koolbreez

6 minutes ago, MrPancake said:

 

Bad for business.

You seem to think you are entitled to stay here long term because you are thinking you can use a loophole in what you think is the law. Any official reference concerning law that this that you find will also say at the discretion of immigration. When they decide you are trying to stay long term as a tourist then you experience exactly what you experienced. Immigration isn't stupid, and this has been going on for over a decade. It's not new. Also, when immigration decides you aren't entering they don't arrest you. You simply are refused entry and go back where you came from to get the correct visa.

On 1/12/2024 at 3:19 PM, ABCDBKK said:

We laugh, but BW is still heavily consumed throughout Thailand. 
 

I don't know why any grower would commit their resources to growing it though when they can grow high quality stuff and sell it for 10X the price. 
 

Presumably the growers of BW are just throwing seeds in the ground in an open area and are not putting any effort into cultivation...

 

Do not forget that before it became legal in Thailand, it was grown in Lao, and suggled in and distributed by the mafia. That did not go away just because it became legal in Thailand. Its still the brick weed it used to be, just cheaper.
 

Because of what happened last time this was done, the last government put the stipulation that the certificates of use could not be sold or transferred, preventing any foreclosure on the land for planting and growing loan default. Being poor they have very limited loan services available, and it takes money to raise a crop. A few major land owning corporations set up loan programs, then after a few years, when they defaulted on the loans, they foreclosed, and sharcropped the land back to them so they could continue to farm, but with a big slice taken out as the fees. This new titling of the agro land, with the right to transfer title is another setup to gain more government land by a few individual corporations, the same way they did it before. The poor farmers will be much worse off.

I have a type O Visa based on marriage, and I do not have to leave the country to extend it for another year. I am completely confused why you are going to all the trouble of leaving the country to extend this visa when you do not have to. Simply go to local immigration office with all your documents, and it is bt400k not bt200k, and get your extension for bt1900. You apply with all your documents,  then pick the extension up in 30 days at the same office. Been doing this for years. 

From my understanding crossing at a land border was only good for a 14 day visa exempt stamp, or is it 15 days, I can't remember. If you cross at say Vientaine to go get a tourist visa, you shouldn't be affected, if you qualify for the visa. If you are a backpacker crossing to go to another country more than two times on your trip then you are in trouble if you can not qualify financially for a tourist visa. I am not sure what the consequences will be if you have a plane ticket flying out of Bangkok, and you have crossed  the land borders more than two times. That one will be interesting, especially if they can not qualify for a tourist visa to get back in the country.

Today, my taxi driver I got at the MBK taxi queue out the bottom floor door in the back, and one I've used many times in the past with no problems, immediately turned off the air conditioner, rolled up all the windows, and while driving said "air costs bt100 extra", referencing he would not turn on the airconditioner unless I paid him an extra bt100, and he had locked the windows so they couldn't be rolled down.

I was thinking this was just a rouge driver, but two hours later my Thai girlfriend had the same thing happen to her, so it isn't targeting just foreigners.

Both times there was no problem turning on the meter, but for the airco it was an extra bt100, and no rolling down the windows. Has anyone else had this taxi cab scam happen to them just recently anywhere else, as this is the first time I've heard or experienced it in the 12 years I've been here? They turn on the meter, but now want extra money, during this starting hot season, to turn on the AC. I called the complaint line, but they were at a loss as to what to do, because the driver did turn on the meter, and there were no threats, or anything done that would have been technically illegal.

Certificates of Residence should not be required for anyone who has a current 90-day report receipt in their passport. It's a waste of resources at immigration that could be devoted to more important functions like the processing of visas and extensions. The same applies to getting a driver's license. A utility bill or recent cable or internet bill should be sufficient to show where you live, just like in most countries.

That is exactly what the main drivers license office in Bangkok, across from ChatuChak market accepted from me, both this year when I renewed, and the year before when I first got my Thai drivers licenses, my True, and TOT bills, that clearly have my address on them, and that the bills get delivered to. They never once asked for a certificate of residence when I showed them those bills, on both occasions.

