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ChueachatsBoy
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Hello all. I'm newly enrolled on TV, but have been reading for a while and travelling to LOS several times a year for some years. I thought I would post my plans here in the general forum by way of introduction and since they involve lots of subjects including visas, importing personal effects, language schools, jobs etc. I would appreciate those in-the-know giving my intentions below a once-over and please let me know of any pitfalls/omissions/impossibilities you may spot. There is also a small stack of questions at the end.
I have just quit my university research job here in London and have formulated a plan to spend time, possibly all my remaining time, in LOS. I am a 46-year-old male UK citizen with an MSc, 20-odd years experience in medical research, mostly in human vision, and many publications to my name. I also recently acquired a CELTA and have picked up 6 months of PT teaching experience here in London. I have enough savings to live frugally for a couple of years in BKK, but am aware that just one little health emergency could cut that down significantly.
My plan is to come to Bangkok for a month's holiday and use the time to locate and enrol with a language school for a 180-hrs-over-1-year-ED-visa-eligible-course. (I understand I will have to renew this every 90 days at THB1900 a time.) I am about to contact Walen and Pro-Language for more details, I PM'd Mac of Walen, but he hasn't replied yet - I assume he's busy with the Pattaya project. I shall also bring as much of my belongings with me as I can, including my English teaching materials, and look for suitable accommodation for my return. I already have some gear in storage in BKK.
I'm looking at PR place for accommodation during this first month -any thoughts/alternatives.
Assuming all goes well I will return to London with the necessary letter from the school/ministry and apply for the multi-entry ED visa.
On receipt of this I shall sell up and buy a one-way ticket back to BKK, hopefully arriving on/around 1 November.
Once settled into accommodation and school, I will look around for some work - legal, with work permit (and health plan). As I still have some projects to work on in the UK I may have some income from Internet-based activities and I may be asked to return to the UK for maybe a month at a time once in a while, but this is by no means certain. Although I have limited English teaching experience, I hope my years in academic medical research and my contacts may count for something and land me a job at a university where I would have access to the academic Internet.
I have emailed several enquiries to Thai universities (not for advertised posts), but have received NO responses. I think, therefore, if I am to pursue this I need to make contact in person.
If universities continue to ignore me, I would seek something in the private sector, perhaps working for a reduced rate to clock up experience for a future university post. Anything that will get me a WP and out of the 90-day ED-visa renewal routine. I would however continue with the Thai lessons.
My only restriction is that I don't want to teach children.
So, what am I missing? Anyone ever heard of an ED visa being refused? I'm reasonably presentable, respectable with academic qualifications, so I should be a plausible candidate, right?
If I get a one year ED visa, can I bring over my personal belongings (mostly a large library) duty-free on the strength of that or can it only be done with a shiny work permit or BOI letter?
Does the ED visa run for one-year (with renewals) from the date of entry into LOS or from the date of issue by the embassy? Presumably one has to enter the country within a specified period after issue. Does the letter from the ministry have to be presented to a Thai Embassy for visa within a certain period or is there some flexibility in when the course starts (i.e. can I get the letter and start the course on either november 1 or December 1 depending on how long it takes to settle-up here in the UK)?
What problems might be caused with the ED visa by an extended absence (one or two months)? I assume I will have to time my returns to the UK (if any) so as not to be out of LOS at renewal time.
Can I open a bank account and get an ATM card on an ED visa? I can transfer in, say, quarter of a million baht just for starters.
Are Walen and Pro Language in the same building? (Times Square - I know it well, but have never had to look for language schools before)
They are different companies, aren't they?
If anyone has direct experience of either or both I'd appreciate a frank PM - for or against - to help make up my mind. Also, any other schools I should be looking at...?
Are there any schools that will give you the necessary papers for a 12 month ED but only require payment in advance for , say, three months at a time? (In case I really can't stand the teaching and want to transfer to another school/city - again I WILL continue to study Thai, whether on an ED visa or later on a non-Imm. B with WP.)
Many thanks for your attention, looking forward to your responses.
Cheers,
K.
Why don't you get a multi-entry Non-Imm.O visa? Also, if you're serious about learning Thai, then stay away from walen school and go for private lessons.
