Hanimal

Anything more than this? What will the price rise to now? How many extra days will it take to process? What additional informatrion will need to be provided (if any)?

Can I be the first to blame Thaksin?

Applications have been accepted yearly - but none have been approved for the last three years yet.

According to immigration, 2 of the 2006 applicants have received the approval letter from the interior ministry.

This is news. Calling immigration gets the reply that everyone is still waiting.

600 still isn't that much, but you gotta love the Thai style increase, not 10% or 20%, but 500%

You farang. You rich. You pay.

Anyone now how I can get the "Certification that the applicant has no criminal record in his or her overseas domicile", I'm originally from Canada but have lived in Thailand since 1994, haven't been back to Canada since 1995.

Appreciate if someone knows of a way to get this in the shortest period of time, I would like to apply under the spouse category, I have over 10 years continual stay uninterrupted, but I don't have the above certificate.

Thanks in advance for all that reply.

I am from the UK. I wrote to the central police department (found it on the web) and they wrote back saying they are not allowed to say if someone has a criminal record. They did write that to the best of their knowledge I did NOT have a criminal record and local immigration accepted that.

Didn't I read on here just the other day that no applications have been processed since 2006/7?

So why are they putting out a call for new applicants if they haven't processed the last 3 years yet?

Perhaps they just want the money with applications upfront? Sorry to be cynical about this!

Yes, I applied in 2006 and am still waiting. I did get an unofficial explanation along these lines: the government has changed so regularly that the minister has not been able to get around to it before changing seats. There was something about documents in the past having been lost when the governments change often, so the immigration people deliver the documents when they feel that a government is more permanent. I wish I knew their inside knowledge about this. Still, the wife keeps calling and they keep saying "coming soon."

quote name='swain' post='3135428' date='2009-11-12 08:18:15']Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch) coming to Thailand.... India or Malaysia brews it locally ... cant remember which...

Fact:These US micro brews rival or exceed any beer in the world in terms of quality, flavor, strength, and alcohol content. Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Ale is around 12%. And they are made with all-natural ingredients. Maybe you like formaldehyde in your beer. I don't.

That hoary old myth should be put to rest about Thai beers:

The Journal of the Institute of Brewing has a good paper on formaldeyde in beer : Institute Paper

Read also myths and legends about formaldehyde in beer, especially Singha in this article: Myths and Legends

Chinese beers were believed to include formaldehyde (cheers to whoever said he wants Tsingtao) but don't worry, the content is very low!

"People’s Daily Online" reported in 2005: Chinese brewery giant Tsingtao has confirmed the safety of its product, saying the per-liter formaldehyde content of its product is much lower than the standard set by the World Heath Organization (WHO). The Tsingtao Brewery Co., Ltd. made the remarks in a statement it issued Friday in response to earlier domestic media reports putting Tsingtao beer’s formaldehyde content under suspicion. China’s State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (SAQSIQ) also said that Chinese beer, including big-name Tsingtao beer, is safe to drink.

As for those who like Corona, there was a US myth that Mexican workers urinated into the tanks of the beer destined for the USA, but this was later traced to a rumour spread by a local Heineken distributor. It is true however, that due to the transparency of the bottle, the amount of UV let into the beer is much higher than the brown bottles used by Thai beer companies. Green is only slightly better than transparent, but still means the content will go "off" a bit faster.

As for US beer, I think John Cleese said it best in his letter renouncing American independence: "The cold tasteless stuff you call beer is actually lager. Only proper British Bitter will be referred to as "beer." Substances once known as "American Beer" will henceforth be referred to as "Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine," except for the product of the American Budweiser company which will be called "Weak Near-Frozen Gnat's Urine." This will allow true Budweiser (as manufactured for the last 1000 years in Pilsen, Czech Republic) to be sold without risk of confusion."

Another littel factoid that some seem to have missed in the discussion on Budweiser is that Belgian brewer InBev acquired Anheuser-Busch in 2008. The deal created the world's biggest brewer, bringing brand names including Budweiser, Michelob, Stella Artois, and Bass under one owner.

In today’s globalized business world, there is no nationalism in brands any longer.

TH

Sorry, I think it's a far shot off, good beer is good beer, no matter where it is brewed, it's a matter of taste and preferences!

And being german by birth I am very fond (not proud!) of "Deutsche Reinheitsgebot" (Purity Order) from 1516 which states that "Bier" should only be made of Malt, hops and water!

Shame that the Membership in the EU will "water" this "Gebot" which is not a law, but a moral imperative, down to all sorts of Enzyme Productions and beverages

which are similiar to Beer or Ale.... specially worrying are then allowed additives and pother processes than the normal method of fermentation trough beer yeast's.

