Sunny Valentine

There is one fine program on the Internet that has previously helped me in similar situations: ISOBUSTER.

Check it out here!

Sunny

Thanks for this fine analysis, Steve. I am just missing the position of Malaysia (with English already established as a major language, much better Telecoms infrastructure, much more efficient education system, .......) in this competition.

Sunny

p414, please put on the right glasses and read carefully answer no. 1 to your post ... the part AFTER however ..... is the one you should read.

Sunny

I bought a Dell in Europe to bring it to Thailand. The sales Department strongly advised me to buy a Latitude Model, as only these are serviced in Thailand.

Might be a good idea to check this first hand!

Sunny

Hi!

Wondering if anyone could give me a hint on where to obtain a modded X-Box in Pattaya. I heard there is a Mod chip on the Market which can be shut off in order to play Xbox Life, so I would fancy this one.

Anyone know a reputable dealer for this in Pattaya? (No, I cannot do it myself, no way!)

Sunny

The 40 GB iPod (3rd Generation, the very new model has seemingly not arrived here yet) will set you back 21000 in Pantip Bangkok. You might also try Fortune City IT Mall, as they have two Mac Shops as well.

Sunny

Apart from my Passport, I also have an official valid Austrian I.D. Card. This is Credit-Card Sized official ID, allowing me to travel to lots of countries as well (but not Thailand, of course).

Wondering how the acceptance of this ID (which I could easily have with me all the time) would be when the time comes?

(Of course I have a Passport with all necessary valid Visa Stamps, in the safe at my house).

Sunny

Maybe Vienna has not cought up with the rules? Yes, maybe.

I wanted a One-Year Multi-Non-O B, they told me they can give me only a 3 Month One-Entry, so we sat down and talked, until they finally came up with a two-Entry one.

Do you think I might run into trouble at the 2nd Entry? The Imm Officer at Bangkok Airport had no problems; looked at it, screened my Passport, stamped 90 Days, wished me good luck.

Again: Is it possible at all to extend the stay from 90 Days to 30 more? Anybody can shed a light on this one?

Sunny

Thanks a lot, Huski. A Couple of things seem clearer now!

you will need to have a work permit or the required investment amount to get the one year extension

The required investment amount? Does that mean (as I have hinted in my first Post) that transferring say 2 Million Baht (this would be about the investment sum I think of, although I could double it (or be happy with spending less than half of it) if I feel ok with the Business) would do the trick? So, after the expiry of my Visa, go to say Penang or elsewhere with a fresh Bank Book showing 2 or whatever Million coming from abroad for Investment?

Would I qualify for another 3 Month Non-Imm B Visa then? Or maybe a One-Year Multi-Non-Imm B?

How about the possibility of extending my first and / or second stay for 30 Days at the local Immigration?

Apart from these two Questions:

I see now that after the expiry of my current Non-Imm B, I have the following Options:

1.) Finalize my Investment, and apply for WP, and B Visa.

2.) Forget about all this, and leave Thailand

3.) Marry a Thai Woman and Apply for a 1Y Visa based on supporting Family (400000 Bt in Bank, and so on ....)

4.) Make monthly or bi-monthly Visa runs, get Tourist Visa(s) or 30 Day Stamps, unless I either get rejected at the border or find my investment, in which case I would take all Documents to a Thai Embassy somewhere, and apply for a Business Visa again.

5.) Buy a Condo for 3 Million Baht.

6.) Retirement is not an Option now; I am 48 Years now, and I cannot see my saving being high enough to allow me on living on the Interest till the end of my Life; also I would be bored to death within Days, I guess (or grow old, bitter, jaded, grumpy, cynical and drunk .....)

Thanks for any more Light!

Sunny

for a non immigrant B, the extension you should be getting is a one year extension.

Does that mean that I can apply for a One Year extension? When? Right now?

What would the necessary Documentation be?

Again, I have not yet found the Investment possibility, and I guess, it will be some time (half Year, one Year, maybe longer) until I finalise my plans (unless something comes along the road, of course ...).

