Stef

My wife and I have been directors of our company for more than 20 years. People at our social security office have always refused to register us under section 33. My daughter is shareholder but not director. No problem to have her registered.  

I have been doing "Thai wife* annual extensions for more than 20 years. Last year for the first time I was asked to provide 2 copies of each document instead of 1. Is it still the rule at CW this year?

Thanks

It happens to me sometimes too. I can always view the jpeg that causes problem with ImageGlass (freeware)

I have used them to send money to my bank account in Europe. Easy. The most difficult was to register with them (scan and send them a copy of your passport, answering their questions, etc).

Money was credited after about 24 h.

I found that they are cheaper than a swift transfer through my bank. 

The total cost (DeeMoney's fee, exchange rate loss, fee charged by receiving bank) for 4,000 euros was about 40 euros. When I used my Thai bank (Krungsri) I usually paid about 80 euros all included. 

I don't know for the USA.   

3 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

I am aware of that but people have gotten around that by applying for the work permit at a normal Department of Employment office and applied at their local immigration office for the extension.

I work for a BOI company. I have a work permit (digital work permit). I use an extension of stay based on Non O marriage. I told the BOI one stop service Center at Chamchuri Square that I did not want a B visa. They were a little surprised but they were OK. 

Immigration doesn't know I have a work permit. I have never told them. They have never asked.

I have used annual extensions of Non O based on marriage for more than 20 years. I also work (not a teacher) and have a work permit. I prefer it this way because I don't want my extension to rely on my employer. Immigration does not know and they don't seem to care as long as I meet the conditions for my marriage extension. I live and work in Bangkok.

On 11/29/2020 at 5:08 PM, Scot123 said:

It's not! In my experience The Thai Public are drowning in debt factors borrowing off Peter to pay back Paul. To even bring the west into compare is like comparing diamonds and coal.

Only the poor do this and it is not significant. The 10% richest Thais own 76.6% of the wealth of the country (Credit Suisse Global Wealth Data).

The 50% poorest own about 2% of the total wealth. 

My wife is Thai. She is director/shareholder of our company. She has paid THB 432 every month for years. The SSO has always refused to accept her in the SS system like any employee. She went to the SSO a few months ago (Bangkok) and asked what will happen when she would like to retire. They told her that she has 2 choices:

- Keep on paying THB 432 forever and not getting any pension money back. 

- Requesting her pension, stop paying THB 432 and getting insured under the poor "30 Baht scheme" like any Thai citizen.

Considering the amount she would get and the poor quality of service with the "30 Baht scheme" she has decided to keep on paying and not getting a pension. That's what the woman at the SSO office advised if you don't really need the pension money for living.

For you, it would be keep paying until you die and get government medical insurance forever or getting a pension and not being insured anymore. I know it's unfair.

They also told her they would not accept her to stop being a director/shareholder and becoming a regular employee just a few years before the retirement age. 

20 hours ago, CLW said:

I use KBank app. Works well for me.

I don't have another bank account.

 

On a side note, no app will allow installation on rooted / jailbreak phones even if you have security net installed.

FYI I have a rooted Android phone. No problem with Kasikorn, Krung Thai and Krungsri apps so far. You should use and set Magisk so that they don't see you are rooted.    

Even now Thailand exports more than it imports and Thailand has very little foreign external debt compared to foreign currency reserves. Most of the government debt is to Thais. Source: Tradingeconomics. It is why the Baht is so stubbornly strong even after the total collapse of the tourism sector.

I have been in the Thai social security system since January. I was given an official card after a few months.  If you are registered at an hospital telling them your social security number should be enough. 

Before getting the card I went to the information counter of an hospital and they checked in their computer system. It was OK and they printed a piece of paper showing my status.

It depends on your business. You must pay VAT, withholding tax and employee social security, etc. monthly.  