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Today it took 2500+ baht to fill a 3/4 empty tank. Petrol 95 was selling for 45.59 per litre. For those people pricing it in US gallons that is $5.17 per gallon. Higher than most if not all US prices. Still below the UK though.
You have a tank?
hehe I'm joking. I think you have a merc, if thats your car I see?How long will that last you? actually, how much do you spend a month on petrol for your car/s?
And yep, still below the Uk, so still ok for now.
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If you get hit by a bus or lorry, it doesn't matter what you drive, IT WILL HURT!
By what you like and be happy with it.
THE JAZZ RULES
For sure its going to hurt (maybe), but more chances of surviving in a bigger car.
Lets just say, if I had a crash in my X5, I'm sure its safer than having a crash in a yaris.
Anyway, buy whatever you like, but keep in mind the safety of your family.
John, I see you made a new topic about buying a new style toyota vios, thinking twice about a yaris?
Ok,so you have 3 kids in the Yaris but some are saying it's too small even for just one child!!
Chatsboy - if everyone had that attitude there wouldn't be a single small car on the road so i won't be basing my decision on that negative view of things.
Somebody else suggested the Vios so i thought i would get some opinions on it,one guy said it was a 'piece of junk' I have looked at it and again i don't really like the look of it,it's like an accountants car,maybe i'm a pretentious s*d but i'm not paying 10k STLG+ for a motor i don't like the look of and i know the wife won't like it either and ultimately the car is for her.
what attidute? I'm just thinking of the safety as you have a family, but obviously you don't see what I'm trying to say.
Most the people I see or know driving a yaris are young students, women or gay, so there would still be plenty of small cars on the road.
oh and I'm being negative? because I'm thinking about safety of you and your family if the worst should happen - such as a crash.
oh well, I'll keep my thoughts and advise to myself.
Just so you know, I have no problem with small cars, some of them look pretty kool, like the yaris. They're cheap, easy and fun to drive around the city. I've drove small cars, but after driving around Thailand for a few years, seeing crazy driving and accidents, I decided I wanted something bigger for safety reasons.
I'm Sorry if you think I'm going off on a rant and that I keep mentioning about the safety, but its was only 8 months ago that my best friend died in a car crash. This happening, I guess it has made me respond like I have, as if this was over 8 months ago, I would have said something like " the yaris would be perfect for you and your family, a ideal little car blah blah blah .....
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If you get hit by a bus or lorry, it doesn't matter what you drive, IT WILL HURT!
By what you like and be happy with it.
THE JAZZ RULES
For sure its going to hurt (maybe), but more chances of surviving in a bigger car.
Lets just say, if I had a crash in my X5, I'm sure its safer than having a crash in a yaris.
Anyway, buy whatever you like, but keep in mind the safety of your family.
John, I see you made a new topic about buying a new style toyota vios, thinking twice about a yaris?
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Yeah, the yaris has space inside for a family, but what I'm saying is, it's a small car. Put it this way, when I have a kids, there is no way I'll drive around in a small car like a Yaris, imagine being hit by a bus, truck, suv or anything.
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What Thai words or sayings do you find funny? With my limited Thai I know there's a lot out there that we all can learn by having some fun .
my favorite is 'uhhh-ahh' ... this mean 'ya, ya, i know'
What are you talking about, thats not a Thai word.
What I mean is, Thai people may use it, but its used all over the world - its like 'uh huh'
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Why don't you buy something a bit bigger and safer for your family to travel around in?
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you can't watch youtube? try using a proxy server like hidemybox.com
that always worked for me when it used to be blocked.
anyway, my end has been unblocked for months now - I'm on true.
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Have been considering trying the services of Walen or Pro language as advertised here on the web site and was wondering if anyone had any experience of using them. Thanks.
Yeah, I have experience with Walen school.
This is all I'll tell you on here, in my experience of Walen school, they're really friendy and helpful (but every business is going to be like this when they want your money)
Anyway, If you want to learn thai - forget about it, and go have private lessons, but if you want to go there for the year visa, that's about all they're good for, and basically you're paying 28,400 baht for the visa (plus don't forget the extention every 3 months : 1,900 baht, if I remember correctly), because the teaching method is ummm .......
