dutchdellboy2

This has nothing much to do with the normal stuff that appears on this site but I think it’s nevertheless worth mentioning.

I went to Jomtien Immigration this afternoon for a residency letter, duly handed over the appropriate documentation and money, and was told to come back in an hour.

I did and my letter was waiting for me. As the lady official handed it over there was a loud rumble of thunder – it had been dark and overcast outside.

“There is going to be rain.” she said, “Do you have a car?”

“No” I said, “I am getting a car tomorrow which is why I need this letter. But I have a bicycle and I don’t have too far to go.”

“But you will get wet” she said. “Wait one minute and I will get you a something to keep things dry!”

She went out and appeared back with a plastic bag into which she carefully put the letter, my wallet and phone.

OK – no big deal – but lots of folk, myself included, can be critical of the Immigration staff – and maybe with good reason sometimes.

But that little gesture today, something that she didn't have to do, showed me that they can human and considerate too. I appreciated her thoughtfulness.

I personally think that "another side to Immigration Staff" is not a just heading.

My 18 years experience with the folks who work at Chiang Mai Immigration shows only one side; they are friendly, courteous, helpful and to the point.

I have never experienced any difficulties; they do their duty in an absolute correct way and with smiles all around; this applies to the junior staff at the counters all the way up to the most senior officer in her small office.

I would say it is us, foreigners, who often make problems.

If you visit an official department in your own country you would behave well and dress properly, you would not turn-up nearly bare-chested, in short trousers, showing off your tattoos or shout, rand and rave to the official who is trying to help you.

I have seen this on numerous occasions and I am every time amazed how cool the Chiang Mai immigration staff behave, even under a barrage of complaints.

We foreigners often forget that, on the whole, Thais are very reserved, that their clothing is always clean and that, no matter how financially disadvantaged they might be in our spoiled eyes, they dress correctly and speak in a soft-spoken way, not raising their voices to win an argument.

The longer I live here, the more I must come to the conclusion that, although there are certainly issues I do not agree with, we, foreigners, can learn a lot from the Thais, when it comes to correct behavior towards other people.

All I can say is that, I for one, am a happy customer at Chiang Mai Immigration.

R.M. van den Berg

I think [and thought before] that the Thai Immigration is correct. People who apply to the rules are dealt with grace and understanding. All the "new" rules are nothing more or less than what you would expect to have found in your own country of origin.

Absolutely!

Obey the rules and everything will be fine. If you have a slight problem, just be polite and ask for help! If you've nothing to hide then you're OK!

To the three people above who have sent a reply: Firefan , Jim Grant and Backpack Thailand

Backpack Thailand is absolutely correct ... be polite and ask for help .... they gave it to me.

Firefan Jobs: I have no clue if a stock trader living in Thailand can not get a work permit .... ask them! I mean Immigration. Or prove that his/her income is sufficient to meet the Thai standards. The B. 800.000 or B. 400.000 for legally married people seems to be no problem. I told them I do not wish to have such sums in my Thai Bank account. And I am sure I will not have any problems on the 23rd of December when my 90 days are up. ....

Jim: yes I forgot to mention, I went to the McCormick hospital to get a certificate of good health, took 10 minutes and cost B. 50 ... they pumped up my arm and told me I have high blood pressure ... I also went to my Thai bank and they issued a statement that I was a client since 19.. and that at present, I had B 72.000 in my savings account [but that could have been easily less or more]

At the Immigration I had to copy the last two pages of my Thai savings account book so that they could see that money from overseas came into my account at irregular intervals..... furthermore I told them that for nearly all payments I make, I use an ABN-AMRO world pass. I can not remember they asked me any other questions, but I do remember that they were very polite and helpful. It seems to be very useful to have your Embassy issue a statement, in my case a statement of my combined yearly income from Holland, to pass their requirements. Where and into which accounts was not asked.

And yes, I went from 38 visa runs straight into Non-Immigrant O and it did cost me B. 2000 only. I took my old passports with me in case they wanted to see Non-Immigrant B visa's in previous ones, but it was not asked.

New visa rules confirmed

PHUKET: -- New rules limiting stays in Thailand on “visas on arrival” to 90 days over any six month period were confirmed at a September 15 meeting of Immigration Department Chiefs in Bangkok. The new policy will go into effect on October 1.

In a related development, the Royal Thai Consulate in Penang, Malaysia, has stopped issuing double-entry tourist visas.

Pol Lt Col Pipat Pongpan, an Inspector at Phuket Immigration Office, told the Gazette, “Anyone who has already stayed 90 days on visa-on-arrival permits does not need to worry. We will start counting the days from October 1.

