Phantom200

Thanks!

Hi

I have a Non-O marriage based visa with a one year extension based on 40K of income. It is due to expire in 2 weeks and was wondering if I

will need to present all of the information I presented the first time. e.g. photos, 2 months proof of taxes, ....? Also, will immigration hold onto my passport while they check all of the info.?

Thanks

SG

The gun thing is OK IF your prepared to use it, if the guy is doped up it will mean nothing to him and might still go for you. I would prefer a lump of 4 x 2, forget the head shot, arms will get in the way and whack the legs, he will go down.

Actually I own quite a few firearms because I compete but....

For home protection the one I have designated is an 18" 12 ga Remington express loaded with 00

None is getting up after that regardless if he has been doped or not.

16 thirty caliber balls have a way of keeping anything down

As a side benefit the Sit Down order followed by the sound of the slide racking will get anyone with a brain to comply.

2x4's & bats are fine if your willing to take a chance but unless your an escrima/arnis student better not take a chance. Not to mention no stick will do if the intruder has a gun

I have trained in various martial arts & would never consider going toe to toe with an unknown force in my home at night with my family at risk.

The OP asked for advice & it is all after the fact so hopefully he will get protection/security in what ever form suits his tolerance but.....

The main points to take from your experience is you & your family were very very lucky.

You said you could smell alcohol on his breath. You were way to close for common sense.

Take care of yourself & your family. #1

I do own a 12 ga Remington 870 express, but unfortunately it's in the home country. I agree that 00 shot at center mass would tear a serious hole through anything.

I have beefed up the security around the windows.

I would love a dog but it just wouldn't be a good idea for various reasons.

I agree that I got really lucky and I need to better protect my family. I was seriously under-prepared.

Perhaps two machetes will do.

I think the outcome was positive as some members have mentioned. Nothing was taken.

I need to clarify about the prior incidents of theft. The incident I wrote about is the first at this location. The others occured at different apartments that I lived in. One incident was getting my wallet stolen at JJ market. I haven't been back to that place since.

Some of the advice is good too. Thanks.

In the duration of 6 years in Bangkok, I've been the victim of theft no less than 5 times. And these are the ones that I'm sure about. Last night, I met my first thief face to face and I'd like to share the story.

I rent a 4 story shophouse in MuangThong Thani and I live on the top floor. At about 11:30pm, I heard a terrible racket downstairs so I grabbed a mop handle and slowly descended in the darkness. At the third floor, I caught sight of the maid walking downstairs (she lives on the third floor). I figured she had heard the noise too and wanted to investigate.

As I neared the second floor, I noticed the maid had stopped in the hallway and turned to look at me. She then started to approach me and I sensed something was immediately wrong. This wasn't the maid! My mind struggled to analyze the situation and find a semblence of reason. I remember the situation fairly clearly but at that moment, things were slow and cloudy.

So there I was, standing on the staircase, linking the third and second floors, with a stranger standing in the hallway of the second floor. In the darkness I asked him who he was. To prove how disoriented I had become, I asked in polite Thai. He said he was looking for his friend. He was close enough now so that I could smell alcohol on his breath. I then told him to get out. He approached the window and asked me for help in holding the metal grating back so he could get out. There is some metal grating over the window which I now realized he had kicked in to gain entry.

I didn't believe him and I gripped the mop handle tightly. He pulled the metal back himself and struggled to leave. It looked as though the grating was about to collapse on the ground so I sprang forward to assist him and prevent additional damage. That's right, I helped the guy escape.

I watched him slowly walk along the roof in no obvious rush. I then did a sweep of the shop and finally went upstairs to report the event to my wife. "Honey, I saw a thief and then helped him get away."

Well, I caught hel_l from her and some of her relatives and also a few of the neighbors. Everyone was in agreement that I should have attacked the guy and killed him. And this is coming from a bunch of Buddhists.

Yeah, I agree that it probably could have been handled better, but killing the guy???

My wife's cousin is a police officer and he says he'll bring a gun over for us, but I honestly feel a can of high quality pepper spray will floor even the biggest of brutes.

I really hope there is no "next time" but I should expect the worse. He may come back to the "nice farang's place" and bring a few of his not so nice buddies. I'm going to accept the gun and probably purchase some non-lethal alternatives too. Anyone know where I can get some pepper spray or a taser? China town maybe?

Any other advice? I know this is ThaiVisa but go easy on the criticism, especially if you've never been in this situation.

signed

Mr. Nice Guy?

Mutual funds are not low risk and they carry hidden fees despite all of the marketing mumbo jumbo. If someone is looking for low risk, then a mutual fund is not the vehicle. I had one of my pensions invested in secure low risk mutual funds. The value today is 25% then it was 5 years ago. This is why the requirement is to have the funds kept in a "liquid" investment as per the above posts.

