Reader Submission: Police Harassment, I'm fed up with Thailand
We all know that lately the Thai government is not making it easier for us, Thailandblog is full of it. new rules and then new rules again and then….. right, new rules!
I have been in Thailand for a long time, visited many places, but still feel most at home in Pattaya, which is maligned by many, which I know like the back of my hand.
Now I have a serious back problem so I can't stand up for long, I have to sit for a while. When I go out, I always first relax on the beach road, see the traffic passing by, have a chat with some people. That is a good start for me and just for the record, I am not someone who scours the Seven-Eleven shops with a bare upper body or Singa beer shirt to fill up. I spend every year plus minus 8.000 euros in 3 months. So count myself as a good contributor to the Thai economy.
Now it is the case that on the first part of the beach road, 3 or 4 years ago, things have changed completely. Very bright bright white halogen lighting 20.000 watts, beautiful old palm trees ripped out of the ground and all long benches removed. The latter was a minor disaster for me because now you can't sit anywhere for a while and then it's impossible to do with my back ailment. Yes, at the end of the first part there are 2 small wooden benches, but they are almost always occupied by Thai ladies.
Anyway, I thought I could solve the problem by buying a small fisherman's folding chair so that I can sit wherever it suits me, but this week I was summoned by two very angry looking police officers that that was not allowed. I was completely amazed and explained to them that I need that chair for my back. I even showed the scars on my back from a major operation, but to no avail. I quickly realized that it was pointless to go against this, closed my chair and wanted to continue, but that was not allowed because they wanted to take a picture of me first. Yes, people, you read that right: in the police photo and that is something different from the photo snapshot you take with your friends.
I have behaved neatly and correctly, I have cooperated fully, but this is really going too far for me. Intimidation like this reminds me of the time when I often went to East Germany during the time of the iron curtain. This was the familiar straw, although I just paid the new monthly rent (22.000 baht) for my Condo, I'm going to pack up and go to Vietnam. I no longer feel safe in Thailand and do not wish to be intimidated and humiliated I am not a criminal. I'm always respectful to anyone, so wish to be treated that way, but it's all starting to look a bit like a one-way street.
Many will think that I am seriously exaggerating after such a “fussy little incident” but it is a succession of many changes in recent years. It's been great, were it first the scammers and / or theft etc. that you had to watch out for, now the government is also starting to breathe down your neck. And yes they can do that but I'm afraid they won't get that 'quality tourist' who spends 300-400 dollars a day what they've been trying for 30 years in vain. What is the next step? Rollator or crutches prohibited?
But of course I will continue to follow the great Thailand blog.
Submitted by John
Do you regularly let us know how you are doing in Vietnam?
By the way, it might be a good idea to bring a rollator instead of a folding chair that you can also use as a chair if you need a break.
Right John, it doesn't get any nicer
The negative things in Thailand have surpassed the positive ones.
realist
Have a good trip to Vietnam.
Everything is much better there, right?
The grass is always greener on the neighbours. So john should go to cambodia first.
Or to the isaan there it is still pleasant 55555.
Just to be clear, because either I'm not with you or some others here, but you meant this to laugh I assume??
Then you have to explain to me what restrictions there are in the isaan? The largest shopping center in Thailand has just opened here or you should mean that it is not such a cauldron here as in pattaya and that the police even say hello to you here or that everything here is just a bit cheaper than in pattaya and I know how to go on. So tell me what that limitation means and I can take it into account.
Greetings Ben
Limits. No sea nearby and no one can handle that Isan talk. Or you should go to Surin, where they speak Khmer and that is even easier to learn and understand than Thai.
If you're talking about the sea in pattaya then I'm not missing anything at all. Because then I'd rather jump into my pool than between all that filth that floats in the sea.
Greetings Ben
I really don't have a short fuse because then I wouldn't last long in Thailand.
