ttkeric

Hello again, everyone.. Thanks for all the tips so far. It's a busy work day, so I can't hang around but I appreciate all the helpful responses so far. I don't why some people are here to try and pick up issues with my "story". It's no story and I wasn't telling one. I'm here to find directions and clarity, that's all. I did say he came over in 2019, lived and worked comfortably prior to and through the Covid lockdowns before getting himself into this situation. By my count, that's 5+ years. We're Malaysians, if that helps. Please, no sneak across the border jokes. He's in Mae Sot, that border town and if you know the place, you would know there are quite a few police roadblocks just heading in and out of the town, not to mention going all the way to Bangkok. Yes, I did suggest if reporting his passport as lost is an option. I think he's afraid of what they will ask him and he's not sure if he can hold his nerves. I mean, if all goes well, we can head down to Bangkok, to the embassy and get it sorted out. If not, his time in detention begins then... I did ask if he wanted me to drive him down to Bangkok but he's afraid I might get picked up as an accomplice. Accomplice to what, I ask? I don't suppose if you're in a car or at the bar with someone who permission to stay is expired, you get picked up as well? Does that happen? I'm legally here in any case. Guess that's why we are thinking of just having him surrender himself. Just go straight right to the legal process.

Good morning all. I'm encouraging a family friend to end his nightmare and report himself in for overstaying. That way, the legal proceedings can begin which will, hopefully, see him deported home in a month or so (hopefully...). Very briefly: 5 years+ overstay, lost passport, lives in a border town that lets him fade in and out, so to speak. We're Asians, so we blend into the scenery. Was living it large pre-pandemic, took advantage of the Covid extensions, then apparently trusted an agent who will "settle it all" and found himself left in a lurch. He's now practically a shut-in doing odd jobs and begging for funds everywhere to survive. Again, lost passport. No bus or air ticket. No waltzing into the airport, pay and leave. My question: anyone has an idea where it's best to surrender himself? Police or immigration? Of course, if he's detain elsewhere, then it's all academic. Also, I'll be providing him support on behalf of the family i.e. paying the fines, bills, visiting him at the IDC, etc. Anyone has experience doing the same? What should I expect? I suppose, the wait will be for his sentencing, paying of the fines, waiting for our embassy to issue the right documents to get home, etc. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

It's "No Pets allowed" not "no dogs allowed". OP seemed to have found discrimination where there is none. FYI, you'll find in most public places don't allow pets of any kind simply because of the potential nuisance / danger / etc they could potentially pose.

Hi. I "quietly" run a restaurant / hostel and a chain store by assisting my wife, a wonderful Thai woman and entrepreneur. Here are somethings you need to know (* disclaimer: I'm not a legal expert and don't advocate breaking the law.). 1) MOST IMPORTANT: Do you trust your spouse and that your marriage is on solid ground? To add to that, somethings your spouse is a wonderful person, your inlaws are another question altogether. Not invading your privacy but it's the simple fact that, as foreigners, we have all to lose with little to nothing to gain. 2) You're always the silent partner unless you can scale up because.... 3) Be aware that cooking and working in a restaurant is a RESERVED occupation. Unless you're a highly qualified, experienced and sponsored by a huge hotel chain. 4) You are able to own your business legally but as pointed out by the posters above, there's the 4 Thais to 1 foreigner ratio. Again, you technically can't work in your own restaurant unless you can prove that it's big enough, your skillset is specialised enough. Most likely, your wife will own the business and you're just the fellow who funded the venture with no strings attached. (see point 1 again) 5) Yes, be aware if you are to be seen doing anything. Personally, I think some of the "experiences" found on this forum is a bit outlandish, maybe even fantastical but your mileage may vary. Obviously, places like Pattaya may attract all kinds of ills. That being said, recently in Chiang Mai an Italian was arrested for working in his own Italian pizzeria but he was right in kitchen, right in the dough mix. The rule and your mantra for how should you be present at your place of business is "out of sight, out of mind". There are probably a few points I'm missing, but these are the basics. I wish you all the best! These laws are too different from many countries to be honest. Some differences maybe. Where I come from, foreigners can own and work at their own business because that's not seen as taking jobs from locals. Like I said, my wife is an entrepreneur with a few businesses under her belt. Me, I just came over with my savings. Over time, we grew our businesses and thankfully rode out the pandemic. We have been in it together and we save for our kids' future and ours. But officially, I'm unemployed and help around the house. I just "happened" to be around to talk to foreigners, visitors and day to day, I'm a digital nomad in plain clothes working on my computer with nothing to do with the locals.