So, what exactly would you suggest I do now? Or at the end of my granted Stay?

that is up the officer that reviews your application. they tend to expect you to get your paperwork completed, that is why you currently have a non immigrant B

This is exactly what I keep hearing from all sides. But, I have no Idea what kind of Paperwork (apart from Passport, filled out Form, Fotocopies of Passport Pages, and a Foto or two) they would like to see in my Case?

Money in Thai Bank? I have an Account here in Thailand with currently a few hundred Thousand Baht, transferred from abroad. I could top this up in the case they want this, but without knowing that this is what they want to see (and how much), I am hesitant to doing this. The Euro has gained about 8% against the Baht in the last half Year, so locking a substancial sum in Baht does not look to be the most clever way to invest.

you can't work on a tourist visa

Sure, but can I carry on eith talking to possible buyers and authorities, then applying to one more Non-Imm B after I have finalised a deal (with the paperwork) and come back with the Non-Imm B to apply for Working Permit? Or will this Tourist Visa thing cut me out of the process?

Sunny

I am in Thailand now for 3 Weeks, on the first Leg of a Double Entry Non-Imm B Visa, issued at the Vienna Embassy on the Grounds of evaluating Business and investment possibilities.

The Visa expires on January 17th, 2005.

I entered Thailand on July 27th.

I have a 90 Day stamp from Don Muang Immigration, permitting me to stay till October 25th.

Now, I am here to really consider some small investment, looking into either Buying an existing Company (been in contact with Sunbelt, but have not (yet) found something appropriate for me on their shelves so far.

I also prefer to really take my time and investigate well, so I guess the 6 Month Period granted will be not enough. I have some foreign income and Money in the Bank, so I am not dependent in starting to earn Money all too soon, also really enjoy a long Holiday right now, recovering from the rat race I was at back home.

Question One: Is it possible to extend the 90 Day allowance (for both or for the second Entry) by applying for a 30 Day extension at the Immigration?

So: Going to Immigration on October 24, Paying 1900 Baht, getting a 30 Day extension, leaving Thailand for a Visa run on November 24 or so, getting another 90 Day (February 22 or whatever the Math buffs here calculate) Stamp, going for another Extension soon before the Date, and stay until March 23 or so?

Question 2: In the (quite likely) case, that by the End of my Stay based on this Visa (be it 6, 7 or 8 Month) I have not yet started the process of obtaining a Work Permit based on Opening or Acquiring a Business, how are my chances to get another (Single, or Multiple Entries) Non-Imm B Visa anywhere in SE Asia?

What documentation would make sense to bring to the Embassy in this Case?

And in the case of not being granted a B Visa in this situation, how about Tourist Visa then? And: Would a Tourist Visa be a Problem when I will then finally apply for Business Licence, and Work Permit?

I know that some of these Questions were raised here before, but after some search I did not find precise Answers to these Quastions.

Thanks for Your Help!

Sunny

Thanks Axel!

Sunny

... board a plane .....

though thisquestion might sound a little academic, but: In case you fly out of Thailand at 01 in the morning the day after expiration, will you have to pay an overstay? (As you will probably cross immigration counter before midnight in this scenario?)

Or. What happens in the case your plane at Don Muang is delayed for some hours (leaving 04 in the morning instead of 11 pm scheduled?) Or your plane is cancelled, and the airline changes your boking to the next day?

Sunny

This is what I finally got after 2 or 3 specific questions concerning the availability of foreign accounts for farangs at HSBC Bangkok:

> got just this confirmed now by HSBC Bangkok.

> Dear Mr. Valentine

>If you would like to use the Work Permit, One-Year Visum or similar, you

>will be able to open only Thai Baht Resident Account. Resident customer >is not allowed to open a foreign currency account.

This means, they would have been more than happy to open a Premier account for me as long I was on a tourist visa.

So check out this regulation before you open an account at a Thai Bank.

You can of course hold Thai Baht Accounts there.

