michael12345

But I'm not going to work in Thailand, so I don't need a WP--right?

I'm a tad confused then because this site details the business visa, including that for self-employed people: http://www.mfa.go.th/main/en/services/4908/15388-Non-Immigrant-Visa-%22B%22-(for-Business-and.html

I'm a self-employed American with a U.S. based company and I'm looking to expand into Thailand in my field (financial services). I've been looking at visas, and it seems the non-immigrant visa b "business" visa is ideal for me.

I've got the list of paperwork/documents required, and I shouldn't have a problem getting any of them. However, I was wondering if anyone else is self-employed and gone through this and can maybe give me some advice on what pitfalls to avoid, shortcuts, etc.

Thanks!

As something of a lurker on these boards, I've noticed something over the years: the language abilities of most posters leaves something to be desires. In many cases, I can't understand what the poster is trying to say; in other cases, I have to squint real hard to get it.

I don't think I'm the only one with this problem. It's not a case of non-native English speakers, either; many posters write in barely comprehensible sentences, then casually mention they're from Australia, the UK (usually the UK), or somewhere else.

Do expats in Thailand generally struggle with English so much, or is it unique to this forum?

I was talking with some friends about western versus eastern ideas of abortion, and someone asked me what the Thai view was. I thought about it and I had to admit--I had no idea.

Is there a Thai view on abortion? Is it legal in Thailand? Does it vary by region/religious belief?

who does this fish think he is? how do u advert that your a hooker protector for hire then try to get work as a sex tourist roid head who wants to now help ''farangs'',

Red snapper u just got taken for mucho money, we need your help? u need other then your own help sharky. only in Thailand I say do hmans let them selves get this stupid, perhaps will see some great red snapper action sooner then later, my guess is dear mr sharks now has a bib atm on his head, only a matter of time before act two starts.

I think this gets to the crux of it. That photo op was Pattaya's BiB giving Sharky a face-saving exit, and he took it. Now he'll never get his gold or money back because of their "investigation". Incredible story.

Face saving way out?

Can someone who understands Thai culture more than me explain this? Why didn't they just arrest Sharky? They wouldn't lose face by arresting him, so what do they get out of this photo op? I see Sharky has saved some face, but I don't see how the Pattaya police benefit.

I'm confused.

Arrest him for what?

If he did not have over 100 000 followers and access to international media, they probably would have done it, but with all the spotlight he is capable of bringing, its too hard.

However i do believe some gold and cash would be recovered shortly, again for the same reason of face saving and to show how honest and hard working police really are.

There's no rule of law in Thailand--I'm sure they could arrest him for anything they want.

But I think you're right--Sharky made a loud ruckus and it became impossible to brush him under the rug. Seriously, say what you want about this guy, but he definitely is street smart.

Face saving way out?

Can someone who understands Thai culture more than me explain this? Why didn't they just arrest Sharky? They wouldn't lose face by arresting him, so what do they get out of this photo op? I see Sharky has saved some face, but I don't see how the Pattaya police benefit.

I'm confused.

Mr Ward seems to be just another attention whore, famous for being famous.

We have similar ilk in my country also...known as the Kardashians

Very true, but at least Sharky's shenanigans are somewhat amusing.

If Sharky's latest update is true, then he's smarter than any of us.

He claims that he's now gained employment with a well-connected businessman who is helping find a face-saving compromise with the police. If true, this means he leveraged this theft into a good position while getting more connections within respectable Thai society (or what passes for respectable in Thailand, I suppose).

It's shrewd, again if it's true. It's also a sign that the guy not only understands how to play the publicity game, but he knows how to fight the mafia. Deep respect.

Again, if it's true.

If more people who were ripped off by the police had the balls to stand up to them, confront them publicly and humiliate them the RTP wouldn't be so confident in getting away with whatever they please with foreigners.

The pattaya police are scared of him.

Who honestly believed he'll get shot? Of course he won't. It's too public already...he had the right idea. All he needs to do now is get a little proof and contact DSI or some police complaints bureau to take things further. Why let anyone steal from you without doing anything about it afterwards?

It's fantastic that one, just one, foreigner can intimidate the RTP out of injustice when the rest of us run and hide despite giving out hundreds of thousands of baht for nothing.