Watch, I bet someone from Walen school will post on here telling you how amazing it is
There is nothing wrong with the school, but PM me is you want to know what it's really like
In a nut shell - If you really want to learn Thai, go for private lessons, and if you want the year visa (depending on where you're from) I'm sure there are other visa options for staying in Thailand for cheaper than 30,000+ baht?
Just my opinion.
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We need a lead guitairst for a new band we are setting up in Bangkok. We currently have a singer/frontman, guitairst, bassist and drummer. All in the mid to late twenties and British.
We are starting a serious band, not really a small bar band. We have own material. Influences; Oasis, Verve, Roses etc.
We have a rehearsel room and potential record company interest.
Please pm me.. Cheers,
Its a shame your influences are Indie/rock bands, other wise I would have been interested. I'm British, 25 years old, been playing the guitar and in bands for over 13 years, and the past 5 years I've been a session musician and guitar teacher. I now live in Bangkok, so I could have been what you're looking for, but i'm just not interested in Oasis, Verve, etc (nothing wrong with them, it's just I find it boring to play)
But hey, if I know anyone, I'll let you know, but do they really have to be British? and do you have a website with any demo's? maybe a myspace band page?
I think it'll be hard to find someone in Thailand as most Brit's here are OAP's
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Dont opt for ABAC. its a uni where kids hang out in groups; there's the Louis Viton groups, the BMW groups, the civic groups, the nerd groups, the indian groups, the vietnamese groups, the thai groups. Mostly rich spoiled kids go there to NOT learn and still manage to somehow pass with a degree.
Hence the Thai term "driving like a ABAC". Coz you will always spot a BMW at 200 kmh driven by ABAC students along the Bang Na highway.
Also, teachers who comes from Burma, Vietnam, and India speak absolutely broken English.
Mahidol is okay, it's amongst the most respected international uni alongside Chula.
There's an international uni located in Silom Bangkok, ww.RDI.in.th (international design school offering full bachelors degree with business and marketing).
hahaha I had to laugh when I read this, its so true!
A few of my Thai friends attend ABAC, and they're all rich spoilt kids. I showed one of them this post and she said its so true about the ABAC BMW drivers.
My other friends study at Thammasat, and like others have mentioned, a top university in Bangkok, but not so easy to get in.
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think about changing your horsepower for pedal power occasionally?
Do you need your car to go to the local 7-11? Do you need the stress of the traffic jam? I am not suggesting that we should sell the car - it is useful at times. There are plenty of myths about cycling in Bangkok and other large cities, let's try to dispel them now.
1) Bangkok roads are too dangerous - name me one capital city where the roads are safe? A lot of expats either have a car or a motorcycle and have adapted their driving style to fit in with Bangkok traffic. Use those same skills when you are on a bicycle.
2) "I'll get hot and sweaty". Even walking in Bangkok will get you 'hot & sweaty'! How fast do you want to ride on a bike? Yes, you will get hot and sweaty if you try to emulate Lance Armstrong but a gentle ride of 10-12 kph will not. At that speed, you will generate a gentle breeze on you which will cool you down, you will find that you would sweat more if you walked one kilometre than cycled it.
3) "I need a shower and a wardrobe in work." - No, you don't! When I used to commute - distances between 14 and 20 kms, I used to leave a pair of shoes in work and get a cab once a week when I would take in a pair of trousers, five shirts, a towel, underwear and socks in a suit bag. A quick strip wash and I was good to go.
If you live within 6 kms of work or one of the 'Park & Ride' facilities, you won't even need to take a change of clothing. You will arrive quicker and feel refreshed. Yes, we know that you drive a Toyota Fortuner or a Honda Civic but when you are stuck in traffic, I have already passed you and I'm on my merry way! If you and I were to start off at the junction of Suan Siam Road and Ram Intra at rush hour and go to Laksi Monument (about 13kms), I'll wait for you at Laksi, I'll be the one with the ice-cold Pepsi in my hand and a smile on my face!
yeah and I'll be the one that arrives in my car, already drinking my ice-cold Pepsi and won't have to change my clothes.