And no I am not an unsophisticated investor. However, I know enough to know that I should never invest in mutual funds unless I am prepared to also accept the losses.

Sorry that you got such bad advice, but the fund referred to above does not invest in equities, derivatives or structured notes, and has consistently shown an increase in NAV since inception in 2005 (not spectacular, but CONSISTENTLY positive). Not all funds are the same.

The BTNTV looks like a decent low risk fund. The rates are better than a Thai savings account. If I can't find a no-risk money market that can beat or meet this fund I will definately give it a go.

Bangkok Bank's Thanathavee mutual fund - money market type. No tax, no transaction fees; once you've opened the account initially, all transactions can be done via internet banking. Daily traded - sell today before 4pm, get funds next business day by midday.

Basic info:

http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok%20Bank/...es/default.aspx

Fund Fact Sheet:

http://www.bangkokbank.com/Bangkok%20Bank/...es/default.aspx

This is what I'm looking for. Are returns calculated and paid monthly?

I want to transfer 400K THB into Thailand to extend my Non-O visa in April.

I'd like to hear from someone who has experience with LOW to NO risk investments here. A secure money market would be ideal. Any ideas including rates would be fantastic.

thanks!

Are there new rules to canceling a work permit now?

thanks

My wife and I have a daughter too. She is 11 months old. Would a dependent entitle me to any special considerations beyond a 60 day extension?

thanks

This sounds good. To clarify, if immigration is "in a good mood", they may cancel my current one-year work extension and give me a year extension based on marriage to a Thai. Would I need to show them proof of paying taxes for two months on a job making at least 40K per month and show them a contract? Or is there a way to get the marriage extension if I walk in there without those documents and relying solely on their kindness?

Thanks.

What do I need to get a "Thai Wife" stamped extension to my current Non-O visa? I might try for this. BTW I don't have 400K in the bank.

I'm from the USA and am 38 yo.

I have a NON-O visa with a work permit extension through my employer. My employment has been terminated before the expiration of the visa extension. The WP will be canceled soon by the employer.

Although I'm married to a Thai, my visa extension is stamped and the employer's name is written on the extension page so I guess it's not a "Thai Wife" extension.

I understand that I need to leave the country in 7 days right? I am planning a visit back to the USA in three months and was wondering if I could just be stamped out at Suvarnabhumi with no consequences. Has anyone had any experience with having a canceled work permit and sliding through immigration at the airport?

thanks

If you don't have anything positive to offer, you are not obligated to reply. If I'm correct, this site does not welcome them.

Although someone may be good at doing something, it doesn't necessarily mean they are a good at doing business. I am looking for business advice, not admonishments. If someone feels this advice carries a price tag then so be it. I've seen members offering their services in here. In fact, thousands of businesses hire business analysts to examine and improve their businesses.

This post strikes me as being very forward. I have worked as a consultant in the past and doubt whether I would part with the knowledge and experience you require for free.

However I admire your gall and wish you well in your endeavours.

Reason for edit was to correct a spelling mistake

LeungKen

Since it is a forum, I thought it was worth a shot. Ok, so what would this information be worth? If you or anyone would be willing to offer solid business advice on getting an English language consulting firm up and running, I'll entertain some quotes via my TV email.

thanks

Hello,

I'd like to know if anyone has experience with opening a consulting firm. I would like to provide English language consulting services to companies in Bangkok. My main concern is finding clients. I believe this would be the make or break for this type of business.

Any advice would be appreciated.

thanks

Thanks for the help. I checked my passport and there is a stamp that says "THAI WIFE" in black ink. I guess that settles it right?

I have another question about my job, although it may belong in a different forum. I'll give it a shot anyway:

I feel I'm being treated unfairly by my current Thai employer. I've heard that I can received unemployment for three months upon termination. Is this true? If yes, how and where would I begin to file for it? Is it even worth the hassle?

thanks again,

Phantom200

I'm not sure what the basis for the extension is. I had to show photos to immigration of my wife and I at home. I also had to show that I make 40K and that I've been paying taxes for at least two months. Hope this helps.

Phantom

Due to a disagreement with my current employer, I will be jobless soon. I have a one year work permit and a one year NON-O visa. I am married to a Thai woman. I will be making a trip home in October for a two week vacation. Here are my questions:

1. If my work permit is cancelled within the week, does my visa get cancelled as well?
   
2. If yes, then I would like to hold out until October when I fly out of Suvarnaphumi. Since my passort contains a visa which is stamped for one year, can I slide through immigration or will the cancelled visa show up on the computers???
   

Any suggestions?

