richardt1808

The popup box you're explaining about is a Google translate option.

My Ebay account, credit card, paypal account and mailing address are all in my home country .

I'm sure the page is courtesy of Ebay, because at that time they don't even know yet in which Paypal account you gonna log in.

Your PayPal account is a required field in the eBay account settings, so they do know which account you are about to sign into. If you wanted to pay with a different account, then you could sign into a different one if you wanted to.

It is clearly a problem with e-bay where it is merrily assuming that anyone who is in Thailand must be able to read Thai. The drop down to switch to English is normally always there when I'm working on PC, but I noticed that on the eBay app for my iPad, there is never a dropdown and I'm always forced to login with the Thai text.

PITA !!!

I think we should all start dropping notes to eBay and PayPal tech support and maybe once there is a critical mass, they will do something about it.

I agree with the comments above. Air Asia is super fussy about baggage and they do expect you to check in anything heavier than 7kg or larger than the dimensions, so it's unlikely that you would be able to cram enough clothes into a small rucksak to suffice for an international trip.

I had a similar issue with a developer (for a house), but fortunately their manager did not try using the words "it is usable" to me. We settled the matter by referring to the demo unit, which I had first viewed and agreed that the standard should at least match the workmanship of the demo unit. Not sure if you have a demo unit in your building but it is a useful angle.

Another angle which a friend mentioned to me at the time, is simply refuse to sign the transfer documents until you are happy. It may just prolong the matter, but as many people have mentioned above, sometimes it is just not worth beating around with the finer points in these deals as bad things can easily happen. OCPB can be very helpful if you approach them in the right way and if you have evidence to back your claim and approach them in a no-fuss way then you should get some joy.

Best of luck

Hi,

There are two separate issues you are juggling with. One is your salary package vs actual day-to-day duties and the other is the list of duties in your work permit. If the thing you are really worried about is really your remuneration, then I'd advise you to deal with it in that context. Sure, the company is probably reluctant to pay you any more than what it originally negotiated; and that's something that we all just have to deal with - especially when working in a big coporation. The fact that you initially agreed to do those extra things, now puts you at a disadvantage and it would have been way better for you to have done some negotiation before agreeing to take them on in the first place.

In terms of your work-permit, as long as you are working at the same address and doing reasonably at least most of the things according to the original job description, you would never have a problem. I'm in the same situation in that I have had various responsibilities added or removed compared to what is written on my work permit - but the address and job title are correct and both my HR lady and the lady at the labour office at the last visit agreed that its no big deal and all concerned have better things to do than completely re-doing the entire work-permit.

If you're really worried about the immigration police swooping in and causing a problem, simply cover yourself by sending an e-mail to your HR department pointing out the discrepancy and the fact that it is the company's responsibility to keep things up-to-date and you are covered. I totally agree that it really isn't worth getting combative with your boss or HR manager - you've been here long enough to know how things work.

Best of luck,

Hi guys,

May I add one positive story. I also have a house in a private village, with just over a hundred homes. Our Developer walked us through the HOA process about two years ago and our committe, made up entirely of Thais, was established. I was quite worried initially as I imagined all of the above and more would happen at our place, but I'm happy to report that it was quite the opposite. Our committee members decided to keep the annual fees the same, and to make a lost of all the things that needed doing and prioritise it. We collect fees twice a year and around each collection time, they post a huge board on the front gate and showing how many homes have paid and how many have not. When it gets down to the last 5, then they give a further week for payments to be finalised and indicate that any defaulters at that time will be named. We have had a 100% payment rate since they took over and I've been so impressed with the time and care that the committee members devote to the task of keeping our little village running.

I guess we are really one of the truly lucky complexes and it just goes to show that sometimes, things do work out okay.

Yes, WP required.

I and several European colleagues opened accounts last year at UOB and that was the first thing they asked for.

