victor15

It is a slap in the face for all Western tourists, as no doubt those

with Asian faces will still continue to get in at local rates.

The discrimination is not on race but nationality so its nationalist, not racist.

The aspect of this issue described above is what makes it racist.

Simple to eliminate. Check everyone at the gate for a Thai National ID card. If no have, charge foreigner rate.

If you go in the parks with Thai's (family) and have Thai driving license, show it when you go in and 9 times out of ten you will get in at Thai prices, especially if you joke that you are falaang Lao and not falaang tourist.

Also at some parks the driver go's in free. That always upsets the person collecting the fees when the driver is a falaang.

A well written last will and testament would be in order too detailing the spouses wishes for his/her property.

The will should be in Thai, after wife dies you have seven days to change visa if you live here under Thai family visa you will have to change to retirement visa, if you don't have THB 800,000 but have child from marriage and over 50 years old go for live/supported by child.

This whole new procedure shows the URGENT NEED for a prepaid Credit Card (Visa) for members of ThaiVisa that everybody can apply for.

I think a lot of people would be thankful to ThaiVisa and Sunbelt if they can achieve that.

And I see no reason why it could not be achieved after this ridicule rule of Immigration in Pattaya.

If your bank account is with Kasikorn Bank (if not open new account) when you apply for ATM card also apply for K-banking,

online you can now set your cards limit. When you want to use card just go online and raise limit when item has been bought lower limit again.

Kasikorn will contact your mobile with code so no-one else can change limit, also if no CVV is given by person trying to get your money, then transaction denied

I can remember reading a topic six months ago about a guy in either Pattya or BK who made delicious Pies and sausages and once a week deivered them to Chaing Mai

I have tried the search button without sucess.

Does anyone know anything about this? I am looking to buy in bulk

The pies up here suck big time!!

Cheers

TP

You may like to try this link.expatriate foods

I have no personal experience of them but I believe that a number of bars here in Khon Kaen purchase from this source.

Hope this is of help to you

Like PREM-R says, expatriate foods "Tower Bridge Foods" is the best in Chiang mai, Bob is the owner their factory is about 10 km along the 1006 across first outer ring road go over small river and at police box turn left, his mobile is on the website. they make everything fresh. and are now busy with christmas cakes, pudding. mince pies etc.

You can also buy them in the 3 "Rim Ping Supermarkets" but more expensive.

Married to a Thai , non immigrant "O" visa; can be a combination of your earnings and your wifes earnings (provable) added together and then divided by 12 months to make more than THB 40,000.

There're 2 different kinds of Non-O. If you're older than 50, and you'll do the mistake to apply for that kind of visa you've to sgow 700.000 Baht a year. Apply for the ordinary Non-O and you only? hve to show 400.000 a year.

I am over 50 years old with non immigrant "O" marriage visa and I can show my money ie pension and my wifes money in bank to make up the required amount. ie. THB 480,000 divided by 12 months is THB 40,000

I paid tax for income 20K per month * 12= 240K yearly income.

now (next week) I'll go to apply for higher income (the 40K we're talking about to match the visa requirments),then after 2.5 months (ie:when my non 'O' multy entry will almost expired) I will go to immigration with a record of only 3 months/or less then this of 40K a month.

please explain me as I'm lost here with the original OP,

from what I understand he paid for the whole year tax on income 40K and still experienced some problems with the yearly tax/income.

CONFUSED mak mak..

Married to a Thai , non immigrant "O" visa; can be a combination of your earnings and your wifes earnings (provable) added together and then divided by 12 months to make more than THB 40,000.

Maestro, the issue wasn't just that immigration wanted to see proof of income for the past 12 months, they wanted to see proof of tax paid on that income. I was happy to provide that, but the only documentation they will accept is the annual statement of tax paid with receipt from the revenue department. And that document is only done at the end of the calendar year, so it wasn't available yet for this year.Thus all they were willing to look at was tax documentation from the previous year, which in my case covered only 6 months of employment income.

I was interested in the part of your post where you talked about the average income per month based on the year's income. Immigration told me they wanted to see a minimum of 40k income per month for each month of the year.

It is very interesting indeed , to read that about the average income .

I and my wife are close to 40k , but still not there , but in the latter months

of the year my wife does make a lot more then 40k , the other months

are still far from there

But good news to hear this , it means we do have an average

of at least 40k a month . But the big question is , does immigration actually accept this ?

