cyberholz

Hugo, what about a small deli shop? One that sells local quality produce? Is it obliged to stick to FDA-equivalent certification?

I wondered, can a restaurant/food store in Thailand sell homemade products that are not approved by the local FDA-equivalent?

You'll say happens here all the time, but big stores make sure everything's according to the FDA book...

Does that make selling homemade products technically not legal?

Or you can sell your own products but not products from another "homemade" brand?

Appreciate any feedback!

Thai male or female, not too easy! Who knows, maybe a TV member is aware of a dedicated energetic Thai restaurant manager who is looking for a new challenge in Hua Hin.

Good personality and honesty are more important than lots of experience. It's mostly for cold kitchen.

I'd repay you with good food for hooking me up with the right candidate!

PM me - thanks in advance!

I got my work permit renewed about a month ago in Bangkok - no blood test required and certainly not an X-ray. I think the OP has just got himself confused about what he is required to provide.

As far as X-rays being harmless, every time you have an X-ray it increases your chances of getting cancer. This is not much of an issue if it's a once a decade thing but if its every year it has a cumulative effect. There's no medical basis at all for X-raying healthy people to check they haven't got TB.

I am not confused at all.

I am doing WP renewals since 1996 and certainly know how the process works. In April I brought along my usual health certificate, the lady at the counter said it's not good enough, I need the Syphilis blood test AND an X-ray. She wouldn't let me proceed without.

But thank you for at least supporting my stance that the X-raying has no medical basis at all.

It's typically the doctors that request it as a way of checking for tuberculosis (or evidence of previous infection). Just tell them no, that's what I do and it's worked for eight years. They know it's not required and that they have no right to ask for it. For best results, go for your physical around 16:30-17:00 when they're exhausted and about to get off work - or just use a government hospital where they usually don't care.

Thanks Emily, that is indeed quite helpful.

Still, I'm confused.

Some in here say no medical at all recently, no X-ray for some... It is as it has always been, every year a surprise (if you do the process all by yourself).

Can't wait for next round, seriously...

We never ask questions about radiation when boarding a plane. That's just a necessity and how it is.

Also, one could say a walk along the evacuation zone of Fukushima doesn't pose real health risks at all. Radiation is all within legal limits.

My point is: let's avoid what's avoidable.

As a few answers here show clearly that X-rays upon WP renewal are no country-wide policy.

Why do some of us have to? Why some not?

It makes no sense, therefore for the sake of less income for nearby health clinics and our common good (even if the benefits are negligible), what's the point of having to do something that not really required.

I renewed my work permit at Chamchuree last month and was not asked for an x-ray, nor a medical either.

Interesting, thanks Bangkokhatter.

Did you know about this before heading to Chamchuri?

An annual x-ray is not that big deal as far as heath concerns go.

Well, in my opinion it's at least eight too many in 10 years. I reckon it has mainly to do with migrant workers from neighboring countries, they're checking tuberculosis.

Nothing against a healthy expat workforce.

An X-ray is an X-ray and always leaves a trace.

Expats are not "immune" from tuberculosis !

What "trace" does an x-ray leave ?

This information from some "new" physics which I have failed to learn !

Just do a simple Google search, will ya please?

Never have been requested for x-ray by labor in Chiang Mai. The blood test requirements came into force 2-3 years ago though for Syphilis.

That's why I'm asking whether there is a way around this not really necessary X-ray.

A friend north of Bangkok was as well never asked for an X-ray. With the Syphilis blood check I have no problem at all.

Isn't it funny that the labor department has varying requirements, and exactly in the One-Stop-Visa-Center where many of the higher paid expats report to, exactly there they're looking for tuberculosis.

It's one of those Thai decisions that make no too much sense, and answers in here like an X-ray a year poses no harm is kind of defeatist considering the fact that it depends on the place you live whether you have to provide X-ray or not.

As if there wouldn't be enough double standards around here already.

An annual x-ray is not that big deal as far as heath concerns go.

Well, in my opinion it's at least eight too many in 10 years. I reckon it has mainly to do with migrant workers from neighboring countries, they're checking tuberculosis.

Nothing against a healthy expat workforce.

An X-ray is an X-ray and always leaves a trace.

Sorry, not immigration, labor department. Sorry for the confusion.

When I go to One-Stop-Visa-Center down at Chamchuri, last time (April '13) for the first time the usual health check wasn't good enough anymore. Not only did they require a "real" blood test. For the one-year renewal of WP they wanted an X-ray.

Call me paranoid, but Immigration forcing me to take an X-ray every year is not only an overkill, it's statistically proven to increase the risk of cancer.

Well, they're always changing the rules, mostly not for the better, maybe next year when renewing WP the X-ray is gone again, but still. If once every five years I have no problem with it. Every year? Dorks.

If anyone knows a doctor / clinic that gives that health form without actually having to have an X-ray, please PM me.

Certainly far from true or that racism is a factor, but there are reasons for the observations of a seeming under representation:

1)There is certainly nepotism in some firms - or where at least connections get a foot in the door. As a luk krung, I've certainly benefitied from this.So it works both ways. Most luuk krungs also probably don't come from families where they are going to be able to call in favours in the Thai corporate world.

