CWMcMurray

Once you receive notification from the Post Office that your shipment has arrived, it is possible to notify your customs broker to contact the Post Office to handle customs clearance.

Otherwise just pay whatever duty the Thai Post asks for and then go pick up the package.

I think on the face as an investment tool they may not give a really good return (slightly higher than interest in savings account), but I think that many like to use them for tax benefit...

if you are in the 30% tax range you can deduct upto 50,000 in premium payments. Based upon the Bangkok Bank website above that would be the yearly premiums for 200,000 thb in coverage. So you could save upto 15,000 per year for 7 years or about 105,000 thb in taxes.

If you add in the tax benefit then they are a little bit better than many of the non "stock" investment tools . I also do not believe that Thailand has any other tax exempt investments tools like IRAs available (if I am wrong, please let me know).

The life insurance seems to be just an added bonus more than than anything else...

Thailand

Nation’s Top 7 Institutions to Become ‘National Research Universities’

The seven Thai universities that appeared in the Top 500 of the Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings in 2008 have qualified to become national research universities. The initiative to develop Thailand's leading institutions has been approved by the cabinet, and the government will spend Bhat 12 billion (US$ 330 million) in developing it.

The seven universities are: Chulalongkorn, Mahidol, Kasetsart, Thammasat, Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen and Prince of Songkla.

World Eduation News & Review

My son was just born last week and Hospital require the following:

1. Copy of my Passport (picture page)

2. Copy of wife's Thai ID

3. Copy of my wife's Tabien Baan

4. Copy of our Marraige certificate -or- copy of our first child's birth certificate

(my name was not translated the same way on both docs, but the translatiuon on marraige cert was a better translation, so they just took that)

They will then go to get the they will get the Thai Birth Certificate and the certified translation into English, so I can go to the Embassy for Birth Certificate and passport from US embassy.

Just a question to those out there "in the know", if he was the father, could prove it and the child was in Thailand; why couldn't he petition the Thai courts for custody?

If the mother and the baby are on Thai soil, then wouldn't Thai law take precedence not Australian Law?

Although I do agree that from everything that I have heard, the Thai courts really do look at the "Best Interest of the Child".

Which Samitivej are you refering to?

My wife just had our second child at Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital and had a woderful experience and never felt rushed. The Dr. was very good at explaining anything and everything and we never felt rushed at time time throughout the entire 9 month process.

We only had one long wait through out the nine months (about 1.5 hrs, but doctoro explained that she had an emergency C-section and was still in scrubs, so no biggy)

Samitivej Srinakerin is also very well known for their childrens hospital. I have nothing but good things to say about both the OB GYN during the pregnancy and the Children's hospital where we take our 2 yr old daughter for all of her medical needs.

From my understanding, there is no threat to making it illegal for a Thai women married to a foreigner to buy a home.

The only rumors I have heard is based upon using a "nominee" to buy land would be investigated. To me, that means company with nominee shareholders... but I could be wrong.

I would just tell your wife that the estate agent is only saying that in the hopes that you will cancel the sale and list with her company. She just wants the commision...

Ya chua man...Kow yaak dai kaa comission... ka nat eng (don't believe her, she wants to make the commission.. thats all)

Update:

I decided to go for the KTC Royal Orchid Plus Card and just got it in the mail yesterday.

The information above was all pretty spot on. KTC is not very "English Friendly", but my Thai is pretty good, so not a huge concern.

I went to various banks and they were all pretty much the same in terms of interest rates and card types. They all also offered the "Bill Pay" service.

The main differences were the income required and the "strictness" of document requirements. The card with the lowest income requirement was KTC at only 40,000/mo and the highest was Citi cards at 80,000/mo. KTC also seemed to have the most flexible staff when it came to documents required as well.

All of the Banks wanted WP and 6 months of Bank statements and 6 months of payslips as well as copy of passport. All of the Bank reps advised that there was no "wiggle room" on any of these points.

I could have provided all of the info required, but it would have been a little bit inconvenient to do so. I am very bad about updating my bank book, so there were "gaps" in my 6 month history. (missing 1st month, has 2nd and 3rd, missing 4th, had 5th and 6th).

In order to get 6 month record, I would then have to go to my bank, Bangkok Bank, and request it. Problem is, they advised that you can only get this from the branch you opened your account at. Which for me was a "normal branch" only open during business hours, so not very convenient to get to.

Also I had only saved my last 2 payslips, so did not have the last 6 months. I could have gone back to HR department and sorted this out, but as previously stated it would have been a little bit inconvenient to do so.

The Banks all said, "no must have everything", but the KTC rep, said "no problem we can still do it with what you have". He then collected everything and advised me that someone would be calling me within a week to verify the details in my application. He also "coached me" on the questions that they would ask and how I should answer to ensure that there were no problems. (not a big deal, but seemed to really want to make sure that I wouldn't have any problems).

One week later received the call (in English) and verified details. One week later received the card.

Not sure if this is the case, but it may have to do with the fact that the KTC rep was at a "booth" at the mall and the other reps I spoke with were all "inside" the Banks. I am not sure if the outside reps work off of commissions. If they do, this may be the reason they were more flexible.

No problem.

Also if needed, under the above arrangement it is also possible to get a Certificate of Origin under your foreign company's name C/O "Freight Forwarder" if the manufacturer is willing to write a letter authorizing you do do so under their "specs".