You lead us to believe you plan on making Thailand your home. To do that effectively, you should know the language, both speaking, and possibly writing, to about the 6th grade level. It opens up the whole world around you, that you are choosing to live in, and gives you endless possibilities on where you can be comfortable living. It is easier living in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, or Pattaya, without knowing that much Thai, but venturing out of these tourist based cities to live become a challenge without knowing the langauge.

For this reason, I suggest you spend at least your first year going to language school, to seriously learn the language, and not as a scam to just get a long stay visa, although you do get an ED visa extendable for about a year and a half the first time. The long term benefits in doing this, and even up to the point that you can pass the grade 6 exams in both speaking and writing, are exponential in your job choices, and wages, given you have an advanced degree.

The best teaching jobs are in the universities, and getting a teaching certificate in Canada before you come here, instead of a TEFL certificate, opens up those chances, depending on your degree field. Thailand wants foreign teachers, working in their career field, and pays good for those meeting the teaching requirements. You say you already have an advanced degree, so getting a teaching certificate only involves less than a year, and it can mean the difference of working where you want, making good wages, or being stuck in a dump making peanuts, illegally, depending on a heavy tutoring load to meet bills.

It is no secret that most men that move here, or even consider moving here permanently, do so because of the ease in finding compatible companionship, no matter what your age, or preferences, it is all here. Pattaya is a trap in that respect, as it feeds, and corruptly lives on those needs. By learning the language, and getting out of the tourist areas, you get away from those traps, and find those truly looking for honest loving long term companionship. I use the working "companionship", instead of marriage, as your needs aren't known to us, but getting out of the corrupted tourist areas can truly open your eyes to what is really available in Thailand, long term, without those around you always trying to rip you off.

There are a few free websites, and then social media, that cater to single individuals of all ages finding companionship. A lot of Thais don't have time for, or like, the traditional bars, and other meeting places to find companionship, so they turn whole heartedly to the internet.

Just some things to think about in your planned move here. It is a great place to live, if you can do it legally.

With the new foreign worker laws in place, and the long grace period they gave those regional immigrants to comply, they have in deed actively pursued overstay by foreign workers. What is surprising is that they never imposed the new reentry restrictions on you, that have been in place for almost a year, with big signage posted at all immigration offices frequented by foreigners. With a one year overstay you should have been barred from entry for 10 years. This new overstay restriction starts at 90 days of overstay being barred for 1 year, and progresses up to the max of a 10 year ban at one year or more overstay.

Someone read the reason for me it says insufficient funds. But the officer really got angry when i couldnt read thai. I had 9k baht on me a business world mastercard fully loaded and a kasikorn atm. I believe only cash counts. If i had enough cash i believe he would have said something else.

I find it highly suspicious that after a previous poster mentioned the insufficient funds stamp placed in his passport, that turned up as your stamp. That stamp does not bar a person from future entry. Also after having gone to a similar caliber language school myself when I first got here (as most real language school students do), it is highly suspicious the OP couldn't have at least read, and spoken most of the names of the Thai letters shown to him after 6 months in school, and spoken some (formal, not bar) Thai to the agent, that a person learns in school. I doubt the immigration agent expected the OP to be fluent, just show him enough basic formal school Thai fluency that a question of actually going to school was erased.

I think there is more going on here to make the immigration agent suspicious of long term stay on improper visas than is being reported by the OP. He has a car, and a Thai bank account after-all? How long has he actually been in Thailand before he went to Thai language school? He says he speaks Thai, so why go to school to learn to speak Thai, and not learn the basics of reading and writing Thai, that he doesn't understand?

I am confused about one thing when he exited Thailand. He states that he never went to school because he already spoke Thai, so he seemed to not be aware he had to extend the visa every 90 days, with paperwork from the school saying he was attending, and in fact the visa had been expired for quite some time after 7 months, and no 90 day extensions. With no extensions the agent seems correct in denying him entry under that visa, and given his length of stay, refused him entry on an exemption stamp. What I'm confused about is why he never was charged overstay fees when he left for HK, as his visa had been expired for about 4 months at that point. It might have been a costly oversight by immigration, but hard to believe.

