bluesofa

I apologise in advance if I have missed seeing any recent discussion on this topic.

Are there laptops with USB3 for sale now in Thailand?

The only one I have managed to find on a search is an ASUS N61J

Ideally I would like something an i5 64 bit processor to handle W7 Ultimate which can cope with more than 4Gb RAM.

I have absolutely no idea what the price would be, if such an animal is even available right now?

Or are there other USB3 laptop options does any know?

It is what a51mas said as far as I know. I asked some people around and they said the same; it is the sound rather than the actual liver

ตับๆๆๆๆๆๆๆ

Are u horny? Are you hungry for sex?

Or something like that might be the meaning

While on this part of the topic about "horny", I learnt the word เงี่ยน (hope I spelt it correctly)

Some of the office staff said it was very rude, but I'm not sure.

Is it an acceptable phrase does anyone know? - If I get banned I'll find out!

เงี่ยน is considered vulgar language.

The polite version is "กำหนัด"

The street language version is "มีความต้องการทางเพศ"

Or you can even use the English word "hysteria" (ฮีสทีเรีย) and most Thais will understand, because to Thai people it synonymous with "high sex drive"

Thank you for the enlightenment!

I will try to avoid the vulgar option.

It is what a51mas said as far as I know. I asked some people around and they said the same; it is the sound rather than the actual liver

ตับๆๆๆๆๆๆๆ

Are u horny? Are you hungry for sex?

Or something like that might be the meaning

While on this part of the topic about "horny", I learnt the word เงี่ยน (hope I spelt it correctly)

Some of the office staff said it was very rude, but I'm not sure.

Is it an acceptable phrase does anyone know? - If I get banned I'll find out!

For hotels and other places where "aliens" stay there is a requirement to inform immigration within 24 hours.

Two years ago our company opted to register and use the online reporting option, avoiding someone having to going and fill in form TM30 at the local immigration office every time someone rented a house or room.

The online option worked fine for more than a year. This was when Sri Racha immigration had their own website and allowed login to their own system.

Then one day it went offline. A few phone calls and we discovered that Sri Racha now had fallen into line and we would have to use the main immigration website and login there to do the 24 hour reporting.

After more phone calls from Sri Racha to Pattaya to Bangkok, we managed to apply to use this system.

This involved re-registering the company with immigration in Bangkok to request for us to do the reporting via the national system, (not the redundant local one anymore)

So far this has taken about three months to get nowhere. Basically our staff get passed from one employee to another in Bangkok. The usual story with government departments - no-one seems to be interested in processing the application, and there is always yet another internal department in immigration we can be passed to.

Has anyone here successfully registered with Bangkok immigration to allow online 24 hour registration? If they have, would they be willing to give us a contact name, department, phone number we can try?

Your 13 digit ID number should become your tax ID number as well as your driving licence number. It will be your ID card number too, if you ever become a Thai citizen.

Since 2008 district offices have had an obligation to register foreigners living in their districts, including those on short term visas. In practice you need your own condo, property in the name of your wive or a property owner who is willing to let you register using his address. Most landlords will refuse point blank because they are cheating on their taxes and mistakenly believe you might be able to sell the property or that they will not be able to get you out. You also need a district office that has bothered to read the 2008 amendment to the law on registration of persons. Otherwise they will assert that foreigners must be permanent residents to get on a tabien baan.

I have tried without success to find out what are the regulations for foreigners getting gold health cards. This also seems to vary depending on the whims of district office officials. By the way anyone working and in Social Security scheme is not entitled to use the gold card. Nowadays all workers except company directors must in the Social Security scheme which actually provides lower benefits than the gold card scheme that came later.

The part about company directors not having to be in the scheme has changed I think.

When I was registering my newest company at the social security office about 3 years ago, the staff there told me that even as a director I had to register in the scheme.

When I pointed out that I had run another company before and had avoided registration, the staff, politely but firmly told me the law had been amended recently and now everyone in a company - including the directors - had to register.

