I was at Samut Prakan Immigration earlier today to submit my documents to renew my visa. It is an annual event that I have been going through for the last 16 years. It is hard to believe that I have been in Samut Prakan for so long. But maybe for not much longer.
Today the immigration officer informed me that as my company hasn’t been making enough money then he wouldn’t be able to renew my visa. He was sympathetic showing me the regulations. It is not his fault. His hands are tied.
The main problem we have been facing is the fallout affect from the world recession and a bad exchange rate. In addition, in order to get a work permit, my company had to pay me a minimum of 50,000 baht per month. It was all too much and it looks like I will have to leave Thailand. I am not sure what I will do yet.
- Posted from my iPhone
better than KFC and McDonalds lol but the name...
Tony Hedges
17/03/2010 at 10:36 pm
Surely having been in the country for that length of time you could apply for citizenship?
wisekwai
17/03/2010 at 10:50 pm
I’ve faced that officer’s chair too, though not under as dire circumstances as you’re facing here.
I hope you’ll find a solution to this problem, be it a different business-visa scheme, an M visa or working through a different office to obtain permission to stay in Thailand.
rageltjie
17/03/2010 at 11:25 pm
You are not allowed to leave Thailand. Everybody knows that. I know the gods will smile upon you soon.
)
Choua
18/03/2010 at 11:00 am
Richard!! I am so sorry to hear that, I can’t believe it! I will call you soon! Please keep me updated!!!
-Choua
Nokky
18/03/2010 at 6:30 pm
Khun Richard !
I’m also sorry to hear that. You’re a very nice farang in Thailand that I know. I’ll pray for your lucky kha.
Richard Barrow
19/03/2010 at 8:13 pm
Thanks for all your comments. And on Twitter too. I have a number of different options to sort this out which I am exploring now. I will let you know in a future moblog here.
Lauren
19/05/2010 at 4:27 am
Nooooooooooooo
I’ll be praying for you
-Lauren