Once you get things rolling if you have any questions feel free to send me a PM

It is possible to export with any type of visa, we have many customers who are foreign nationals who export under their personal name (no company). Some of them have only been on a tourist visa.

Another alternative is to have the manufacturer "export" to free zone warehouse where the ownership of goods can be changed to you. Your name can then be used as the shipper on all of the shipping documents regardless of your status in Thailand.

We do this for some of our customers who are trading companies located outside of Thailand. They have the goods manufactured in Thailand, and sell to their customers overseas. They obviously do not want their customer and the factory to know each other.

An example:

US company sells goods manufactured in Thailand to customer in Dubai. Manufacturer "exports" goods to our freezone warehouse. Ownership is transferred to US Company. US company issues invoice and goods are transferred to Airport. Shipper on the HAWB is US company C/O "Freight Forwarder".

I do feel bad for those that have to pay for their own work permits, in most cases they do not make all that much money to begin with and this will definately have an impact on their finances.

For those working for companies, I believe that in most cases the companies are paying fo rthe WP fees. In those cases, it will most likely not have a huge effect. Those companies that hire foreign nationals and in many cases pay them a higher wage than a locally hired person, will most likely fire all of their foreign staff over a few thousand baht a year.

As with many tax increases, this one appears to be regressive and will affect those in the lower income bracket the most.

To be fair to Thailand, they are also facing unemployment issues and just like every country in the world, when unemployment rises, the government receives pressure to make it harder for foreign nations to work. They will look for more justification as to "why a Thai person can not do that job"...

you would think...

Of course, I wouldn't be to surprised if people just show up to find the doors locked with a sign hanging on the door with the new address

But make sure that your supplier can provide the "form E" otherwise the general rates will apply

As it is now, if I want to pay my household bills, rent and truck loan online, I have to go to the busiest part of town during the busiest time of day (8:30 - 3:30, closed on Sat & Sun!) to withdraw MY money, drive to another part of town to a GOOD bank to deposit it. That's F'ing absurd!

I agree, that would be absurd.... why not just go to which ever ATM is convenient and transfer to your other Bank account. This can be done 24 hrs a day 7 days a week

Also, Banks in department stores are open late and on weekends...they also usually have all banks in the same building

Then how do all of the burmese folks get WP to be maids?

I also though that a foreign national can sponsor a WP for a maid and no company would be needed for this?

...or ask a friendly freight forwarder...

Digital cameras are a classification on its own, HS code 8525.802000. The general rate is 5%. If you can benefit from any FTA it can be as low as 0%.

If sourced from China, 0% under ASEAN-China FTA

*remember VAT of 7% still applies

hi

when i look at the Tariff code- 8531.10.10 it say 60% in tax but they dont say how they get that. Can some one tell me that?

It is inport from china

Not sure where you are getting the 60% from...

1. click on the website given above

2. click on "search for import tariff"

3. Put in code "85311010" and hit search

4. on the right hand side go to the drop down menu labled "duty reduction" and choose "all" and click on "show"

5. you will see all of the various rates...

a. current rate is labeled "General Rate" - its the second one

b. if any other special rates based upon FTAs are avaialbe they will follow (ASEAN-China, ASEAN FTA, ASEAN-JAPAN, JTEPA...)

So if goods are sourced in China, you will be interested in the ASEAN-China FTA or General rate, which ever is lower.

Lets see...

I believe "stealing" is an offense that will allow you to dismiss immediately... so the next time if you can catch him taking the tools out, stop him and search him. If he has the tools, fire him on the spot for theft.

Also if you can prove the gardener is not actually going to be a monk then wait for him to be gone for three days then break out the proof and fire him for taking more than 3 days off without reason.

This may help to get the rest in line...

Check out this website:

http://igtf.customs.go.th/igtf/en/main_frame.jsp

Burgler alarm: Tariff code- 8531.10.10

Normal Duty: 10%

If from China: 5%

If from other Asean country: 0%

If from Japan: 6.7%

Please note if any but the "normal" rate is used, the shipper will need to provide the appropriate form... (example Form D or Form E or Jtepa ...)

Also please note that import duty is calculated using CIF value of good, not invoice value. (CIF value means Invoice value + Cost of Freight until arrival in BKK + cost of insurance)

Farangs can import cosmetics and perfumes, but will need to have an import permit, just like everyone else....

I will calmly say... excuse me and inform them that there is already a line and where the end of the line is... I will also point to the end of the line and then continue to stare them directly in the eyes until they leave. (I do this with a smile and in Thai).

In the past this has always been effective...

There have been a few occasions where I have lost my temper, but I always try polite but firm first.

Chamber of commerce is unlikely to help you get a job, but if you only want to focus on British companies with a presence in Thailand, they could help to privide a list of British companies who are a member oc the Chamber of Commerce.

You would then need to to take that list and do the leg work to go through the list to find companies that you may be interested in and then contact them to find out if they have any openings and to submit your CV.

What about this one....

Is a work permit needed for the following (still hypothetical) activity:

- I work as a consultant for a European company which wants to source products from Thailand

- I will go to Thailand to visit the Thai companies, explain the needs of the client

- I will negotiate terms of the agreement

- I will return to Thailand to inspect goods prior to departure, accept or reject them

Isn't the above what a lot of customers of Thai exporters do everyday?

Isn't it also what all of the "export fairs" promoted by the Thai government also set up to do?

Are my senerio and that of the OP really all that different? To me it seems like the only difference is the number of days spent in Thailand