apalink_thailand

Now the million Baht question. Since this post was made, has anyone made an attempt to get one of these new visas?

I suspect that it is aimed at new business travellers to Thailand. I am concerned because my passport is full of Thai visa stamps, having been a resident here for quite a few years. I am a Director on the Boards of several companies here but do not work in an office here per se (I use my computer at home to check on business). I travel frequently and our company (with HQ in Italy) does employ me (by way of ocasional Directors fees) to see its clients both here and within the region. This being the case, I wonder if I qualify for this Visa even though I reside in BKK? Our company is involved in trade and investment promotion of Thailand to Italy and visa versa. We have quite a few clients here in Bangkok so I should be able to get the necessary letters and supporting documents. Fingers crossed.

I am going to try a tester email to the Thai Embassy in KL to see what response I get to my particular situation. If any of you Visa gurus in the meantime have any experiences, suggestions, comments etc, I would welcome them.

Thanks in advance.

Mike

You continue to think that it's only a "little corruption", like a bad thai tradition, a form of "exotism".

No. With Thaksin, and for the first time in the modern history of this country, corruption has reached an industrial level.

We are going to be surprised in the weeks to come... Now that officials can really conduct investigations.

Pongsak (Minister transport), Somchai.... all of them are dirty. Sisters, wife, children, cousins, step brothers of Thaksin... All of them will feel the shame of the caught thieves.

NCCC must do it swiftly. To set an example, a precedent. So future candidates will think twice.

Excuse me, but do you have EVIDENCE of all this wide spread corruption? Can you please give some examples together with proof, that Toxin benefitted illegally? Indistrial level corruption? Name it please. Otherwise, keep quiet.

Just a precision : I am not happy with the real problems that some people will have, following this last gvt's move.

I just say that we need to understand, and aknowledge, that something real is happening, that Thailand is changing, and this is part of a large plan.

This much is apparent

In the same way that Thaksin is cheating his own people, that we have corruption on an industrial scale... there is clearly a will to push Thailand toward the First World, on an economic, social and politic ground as well.

Erm, you have some proof to back up these statements of "corruption on an industrial scale"?

His dream is to change Thailand into a corporation-republic, like Singapore.

Singapore is more than happy to have foreigners working there and living there. Your comment makes no sense. He IS trying to clean out the filth and lets face it, there are a LOT of foriegners here that come under that category. Most seem to reside in Pattaya. I believe one such filthy foreigner was just shipped back to the USA? If you are not eligible for a B visa, then you are a TOURIST. You cannot work here so dont get upset. Get qualified and come back

At this stage, only the defeat of Thaksin could change this and allow a status quo ante (but it's unlikely).

Its unlikely to change even if Taksin gets blown out. Your dreaming. Unless you know something the rest of us dont?

With this man, Thailand that we knew and loved (and hated too sometimes) will be history, quickly.

Better get your ticket home.

Write on a paper all what happened since 2001, and the first election of Thaksin, and you will see all the dots, and eventually the big picture.

Do you recall what it was like prior to Taksin? Corrupt governments that changed twice a year, nothing progressed at all. Taksin did manage to get the 30 Bht heath scheme up and running (sort of) and he improved tax collections at the Revenue Dept and the Customs Dept by amounts far greater than previously collected. I am not supporting Taksin here but I do recall how useless and ineffective the previous governments were. I like the Demoncrat Party but....they are useless.

The other day I received an SMS telling of an impending coup d'etat to cooincide with the Queens birthday (there was also a simialr post on ThaiVisa). Of course, I simply laughed it off.

However, what is interesting is that today in the BKK Post, there is a front page article stating that the PM had dinner with the Military brass last night. Now I am curious.

oh ... and note .... the son of the Former Shah ... would not be a Farang

so no "farang prince" I guess

Why?

Do you know the meaning of farang?

Funny the same happened to a German Prince. All over German Newspapers today.

Click

Myterious.

It was all over the Italian newspapers the day before yesterday. This does not help the already poor reputation of Thailand in the eyes of Italians. When I was there last, promoting investment for Thailand, I asked Italian business owners what their first impressions of Thailand were. Apparently, in the eyes of many Italians, Thailand is considered as mainly a sex destination rather than a country with serious investment potential. What a shame.

As I mentioned in a previous posting, I am at wits end when it comes to these bloody terrorists. Of course, sitting here moaning about it on Thaivisa is hardly going to help. I would like to propose (for what its worth) my ideas on a solution to the overall "problem". The terrorism activity itself is merely a symptom of the problem, IMHO.

Symptom: Terrorism and radicalism

Problem: weak minds, low self esteem and impoverished backgrounds with very little future ahead for young ME people (men).

Solution:

-a- Arab countries must invest more from oil profits into education, basic and more advanced infrastructure, carreer training and anything that improves overall economic growth at the grass roots. Several of the oil rich Sultanates in the world have been very successful at this and have had no problems at all with terrorist activities.

