moto77

Isaans economy will take a big dive!

I'm very interested to know why? Surely not based on the widely held but erroneous belief that the majority of street girls come from Isaan (statistics please). Poverty may be widespread in Isaan but the morals appear to be a lot higher than the majority of Thailand.

You're kidding right? (Unless you are differentiating "street girls" from "bar girls", but if you are using the morality argument, that difference would make little sense.)

"Class, Status, Geographic Origins, and NGO's

Although the class, status, and geographic origins of the women and men participating in the sexual services industry greatly vary, multiple studies provide fairly accurate information about these people. Most studies show that women start working in the sex industry, because they come from extremely poor, large families with rural backgrounds..."

"Studies also show that the women coming from these poor, rural families are mainly from the north and northeast of Thailand. A second study states that “Thai teenage girls and women choose to be in the business of prostitution in Thailand, specifically in the infamous sex trade in Bangkok…and come from the North of Thailand to make money in order to support themselves and sometimes to support their families” (Arnold and Bertone 2002: 33).

http://www.unc.edu/~pcvelich/bangkok/net1024.htm

Shisha is already banned in Thailand!!! So now they plan to tax an illegal activity. I have never heard of anything so stupid!

Did you actually read it?

They said that they plan to change the law to make it legal and then regulate and tax it.

According to Wikipedia by NGO estimates, if this keeps up, and assuming 2 people per jail cell, they are going to need at least 100,000 - 150,000 new jail cells around Thailand.

JesseFrank, on 22 Aug 2014 - 14:42, said:

Rorri, on 22 Aug 2014 - 14:34, said:

chris2004, on 22 Aug 2014 - 14:22, said:chris2004, on 22 Aug 2014 - 14:22, said:

This was always illegal. If people took the risk and now get caught out it's their own fault. Their country, their rules and laws.

Not and never was "illegal", there is a legal loophole. Please read "LEGAL."

The Foreign Business Act was a law enacted by the Chuan Leekpai-controlled National Legislative Assembly of Thailand in 1999 that limited foreign ownership of certain Thai industries. Its predecessor was the Alien Business Act of 1972, enacted by a military junta. Industries which must be majority-owned by Thais included the newspaper business, radio stations, television stations, rice farming, animal husbandry, fishing, land trading, mining, wholesaling and retailing, restaurants, and all service businesses. The law criminalized nominees, any Thai who held shares on behalf of a foreigner. Nominees could be fined 100,000 to 1 million baht and face up to 3 years in prison. However, the law did not prohibit foreigners from being the majority in the board of directors and also did not prohibit having different classes of shares with differing voting rights. This loophole allowed thousands of foreign-controlled businesses to operate in Thailand.

The subject of this thread isn't that foreigners held control of a Thai company through legal ways like preference shares, but the fact that the shareholders are straw men who don't have any real interest in the company.

Also the problem is that a company that owns a property has to do REAL business, and not just add some fake business deals to the balance sheet at the end of the year, as is the reality with most companies that were set up with that purpose.

You need to apologise to Rorri...go and re-read the OP, your comprehension seems way off target.

No, I think he's exactly right. Here is the statement in the OP:

They gathered to discuss how some Foreign business operators have exploited the Thai Nominee Shareholding loophole for many years, despite it being illegal under the Foreign Business Act of 1999.

My wife is a Thai national; I am a USA national. We live in each country roughly six months per year. But the difference in the way we are treated by each other's native country is night and day. My wife travels in and out of the USA on her Thai passport never needing a Visa. She can work, own property, own businesses, go to school, whatever. She is protected against overt discrimination and welcomed as a tax-paying, contributing part of society. But no matter how long we are married, nor how long we are in Thailand, I can never do any of those things. We are both college educated experienced professionals; but she is welcomed and wanted in my country, and I never will be in hers. Xenophobic or not, it's just plain dumb.

You are one of the lucky ones. My American friend has been married to a Thai for 15 years and she has never been granted a visa to visit US, even to attend his father's funeral.

Depends on the person. My Thai GF (not wife) got a 10 year business and tourist visa with 180 day entries.