I am 56 and work legally in Thailand. I and my employer pay social security contributions.
I would like to switch to section 39 (voluntary insured, THB 432/month) when I will stop working to keep on getting medical coverage.
As retirement age is 60 in Thailand, should I resign and switch before I'm 60 or can I keep on working and switch any time?
Has anyone ever successfully switched to section 39 after 60?

Thanks

650,000 a month? Wow !

38 minutes ago, kralledr said:

i run my company 9 years now i surely never paid that much...

I have also run my small company for 20 years. I think NightSky's annual cost estimation is very reasonable if everything is legal (at least employee income tax, accounting cost and social security). If you can do much better I am interested to know how you do it.   

17 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Thanks, cover isn't that good

https://www.thaihealth.co.th/2012/product_simply.php

 

It is intended to middle class Thais and not too wealthy foreigners. If you want and can afford it there are better foreign alternatives. See posts above.

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

1 hour ago, Stef said:

I have used Thai Health Insurance for years. Their website is in English. All conditions and prices depending on your age are indicated. 
My experience:
- No initial health check up required.
- Had an operation a few years ago, they paid directly the hospital without problem. They didn't kick me out although what they had to pay was much more than I had paid them at that time. The next year the premium was increased a little but was still reasonable then later returned to normal as there was no other claim.
- How much the premium will increase with age is also indicated.
- They can't reject your claim because it was an existing condition if the problem is found 2 years after beginning of the contract.
 
It may not be suitable if you travel often (I never do) or plan to use very expensive hospitals such as Bumrungrad, Samitivej, etc.
 
I have another AIA assurance but it is not for health only. Did not cause any trouble when I claimed too.
 

Have you got a web link to their page? it doesn't come up in google search, many similar names come up

thaihealth.co,th

I have used Thai Health Insurance for years. Their website is in English. All conditions and prices depending on your age are indicated. 

My experience:

- No initial health check up required.

- Had an operation a few years ago, they paid directly the hospital without problem. They didn't kick me out although what they had to pay was much more than I had paid them at that time. The next year the premium was increased a little but was still reasonable then later returned to normal as there was no other claim.

- How much the premium will increase with age is also indicated.

- They can't reject your claim because it was an existing condition if the problem is found 2 years after beginning of the contract.

It may not be suitable if you travel often (I never do) or plan to use very expensive hospitals such as Bumrungrad, Samitivej, etc.

I have another AIA assurance but it is not for health only. Did not cause any trouble when I claimed too.

Thanks to all. I hope this information can help other people in my situation.

Thanks for your answer. So, I can keep on using the 400 K Bahts in the bank method for my annual extension of stay based on marriage, get a 40,000 B/month salary for example and get a work permit? Am I right? I worried that someone at the immigration or ministry of labor would refuse my work permit or extension of stay.

I am married to a Thai. I have had extensions of stay based on marriage for years (400,000 Bahts in the bank method).
I am European and not a teacher. 
I am considering accepting a new work. I understand that I will need a work permit.
The general rule is that Immigration requests a minimum salary of 50,000 Bahts/month to get an extension of stay based on work.  
Does it apply to me too as I won't need a business visa/extension of stay? It seems so but I would like to get confirmation.
Sorry if the question has already been asked. I searched the forum and could not find the answer.

I had mine repaired using the mesh method (one side). No problem. Local anesthesia. About 50-60 K Bahts 10 years ago at Thai Nakarin Hospital in Bangkok 

I will have to go to Chaeng Wattana to get my annual extension of stay stamp after the 1 month under consideration time soon.

I plan to arrive at about 7 and get a ticket outside first. At 8.30 I will go in and get a new ticket inside. Does anyone have any recent experience of how long it will take to get my stamped passport back?

Thanks

Thank you for your confirmation

An American friend is currently with a business visa. He will stop working soon and his visa will expire. He would like to stay with his Thai wife (legally married) and children while he tries to find a new job but does not have THB 400,000. I have read that Savannakhet immigration does not request any evidence of these funds for getting a 90 day visa. Is it still possible? Is it the only place where it is possible? He lives in Chonburi.

Thanks for your help.