FOREIGNERS DESERVE BETTER
The letter posted by SL Bangsai unfortunately only illustrates the tip of the iceberg. The reason why foreigners over 60 years of age living in Thailand should not receive the same BTS fare conditions as Thai nationals over 60, is a complete mystery.
The problem is, that the various Thai administrations for the past 20-30 years have rejected to accept and appreciate, that a large number of foreigners live and work in Thailand and have made it their home. They pay taxes, buy homes, many have a Thai spouse and some have children with Thai citizenship who go to local schools and will grow up here.
The official Thailand still believes that foreigners in Thailand are mostly tourists passing through or retired senior citizens and the discrimination of foreigners goes beyond the BTS case. You can live in Thailand for 25 years, pay tax every month on time, pay social security contributions, not receive any public welfare, never break the law and still — every year — have to endure a pointless and time-wasting procedure to renew your visa and work permit.
The procedure has not changed for the past 20-25 years. In many countries, a foreigner with that record has the same rights as nationals of that particular country. Except of course for the right to vote in general elections, join the army, play on national sports teams and a few more probably. To avoid any misunderstandings let me here emphasise, that I am not talking about obtaining Thai citizenship. That is a different matter.
Some might say: Get a permanent residence permit — a so called PR. The fact is, that you do not get that. You have to buy it and you still have to report your whereabouts and renew it. In other words, it is not so permanent. And it does not entitle you to work.
Others might say: If you do not like it here, you should go back home. That would be difficult — as I consider myself at home already.
Immigrants are a benefit to Thailand as to any other country and the administration should move forward in order to change the attitude and put pressure on companies like the BTS.
JB