There are some strange inconsistencies in the story as far as I'm concerned. He is 38 years old in 2015 and has lived in Thailand for 10 years. And does he say he has worked all his life? I don't think you're even halfway through your working life. Strange story and pretty unbelievable as far as I'm concerned.
This identical story appeared on Thaivisa a few weeks ago with a bit more detail than what I read here. A very important fact, which is missing here, is the age of that man. That man, as I could read on Thaivisa, is 37 years young. He has 'worked all his life' at his writing. Already lived in Thailand for 10 years, so since he was 27. His 'lifelong' work was therefore very short-lived when he was, for example, at the age of 18, which in Belgium was the age at which he could start working. That is. taken with the wet finger, a small 10 years. Isn't that a little rap to stop working and retire in an exotic country?
I wonder what this man wants? In Thailand there is no OCMW and in Belgium he cannot appeal to it. If that were possible, it would mean that this gentleman wants to live at the expense of the working and tax-paying compatriots, preferably in Thailand, close to his friends. Those who think this is 'normal' can let him live at their expense, even pay a ticket to return to Thailand after 3 years of exile. He can safely appeal to help in Belgium by admitting himself to a psychiatric institution where he may be able to get rid of his persecution mania by the Thai Immigration.
If you know that you have to abide by certain rules, you have to do that too. Working all your life is of course just to come off as pathetic because most people who work in Thailand have already had 40 years of service and the the complainant is not yet 40. Conclusion :: If you had followed the rules, there would have been no problem, just like with most expats. Threatening suicide is of course also a weak argument and certainly the Thai Immigration officials are there do not wake up .. How annoying it is for you, but you will have to pick up the thread yourself and go to work to be able to return to Thailand after the 3 years in question ,, good luck !!!
If you know that you have to abide by certain rules, you have to do that too. Working all your life is of course just to come off as pathetic because most people who work in Thailand have already had 40 years of service and the the complainant is not yet 40 ,Conclusion :: If you had followed the rules, just like most expats, there would have been no problem You now want to blame your own mistakes on someone else ….Threatening suicide is of course also a weak argument and certainly the Thai Immigration officials are not losing sleep over it .. No matter how annoying it is for you, but you will have to pick up the thread yourself and go back to work to be able to go back after the 3 years in question return to Thailand ,, success !!!
From March 1, there will be many pensioners who will be allowed to pack their suitcases. You must have more than 2200 euros in net pension within the foreseeable future. The Euro will fall anyway to the value of the Dollar being around 30 Baht.
Then it is not enough that you have 800.000 Baht in an account, but you are not even allowed to do what you want with it anymore.
I think most Thais are starting to feel like Monegasques. It is now becoming very clear that people here want to get rid of the long stayers. I think they are getting in the way of the Chinese and Indians.
I think that is a pity and not very grateful because in the end it is those people who have brought Thailand to where it is now.
But I hear the Philippines are eager to receive the Farangs from Thailand.
I think that is a pity and not very grateful because in the end it is those people who have brought Thailand to where it is now.
Tell Fred, what do you know that I don't know?
According to you, the Europeans have shaped Thailand into what it is today.
Give some examples because I don't see it.
I have been coming to Thailand since 1978. From 1978 to roughly 2012 I have not seen a single Chinese tourist or Indian here. Not even Russian. You apparently do?
This only concerns tourism, which ultimately formed the cradle of Thai prosperity.
And where do you think Thailand got its inspiration with regard to modernization and investments from WWII to about 10 years ago? At least not in India or Russia.
From 1978 to 2012 you did not see a Chinese, Indian or Russian tourist in the Netherlands. I like the statement that tourism is the cradle of Thai prosperity, but of course it makes no sense.
I have been in Thailand since 1979 and have of course also seen the developments and modernization, but to say that the “European tourist” has had a large share in this, NO!!!!!
Without knowing the ins and outs, I note that there will be reasons why the overstay has arisen. He went to Thailand before the age of thirty and at some point was probably unable to meet the requirements for further legal residence in Thailand or left it alone. Law-abiding is an elastic concept, but overstay cannot be reconciled with that in my opinion. As tragic as his life may be right now, I don't want to blame Thai immigration officials for that.
Dear Nicholas,
You must have been very well off to be able to move to Thailand at the age of 28!!
After working for a WHOLE life??
When you go to work after your compulsory education, that whole life has only been 10 years! Or am I calculating wrong?
And then forget about the fact that there is a 'visa requirement' in Thailand? You must have known that, right?
But you can still work for another 26 years until you receive your AOW from the state and then you can go 'expat' in Thailand.
Succes
Maybe stupid of me.
But it is still known especially if you stay in Thailand for so long
That your visa must be renewed every year
and every 90 days
My opinion: A DOKUS 1st CLASS
Hi Fred,
Your statement is only partially correct. I am retired and married to a Thai and as far as I know I must have a monthly income of 40.000 baht. If the baht is at a rate of 30 baht / 1 euro, then I should have a monthly net pension of 1333 euros. Since I now have 300 euros more net, I don't think I should worry, especially since when I emigrate to Thailand for good, this fall, my net pension will be even higher when I live with my wife, at the same address. Information regarding pension increase obtained from the pension service itself.
What about people who just live in Thailand, whether or not with a girlfriend, I can't comment on that with regard to their mandatory income. That's why I don't have to worry too much.