Sunny

Thanks for the Info!

Sunny

What is the average speed (up / down) you get with DTAC or AIS? (Once it works, of course!)

Do you have an official IP Adress or a private Network one?

Sometime ago I saw a Web Page offering a Hutchinson Aircard with Contract. This site is offline since quite some time, anyone know if this offer still exists?

Sunny

Maybe you got me wrong.

I considered an offer from HSBC Thailand, which gave the usual rates on Baht, but offer foreign currency accounts as well as Dollar, Pounds etc. Bonds at competitive rates.

Problem turned out I cannot maintain these Accounts once I have Work Permit or other long term residency.

So, now I could keep my existing Austrian Account (Have my reasons not to) or transfer the money abroad, that's what I am gonna. do. And, no, I will not maintain a Thai Baht Account in Malaysia ,_)

Just wondering why foreign Thai Residents are allowed to hold Dollar/Pounds/Euro/etc. accounts everywhere in the World but in Thailand?

Sunny

The problem with posting first-hand stories on the web is the fact that internet connections in Thai Jails are, say, unreliable ?

Sunny

dr_Pat_Pong Posted on Sat 2004-07-03, 07:51:55

I suspect that the banks will consider that any extended non-immigrant visa will constitute permanent residency. Why not use a bank in Singapore, where you will get interest, and as a non resident of the Republic, no tax on earnings. Easier I think.

I got just this confirmed now by HSBC Bangkok.

> Dear Mr. Valentine

>If you would like to use the Work Permit, One-Year Visum or similar, you

>will be able to open only Thai Baht Resident Account. Resident customer is

>not allowed to open a foreign currency account.

When I was there in Person some weeks ago, they said something different ....

Now, I still have two Questions:

1.) Is it legal to have a foreign account under these circumstances while liveng / working in Thailand? I guess it is, as there are lots of rules insisting proof that money comes from abroad. But in Thailand, you never know. This is a land where a) you are not allowed to open an account as a tourist, and you can apply for retirement Visa as a Tourist providing evidence of funds in your account .....

So for me, nothing is granted just because it is logic.

And Does anyone know and / or suspect as to why foreigners are not allowed to hold farang currency in Thai Banks? This just puts Thai Banks out of the business, or?

Any ideas what wisdom is hidden behind this rule?

Sunny

Absolutely great!

I just bought a new one in Bangkok (40 Gig replacing my almost 2 Years old worn 10 Gig), amazing price (21000 BT, much cheaper than in Europe!)

Sunny

Concerning the lease: We probably all agree that 30 (+30 + 30) Years should be sufficient to the end of our lifes. But, as has been stated before, the extensions are only on paper at the moment (noone ever gone through the process). And 30 Years we probably all hope to live on.

Also: What will happen in the case the buyer (leaser) wants to sell the land (the lease)? Especially when the end of the lease comes nearer?

I guess there won't be much of a second-hand market for leases on Thai Land with a remaining first lease time of say 2, or 10 Years?

So, to me it looks as if the value of the "ownership" is constantly decreasing, not appreciating as it might be when ownership of land is concerned.

Any comments anybody!

Sunny

I remember a thread some month ago on the Thai Immigration Site, where thid admin1 stated (although between the lines) that from his point of view this variant 1 would seem ok.

On the other side I know that the term "work" is defined in Thai Law without taking in consideration whether you partake in Thai economy or not at all.

Which makes me think: Imagine I am on holiday in Thailand. But: During my touristic visit:

I receive some phone calls from the office, asking for advise. Also send and receive some work-related Emails.

Also (imagine I am self-employed in farangland) I meet a possible business client say at a bar, and discuss some future business with him in a relaxed atmosphere. I even spend some hours the next day putting together some info about my company and present him with an offer from my company.

Or I spend time writing a novel, which might be published in Farangland some time.

Or ........