I am guessing that is just a tourist visa that means she is qualified to visit the US (equivalent to a visa waiver for Canadians for 180 days per year). Thais are not qualified for visa waivers. She however is precluded from earning money through work in the US. i.e. the US has determined that she is not likely to become an illegal alien working in the US.

It is a dual purpose B1/B2 visa. She can conduct business but cannot be employed. Same as a B visa sans work permit in Thailand.

They want foreign investment but don't want foreigners owning more than 49% after they contribute and invest 100%. Whilst they are going after foreigners in Thailand they are openly encouraging Thais to invest abroad where they can own 100% which includes the land their business will sit on.

Yes but the philosophy and law has always been that Thailand is for Thais. Only the monitoring of said rules has changed. France, Germany, Britain and the American Indians would not be in the situation they are now if they had adopted the same policy. The only major difference is France, Germany & Britain had the choice & the native Americans did not. Thailand is also one of the few countries outside of the "old world" that has never been completely colonised. I this a coincidence???????? So, who is the silly one?

Come back Enoch Powell, all is forgiven. see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivers_of_Blood_speech

HAHA.. You're the silly one. Though I don't disagree that Thailand needs to protect its land somehow, your example is wrong. Britian would have just brought in guns and warships and settled the matter militarily as they did everywhere else. (And as the US government eventually did when the Indians wised up...)

KittenKong, on 22 Aug 2014 - 09:51, said:

carstenp, on 22 Aug 2014 - 08:24, said:

I feel sorry for the foreigner using Thai Nominee Shareholding .....

I dont. It's illegal. It's always been illegal. There has never been any suggestion that it is anything other than completely illegal.

Anyone who does this chooses to do so in full knowledge of the fact that it is totally illegal, and so they only have themselves to blame if it goes pear-shaped.

That said, from the report it appears that they are targeting active businesses rather than just house-owning nominee company structures. Though I would not be at all surprised if the latter were not targeted also at some point in the near future.

Please, show me, in law, where it is "illegal" as far as I can see it is, at the most, the use of a legal loophole, that the Thai government has had ample time and opportunity to close, but have chosen not to.

I already did Rorri. What are you expecting, a link to the Thai language version?

My wife is a Thai national; I am a USA national. We live in each country roughly six months per year. But the difference in the way we are treated by each other's native country is night and day. My wife travels in and out of the USA on her Thai passport never needing a Visa. She can work, own property, own businesses, go to school, whatever. She is protected against overt discrimination and welcomed as a tax-paying, contributing part of society. But no matter how long we are married, nor how long we are in Thailand, I can never do any of those things. We are both college educated experienced professionals; but she is welcomed and wanted in my country, and I never will be in hers. Xenophobic or not, it's just plain dumb.

Ditto, same here. Not reciprocal, not fair.

Nor fair? Since when did all countries have to have the same rules and regulations. Caught for drugs in some countries, death penalty, in others slap on wrist or possibly legal. Not fair.

Or your government could negotiate a treaty with Thailand like the American government did. Americans can own 100% of a business here.

carstenp, on 22 Aug 2014 - 08:24, said:

I feel sorry for the foreigner using Thai Nominee Shareholding to keep control of the land, and house for millions of bt to protect there investment, but they know it was illegal in the beginning

In the end, is all about money and keep them safe in Thailand

Please, show me where, in Thai law, that it was/is illegal. As far as I can determine ALL conditions were met. If they wanted to make it "illegal" Thailand had ample opportunities to close any legal loop holes. As far as I'm concerned it appears Thailand now believes it has everything it needs, from foreign investment, and now wants it all to itself.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_Business_Act_of_1999_(Thailand)

My wife is a Thai national; I am a USA national. We live in each country roughly six months per year. But the difference in the way we are treated by each other's native country is night and day. My wife travels in and out of the USA on her Thai passport never needing a Visa. She can work, own property, own businesses, go to school, whatever. She is protected against overt discrimination and welcomed as a tax-paying, contributing part of society. But no matter how long we are married, nor how long we are in Thailand, I can never do any of those things. We are both college educated experienced professionals; but she is welcomed and wanted in my country, and I never will be in hers. Xenophobic or not, it's just plain dumb.