Phantom200

I'm looking for a freelance lawyer to set-up my language school and assist in getting an MOE certification for the school.

Thanks, this 60 day extension sounds like a good start.

I noticed that I can stay here on a Non-o visa if I have a job, tax records and work permit. If I get a new job and bring in the signed contract would this suffice for immigration?

Thanks

can you give me more info on the 60 day extension? Form number? Where to apply?

I'm a 36 yo American who recently married a Thai woman in Thailand. I have about 14 days left on a 60 tourist visa. I'm thinking about starting a consulting business here in Bangkok.

I'm not sure about which visa to apply for. I'm not working now. I had 400,000 in the bank but most of it was recently spent on marriage stuff. I don't feel like transfering another 400K in just to get a visa. It doesn't seem right to me.

I'd like to get a one year visa. Any suggestions on the path I should take? -Thanks

Any update on this? I know that OPEC (!!!) is responsible for the details, but they won't answer their phone.

I would also like to get a copy of the regs if anyone has them.

As for the taxes, I've asked some friends and they told me that a school will not have to pay the corporate tax. This is quite a relief.

I know a Thai couple that opened a legitimate English language school for kids. They said that they paid someone 20K baht to expedite the whole MOE proceedure.

Any other advice would be appreciated in setting up a school.

Did anyone see the documentary "The Fog of War" by Robert Mcnamara? I think it pretty much sums up this thread. Robert Mcnamara, was the American Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam era. He was described as "the human computer" by some. In the movie, he gives his summary on the Vietnam War. In a nutshell, he said that there were just too many variables to make any accurate strategic forecasts. NOTHING could be predicted due to the staggering possibilities of probable occurrences.

He called this phenomenon, "The fog of war".

Here we have "the fog of sin sod" or, if you prefer, "the fog of Thailand". I'm going to try and consolidate some of the info on here and I will give you my decision based on the results:

Data:

1) Let's assume that in Mahasarakham, the dowry is expected to paid; thus it is tradition there. (bare with me for now)

2) My fiancé loves her family and supports their decisions. The respect that these people have for their families, as most of you know, is immovable. I respect her decisions, advice and feelings about her family. Her family lives in Mahasarakham and expects a dowry.

3) I already agreed to pay it.

4) Many posters have mentioned various opinions on the amount ranging from: 0 baht to over a million. Therefore, I believe I'm nowhere near the high-end.

5) No one has posted any negative experiences from paying a dowry. (not that it doesn't happen) In fact, those on this site who admit to paying a similar dowry to mine have spoken only of positive effects from their actions. This is great to hear.

6) A few posters made some comments about the differences in our cultures. I live in Thailand. This is not my country and it really is not my right to tell them they can't continue on with their tradition and ways, no matter how silly some of these things appear to me. Now, this doesn't mean that I can't make suggestions. In fact, I usually do. But I will never force someone to do something because I did it back home. If the Thais did everything I wanted them to do (e.g. walk faster, not wait in front of the elevator doors, hold the door for the next guy, drive correctly…) then I'm sure I would be packing my bags soon after and looking for something more exotic and different.

7) Finally, some posters said " …just go with your heart". I like these opinions too.

Decision:

I've decided to pay the sin sod in the original amount. I feel good about this decision and I only have the members on this site to thank.

Some final words:

I appreciate all of the posts from those who married girls and didn't pay for anything. I think you're all very lucky and I hope the best for you and your spouses in the future. I don't feel bad that I didn't get to meet a high-society girl in Bkk. I know that I found someone truly great.

Some posters included a link to "The stickman". Yes I read the entire lengthy post. I don't see how it relates to my situation though. That link focuses on "Bar-girls". I did enjoy the opening of The Stickman's post, however. He talks about how Anna Leonowen's book is a must read for those that live in Thailand. I am almost finished with her first book and it is quite remarkable how similar Thailand was almost 150 years ago to the Thailand of today.

Another angle:

I guess we can't always have our cake and eat it too. Think about this for a second: If my fiancé had come around to my ideas of using this money for a house or business, therefore snubbing her parents, what would the ramifications have been? Well, other than having a house, we would have probably lost some respect from her family, thereby decreasing the overall happiness factor for everyone. And if she accepted my opinions then this would also denote that my fiancé had Western reasoning. Not that Western reasoning is bad; I use it everyday. But I do admit that I love my finance for who she is: A Thai woman who thinks like a Thai woman. This sums up the two most important reasons for my expatriation: I wanted to marry a beautiful Thai woman with Thai attitude, and I wanted to be happy.

Thanks for all the posts. I read and appreciate all of them. From the good to the bad; the negative to the positive; and the "senseless to the sensible".

Phantom200