Khun Robert

I applied for a Non-Imm O visa at the Thai Consulate ( July 2015) in Amsterdam.Netherland based on marriage with a Thai.

On of the requirements was the last three months a minimum income of 30.000 Thb.

Copies of bankbook on the same name.

Print made from website bank was not enough, I had to ask my wife in Thailand to scan the 3 month pages of the bank book and the first page with name and bank acc number and send by mail so I could made a print.

Also had copy of original Thai marriage license and copies of the translated and verified license by Foreign affairs Thailand.

Copy of Dutch registration of marriage license.

Copy of ID wife.

Copy of Paspoort,

2 passport pictures.

During second visit explaining why I want to go back Thailand, showing previous extensions of stay in Thailand and my last work permit valid till Sep 2014.

She made a 20 minute phone call to the Embassy in The Hague asking if I would get a NON-O Visa based on mariage, the answer was: He can apply with mentioned papers.

After 3 days I collected a single entry 3 months Non O visa.

So not only in Hull there is a requirement of financial proof.

From their website,sorry it is in Dutch:

-Bent u gehuwd/officieel geregistreerd partnerschap en heeft 1 van de partners geen inkomsten dan dient het maandbedrag 1200,- per maand te zijn.U dient dan een kopie van het trouwboekje/huwelijksakte/officieel geregistreerd partnerschap bij te voegen.

- If you are married or official partner ship and 1 of the partners has no income you need € 1.200,- a month income. Copy marriage papers or official partnership, (hope i got translation good enough)

Every Year the European Union sponsoring a project to teach 25 Thais English and Scuba Dive Instructor on PADI levels,

This project is started after Tsunami in 2004. I think there are much more Thai instructors then the owners of dive centers want to see.

I never heard from a customer the question: "which nationality is my dive master" and even I never see a customer check the certification of their guide.

They trust the sales person.

I agree with the level of service the Thai dive masters provide. A very good job, better than I see from most farang staff, who only come to work for

a short time to have a paid holiday. They do not care customers or the dive center, they are leaving in a few months anyway to perform their diving next winter

in another tropical paradise.

Have been diving in this region for over 30 years mainly wreck diving down to 60 meters. I have dived with about every nationality under the sun including some Thai nationals who were proficient, however, the safety culture in Thailand or rather lack of it makes it problematic to have a Thai in charge of the safety of tourist divers some of whom have little experience and are only marginally qualified.

When incidents occur under water in a dive situation problems become exponential if proper actions are not taken immediately. This Tour Guide scenario is just so typical of this myopic nation who want to provide income for their nationals at the expense of safety for their customers.

Blame your dive organisation for certifying the Thai Nationals.

A certified dive master, and I do not care which organization, should be able to take care when a problem ac cured.

If they are not it is to blame the organization and not a nationality

I've been to a PADI IDC in Thailand and I was amazed that all participants get their Instructor licence.

I've heard, so maybe not the truth, but as long as it is not standards breaking you can not fail.

Going to 5 meters down and not capable to notice that a customer has his snorkel in his mouth and not his regulator??

Yes, you guess IDC passed, not breaking standards.

I've been diving with customers who could not clear a partially filled mask, their foreign instructor told them: "You can always go to the surface for that".

I spend 30 minutes on 2 meters to teach them and they did have an Open Water Certificate.

I dive regular with Thais and I must say: What they show me underwater for marine life, the way they handle their bouyency I wish I had the same Thai teacher.

I dive with GUE Thai divers, using triimix. Believe me they have more understanding and control about safety than me.

But they can not get a job as dive master, because the farang are better according to the dive centers.

..

The tour is a three day 2 night tour staying in hotel near Ao Nang,

Day 1 arriving and relaxing, day 2 a 4 island tour and day 3 departure.

Hotel does not have any rooms available for these people, claim they are over booked,

the 4 island tour is promoted with a boat they do not rent or own or even have the possibility to book customers on board that boat.

The airport transfers are just not there.

All just one big scam. The owner of hotel and this tour operator has many Co. Ltd. He close Co. ltd, opens new Co.ltd almost daily.

He offered last year, Krabi Government and all the lawyers a free trip to one of his hotels in north east Bangkok.

And that was during the time I only talked with that company by a lawyer for breaking a rental contract.

We have 7 bounced check reports from Police from this company.

His Co.ltd closed down leaving us with more than 1 million damage and our lawyer staying in his hotel for a weekend break at no costs.

I must say, after a meeting with the owner and some strong talks he paid Us 30 % of the damage, but still 70 % paid out my own pocket.

It was a good lesson learned.

Good to see that finally justice will be done.