They would need to check with both the Thai and Japanese governments. Some countries don't allow dual citizenships. Like the previous poster said, Thailand seems ambivalent about it but maybe not Japan. FYI, being among the Asian fraternity affects these rules as well. ASEAN countries don't allow dual citizenship among themselves. I'm in the same boat, my kids have been told they have to renounce either their Thai or Malaysian citizenship when they turn 18. In my case, I've been told this when I registered my children's birth at the Malaysian Embassy in Bangkok. Some of my fellow countrymen living here chose to "keep quiet" about it but we are aware it's technically breaking the law. There are ways one can "get caught". For example, if my children were to return to Malaysia, they technically have to obtain a special pass from the embassy on the account that they were born overseas to enter Malaysia as citizens. If they entered on a Thai passport, that would be captured in the system and if they attempt to apply for a Malaysian passport in Malaysia, that's where they will be flagged in the system. Likewise, if I ever wanted to become a Thai citizen, I actually have to renounce my Malaysian citizenship first (at the embassy) before I can be naturalised. Be sure to advise them that since they have sons, they are required to attend the national conscription lottery exercise, so if that is something to bear in mind.

Hello and good day to all. Can anyone recommend a dentist for someone with severe dental phobia in Chiang Mai? Preferably one that can administer Nitrous Oxide or something similar.

Adding my POV to the OP... in my case, my coping mechanisms are my priorities, namely my wife and my kids. I came to Chiang Mai in 2015 and by the 3rd month, it completely lost its lustre for me, if it had any in the first place! Before I even set foot here, my opinion of CM was "boring". Since moving here, I changed it to "boring, at time infuriating". My 2 main gripes are Thai driving (terrible) and Thai food (absolutely terrible). Still, what keeps me going are my wife and my kids.

We denizens of ASEAN do get a bit of leeway. I (Malaysian) used to visit Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia quite frequently with no questions asked. My stays range from a few days to weeks. I actually did a few visa runs (Thailand to Laos and back). No issues other than once having an officer write "in/out" on the stamp. But no questions asked other than friendly ones. Only the Philippines you'll actually need to show a return air ticket. Guess they don't want you stuck on their island.

Not unusual. I used to fly in and out almost fortnightly when I was courting my wife. Stay a weekend, occasionally a week. Those entries really rake up. For your information, I fly to Chiang Mai and I'm Malaysian. In addition to my trips to CM, I often had to fly to Bangkok or Phuket for events but again, only staying a few days. Occasionally, they do ask and I'm pretty honest about what I'm doing here (events, seminars, seeing my future wife) and it's all with common courtesy. Never had a problem. Doing extensions at the immigration office however, is a totally different experience......

A fair lot of Malaysians call Thailand a second home and why not? Direct flights daily whether you're in Chiang Mai, Bangkok or Hat Yai. Lots of Malaysians do business and organise huge events in Bangkok and Pattaya. The daily number of flights between Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur reflects that. There used to be flights from KL to Pattaya U-Tapao. That Chinese looking person negotiating a deal at Pratu Naam who speak something that sounds like Chinese but not (it's Cantonese), that Indian fellows but without the deep Indian accent? That Thai looking person who speaks fluent English? Those huge conferences in Pattaya and Bangkok (Oil & Gas, Technology, Food Science, Finance, etc)? Malaysians, if not, Singaporeans. It's not unusual for Malaysians to hop in and out of Thailand regularly, not just down south at the 3 borders, injecting considerably health into the Thai economy. Source: Am Malaysian in the events industry. Thailand is a second home. Getting a visa as a Malaysian in Kuala Lumpur is free and with minimal hassle. Even with visa exempts, Thai immigration officers seldom bother us. Of interest to some posters here, I personally don't "contribute" much to bar industry. I'm not a teetotaler but not a bar stool enthusiast either. Female attention? Lots of decent Thai ladies for proper relationships and marriage if you're just a simple, honest, and hardworking guy. Met my wife at a conference. Happily married for a decade now. Away from the farang oriented bars though, a lot of high end Thai nightclubs would regularly feature famous guest DJs from Malaysia and Singapore who will bring along with them their entourage of fans near and abroad. But yes, that fellow in the bar next to you may be a Malaysian. In my case, what gives me away is not the beer in hand, but that full English breakfast I love in Pattaya. RIP Retox....

Thai language day? Do they speak other languages at this school?

Right, since I'm still the last poster to post here, here's an update. Yes, if you're using a Yellow Book, you need a pink ID card. Apparently, if you have applied for one lately (yellow book), you should've been given a pink ID by default. My yellow book is about 8 years old. Ostentatiously.... There are lots of fake yellow books in circulation! Dunno but that's what's she said. Anyway, I had the day off and my better half had flexible hours so, rather than going to Lamphun like I thought I would, I decided to go see if I can get a pink card. Cheers!

This is worrying me! I'm due to renew mine next week and I'm going the yellow book route. I guess if I encounter the same issue, I'll just maybe head off to the Lamphun office ????

Seems like quite a few people are perpetually nursing a hangover. Kudos to the young man. Hopefully he makes it in the big league and maybe even make a statement about safe riding in this country.

If you provide more details, I'm sure someone would enlighten you. Where are you from? Are you applying in your country or another? Your age? Have you been here before? Have you overstayed? Etc.