But always that condescending stuff about the isaan makes me a bit despondent. It is also usually the people who have never been around here who already have an opinion about it. And that opinion arose because they heard something from another pattaya goer in some bar in pattaya. I know here in Nakorn Ratchasima as well as buying everything you need as a foreigner. And I wouldn't want to be found dead in pattaya because that has nothing to do with Thailand anymore. But I do go there a few times a year because a few Dutch friends of mine live there for 1 or 2 days and then quickly back to korat or 1 week of kho samet. I must honestly say that when I first came to Thailand 25 years ago, and so in pattaya, I also thought this is heaven on earth. I didn't know much, I hadn't seen anything of the real Thailand yet of course. But for the rest I leave everyone as they are, and one thing I must admit when it comes to the choice of restaurants, then pattaya is a good place to enjoy because there you can find just about everything that is prepared in the world is becoming.
Greetings Ben
I already came to the same conclusion in 2006 and moved many of my business purchases outside of Thailand. At the point under the skytrain to Sukhumvit Soi1 77 (On Nut station) I got a ticket because the officer…”couldn't see my eyes behind the windshield of my motorcycle helmet”: THB 300 or take it to the station. So I went along and called a friend of mine… coincidentally head (sec-gen) DEP. That agent will never do this again, but it was also the final straw for me…
Unbelievable how they treat the farang a serious complaint is at issue here.
On the basis of your style, the content, and your argumentation, I am not inclined to take the umpteenth personal sourness about Thailand that someone writes down here (that is, yours) seriously.
In other words, I sincerely believe that the country is no longer pleasant to you and that you wish to stay away from it.
In that sense, I don't think you're exaggerating, although I think it always remains a bit of a subjective feeling...
One thing you say I do not find correctly expressed, although subjectively speaking it will be correct, and that is that Thailand would no longer be safe.
That to me is always a laughable criticism that I keep going up against.
Thailand remains an insanely safe country until further notice.
Another bad experience with a folding chair and a rigid policeman on Beach Road won't change that (for now).
Do you also think that if you overtake the police with more than 50 km on the beach road, or that with more than 3 beers, when you are arrested by the police, you will push him 500 thb in his hands and drive on cheerfully?
I also thought that's how it worked. Just put in some pocket money. Once I was in a taxi from Suvarnabhumi to Pattaya and the taxi was waved to the side of the road during a check. I don't speak Thai but definitely heard the driver cursing. Even before we came to a stop, he had taken 200 Baht out of his wallet, which was pressed into the hands of the officer with the routine learned at the toll gates, after which we continued driving without further discussion.
Sure, it shouldn't, but in a country that has long been known for being notoriously corrupt, you shouldn't be principled about this, otherwise you shouldn't come.
The driver only cleared up when he got a 200 Baht tip.
Am I in on it? Am I helping it? I have no illusions that I can change it. It was so and it is so. But if you can't handle that, you should leave the first time and don't complain for years that it's so terrible.
Quote:
"Sure, it shouldn't, but in a country that has long been known to be notoriously corrupt, you shouldn't be principled about this, otherwise you shouldn't come."
Dear French,
You will come here and that means that you are not principled about corruption and all other abuses in that beautiful country. (And I mean the latter).
You shrug your shoulders, you wave it away, it doesn't bother you, don't make it difficult, just look the other way and don't complain.
Corruption, underage girls forced into prostitution, conscripts beaten to death, and so on: not doing it again on principle is part of Thailand. Always been like that. We can't help it.
I think that's a cowardly attitude. I have more respect for people who are principled, in word and deed. Many Thais have therefore fled the country, others have gone into hiding, some have been murdered. I respect that and so do a number of foreigners who this happened to.
It's about being principled. You have to. Whether you then avoid this country, disappear immediately or leave it later, is of less importance to me.
Fairly simplistic black and white reasoning, corruption and abuse of power occurs in almost every country, it is a sliding scale and not absolute.
In the Netherlands there are also corrupt politicians and corrupt entrepreneurs, women are forced into prostitution, illegal employees are hired, etc.
Of course you can adopt a Don Quixote attitude and set an example as a loner, whether much changes outside of the symbolism of observed abuses I leave to the reader.
If you are wrongly stopped, mistreated by the police, pick up your phone and say you're going to call your lawyer.
It is better to say that in Thai, because apart from the words “paspor” and “dlivinglizens” there is little English that is used.