I hope the checks will not stop at Phuket but will go around all the other destinations for diving.

Last time I visited a dive boat with a friend the Boatmaster told me that I'm not welcome on the boat. Well I work as Scuba Dive Instructor (written in my work permit), I went out to perform a scuba review, my friend did not dive for 4 years.

I asked the boatmaster if he holds a work permit, his answer: "No, why"?.

A few month ago, i had to report to Tourist Police in Krabi. I took all my original papers and a full set of photo copies, marked with the text: "For Tourist Police" to the office.

After check I asked them what the problem is, I was reported as working illegal in Thailand by 2 dive centers in Ao Nang.

Tourist Police declared all my papers are official and correct and I can work as Instructor.

In Ao Nang there is no extortion of money by the Police, it is a voluntary contribution every month. All the dive centers claim that it is cheaper to make a monthly contribution than to organize the paper works for their staff.

As long as every body is happy, the dive centers with paying, the police with collection, this will go on.

Unfortunately very good Thai dive masters, good in English, sitting at home because the shops prefer illegal guides above the local Thais, otherwise the voluntary contribution is done for nothing.

When I'm out diving I see the boats coming in from Phuket. Can somebody explain me how it works: only 191 Instructors working for 114 shops. Thats less than 2 Instructors a shop?

They much teach a lot of people at the same time. I prefer smaller groups, sorry.

Good to read that again all passengers and crew are all safe.

Bad to read that another dive boat went down.

The engine runs good in stationary, but when put in gear it sounds like he is slowly going down and shuts off.

Restart only possible when trim the engine up and pump new gasolline inside.

for me it looks like the gasoline pump is not functioning when really needed.

But Im not a mechanic. I had a Mercury mechanic and he has the same idea, gasoline pump and maybe dirty carburators.

He does not want to open the engine for good check, due of no spare parts and not enough knowledge about Evinrude.

Hello boat lovers,

I have a 60 HP Evinrude outboard on a small speedboat.

The problem is that as far as I can get information there is no mechanic with knowledge of Evinrude in the are of Krabi.

The engine stops working when we put it in gear.

Neutral it is running good, after shift in gear it stops within minutes.

If you have any knowledge or know somebody with knowledge about Evinrude outboards please contact me.

If you know a place where we can get spare parts please contact me.

The engine is old, and knowing there is no dealership in Thailand maybe the best thing is to replace.

If you have an outboard laying around the house with maximum 60 HP, please contact me.

Thanks

Robert.

How to increase the numbers:

The study tours of schools coming to Bangkok.

Here in Krabi we have almost daily buses full with school children visiting Fossil Shell beach. Let's count them in. During the typing 3 buses passed by, so another minimum of 150 Tourists in our small town.

​ Unfortunately the do not spend any money..

Why would he pay 20.000 Nkr. I went into Laos and Cambodia several times around the check-point (oops police is not reading I hope) but it's a piece of cake..

Obvious he is not telling the truth.

Why choose Cambodia health care above Norway?

He had passport, not on bail, so he can leave normal from airport.

But he stated: “I have not done anything wrong, instead I am being cheated out of millions of kroner,” he told Aftenposten.

Well I think border crossings by paying a big deal of money, handing over your passport to a smuggling gang is something wrong.

I would say:

BKK - Krabi, stay overnight

Ferry Krabi - Langkawi (Malaysia)

Ferry or speedboat Langkawi - Koh Lipe

Ferry or speedboat Koh Lipe - Koh Lanta

Ferry or minivan Koh Lanta - Ao Nang (touristic) or Ao Nammao (local area), Krabi

From Ao Nang book a day tour to Koh Phi Phi and a day tour to James Bond Island.

Fly back to BKK.

visa2013.pdf

New extension applied for 3 weeks ago, it is now under consideration and I will get coming week again 1 year extension of this NON-B visa.

Immigration asked me every year to change my visa extension to: based on marriage. When I ask why, he only smiles and tell me visa conversion cost money.

But extension based on marriage they can do in Krabi, you not have to wait 1 month for headquarters in Songkla.

I can wait the 1 month, Immigration is not that far away.

A visa only allows you to enter the country. Show me your extension of stay page that is what is important.

If as a teacher they are not subject to the same rules - those working for private employers are subject to both company requirements and income by nationality requirements even after having obtained a work permit if they want an extension of stay. In most cases new company employment will mean more than a year of not being able to obtain extension and often much longer due requirement for last years tax paperwork..

I'm married maybe that is the difference.

My wife set up a sole priority ship, we applied for TAT license, work permit and extension of stay. All done in 1 month after getting shop papers.