Worked out quite well, as I posted recently about being able to use the hospital facilities at no cost. (Ok, Ok, well no direct cost, anyway!)

My girlfriend who worked for an accountant until recently, seemed to think the social security option had more benefits than the gold card scheme (not that I would know personally).

She described that it allowed (easier) use of hospital facilities in a larger area in your home province without having to re-register at a different hospital/health center.

She also said that the Gold card scheme does not allow you to claim back hospital payments made in another province, where the social security does (as I have done very recently).

"Iwasn't aware of the link between the yellow tablien bahn and the social security card (was 30 Baht originally, now no charge to use it)"

They were not talking about social security. Social security and the 'Gold Card/30 Baht' are different programs.

"If you have a work permit, you have to enroll in the social security system by law & pay contributions towards it (unless you're over 60"

There is no such law. Not every employee, with work permit or not, is even eligible for social security.

The social security law was written for employees, Thai or whoever. The law doesn't differentiate between nationalities.

Hi TerryLH,

Have I mis-understood the reference to the "Thai '30 bht' medical card"?

What is the "Gold Card/30 Baht" - what's the 'Gold Card' referring to?

I had assumed the OP was referring to the medical card issued by the office of social security. When I go to hospital, the reference is always to the "bad-bra-gan-sang-kum"

Ok, maybe my use of "social security" in a farang sense could have been confusing. I was referring to the phrase many Thais use to refer to the medical card.

Perhaps that's why you said there is no such law about having to enroll into the social security system?

(amended below:)

Yes, I did mis-understand regarding the 30 baht card. Apparently this is issued to people not eligible for the social security system.

The 30 baht card requires a one-off registration payment of 30 baht. The social security system is compulsory, requires ongoing contributions as an employee and allows access to hospital services at no cost.

I understand the social security card gives more benefits than the 30 baht card.

"Iwasn't aware of the link between the yellow tablien bahn and the social security card (was 30 Baht originally, now no charge to use it)"

They were not talking about social security. Social security and the 'Gold Card/30 Baht' are different programs.

"If you have a work permit, you have to enroll in the social security system by law & pay contributions towards it (unless you're over 60"

There is no such law. Not every employee, with work permit or not, is even eligible for social security.

The social security law was written for employees, Thai or whoever. The law doesn't differentiate between nationalities.

Hi TerryLH,

Have I mis-understood the reference to the "Thai '30 bht' medical card"?

What is the "Gold Card/30 Baht" - what's the 'Gold Card' referring to?

I had assumed the OP was referring to the medical card issued by the office of social security. When I go to hospital, the reference is always to the "bad-bra-gan-sang-kum"

Ok, maybe my use of "social security" in a farang sense could have been confusing. I was referring to the phrase many Thais use to refer to the medical card.

Perhaps that's why you said there is no such law about having to enroll into the social security system?

I was also issued a Thai '30 bht' medical card after getting my yellow book. Not that my first choice for medical care would be a government hospital but should a dire emergency arise I guess it's a useful fallback.

Depending on your local hospital, some government hospitals are very good. Especially the provincial government hospitals are good.

Choose a good doctor, not a good hospital. Some good doctors work partime in government hospitals and also have a private practise or work in a private hospital.

A foreigner who happens to get a Yellow Book (I've got one also) can also get a 30 Baht/Gold Program card? First I've heard of that.

Thought only Thai citizens could get 30 baht card and they need a Thai ID card along with a Blue Book to be signed up to the 30 baht program.

I wasn't aware of the link between the yellow tablien bahn and the social security card (was 30 Baht originally, now no charge to use it)

If you have a work permit, you have to enroll in the social security system by law & pay contributions towards it (unless you're over 60). Then you are also issued with a card.

I've used my card on numerous occasions, it always causes confusion initially for the hospital staff when they are presented with a card by a farang.

I have also been to hospital outside my province of residence, got a receipt (and a sick note) and then claimed the cash back when I returned to my registered province.

