Expat interest in politics in Thailand

I will never vote again in my country as it is going down the tube and will in due course be like zimbabwe sad but true and it is too much of a schlep to go to the Embassy to register and then again to vote
In Thailand I do not get involved in politics and just keep my opinion to myself
I am a guest in their country and they have the right to run it the way the want to.
I have had a wonderful live the last 6 years in Thailand and hope to remain here for the rest of my life in peace and quiet

I can vote for my home countrys German general election and EU.
Even if I live in Thailand, I still be impacted by my pension with my origin country.
So, I want also decide about the social pakts and for what else in the world my Government spend the money around.
For Thailand I would not request to can vote, but I would like to see maybe more interest from the Thai Government to maybe foreign representative groups if new law or rule have impact to foreigners. So, many confusion like the actual TM30 discussion or differend visa rules could be clarified before it become valid.

As a guest in this lovely but complex country , I prefer to distance myself from
"meddling" in their "Internal Matter" .....
either accept the situatuation and live with it .....
or find another country that's more to your liking . 
Definitely NO COMMENTS on ROYAL matters .....
Just a personal opinion - no further discussions needed or expected .
kg1947.

I can vote in my home country by postalvote or by getting someone.I trust to vote by proxy for me. In Thailand, I would normally say, I'm guest  and what they do is their business,but soe of the new regulations ,I think, have not been properly thought through and are going to cause many problems to  Expats and hotles , resorts, guest houses  and for the owners of rental properties.
I think  there are cases when expats need, as a group to voice their opinion,but with respect, always with respect.
I love thailand and its people. and I would not want  to go back to the UK to live

As a general rule of thumb, I would strongly recommend that expats do not get involved in politics in Asia. unless you are an activist and prepared to accept the consequences. Many governments prohibit or at the very least frown upon it and and the result could mean being kicked out of the country and losing that great location and package that you were on.

I have found the less the people know about you the less problems you have
I have just been to obtain a re-entry Visa and all I can say is that I have just had excellent treatment and service from my Immigration  office I have been using for 6  years
My partner and I have been on two occasions to take a TM30 after I have returned from an overseas trip and both times the Immigration officer informed us that he is not interested in it and if we do not move house they do not want any TM30
It also clearly states if you are far from an office you can go to the local police to submit the  form.
Our local Police informed my partners brother they are not interested they know about the Farang in the village
BUT when I go to the Immigration office I always dress decently and smile and joke and sympathise with them about the amount of work they have

I am from Denmark and if one have a Permanent Address outside EU, We lose the right to vote.
There is all so something about living inside EU but travel outside more the 180 (i think it is) days in a year, And one lose the right to vote.

But if one can vote and is in Thailand at the time, It is very easy to vote.
A trip to the Danish Embassy and Vote, It is that simple..

I love here in Thailand before the Military take the power, Everywhere Thai talk politics.
But now, None does. I think it is a shame..

I do think that Thailand politic is for Thai to find out what to do when Thai are ready for the change, It is going to come.

But my Thai familie and near Thai friends talk a lot of politic, And Thai like to know how thing is done in my Country, And all so want to know what i think about this or that here in Thailand.
I think it is a good thing to talk politic as i have learn a lot of Thailand and how many Thai look at things going on here. 

Kindly.

I suppose I'm not technically an 'expat', as my Thai wife and I are residents of the USA 6 months or more each year, and only in Thailand 3-4 months a year. I would guess there are many like us.

Our ties to my Thai wife's family are strong, and we plan to continue to split our time like this for many years. I hope to become fluent in Thai as time goes by. My wife plans to keep her Thai citizenship. We are building a home here in Isaan.

I vote in the USA each year. I am interested in Thai politics and the welfare of the Thai nation, but as a guest, I do not intend to get involved in local affairs.

That said, I do have a few opinions about how Thailand might treat its farang husbands better, in a win-win way. Some of the recent changes in rules appear to be aimed at correcting problems with irresponsible expats living here, but may end up hurting other, more responsible people.

A more nuanced visa approach could benefit both wives with farang husbands and Thailand's economy also. Simplifying and extending visas to 90 days or more for farangs married to Thai would encourage them to spend more months each year in Thailand, spending more money here and helping the economy, especially in areas like Isaan. The current visa categories do not really give couples like us good choices.

The recent health insurance rule is well-meaning, but should have exceptions available where appropriate. I have excellent health insurance, and have no need for additional insurance in Thailand. As I keep 400,000 THB on permanent deposit with Bangkok Bank, that could be used as security that I not run up health expenses and not pay them. Alternatively, those owing such expenses could be denied departure until paid. Being required to spend $2,000 to $4,000 USD a year for useless insurance may lead me to spend fewer months here to avoid that. That would result in less income to local businesses.

In short, I think it would benefit Thailand to have a visa policy that encourages farangs to both marry their Thai sweethearts, and to come and go freely to fulfill traditional family obligations rather than be forced to leave Thailand entirely to avoid onerous costs and requirements.