If I get stuck in traffic, I never get stressed about it. I can listen to music, read a paper, watch TV (when stationary), talk on my phone (hands free) all in the comfort and safety of my air-con car. oh yeah! and I'll never get wet or have to stop somewhere when its raining.
Anyway, I have noticed a lot more Thai's riding bicycles, and most of them have no idea - cycling in the middle of the road (soi) making it hard to over take and causing traffic, or if they're on the side, they're wobbling/swerving all over the place. However! nearly every morning I used to see this one farang guy on a bicycle and I have to say he had more road sense, keeping to the side, straight line, fast and arm out when wanting to turn.
Well we all know how most Thai's drive, so its going to make no difference when they're on a bicycle - just don't care, untill they get hit.
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...no way I would cycle in BKK. id rather stick to my...Honda Civic with my music....
You don't have to lose your music! Ever heard of MP3 players with earphones? It blocks out the sound of screeching tires and commuter-racers all around you....bliss...
Great advice! *rolls eyes* are you serious!
Any advice on how I can watch a movie when riding a bike?
come on, wasn't you taught when you was a kid not to listen to music on headphones when riding a bike?
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Instead of saying 'Up To Youuuu', Taught one of my classes to say . '
Hey Diddle Diddle, the cat had a ciddle and played all over the room,
the little Dog laughed to see so much fun, and the dish ran away with the spoon'
It sounded something like this >>
Hah lickle lickle, a cat hah a pickle, an splay
all ooter ra loom.
Hicle doh raffed to seeeeee suck fan, and d** wan a whey wit poon.
They wuvved oops loved it !
never heard that before.
Don't you mean - hey diddle diddle, the cat and the fiddle, the cow jumped over the moon ......
Come on, teach them the correct nursery rhyme
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You shouldn't have any problem with the 1 year Non Imm O from Hull.
A relatively easy process, you can self certify yourself, no need for outside input.
By post, should take a couple or three days.
Take a look at their website.
Hope this helps.
Tony.
Like Tony said, you shouldn't have any problems getting one from Hull.
Well for me - I'm now 25 and have been using a multi non-immigrant O from Hull for a couple years now. Just paid the fee, filled out their forms, no other paper work or evidence of any kind was needed. Recieved it in the post within 4 days.
12 sides - 6 pages left in your passport? if you're only going to leave Thailand every 90 days, that should be plenty enough room for stamps, etc for the year.
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http://customs.go.th/customs-Eng/PostalPar...stalParcels.jsp
Try this link. It explains the law, but of course tit.
If the poster declares the value of the parcel contents as less than 1000 b there is no duty to pay. But customs officers may open the package to check the veracity of the declaration.
Above 1000 b Thai customs can apply import duties.
It is all hit and miss - sometimes no charges are applied, at other times excessive charges are applied.
In my experience parcels posted from Uk (Royal mail) have arrived here with no charges to pay even though the value was well above the 1000 b limit.
In another case, my daughter posted some dvd's with photos of my new granddaughter (using DHL express service). I had to pay 3000 b before they ewould hand over the package. I could have appealed against the charges, which were clearly wrong, but would have had to wait several weeks to receive the dvd's - so I just paid.
Best of luck.
Thanks for that post, chickenlegs, I never knew about this.
For over 2 years I've never been charged any tax, and everything sent was well over 1000b. I guess I'm lucky. lol.
I hope you're lucky too, Dan.
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I'm always getting my family and friends to send me things from the UK to Thailand - including (new and used) shoes, clothes, mobile phones, ipod etc - I never paid any tax, Just get it sent straight to my home.
That's a bit of good news! May I ask what postal service do you use, Royal Mail recorded?
umm, I guess its Royal mail recorded, I never know as I'm not the one who sends it, but I do sign for it when it arrives here.
It takes around 3 days sending it by air mail from UK - Thailand.
I'm just like you, I have specific tastes of clothes and shoes that you'd never find in Thailand.
Also like to add, I have bought things from ebay that come from all over the world and never had to pay tax.