Took 20 minutes to claim back 900 Baht. The Thai guy in front of me had just had 12,000 odd Baht refunded.

So, no it's not just limited to Thai nationals.

90 day reporting is not done at airport. You can get re-entry permit 0600-2400 if outbound pax.

Do I have to get 90day report before departure? The day I'm leaving is in 14days window period , so can I just leave the country without it? Thanks for the info.

It is not a 14 day window any more but a 21 day window.

14 day before and 7 day after the 90 day notification date to do the reporting thing.

So if you leave within the 7 day ( after the notification date ) you should be fine.

But with the immigration officers you never know for sure.

When did the window changed to 14 days before? I wasn't aware of that.

The website www.srirachaimm.com has not been not working for a while.

Does anyone know if it has moved elsewhere or just been cancelled?

I thought that Pattaya Immig had taken over control of most of Chonburi, but not sure as that website is only in Thai from what I can see.

Our company used to do 24 hour registration online with the Sri Racha website, but don't know where to go now.

I'm sure I will have more chance of a sensible, speedy answer here than trying Immigration themselves.

Thanks,

The 7.5% interest rate jumped out at me, considering the current rate of interest in Thailand. Then I found this;

In case of a loan of money, the Thai Civil and Commercial Code, Section 654, provides that “interest shall not exceed 15% per year. When a higher rate of interest is fixed by the contract, it shall be reduced to 15% per year.” Ok, so the judge was less harsh than was allowed. Unfortunately, these people will be unable to pay off the debt at an interest rate of 7.5% What’s the point? Yes it’s good that slimey fraudsters are punished, but if the goal is also restitution, then the judgement won't accomplish that. I agree with harsh penalties and all that, but I still find it odd that property crimes seem to be treated much harsher than crimes of violence and human exploitation.

Is this refering to commercial agreements for borrowing money?

My G/F has just applied for an Aeon credit card. If I remember correctly, the terms on that states an interest rate of 20% per annum. This is using it to purchase goods and for cash advances alike.

I've had a similar situation in the past.

I would suggest you need some "creative accounting".

As long as you pay the tax & social security on 50,000 Baht/month that will keep immigration happy for that aspect of it.

It doesn't mean your employee actually receives that amount.

When immigration come to looking at your accounts (if they even "look" in reality), I'm sure your accountant can present the details to keep them happy.

Hope this gives you something to consider.

It would be the same office that you got your extension from.

Not wishing to be awkward (as Jomtien is not my local office), but what do Pattaya & Jomtien residents do if they're out of the area when their 90 day reporting is due?

Pontous said they will not accept postal reporting?

From Immigration website Here

# Copy of all passport pages (up to the latest arrival stamp in the Kingdom or latest visa stamp)

# Copy of arrival/departure card TM.6 (front and back)

# Previous notifications of staying over 90 days (if any)

# Completely filled in and signed notification form TM.47

# Envelope with 5 Baht stamp affixed and return address of foreigner for the officer in charge to send back the lower part of form TM. 47 after having received the notification. This part must be kept for reference and for future notifications of staying over 90 days.

# The above mentioned documents must be sent by registered mail and the receipt of the registration kept by the foreigner.

Send the mail before the renewal date 7 days .

Note. 10 Baht stamp needed for the return.

I was just looking at the immigration website list for documents needed.

At the bottom it says mail the documents to Chaengwattana.

Is this up to date? I keep hearing I can only do it at my "local" office.

Or is the BKK address the only one I must use for postal registration and not my local office?

Cheers,

From Immigration website Here

# Copy of all passport pages (up to the latest arrival stamp in the Kingdom or latest visa stamp)

# Copy of arrival/departure card TM.6 (front and back)

# Previous notifications of staying over 90 days (if any)

# Completely filled in and signed notification form TM.47

# Envelope with 5 Baht stamp affixed and return address of foreigner for the officer in charge to send back the lower part of form TM. 47 after having received the notification. This part must be kept for reference and for future notifications of staying over 90 days.

