Unwisemonkey

13 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Stays on a multiple entry non-o visa will not accepted for a permanent residency application. It has to be at least 3 consecutive years on extensions of stay issued by immigration.

 

Thanks for the information.  So to follow up, the last time I extended this current Non-O Visa The immigration officer said I could not extend it again. Is this correct?  Must I leave the country again?

Hi,  It's been a while since I've had visa questions so I'm a bit ignorant on the current affairs of the topic.  I've had a lot of different issues dealing with a divorce, employment etc. which has made it hard to meet the consecutive 3 years requirement to apply for residency but I'll get to that later. 

1.   I am currently on a Non-O Visa on the basis of supporting a Thai citizen (my daughter) not marriage.  My last trip to Savanahket I forgot that they can do the multiple entry visa so I ended up with just a single Entry which I've already extended once at ChaengWatthana.  I don't want to do a border run and go back on a Tourist Visa because I'd like to stick it out and apply for residency and be done with this visa nonsense once and for all.  Is it possible under my current visa conditions to simply get a re-entry permit and just do a quick trip to Kanchanaburi or must I make the trek to Savanakhet again?


2.  Regarding Residency like I said having the 3 years of non-o has been difficult for a variety of reasons, but I have been mostly in country since 2010.  If I apply for residency will they consider the factors behind why I didn't have a Non-O at certain times?  e.g. uncooperative spouse in divorce, switching employers, returning home to visit sick family members... and give a pass if they like me?

The infrastructure is there but that's it. The intangibles are not though i.e. foreigner friendly policies. If you want to be a hub of anything you need to have something to attract the talent, and I'm not speaking specifically about teachers of European descent. I've met brilliant African Maths teachers that can't get a job because the color of their skin. Indians, Pakistanis and yes of course Caucasians too. But with Vietnam offering higher salaries and similar way of life whats Thailand got to promote it as the "hub"? Certainly not the money. There is also a glass ceiling for teachers. Have you ever heard of a foreign director of a Thai school? Not unless it's private. So no room for advancement, no salary, no pension, and no development for foreign staff, it will just be more of the same.

Generally worse. It was a golden opportunity to prove all the naysayers wrong but there have simply been too many poor allocations of resources. With the military behind him it would have been nice instead of seeing soldiers patrolling the streets be engaged in civic projects e.g. removing the bird nests electrical wiring, fixing footpaths etc. Or at the very least leading chain gangs to do the civic repairs. The Teachers council shakeup and beach cleanups were nice, but bogarting every television channel even cable ones at 8:00 p.m. is like an infomercial... crap I don't want to buy.

Allowing foreigners to have a true vested interest in the country can only be beneficial in the long run. The government will yield more in property taxes Thai's can demand better social welfare programs through that funding source, Infrastructure projects can be funded... the quality of life will go up over all. There are simply too many benefits that outweigh any nationalistic fears.

You could always go native and just go through the religious ceremony to pacify the mother. It means nothing in the eyes of the court.

This is the most civil TV thread I've read in a long time. I guess we're all in agreement here. The problem is most SME's owners are too wrapped up in the national cult of personality to realize this while the Thai elite are all too aware of the benefits to the little guy. At the end of the day though Thailand is in a unique position to benefit from sharing from all of her friends if the people chose to they could be benefiting from India, China, U.S. EU, AUS, and S. America. I think I can speak for all of us who have kids here that we'd rather see Thailand become a Southeast Asian Powerhouse for our offspring's benefit to have dual citizenship in two developed countries rather than the current state.

Low taxes are much better stimulant to the economy than quantitative easing.  But I'd tend to agree with the other TV members.  This is for the HiSo's and doesn't make much a difference.  The international market of shopping tourism is a strawman argument.  That is such a minority market it will do little to any good at all.  They'd be much better off taking the 200% duty off of food and beverage thus allowing Thai's to indulge in foreign foods as well as the expat community.  Consumable food and beverage items are bought with regular frequency and that adds up.  Thai strawberries are crap, but they would go nicely with a nice camembert sweet cheese, ever day.  For breakfast and lunch.

Low taxes are much better stimulant to the economy than quantitative easing.  But I'd tend to agree with the other TV members.  This is for the HiSo's and doesn't make much a difference.  The international market of shopping tourism is a strawman argument.  That is such a minority market it will do little to any good at all.  They'd be much better off taking the 200% duty off of food and beverage thus allowing Thai's to indulge in foreign foods as well as the expat community.  Consumable food and beverage items are bought with regular frequency and that adds up.  Thai strawberries are crap, but they would go nicely with a nice camembert sweet cheese, ever day.  For breakfast and lunch.

