IvGeg

Guys, can you please share some information about Non immigration Type B visa. If there will be 4 thai per each foreigner in the company is it still necessary to get out of the country every 90 days or I can just submit the information about my status on-line ? Cheers

^{I saw somewhere on the forum CLW suggested to contact the SGS consultancy. However they replied, that they can do only inspection and soil/water testing. Can anyone share useful links with machinery hire/purchase prices, or any other related costs such as services, equipment. I read that there are few different types of land and on some of them you can't build. Is it just related to permanent structure or any structure including temporary (green houses, site office from shipping containers)? is it common in Thailand to use containers transformed to site facilities? Also how difficult to connect it to the power network or maybe it is easier to use diesel fenerator or solar panels?}

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I wish I had known that it was a very bad idea to marry one. Renting was so much more enjoyable in the long run. Marital bliss lasted only a year till she convinced me moving in with her family was a good idea. It wasn't.

Why it was not a good idea? 

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I'm not sure Thailand is a place for career advancement.

Some western companies wouldn't employ you after such a declaration in your CV.

All companies tend to prefer their local experience more than foreign. However it still counts. Plus if your position and responsibilities might be higher if you decide to step up I don't see anything wrong with it. It is something like "let's see what you can and if you'll do it well then you'll go to the next level". 

14 minutes ago, Fairynuff said:

Even before the end of the first page the focus became sex/women/marriage despite the fact that the OP is planning to live/work here for a period of time

Haha. Thank you for pointing it out. Yes, I'm planning for a some time and not planning to retire. For me it is just exciting opportunity to explore something new, improve my career, get valuable experience. I would like it to be as trouble less as possible. Big thank you guys for sharing your experiences and opinions. Probably it is good for a young person to know little bit about building relationship with other gender. Also I would really appreciate if you can express your thoughts about your daily life. Get a shot of some malaria vaccine? Don't run at night because of the abandoned dogs? Use a full face helmet instead of a soup bowl? If you want to find a smart gf go to a library not a bar? We all learn something from our own mistakes or right steps. Everything will be helpful. 

26 minutes ago, Yinn said:

everywhere have good and bad people.

That's for sure. 

What is the difference between North Thai and South Thai people that some of the guys have stated here? 

What about well price, irrigation systems and other services to hire machines with operators for exalts, or for field tests prices? Can anyone suggest any online resources with useful information? Thai will do. Google translate doing pretty good now. 

Do you have to have 51% belongs to Thai person in your company if you want to do agricultural business? 

I found that in Thailand it is approximate 1.2 farm workers / hectare. Of course it depends on automation and mechanisation of your process but still, would you consider it as a fair number. Also what is the most common size of land to lease out in the North? Is it difficult to get 5-10ha? To start with 12 local workers (11 field, plus agricultural manager), a tractor and some other small equipment do you think it is reasonable to start with 8-9 ha? How difficult it will be to  scale it up? Thank you for your replies, guys. 

What about Thai people as friends guys or girls? Are they honest with you from the beginning or see you as a person they can get some benefits with? If I need a help would they help just because of we are mates? For example if I have a problem with my car I can ask here me mate, shout him a beer and fix it together on a weekend, have a drink and chat. Next time he might ask me to help him move to another house and I'll do it as mutual respect thing. Or just pop up for a tea and chat when you have free time?

6 hours ago, Burma Bill said:

What do you wish you had known before you moved to Thailand

 

That within 12 years I would have to endure all the bureaucratic paperwork and strict financial requirements to get a non-O retirement visa!. But now I am a "happy bunny" as I live happily relaxed in stress free and visa friendly Cambodia.

And still chatting with guys on TVF? Probably you have strong connection to the country. Or in Cambodia is not big expat community to communicate. Did you consider Laos? 

23 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Are we sure she's either

1) female or

2) Thai?

She seems to have forgotten her 'Tinglish" today.

BritManToo, can you please have a look my message #70. Ta

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Thai pension 500bht/month.

Most white pensioners are extremely wealthy compared to Thai pensioners.

A Brit pensioner on 150 pounds/week state pension (600 pound/month) is actually  50x more wealthy than a Thai pensioner. 

Can you match it with your life expectations on that amount in TH though? 

23 minutes ago, CLW said:

Have you thought yet where you are going to locate your business?

Rivers in Thailand not carry water all year and then of course you have to share with other farmers, especially rice farmers who grow off-season rice.

Better to invest in your own well.

Sprinkler on wheels, do you mean a hose reel irrigation?

I have only seen a few in the northeast of Thailand, from my own sightings around Pak Chong area.

Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai are the most suitable areas due to logistics. Yes, hose on reels is the one. However, I'm not familiar with the most common practices so it might be adjusted for economical reasons. A system of pipes with sprinklers might be a good solution, but it might be not suitable if the roots of plants will require extraction. And it will be some hassle to pick up all sprinklers and then bring the tractor there. In best case scenario it's a system on arduino with connected soil and weather sensors that might turn the system on and off depends on conditions. 

13 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

Hope this answers your questions, if you have anymore, just ask as getting other people's opinions is always good before making a decision.

Thank you for your answer. I heard in Thai culture rich people kind of have to provide to poor. If you are a wealthier person in your family you have to help your poor relatives. Same applies to foreigners and Thai people expect all foreigners to be quite wealthy if they afforded to come to Thailand. So when you crash with someone usually they ask you to pay no matter who was right. It is just their customs and police will back this side. Is it true? Also may it apply to any other daily life situations? Thank you guys. It is very interesting that you shearing here. 