# The above mentioned documents must be sent by registered mail and the receipt of the registration kept by the foreigner.

Send the mail before the renewal date 7 days .

Note. 10 Baht stamp needed for the return.

Fancy me not even thinking about the Immigr. website - Doh!

Thanks Lite Beer.

Any comments regarding the latest on reporting at another office would be welcome - especially ask the Immigr. staff suggested to me to go down that route!

(I've tried using the search option but with not much luck)

Couple of questions:

1. If I want to do 90 day reporting by mail (away from place of residence for a couple of weeks)what documents do I need to EMS to my Immigration office?

Presumably they won't expect me to include my passport - but who knows?

2. Is the "only to report to your designated immigration office" law still being enforced?

Asking 'cos I will need to do this soon.

I was in the local office and asked about it. First answer was to get my girlfriend to pop-in and do it for me.

But don't they need my passport with the TM47 for that?

When I pointed this out the next idea the officer suggested was to do it at the office where I will be staying.

Hence my question if this stupid law is still being enforced.

Twice last year I did 90 day reporting at another office, and twice they accepted the request.

Then I did then next one at my local office and there were no questions asked.

I'm in Rayong with a newly installed 6Mb/1Mb (alledged) TOT ADSL

Today the net seemed pretty slow in the morning, this afternoon was better.

Out of interest I tested with some speedtest sites, all using the Ookla system.

Just talking about speeds within Thailand here.

3BB broadband (TT&T) showed 5Mbd/l, 500K u/l

speedtest.dot.net showed 5Mb d/l, 800K u/l

thaisvisa.dot.com showed 800K d/l, 40K u/l

What I can't understand is that speedtest says it was testing using the thaivsa site in BKK.

I ran these tests 4 or 5 times each, so they are a fair indication of consistant speeds, but why does thaivisa always seem to give a much slower result, and yet speedtest use their Ookla site?

I'm just ocinfused with this inconsistancy.

Cheers,

The 1 year extension of my Non B visa will be up for renewal soon.

Based on extending it with a WP, have there been any significant changes in the past 12 months regarding applying for another 1 year extension?

The usual pain in the ass stuff, like for example having to provide photos of all employees in their place of work doing their job was the last one I remember.

Will I have to supply these photos every year, and do I need new photos or can I use the same ones I used last year?

Last year I asked at immigration well in advance and they gave me a list of items needed for the application.

Of course when I went in with it all the items (one month later) they automatically gave me the same list but with some amendments - including the employee photo requirement.

Cheers,

Just me or is this the worst timed announcement ever?

They would be better of marketing it as an opportunity to witness violent protests up close from the comfort of your hotel.

Gas masks are available from the concierge at extra cost.

Rediculous.

and bullet proof vests etc etc!!

Friend went to Vientianne last week to apply for a double entry tourist visa.

He was told the same thing, everyone had to pay for the visa, he didn't have enough cash and came back with a single entry visa.

(Fancy believing the embassies & consulates in this region would do as they were instructed - pah!)

Your still hasing over an old topic. thats old news get with the future.

OK, err, but why is Vientianne old news but Savannakhet isn't?

I don't have to do visa runs, but was just telling what happened to someone else.

Am I missing the point here?

Just me or is this the worst timed announcement ever?

They would be better of marketing it as an opportunity to witness violent protests up close from the comfort of your hotel.

Gas masks are available from the concierge at extra cost.

Rediculous.

and bullet proof vests etc etc!!

Friend went to Vientianne last week to apply for a double entry tourist visa.

He was told the same thing, everyone had to pay for the visa, he didn't have enough cash and came back with a single entry visa.

(Fancy believing the embassies & consulates in this region would do as they were instructed - pah!)

It is is after all no surprise that Thailand has dropped to spots just behind Zimbabwe and Burma on the press freedom lists since the last putsch.

Is Thailand really behind these two countries now?

