dean008

I would like to add the authorities have made a complete mess of the station, and whereas It used to take just a few mins to walk to the ferry from the station (via a gate at the end of the platform), you now have about a 15 minute trek (the gate is now locked and not accessible), up and down over 100 steps (there is a lift but it can't accommodate a train full of passengers) to get to the ferry in the sweltering heat.

The last time I went I took a van to Hat Yai and caught the train to Bkk there, its about the same price and you need to leave at about the same time but, you avoid the silly station and get to spend a few hours in Hat Yai, not stuck in a train (easier if you are traveling light).

I can only add that when I first taught here 7 years ago I was paid 40,000 a month on a 12 month contract (Oh how things have changed), the head of languages told me they are provided with 40,000 a month per foreign teacher. Yesterday I saw an advert for the same school offering 35,000

Evidence regarding Bangkok government schools, I think it is a known fact that many if not most agents and schools are corrupt to the core, if you want paperwork to prove it then dream on, its all circumstantial

I knew a couple of schools that used a particular agent, who underpaid, paid late, stole tax payments.... as a result the average teacher lasted under 1 month, but the director refused to cancel the contract with the agent, why?

They employed 4 teachers and paid 35k over 11 months (385k pa), whereas they previously (before the agent crawled onto the scene) paid 40k over 12 months (480k pa)

so in this case 380,000 thai baht was "saved". The school directors are not stupid and do not award contracts to agents and allow them to make 380,000 + without getting something in return. Where do you think the money went?

back to the topic.

My school requested a UK child protection check on me (I forget the specific name), but when I told them the cost approx 5000 thai baht and that I was happy to complete the test, but had no intention of paying, they decided it suddenly didn't matter, and they still sorted out the right visa and work permit.

This situation has happened before
Teaching establishments are more interested in getting the farang started and then creaming a slice off the top as part of the tea money reward. 40 thousand claimed as expenditure 20000 paid to farang - this is monthly salary
This issue of paedophiles hasn't the same seriousness here until an incident on your doorstep occurs

Would you like to support this claim with evidence?

I don't mean "dave told me at the pub" evidence. I mean real examples of this happening.

very true sir

You lucky lot! For us, only the 7th. On the 10th there are "activities", whatever that means. No "B.F.D." day off,either.

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Mind you, it's still "early" and things can (and probably will) change a few times before the end of the week.......

The 10th is a national holiday. It's not up for discussion or 'activities day.' It's your day off. Make sure you take it. Give them an inch and they will take a light year.

What you have read re the stimulus corresponds with what I was told by a developer a few weeks ago.

Sorry for the delay in acknowledging the information you sent and thanks, I had no idea that is how it worked.

One more query, with my visa expiring on Nov 20 does that mean I have to enter before midnight on the 20th, or do I have to enter on th e19th

Thanks so much, I was convinced immigration just made a mistake

A Thai friend mentioned they are getting strict on people caught drink driving in his area, he tells me it now costs about 4000 baht to pay of the police

Hello

I have a 1 year visa which allows me to stay for 3 months at a time, but visa expires on November 20th.

On my last two overseas trips (in the last 6 weeks or so, they stamped my passport allowing me 3 months stay the current stamp allows me to stay until January 2016 which is clearly after the visa validity date of november 20th.

Has this happened to anyone else (its odd it has happened to me twice in a row), I suspect I know the answer but does anyone know if one or the other have priority?, do they actually check the visa on departure or just the spamp on the passport and departure card

Thanks

i think i have it

10 watts* 5 hours =50

50/1000 *3.9 (cost of electric per kwh) is .195 baht per 5 hour day

.195 * 30 days is 5.85 baht pm

* 1700 bulbs is 99450 baht pm

does that sound tight?

assuming the electricity for a condo building is 3.9 baht per kw/h

In my condo building in Bangkok they have decided to turn the lights in the corridors off for 5 hours a day, they reckon it will save about 20,000 baht a month, and are already planning on how to spend the savings. I suspect it is bullxxxx and wish to work out how much they will save:

there are 1740 low energy bulbs (10 w each) that will be switched off for 5 hours a day, i do not have an old electricity bill so can't confirm the price per kw hour, but assume it is the same throughout the country?

I suspect they just want an excuse to initiate a new capital project with the savings so they can dip their fingers in the till, if anyone can confirm the actual savings (with workings out) that would be appreciated

Thanks

I sold one and am keeping 2 others. Just needed to release a bit if cash temporarily, and it was the easiest way.

As promised an update

We went along today and they did ask for our marriage certificate, a copy of her ID card and they needed both respective wives to sign a form not objecting to the sale/purchase. The also wanted to see my work permit and took a copy of it and of course my passport. If was very quick and easy, they also wanted to see and made a copy of the cashiers cheque (I presume to try to stop people declaring a lower than actual value to evade tax.

I am not sure if all the paperwork we provided was 100% essential but that's what they asked for and the sale went through.

Happy days

I would suggest buying can be a very good idea esp if its from a reputable developer and off plan. No one knows what the future holds but I have benefited from buying with excellent capital gains and a small monthly income in Thai baht, so its also a good hedge as well as a risk against currency fluctuations

I was asked for one by my new school I said no problem, completed the form and requested approx 5000 baht (includes postage) to cover the cost, I can't remember there exact reaction, but they never mentioned it again. I got my work permit a few weeks later.

