DickFarang

Nice calendar.
Sorry to say I noticed some minor errors:
1. In 2016 the December solstice takes place on Wednesday 21^st December, not on Thursday 22^nd December.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solstice
2. In the summary 1^st July 2016 should be a Friday, not a Wednesday.

This is like a technological competition of wits.

The banks install security devices on their plastic and online banking systems and the criminals invent ways to breach them. It continues to go round in a circle meaning that using plastic and online banking will always be a risk and can never be foolproof. Not only that but the banks will always try and defend their security systems claiming that they are invulnerable and that it must be the customers at fault rather than lose face and admit that their plastic card and online banking carries high risks. Anyone who is unfortunate enough to become a victim of crime via the plastic card and online banking systems will have to jump through hell and high water in order to prove that the banks systems are at fault and unsecured.

In my opinion criminals that steal money via ATM, credit and debit cards and the online computer banking system are no different to those who would break into a bank, steal the cash and walk out with it and should be treated as such.

I would never use online banking in Thailand and only use my ATM in the case of absolute emergencies. I have to use online banking for my foreign accounts and treat with great caution. I always scan my computer thoroughly prior to logging in to my online banking and only on my home computer. I also keep all my programmes up to date including my anti virus and spyware software.

Best is also to always delete your cookies and browsing history at logoff, also at home.

I am a little surprised that no one from TV forum's 'Visa Terminology Police' has jumped on this from the OP "....carried a Belgian passport with 90-day tourist visa stamp".

Probably a 60-days tourist visa and a 30-days extension.

Gem

The Farang guide was not Dutch, he was from Belgium.

The police got a complaint from local tour guides. The violation was so blatant it couldn't be overlooked.

Mostly the tour guides for Chinese tour groups are Thai (but the agency in China often sends a coordinator along - but they are the wranglers not guides or translators -they need the Thai guides for translation)

I hear you.......but he was accused of being a tour guide when he was simply interpreting for the Tourists.

The whole affair is rigged in a manor that the foreigner is criminalized by some small minded disgruntled local tour guides.

Can any of the Thais fluently speak the mans language or the tourists language.....nope.

Anyhow he broke a law that is hardly important and the only reason it was enforced was because local tour guides are unhappy and the police are opportunistic in such cases concerning foreigners.

The police officer should have told the tour guides to take it up with the labor department......not the police department......but the police get involved because their thinking there may be some good money to be made, somehow or some way....especially if it involves a white foreigner......if you know what I mean.

Cheers

He admitted to being the tour guide then changed his story. Regardless, he admitted to breaking the law. Why are you blaming anyone but the Tourist working illegally?

My personal experience with the police has been far more positive than negative here in Thailand.

I am not defending him in that respect.

Why are you defending the small minded actions of the tour guides and the police???...especially when the police should be occupied with far more important matters...while you know full well the police do not do anything unless there is something to be gained by the police.

If the tour guides came around and threatened to beat up the foreign tour guide or did beat him up I can assure you there would be nothing done about that or so very little done to police those criminal actions as to be a joke.

As I said before this is a labor related issue not a criminal issue so why are the police involved??

Because...... the police are being used as a form of intimidation by the Thai tour guides who can not compete against this better service provided by a person who can accommodate a need where the Thais can not.

And you more or less support this sort of police action because one foreigner is temporarily acting as a tour guide and or interpreter.

Plus it would be interesting to know exactly how accountable the tour company involved will be for hiring the foreigner in the first place.

I assume the local tour company is a Thai tour company...correct????

If so, then just how accountable will they be relative to the foreigner taking all the blame...as usual.

I surmise the end result of this will be all the more corruption evolving rather than address the issue sensibly in any number of ways....as is the usual way things develop here in Thailand.

Why did the tour guide not apply for a proper work permit, just like English teachers should do too ?

I have applied for a proper non-immigrant visa and for retirement extensions each year and they have never been denied.

The Dutch are very smart people. Most speak some English and some speak it very well. It is possible the Belgian was able to communicate to the Dutch tourists in their own language better than the Thai guides can speak English. However, he broke the law and the law won.

Wrong place, wrong time. Remember where you are!

Good to know: Dutch is the first official language in Belgium, followed by French and German.

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Another 'innocent' person arrested?

You asked about it twice, I'll answer you once.

Yes, in my eyes he is innocent.

I don't give a damn about work permits and requirements.

He was offering a service that the Thais could not offer as none of them could probably speak Dutch.

Many of you will condemn me for what I said but this is my opinion.

He didn't commit a crime he just wanted to make a living.

He who is without sin can cast the first stone now....................

A criminal.

Taking jobs away from fully fluent in Dutch Thai people.