 

Knocking down buildings which were never or should never have been approved is hardly going too far.

 

 

Whenever I see someone complaining about the changes, how the Junta is ruining "the tourist experience", I reminded that some people are just selfish. They want what they want and don't care about what is right and good for all. They want the umbrella, the chair and beer cold.  

 

Approval here is running close to 80% according to a poll on the Gazette. I don't think that's far off. I know a few business people who don't like it. Their arguments for allowing it and wanting to go back to the way things were (Thai tourist experience BS) are weak and reek of self interest.

 

I can't believe how far we've come in such a short time. Everyday is another blow to the cesspool of corruption that WAS Phuket. Buddha bless the Generals. The only thing that should be on the King's beach...is sand.    

 

My experience was... "Sheesh this place is dirty." and "They were lucky enough to be born in paradise and they treat it like a trash heap"  I would like to see the Thai Tourist experience under the rule of law.  My instinct tells me it would be considerably more relaxing.

Demolition of all these major club establishments is hard to believe. Based on their web sites,Catch, Diamond and Zazada must be backed by plenty of Thai Mr. Bigs, police, and military. Looks like too much money demolished for this claim to be real.

I worked for one of those clubs, albeit very briefly.  In my opinion this is karma biting them all in the ass.  Having a nice web presence doesn't mean anything other than they paid a good web designer and hired a professional photographer to get nice photo's for them.  The investors at the beach club I worked at were mostly wealthy foreigners and of course they probably had Thai nominees to satisfy the legal aspects but had little investment if any and were probably contractually obliged to not interfere in operations.  I seriously doubt there is any Thai Mr. Bigs involved, it's more likely that there were none which accounts for the expedient demolition orders.  
 

On another note, freshwater wreaks havoc on saltwater habitats. This is great news for the saltwater environment of Surin Beach.  I'd guess those clubs all drained into the sea  and one even had a timebomb an illegal well drilled.  Som nom na to all the greedy people.  

They need to roll out Thai ID cards for foreigners with appropriate Visa's.  I'm not going to carry around  a ฿3000 form of ID every time I want to go down to Big C to pick up a box of diapers for my kid.  If this spreads to BKK I'll be engaging in civil disobedience.   Furthermore there is no reasonable privacy laws in this country.  My violent ex was simply able to go down to the District office and do a name search to get the address where I currently live.  Some people have good reasons for not wanting to be found, my reason is I don't want to be assaulted, or perhaps murdered by a violent former relation or by their proxy.  If the government won't protect privacy in such a basic fashion it should expect to see resistance to such draconian policies.

The junta should consider a program to enable unqualified teachers a path to gaining credentials. Perhaps education loans at foreign student rates while being allowed to continue to work at a reduced rate. I know the hang em high brigade will come out against any idea like this, but it's time to get realistic about the situation. There simply are not enough qualified teachers that will work in Thailand. You cannot demand First world credentials and pay third world salaries and get the quality you are looking for. In this way the government could also assign teachers to work in less desirable locations outside of Bangkok. Everyone wins in a scenario like this. The schools get teachers, the government gets money from loans, and the Universities receive a cash injection.

That certainly seems a reasonable idea to me although not based on any first hand knowledge.

I'm on firmer ground with this comment though.

In this way the government could also assign teachers to work in less desirable locations outside of Bangkok.

What makes you think the less desirable areas are outside of Bangkok? Some might be in it.

The less desirable locations are outside of Bangkok because I've tried my hand at recruiting. Bangkok is by far the most desirable. It's much harder placing teachers outside of Bangkok unless they've been here for a year minimum and enjoy the culture but not the overwhelming pace of life in Bangkok. I like smaller provinces myself but I'm rooted in BKK. Point is if they adopted a scheme like this, or one like it, the government could assign foreign teachers to posts the same as they do for domestic teachers. Effectively the foreigner would be working for the government for a contracted period. They could potentially get good, experienced teachers into rural areas that need teachers. No KFC tough life.