Hi all

I have non immigrant "O", last month I received my yearly visa with a yearly pension (provable) of THB. 360,000 and THB 130,000 in the bank.

together THB 490,000 divided by 12 months is THB 40,833 Over the required THB 40,000 a month.

We were going to use the THB 100,000 in wifes bank account but immigration said don't bother my money as enough.

Even simpler "scenario".

Farang has well more than 800k in his bank account and 1 day before he's due to go to immigration, a "medical emergency" happens and he is hospitalized and he is unable to immigration to extend.

So therefore even the 90 day "permission" to stay rule is onerous as well, as with countless other things.

???

I do believe a letter from your doctor will keep the immigration happy

That is not how I read it - he is talking about the bank deposit combined with pension income method. That will require meeting the total pension of 40k per month or a combined total of 480,000 baht or more. His total is 1,000 higher and I have no explanation for that.

It should have no effect on the 400k method if used by itself.

Quite right

THB 400,000 in bank no problem

THB 40,000 a month no problem

Combination has to be over THB 40,000 a month, thats why my total was 1,000 higher

I am in a similar position to the OP, however I am due to visit Bangkok immigration in May and apply for an extension of stay due to marriage to Thai wife. I am ex HM forces and receive a monthly pension that I hope will satisfy the 40k per month required.

Hi Phutoie2

If you are a first time applyee then you will need $40,000 plus a month, The British embassy will want to see your P60 also for your confirmation letter, they will confirm the full amount before tax.

If you are re-applying then you only need $400,000 in a Thai bank, you will be grandfathered in.

There are people here that only show $200,000 because they been here about 10 years and married to Thai.

If you are over 50 and have a Thai child with your name on birth certificate then you do not need any money in the bank.

Thai Cabinet okay’s Business Act amendments

NOTE: New rules for foreign business still have to clear National Assembly

The Cabinet yesterday approved the revised amendments to the Foreign Business Act, but it remains uncertain whether the bill will pass the National Legislative Assembly.

The assembly will debate the amendments on April 18. Some 50 of its members have been up in arms against the changes, saying they jeopardize foreign investment.

Commerce Minister Krirk-Krai Jirapaet said he was ready to bring the amendments to the assembly.

The Cabinet approved the new draft of the Foreign Business Law after the Commerce Ministry agreed to revise it to make it friendlier to foreign investment. An earlier draft submitted for Cabinet approval in February was rejected.

There are six key amendments:

First: the new draft will focus on the voting rights of foreign shareholders. If a company is 49 per cent foreign owned but foreigners hold more than 50 per cent of its voting rights the company will be defined as a foreign one.

Second: it will take out more businesses covered under Annex III. This will allow these businesses, such as insurance and non-commodity futures market, to be covered by specific laws.

Third: the new draft will remove the amnesty for those violating the nominee law.

Fourth: the draft will increase the penalty for those violating the Foreign Business Law - from three to five years in jail, and from Bt100,000 to Bt1 million in fines to Bt500,000 to Bt5 million.

Fifth: it will expand the period from two to three years for foreign companies operating in Annex I and Annex II to revise their ownership structure to conform to the new law. Moreover, foreign companies in Annex III must inform the Commerce Ministry within one year that they have foreign ownership status before continuing to operate as normal.

Sixth: a 17-member committee will be formed to rule whether a company is Thai or foreign owned in case of a dispute.

The Commerce Ministry says the amendments create more transparency by clearly defining foreign ownership and delineating the types of businesses that are open to foreigners.

It is also aiming to make it clear once and for all that using nominees to circumvent foreign-ownership caps is prohibited.

The draft is a compromise between an earlier version from the Commerce Ministry and those of the Council of State and the assembly.

The assembly can reject it and introduce its own for a vote.

However, the Commerce Ministry insists that its draft is better than those from the assembly and the Council of State.

The ministry’s new draft takes into account key concerns raised by the Cabinet and the foreign business community, said Skol Harnsuthivarin, secretary to Krirk-Krai.

The draft maintains the clause on voting rights, which is a major concern of the Thai government.

However, the draft will not focus on management control as the Council of State suggested, as the government considers that it would be too stringent for foreign investors, Skol said.

The new draft removes the amnesty clause because it would like to create fairness for Kularb Keaw, now under police investigation over allegations it acted as nominee for Singapore’s Temasek Holdings in the Shin Corp takeover.

Another 14 companies are also facing a complaint that they might have used nominees to circumvent the foreign business law. They are now being investigated by the Commerce Ministry.

Pramon Suthivong, chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand and Thai Chamber of Commerce, said most businesses affected would find the latest draft more satisfying but there would be some who might be unhappy with it.