-b- Although nearly impossible to implement, there must be a moratorium or a limitation on weapons and explosives trade to the middle east. It seems that guns and ammo are cheaper than water over there.

-c- Make Jerusalem and World Heritage site, governed not by one nation, but by the United Nations. It shouldnt belong to Isreal or any other nation. This last solution helps to relieve the centuries old feud of WHO should own the Holy city. In my opinion, since 3 of the worlds most prominant religions all seem to center on Jerusalem, shouldnt it belong to all and not one?

In my opinion, the only way to solve the Muslim radical problem is to choke off their hold on disenfranchised youth who are led to believe that dying promises a better future than living. Give the kids a reason to live. A future. Then they wont be so quick to blow themselves up.

I cant quite get my head around why UK Pakistanis are now rebelling against their own country and joining the madness. I can only surmise that with all the racial abuse that gets hurled at them in the UK, they are getting fed up and fighting back in the only way they know how. This problem must be nipped in the bud in the UK or many Muslims will feel the replrisals. The Muslim community MUST start doing more to police their own and be seen PUBLICALLY to be against terrorism and show ACTION, not just words.

I think its time that Muslims had their own airlines and be restricted from travelling on non-muslim planes. This may sound radical and it probably is BUT I AM SO SICK OF THESE PSYCHO RELIGIOUS BASTARDS creating havoc for the rest of the peaceful population. Better yet, lets help them all find their way to paradise. That seems to be what they desire.

Sorry, I am just venting here in an irrational way. I am just angry. I am not a racist, I am just sick of these scumbags trying this stuff and yet the so-called "good" Muslims themselves not even bothering to police their own.

Talking about generalising, eh? Muslims should be restricted from travelling on non-muslim planes? So by saying this you're actually implying that all muslims are likely to be potential terrorists, are you?

As I said, I was venting anger. Basically, if the Muslim world does not take responsibilty for radical preaching and tacidly allows this behaviour to continue and flourish, then YES, let them segregate out and live in the stone age. I could care less.

As to your second question, it is quite clear that these lunatics live amongst us and YES they are all potetntial terrorists. We have no way of telling the good from bad Muslims. I lost a good friend to a terrorist bomb and I guess I have just had enough of being politically correct. Fight fire with fire. Screw 'em.

Its only a matter of time b4 a bomb detonates here in Bangkok. I wonder how you will feel then?

Sorry,just venting steam again....I will be ok in a few days.

I think its time that Muslims had their own airlines and be restricted from travelling on non-muslim planes. This may sound radical and it probably is BUT I AM SO SICK OF THESE PSYCHO RELIGIOUS BASTARDS creating havoc for the rest of the peaceful population. Better yet, lets help them all find their way to paradise. That seems to be what they desire.

Sorry, I am just venting here in an irrational way. I am just angry. I am not a racist, I am just sick of these scumbags trying this stuff and yet the so-called "good" Muslims themselves not even bothering to police their own.

Hi All,

I am looking to get a 1-year multiple re-entry non-B visa somewhere in the region. Does anyone know the best spot to do this at the moment?

I will be getting a letter from a company here in Bangkok inviting me to come to TH for business purposes (completely truthfull statement) asking for a 1 year Non-B Multiple re-entry visa. I am not applying for a work permit though.

I am considering Singapore but not too sure if they still provide this kind of visa and multi-reentry. Some say it is possible, other say it isnt. I have also been told that HK is not an option (bitchiest Embassy in Asia, so they say). I cant be certain about Penang either. My only other consideration was Sri Lanka but would rather not.

ANY QUALIFIED SUGGESTIONS !!! My work permit application has fallen through due to a technicality on one of the documents and now time has basicaly run out. HELP !

Thanks

Loas, Cambodia, Singapore, Hong Kong are out for the one year. Sri Lanka used to be good up to a year ago. Penang, Kl and Viet Nam are good if you have a work permit already but in your case, that don't help you now. By the way, who is doing your wp?

Go to Kl or Singapore with the company docs. Get a 90 day visa. Then once you have your Wp,( if your company or you don't qualify for the extension of stay based on business) go back and get the one year multi entry visa from Kl, Penang or Viet Nam.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Thanks Greg. This time around, I picked up all the forms at the Labour Department and collected all the corps docs according to their checklist, assuming that this would be OK. For the most part, no problem. However, it turns out that the company I was going to work for met all the requirements but one. Their PAID UP portion of their capital was not sufficient. So I was sunk. Meanwhile, time is running out on my Visa.

I will give your suggestions above a try. I thought it best to check first if Sri Lanka was still an option (as it was 2 years ago). I have to go to Singapore on business anyway. Thanks and hope to see you again soon.

Hi All,

I am looking to get a 1-year multiple re-entry non-B visa somewhere in the region. Does anyone know the best spot to do this at the moment?