Hello John,
how sad when I read this, I also have serious concerns in Thailand, only my wife who lives with me in Holland naturally wants to visit the family every year.
But if I'm honest I also have a better feeling about Vietnam, I've already been there a few and I really like it
Dear John,
I don't think you're exaggerating, I've also been in Thailand for a very long time. But roughly the last 8 to 10 years, the behavior of the Thai has become increasingly rude. I'm not talking about the ordinary man or woman in the street. But especially the Thais working in the service industry are guilty of this. They often get angry even if it turns out that you speak their language fairly well. People in public transport and hotels are also guilty of rude behavior. going to name examples, but if I read your story like this, it will probably also be an accumulation of several facts to make you come to this decision.
Nowadays I have been letting my Thai girlfriend come to the Netherlands for 3 months each time for a number of years. She herself says that the climate in Thailand - and I am not talking about the weather - has become much more unfriendly for the "farang"
Dear Harry,
Could it also be that the behavior of most tourists has become a lot ruder in the last 10 years and that the Thai people are reacting to this.
Who bounces can expect the ball.
Dear Mark,
I don't know what the behavior of most tourists is like. Because I very rarely had contact with them during my stay in Thailand. In fact, my Thai partner at the time even accused me of never contacting other farang. not really so much in the tourist places, by the way.
But you could very well be right.
I don't know if it's 'us', but lately there have been a lot of negative reports about 'bad foreigners' who usually stay here illegally and things happen quite often. I don't think that makes us more popular in general either. Here in the countryside (Chaiyaphum district) I do not experience that people treat me more negatively or rudely, but that they are very friendly and obliging and very interested in getting to know you. Maybe it's because I speak Thai? I do find the behavior of Thai in traffic and generally becoming more antisocial (more clumsy) but where does it not change. What has become of the Netherlands and the happy stay of Dutch people in their own country in the 25 years that I no longer live there?? Long live Thailand and the Thai.
Go to…. Vietnam..
A wise decision, although Vietnam is completely different from Thailand.
Minimum wage is €100 in rural area…
And the police are just as corrupt… get the 200.000Vnd notes ready…
You won't see them much though.
The people are very friendly and very tolerant.
Price level for everything is very low.
If you go there, take into account TeT (Chinese New Year) because then everyone is with family and trains, buses, hotels are fully booked.
You have to choose the climate from North to South by a good 10 degrees.
It is not easy with the language, think that only 5% speak English, also of the young generation.
It is positive that people here do not (yet) know the so-called farang culture.
Visas 1-3 months, easily and cheaply available via the internet.
Hi John,
Really ridiculous that the police don't allow you to sit on a chair that you bring yourself.
It shouldn't get crazier in Thailand. I wonder what law applies to this in Thailand. If there is a law that prohibits tourists from sitting on their own chair. I understand your huge frustration. Police officers in Thailand are generally quite gruff (and corrupt). For the same money you might have been fined because of that seat. I remember very well that article that a room where expats were playing bridge was raided. I believe 20 or more police were involved in the raid. 6000 bath fine per person, because too many card games were in circulation in 1 room??? A very strange law of course and filling pockets for the police. I myself was once photographed by the military, because I was drinking a beer in a bar on Walking Street after closing time. Everyone posed for a photo. I then took out my camera myself and also took some pictures of the soldiers. One of the soldiers came to me angrily: Why you take pictures? My answer was: I love the Thai Armee. You take pictures of farang, I think you love farangs, same,same. He had no answer to that and still walked away angry. No, it doesn't get any nicer in Thailand because of this kind of weird stuff. Hans
Maybe it was on a Wednesday. Then you were indeed not allowed to bring chairs to the Beach.
I wonder if this incident is worth moving
It must have been the last drop in the bucket for you.
I don't know your other drops that made you decide this decision.
It sounds more like a flight to me.
It has not so much to do with the country of Thailand
Vietnam will also run into strange things.
It's how you look at strange practices, which undoubtedly exist.
Smile when the photo is taken, shrug your shoulders
and walk through.
