Tom Kagai

Hi:

Could someone please outline the rules and regulations on shipping across personal posessions for an intended long stay. I've read a few threads that sound alarm bells but don't have a handle on the ground rules quite yet.

I understand that I would get clobbered for duty if on a tourist visa, and I can understand why, but not so when a work permit is valid and has a good few months left to run.

Also, does this situation change when I'm eventually on a retirement visa (6 years and counting)?

I'm not talking about vehicles or anything too major, but I'm storing some musical instruments and recording equipment (big boys toys really). and I want to get them across to my condo eventually.

Thanks.

What does "legalised" mean?

The company I work for at the moment in the UK has a Thai 'agent'. This week I had to renew his agreement at the request of the Thai MOD (I deal with the Air Force).

Updating his agreement was straightforward, basically I changed the date. However, Thai authorities then require:

i) Certified original by member of Notary Public

ii) Notary Public stamp then had to be certified by the UK Foreign Office legal Dept.

iii) UK Foreign Office stamp THEN had to be approved by going to the Thai Embassy in London in person(!)

So yes, this was my first experience of Thai overkill.

Anyway, all this did get me wondering about my own quals. (I'm actively planning to emigrate) but you guys have reassured me and I won't go that far. I appreciate though, that it's not over til it's over.

Thanks guys.

When seeking a post teaching, is it beneficial to get my degree, TEFL and other certificates legalised so's they can be seen to be genuine or doesn't that add any value?

I'm aware that you can get certrificates etc. legalised through the Foreign Office of my home country and if it improves my chances, I'll do so. If not, then it would be unnecessary expense.

Thanks for any tips.

Thanks guys.

Actually, I'm 44 so I guess I fall between the boundaries hi-lighted by IJWT. I do have some funds and won't be totally dependant on teaching. I must admit though, the whole "plan" is geared towards a life in LOS, as opposed to holidaying there (I fully appreciate that the two are quite different though). Therefore, the thought of teaching in other countries (Japan etc.) isn't appealling. My gut feeling is that the cost of living absorbs the improved salary pro-rata.

Thanks again.

Hi:

I have an offer of a rental arrangement with a Thai who is living in London. She's a lifelong friend and the arrangement involves me renting her appartment from her and paying her the rent via direct debit (probably from my UK account, to her UK account). She owns the appartment outright with no outstanding mortgage or loans.

Are there any formalities required to satisfy the Thai authorities?

I will be living there indefinately and abiding by the required visa, WP procedures etc.

Thanks.

I have a BA(Hons) degree and i'm booked on a TEFL, which will be completed by the end of this year.

Will the TEFL leave me confident enough to get work legally in LOS even though my hands-on teaching experience is a tad limited?

I've done a small amount of teaching many years ago and still teach Astanga Yoga here in the UK (well, it's different but it's still 'teaching'). I'm well up to speed on office life (and politics) because I've tolerated it here for 22 years.

Should I do some 'creative' thinking on the cv so's not to look like a first-timer?

Well, that's my planned way of heading for a happier life than here in UK and I'd appreciate anyone telling me if I'm setting myself up for trouble, or giving me any tips on covering the 'hands on' without being stuck here any longer.

Many thanks guys.

Just a thought after reading a thread on dormant accounts:

Do any of the Thai mainstream banks offer an internet banking facility?

Essentially, could this be an effective loophole if you're worried about losing funds that are in a dormant account. i.e. Set up 2 accounts and transfer bits and pieces from time to time to keep the account 'live'.

Hi All:

I'll be settling into LOS in the near future. Should i bring a laptop over (from UK) or buy one when i get there?

I'm not clear on the customs position or the local prices.

Any tips are greatly appreciated.

Chok-dee khrup!

Just  read  one  of  your  other  threads  entitled  "piggy  bank".......you  intend  to  emigrate  yes?  how  old  are  you?......just  that  if  you  are  50+  a  Non  Imm  O-A  (commonally  known  as  a  retirement  visa)  might  be  the  one  for  you........providing  you  qualify  on  age  grounds  and  financial  requirements.