7 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

 

Last but not least HEALTH INSURANCE, if your employer provides you with it, all and good, just makes sure it's not with an international insurer, if they don't provide you with it, just get it, doesn't matter the cost, you cannot afford to go without here, trust me.

 

 

Few guys mentioned about the insurance. Can you please explain what is the dieters between international and local? It is also important as one comrade mentioned about not to drive motorbikes. I heard many stories about tourists are coming and decide to learn in Thailand or other se Asian countries because it is such a common thing and it won't take long for them to crash. I also saw a girl in Thailand next day after NY with broken skull and scars on her face at the hospital when I went to a dentist. But I have a motorbike license in my home country and use it as my daily commuter. Plus I ride bikes in Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand and Malaysia. Vietnam is the worst. But in general everyone knows that it is not the safest transport, no decent helmet, protection etc. Probably you just have to take it easy and don't ride like locals with only a soup bawl on your head as a protection. Please add your comments. Maybe I miss something?

6 minutes ago, mike787 said:

One of the best TRUE statements...good luck moving her now.  NO WAY!!!!!  

Not now. In 1.5 year if everything is fine. But I rather start to prepare earlier, than it will be too late. 

30 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

Move here? You will be lucky to get a holiday here the way things are going. 

Not completely move, but come, because the company wants to extend business to TH. So I might have to go for quite a while after all the mess will settle down. I've been in Thailand for holidays, but as I know it is not the same as living. So I don't want to find myself in a difficult situation. Because of that I decided to ask more experienced comrades and don't be so naive at first. Thank you for your replies. I appreciate any advices and thoughts.

10 hours ago, Evolare said:

But to be able to answer your questions I have a few questions:

What "Thai medicinal herbs" are you talking about? (different herbs require different amount of attention, you can PM me if you don't want to talk about it in the forum.)
What degree of automation and mechanization, irrigation are you considering?
You want to grow in greenhouse or purely outdoors?

Will you grow in engineered soils or in native soils?

Thank you for your questions. At the beginning the idea is to find a suitable plot of land based on existing conditions. If it will be economically viable then adjust accordingly to the product. For the start it will be primarily outdoor with few greennouses and hydroponics facilities for further tests with intension to extend them in future. In terms of mechanisation and irrigation start with basics. Like a tractor with few attachments. For irrigation I'm trying to look at areas close to rivers with relatively easy available water. Dig some channels around the field, install pumps, connected to sprinklers on wheels. Plant types are not finalised yet. 

Any thoughts on the legal aspects of such business, please? Is it possible if someone from local administration might see a foreigner doing business and decide to pop up one day and give a hint about brown envelope? 

1 hour ago, seabear said:

Just out of curiosity, which plants are you thinking of planting?

Plants used in Asian traditional medicine and for pharm products. The types will be chosen after research on perspectives and market requirements * soil and environment conditions * rotating with other types to maximise land usage. Still long way to go and lots of home work. 

48 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

what visa are you going to use?

 

Type B non-immigrant visa. I think it is the most appropriate one in my case. Please correct me, if I'm wrong. 

4 hours ago, CLW said:

Unless your herb, that you want to grow is very special, a lot of varieties are available from farmers here.

So for your intention, I recommend you start trading first and later on look for a farming business.

CLW, thank you. It is good advice to start with trading and explore the market availability first. The plan is to go for few months around Thailand and explore different opportunities. Chat to people, find few friends who would like to improve their english and earn some money for their time and help with thai translation, maybe collect some data and soil samples for a composition analysis to develop better strategy on how to increase the profitbility of the case. 

15 minutes ago, LukKrueng said:

That's a new one. Getting married in order to start a business....

Probably it is about right terms and conditions beforehand. Kidding, I read too much about broken guys on forums to get into it. However, there is always a chance that both of you fall deeply in love and have same values and goals in life to start something serious.

25 minutes ago, tifino said:

 even Mangosteen and Passionfruit husks are medicinal -  when processed properly by  someone who knows what they're doing...

I'm just trying to understand is there a list of "Thai medicinal herbs", or any medicinal herb growed in Thailand automatically become a part of that list.

Can anyone advise me on how many workers required per 1rai/ 1ha and their wages (~13500thb/mnth?) in the north part of the country.  Thank you guys.

Hi, everyone. I've tried to find any information on growing midicical plants in Thailand. However, didn't find anything on the forum or much online. Would be able anyone to share his or her knowledge  or give an advice on the following idea. I'm a foreign nation and don't have a Thai spouce. I would like to come to Thailand, rent few rais of farmland and crop medicinal herbs for furter export. I found THE FOREIGN BUSINESS ACT that advising on some types of businesses that foreigners cannot proceed. The most important part in my situation, as I understand, is this one:

LISTS ANNEXED TO THE FOREIGN BUSINESS ACT, B.E. 2542 (1999)

Prohibited and restricted businesses in Thailand

List One – Foreign Investment Prohibited

1. Rice farming, plantation or crop growing

2. Extraction of Thai medicinal herbs

Does anyone know the p.1 is related just to rice or medicinal plants as well? p.2 am I not allowed to extact all medicinal herbs or only "Thai" and if I growed it by myself can I process it or I can't do anything with it? Will it change the situation if I will find local business partner or this type of business completely prohibited for foreigners and the only way is to find a loyal spouce? 

Second part is about getting the land. It is more straight forward and lots of cases can be found online. Does anyone know is it difficult to lease a land for 5-10yrs as a foreigner. I found only few advertisement on thai real estates web-sites about land for lease, but what about the real life?

I would much appreciate any information on the topic. Thank you.