Immigration asked for 1 year tax papers and 3 months salary and social security for staff. Explained we not have due opening shop only 3 weeks ago, see shop papers and it was no problem.

We did this in July 2010, don't know if the rules are changed or the marriage was the benefit. I still have extension of stay based on my NON-B visa.

I suspect you have an extension of stay based upon marriage.

You would not be able to get an extension based upon working with a sole proprietorship business. Which you implied you have when you incorrectly called it a B visa.

I attached my visa as you can see it is a NON=B

If as a teacher they are not subject to the same rules - those working for private employers are subject to both company requirements and income by nationality requirements even after having obtained a work permit if they want an extension of stay. In most cases new company employment will mean more than a year of not being able to obtain extension and often much longer due requirement for last years tax paperwork..

I'm married maybe that is the difference.

My wife set up a sole priority ship, we applied for TAT license, work permit and extension of stay. All done in 1 month after getting shop papers.

Immigration asked for 1 year tax papers and 3 months salary and social security for staff. Explained we not have due opening shop only 3 weeks ago, see shop papers and it was no problem.

We did this in July 2010, don't know if the rules are changed or the marriage was the benefit. I still have extension of stay based on my NON-B visa.

A one year extension of permission of stay for work fixes that. Been doing it for 20 years so not sure what the 90 day border run complaint is all about, or am I missing something.

Yes, you miss the point that to many "companies" don't have Thai staff, or don't pay their social security and taxes.

So the work permit holder is not getting a extension of stay.

That's why the 90 day border runs and hoping on a new visa somewhere abroad each year.

Complaining because they don't have their act together but It is never their fault.

Hello Neo6,

I understand your feelings but what you say I hear more times.

"I planned my trip very good", no way. You're complaining about travel times. Did you ever compare the distance between your destinations with the same distance in Europe?

Plan a trip in your home town from the same length and explain me than it could be better, faster and cheaper?

Private Taxi from Samui to Koh Lanta 5.000 Thb for a tour of more than 300 km.

You're eating steaks in fancy restaurants, sleeping in 5 star luxury resorts, well that is asking for spending money.

Ever tried the "crappy buildings and huts" along the main road on Koh Lanta to have a meal. You can have a good Thai meal for 80 Thb a person.

You obviously did not explore Thailand. Get out your resort, walk on the road, eat and drink in what you call crappy buildings and you find a cheaper Thailand.

If you like European 5 star hotels with 5 star restaurants and 5 star service, European Standards in real estate well I think you can fill it in. You only get all European standards in .......... , well done, Europe.

Change your views and planning, do some research on the internet, not with forums like this. Sorry but as sad before, this is a forum mostly visited by grumpy expats and dis appointed people.

I helped several people planning tours in Thailand and most of them are visiting Us again, some every year some every few years because they loved it.

And yes, I tell them before they come, you want to much, visit 2 to 3 places in one month maximum. Only the northern part or the southern part. Otherwise you live your holiday packing and travelling.

Thailand is a big country, not like Luxembourg which you can visit in 1 day.

Take a look at the map and compare the size with Europe and you easily see that Thailand is big, from north to south about 3.000 KM.

And you want to see all in 4 weeks.

Before I left the Netherlands (2003) we all laughed about the new tour for Chinese: Seeing the 12 countries of Europe in 21 days.

I'm living in Krabi and run a tour operator and dive shop.

Koh Lanta is a very nice place, but this time of year there is nothing to do. Koh Lanta comes alive in November and becomes very quiet after Februari.

Three years ago I wanted to go with my Thai wife for 29 days visit to the Netherlands.

Her visa denied due the fact that I had no income from the Netherlands, I live and work in Thailand since 2003.

Second attempt with invitation letter from my sister she got a visa for 34 days.

Within 24 hours after arriving she had to make a report at local police, we did and found out that the police in the Netherlands changed to provincial immigration offices.

But we could report by internet, thanks for the information by a help full police officer.

We made the internet report and got an e-mail reply to report in person at the immigration office 35 Km away from the place we stay.

We went and than they told her she had to bring the person who invited her together with salary slips and ID.

I showed the e-mail from their office and asked where that was stated.

You should know was the answer. A second officer at the desk was more polite and asked why I was with her. I explained that I'm the husband, showed my passport and told him my sister is working and living 100 km away.

We stay in the house of my parents. He was okay with that answer.

He took her papers and asked Us to wait, we did for almost 1 hour.

Then he give her a yellow card that had to be signed by immigration when leaving the country and send by post to the Dutch Immigration.

For me this looks more hassle than show my passport when checking into a hotel or my 90 days visits to immigration by myself.

The yearly visit for extension we do together and after the 30 minutes we go for a nice lunch and some shopping.