“It is impossible to satisfy all parties, particularly foreign investors. But since it is necessary to amend the law, the government has to go ahead and do it” Pramon said.

Asked about the impact of the new draft on foreign investors’ confidence, Pramon said he believed they would not withdraw from the Kingdom.

All existing businesses will be able to operate freely under the new draft, but new ones might need time to study it more closely, he said.

Board of Trade deputy secretary-general Pornsilp Patcharintanakul said the private sector was delighted with the government’s move to put all companies on an equal footing.

Keisuke Matsumoto, secretary-general of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok, said Japanese investors were still concerned about voting rights as the change would force many to restructure their companies.

However, Keisuke said Japanese investors expected the government to become more flexible and hold discussions with them before implementing the new rules.

FOREIGN OWNERSHIP Cabinet exempts telecoms, retail, hotel businesses from FBA Wednesday April 11, 2007 - Bkk Post

Foreign companies using illegal nominees could face five years in jail under a plan to toughen foreign ownership rules.

Cabinet ministers yesterday endorsed the revisions to the Foreign Business Act, which also increases fines by five-fold to up to five million baht, according to Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet.

”The cabinet agreed to raise the penalty for violations, both in terms of fines and prison terms,” he said.

The original FBA draft approved by the cabinet on Jan 9 called for maximum sentences of three years and fines of up to one million baht.

The government also scrapped a proposed amnesty that would allow foreign-controlled businesses operating in List 3 sectors to maintain minority voting rights.

The Council of State, the government’s legal advisory body, noted that the ”grandfather” clause was unfair to other companies.

But companies will be given three years instead of two to comply with the law.

Critically, the cabinet yesterday exempted businesses in the telecommunications, retail and hotel sectors from the FBA rules, under the principle that these businesses operated under their own separate laws.

Companies in these sectors can continue to operate with foreigners holding majority voting rights until they cease operations.

The 1999 FBA outlines 43 types of businesses restricted to foreign companies.

List 1 represents businesses banned to foreigners, including media and rice farming. List 2 sectors, which include firearms production and transport, are restricted for national security reasons, while List 3 covers most service sectors.

Pramon Sutivong, the chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, cautioned that the latest changes did not necessarily represent the final version of the final law, as the National Legislative Assembly was likely to set up a separate panel to consider the draft. _

I moved from Chiang Mai to Khlong Khlung (middle of nowhere) about three months ago and I had no problems opening a new account with KasikornBank, all I needed was my passport with non Immigrant "O" visa

Why is everyone I speak to recommending the retirement visa route???

The spouse's visa requires only half of the monies tied up that the retirement visa requires .

Also if I later decided to invest some of my monies into a business would not the spouse's visa allow me to then obtain a work permit if I wanted one? (The retirement visa would not allow this)

Your opinions on which type of visa I should apply for would be appreciated.

I'm married to a Thai with thai / english boy (duel Nat.) I live here with non-immigrant "O" visa, But I would still advise you to get retitement visa if you have the required monetry requirements.

It takes about twenty mins. to get a retirement visa if all documents are correct, it takes three months to get marriage visa, every thirty days you will have to go back to immigration to renew stamp until your application returns from Bangkok.

Pluses / negative with non-immigrant "O" visa , with thai wife and child is that if your wife dies (god forebid) you can still live here with same visa to support child (as long as your name is on Thai Birth Cert.)

No child and wife dies or devorce, you have 7 days to change visa, on devorce one day

Would I need to have an amount in a Thai bank or would the HSBC be sufficient ?

You would need the amount Baht 800,000 in Thai Bank (retirement visa), Just because bank is the same does not work, all banking transfer restrictions will still apply. Too buy a house you will need to set up a holding company, make sure you read the new rules that came out in October 2006, also when transfering monies to pay for house go to bank and get the transfer recipts which state that the money is for buying a house (old thor thor 3) or you will not be able to take that money tax free back out of the country.

Does anyone know or have any of you experienced first hand whether or not Thai Immigration is giving a grace period on having the 800,000 - baht in a Thai bank three months before applying for an extension for the O-A Retirement Visa?

If they do have a grace period, what is the period they have put in place?

Would 800,000 baht in Thai bank one or two months before renewal be accepted?

I would be primarily interested in Bangkok, but any information on other locations would be welcomed as well.

Don't forget you do not need Baht 800,000 in the bank, you could for ex. have a pension of Baht 600,000 a year coming in to Thailand and Baht 200,000 in the bank.

