ZAKY

Update: Police officer Wuttachai Moobacon was recently faced with a dilemma on the Don Muang section of the tollway when an offending motorist offered him a 11,000 baht bribe to avoid a traffic ticket.

....mca....best post of the week award

......"Yes said PO Wuttacai "this put me in a really difficult position for at least 2 seconds...but I resolved it quickly...I took the 11,000.....photographed the driver giving it too me.....arrested him.......searched his pockets.......located the 11,000b again......confiscated the 11,000b (evidence)...took the arrested driver back to the station....showed the boss my photograph...boss congratulated me and handed me the 10,000 reward"

"I then rang the wife and told her ...guess what?...I just made 21000b in 30 minutes...".

Good to hear all this ! I ask myself how this system works since two policemen have already been rewarded. Is it on a simple allegation? Because an attempt ti corruption is not a traffic offense! It should go through a court and this is a long procedure also uncertain that the case can be proved sucessfully.

These guys are unbelievable. So they target the civilians by making them pay a larger fine. Why not target the corrupt cops? This country is so back asswards it is amazing. Now the policeman doesn't need to get a 200bt bribe when he can get 10000bt. Speechless

ahahahaha !!!! I like this joke of the year ! The police refuse a bribe of thb 100 to get a better bribe of thb 10,000

Thanks for several good replies.

@ZAKY

What is a "multiple"? I have assumed that a one year visa is always multiple entry? Should I specify that my retirement visa should be multiple entry?

What is the 90 days immigration check? What do they check then?

Yes multiple allow you to leave and return. The 90 days check is that you will have each 90 days re-confirm your address to the immigration but if you are not staying to thst limit on each trip therefore no use.

Hello

I wish to apply for retirement visa. I am 50+ and carry Swedish passport. I understand that if I can deposit 800.000 baht in a Thai bank account I may succeed with an application.

I am in Chiang Rai now on a tourist visa. 5 weeks remain of the visa. I walked between banks yesterday trying to open an account without success.

TMB needed a work permit

Kasikorn needed me to rent apartment or house. Then the landlord could probably issue some necessary document they said.

Bangkok bank needed a document from a Thai person certifying that I was "no problem".

Relations with bank clerks were good and I naturally don't dress in flip flops and shorts when going to banks.

I still like to move around and live in guesthouses. I will most likely rent an apartment later when I have decided in which Thai city to stay longer. Right now only 5 weeks remain of my tourist visa and I do not wish to rent an apartment for a longer time before I have visa for a longer period.

I also think immigration wants the 800.000 baht on the account three months before I apply. Therefore I need the bank account before renting an apartment.

I have heard about foreigners living in guesthouses getting bank accounts without renting apartment.

It seems I need a bank account to get my visa. How should I proceed? Is it easier to open a bank account in another city or bank?

I don't return often to Sweden any more. If I can't obtain the retirement visa I may go to another SEA country temporarily. But setting up retirement visa from outside Thailand seems difficult just considering the difficulties obtaining the bank account from WITHIN Thailand.

I apologize if I repeat a question, I use a phone and have had problems searching.

Thanks a lot for any advice how to get the bank account and retirement visa.

Easiest way but it will cost you something : is to get a lawyer who can accompany you to the bank and also ease your application for this first time, you should at the same time apply for a multiple to get in/out during the course of your actual visa. Then it will be easier for you to renew the visa in one year's time. But remember you should have a address and also do your 90 days immigration check.

OK. Can't we let this thread die. I made it when I was a little peeved. You have people that are awesome , and you have people that are just I'll tempered. They come in all races. I've met some wonderful people during my time in Thailand. Hopefully, I will continue to meet even more amazing people. How you treat and respond to people dictates how they will treat you.

I remember a coworker telling me "you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar."

Thanks.

Sometimes you catch the bees also at they bites

I hope the new Government take very seriously what it is happening in South Thailand, and get in offensive mode, with hard punishments to these groups before too late.

We often ask ourselves whether the three provinces : Narrathiwat, Yala and Pattani are still in Thailand?

I hope one of the foreign business man will tell him to ease the process for foreigners to open a Thai Company and obtain a work permit.

I hope too !!!

Religion is the biggest killer - more than aids, any diseases , calamities, accident...