What address did you use on your last 90 day? That will be the most recent one they have in their computer system, and anything different could raise questions.

Listen to the agency. Whether you get an exemption stamp at the border is all up to the immigration person handling you at the time of entry. If he suspects you are living permanently in Thailand on tourist visas, and exemption stamps, he will refuse you entry. It is all a gamble by how the immigration agent feels about you by the history in your passport, and by the questions he might ask you. With your history the visa run agency isn't willing to take a chance with you being able to return with them to Thailand without a trip to a Thai embassy to get a real tourist visa.

Firstly, as you are a foreigner, no Thai minimum wage law applies to you. Foreign workers are exempt from the new Thai wage laws.

Secondly, unless you are going to major in English, or another in demand foreign language, there is no degree from a Thai university that would qualify you to work in Thailand as a new graduate, as every Thai that graduates with you in your field of study will be more qualified than you, unless a foreign language you speak, and write fluently is also required for the job. As a foreigner graduating from a Thai university, you are at the bottom of the list for hiring, no matter how well you do in school.

Lastly, Chances are unless you graduate from one of the top Thai universities, your degree won't be accepted outside of Thailand, requiring you to go back to school if you plan on working in your field of study in the EU. Your best alternative is to get your degree at a recognized European university, work at least 10 years in your field, then try to transfer to Thailand with the company you work for, or get hired by a European company that also has offices in Thailand, then transfer here.

There are no negative consequences by having a Thai tax ID card, and not filing taxes, as there is a minimum income base, after exemptions, before any tax is paid. Last year in my income category bt100,000 was the base, with anything above that requiring a tax payment. There is a move by immigration with work permit renewals to require seeing your income tax receipt that is issued when you turn in your tax return, whether you have to pay, or not, but that is the only thing I've heard that is changing that would require a tax ID card. There was never a request to see my tax ID card when I bought my motorbike, and there isn't anyplace on the title for that number. There was also no request when I renewed the tags either.

There is the possibility that a Thai tax ID card will be accepted as proof of residency when buying movable property though. That might have changed, as you do need to be a resident to get liability insurance in Thailand.

It doesn't require a work permit, but it could require paying Thai income tax, if you stay legal. Money made in Thailand is taxable, be it interest, profit from a sale, etc. I believe stock broker is one of the restricted professions, reserved for Thais only, but you wouldn't be selling to other private parties so that wouldn't apply. Form PIT 90 does have a box to report interest, share of profits, and dividends, so you might want to get a taxpayer identification number and file taxes to stay legal.

If you are going into the food business, it might be necessary to buy an existing business simply to get the location you want. I'm sure you are aware that not having a good location in the food business can be an immediate downfall. It can also save money in getting all the necessary permits, and licenses by buying an existing restaurant, if that is your food business objective. Any existing brick and mortar restaurant can be funded and incorporated, so you can get your visa, as long as it is already a legal business, and it can be much cheaper than setting up the business from scratch. It is easier to simply change a menu, and incorporate, than start from scratch incorporating first.

For the ED visa you have to take at least 160 hours of study a year, which works out to about 4 hours a week. Most do a 2 day a week program 2 hours a day, with night or day classes offered. I took my classes in Bangkok, so not up on schools in Pattaya, but shouldn't be too hard to find out. You only get 90 day extensions costing bt1800 every three months for a year, or longer depending on the school's program, with paperwork supplied by the school for each 90 day extension. Most one year programs with visa cost around US$1000, or a little less, and this does not include the extension costs.

From my understanding you can now only get 3 years of this type of ED visa from independent language schools, as opposed to actually studying at a Thai university, which if you can do it is a better option.

Basically if you did not get a reentry permit before you left Thailand, your whole visa and work permit situation will have to be started over from the beginning, with just a 30 day visa exemption stamp valid in your passport. I just hope your new boss doesn't get upset with having to do your visa and work permit paperwork over again. Having just a visa exempt stamp I believe your work permit would also be immediately voided, as you can not legally work on just a tourist visa or visa exempt stamp, no matter what your intentions are.

