khunPer

Conclusion seem to be that Thai banks are safe enough, whilst a Thai partner's daughters is not...????

On 10/28/2018 at 6:57 AM, toots said:

Hello, I have a retirement visa and a re-entry permit. I keep seeing on tv people being asked for 20000 bhat at swampy.

Agree with other posters saying, that having a re-entry permit, you have already shown proof of funds; furthermore I talk from experience, never been asked any questions by Immigrations with a re-entry permit, last re-entry was June 1st...????

6 hours ago, xylophone said:

I bought a fake Omega DeVille watch in Patong in 2005, knowing the movement was fake although the case seemed genuine, and I thought it was a great looking watch...……..lasted a few years so that was ok BUT I couldn't forget how smart it looked and often thought of buying one duty free on one of my overseas trips.

 

Couldn't get it out of my mind so have just bought a genuine one!!!!!!!

So fake stuff actually increase original brand name business, great...????

We had something a bit similar discussion in Denmark many years ago, when the public libraries began to borrow out records. The music business of course complained, but actually it was not that bad. I was in the music business, and had the opinion that those borrowing music, are mainly those that would never buy the record, so we would loose only little turover, if any, as we sold some records to the libraries. However, I was wrong, in a positive way. Among other products, I was agent for a classical record label, and when libraries began to buy those records, a few month after the records shop began ordering the same record titles; seemed like folks borred them, liked them, and wished to own the own replicate. The record-titles libraries borrowed out, outnumbered all other titles many-fold in sales.

So records and watches, same-same but different...????

On 10/25/2018 at 4:49 AM, Burma Bill said:

Yes, I was recommended this bank as no WP required but their ATMs and branches are not so frequent. Here in my area of Isaan there is a branch in Chumphae and one in Central Plaza (Khon Kaen)

However, not a huge problem with ATM's up Isaan, when living down south on Koh Samui or neighboring islands, which is what OP asked about...????

On 10/20/2018 at 6:44 PM, Delight said:

Scenario 1

January 1^st 2019 the loophole is closed –but only affects new registrations

Scenario 2

January 1^st 2019 every single current and future  company using the loophole is deemed illegal  . A certain amount of time-maybe 1 year- is given to the foreigners to make alternate plans. With no action the property is confiscated

In both scenario cases, a lot of Thai company limiteds would suddenly have additional activities instead of just owing one plot of property, being leased out to a shareholder; including the company limiteds would probably employ some Thai staff and pay their staff's Social Security fees.

It's not likely to be a problem for condo buildings, and the up to 49% foreign condo owners, as the whole building is considered like one company with up to 49% foreign shareholders allowed.

However, not likely for the small company limiteds owing one reasonable sized plot of land used for a private home only will be forced to sell off property, i.e. scenario 2, as there are that many of them, that the value of property would drop too much – including value of property owned by Thai nationals – if all that land-and-houses should be put on the market for sale within for example one year...????

1 minute ago, khunPer said:

Just leave the ATM-card with your Thai partner...????
(Sorry, couldn't resist)

Apart from that, I would think a SWIFT-transfer via your Bangkok Bank's Internet-banking. The US branch of Bangkok Bank is often mentioned in this forum with questions about transferring money from US to Bangkok Bank in LOS, so that might also be a possibility to open an account in the US-branch and transfer between branches the other way round, i.e. from LOS to US. Unfortunately I'm not from Us, so I don't know details.

On 10/26/2018 at 8:09 AM, anubis752 said:

Best way to withdraw money from Bangkok Bank account while abroad?

Just leave the ATM-card with your Thai partner...????
(Sorry, couldn't resist)

Apart from that, I would think a SWIFT-transfer via your Bangkok Bank's Internet-banking. The US branch of Bangkok Bank is often mentioned in this forum with questions about transferring money from US to Bangkok Bank in LOS, so that might also be a possibility to open an account in the US-branch and transfer between branches. Unfortunately I'm not from Us, so I don't know details.

Might work with Jack Sparrow – same same, but different – as "pirates" became a success long before his appearance...????

Quote

Pirates of the Caribbean is a dark ride attraction at Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Park in Paris. The original version at Disneyland, which opened in 1967, was the last attraction whose construction was overseen by Walt Disney; he died three months before it opened. The ride, which tells the story of a band of pirates and their troubles and exploits, was replicated at the Magic Kingdom in 1973, at Tokyo Disneyland in 1983, and at Disneyland Paris in 1992. Each of the initial four versions of the ride has a different façade but a similar ride experience. A reimagined version of the ride, Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, opened at the Shanghai Disneyland Park in 2016.