Hello Can anyone tell me what paperwork actually needs to be submitted in practice (from forum members experience please) - when applying for Non-immgrant O-A Retirement besides the passbook statement showing the 800,000 seasoned bank deposit and current visa - do I have to provide:

• Medical certificate showing no prohibitive diseases and if so - do I have to get this from a specific hospital or can I get it anywhere - can anyone recommend a hospital who is used to issuing these certificates in centre of Bangkok where some staff speak english?
• On the immigration website it mentions submitting a 'Personal Data Form' where do I get that form? does anyone have that form please?
• Do I need a police no convictions statement - I have actually been working in Laos (for government but they never processed a work permit form me) for the past year (and not in my home country for past 10 years) - where would I get this police statement from? - Is it needed?
• Anythingelse?

5. Has anyone imported their personal belongings from another country into Bangkok - do customs require a copy of a residency permit and/or non-tourist visa? An agent will be handling it so Im not sure if I need to get this paperwork in advance ?

Please would you answer point by point to avoid confusion

I appreciate your advice

Yes of course you will require the police certificate but i cant remember about the medical one : whether this was required or not. If you are in Bangkok you may enquire with one of these small agencies. There is one in the corner of Asok Montri just near interchange building, they will give you all infos about required documents and customs allowance etc...whether you chose to apply through them or not.

His last shot !!!

Elite Mk1 made a resounding loss for the gullible, more money than sense punters.

So why should I read about part two,that will do the same!

All the 'round one' lifetime membership Elite cards are still valid and being used to this day.

Some people have mentioned that they're on their third five year visa now. Sounds good to me.

Its a matter of choice ! Its up to you ! Retirement or marriage visas ! Some other countries also do similar ways of attracting foreigners who can afford but the difference with Thailand is that you can be on your 10th '5 years' you will still have no right to purchase land and right to do buisiness or work unless you go for long administrative formalities and invest 100% for 49% shares like any other foreigners,

This thread is about the pros and cons of the Elite Card options. Those who feel disenfranchised by laws they consider draconian can protest in several ways including with their feet. The laws were about the same on your first visit to the Kingdom.

If the thread is about "who the elite card is for", then by implication it's as well about who it might not be for, i.e., who might benefit from another approach. 'Don't see why alternatives shouldn't get some time therefore...

I dont beleive that some are on a 3rd 5 years as the 5 years is new 500k card just released in 2013 at the same time as the 20 years 2m. One.

I personally know someone who is on his 3rd five year visa. He bought the original 1M Baht Thai Elite Card that is good for his lifetime. Believe it. Obviously from reading TV he is not the only one. For him the card turned out quite well.

It should be the old 1m. lifetime card released in 2010. Still costly, its vat-able on transfer. I cant remember whether - at that time - the holder should pay the annual fee of 20k Bath every year.

Elite Mk1 made a resounding loss for the gullible, more money than sense punters.

So why should I read about part two,that will do the same!

All the 'round one' lifetime membership Elite cards are still valid and being used to this day.

Some people have mentioned that they're on their third five year visa now. Sounds good to me.

Its a matter of choice ! Its up to you ! Retirement or marriage visas ! Some other countries also do similar ways of attracting foreigners who can afford but the difference with Thailand is that you can be on your 10th '5 years' you will still have no right to purchase land and right to do buisiness or work unless you go for long administrative formalities and invest 100% for 49% shares like any other foreigners,

This thread is about the pros and cons of the Elite Card options. Those who feel disenfranchised by laws they consider draconian can protest in several ways including with their feet. The laws were about the same on your first visit to the Kingdom.

If the thread is about "who the elite card is for", then by implication it's as well about who it might not be for, i.e., who might benefit from another approach. 'Don't see why alternatives shouldn't get some time therefore...

I dont beleive that some are on a 3rd 5 years as the 5 years is new 500k card just released in 2013 at the same time as the 20 years 2m. One.

"Land of smiles" is just a label or call it a virtual mask, it has not been created by the Thais but Western.

It is a USP. An advertising agent from the West came to Thailand and looked around. He went back to his office in the West and looked around and came up with a USP, unique selling point.

Many people he saw in Thailand were smiling and many people he saw in the West were not.

This can be proven easily. Go to a mall in Bangkok Thailand and another in Ferguson Missouri and count the people smiling. On second thought you may not want to go to Missouri.

You didnt say whether in the Bangkok Hall they still smile after you purchased

Elite Mk1 made a resounding loss for the gullible, more money than sense punters.

So why should I read about part two,that will do the same!

All the 'round one' lifetime membership Elite cards are still valid and being used to this day.