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OK, I have searched but not found anything specific to my question, please point me at a thread if I am just being dumb..
I want a friend to post some items from the UK to Thailand, these are specifically, 2 pairs of shoes, a bottle of fragrance, and possibly a pair of reference monitor speakers.
All items are used, I want them posted because I have really specific tastes and cannot find them anywhere in thailand, really.
What's the situation on tax, how much should I expect to pay? Total new value of the shoes and fragrance is around 10,000 baht, the monitor speakers around 15,000
Should I get them all posted together in a big box, or split them up, and what should i be prepared for in terms of import tax. Would I be better posting to a Thai friend?
Advice much appreciated!
Dan
I'm always getting my family and friends to send me things from the UK to Thailand - including (new and used) shoes, clothes, mobile phones, ipod etc - I never paid any tax, Just get it sent straight to my home.
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Been to Japan(tokyo) different times to get my thai visa, never had any trouble and they were very friendly and helpfull.
But its true what others are saying, it would make sense if you just got a visa from hull, I'd go for a multi entry non immigrant O.
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thanks for all advice. we will probably go for having approx £2000-2500 in total to cover the three weeks... and take the plastic just in case
the only other thing if any one can help us with is that we are a bit unsure of whether we should take all currencies for each place or take some cash see us through and then withdraw cash as and when we need it. just in case we end up having lots of currency left which we will have to change back and probably loose money as the exchange rate will be lower.
we were thinking may be take cash to last a few days then withdraw from the banks but unsure if this is the best thing to do.
do most restaurants accept debit and credit cards and is it easy to get cash available from cash points?? or is it better to take all cash?
some one i no suggested that we take all us dollers as they widley accepted, is this right?
we are not keen on taking travellers cheques.
sorry so many questions
just so many options.thanks
umm maybe already know this, but I'll still say it.
Don't forget to imform your bank that you'll be travelling and using your cards abroad.
I remember when I first came to Thailand, I used the ATM to withdraw money, the second time I went to use it, the machine kept my card. I called the bank (back in the UK) they said they thought someone had stole my cards and using them in Thailand. (this was with Lloyds, maybe different with other banks)
Anyway, have a nice honey moon.
oh yeah and...
"some one i no suggested that we take all us dollers as they widley accepted, is this right?"
I really don't know about this, never seen it been used in Thailand, and when I was in hong kong and Singapore, I used their currency.
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A young guy in my condo bought one around 3 months ago (black). Must be the only one in Thailand.
Nah its not the only one in Thailand. I drove past one last weekend on the way to Chonburi, it wasn't black and it still had the red plates.
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Actually, I was wondering about this the other day. How come you never see tyre hoses at petrol stations over here?
Look harder or ask because I've seen and used them at many stations.
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He's 20 ... no Uni degree
Mac your credibility will suffer unless you suggest simple things like ... go to school. Get a degree in English or Education ... etc
edit -- you mean Hull (and maybe not so easy for a 20y/o with no degree etc
You don't need any degree etc for a non O visa. At Hull they will give you a non O for visiting friends here in Thailand, I use this myself.
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Just wondering if anyone knew of any Bands touring through BKK in the foreseeable future or even 2008 ?? I'm gagging for a bit of Live Music & a night out watching a serious Band, Chilli Peppers would be great, Oasis even, any of the big " Superbands " even ??
Stereophonics will be playing in Bangkok on the 26th April, its a free concert.
Now that's more like it..
When where ??
Rick Astley &/or Cliff Richard is really taking the Biscuit...
Saturday 26th April - 100 Rock the Uncensored in Bangkok.
Its on their website - stereophonics.com
hehe I'm joking. I think you have a merc, if thats your car I see?
"i Have A Plan, A Cunning Plan..."
in General Topics
Posted
Hey,
Like others have said, if you apply at the Hull consulate, you'll have no problems getting a non-imm-O for the purpose of visiting friends.
I've been doing this for a few years, simply print out the form, fill it out and send it off and you'll get it back within 3 days.
The reason I mentioned about private lesson is because I've had experience with walen school, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. You'd actually be better of learning from books and an audio cd then you would at this school, or like I have already mentioned, private lessons.