But it's easy to talk, I don't have a bucket, but a whole swimming pool that overflows
I am 100 years old
Try to look at the positive things around you, good food, a smile, nice weather.
The Pattaya police are also having a hard time, but of course there is no reason to treat you like this.
Personally I don't find Pattaya friendly, I like to go there for a wild weekend but I'm always happy when I'm back in Bangkok. Staff often see farang as scum in Pattaya and many move through Pattaya that way.
I would like to know what all those new rules are. I have been living in Thailand for almost ten years now. Report to immigration every three months and an extension of stay once a year. Other than that I don't notice any new rules. Corrupt cops will always keep you here.
Motorbike rental same story. The police stop you almost every day in Pattaya, I no longer rent a motorbike during my holiday in Pattaya. It's really getting less and less, but for now I'll keep going.
You really just have to adjust to the daily happening in Pattaya with things where you cannot come into contact with the police. As a farang you are just regularly turning 🙂 😉
Mister mister…driving license…i not have…tjaaaa PAY
If you do have a driving license…then they have something else to say that is not good or no good.
fr. greeting,
Henk
I think that from above in Thailand they are not happy with your story, bad for tourism. There are still too many police people walking around with many faces or who only target the tourists. I also see at police control, where the taxi motor bike should never stop, here I mean passion vulture without a helmet, you have to cross the street at lights a real disaster, As long as there is no good policy at the police, that will all continue to exist like so many other things, for example filth, they don't address the starting point, that's the problem.
Aren't all these mentioned experiences limited to Pattaya? I don't notice that in the Isaan. Maybe the people outside Pattaya also have something to say?
Yes, I see in the middle of the Isan. Lost bank account last week. First report to the police, then a new booklet. I took my neighbor to the police station because she speaks better Isaan than I do. On the way she says, reporting costs 100 baht because I also paid that a few months ago. Arrived there and reported missing. I say, are there any costs involved? Policeman says, 20 baht. I laughed outside and all the way back the neighbor was indignant. So the Thai does not pay more than the Farang.
Last rule must be natural, so here the Thai pays more than the Farang.
I have been living in Trat for 10 years. I do think that there is a hardening, but you can also see it as westernization. Everything is gradually becoming more businesslike, there is less and less to arrange with a smile, money is tight and people are much grumpier.
Police and army control is getting tighter, I feel like people can't really speak freely anymore (my wife often tells me to keep my mouth shut, for example) And of course, the pathetic stuff with the police, they've known me for 10 years, but every times (2/3 times a week!!) there are checks at fixed places and every time the same agent asks me for my “dliving lizence”. I then show him an ANWB international driving license (which has already expired 5 years ago). Once I asked him why he stopped me several times a week. His answer: “one day you follow dliving lizence!”.
Sorry, I had to laugh at that last sentence. I have been married to a Thai for several years now. Before that I had a long relationship with a Vietnamese. I came to Vietnam regularly fifteen years ago, lived in Vung Tau for a while (very much Russian because of the oil industry) but believe me everyone was corrupt too ie as a farang I had to pay extra everywhere to get something done and the people are friendly because they don't understand you when you ask something. They just don't understand you. That is the misconception that the Westerner makes every time. The laughter has nothing to do with kindness but a kind of shame. Then you had indeed much less farang. Even in certain areas of HCM you hardly encountered farang. Personally I think Thailand is more accessible for the farang but I could be wrong. It's a good life everywhere if you have an income, without having to work, that is many times higher than the average wage 🙂
I would file a formal complaint with the Thai government with a proper letter. If people in BKK assess the matter correctly, then you should expect an apology.
(Note: I don't think Vietnam is better than Thailand in this regard.)
Interesting story….
The grass is always greener on the other side!