The ride gave rise to the song "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)" written by George Bruns and Xavier Atencio. The song became the basis for the Pirates of the Caribbean film series, which debuted in 2003. Since 2006, Disney has incorporated characters from the film series into the Disneyland, Magic Kingdom, Tokyo Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris versions of the rides.

Source: Pirates of Caribbean (attraction).

22 hours ago, CaptainPeter said:

In the EU city hall they told me everything was fine and worked out, but then I found out that a temporary children's passport apparently means she's not yet a citizen, she needs re-application and renewal in order to get a real passport. Tried going on holiday before but she was denied on the airplane in Bangkok. 

It depends where you originate from, what is needed to get citizenship for your daughter, and dual nationality.

Your original text is a bit unclear, as you say that the mother got a five-year passport, was that your EU-country giving your Thai wife a five-year passport..?

"...I did, but the country gave her a temporary children's passport(valid 2 years), while the wife got a 5 year passport."

To me it sounds more like the Thai passport procedure, and then you had a Visa to EU, either for the Schengen-group of countries, or to Britain; but perhaps I misunderstand, what you are saying.

23 hours ago, geriatrickid said:

I'll make this very simple for you;

1. Are you certain the child is yours? You may wish to consider a DNA test.

2. If the child is yours and you wish to keep an attachment, stay quiet for now, otherwise you will never see the child again.

3. You know that if she is screwing around, it is over. Decide now if you will end it and then prepare your case.  Get some of the emails/photos/messages, the worst ones and  put it in your file.

4. When you get to thailand, see if you can have access to your child and have the child come and live with you in Thailand. It is your parental right. The wife  has abandoned her right when she sent the child to the parents.

 Stay calm and polite at all times. Once you have the child then go and speak to your wife. tell her you know that it is over and that she has been  screwing around. Don't be angry, because you have a job to do and that is to get her to agree to a quick divorce and to sign over custody.

If she denies show her some of the worst items from the file and tell her you have more, that she was seen and that her bank statements can be seized etc. She won't know what hit her. Don't tell her how you obtained the info. Use shock and awe.

If she delays then you file for divorce on the grounds of adultery and do this through legal counsel.

 

Whatever you do, do not fight, yell or get violent. Stay calm always. She will want you to get violent because she doesn't have a case. Yes you are hurt but  it's done. She can only hurt you if you keep caring. Stop caring and go into recovery mode and move on.

 

And next time, don't marry a bar girl from upcountry.

That's a very good advice, and include what what I would have said.

@CaptainPeter, your daughter is the main concern – anything else is "just" money and can be abandoned – so a mutual agreement is important, as your legal case situation as a foreign father in Thailand might not be that strong.

However, should it end in Court, your financial ability for support and paying for schooling and education, might be your best card on hand – but you might have to prove that – together with the facts that the mother has "left" her child with her parents (which is not unusual in Thailand) while seeing another man.

Even it might be tempting to take the child out of Thailand without consent – which also depend of the child has dual nationality – it might end up in huge problems.

Sorry I cannot come up with better ideas; hope the best for you.

22 hours ago, Farrows3399 said:

In other words how easy/difficult for a bankperson to remove account. say compared to a bank in U. S.

Wow, I don't know about the US, but extremely unlikely here.

I feel confident with my 800k baht in Bangkok Bank, which I have used as bank for 15+ years, and had my 800k baht retirement extension-of-stay deposit there for the majority of the years since 2007; however been shopping around a few times for better fixed long-term interest rate, but I'm back in Bangkok Bank for 3rd year in a row.

You have a guaranitie, that when it's lowered from the present multi-million baht in a few years, will cover up to 1 million baht. As long as you keep you bankbook safe, and have an account without ATM – for example fixed term for better interest rate – I cannot see any problems.

I also use SCB, and I have never experienced any problems with my bank accounts in Thailand, or mysterious withdrawals; i.e. I'm very satisfied with the banking system here, and I feel my modest funds are safe...????

You asked almost same question almost two weeks ago in the Real Estate-forum...

I answered you there with this reply to your question...

Now you ask mere specific about the Thai company limited set-up.

If the only purpose with the company is being a holding company for a foreigner's land holding, then it's illegal; however done my a number of foreigners.

The old, and often used, model with nominee shareholders – often names supplied by a lawyer or an accountant – is illegal and under scrutiny, so today you need to find the 51% majority Thai shareholder(s) yourself, and the shareholder(s) need to proof that they have access to the fund needed to invest in "your" holding company.

You'll need a minimum of 1 million baht shareholder capital, preferably 2 million, and minimum three shareholders, where 51% of the shares shall be held by Thai nationals. Expect the shareholder capital to be fully paid in cash. Samui Land Office normally accept 49% foreign shareholders when registering land, but can demand only 39% foreign shareholders; i.e. 61% Thai shareholders.

