In US ally Thailand, emotions of betrayal after Trump’s visa freeze

[ad_1] Bangkok, Thailand – For Thai nationwide Khaochat Mankong, 2026 was meant to be the largest yr of her life.

After submitting the mandatory paperwork with the USA embassy in Bangkok, Khaochat, 27, was poised to begin a brand new life together with her American husband in California.

Advisable Tales listing of 4 gadgets finish of listing Final week, Khaochat watched these plans evaporate right away as US President Donald Trump’s administration introduced an indefinite pause on the processing of immigrant visa functions from 75 international locations, together with Thailand.

The US Division of State stated it had suspended functions for the targetted international locations as a result of their migrants claimed welfare advantages at “unacceptable charges”.

“I’m shocked; I by no means thought they might intrude with everlasting visas or marriage visas,” Khaochat, an English tutor in Bangkok, instructed Al Jazeera.

“However now every thing needs to be paused for who is aware of what number of years.”

Khaochat stated she had hoped to lift a household within the US and had no intention of claiming any welfare advantages.

“In the event that they wish to display screen folks, then take a look at language means, verify monetary accounts,” she stated. “I've the language abilities, I've cash. Why ought to I be blocked from dwelling with the particular person I like?”

The Chao Phraya River and metropolis skyline are seen in Bangkok, Thailand, on Might 17, 2024 [File: Amaury Paul/AFP] Related tales of punctured desires have flooded Thai social media in latest days.

Married {couples} have expressed fears of being separated for the long run or having their kids denied the fitting to remain.

Potential migrant employees have additionally voiced their dismay on the adjustments, which have put a freeze on EB-class employment visas in addition to the Okay-class spousal and dependent visas.

Songtham Artsomjit, 26, stated he may not see a pathway to the US after paying a Thai company $800 to begin the paperwork for an EB-3 unskilled work visa.

“I used to be going to work on an meeting line making flat-bed trailers in Wisconsin,” Artsomjit instructed Al Jazeera, describing his plan as a hoped-for “turning level in life” that may result in everlasting residency.

“As a substitute, I’ve taken a job in a grocery store in Israel,” he stated, including that he was extra afraid of poverty than “the dangers of struggle there”.

Whereas some would-be migrants are holding on to hopes that the suspension shall be lifted, Trump’s pause seems to be a part of a long-term technique to severely limit authorized migration to the US.

Thailand, one in every of solely two US treaty allies in Southeast Asia with a proper diplomatic relationship courting again to 1833, has expressed disappointment at being included on an inventory that features many a lot poorer, conflict-afflicted international locations similar to Afghanistan, Haiti, Somalia and Myanmar.

Final week, International Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, a candidate for prime minister in Thailand’s common elections subsequent month, stated he had met with US Cost D’Affairs Elizabeth J Konick to hunt clarification on the suspension.

Phuangketkeow stated he had queried the logic of together with Thais within the freeze, given their contributions to the US financial system and closeness of Washington and Bangkok’s ties, saying “these questions will not be good for the connection.”

Thailand’s International Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow attends a information convention in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on December 22, 2025 [Azneal Ishak/AP] For a lot of Thais, the sense of injustice has been formed by the relative success of the Thai diaspora within the US, many of whom constructed profitable companies after migrating to take up low-paid jobs in eating places, warehouses and factories.

The median annual revenue of Thai-headed households in 2023 was $82,000, larger than the nationwide common of $75,000, based on the Pew Analysis Middle.

As soon as a key base within the US struggle in opposition to communism and, extra not too long ago, an ally in opposition to China’s expansive claims within the South China Sea, Thailand has had an more and more strained relationship with its oldest treaty ally since Trump’s return to workplace.

Like different export-reliant international locations in Southeast Asia, Thailand has weathered vital financial upheaval because of Trump’s tariffs.

Thai exports to the US have been topic to a 19 % tariff since August, whereas talks on a complete commerce deal have faltered over US calls for for opening the native market to its large meals producers.

“The Trump administration is just not respectful of the connection; it has a transactional worldview,” Phil Robertson, a US citizen based mostly in Thailand and the director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates, instructed Al Jazeera.

Robertson known as Trump’s coverage “crass and merciless” and predicted that the administration would “create so many hurdles and a lot pink tape” that it will turn into not possible emigrate to the US.

Not all Thais take subject with the adjustments.

Noi, who lives together with her American husband in Niceville, Florida, stated she supported the Trump administration’s efforts to limit welfare claims by migrants.

“Ever because the Trump administration, there have been efforts to cease utilizing our tax {dollars} to help immigrants from varied international locations,” Noi, who holds a inexperienced card entitling her to dwell within the US completely, instructed Al Jazeera.

“After all, this impacts the assorted international locations which can be being banned. However persons are waking up and seeing what’s been taking place.”