Expat Insider 2023 Survey Reveals: The Best & Worst Destinations for Living and Working Abroad, Thailand is 6th

 Thailand

InterNations, the world’s largest expat community with more than 4.8 million members, has published the latest results of its annual Expat Insider survey. This year also marks the survey’s 10th anniversary. With more than 12,000 respondents, Expat Insider is one of the most extensive surveys about living and working abroad. It provides insights into expat life in 53 destinations, offering in-depth information on the respondents’ satisfaction with their respective countries in these five indices: Quality of Life, Ease of Settling In, Working Abroad, Personal Finance, and the Expat Essentials Index.

Expats Enjoy an Affordable Life in Thailand 

Thailand ranks 6th out of 53 destinations in the Expat Insider 2023 survey. Cost-conscious ex-pats appreciate Thailand for its readily available and affordable housing (1st), as well as the affordable lifestyle it generally offers. The country ranks 4th in the Personal Finance Index. However, there is still room for improvement regarding Work Culture & Satisfaction (46th) and Safety & Security (45th). All in all, 86% say they are happy with their life in Thailand, compared to a global average of 72%. 

The Best & Worst Destinations for Expats in 2023

Out of 53 destinations in the Expat Insider 2023 survey, Mexico (1st), Spain, Panama, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Bahrain, and Portugal (10th) are the best places for expats in 2023. On the other hand, expats consider Kuwait (53rd), Norway, Türkiye, South Korea, Germany, South Africa, Italy, Malta, New Zealand, and Japan (44th) as the worst destinations for expats.

Source - Pattaya News

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Thailand offers amnesty to ‘little ghosts’ in South Korea

The Thai government calls for all Thais working illegally in South Korea – known as ‘little ghosts‘ – to return to Thailand before February 28.

Any little ghost who does not return to Thailand before this date will face a 30 million won fine (800,000 baht), warned the government.

Today, government spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek revealed that the South Korean Immigration Office reported that 100,000 Thai people are currently working illegally in South Korea.

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs would therefore like to inform any Thais who illegally entered Korea that they can escape punishment if they return to Thailand before February 28.

Little ghosts will be exempt from the 800,000 baht fine so long as they return before the month’s end and report their planned return to Thailand either at an immigration office in South Korea or online at www.hikorea.go.kr.

To report, the little ghost must provide supporting documents, namely their passport and evidence of purchased plane tickets to Thailand.

Little ghosts who do not return to Thailand, or those that don’t report their return, will not only face a hefty fine but will face trouble entering South Korea in the future, warned the spokesperson.

Ratchada said Thai people are welcome to work in South Korea but must do so legally via the Department of Employment.

Thais should not fall for scams of people offering illegal work in South Korea. Little Ghosts do not have basic welfare rights, are not covered by insurance, are often taken advantage of with low wages and have to live in fear of being found out by the authorities.

The government’s announcement comes just days after a Thai family pleaded for help for their relative, a little ghost, who fell into a coma in South Korea after undergoing urgent surgery for a brain haemorrhage.

The family are doing everything they can to have Narong – who remains unconscious – returned to Thailand.

Narong’s mother Buarat says she knows the medical bills in South Korea will be high and the family is stuck because they don’t have much money.

The family decided to publicise their story through the media to warn others against working illegally abroad in case they fall ill and need help.

Source - The Thaiger

Travelers Warned Not to Bring Fresh Fruits into Thailand

With the resumption of international travel, many Thais have been heading abroad and returning with fresh fruits or vegetables in their possession.
The Department of Agriculture is now warning travelers not to bring fresh produce into Thailand without acquiring import permits.

Thai travelers who return from Korea and Japan frequently bring with them fresh fruits that were purchased abroad. Persimmons and grapes are some of the fruits that customs officials frequently find in the possession of Thais returning from those countries.

The Department of Agriculture indicated that bringing in fresh fruits without declaring them and without permits is illegal under the 1964 Plant Quarantine Act. If found on travelers or among their belongings, officials will seize the goods and may issue penalties that can include fines or prison terms.

The Department of Agriculture has said that it will ask Airports of Thailand to raise more awareness on this matter.

The plant quarantine station at Suvarnabhumi Airport regularly seizes fresh fruits from travelers returning to Thailand and generally issues a verbal warning before releasing the travelers responsible.

Nevertheless, under the law, failure to comply with these requirements can incur a fine of up to 20,000 baht and/or up to 1 year in prison.

Source - Bangkok Jack

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