Cheers

Hi there,

In any South African city, the public transport is almost non-existent and most of the middle class drive cars. Taxis dont drive around - you have to call them; and then there is normally quite a wait until they arrive. If you are not able to rent a car, then you would be best off staying on the main beachfront area, which will allow you to walk to one of the malls, the beach and nighclubs.

Enjoy

Well really you would be leasing the house, not the land; and that's certainly possible. Once you have a valid lease for the house, and assuming it's on a residential plot - not a farm or something like that, then of course you can use the property as well. Exactly what you are allowed or not allowed to do on the property, depends on the deal you reach with your landlord.

One thing to be aware of, is that if you wish to register the house as your business address, you must have the owner's permission and the owner will be required to declare the income and pay VAT on it as well as income tax - which many Thai landlords are reluctant to do because, like most of us, they hate giving anything to the tax-man and it is far nicer to have the income as un-declared cash. Therefore the golden rule is to make sure that your Landlord is abrest with these regulations and has no objections to giving you a business lease. Of course contracts are essential, but even more important, is the fact that you must be 100% sure that your Landlord clearly understands the whole deal and all the requirements upfront. It's amazing how many contracts unravel when your Thai Landlord suddenly realises he has an obligation to fulfill which he was not planning on filling.

The problem with buying in Thailand is that the cheaper models won't have a Windows licence. The vendors will often install a hacked version for you for a few hundred baht. I would avoid such an action.

This is not entirely true.

I just did an extensive hunt for a good laptop in Bangkok which involved visiting several malls as well as Pantib and Fortune plaza. All the shops I visited had a range of laptops, which were offered both with a choice of either DOS, Ubuntu or a legitimate copy of Windows. Where Windows is pre-installed, the ONLY option is a legitimate OEM pre-installed version.

The model I selected, only had DOS, so I then paid extra for a proper copy of windows 7 which came with the boxed DVD and license. It is probably still possible to find hacked versions in certain places, but certainly the bigger legit shops don't offer pirate windows anymore.The OEM pricing for South East Asia means you can pick up Microsoft or Adobe products for a fraction of the cost as in the US and Europe and the trend nowadays is definitely with the licensed versions.

So, what I said is true. Lower end machines are not supplied with a Windows licence. Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 32-bit English OEM DVD (GFC-02085) is going to set you back another 3790 baht. Microsoft Windows 7 Professional SP1 64-bit English OEM DVD (FQC-04649); 4950 baht

That's a minimum of US$125 extra on a laptop purchase. That is why many here opt for the cheaper hacked versions.

My point is that an ever-increasing number of PC vendors here do not, in fact, offer pirated software anymore.

The problem with buying in Thailand is that the cheaper models won't have a Windows licence. The vendors will often install a hacked version for you for a few hundred baht. I would avoid such an action.

This is not entirely true.

I just did an extensive hunt for a good laptop in Bangkok which involved visiting several malls as well as Pantib and Fortune plaza. All the shops I visited had a range of laptops, which were offered both with a choice of either DOS, Ubuntu or a legitimate copy of Windows. Where Windows is pre-installed, the ONLY option is a legitimate OEM pre-installed version.

The model I selected, only had DOS, so I then paid extra for a proper copy of windows 7 which came with the boxed DVD and license. It is probably still possible to find hacked versions in certain places, but certainly the bigger legit shops don't offer pirate windows anymore.The OEM pricing for South East Asia means you can pick up Microsoft or Adobe products for a fraction of the cost as in the US and Europe and the trend nowadays is definitely with the licensed versions.

Funny how the amount is always 20,000. I had the exact same situation a few years back... the shop rental, deposits etc - all for a guaranteed income.

But then laziness creeps in and they are not able to make it to the shop on more and more days as the reality of hard work sets in. Those 'friends' who are always available to step in and help are suddenly not available and after a couple of months, everyone gives up on the idea of selling food.