And not one American was told to mind his business. 5555

This is a good thing. One of those beach clubs (I won't name which one) has an illegal freshwater well that was drilled. Located so close to the beach if it ever had an accident it would wreak havoc on the sea ecology in that area. I reported it to authorities through different government websites but like so many other things in Thailand those websites email addresses were not working.

"I am not particularly angry by the photo on the cover, because this is not the first time my photo has been abused for commercial purpose. What angers me a lot is the text on the cover and the contents of the book which greatly insult Thai women," the celebrity said.

So it is not the use of the photo but the book itself that angers her because it insults Thai women.

Well Miss Wattatana, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Thailand itself has been building the reputation of Thai women for decades. You can't blame the farangs for Thailand's reputation.

The great Dave Chapelle sums it up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7QNw1LRJv4

What exactly are you hoping to obtain ?

Even if you qualify for an "O" visa it will be either a single entry providing a 90 day stay or a Multiple entry visa requiring you leave the country every 90 days .

The goal is a Non-O and from my reading it is pretty clear that I qualify. I just want confirmation on the documents I'll need to bring. And I won't have to leave the country every 90 days. I'll have to report to immigration every 90 days with my girlfriend, she will have to sign her consent and I will receive an extension. The purpose of the multiple entry would be so I don't have to apply for a new Visa if we travel to Malaysia or Japan or any other country for a quick holiday.

*edit* I'd also like to know if I even need to leave the country to acquire this Visa this route. My instinct tells me yes because well TIT.

My girlfriend and I have a baby together. We are unmarried, but I am on the birth certificate listed as the father. We also have a pending case in the children's welfare court to give me full parental rights. I am applying for a Non-O Visa. What do I need to do? Vientienne? Savanahket? My girlfriend and I are very stable and I don't see much need for the Multiple entry but I may do some traveling so other than that what requirements are there?

I've done extensive reading on the topic and as near as I can tell it is much better suited to be a Thai business operating in America than it is to be an American business running in Thailand. I would like to work in the education sector primarily dealing with English language e.g. tutoring, private tutoring, and operate in the capacity of a teachers agency. I am consulting with attorneys who are experts on the issue however I am concerned that with the double taxation it is simply just not worth it. I would also like to employ foreigners. Initially I was under the impression that under the treaty I'd be free to hire whomever I wanted but after more scrutiny I think I was mistaken and the same hiring rules apply i.e. 4 thai's for every foreigner. Is that correct?

The thing is foreigners don't vote, so we make an easy scapegoat. I imagine, that just like in America if you make contributions to the political flavor party of the moment you'll be in good shape.

What is this total paranoia Thai's exude from every pore.

Most bigoted people on the planet, foreigners can't own land because presumably they will buy up the whole country or push up prices for land (not if Thai's don't ask inflated prices in that equation).

Foreign owned businesses pay tax and vat (unlike most small Thai businesses).

Don't Thai's get it that any business legally paying taxes and salaries to anyone Thai or farang is a good thing for Thailand as that money goes straight back into the economy in not only tax but in restaurants, taxis, shopping, housing etc...

In most developed countries foreign investment is encouraged because the government's are aware of the potential increased inome that may be created.

Not Thailand.

The attitude of 'they' will steal our land and jobs amazes me.

One Thai girl, with a university degree and a straight face, once told me that 'America just wants to steal our rice and England stole our cats.'

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Of course she said it with a straight face. Have you ever listened to a lecture by any of the Eurotrash, or Self hating-American Professors teach these students at University. They teach them that we are big rich and evil empires because we protect our investments and look after our interests instead of taking a raw deal or just giving it away for free. They're not even the second or third tier (more like the 6th) of the intellectual liberal elite from the west but they are still here and spreading their mirth in academia.

The Visa rules are in need of reform. This article completely sidesteps issues regarding foreigners with Thai spouses, and treats those of us married to Thai's no better than a stoned backpacker. In my opinion the visa rules for Thai spouses are anti-family and destructive to the social fabric.

Perhaps so but certainly in line with many other other countries i.e. you cannot simply get residency because you have a spouse from that country.

I beg to differ. My wife, got conditional permanent resident alien status the day of our interview with the USCIS. She just needed to stay for one year and then apply to have the conditions removed and she was set for life. If she wanted to vote after that just a matter of becoming a U.S. citizen. My friend who's been married to his Thai wife over 5 years got the IR-1 visa for his spouse which means there are no conditions, as soon as she steps onto U.S. Soil she is a permanent alien resident without any conditions.