You're joking right? He is talking about marrying a woman!!!

In general, do Thai women keep a clean house?

no I am not joking...

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I've been married to two Thai women in the last fifteen years, ten years over here in Thailand and I can definately say that what they can see is what they clean, anything that is over their heads or behind something does not get touched. Cobwebs get left alone because the spiders eat the mos'ies and flies. Before any of the girls out there start shouting, yes I do those parts of the house and the cooking. (Thai and Falaang). It do'nt mattater how often you tell the sweethearts after a week its back to normal.

Just updating you. Today I made a phone call to the number provided by Sriricha John. Was put through to another department, very helpful, listened, appeared sincere(who knows). They took my details and told me that the shop in question would get a visit in the next few days.

They also requested that I keep, as evidence , the 3 packs of bacon that I kept to prove this malpractice, and that if they needed anymore info, they would call me.

Whitewash???? Who knows?. I will let you know of any further developments.

As I say its not the fact that an out of date product was being sold, anyone can make a mistake!!. But the fact is that this shop DELIBERATELY altered the label making it appear to be a fresh product. Thats potentially very dangerous!!!

Anyways keep you informed

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I took a moment and cc'd Eileen over at Yorkies about the thread (knowing they put quality ahead of any other concern and their products are top nosh in my opinion, nice folks too). Just got an email back, suffice to say, they're none to pleased about the switched labelling and will be following up as well.

Edited Quote: "We have always prided ourselves on top quality goods and would only EVER send Yorkies products out in good condition with the proper date etc." and "We never compromise on quality, nor do we cut corners in order to make an extra few baht. I am therefore horrified to find that this happened and I will make it my business to call in and see Mr **** (at Villla) personally..."

If you'd like their email, pls pm.

Daniel

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Sorry messed up before, what Eileen says is most proberly true, but I've seen her pies in Frienship (Pattaya) and in shops in Chiang Mai where there is is only Yorkies brand name and price on the pies, no run out date and no manufacture date. Since January the Thai government requires a list of ingrediants (also missing)

Just updating you. Today I made a phone call to the number provided by Sriricha John. Was put through to another department, very helpful, listened, appeared sincere(who knows). They took my details and told me that the shop in question would get a visit in the next few days.

They also requested that I keep, as evidence , the 3 packs of bacon that I kept to prove this malpractice, and that if they needed anymore info, they would call me.

Whitewash???? Who knows?. I will let you know of any further developments.

As I say its not the fact that an out of date product was being sold, anyone can make a mistake!!. But the fact is that this shop DELIBERATELY altered the label making it appear to be a fresh product. Thats potentially very dangerous!!!

Anyways keep you informed

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I took a moment and cc'd Eileen over at Yorkies about the thread (knowing they put quality ahead of any other concern and their products are top nosh in my opinion, nice folks too). Just got an email back, suffice to say, they're none to pleased about the switched labelling and will be following up as well.

Edited Quote: "We have always prided ourselves on top quality goods and would only EVER send Yorkies products out in good condition with the proper date etc." and "We never compromise on quality, nor do we cut corners in order to make an extra few baht. I am therefore horrified to find that this happened and I will make it my business to call in and see Mr **** (at Villla) personally..."

If you'd like their email, pls pm.

Daniel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just updating you. Today I made a phone call to the number provided by Sriricha John. Was put through to another department, very helpful, listened, appeared sincere(who knows). They took my details and told me that the shop in question would get a visit in the next few days.

They also requested that I keep, as evidence , the 3 packs of bacon that I kept to prove this malpractice, and that if they needed anymore info, they would call me.

Whitewash???? Who knows?. I will let you know of any further developments.

As I say its not the fact that an out of date product was being sold, anyone can make a mistake!!. But the fact is that this shop DELIBERATELY altered the label making it appear to be a fresh product. Thats potentially very dangerous!!!

Anyways keep you informed

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I took a moment and cc'd Eileen over at Yorkies about the thread (knowing they put quality ahead of any other concern and their products are top nosh in my opinion, nice folks too). Just got an email back, suffice to say, they're none to pleased about the switched labelling and will be following up as well.

Edited Quote: "We have always prided ourselves on top quality goods and would only EVER send Yorkies products out in good condition with the proper date etc." and "We never compromise on quality, nor do we cut corners in order to make an extra few baht. I am therefore horrified to find that this happened and I will make it my business to call in and see Mr **** (at Villla) personally..."

If you'd like their email, pls pm.

Daniel

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