I will be getting a letter from a company here in Bangkok inviting me to come to TH for business purposes (completely truthfull statement) asking for a 1 year Non-B Multiple re-entry visa. I am not applying for a work permit though.

I am considering Singapore but not too sure if they still provide this kind of visa and multi-reentry. Some say it is possible, other say it isnt. I have also been told that HK is not an option (bitchiest Embassy in Asia, so they say). I cant be certain about Penang either. My only other consideration was Sri Lanka but would rather not.

ANY QUALIFIED SUGGESTIONS !!! My work permit application has fallen through due to a technicality on one of the documents and now time has basicaly run out. HELP !

Thanks

They should round them up and cut their balls off. Woops...that's what they want isnt it? Seriously, they are a bloody menace down there. So many times I wanted to warn Joe Bloggs who was being chatted up by the "tall ones" but then then kept on walking giggling to myself. Yes, I am an evil little boy. Caveat Emptor I say.

I read in The Nation the flight would depart at 7.29 from Don Muang and land at Suwannaphum at 8.09. I understand the emphasis on 9 is for an auspicious future but why would the plane take so long, 40 minutes?

Wouldn't it be quicker to go by bus, and certainly cheaper?

They have to fly a pre-arranged departure pattern from Don Muang and then test the new arrival routes while keeping out of existing flight lanes. Its not as simple asjust taking off and then turning left for the new airport. They would do a northerly departure route and then turn back to enter the arrival route and capture the ILS for landing.

"Crack down on illegal handguns, the root of the problem. A good idea but there is a huge number out there - litterally millions and gangsters obviously pay off the police so that their henchmen can freely pack guns."

Mate, the cops ARE the gangsters. If you want to hire a hit man, who do you call? The men in brown.

Business conflict? Callme a cynic but here is how I see the "conflict" going down.

Tout brings farang to dealer

Farang buys gems

Gems turn out to be of lower than advertised quality

farang returns to the dealer to complain

Dealer tells him to get lost

someone (most likely the farang) loses their cool

BAM !

Police shrug their shoulders and go back to sleep in their booths with nice fat wallets

The good old fashioned gem scam, this time with lethal results.

Question: Does this also apply to B visa holders?

Secondly, I have been told that the closest place in Asia to get the multiple, is in Sri Lanka. Apparently there is a flight that lands in the morning and you can catch the evening flight out with the multiple re-entry.

I was in Vancouver recently and went into the Thai consulate armed with all the documents needed for a WP, a B visa and multiple re-entry. I was told that I could not get a multi (despite seeing a pricequoted at the window for the multi). After a long friendly chat with the Consul General she agreed to give me one. Therefore, I can conclude that Consulates have been instructed to deny multi's unless the applicants can prove that they are "worthy" of them. Perhaps there is an unoffical effort going on to weed out the "undesirables" from entry into Thailand? Just my observation.

A qualified candidate might find it useful to ask for a meeting with the Consul General at Penang (and other closer consulates) and describe to him/her the purpose of your stay. The Thai government is clearly open to offering help to individuals that are promoting tourism, exports, investment, retirement etc. I fear that for the English teachers and long stay visitors (the lady lovers), you are out of luck.

They are highly recommended. Scott Whittaker is the guy your address your correspondance to.

Hi All,

Recently, one of our foriegn company signing Directors passed away and I am curious to know what steps need to be taken to register this with the authorites? More specifically, this Director (who was also a shareholder) was my father. He and I own shares in a new JV we put together last year. His will is missing (still searching for it) but he told us prior to his death that his assets are to be divided up between myself and my brother. Can anyone give me some advice on how to proceed?

Thanks in advance

Ok, here's one for the Visa gurus.

I have a little situation that could benefit from some professional advice. Here's the scoop.

- Canadian citizen, 40 years old.

- Obtained a 1 year Multiple Re-entry B Visa in Feb 2005 in Milano. I have been travelling in and out of the country for the past year on 3 month stamps.

- My Multi Re-entry expired in Feb 2006, but I have a valid visa stamp (obtained in Cambodia in January valid for 3 months) until April 22, 2006.

- I am flying to Vancouver on May 5th and plan on getting a 1-year Multi there.

My questions are this. If I go to Cambodia on Thursday (expiry date), will they give me the 3 month B visa or a Tourist visa? Obviously I want the B visa.

Will I need to go through the entire documentary process of obtaining a new B visa in Vancouver?

I will likely up our company registered capital to 2 million (from 1 million paid up) but would prefer to do this when I come back. Then I will apply for the work permit. I am a director in this 49/51 Thai registered company.

Also, the Labout Dept website says that I need to fill in a WP3 form and obtain a letter from them that is used in the document set to obtain the new B visa in Vancouver. Is this a necessary step?

Well, that should do it. Hope you can help me.

Regards,

Mike