Running a food shop / food cart / coffee shop / snack shop is NOT something which an 'office' person is suited for - much less for anyone who spends any amount of time per day sitting on a sofa. This kind of business requires passion and hard work. I have seen a guy selling pork skewers on Silom road for more than 10 years; he works until after 3am every day, rain or shine, and he makes a fortune through his hard work - so it's not impossible.

Realistically your friend, who is already planning on taking days off before the business is even open, wont last a month. You are guaranteed to lose your money for sure, but if you want to make a 20,000 Baht gift - then by all means, go ahead.

Hah,

Some people here are complaining about a 7% interest rate which they think is too high. A few years ago, the bond rate in South Africa was 13% It was killing property owners, but investors were having a field day on their bank deposits.

Normally the return deposit cheque will only be given to you AFTER the room has been vacated - normally 30-45 days after you have returned the keys, so it's difficult to see how you would be able to get any 'justice' in the way you have been dreaming.

On the two occasions on which I got some deposit back in Thailand, I received it (in cash) on the day that I vacated the premises and returned the keys.

You've been lucky TWICE then. I've lived here for 14 years and always got deposits back after at least a month because utilities were in the landlord's name and they wanted to wait and see that there were no unsettled amounts. At any rate, the point is that only a half-wit landlord would return the money without having possetion of the place.

Normally the return deposit cheque will only be given to you AFTER the room has been vacated - normally 30-45 days after you have returned the keys, so it's difficult to see how you would be able to get any 'justice' in the way you have been dreaming.

I did some consulting work here many years back and was given the same advice - no work permit needed. While you would technically be working, I think it's a pretty safe bet that as long as you are moving aroung meeting various clients and are not pegged to a desk and supervising staff in an office, you could proceed like this for a month or two, until you have started setting up offices. Let's face it, businessmen from all over the world arrive in Thailand every day to conduct meetings etc which is also technically working, but of course common-sense prevails.

At some point, however, you will need to get yourself legal because without a work permit, doing things like opening a bank account and getting a driver's license, signing leases etc will prove difficult.

Cheers

Absolutely gotta love the headline and the usual attempt to paint something over. I always thought that emergency landings are where some minor incident has ocurred and the aircraft lands safely. This one is a crash, plain and simple.

About a year ago, I ordered some adaptors from the Thai Apple store. Same story - I got a document that originated in Singapore, but in my case I was also charged import duties !!

It should be duty-free as mentioned above and there is a dispute process which you can initiate, but as it was a small amount I didn't bother.

For imported goods, the process is roughly as follows: goods arrive and pass through customs. For small packages they often dont bother to check the value and thats where most of us get lucky. For bulky items, they will flag the item and try to ascertain the value - normally by just checking the enclosed invoice and will levy the appropriate tarrif plus VAT. For EMS parcels or normal postage, the customs form travels along with the package to your nearest post office where they collect the duty as instructed. Where parcels are sent via a courier, there is actually a courier representative who goes to collect a whole bunch of items on behalf of the courier company and that agent has the ability to negotiate on your behalf. This is where problems can crop up as it is a double-edged sword. Sometimes a good courier agent will negotiate in your favour and you may get a reduced duty. However, in some cases these agents have been rumoured to beef up the duty to the maximum or perhaps even falsely inflate the duty amount. Whichever the case, the courier pays your duty upfront and then collects from you in cash when the package is delivered.

In the case of courier items or non-couriered, you can dispute the duty, by providing additional information or pointing out an alternate tarrif category. For non-couriered items it means that your item must be returned to customs house and then you make a visit to them in person with your proof. For courier items, you can raise the dispute with the courier before accepting delivery and then they will either negotiate for you or invite you to represent yourself. Generally speaking, my company has always received good, professional service from customs. I have had to visit the main center in Cheangwattana a few times and they have been a pleasure to deal with.