You can gain control over the votes in "your" company by using preferred shares; however it's not the intention of the law to let a foreigners control a company by votes from preferred shares, but has to my knowledge there has not been any cases challenged in a Court, so far. You can either hold preferred shares yourself, where a number of the total amount of shares – for example 10% of the shares – has 10 votes, instead of 1 vote in ordinary shares; or another method, where a Thai minority shareholder has preferred shared, where the share for example is guaranteed a yearly dividend of 4% as compensation for no voting rights follows the shares; i.e. that will cost the company, i.e. "you", 4% annually of that shares' nominal value.

If "your" company has no other activity than holding a plot of land, expect that the company might come under scrutiny at some point. If you can place other activities with proven income and cash flow in the company – including employing Thai staff and pay Social Security – it should be fairly safe that the company also hold a land plot as investment, and leasing that land plot out; or part of that land, if the company also use a part of it for office and business activities. In that case, make sure to clearly separate any company business activities from "your" home (for future taxation).

You'll need to make a lease agreement between the company, and the person (you) renting the land – see my previous reply for details, including servitudes for construction(s) on the land – and pay a lease to the company. The company will have running costs in the area of minimum 30,000 baht for accounting and auditor for making an annual statement and tax report (Samui level of costs); expect also little company tax to be paid. If you have other activities in a company, the running costs will be higher, depending of the level of other activities. Company set-up costs, including registration fees, will often be around 40,000 baht.

You can find experienced property law firms at Samui that can do the company paperwork and registration for you; a specialized law firm will also be fully up-to-date in the best way of setting up a holding company, and inform you about the risks.

Wish you good luck with your future home at Koh Samui...????

6 hours ago, Old Croc said:

A must see when released.

Apparently Malik is brilliant.

 

I suppose we'll get the usual old farts posting to say they've never heard of them.

Heard of "them", heard of who..?

Seem often difficult to find someone for small repair job, whilst it's easy to get someone to build a house, or just make you a whole new roof.  You could try to contact RS Built Construction, they build my neighbors (big luxury) house and seem to be prepared to do maintenance also. They are situation in Bo Phut, but operate island wide...????

A proof of address-letter from Immigration might help, when asking. Often K-Bank (Kasikorn) is positive in opening accounts for foreigners, but otherwise just shop around in different branches, as suggested above by @CharlieH...????

23 hours ago, djdubuque said:

...my question is if your wealth let's say you have an account with 100 million USD in it cause you won the lottery.  Do these requirements still apply?

Congratulations with your Lottery-price.

With more than equivalent to 3 billion baht you are having a number of choices, like the original VIP Thai Elite card for 20 years for only 2 million baht, including golf and spa and limousine tranfer from airport; or an invester Visa – you only need to "invest" a tiny fraction of your jackpot, believe it's 40 million baht at the moment – so you don't even need to care about poor folks problems with having enough in the bank for a 800k baht deposit, or a 65k baht a month retirement pension income...????

2 hours ago, Mavideol said:

What's the best dash cam to use as alarm as well, meaning at night people in my parking have tendency to spit on your car or scratch it with their keys, heard that we can find dash cams doing both, does anybody knows a good reliable one. I did visit lazada and there are a couple of them but which one to chose?????

Unfortunately I have no knowledge – sounds more like a security camera – hope others might know and can help.

????

6 hours ago, Samui Bodoh said:

I can't vouch for accuracy (it was a long time ago), but I recall reading many years ago that China, in the 1400s, would not allow black men to enter their territory unless they were castrated and made into eunuchs first.

 

I recall seeing the futility of black people trying to hail a taxi in S Korea in 1990.

 

I recall chatting with Chinese people in Guandong in the late 90s who were emigrating to the US and they told me that their greatest fear was being killed by black people.

 

This is the Asian cultural legacy for black people.

 

Why would anyone be surprised that they are being unwelcome?

Thanks for explanation.

9 hours ago, ballpoint said:

Whether it will or won't reduce your premium, I'd still install a dashcam.

Agree, I also have a dashcam – good quality, more than 500 baht – didn't even check if I could get a reduction in insurance. If looked financially only at 5% off 12,000 baht, i.e. 600 baht, a quality dashcam with 16GB or 32GB card should last for 3-5 years just to break even...????

23 hours ago, pepi2005 said:

I am working as a consultant, so it would be interesting for me to know exactly if my specific activity and the ways I think about doing it would require a work permit or not.

Can anyone lead me to sources (ideally in English language) that go into specifics please?

If you are working on-line, i.e. like a so-called "digital nomad", you might get away with it by keeping low profile under the radar, having customers abroad only, and all income settled in a foreign account. eventually running a company abroad in for example your home country. There are at the moment conflicting articles about legality, in some it seem like possible, in others not.