Some people have mentioned that they're on their third five year visa now. Sounds good to me.

Its a matter of choice ! Its up to you ! Retirement or marriage visas ! Some other countries also do similar ways of attracting foreigners who can afford but the difference with Thailand is that you can be on your 10th '5 years' you will still have no right to purchase land and right to do buisiness or work unless you go for long administrative formalities and invest 100% for 49% shares like any other foreigners,

It has many economic advantages for Thailand and no obvious disadvantages

Disadvantages include...

• Many of the retirees regularly break the law by using prostitutes which is illegal in Thailand and very bad for Thailand's image on the world stage.

• Dwindling amount of money or limited pensions which aren't worth quite as much as they used to be causing people to get into financial trouble they can't get out of - can lead to homelessness etc.

• Old people tend to need more medical treatment than younger people and might not be able to afford to pay for it.

I dont think that retirees are prostitute users as generally they are already old, and less oriented towards sex, they tends more to have a regular girlfriend for sharing their lives together. On the other hand, Thai law does not encourage a foreigner to get married to a Thai because even with the marriage visa he will still be like a tourist and cannot work here unless he obtain a work permit, which is quite difficult.

I am a 67 year old Canadian. I have 3 full pages and a few half pages left in my passport. The passport expires 2017. I have taught science in Thailand so not too many tourist visas. My non-b expires this week. I may return to Canada in the next 3 months. I will not be working. I have a 31,000 baht pension no savings. I am single but have a Thai gf

I will go to Penang for a tourist visa.

Any obvious or potential problems? Any suggested alternstives?

I have heard that Thai Authority is going to revise the rule for teachers, may be you can enquire before you take any decision

This is a question for those foreigners who intend to live in Thailand until their dying day.

As I edge closer to 'mature' years, I am getting a little concerned about the long-term viability of a visa extension based on retirement, the visa type that most of us older expats use to legally stay in this country.

Right now, this type of visa extension allows a mere 365 days of stay, based on proof of finances/pension etc.

I don't think it is outside the realms of possibility that the regulations concerning this visa extension type may change in the future, and very likely not for the better.

- What if the sum required to show in the bank/monthly pension was increased by 20%

- What if you were required to actually spend your 800,000 baht every year, not just show the same amount in your bank account?

- What is the age of eligibility for this visa type were raised to 65 years old?

- What if you need to make a visa-run at 90 years old???

I'm not scare-mongering, but considering very possible situations, especially considering the fact that Thailand is a lot closer (socially/economically etc) to China and ASEAN. In the future years, being an old 'whitey' in Thailand might not carry much weight....

For myself, I would jump at the chance to obtain Thai citizenship, to assure my future in Thailand. Unfortunately, being divorced from my Thai wife seems to remove the opportunity to apply for citizenship, even though I have a Thai child born within wedlock. (Yes, PR is a route to citizenship for single male foreigners, but I think some who applied more than 6 years ago are still waiting......)

Does anyone share the same concerns about 'retirement visas' as I?

Im on my third year of visa extension and the total of days i spent in Thailand are about 60 yes aprroximately 2 months most of time my Thai girlfriend and myself we are away from Thailand and when i am here, i stay in my own condo or hotels not even her house to stay. For any medicals i go to Bangkok Hospital or Bumrungrad. I beleive that any change will not have any incidence on my life.

"Land of smiles" is just a label or call it a virtual mask, it has not been created by the Thais but Western.

The reason that the Thai authorities don't raid shared-office space, knock down condo doors, and deny more entries to the online folks on repeated tourist visas may be pretty simple: The component that such persons represent to the overall Thai economy is so small that they really don't give a sh*t. Most probably only do enough to get by anyway.

Thai officialdom wants IT and online service companies to invest in Thailand and hire Thai university graduates and, I presume, as long as they do not provide incentives to the lone wolves who do neither, the potential investors really don't care.

As for the repeated tourist visas, regardless of WP status, you sign a declaration on your application that your trip is for pleasure purposes only which, if otherwise, is making a false statement to a Thai official which may be an offense under the Thai Penal code.

JL is there really any point continually discussing this subject if your best conclusion is that the Thai authorities "don't give a shit"? Though their lack of action certainly doesn't imply tacit approval, the fact is there is no official information from which to draw any conclusion. Since we can't really clarify the Thai authorities views on the subject we're just arguing semantics and opinion.