“[Foreigners from countries qualifying for visas on arrival] can come in and out of the country as many times as they like with a visa on arrival, but can stay for a maximum of 90 days in any six month period. If they stay 90 days then they must leave for 90 days before they are entitled to another visa on arrival. They can, however, go and request a tourist visa from a Royal Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad and come back into the country,” he said.

“Extensions above the 90-day limit may be granted in exceptional cases, such as if the tourist is suffering from an illness or involved in a lawsuit,” he added.

“No new investment visas will be issued after October 1. However, existing visas in this category may be extended if the holder still has funds of 3 million baht and is still doing business in Thailand,” Col Pipat said.

Tourist visas are still available, for a fee, at Thai embassies and consulates in neighboring countries. The Royal Thai Consulate in Penang, however, will now issue only single-entry 60-day tourist visas. An official at the consulate said that an order had been sent down from Consul Pramote Pramoonsab to cease issuance of double-entry tourist visas, which allow a total stay of up to 120 days.

Double-entry tourist visas are at present still available in the Thai Consulate in Kota Bharu and Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, however.

A source in the Visa and Travel Document Division, Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), said that the move by the consulate in Penang is not due to any sweeping changes in MFA policy.

The decision whether or not to issue double-entry tourist visas rests solely at the discretion of each diplomatic mission, the source explained.

--Phuket Gazette 2006-09-21

Somebody wrote: "Sorry to sound bitter but I am.

House bought, legal marriage, regular blood donor, volentary English teacher no criminal record, no burden to the Thai taxpayer clearly not enough anymore.

What the crap more can they expect from us?"

I just wonder what the regulations are in country the writer originally comes from.

I have been 38 months consecutive on visa runs to Mea Sai. Previously I worked in Thailand with the proper paper work in place. [work permit, tax certificate, Non-Immigrant B visa] Then retired.

Went to the Chiang Mai Immigration and asked them what documents I needed to stay in Thailand.

Officers very friendly, helpful and explained in detail.

Visited my Dutch Embassy in Bangkok to officially verify my income from Holland.

Returned to the Immigration in Chiang Mai, within 5 minutes they assessed my paper work, [Dutch Embassy statement, Thai bank account with B. 72.000 in it] and kept my passport, asked me to return in 3 days. In 3 days I received my Non-Immigrant O visa promptly and with a smile.

I think [and thought before] that the Thai Immigration is correct. People who apply to the rules are dealt with grace and understanding. All the "new" rules are nothing more or less than what you would expect to have found in your own country of origin.

I find it logical that if you work in Thailand, you obtain a work permit, pay tax and have a Non-Immigrant B visa.

Foreign bar owners, travel guides, diving instructors, teachers, etc. who earn a substantial income, compared to the average income of a Thai national, should be made to do so. And I often wonder why all these "moaners" are here in the first place, as I take it, they came here out of their own free will. Or may not!!!

I live in Thailand since 1988 after visiting more than 40 countries around the globe and in each of those countries, I could have settled... I never had any regrets chosing Thailand.

Is there a financial requirement to obtain a Non "O" visa if you're married to a Thai national? I thought the financial requirement was for the annual extension, not for the visa itself?

CC

I went to see the Immigration Officers in Chiang Mai this morning and was told about money needed to apply for a non-Immigrant visa ... see attachment.

Is there a financial requirement to obtain a Non "O" visa if you're married to a Thai national? I thought the financial requirement was for the annual extension, not for the visa itself?

CC

I went to see the Immigration Officers in Chiang Mai this morning and was told about money needed to apply for a non-Immigrant visa ... see attachment. dutchdellboy2

Hi Crossy,

To answer your question right of the cuff, yes we have been offered the agency of these wind mills in Thailand, but we have not accepted this offer as yet.

The reason I write "we" is because I personally will not enter into business again in Thailand; I have given up my "status" as a business person here some years ago and I am not planning to start up a business, in my own name, again. I enjoy an income from abroad.

However my wife is much younger than I am [lucky me] and it could well be that she will show an interest, possibly together with a younger partner and friend of mine, who still resides abroad but is also married to a Thai.

Many legal issues would have to be resolved, so my first interest remains to import this windmill as a personal asset for our electricity needs.

We will test this wind turbine ourselves and then, when all the pros and cons are known to us and we know what the real import duties and further transportation, etc. costs are, we could possibly introduce it on the Thai market.