Or points the demand for a good roast, steak, burger, pasta, pizza or a drinkable wine also to "nationalism"?

it's like the stuff from some chain outlets is called "Pizza"...

nothing to do with the original product, same with some beverages called "Beer"!

Agree, but IMHO yeast (German: Hefe) or some wild culture is the fourth and necessary ingredient to start the fermentation process.

Federbrau is the only beer in Thailand made according to the Deutsche Reinheitsgebot and certified by Germans.

Carlsberg?

owwww, that could mean payback time!!!

is that why Chang Sponsors Everton because Carlsberg Sponsor Liverpool Still having Thai Beer Spats in the EPL

They sponsor Everton because they wanted to advertise live in Thailand. Nothing to do with Carlsberg.

You just made all that up! Shame on you "Educating" indeed! "Unregulated brewing techniques"? Have you ever been to a Chang brewery? I have been to all three. Latest machinery from Denmark and Germany, the most number of German, Denmark and UK educated brewmasters of any beer company in Thailand if not Asia. A head of breweries with a PhD from Germany. Why are you making up this trash talk? Have you ever seen a chemical breakdown of the beers made in Thailand? Do you know which global beer brand imports food colouring and other chemical additives from Singapore to add to its very expensive premium beer here? The reason people get a hangover is because Chang is 6.4% alcohol and the dehydration caused by Thailand's tropical temperatures. Cheap chemicals - what a load of tosh. All the hops and malt are purchased from Germany, the UK, Australia and the USA. Chang is made with some rice (20% of the raw materials), locally purchased, but then rice is a common adjunct in both eastern and western beers too. The Chang Draught is 100% malt.

How come I don't get a nasty headache when I indulge in Black Label, but get a real nasty one when I have a couple bottles of Chang? I think there is something else going on here besides 6.4% alcohol.

Because a glass of Black Label with soda and ice is sippd not gulped?

Beer Chang is disgusting stuff, bu it has its followers. One night we spent an hour educating this scouser on the bad effect chang has on the body, with all its unregulated brewing tecniques and cheep chemicals. He stopped immediately and ordered a Leo swearing never to touch chang again, 1 wk later he was back in full swing with the chang, asked why? "it's the cheepest way to get where he wants to be" apparently he was having to drink 2x leo to have the same effect.

I think Chang draught is a very nice beer, but I still get a hang-over on it, whereas no other beer gives me hang-overs.

I do agree that we should support the thai beer market in order to support the thai people, but chang should improve the quality of its product.

You just made all that up! Shame on you "Educating" indeed! "Unregulated brewing techniques"? Have you ever been to a Chang brewery? I have been to all three. Latest machinery from Denmark and Germany, the most number of German, Denmark and UK educated brewmasters of any beer company in Thailand if not Asia. A head of breweries with a PhD from Germany. Why are you making up this trash talk? Have you ever seen a chemical breakdown of the beers made in Thailand? Do you know which global beer brand imports food colouring and other chemical additives from Singapore to add to its very expensive premium beer here? The reason people get a hangover is because Chang is 6.4% alcohol and the dehydration caused by Thailand's tropical temperatures. Cheap chemicals - what a load of tosh. All the hops and malt are purchased from Germany, the UK, Australia and the USA. Chang is made with some rice (20% of the raw materials), locally purchased, but then rice is a common adjunct in both eastern and western beers too. The Chang Draught is 100% malt.

There seems to be a misunderstanding that the drop in duty is going to make beer companies want to sell in Thailand. Looking at ThaiBev's 2008 figures for beer on their website, the breakdown of the costs included in their revenue includes items like Excise tax, 53.8%, Packaging 12.8%, Raw materials 6.6% and (eliminating some of the other stuff) "Other" which includes transportation 5.3%.

Sending beer from Australia is expensive on transportation costs, though no duty paid at port of entry, but with 53.8% excise tax paid to the government prior to sales, who in their right mind would want to enter the market? Net profit margin there is given as 0.9%. Based on net sales (sales revenue minus the excise tax), that looks like a net profit margin of roughly 1.8%.

There is excise paid on imports of all alcohol; it is listed in the Excise Department's website.

As best as I can tell, there is no excise tax on imported beer - frozen, tasteless, or otherwise.

For this reason, the local brewers have a very real complaint when they are required to pay up to 60% excise on the domestic brews.

Also, you cannot compare the final price of Australian beer in Oz to Thailand. As well as excise tax and GST imposed by the federal government (at the brewery gate), the various states impose liquor licensing taxes of varying amounts at the wholesale level.

ps excise tax and stamp duty are entirely different beasts.