If this is how it all plays out, it'd be truly incredible, and I'm sure Sharky will brag about it until the end of the internet. But I'm pretty sure he's going to end up in jail or extradited. He seems to be aware of this too--he's put his apartment up for rent because he knows his days in Thailand are numbered.

One of the links suggest he has a net worth of 100mil$, so a mil baht sat around at home is probably like having 2-3 crisp 1000 bht bills for most Thai visa posters

Fortunately everything on the internet is accurate and it's very possible for a small time Kiwi thug to accumulate $100mil by beating up old ladies who don't pay back loans.

These silly cops posing with suspect pictures make Thailand look like a joke.

Yes I'm now seriosly reconsidering about getting married, she feels indifferent up to the point that it hurts. Or is the "up to you" answer common in thai culture? Seem I've been too stupid to end this relationship in the beginning. Its been emotionally taxing, but Ive started to feel disconnected from her already, I guess she only cared about my money.

And the biggest negative aspect is that about 1 year ago I met chinesse girl who really seemed to be into me and I felt good chemistry between us, but I didnt do anything about it, because I was disillusioned that this thai girl really loves me, now its too late.

Time to send that Chinese girl an email.

You know you're in a third world country when the politicians are astrologers.

So how many posters and ex-pats in Thailand wouldn't jump at the opportunity to sit around all day at a beach, at a pub, on the porch taking the piss all day IF only they had someone to mooch off of? How many ex-pats are here right now living off the tit of their social welfare programs back home?

I have met many farang in the CM/CR region that don't do diddly all day while their Thai wife works to support them.

To answer the OP's query. I suppose its as common here amongst Thais as it is amongst farang to exploit.

Cheers

Social security and pensions aren't "social welfare". Those retirees earned and saved that money.

Thank you for pointing out the fact that I never suggested social security and pensions are a form of social welfare. I would not want anyone to get confused and think I made such a claim.

Cheers

Oh I can't wait for you to tell us what kind of social welfare were you referring to! Food stamps? Job seeker's allowance? Section 8? Oh please tell us--I can't wait!

So how many posters and ex-pats in Thailand wouldn't jump at the opportunity to sit around all day at a beach, at a pub, on the porch taking the piss all day IF only they had someone to mooch off of? How many ex-pats are here right now living off the tit of their social welfare programs back home?

I have met many farang in the CM/CR region that don't do diddly all day while their Thai wife works to support them.

To answer the OP's query. I suppose its as common here amongst Thais as it is amongst farang to exploit.

Cheers

Social security and pensions aren't "social welfare". Those retirees earned and saved that money.

 

 

It is barbaric to give your child a worse life than you were given. Any western man who has a child in Thailand, or any other third-world country, should be ashamed.

Dude, what an idiotic thing to say. Take a step back, look at your motives for saying this in this particular sub forum, and seek counsel.

 

My only motive is to get the selfish old men on this forum to stop thinking about themselves, their penises, and their egos for one second. I do not expect it to work, but it's worth a shot.

There is a different but very important perspective that needs to be considered: that of the child.

On a separate non-Thai forum, I once read a post from a 18yr old boy who wanted to move to England from Thailand. He had a British visa but had lived in Thailand his whole life. This stunned the forum and we asked him: how did this happen?

Apparently his father was British, came to Thailand, had a kid with a local, and died when the kid was young. Then the mother died when he was a teenager, and the local village passed him around and "took care of him".

He spoke fluent English and was obviously very intelligent--and he had a pretty critical, cynical perspective on Thailand and Thai culture. He said he was desperate to get out--away from the dirt, the corruption, the casual cruelty, the lack of logic and obsession with saving face. He hoped to make a life for himself in the west.

It is barbaric to give your child a worse life than you were given. Any western man who has a child in Thailand, or any other third-world country, should be ashamed.

OP: Where did you meet your wife?

If you met her in a bar...did you really expect more?

Seems the OP is using this as an opportunity and sympathy leverage to obtain another position.

Disgusting the level of self-satisfied cynicism on this website. You're lucky to have been born working class in a first-world country; OP was not. Have some shame.

If it's allowed, post a Paypal account for donations. I'll commit to donate $20.

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. A lot of expats in Thailand are scum.