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Thanks for the thought. I do intend to emigrate (without this site, i'd have no confidence at all though!).

I will turn 44 in March 05 so i was planning to get back to the UK every 15 months and renew until the big 5,0.

Another aspect that i'm unsure of though:

If i do come home after 15 months, see the folks and a few other palefaces, is it ok to re-apply through Hull or would consecutive non-im's be frowned upon by the authorities?

I do intend to start teaching and revert to 'B' though. Does that change things?

Thanks for your help.

Go to Hull.

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I'm glad you got the spelling right. I could have got offended!

I personally would not leave my money in Thai baht: Thailand is an emerging market and the currency is not well established. also, the interest rate is 0.5%.

i have my money in the HSBC in Hong Kong (not u.k) - they offer the powervantage account where you can do a number of investments all from the internet banking, including buying stocks,unit trust, time deposits and foreign currency deposits and much more. Go to there website and check out something called 'deposit plus' - it may interest you.

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THANK YOU ZOVOX, THAT'S JUST THE KIND OF POINTER THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR!

Huh-hum, I'll lower my voice now.

Thanks guys. You've sorted my saturated brain out AGAIN.

I don't cherish the thought of a trip back home every 15 months now, but maybe after 15 months it'll be fun to see all those pale faces.

I'm having trouble finding the criteria for a multi-entry non-im. valid for 12 months.

I'm leaving the UK and was planning on acting on some of the advice i got from this site. i.e. applying for a multi-entry non-im. via the Thai Consulate in Hull.

Do you think i'll be ok for the 1st visa from Hull considering that i don't have a Thai wife or family, and don't have a letter of intent from a Thai employer (I understand that more opportunities arise once you're in-country).

The Consulate form seems to give the option of a friend guaranteeing to meet the cost of "repatriation to the UK" if necessary. I have absolutely no problem at all producing this legitimately.

What would be my best move Doc?

Many thanks.

Hi

I'm planning on emigrating to LOS within the next year.

Anyone have any good advice on where i should keep my funds. Should i keep most of my money in my home-country and transfer (say annually) for domestic banking or move the lot across.

I'm not a whizz on financial advice and the advisors over here (UK) all have vested interests.

I'd appreciate some advice from you guys that have done it / doing it.

Sorry though, don't send me your account number guys.

Am moving to Chiang Mai in June 2005 and between now and then want to learn the 'basics' of the Thai language.

Can anyuone recommend any book/tape/cd which they found of help in this matter.

Kind regards

Tony (UK)

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The best one I found is "Colloquial Thai" A complete language course with 2 cd's (or tapes) and a very good text book. It get's you talking. writing and reading. Particularly worth slogging your way through the written exercises as that's when i found it really sunk in. It's no good just repeating the cd parrot fashion.

If you're still in the UK drop me a PM and i could send you copies of the 2 cd's. The book only costs about £14 if you don't have to buy the set.

But, if you're already over, I bought it from Asia Books in Bkk.

Anyone able to advise on whether there's a Thai Consulate near Bangalore, or Mysore in India?

If so, are they likely to issue a multi-entry non-immigrant O visa valid for 12 months to someone on a UK passport (though this would not be supported by a marraige certificate, it would be guaranteed by a friend). 

Sorry but I don't know a lot about the ins & outs of visa applications. I'm told that multi-entry non-im. valid for 12 months is the best one for a lengthy stay BUT will I only succeed in getting one if i am resident in the country i'm applying through?

Many thanks, in advance.

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I don't like your chances of getting a Non-Immigrant O visa without grounds ( the guarantee you mention is worthless )

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Maybe i'm misunderstanding the criteria for a multi-entry non-im. valid for 12 months.

I'm leaving the UK and was planning on acting on some of the advice i got from this site. i.e. applying for a multi-entry non-im. via the Thai Consulate in Hull. At the end of the year (or all being well, the 15 months) I'd drop across to India as i have connections in Mysore India. I'd then like another long-stay visa enabling return to LOS.