^{Hi there,}

^{Real estate companies in Thailand are vastly different to other places in the world, so you need to differentiate and be a little more explicit. There are countless small operations who specialise in certain areas only and even medium sized RE companies here are really terrible on so many levels. Titles of manager and assistant manager are also used very loosely here so you need to be careful. If, indeed, your offer is from a large and well-established company, then it is very strange that they are not providing a work-permit. Many schools and small businesses make 'visa assistance' promises to so many people and then when they arrive, this assistance evapourates leaving the incumbent without a work-permit and without a proper visa. In most cases, when these people start to ask questions they soon find themselves without employment as well.}

^{The actual cost of a work-permit is a pittance, but the company is expected to provide loads of documents in order to secure it, so if they are hesitating or fudging the issue now, you can be assured that they wont be any more willing to dig up financial results and shareholder lists etc when the time comes. As others have said, visa-runs and under the table stuff are no good and you absolutely cannot work without a work-permit. You also can't get a work permit on your own - the company must be the one to do it; so dont let them try to convince you otherwise. I'd be very careful.}

^{Regarding remuneration: Salary of 50K for a manager in a good, reputable company would be about right, even for a Thai person, so you should expect this as a minimum.}

^{Best of luck !}

wow, super-friendly isnt it... I would have thought that a telephone number would be more useful

Thanks for the reply arthurwait! I guess it will be much easier to set it up in my thai friend's name here.

Neole

Since you cannot own more than 49% of the company, you will need to involve friends or partners anyway. Whichever way the company is set up, you will still need a work permit, so you will need to do all of the things mentioned above anyway. Without a work-permit you're simply looking for trouble and will be caught and deported sooner or later. I know several people working in this industry and I'm pretty sure that the moment you have any snif of trouble with any of your staff, freelancers or competitors, they would have no problem reporting you to immigration police. I have seen more than one business executive without a work-permit deported very quickly.

Other than the really cheap stuff, most keyboards today have a midi out. Any large music shop should be able to sell you one. If you want something really small for desktop composing, you can try Apple stores as I have often seen desktop music packages which include a midi interface and small keyboard.

If all else fails, you can buy on E-Bay and have it shipped here.

Cheers

Hi Brett,

I hope I'm not bursting too many bubbles here, but it is a fact that walk-in jobs are notoriously difficult to come by here and most of them would be in the teaching or hospitality industry.

The above post is absolutely right on the teaching angle. Teaching jobs are relatively easy to come by here, but as mentioned, they don't normally pay well and I know teachers at smaller schools who take home less than 35,000 per month.

On the creative side, the big agencies do employ foreigners but the positions are likely to be fairly senior and most would expect you to have previous agency experience for working at that level. Photography per-se would be a restricted occupation as there are plenty of talented locals available who would be prepared to work for a lot less than you. For video work, there are a few large production houses that you could try, but the work would be high-end and you would need proven ability on whatever platform they kay be using. At any lower level, such as a medium or small production company, you would need a good grasp of Thai language in order to interface with producers, fellow creatives and most customers here as most programs and material is produced in Thai. Don't underestimate the language gap here: while many senior managers in large companies are fluent in English, their lower level staff are not. Particularly in the video field, there is is almost no skill in english at all and without being able to speak Thai you won't be able to function. The last option would be freelance work; and yes, English jobs may be available via the foreign news channels here, but you would be competing againzt other freelancers who have worked here for a considerable time and who know their way around things, so it's not going to be easy.

Best of luck to you guys. At the very least, you will have fun.

The reason that most contracts state "30 days" is because utilities such as telephone and electricity are often in the owner's name and not the tennant's name - especially with short term leases. The 30 days allows the owner time to receive the latest month's utility bill and make sure that there are no unpaid amounts due. Often owners will use part of the deposit to pay those final amounts and then refund you the balance. Way back when I was still renting apartments, this was always the case and explained clearly to me upfront.

Both replies above are spot on. The movie must be played back on the orginal PVR box and files are only valid as long as your subscription to PVR is active. If your subscription expires, you will not be able to watch any of the saved files at all.