I don't know about the letter of aprovement.

But for your second question: Krabi immigration does knows about Non-B Visa extension. At least I have 3 in my pasport.

If you obtained the Non-B visa abroad, properly only valid for 3 months, you go asap back to labor office to get the work permit.

With the work permit you can extend the Non-B visa, Krabi will give you only 1 month extension based on the fact that the papers are send to southern headquarters of Immigration in Songkhla.

Their the visa extension will be checked and hopefully approved, papers back to Krabi were you get another 11 months extension.

Songkhla is very helpful immigration office, call them explain the situation and they will tell you exact what forms they need for extension. Make sure that you have 2 sets of form to hand over to Krabi and

just in case a third set of copies available. Sometimes some forms get missing in the "post". If that happens you can easily and quickly fax the papers straight to Songkhla.

My wife registered a sole proprietor ship in 2010. After that we visited the labor office and applied for a work-permit for me as her husband. I got a work permit with the only extra requirement that I teach 1 staff yearly.

We have 2 staff part time working at the wage of 300 Thb a day. We pay social security and taxes for the staff and for me. Every six months the accountant files the papers at the tax office and we get a kor bor 9.(with extension nr ) form needed for immigration.

For Social security the staff can not be the wife (owner) or any family member. Even myself. as employee, can not have the social security based on the fact that I'm married to the owner, so I'm family.

Every year I extend my work permit at the labor office myself, bring one staff with the form of education staff, signed by staff. Short interview with staff, check of all copies, 100 Thb fee and 1 week later the work permit get extended for 1 year with the fee of 3600 Thb.

After that visit Immigration, bring all the papers including tax payments, social security payments and get 1 month extension, within the month get phone call from Immigration to get the full year extension.

For the sole proprietor ship was no money in the bank needed. A visit of about 15 min to the office was enough to get the papers against a fee of 50 Thb. Make sure you have several names, they refused the first three names we choosed.

Work permit application done by myself, takes a few visits to get all the papers, but stay nice, keep smiling.

Visa first time very hard, because sole proprietor ship just opened, so no proof of 1 year minimum salary for me.

In south Thailand the extension for 1 year based on work is giving by Songkla head office, contact them and they speak good English and willing to help you out.

I call Songkla every year and asked for needed forms, make sure I have them all in 2 sets and hand that over to Krabi Immigration.

They always ask for more papers or tell me papers are incorrect, I just call Songkla in front of officer, before the call the papers are normally suddenly all okay and send off to Songkla.

We did it all by ourselfs with a little help of a friend for translations. Sole proprietor, TAT license, work permit and visa all done in less than 2 months with a total costs of 20.000 Thb.

All the extensions in the last 2 years all done my ourselfs and it works as long as you follow the rules, be nice ask them to help and keep on smiling in the office. Outside you can kick what ever you like to calm down.

We run a tour operator, my work permit is for General Manager, so no sales or direct contact with customers but only managing tasks and

as Free lance Scuba Diving Instructor which give me the freedom of talking to customers, sale dive tours, join them on dive tours as Instructor for our own shop or rent myself out to other shops to take care their customers.

Or even helping out with monitoring, protecting and conserving the marine natural resources on voluntary basis.

Sorry, this post is posted with the Idea that I was logged in. After posting I saw that the log in was still on name of my good friend who just used my computer.

I will check better next time before posting.

Simple question:

How many of you farang company owners do pay 51 % of the company profits to the Thai share holders?

I bet; NONE. So he is right that all the money end up in Farang pockets.

How many of you farang company owners hold a yearly share holders meeting?

I bet: NONE.

The rules are simple, but hard to understand for those who want to bend the rules.

You can apply for a work permit, with papers from a company who want to hire you.

If you have a work permit you can apply for an extension of stay on your visa with Immigration.

Immigration will ask for:

Paying tax and social security for the 4 Thai Staff or 2 Thai staff if married.

They will also ask for proof of marriage, proof of office, which many times can be done by pictures.

Labor Office can ask for proof of teaching Thai Staff by personal interview with staff or just except the letter of education.

To extend your working permit you deal with Labor office,

To extend your visa you deal with Immigration office

Both offices have their own rules, do not mix them up and tell on a forum that the rules are not clear if you even use the rules set by an other office.

As a non-European I can not work in Europe without a work permit, during my last years in the Netherlands we got raided once a year by Immigration and Police for check up on work permits for foreigners.

Each year people got arrested on the fact that they did not have their passport in their pocket while working.

Working and living in Thailand is easy if you learn a little about the rules and want to obey the rules.

4 or 2 employees depends on profession and marriage, it could also be 7 or 4, 200 or 100.