Oh, no one asked about your age. If you are over 50, you could also get a Thai retirement visa, that if you are over 50 years old, would fit your situation real good.

The limit on the number of repeat returns as a tourist into Thailand before you are refused entry is solely up to the immigration agent processing you.

If you are in Singapore, just go to the Thai embassy there and get a real tourist visa, then no problem at the border.

As you are planning on leaving the country anyway to get your last 30 days, you might instead consider a trip to Vientiane for 2 days at the end of your 60 day tourist visa and get another 60 day tourist visa at the Thai embassy there. The only difference in cost would be the bt1800 you would pay for the extension, as opposed to bt1000 (unless the price has went up, which would mean finding a cheaper room for the night...lolol), for a new tourist visa at the Thai embassy, plus the cost of a room for the night. You should have no problem finding a room under bt800. You have already figured on spending the travel money, and visa expense going to another country for the extra 30 days. With this method, your date going out would change, but then if plans changed you'd have the ability of getting you another 30 day visa extension after the 120 days of two tourist visas run out. Just a thought.

I never did have to get a residency certificate. Both the main drivers license office across from ChatuChak, and my motorbike sales agent accepted my TOT, and True bills showing my rented condo address on them. My motorbike sales agent was nice enough to do all the paperwork processing for my new motorbike title (Green Book), and I picked it all up at his office, instead of it being mailed to me. I also just go to his office each year for my new tags.

This Honda dealer might work good for you, as he will just hold the title until you can pick it up, after it is processed. Mine took 9 weeks because I evidently requested a certain plate number, that I wasn't aware of him asking me about....lolol (Now I have a lucky plate number). He is a small local Honda dealer close to me in the Ratchathewi area, and speaks no English, but it is not a problem, as the sale triumphs over language difficulties.

I also saved about bt5000 over most other Honda dealers mentioned here, on my total purchase (motorbike and luggage compartment). Those dealers speaking good English are not always the best deals on new motorbikes. PM me, and I can introduce you. It also helped for insurance that I had my Thai motorbike drivers license before I bought the bike.

It is not required to get, but for Thai liability, and theft insurance you do need a Thai drivers license, which I believe can not be gotten on a tourist visa, but I might be wrong. My biggest driving fear, and why I got the insurance isn't because of the possibility of a wreck, but in case of theft of my motorbike, or if I accidently scratch someone's car while weaving traffic. I never have yet in 2+ years, but in case I do, I am covered....lolol.

Oh, and costing quite a bit more, baht 10 million invested I believe it is now, you can also get an investment visa, one of the best visas to hold, but it takes tying up a huge lump sum of money for awhile.

 

It is illegal to go out in public without state issued ID in USA. It has been the law for decades. At the very least, you must know your drivers license number so the police can run you for wants and warrants. The difference is they cannot stop you without probable cause and in California it is illegal for the police to ask about your immigration status.

Sent from my GT-S7270 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

 

BS.... I worked in the US for  over two years and never had a state ID or carried my passport oh and i never had a US drivers license either and was stopped by the cops quite a few times, maybe it was because of my cute "British accent " ...  showed them my home license and sent on my my way

 

funny enough though, the US marine Corp tried to recruit me on few occassions as well... dont know what that was about

 

so stop taking rubblish

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You did carry recognized ID with you at all times though. The US recognizes legally issued official government ID, that is not expired, from other countries. Your interpretation of what he meant by "State issued ID" was wrongly interpreted. Replace "Government" for "State", and notice that he used the word "in the USA", not "from the USA", and you'll better understand his meaning.

If your government issued the official picture ID, and it is not expired, then it is accepted in the US as legitimate ID. Most just use their passport, but picture drivers licenses are accepted, as long as they aren't expired, and yes, you technically must have legal ID with you at all times in the US.

You also technically should have gotten a US drivers license, in the state you were in if you were working. As a tourist you don't have to, but working there you technically should have.

The Marines are always looking for a few good men, and must have mistaken you for someone else....lolol. In the past during war time joining the US military was an avenue to gain citizenship. They might have mistaken you for an illegal, needing US citizenship.