I would like to see the list if possible (or is that the reason for the edit "Illegal content removed" was it a link to the list perphaps?)

Thanks for the help. At the moment I transfer from my UK account using SWIFT, but my UK internet bank charges a minimum of 26 GBP(about THB 1400) for a 3,000 GBP transfer. On top of that the Thai banking agent can and has made an additional charge in the past which can amount to the same or even higher than the UK bank charge. I asked the UK bank about this and they said it's in the rules but you just don't know if they(Thais) will charge it or not, it's not amount specific just seems to be at their whim.

I am enquiring about trying to use paypal as I wanted to know if it was possible and what the charges are, to compare to the present method. Like most people I just want to find the cheapest and most convenient way to transfer.

With my Paypal account, when I transfer money to my Thai account, as long as it's over 5,000 Baht Paypal don't charge.

SCB don't charge either for this credit to my account.

Whether it costs you to get it INTO your Paypal account could be another matter...

I registered for a Paypal account about 18 months in a hurry to book a hotel and haven't used it since. I didn't really understand then and am not much the wiser now.

I've heard others using it to transfer money to Thailand. I emailed the Paypal Help Desk but I am more confused than ever now.

I would like to transfer money from a UK account to my Thai account, somehow. I don't have a Thai credit card(heard this might help) but might possibly be eligible as I'm getting married shortly(again, no idea of the rules for this).

Can anyone tell me if it's possible and the basics of how to do it.

You need to link your Thai bank account to your Paypal account.

Then when you have money in your paypal account you can transfer it to your Thai account online.

How you get the money into your paypal account is another matter, maybe link a UK debit/credit card to your paypal account?

The more tricky thing is getting your Thai account accepted by Paypal, but it can be done, I've done it twice now.

Hope this helps.

Well bully for everybody with their high and mighty attitude. I had to speak to my wife in pigeon english for the first year we were together because when I didn't 2 things happened.

1) She couldn't understand my Scottish accent

2) She would tell me she felt stupid and upset when she couldn't understand me.

Now she understands me perfectly when I talk the way I've always talked and she talks the same way as somebody who is learning to speak english properly (Because she goes to college to learn it).

Brigante7.

It appears that people revel in the apparent kudos of their other half been fluent in English as it implies they are educated and not farmers daughters/sons. Balls, example my mrs is an accountant with a degree and didn't take English classes and never had a reason to speak English until she met me, no interaction with farangs for work or in her leisure time. There are lots and lots of girls like this educated without English as a language.

My situation as with Brigante7 means you can only effectively communicate using the words from each others language that you both already know and if this means pidgin so be it.

I don't believe it. Every thai for the last ###? years takes english classes through the government schools. Most of them do not speak English even after getting a bachelors in English but every thai that goes to college has had at least 12 years of English classes and probably a few in university as well.

Yes, Thais do have to learn English at school.

However one of the reasons they don't learn much, especially at government schools is that the Thai who is teaching English has usually no conversational experience.

Therefore the teacher often has a poor grasp of English, and in a lot of these schools, the kids learn parrot fashion to repeat what the teacher tells them, not actually to have a real conversation.

Not a criticism, but my observation.

My girlfriend also did a degree in accountancy and had about two hours English tuition per week during that time.

So her English is very basic. Fortunately my Thai is (I consider!) reasonable, spoken and written. Not great, but reasonable.

So we have never had a conversation in English in nearly three years.

Some ferangs ask me why I don't get my girlfriend to learn English. To me, living in Thailand I would rather make an effort to improve my Thai.

I am not saying Maxnet isn't injecting you. I am saying a redirect to google.co.th is from google.

Actually, the redirect is coming from Maxnet ISP. There's a Thai web forum that a member showed the code with the ad and the redirect that was doing all the previous nonsense.

Quite true. I was saved the maxnet url rubbish, their re-direct was:

moviebuffet(dot)maxnet(dot)co(dot)th/google.html

(avoiding posting a direct url there)