Today, all imported beers pay a duty to enter the country then pay excise tax based on CIF. Sorry, I always use the word excise tax and wasnt sure if that is called something else in other countries. Duty and excise tax are totally different and only duty affects imports but excise affects both.

A Good time to introduce good old Arthur Guinness nationally in Thailand. Good for the health, or so they say.

Already available in Thailand. Try some of the Silom bars. Popular with Indians.

Carlsberg?

owwww, that could mean payback time!!!

Made in Malaysia.

Beer, wine and spirits

Thailand immediately reduced its previous 54% tariff on wine to 40%, and will phase the tariff to zero in 2015.

Thailand reduced the previous tariffs on beer and spirits from 60% to 30%. Tariffs will be phased to zero in 2010.

http://www.austrade.gov.au/TAFTA8311/default.aspx

So if I'm reading that tariff article correctly, all beer and spirits made in Australia are going to be sold tariff free starting Jan 1st? So in theory I could go to Villa Market and pick up a 12 pack of Tooheys New cans for 400B? (assuming they stock it)

The article also says that Australian Wine will be tariff free in 2015 and Cheese in 2020! I like this trade agreement...

I cant see imported beers from ASEAN getting any cheaper really. For instance, the 5% import duty on ASEAN drinks today shouldn't have stopped anyone as 0% is not a lot of difference. The reason ASEAN drinks don't find a market here is the excise tax (stamp duty), which would be based on CIF, the transportation cost, the fact that no one in their right mind would want to bring beer to a country just for a few expats to enjoy. If they can't get Thais to drink it today, why would there be a difference in the future? I guess Aussie beers are nice if one like frozen, tasteless beer, but it would still be a lot more expensive than in Australia due to the transportation cost and the excise tax. Also, why bring it into a market if you cant sell it to the Thais because you cant tell them it is here, cant tell them where it is, cant tell them why it is better than local beer? There are going to be a few disappointed expats when the dust settles.

produced a Chang television commercial for its "Khon Thai Huajai Deaw Khun" campaign, to air for six months starting today

I may have missed something, but last I heard advertising alcohol here is supposed to be illegal...

It is not illegal for a drinks company to advertise between 10pm and 5am. The restrictions include not being able to show a bottle of drink, not showing anyone having a good time drinking and etc. The law allows for some kind of social messaging so the Chang ads all feature guys doing good works like environmental protection. The label/brand alone is allowed to be shown. No one can explain why the Regency brandy adverts show a gorgeous look kreung woman showing her navel in a jungle relates to brandy and that is the reason why new entrants to the market have a huge problem - you can't tell anyone what it is you are advertising!

Great news for drunks all around. Compared to beer prices in the US for similar pissy looking beers like beer chang the price here is outrageously high. A 7-11 worker in the US could afford to a buy one 6-pack (or more for dirt cheap beer) of various beer brands with quality comparable to beer chang per hour (~$8/hour). Compare that to a Thai 7-11 worker making 25/baht per hour can only buy ONE can of beer chang!! The US 7-11 employee is getting at *least* 6x drunker than in Thailand! Why is beer so much for this poor people?

It is the tax system. Tax on alcohol is much higher here than in many other countries where beer is considered "cheap." Profit margins on beer in Thailand are among the lowest in Asia, and much lower than in western countries. Net profit margin is about 8% based on net sales, compared to 12-18% in S.E. Asia. Beer here is taxed at 60% of the ex-factory price.

Imaginary Headline from the Future

Thai Film Crew Arrested in the UK for Filming Murder of Thai Tourist on the Motorway.

Bloomters

A Thai film crew was arrested by British police today for filming the grisly murder of a Thai tourist on the M4 motorway. The film crew were driving west when they spotted a car on the side of the motorway where a Thai was being beaten up in an act of "road rage" by a British youth. They stopped and began to film the murder and were promptly arrested 10 minutes later under Britain's archaic laws forbidding parking on motorways.

"This is another typical attempt by the British authorities to prevent foreigners from seeing what they don't want to be seen," stated an anonymous member of Brtain's notorious britvisa.com website.

"The Brits appear to think they can make the whole thing go away by arresting the film crew," noted another anonymous member of britvisa.com.

A spokesperson for the police was quoted as saying that the traffic laws of the UK are there for everyone and that it remains illegal to park on a motorway.

"The British laws are only applied to foreigners. How naive to thnk this law was implemented for a reason," noted another anonymus britvisa.com poster.