2) Most, if not all, would probably want to nick off overseas and work there given they probably complete their education there. Thailand is great, and it works for me, but it isn't for everyone. Working for firms here can be stifling.

3) There aren't exactly a plethora of luuk krungs. We were only started to be of any noticeable demographic say in the late 80s and early 90s. The bulk being born during this time and continuing on into the present as mixed marriages become more common. So to be a cantidate for senior management, you'd have to be born in the late 60's or early 70's. And there weren't too many of us born then.

4) But I do know a few people from that cohort who are working in senior positions. They've worked their way up like everyone else but haven't expected any preference one way or another. I think businesses, where they can, would kill for a good balance of Thai and Western language skills and business experience. If they aren't being hired, it is either that they don't have these skills, or that their salary expectations are too high (which wouldn't suprise me for the rejections).

Signed

Your friendly neighbourhood luk krung.

ed: 5) Why wouldn't you want to become a movie star if you could? Easier life, much better money in most cases. Access to highly attractive members of the opposite sex!!

Thanks Samran, you say what I was thinking myself: it's a generation thing and the majority of luk kruengs are about to enter the system.

OP may well be looking at the question the wrong way round.

The question should be, "How does anyone, black, white, or green with blue polka dots, get into a senior management position in Thailand?"

First you would differentiate between family firms (99% of which are Sino-Thai), large Thai firms, semi-monopolies including state enterprises, and foreign multinationals operating in Thailand.

Family firms are likely to keep it in the family.

Large Thai firms have a mould and most of senior management fit this mould. Degree and Master's Degree from heavy-hitting university, e.g. Chula, Thammasat, or other govt. uni. Great connections in the corporate world, political scene and govt. bureaucracy. These connections need to go deep and may well be rooted as far back as the mathayom school one attended. How many look khreungs have these kind of qualifications in Thailand and these kind of connections.

Multi-nationals have loads of look khreungs in management and responsible. positions. This is provided they have the requisite skills and qualifications. Many do not wear their racial mix on their sleeve and often it is not obvious, particularly if they have or use a Thai surname.

There are international schools here where many of the pupils attend just for fun and maybe go on to a degree mill private university like ABAC or Bangkok University. These people are not likely to get any senior management position anywhere not even Somalia. Perhaps this was the kind of school the OP was referring to in his post.

You provide some excellent answers, thanks. Referring to your last point, no, not this kind of school. Even though, ABAC or Bangkok University don't have such a bad reputation. I know quite a few foreigners studying there, and they don't study there because they want to enjoy life in Thailand.

Did he follow his ex-pupils through university or are his observations based on when they leave his school?

Based on contacts with previous pupils and a close look at senior managements in Thai companies that always give the Thai-Thai candidate the go-ahead -- "even with worse qualifications," as my friend says.

Had a talk with a good friend who really knows something about Thailand as a headmaster of a well established international school.

What he's saying:

He doesn't know a single one of hundreds of luk kruengs who made it into a senior management position in Thailand.

Thais always choose, he says, Thai-Thai. Or then the farang.

The exception is the family business.

This kind of struck me as even plausible.

One would assume, however, that even this society is changing. Or not?

Define, "a good Bangkok location"

I see for sale/rent signs all over the place.

Try ddproperty.

Appreciate, thanks!

Get off your own arse and do the footwork yourself without the help of an agent, maybe then you will realise why they ask you a few simple questions about key money etc.

Fair enough, that's exactly what I'm doing, but paying for the chance to be be shown objects, that's new to me!

Simple really, I'm looking for commercial retail space at a good Bangkok location, but boy, once you listen to a certain property agent!

Don't want to name any names, but has it become common that an agent asks for a substantial payment to even move his arse to show you some properties?

Goes without saying that they also want to know how much key money you're ready to pay. Before seeing anything. Otherwise why move one's arse?

Reminds me on a recent add in the Bangkok Post: 99k baht for a Valentine's package in a not too outstanding hotel.

The mega greed is back! Which usually happens before the fall.

Seriously, can anyone recommend a commercial/retail property agent?

No, not that company that even has the word "cheap" in its domain name.

Thanks for any input.

So I bit the bullet and went for the (most expensive) Michelin.

Well all the tire shops say that's the one...

Peace of mind.

Thanks all for your inputs.

Feels like driving a new car again, guess the old tires (90k km) were slightly overdue for a change...

...so,what exactly and where made?

Made in Thailand (Week 45/2012)

Latitude

6.7k the piece

So I bit the bullet and went for the (most expensive) Michelin.

Well all the tire shops say that's the one...

Peace of mind.

Thanks all for your inputs.

Feels like driving a new car again, guess the old tires (90k km) were slightly overdue for a change...

Regarding the size required:

225/65R17

Anything bigger than 16 inches will cost here, just about anywhere. Stock "Michelin Latitude" costs about $180 USD in the USA.

The only reason why I would keep using Michelin is because they "say" their tires can last up to 10 years, providing you check them regularly after the 5th year. I read this from their website, (http://www.michelin....change-my-tyres), "How old is too old..." section.

But, because of costs, I'm seriously considering Maxxis.

That's utter rubbish, this Michelin marketing.

I have Michelins and they're done after five years. And I'm a very moderate driver who never speeds.

Regarding the size required:

225/65R17