I guess that with the definaition of work (according to thaiimmigration.com Admin1:)

The definition of work according to Thai Law:

“WORK means, to engage in work by exerting physical energy, or using knowledge, whether or not in consideration of wages, or other benefits”.

even would put the regular workout from a professional sports crack who is on holiday in Thailand as illegal work.

So, Thailand cannot strictly follow this rule, or 90% of al tourists would be illegal (I guess even thinking about a concept related to work at home would fall into this category, though the evidence will be hard to produce .... But two work-mates talking about reorganising some affairs at their company, in case an official listens to them?)

What do the legal experts here in this forum think about this topic?

The fact that this rules absolutely makes no sense will not automatically stop Thai authorities to enforce it in case they feel like, I am afraid, judging from some stupidity happening all the time.

Sunny

>Additionally I get "cannot find server" when clicking on a new URL or -> "page unavailable" (or whatever the verbage is) when clicking on a > new page in the same URL. And yet there still appears to be a >connection. This happens in both IE & Firefox and the only solution >I've found is to re-boot.

To me this rather sounds like a dodgy DHCP server at the provider side. Try ->Network Connection -> <yourdialinconnection> ->TCPIP settings -> repair. And see if this fixes the problem (temporarily).

PS: Shagwell Mansions LOL. I love this name! In Pattaya!!!

Sunny

I have no personal experience so far, so the following comments should not be considered as factual information, rather a suggestion to ask your lawyer Questions.

I have made research on the Company issue myself. I came across the following no-nos:

Some law (I think it is called Thai Foreigner Act 1999, but not sure, clearly states that it is illegal for a foreigner to partake in a company for the sole or major reason of circumventing applicable Thai laws. Now in my eyes a company doing nothing but holding a house, andrenting it for a (nominal) fee to the signing director, does indeed look and smell like a circumvention of this law.

There is also some mention in this law concerning the illegality of a Thai National (Shareholder) to partake in the same affair.

Also I have been told that a Thai Shareholder might be asked by the authorities to expalin the Origin of the money used (on paper) to buy stakes in the Company he is holding shares. And I guess this might be a question very hard to answer: "So, you work in this Office for 6000 Baht a Month?" "Yes". "And you bought 8% shares of this 4 Million Baht registered company?" "Yes". "So, where did you get this money?" "No understand?"

Again, these issues still make me think that the company might be a bad idea. All lawyers I talked about gave me (the usual) differnet answers to these questions, mostly in the sense of "The Authorities will not investigate", "Don't worry, they have never done this" and so on.

But: In a country where a law exists that does allow Persons over 18 Years to work in certain establishments, and another law exists that does allow Persons over 20 Years to visit certain establishments, and this Dilemma is solved by fining all guests of these Establishments that are under 20, but over 18 Years, and not working there, is not a Country I trust on sticking to the routines they follow now, forever and all time. I would not risk my Money in this case just because one (or ten) lawyers tell me "Don't worry, the authorities never check this!")

But: I came across the following Company Structure:

39% owned by foreigner.

60,9% by one Thai Person (Wife springs to mind)

0,1% owned by relatives, friends, secretaries and the like, in order to have the required Number of 6 Thai Shareholders.

These Individuals hold such a small share (a few hundred Baht) that they should easily explain that they have the money.

Now the 60,9% shareholder: This persons signs a mortgage given by the farang. Say for 30 Years, annual interest paid, the full sum is due at the end of this Period. And he/she gives the voting rights for the shares as a collateral.

In the case this Thai is also nominally, at the same amount as the interest paid, active in the company, it might be no circumvention anymore. Here is a Company with one (non-dodgy) major shareholder (Thai), receiving a salary for work (Keeping the books, looking after the house); this person can explain the Origin of Investment (registered mortgage), and a few other minor shareholders. Plus a Minority-holding Farang, renting the house from this Company, paying a rent.

The company receives rental income, the farang pays rent and recieves interest, and the company pays a Salary to the major shareholder for part-time work.

I really like to hear what the lawyers here say about this?

Sunny

Thanks!

That was a tricky one!

So she has ANZ in her pants, sotosay ?

Sunny