Article 34 of the motion picture law is the key to understanding this hooha. Nearly all the responses on ThaiVisa have been along the lines of "It is fine for the foreigners to come and break local laws if it reveals that other laws are being broken by locals."

The Thai government has a law that says you cannot make a film or TV show here without going through a series of formalities. I feel sure that this TV crew knew about the law before coming because most professional film crews do their homework before leaving home soil. I do not believe it was "an innocent mistake."

Everyone knows that there are laws being broken by locals every day somewhere in Thailand - but somehow we should tolerate an entertainment porgram's producers that break the law because it proves what we all already know?

If a Thai TV crew had broken British or Australian laws in filming illegal scenes in those countries, and were subsequently put on charges, I guess ThaiVisa denizens would be crowing about how Thais cannot break the law with impunity in "their" countries. Laws are laws are laws. Why are some worth paying attention to but others not?

Thailand has an archaic system of rules and laws that no one adheres too.. they just keep those laws around so they can throw it at anyone selectively as they choose.. Its another way they can collect tea money by lose and conflicting laws that benefit only the people paid to (not) enforce them.

Do you really think BBC or CNN pre approved every red / yellow shirt news broadcast ??? Dont be so naive

As stated on the programs credits it had full permission to film in Thailand with the Tourist police. Now the program has caused some "Shock waves" they are trying to find a way of saying all is well in Thailand!lol..maybe by getting the Black sheep film crew to say the jetski scam was a setup so then they will not be put in Jail..Then TAT can say anything they want as usual. The only thing we can be sure of here is that this will now be aired all around the world as Bravo Tv will sell the program to every network that wants it............

The laws were revised a few years ago to speed up approvals and thus are hardly archaic. They apply to filming in Thailand but not news. There is a difference.

Article 34 of the motion picture law is the key to understanding this hooha. Nearly all the responses on ThaiVisa have been along the lines of "It is fine for the foreigners to come and break local laws if it reveals that other laws are being broken by locals."

The Thai government has a law that says you cannot make a film or TV show here without going through a series of formalities. I feel sure that this TV crew knew about the law before coming because most professional film crews do their homework before leaving home soil. I do not believe it was "an innocent mistake."

Everyone knows that there are laws being broken by locals every day somewhere in Thailand - but somehow we should tolerate an entertainment porgram's producers that break the law because it proves what we all already know?

If a Thai TV crew had broken British or Australian laws in filming illegal scenes in those countries, and were subsequently put on charges, I guess ThaiVisa denizens would be crowing about how Thais cannot break the law with impunity in "their" countries. Laws are laws are laws. Why are some worth paying attention to but others not?

I believe this is an old topic in the Thai media - any excuse to talk about sex. Every few years someone suggests legalizing prostitution and the press keep asking politicians to comment until the story goes dry.

I don't usually bet but I am willing to take a wild guess that Udon Thani Industrial Council chairman Prayoon Homewong will be looking for a job soon.

Suvarnabhumi Airport Link sets soft launch for December 5

...

Transport for airport express riders and local commuters will run on the same track with the same equipment, but with a staggered schedule.

Premium-fare express services will run on the hour between Suvarnabhumi Airport and City Air Terminal, while the City Line service will stop at six local stations along the route.

-- TNA 2009-09-05

Are there passing tracks at some of the stations? I know in Japan, many (not all) stations have passing tracks for express trains.

TheWalkingMan

Yes, every station will have a passing track for the express train.

I wonder whether anyone remembers the aircon express from Don Meuang to Hua Lamphong? SRT wanted to offer farangs comfort and ended up in financial trouble when the farang started using the 10 baht local train and ignoring the express. I can imagine 150 Baht for an express TO the airport would be useful as one would know it takes a set time and wouldn't need to worry about traffic (except getting to Makkasan). But for many, arriving early morning at the airport for the first time, a slow local train to the city may well be more attractive an introduction to Thailand. I wonder whether the SRT will have to reconsider the fares once they cotton on to the fact they have spent a lot of money but people aren't using the service in the way they are expected to? Surely many people will opt for the 45-50 Baht local train?

As for the cost of services in other countries, this is rather misleading. The only way to know if it is more expensive abroad is to take the total fare and divide by the average wage to arrive at a percent. My guess is the average wage in Norway or wherever in the West is "slightly" higher than the average in Thailand.

As far as dual nationality is concerned.It is frowned upon and it is usual that you cannot hold a Thai and other nationality passport after the age of 18.If it is found to be so then the person in question may be stripped of Thai citizenship.

You are totally incorrect.

I suggest you do not Post or comment on topics you do not understand.

Patrick

And the real answer according to you is...?