Good luck in dog-eating Vietnam and would like to hear if that fits the picture
I used to come to Pattaya a lot but once after the Isaan.
there is the real Thailand and a lot of nature
we are not bothered by the 100% farang increase in the restaurant and certainly not by corrupt police.
things will happen that are not acceptable, but certainly not like in the tourist places such as Pattaya Pukket and Bangkok.
my advice look for the real Thailand and you can enjoy the Thai culture for a long time where you will hardly be cheated.
otherwise good luck in Vietnam where it will be no different in the tourist sector.
we are and will remain a walking ATM machine for them
Given the increasing number of foreigners who use Thailand not only for holiday purposes (but for illegal and criminal purposes), I have no problem with more checks being carried out. I have my doubts whether all this is done so efficiently. I have been living here for almost 10 years now and have been checked by the police exactly once, right after the Erawan bomb attack. So it fits very well.
I wouldn't be surprised if the foreigners who complain about these checks in Thailand agree that foreigners in the Netherlands are checked more strictly, if not removed from the country.
Completely understandable. My wife and I had checked it out mid 2016 after so many very unpleasant experiences with Thai (government) institutions. Apart from all known changes, as a Western foreigner we no longer felt welcome in the country where I worked hard, where we contributed a lot to the economy and nevertheless endured for 22 years. But enough was enough. Have fun in Vietnam!
Too bad it has to be like this, this way they scare away the tourists
it is and remains a “third world country”.
Learn to live with it or don't go there. No one is obliged to go to Thailand.
As soon as I get annoyed I won't go there anymore, but East, West..... The Netherlands is not everything either.
Wonder where it stops in Thailand. Have a good trip to Vietnam, is it really much better there?
Life won't be like Pattaya I guess.
Better or worse…
Apples and pears taste different.
What Pattaya has to offer you will not find anywhere is unique.
You will have to make it “fun” yourself.
And for Vietnam, “the family” is always part of it, it has to be because there is no concern whatsoever.
Quite right ……Thailand has just become a very very degenerating country. Now another new fact. A number of people in my area have already left for Vietnam, the Philippines and Cambodia. Every now and then you read some positive stories or stories that trivialize the rotten mentality of the Thai, but of which the writer knows better. Unfortunately I own a condo and I can't sell it to the paving stones for a reasonable price at the moment, because there are simply no more customers for it as there were a few years ago. But I'm considering dropping a million THB in hopes of packing my bags too.
What condo is it and how much does it cost after deducting that million?
I will not accuse you of pettiness, what is nothing to one person may be insurmountable to another. Assume that the officer wanted to take a picture with his mobile phone, but for what purpose? Yesterday I read in the newspaper that the group of 9 foreign youths in Cambodia, accused of playing a pornographic game even though everyone was clothed, would be extorted by the government for the sum of $40.000. About Vietnam I have also read stories about extortion with considerable amounts. You yourself write that it is an accumulation of a number of things that make you decide to turn your back on Thailand. Rules are being changed worldwide, which new rules in Thailand would be detrimental to you as a hibernator is a mystery to me. Nor can I imagine what scam you would suffer from. With your back ailment you will not rent water skis anyway and with your knowledge of Pattaya you will not be fooled by a Bathtaxi or the like. All in all, for an outsider a rigorous decision to pack your bags, a loss of so Accepting 20.000 Bath and traveling to Vietnam with no guarantees that you will not be faced with unpleasant surprises there, and all that in fact because of 2 grumpy police officers, with whom you would probably never come into contact again. I wish you luck!
Don't be afraid of the police here.
If you don't agree, just let it go for a while.
A while ago I had my wrong driver's license with me, motorcycle and was in the pickup.
I was arrested during a check not far from where I live .
They started to whine, my Thai spouse stayed behind waiting I drove back to my house and took my car driver's license including passport, yellow house booklet and the whole bups with me just to be sure.
Once back at the checkpoint , she was now white with anger , she explained to them that they should do something better about those schoolkids roaring around .
Before and after school , but then I do not see you checking .
OK OK OK they sided , and off I went again .
If you are scared like a weasel , they will get you for sure .
Now you will say Jan you were wrong you had your wrong driver's license with you.
It is true , but the way it went lit my fuse .
In addition, I saw a photo song in my mobile phone of the valid passenger car driver's license
Jan Beute.
It's nice that you can drive home and back with your pick-up while you don't have a valid driver's license with you at that time, what a beautiful country it is.
Greetings Ben
Moderator: Please keep the discussion to Thailand.