Cannot believe this, Travels in and out of the USA on Thai Passport never needing a visa, very special lady here. Please explain how this happens, if you have an explanation

I'm sure the answer is that she has a US green card...

My wife is a Thai national; I am a USA national. We live in each country roughly six months per year. But the difference in the way we are treated by each other's native country is night and day. My wife travels in and out of the USA on her Thai passport never needing a Visa. She can work, own property, own businesses, go to school, whatever. She is protected against overt discrimination and welcomed as a tax-paying, contributing part of society. But no matter how long we are married, nor how long we are in Thailand, I can never do any of those things. We are both college educated experienced professionals; but she is welcomed and wanted in my country, and I never will be in hers. Xenophobic or not, it's just plain dumb.

You are one of the lucky ones. My American friend has been married to a Thai for 15 years and she has never been granted a visa to visit US, even to attend his father's funeral.

Depends on the person. My Thai GF (not wife) got a 10 year business and tourist visa with 180 day entries.

I guess that there aren't many Americans doing this.

However, hypothetically speaking, couldn't someone also use a US citizen and achieve the same result?

If you are staying here for any length of time why not open a Thai bank account?

If someone skims your ATM card and withdraws all of your cash from a Thai bank, you won't get it back.

Sure, open one, but don't keep a lot of cash there.

If you are an American, Charles Schwab Bank in the US does not charge a fee for using a foreign ATM AND they refund any fees that a foreign ATM charges--with NO LIMIT. It works at every bank I've ever tried except for one in mainland China. No monthly fees associated with the account, and they have the best 24 hour customer service in the industry. They never route calls to the Philippines or India and the person that answers can always answer your questions. If you receive a check, you can photograph it and it is deposited into your account. Of all of the businesses I deal with, Schwab is probably the one with which I am most pleased. I like them so much, I actually seek out cheaper ATMs to keep their costs down. LOL!

I just spoke to a Schwab agent and they will not allow online applications overseas but that aside the accounts look good even the wire rate which is $25 USD outgoing $0 in. Chase for example is $40. But, as all banks are in the business of making money there must be a cost. As I cannot find it in their documentation online can you tell us what the exchange rates are when you withdraw bhat? A known banking tip is to never let the US bank do the conversion always have the Thai bank do that so I am concerned this is where it costs the Schwab user. So again, if possible, dates and rates would be so helpful. Have a great one.

I'll try to check it out when I have a moment, but I'd say they are pretty good. They reason they can do this, though, is that they have no branches. It is a 100% online bank.

Didn't get it again. She accepted the paperwork without the residence info and stamped the paper to come back SEP1. Ha. I'm flying out next week for work in the US, I can't wait 15 days. Seems like they always come with some new issue.

Well three days wasted in immigration is enough. I think I'm giving up on this fool's errand. It doesn't appear that they are targeting people with my travel patterns for 30-day waiver denials so I will just continue to use those. I just wanted the flexibility to stay longer than 30 days sometimes without hassles, but I don't mind that much taking a trip outside the country after 30 days to visit elsewhere that much, so I guess I'll stick with what I've been doing.

I would go back just before you leave to see if is ready yet. They say 15 days but it probably will be done long before that. If it is ready then get a single re-entry permit so you can do your extension when your return.

Too late. When I said I couldn't make it, she gave me the paperwork back.

all the country have the law

.why the people no respect the thai law

.go back home and work .

Amen, and next drink on me.

I have a feeling you're Thai or non-english speaker.

Why the¹ Thaipeople do not respect the the law, but always blames the¹ foreigner that doesn't ?

¹Proper use of articles is difficult to achieve for Asians. But as Buddha says, tolerance is stronger than ignorance.

Your sentence is also missing an article. He's Asian. What's your excuse?

"I have a feeling you're Thai or *a* non-english speaker."