So the Philippines, that will be a trip for me and my wife for a while, nothing more. ;-))
Greetings Dre
Hello Dre, are you Belgian or Dutch? If you are Belgian, I assume that you have accrued a pension as a civil servant. I have accrued a pension in the construction industry as a skilled Floorer/Tegelplaatser, (45 years of service.) I am also married to a Thai Woman and we have a minor son from our marriage, he is now 14 yrs old, so I receive a family pension. My normal pension would be 1.230 euros, my family pension is 1.556 euros. They took child money because they no longer live in Belgium.! If I understand correctly, you already receive a Pension of 1.663 euros per month and if you start living together with your wife, another 300 euros on top. I assume that you also have a minor child, (or children.) or your Thai wife dependent, because otherwise you are not entitled to a family pension and nothing will change about your current pension income. Moreover, you can be very satisfied with a pension of 1.663 per month. Many pensioners who have worked in Belgium for 45 years have to make do with MUCH LESS!
Dear Herwin,
a 'family pension' as a civil servant does not exist in Belgium. A civil servant in Belgium always receives a single person's pension and yes, that is higher than a pension from the private sector. It is therefore called 'deferred wages'.
With regard to child allowance: since January 1, 2019, the law on this has changed completely and is no longer a federal matter but a regional matter. BEFORE this change, a child of a mixed Belgian parent with a foreign parent living abroad could indeed receive child benefit as living abroad. Just like in Belgium, proof had to be provided that the child received education on a regular basis. It WAS even the case that, if the beneficiary was already retired, a higher amount was paid for the child(ren), corresponding to the so-called 'orphan money', which was almost double the normal child money. I am not familiar with the new legislation and I do not intend to study this matter again.
Dear Lung Addie,
thank you for the information regarding a civil servant's retirement, again I learned a little bit more. With regard to the right to child benefit, I can inform you of the following. The last application for child benefit I submitted was only back in the month of March 2018, (the 3rd application since June 2015.) with special forms to be completed for children raised abroad, with proof of education, birth certificate , reason for stay and many other questions that had to be filled in. (After 3 times you already know what is involved.) This bundle of questions, (with code 52.) had to be sent to the FPS. and the Minister, (at that time still.) “VANDEURSEN” who had to decide on that and it was AGAIN, for the 3rd time, refused.! NO entitlement to child benefit because my wife and child reside in Thailand, for the European countries and with the exception of some additional countries, such as Turkey and Morocco, I don't remember all the other countries.! But NOT for Thailand.!! The pinnacle of all is that my wife and the child have Belgian Nationality, because she has lived in Belgium for 5 years (my son automatically because I am Belgian.) and my wife even WORKED in Belgium! At the beginning of October 2013 we traveled to Thailand, because her mother was ill and needed help, she could no longer be left alone. (Dementia.) I was already retired since June 01, 2013. From April 2014 we were no longer entitled to child benefits because the municipality had officially deregistered us from the population register, WITHOUT contacting us, their explanation was that we were not available. They had my mobile phone number and my email address in the Municipal Council, because they had registered our Thai marriage there for the marriage to be in order with Belgian law.! I found out that we were unsubscribed because I contacted the Pension Service, because my pension for the month of March had not been transferred to my bank account. They then informed me that they could not pay out the pension because I no longer had an official address in Belgium. I first had to register with the Belgian Embassy in Bangkok. I then had to return to Belgium in April of 2015 because of my health problems. I have been living back in Belgium since May 2015 and still do not receive child benefit.!! So I hope that from the changes on January 01, 2019, will come out in my favor, and then still be entitled to child benefit. This is a proof how the Belgians treat compatriots, Hatred and Jealousy towards their own Villagers is the cause of all the problems I have experienced in the last 5 years.!! Long live Belgium.!
Dear Herwin,
I hope this comment is not considered chatting as it is a bit off topic.
I completely understand your reaction and your administrative problems. Having worked for the Belgian government for many years (Ministry of Traffic, Aviation Communication) I can relate to it. Due to the Belgian state structure, the Belgian administration is a tangle that few people can get out of.
I know all too well the problems after moving abroad as I have been living in Thailand for years. A few years ago I wrote a series of articles for this blog: “Writing out a dossier for Belgians” which was never bundled as a dossier but can still be found on the blog. Now this file is outdated because I have not followed it up because of not bundling it. I then worked on it for about 6 months, with a lot of research and now ... yes, I'm not going to put in the effort anymore. However, I did not deal with the specific item 'child allowance' at the time … overlooked it?
In the meantime, the Child Allowance Department has become a regional domain. Whether this changes much from what used to be valid I don't know, as I wrote, I don't follow it anymore. You may be able to try again. It is quite possible that it is now easier to get through the tangle as it concerns a lot less people, due to federalization, and it therefore only applies to Flemish people and no longer to the entire country as it used to be. When it was still a federal item, certain political parties had to be satisfied and certain countries were favored. However, my fear is that, even now, with the new legislation of 1 Jan 2019, the result will be the same but you can try again. If you don't shoot, you never hit.
Greetings and good luck.
I also find it a very strange story. But there are people who have worked for 2 or 3 years. And call that their life.
Very strange story. You have to comply with the laws of the country. Otherwise there will be a sanction. Would they better apply here in Belgium or Europe, then we wouldn't have all those fortune hunters who want to enjoy our social security.