Cases like this also happen in other (Western) countries. You may have even been arrested.
Police officers offer 1000.000.- Thb to go to work in Pattaya…because they can collect 10 times that because of their corrupt practices against farangs….this is nothing new. But it messes things up. There are statistics that indicate how many (farangs) leave Thailand…you would be surprised…
Hello Yan,
Show me one statistic that shows this please?
Best regards. Bz
I'm leaving too. I am now in the Netherlands to arrange things here. My reason for leaving is mainly two reasons.
The first reason is the lack of good and affordable health insurance in Thailand for me. Health insurance costs skyrocket when you're over 70 years old.
The second reason is that it is becoming increasingly difficult in Thailand to have a good time as a retired foreigner. Immigration in Chiang Mai sees you as half a criminal, does everything to make it as difficult as possible for you. In desperation I have used a visa agency for the last three years. That will cost me a few cents, but I am rid of that whore.
Around me I see that pensioners have about the same problems. With health insurance and with government agencies.
I lived in Thailand for over 12 years and with pleasure. But that pleasure gradually diminished.
In mid-May/June, I will close the Thai door behind me for good.
Of course I respect your decision, but the first reason, the high costs of health insurance, can hardly be blamed on a Thai institution or on a change compared to the past in Thailand. This is of course due to the way in which the Dutch government has decided who is and who is not covered by health insurance and the implemented price increase of Dutch and international insurers. That the price of health insurance in Thailand has a share in your decision is understandable, but you can't blame anyone else for that.
As you know, Printen, I will be leaving in the not too distant future -and after 16+ years here- to a country in the EU. For health insurance; because the NL politics took away my health insurance on 1-1-2006 after accepting the Health Insurance Act of Minister Hans Hoogervorst.
But that's the only reason; Fortunately, there are places in Thailand where no authority bothers you or wants to see a back pocket filled.
Dear Erik,
In an EU country, you do have to pay the statutory healthcare premium to the Netherlands and you can go to a state healthcare provider for the healthcare. As a result, many Dutch citizens have already returned to the Netherlands from an EU country.
Hop to the Philippines. Of the expats who have left there, I don't know any who want to go back to Thailand.
Oh but that can turn around soon!!!
Living together in the Philippines is much less peaceful than in Thailand.
If you have some money you risk kidnapping, if you have a big mouth and speak your mind you will beg to deal with the Pattaya police, and I'm afraid to say that a dispute with the average Malaysian Filipino in the street is often less peaceful than with the Buddhist Thai (in other words, they are a lot more aggressive there in the Philippines than in Thailand).
So those who choose the Philippines to flee the reprehensible Thailand for the sharp edges of this country, make a choice between cholera and the plague.
Success!
Philippines is more corrupt and more dangerous! I can tell you many stories (heard there on the spot) of cheating and murdered foreigners.
I've been coming to Thailand for years and go for the real Thailand, I don't think Pattaya has anything to do with "the real Thailand".
Anyway I've never been there, in Pattaya, it doesn't sound really attractive with all the crime and negativity I read here.
I may be a different target group, I don't go to the Gogo bars and maybe that is precisely the reason why the police make life miserable for this group in particular.
No idea and completely downplayed.
But if you just visit the beautiful places as a tourist, eat with the locals and behave properly, you will never be bothered by any police nuisance, just like me.
But maybe I'm lucky....
Now on Koh Lanta and I think I saw a police car once.
One thing is certain, in Vietnam you will need your money just as much to keep the police friendly, I think, just like many countries in Asia, it is part of the culture and the political situation.
In Korea you get almost 1 on 1 guidance as soon as you leave the airport.
yes, a lot has changed and it also comes across as boring and annoying to me, now look at the beach, you can no longer put your chair where you want, you have to stay within the lines, you are no longer allowed to smoke on the beach (I myself smoke not ) but is also boring for those who do smoke , Wednesday and Thursday beach closed etc
greetings jacky
I completely agree with you, it seems that Thailand is participating in the World Cup tourist / expat bullying. I'm glad I made a different choice.