I advice you strongly, if you are not 100% familiar with wind energy subjects, to observe a wind mill in working state first and see it possibilities; well before you decide to acquire one for yourself.

I will certainly keep you in the picture and when I have useful news updates, possibly invite you, in the near future, to see progress for your self on our land.

Regards,

Dutchdellboy2

Thanks for the info Percy2.

Your question: “Do you have a link/info on where you got it from.” Not absolutely clear to me. Do you mean info about wind turbines or info on imports into Thailand?

I shall answer both.

Wind turbines:

1. Studying the subject in general and being sure you want to obtain your own “green” energy in the future.

2. Finding out about the fairly limited possibilities of collecting sufficient wind power in northern Thailand, - the average yearly wind speed in this area is only 4.1 m/s - and comparing these possibilities with using UV cells for your purpose.

3. Looking at the terrain location on which I am going to build the tower to support my wind turbine.

4. Calculating what sort of height the tower must be and what sort of diameter the blades of a windmill must minimum have, to obtain at least 1kW/h on average.

5. Then looking at the average kW usage in my home and garden to date in Chiang Mai Municipality, finding out that a 1 kW turbine would only cover about 20% of my energy needs and thus coming to the conclusion that more wind turbines have to be installed in parallel, to cover my needs. My electricity bills are at present are about B. 3.500 p/m.

6. Looking at possibilities to lower these costs by using different lighting, and changing fridges, water pumps, etc. to low-energy consuming apparatus. I was amazed at the possible results.

7. Coming to the conclusion that my income, - if I want to live my life in the same fairly comfortable way -, can not support to invest in an enormous wind turbine which would cover my total energy needs in one go. [the greatest cost would be building an enormous tower and not the turbine itself]

8. Planning everything with a “chai yen” and well in time; I am not moving to my new location before the beginning of 2009.

9. Basically browsing the net, comparing turbine specifications and pricing of many manufacturers and wholesalers around the globe.

10. Getting in touch with them and weighing-up their sales talk. Realising that many sellers have only their own pockets in mind and know rather little about what sort of wind turbine should be suitable for your specific location. Make a decision.

Thai Import Duties

Results shocking. Company “A” imports goods into Thailand.

The CIF value of the imported goods ...

How much should total import duties and taxes be imposed on this import?

www.customs.go.th/Customs-Eng/

Sample of Duty Assessment Thai Customs

Company “A” imports goods into Thailand. The CIF value of the imported goods and applicable taxes and duties are as follows:

• CIF value of imports = 200 US$

• Import duty = 60 %

• Surcharge/Special duty = 10 US$

• Fee = 50 US$

• Interior tax = 10 %

• Excise tax = 30 %

• VAT = 7 %

How much should total import duties and taxes be imposed on this import?

Calculation Method:

1. Import duty = (CIF value * rate of import duty) + surcharge

= (200 * 0.6) + 10

= 120 + 10

= 130

(Note: The amount 130 is to be used for calculation of excise tax and VAT.)

2. Fee = 50

3. Excise tax = (CIF value + import duty + Fee) * {Rate of excise tax/1-(1.1 * Rate of excise tax)}

= (200+130+50) * {0.3/1-(1.1*0.3)}

= 380 * 0.4477612

= 170

4. Interior tax = Excise tax * Rate of interior tax

= 170 * 0.1

= 17

5. Base VAT = CIF value + Import duty + Fee + Excise tax + Interior tax

= 200 + 130 + 50 + 170 + 17

= 567

6. VAT = Base VAT * Rate of VAT

= 567 * 0.07

= 40

Total taxes and duties = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 6 = 407 US$

Company “A” imports goods into Thailand. The CIF value of the imported goods and applicable taxes and duties are as follows:

• CIF value of imports = 100 Baht

• Import duty = 60 %

• Special duty = 20 % of import duty

• Interior tax = 10 % of excise tax

• Excise tax = 3 %

• VAT = 7 %

How much should total import duties and taxes be imposed on this import?

Calculation Method:

1. Import duty = (CIF value * rate of import duty)

= (100 * 0.6)

= 60 Baht

2. Special Duty = Rate of special duty * Import duty

= 0.2 * 60

= 12 Baht

3. Excise tax = (CIF value + import duty + Special duty) * {Rate of excise tax/1-(1.1 * Rate of excise tax)}

= (100+60+12) * {0.03/1-(1.1*0.03)}

= 172 * 0.0310238

= 5.34 Baht

4. Interior tax = Excise tax * Rate of interior tax

= 5.34 * 0.1

= 0.54 Baht

5. Base VAT = (CIF value+ Import duty+ Special duty+ Excise tax + Interior tax) * Rate of VAT

= (100 + 60 + 12 + 5.34 + 0.54) *0.07

= 12.46 Baht

Total taxes and duties = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 = 90.34 Baht

I have asked around of course but nobody seems to know the exact procedures.