The ease in "no need for a work permit" are for foreigners attending a business meeting and like, but not staying in the Kingdom; or foreigners being shareholder and board member (director) in a business (business owner or investor). However another recently published news article made it even more confusing, stating that foreigners attending a business meeting still need a non-immigrant B visa; Work Permits and Immigration are two separate divisions.

On a non-immigrant O extension based on retirement, one is not allowed to work in the Kingdom; however a number of retired folks might have a going business, or still being self-employed, abroad.

The links I saved about the subject was...

Furthermore the articles...

(THAI LAW: FOREIGNERS NEED BUSINESS VISAS TO ATTEND MEETINGS (Khaosod English)

Legally working WITHOUT a work permit? (Thailand Business Law Blog)

Can Digital Nomads legally work in Thailand? (Chiang Mai Locator)

????

7 hours ago, canuckamuck said:

In our area there is a lot less corn being grown because it uses a  lot of land, depletes the land, and gives very little return. This is hillside farming though, not paddy farming. I think CP is trying to get more farmers to grow corn to replace those who have seen the light. 

It is probably not a good idea to get farmers to re-purpose their paddy land for a second crop. A corn crop in the off season will only deplete their land for their main crop, making them spend extra money on fertilizer. As it is, off season rice is a gamble they seem wiling to make. It should be their problem if the rain doesn't fall.

In the area I'm familiar with in Surin, many rice farmers had changed to cassava and sugar cane; the last gives a better income than rice. About a decade ago, or little more, a number planted rubber trees – there were some government support at that time – however now complaining about low rubber prices, which are lower then before due to a combination of little less demand and higher production. I've been told that it's not that easy just to change to grow something else, which might otherwise seem good, as the farmers need buyers; so if there's no nearby distribution channel for the harvest, it doesn't make sense growing it.

40 minutes ago, dennis123 said:

Is that why they dump their daughters asap in Pattaya?

No clue, believe the saying is older than R&R in Pattaya...????

21 hours ago, crazykopite said:

Mini bus ! by the way the rainy season has kicked in expect rain every day ☹️

"...rain every day ☹️"

Not really, but there can be some days with heavy rain during November and December, which are the monsoon-season on Samui and her sister islands.

A good source, apart from the pinned link above with local weather forecast, is Ventusky – the link is set for rain on October 24th, which is the only day this coming week with heavy rain forecast (at posting time), just change the day, or slide the time, to check downpour, wind and waves...????

3 hours ago, Cereal said:

1) A deadhead crew member is on duty. It is quite possible they will be expected to work shortly, or at times, almost immediately after arrival.

A Switzerland-Thailand flight is about 10-11 hours, doubt they can pick-up active duty immediately, or shortly, after landing in Thailand (presumably Bangkok) – fatigue level, fit for flight, legal duty limit; passive flight time is counted as duty – but of course, I'm not counting of any Red Bull-effect like used by Thai bus- and minivan drivers...????

On 10/19/2018 at 9:19 AM, starky said:

So if the site they are quoting is correct a "deadhead" must fly? Once that question is properly established we can argue where they should have been sat. Then obviously can they not sit in business? But besides all that good on the pilots for sticking by their brothers. There's a lot more that need to be explained here for mine.

The "deadheads" were probably not heading direct for service – that would be after 10-11 hours flight time, and impossible due to both fatigue level and legal regulations – they were probably rather what we called "passive crew", when I was in charge of crew planning in a major airline.

We don't know the details, but there are normally two extra seats in the cockpit, however not as comfortable as a first class seat. And today's larger aircrafts might also have a crew section with seats between cockpit and cabin; or somewhere else depending of aircraft type. Back in time we could use the extra cockpit seats for "passive crew", likely same as today's "deadheads".

From the article we don't know if these extra seats were taken in that particular flight – and in that case why and by who? – and it's also likely, that a labor agreement between pilots and the airline states, that "deadheads" shall fly first class, and the "deadhead" crew members therefore insist on their agreed benefit (not making an example to follow and undermine the labor agreement; 10-11 hours is long time in an extra cockpit seats).

Some airlines are known for overbooking, counting on that there will always be some "no show" passengers; bad luck if all passengers show up – sh*t happens – or was it just bad crew planning, or bad planning in general..?

????

Presuming it's a Boeing 777 aircraft that Thai use for Switzerland flights – other wide-body aircrafts have similar facilities – I found some images of cockpit layout...

This is a B777 cockpit lay-out, image taken for this webpage: "Boeing 777-9X"

This is a 3D image of a B777 cockpit, notice the extra seats at right, there are additional small thumb-images at the webpage "777 3D Cockpit".

A Virgin Australia photo of a B777 cockpit from webpage "Virgin Australia Boeing 777-31H/E".