As you say the effect on the Thai economy is pretty much zero and most are quite happily “getting by” and enjoying their stay in Thailand. The sheer scope of niches, skill levels, and fields of work people utilize really makes it difficult to quantify these people as a definitive group as the only link is they use the internet. No one is disputing the wealth of tech talent produced by Thai universities, but no one is competing for work with these guys.

Is there a point discussing this? Yes. Because guys continually continually come on here and ask, since they believe they make such a significant contribution to Thai economy and culture, why are they not better accommodated by the regulations for immigration and working situation. The answer I gave to which you referenced still stands.

BTW the views of the Thai officialdom regarding the advancement of the IT sector is quite well documented particularly on the BOI website and I make inferences from that.

All these problem could have been solved and foreigners would have feel more confident and to work honestly and legally contribute to pay taxes here if they revise and update their policy regarding WP.

Who would be encouraged that for obtaining a WP to do online buisiness you have to go through the whole process of having to invest THB 2m at the same time owning 49% of a buisiness where you are the master, hire a office, pay trade licences and also employ thai at least 3 thais, where as this type of buisiness can be easily done while standing on the pavement with your ipad or sitting in a coffee shop.

No it's not work. And like most of your other statements here, you don't know what you talk about

Can you explain to me why it's not work though?

Better, can you explain to me what the practical difference is, to anyone in Thailand, or to the Thai economy, whether someone's money available to spend in Thailand is earned from a 10% gain in their foreign investment fund, or by a a foreign company selling coconuts to Australia. I doubt you can.

Inversely it is also difficult to explain where the word 'work' starts and where it ends. If washing one's car or doing some volontary domestic work is considered as work there will be always some confusion about knowing when exactly it is illegal and when it is not. I have read in one of the forum of TV that a foreigner owner of a bar was caught working illegally in his own bar because he was sitting and talking to customers, he was considered to be illegally working as entertaining people

Okay, I'm confused.

I understand that any work requires a work permit. But I'd like to reverse the usual sense of the question. I suspect it to be realistic that there are a great many expats living in Thailand earning at least *some* extra money for online activities. For the sake of argument, as it is what I am interested in, let's talk about having ebooks available via Amazon.

Under what "structure" are expats in Thailand doing this? Under what structure can anyone recommend it be done?

Specifically:

1) Are there expats on retirement visas doing this? If so, what is theire real-world risk level for this?

2) Let's say someone is on a work visa for teaching? Obviously this has nothing to do with teaching. But if they were doing this kind of activity in addition, again what is their risk level?

3) Is there a truly legitimate way to do this?

Im also confused about it, because this kind of activity qualified as illegal can be carried any where and anytime ! No need for a proper office, no need for staff, can be done even with a cell phone. On the other hand if Thailand can authorise such buisiness it could be profitable for the country. An updating of some specific kind of work should be done.

It is not an insult at being called a farang, the word itself does not mean so, it simply to distinguish between a foreigner or white western people, in some countries they are called whites (is it an insult? ) in certain places like for example in Reunion - an indian ocean island - they are called "Zoreilles" which means "ears" in english, nobody is offended about being called like that there. In Thailand the word Farang means guava where as french people are called farangse (francais) which has nothing to do with guava.

farang - non-Asian foreigner

This word is believed to have originated as a transliteration of the French pronunciation of the French word "Français." The French were the first group of Westerners to be known amongst the Siamese. ฝรั่ง is now used to refer to any foreign object adopted into Thai culture.

The loanword may have migrated into Thailand and the Thai language by way of 17th century Persian and Indian trade routes—there is a similar Persian loanword which is used to refer to non-Muslims.

This colloquialism is used to refer to a Caucasian or Westerner. The formal word that Thai people use for a foreigner is คนต่างชาติ (person; guy; people; man; human being - foreign; expatriate; alien) . Thai people would consider any Caucasian to be foreigners but they would by no means consider all foreigners to be Caucasians. Asians such as Chinese or Japanese—visiting and living in Thailand are technically foreigners but they would not be referred to as farang

So its in fact fa-rang-tse (franc,ais) which in turn has turned to falang !!!

rejecting passengers in favour of foreign passengers

Many time I have been rejected and I am foreigner.....

Me too, i am also a foreigner; same thing happen; some says that it happen mostly during school time morning and afternoon. But the worst is at arrival exit at Suv airport where a fixed price is applied by all group if taxis refusing to put meter on.

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