I understand the police. It is a public road and a man with a chair blocks the passage for others.
Vietnam is a different story, would go for Cambodia first. I have experience with both and come monthly to both neighboring countries where I find it a lot less pleasant to stay than in Thailand.
Pattaya scenes are sufficient in Cambodian coastal towns in Vietnam that is slightly less and is also less tolerated
Good luck
But a rollator is a better solution
Things are going better in Thailand and people want to get rid of the foreign, Western influence. I think it's coming to an end for the westerner here. First we were tolerated because we brought money, now there are Asians who do that, Chinese, Koreans, Japanese and they fit better here. Don't forget we white noses don't belong here. The same happens in the west because Asians are not accepted there either. That is not discrimination but the protection of one's own culture. See what is happening in Germany and the difficulties / requirements that are made of Thai in NL!
In other words, what we have 'bought' here with our money is slowly coming to an end. Just go somewhere else where it is more expensive (!). I see another drama emerging where the poorer Westerners will have to go whose visa will soon not be extended!
And Vietnam or Cambodia is not a solution because the same thing will happen there.
This is not a negative story, but is simply related to the development in Asia, which is simply beyond the West's aim.
Main export partners
United States 11.2%
China 11.1%
European Union 10.3%
Japan 9.4%
Hong Kong 5.5%
Other 52.5% (2015)[15]
DI INFLOWS BY COUNTRY AND INDUSTRY
Main Investing Countries 2016, in %
Japan 22.2
The Netherlands 8.0
USA 7.0
Singapore 486066
Cayman Islands 4.7
Hong Kong 2.4
Malaysian 2.3
Taiwan 2.2
Switzerland 0.9
So it's not too bad Aad and make no mistake, you don't just withdraw an investment!!!!
“(…) and the difficulties/demands that are made of Thai in NL!”
Dear Adam,
The Netherlands makes no distinction between Asians, Africans and others. The requirements for coming to the Netherlands are the same for everyone.
What a nonsense, full of incorrect information. The largest intake of refugees in Europe takes place in Germany, just to name a few. Japan's economy, No. 3 in the world, has been in decline for 20 years and with population aging and a sharp decline, this is only going to get worse. The same will apply in the future to China and Thailand. The growth rates of Thailand's economy are percentages lower than other countries in Asia. As Jacob already writes, the influence of the West is decisive and then you can count Japan as a Western country because they don't like China either, and then I express myself politely.
Many may have moved or still want to move to neighboring countries in Asia, but first inquire if you already have state pension what this affects. If this is not a treaty country, your state pension can be reduced on the basis of living in that country where you live, law Beu export benefits.
Just look;
https://nedmig.home.xs4all.nl/remigratiewet/expuitkeringen/wetbeu.html
Roel, that has nothing to do with the cost of living, but everything with the control over the way of living: living alone or living together.
See this link: https://www.svb.nl/int/nl/aow/wonen_buiten_nederland/beu/index.jsp
Enter the country and you will see the maximum benefit amount.
Summary law BEU
Summary
Whether benefit claimants run the risk of losing their benefits therefore differs per destination country:
The EU/EEA treaties provide sufficient control options, so that there are no consequences for exports within Europe (with the exception of the Wajong Act and, in due course, the Supplementary Benefits Act).
The enforcement agreements with the treaty countries (e.g. Morocco, Turkey) have in most cases been completed, but have yet to enter into force.
If you leave for a non-treaty country (for example Suriname or South Africa), you will lose your benefit. Those who already live in a non-treaty country on the date on which the law enters into force will retain their benefits until 1 January 2003. An important exception to this is the state pension, which will remain partially exportable. There are, however, consequences for single AOW pensioners and for AOW pensioners with a younger partner. The government has promised to start negotiations with Suriname as a matter of urgency.
For Cambodia for AOW eg 50% of the benefit.
This is indeed an important note.
Only: the last change of these documents was 2005.
https://nedmig.home.xs4all.nl/remigratiewet/expuitkeringen/
Eric, you are wrong. It is also important whether you are single or with a partner, but if you do not live in a country with which the Netherlands has an agreement, you can be reduced.