To cut to the chase, will i be ok for the 1st visa from Hull considering that i don't have a Thai wife or family, and don't have a letter of intent from a Thai employer. The Consulate form seems to give the option of a friend guaranteeing to meet the cost of "repatriation to the UK" if necessary.

What would be my best move Doc?

Many thanks.

Anyone able to advise on whether there's a Thai Consulate near Bangalore, or Mysore in India?

If so, are they likely to issue a multi-entry non-immigrant O visa valid for 12 months to someone on a UK passport (though this would not be supported by a marraige certificate, it would be guaranteed by a friend).

Sorry but I don't know a lot about the ins & outs of visa applications. I'm told that multi-entry non-im. valid for 12 months is the best one for a lengthy stay BUT will I only succeed in getting one if i am resident in the country i'm applying through?

Many thanks, in advance.

AIS GSM ADVANCE

Thanks for the quick response Ken, and for the advice. The above website is definately one to watch, particularly if the price has fallen by almost 20% in 3 months. I guess there's a bit of a price war happening so maybe i'll leave them to fight it out for a few more months as i'm surrounded by internet cafe's.

Lots of tourists / business men are now getting internet access by putting a card into the side of their laptop (wireless access) and it seems to be of broadband quality too, speedwise.

How do they do that, what are the set up costs (assuming you've got the laptop) and how's your access time payed for?

Sorry if i'm fick and behind the times but it is pretty cool. Those chairs in the internet cafe give me jep-tort!

Lots of tourists / business men are now getting internet access by putting a card into the side of their laptop (wireless access) and it seems to be of broadband quality too, speedwise.

How do they do that, what are the set up costs (assuming you've got the laptop) and how's your access time payed for?

Sorry if i'm fick and behind the times but it is pretty cool. Those chairs in the internet cafe give me jep-tort!

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I think this guy is president of the A.T.B. (Afghanistan Tourist Board) - He's just a bit concerned about the downturn in tourism and wants to get you back into his neck of the woods. Thailand? You won't find anywhere closer to Heaven, but in this day and age we've all gotta keep our wits about us.

Assuming that I find a place teaching in Bangkok, i've learned from ajarn.com that I could expect to do maybe 20(ish) contact hours and about the same again in prep and marking etc.

But what free (holiday) time do I get throughout the course of the year?

I've been to Thailand many times but only on 3 week (max) vacations , in which i get settled and don't tend to move around too much.

When i get over to there to work, I really want to see some of the more remote parts plus Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos etc.

Thanks for your help.

Yeah what are your quals, etc. mate?

To be honest, not a lot on the teaching front. I have a BA(Hons) in Business Studies, HNC in Business and finance and all the school stuff.

I've booked on a TEFL in March but won't get across for the hot recruitment period in May. Plan to be over by around October.

I did some English teaching in Africa many years ago, then a short stint in a small private school on Ko Samui. Currently working full time in the UK in an account management role. It's no fun, sending me bonkers and it's also the reason I can only get to LOS for 5 weeks a year!

I currently teach Astanga Yoga to Oxford graduates, but i guess that's digressing a bit!

Hi All:

I'm planning to emigrate to los within a year or so and i'm finding my daily wander around your forums to be unbelievably useful and re-assuring, so thanks guys!

Maybe you could help me with this scenario:

A lifelong friend of mine (Thai girl raising her son in UK) has an appartment standing empty near Mo Chit. She's offerred me it as she trusts me and i'd like to look for the best prospects (schools) within a reasonable commuting distance. I know this is a bit 'tail wagging the dog' but i know the appartment and the girl well and i like the area. Can you offer any pointers as to where to start looking and maybe even which the best schools in that immediate area are please?

Also, what sort of frequency can i expect to find with respect to vacancies/openings? ie certain times of the year, or is it pretty constant.

Thanks in advance, for your help.

Main conditions to get a One year extension of stay permit based on business...

Work permit

Minimum salary for your Nationality.. (European is 50,000 Baht per month)

I wasn't aware of this min. salary condition.

The 50,000 baht seems to be above what i thought many of the legal teachers are being payed.

Do they have to do the border run (in their own free time!) every 90 days?