Here's a link about omission of articles after "or"

http://forum.wordreference.com/showthread.php?t=1453318&langid=14

It is not a mistake, but a writing style.

I suppose you are an English native speaker, now what's your excuse ?

That's a link to a forum, not an English style guide.

Didn't get it again. She accepted the paperwork without the residence info and stamped the paper to come back SEP1. Ha. I'm flying out next week for work in the US, I can't wait 15 days. Seems like they always come with some new issue.

Well three days wasted in immigration is enough. I think I'm giving up on this fool's errand. It doesn't appear that they are targeting people with my travel patterns for 30-day waiver denials so I will just continue to use those. I just wanted the flexibility to stay longer than 30 days sometimes without hassles, but I don't mind that much taking a trip outside the country after 30 days to visit elsewhere that much, so I guess I'll stick with what I've been doing.

You bet. Good luck. Will be curious to learn how it turns out for you. .

I went to Chonburi Immigration today to attempt to convert my 30 day visa waiver to an O-A retirement visa.

Presumably you already have the income affidavits from the US embassy. If you do this as a two-step process, you might need two original income letters, one for the non-imm o conversion and one for the retirement extension.

I respect the fact that you trying to set the OP up for success but original Income affidavits cost 50USD. I had recently converted my 30 day waiver in July at Jomtien Immigration and they only requested one original for the extension based on retirement. They apparently were ok with a copy for the 90 day visa.

Anyway, I suppose different IO's have different rules but I just wanted to share my experience at Jomtien and possible save the OP 50 bucks. I would call the lady at immigration he spoke to and clarify the original income affidavit requirement.

Thanks for the updates. I am headed into the BKK office now. I will take a copy of the income letter and see if they accept it.

If you are an American, Charles Schwab Bank in the US does not charge a fee for using a foreign ATM AND they refund any fees that a foreign ATM charges--with NO LIMIT. It works at every bank I've ever tried except for one in mainland China. No monthly fees associated with the account, and they have the best 24 hour customer service in the industry. They never route calls to the Philippines or India and the person that answers can always answer your questions. If you receive a check, you can photograph it and it is deposited into your account. Of all of the businesses I deal with, Schwab is probably the one with which I am most pleased. I like them so much, I actually seek out cheaper ATMs to keep their costs down. LOL!

Several restaurants are in the middle of the sea... anyone that knows their actual location care to fix them?

And Chinese are up 100% at least. I haven't seen any overall change in the total numbers.

Just spent a week 100 meters from this bar. Walked by every day.

Who could get angry?

They're just trying to make a living.

Every night, the massage girls downstairs gave me a quick grope on my way up to the room.

My wife didn't even mind.

Like most of Thailand, Pattaya is practically a ghost town now, and everybody's looking for business.

I don't know what part of Pattaya you were in last week, but I was there and it was packed. My favorite hotel was booked and I had to find another. That one had only a few rooms left.

My guess since you referred to USD, you are a American? The Thai government does not want you because your are a foreigner and a burden on their society!.Staying here is not a option for you regardless if whether you want to stay! unless you can sway your former heartless b-t-ch to take you in and at least give you food and shelter..

If I was you take your US passport regardless of what they have said to you... walk in and just stay there and refuse to leave... they are not going to drag and throw you out! At some point they will foot the bill for your flight home to the States and once you are there you can get government help like welfare until you can stand on your own feet.

Now sure of your age as long as you keep yourself fit it is never to late to start over again. not saying you have to get back working and saving a 1 million again but as long as you take the attitude that you do not want to return home you are just digging a bigger hole for yourself here in Thailand and a overstay will just do that for you.

Go home you have a better opportunity to survive than staying in Thailand a place that do not want you! and maybe one day you might not be able to stay as before but at least you can visit?

Good luck,,

The US Embassy will not send you home, nor loan you money. Adults in the US without dependent children (living with them) cannot get welfare unless they are disabled. He did say something about not being able to work. If that means he is disabled somehow, he may be able to get disability, but he would need to be in the US and be seen by a doctor to certify this, the whole process would take months.