So, no it doesn't appear that you need one to get the Work Permit.

I personally think all teachers of all nationalities should have such a background check

Thanks VIP.

I have assured the buyer that my wife doesn't have to sign anything. The buyer is Thai and speaks excellent English and has agreed to go to the land office with me tomorrow and see what they say. As has been suggested it makes no sense for her to have to sign or supply anything, but we will find out for sure tomorrow.

I will report back

thank you both, Jaydee would you mind pm ing me the link, i do not seem to be able to open it/

Thanks

I bought a condo 5 years ago, I got married 2 years ago.

I have found a buyer for my condo but he is saying my wife needs to sign various documents and produce her ta bein ban.

Can anyone tell me if this is actually required or perhaps the buyer is being uber safe?

It's not a big deal getting the ta bein ban sent to her by her parents, but it will delay things , as I am going away on the day of the planned transfer (Monday) for a week, and I would of course like the sale finalised ASAP.

Any thoughts and especially links to were I can find any information on this would be appreciated

My contract says they are responsible for arranging the visa and work permit

Thank you, I was in a bit of a hurry when writing this and a little annoyed as my Employer said she was correct and you used to be able to convert a Non-imm Category 0, but the rules have just changed and so now I have to leave the country at my expense in order to convert it.

Its not a great deal of money, but she left everything until the last minute again, and some time ago because of her failings and leaving things until the last minute I had a similar problem.

So as I understand it from here you have never been able to convert an non imm cat 0 visa to a working visa at Cheang Wattana?
Original visa was based on marriage (1 year, multi entry 90 day at a time)

Thank you, next time I will post with a bit more time and carful consideration

Non immigrant visa classes cannot be changed or converted.


Normally you should be able to apply for an extension of stay based upon working with a non-o visa since you already have the work permit.
What is your non-o based upon?
Since you already have a work permit it would be best to go out for a single entry non-b visa rather than getting a tourist visa and then attempting to change it to a non immigrant visa.

you blame your employer but in the end you are the only one responsible for getting the right visa.

Thank you, I was in a bit of a hurry when writing this and a little annoyed as my Employer said she was correct and you used to be able to convert a Non-imm Category 0, but the rules have just changed and so now I have to leave the country at my expense in order to convert it.

Its not a great deal of money, but she left everything until the last minute again, and some time ago because of her failings and leaving things until the last minute I had a similar problem.

So as I understand it from here you have never been able to convert an non imm cat 0 visa to a working visa at Cheang Wattana?

Original visa was based on marriage (1 year, multi entry 90 day at a time)

Thank you, next time I will post with a bit more time and carful consideration

Non immigrant visa classes cannot be changed or converted.

Normally you should be able to apply for an extension of stay based upon working with a non-o visa since you already have the work permit.

What is your non-o based upon?

Since you already have a work permit it would be best to go out for a single entry non-b visa rather than getting a tourist visa and then attempting to change it to a non immigrant visa.

Sorry, they said I would have to leave the country, return with a visa waiver and then apply. They say it's a new rule and in the past non Imm O visas could be converted to the ones which allow you to work. I suspect they are not being quite truthful. Ie saving face, can anyone confirm, if the rules about this recently changed.

Thanks

Immigration said they cannot convert my non Imm o visa, I would have to leave the country and convert a tourist visa. I am told the rules have changed is that true. I only ask as my employer is wanting me to go out of the country at my expense despite it seemingly being there mistake

Thanks in advance

or just stop press releases, job done,

This government and I mean every department needs a press release vetting agency to stop them sounding and looking incompetent...

The last time I got scammed was in India. I was going skiing with some friends and we paid for a guide, he (the guide) was refused access to the chair lift because he didn't have a guide license. Once we got back, we demanded a refund, he refused so I walked over to the nearby policeman who told me to ask again and if he didn't give a refund he would be arrested and imprisoned. The Policeman made himself clearly visible when I approached the guide again, a refund was forthcoming.

It is my understanding that the Thais generally view the Indians as a lower life form, well from my point of view the Thais could learn a hell of a lot from the Indians, and when comparing Indian and Thai police (both underpaid) I know which is the lower life form in my opinion and which are superior

May I ask a theoretical question about a condo?

Appraised value 1.2 million

Agreed selling price 2 million

Seller agrees to pay transfer tax and has to pay business tax.

Is it normal to tell the land office the price is 1.2 million?

Do they see the contract?

Are there any financial disadvantages (based on the current rules and regs) to the buyer for paying 2 million of a property appraised at 1.2 million?

If you tell the land office the price is 2 million and the tax is 5.3% -just over 100,000 baht.

Tell the land office the price is 1.2 million and the tax is still 5.3% - about 60,000 baht

Thats why its important to know the appraised value

For those who cannot understand the importance of knowing the appraised value, it is because the 2% transfer tax is based on the appraised value OR declared value (if it is higher), also if you have owned the property for under 5 years you pay a business tax of 3.3% based on the same value.

If you are selling property for 15 million and the appraised value is 10 million at 5.3% thats 530,000 baht in tax, so you may well be advised to quote the appraised value as the selling price and lets say the other 5 million for goodwill, furniture fixtures and fittings and save a small fortune in tax.

That is my understanding anyway