I remember, many moons ago, I started to import Indonesian Sarongs into Thailand by air. At Bangkok Don Muang Airport the costs were absolutely enormous, so I tried my next shipment at Hat Yai Airport where the costs were about half, but still way to expensive.

I then ”borrowed” a Statistical Handbook from one a the friendly Customs Officers in Hat Yai and found out, - after studying this Holy Custom Book for a whole night instead of throwing myself into the then vibrant sing-song environment in town -, a way to lower the import duties by 75% again , simply by cutting the pieces of material into maximum 10.000 cm square pieces, thus importing them as rags into the Kingdom.

This time around, I will first find out the best way to import these user-friendly items which should really, - if you consider the energy problem Thailand has -, be rated at a 0 [Zero] tariff.

Dutchdellboy2

Importing a small 1kW Indian-made wind turbine into the Kingdom.

I am planning to import a small 1 kW wind turbine, made in India, into Thailand.

It is rather difficult, for me at least, to calculate the total import duties costs which will be quoted at Bangkok Port Customs House.

I wonder if someone has imported such an item before, and could inform me about how to proceed, so that I will not be unpleasantly surprised when presented with an invoice at Custom House.

I am interested to know what sort of paper work is involved to hassle-free import the wind turbine.

The CIF [Cost including Freight] price for this wind turbine is US$ 1.880.

The total net weight is 160 kg, 250 kg including crated export packing.

I also wonder if I possibly could import this item myself in order to avoid shipping agents fees and further transportation costs to Chiang Mai.

All information concerning importing will be greatly appreciated. Dutchdellboy2

What are the advantages of having a Thai passport in the name of your farang husband but keeping your ID in your Thai maiden name.

My girlfriend and I are getting married 21 April 2006 and I wonder if I should go with her to the Amphur and apply for a passport which would carry my family name and in the same time let her keep the Thai ID card she uses now.

In fact I have no idea how it is done but heard about it through the grapevine.

Any info appreciated.

Marten

Somebody will translate this into English please .... I am on my usual visa run ...

"AMSTERDAM, 2 NOV. De crimineel John Mieremet is vannacht geliquideerd in de Thaise badplaats Pattaya. Dat hebben verschillende bronnen bevestigd. Mieremet was jarenlang actief in de Amsterdamse onderwereld.

Media in Thailand melden dat Mieremet werd gedood rond vier uur vannacht, 10 uur lokale tijd, in zijn kantoor in Bang Lamung, een badplaats iets buiten de stad Pattaya.

De schutter arriveerde bij het kantoor achter op een brommer. Hij zou het kantoor zijn binnengelopen en naar Mieremet hebben gevraagd. De twee zouden enkele woorden hebben gewisseld, mogelijk in het Nederlands. De schutter, een ,,vrij grote man met een helm op'', zou daarop een pistool hebben getrokken en Mieremet (44) door het hoofd hebben geschoten. Mieremet zou in het gezelschap zijn geweest van een lijfwacht. Deze wist tijdig dekking te zoeken en werd niet geraakt. Dat meldt het ANP op basis van berichten van een lokale journalist.

Mieremet zou onderweg naar het ziekenhuis zijn overleden. Lokale media beschikken over beelden van een paspoort dat aan Mieremet zou hebben toebehoord. Volgens het persbureau was Mieremet bezig met een onroerendgoedproject in Bang-Lamung.

Mieremet was een bekende crimineel, die in de jaren negentig voor Klaas Bruinsma zou hebben gewerkt. In 2002 werd Mieremet al eens neergeschoten, voor het kantoor van advocaat Evert Hingst. Hingst werd afgelopen maandag geliquideerd. In een interview dat jaar zei Mieremet dat Hingst, Heineken-ontvoerder Willem Holleeder en vastgoedhandelaar Willem Endstra achter die aanslag zaten.

Met Endstra had Mieremet daarvoor een tijdlang zaken gedaan. Endstra werd vorig jaar geliquideerd. Over de samenwerking ontstond later een conflict. Mieremet eiste miljoenen terug die zijn vriendin in een vennootschap van Endstra gestoken zou hebben. Na de dood van Endstra betaalden zijn nabestaanden daadwerkelijk een paar miljoen die Mieremet nog tegoed zou hebben.