These fully fluent in Dutch Thai people that live in the area don't deserve to have this guy make Dutch tourist's holidays better while helping the local economy with their money.

I guess you are not fluent in Dutch, but many Thai people are, in Belgium and most probably in the Netherlands too.
At the Belgian Consulate in Bangkok there is at least one Thai female employee who speaks Dutch fluently.
That being said, when I visited Indonesia many years ago, we had Dutch speaking local guides, in Jakarta, as well as in Yogyakarta.

This year Saint Valentine is on Saturday (not Friday) 14^th February.
I guess that Thai Heritage Conversation Day on Thursday 2^nd April should be Thai Heritage Conservation Day.

Merry Christmas.

At Bangkok Bank, the cards with chips can ONLY be used at a BK Bank ATM and WILL NOT work abroad at all.

You need to get a magnetic strip one.

So will this mean you can only go to the card issuing bank, and can not access any Thai funds abroad via ATM ?

It is extremely difficult to get a Thai bank to do a Intl wire transfer by the bay, money is one way in Thailand.

Banks in other countries have been using chips for years.

Here's what the Bangkok Bank website says about using its chipped debit card outside of Thailand.....guess this means you need to use an ATM that accepts chipped cards also, not just magnetic strip cards. Do you have the Bangkok Bank chipped card and have you tried it outside Thailand in an ATM that also accept chipped cards? If so, what country?

• Withdraw cash safely: The card can be used at more than 8,500 Bangkok Bank ATMs nationwide. VISA EMV-enabled ATMs are also available in some countries abroad, so your money can be kept safe when you travel.

In Europe (unlike the USA) all ATMs require chipped cards, but some still accept foreign magnetic strip cards.

At Bangkok Bank, the cards with chips can ONLY be used at a BK Bank ATM and WILL NOT work abroad at all.

You need to get a magnetic strip one.

So will this mean you can only go to the card issuing bank, and can not access any Thai funds abroad via ATM ?

It is extremely difficult to get a Thai bank to do a Intl wire transfer by the bay, money is one way in Thailand.

Banks in other countries have been using chips for years.

All European bank cards have both a chip and a magnetic strip nowadays and since the beginning of 2011 they are not accepted by Thai ATMs (Bangkok Bank included) unless you have obtained an explicit and temporary exemption from your European bank to use the magnetic strip.

On the other hand some ATM’s in Europe still accept Thai bank cards (also Bangkok Bank included), albeit usually with the message “fallback to magnetic strip” on the ticket.

I hope you're fluent in Russian, if not you will 6 months after you moved in .

It's a long time since it was called Naklua am Bodensee. Now it's called Krakow beach

Sorry, I thought Krakow was in Poland.

Why do you lot buy and sell so much gold? More money to be made buying and selling fruit and veg.

Not all people buy gold to speculate on gold prices, but on the contrary as a long or medium term investment.

Hedging against a possible collapse of the Thai baht is a good reason.

I just bought a 2 baht bar in Pattaya. The posted selling price per baht was Baht 18700. Whenever I visit the shop they check the price using the mobile phone ... and yes sometimes they price I am charged is lower than the one in the window.

2 x 18700 = Baht 37,400 and the total was Baht 38,000 because of the commission (or design charge or whatever you want to call it @ THB300 per baht for bars ... for some reason higher than for jewelry I believe). I have never had any problem selling the bars at the same shop or other shops in the area, although I don't sell much except awhile ago when the price was way up.

I don't often buy gold in Bangkok, but there is still a per baht charge added to the price. Whether you want to call it commission or a design mark up, it's added on in every shop I've gone to and it's the same for farang or Thai customers.

http://www.goldbarsworldwide.com/PDF/NB_1_BarsFromThailand.pdf

Generally Thai goldsmiths charge a design fee of around $7 per baht of gold although it might be higher depending on the construction and design. There is not much scope for bargaining. You might get the price down a dollar for each baht you buy at most - hardly worth the effort! It is generally better value to buy at least 1 baht of gold, as there is a minimum charge for the design fee.

http://gold.yabz.com/where_to_buy_gold.htm

Bangkok Post typically publishes gold prices every morning as follows:

“Gold prices up 100 baht

The Gold Traders Association this morning announced buying prices at 18,480.04 baht per baht-weight for gold ornaments and 18,750 baht per baht-weight for gold bar.

Selling prices were set at 19,250 baht per baht-weight for gold ornaments, and 18,850 baht per baht-weight for gold bar.

This means gold prices were up 100 baht from yesterday’s close.

Buying prices yesterday closed at 18,373.92 baht per baht-weight for gold ornaments and 18,650 baht per baht-weight for gold bar.

Selling prices closed at 19,150 baht per baht-weight for gold ornaments, and 18,750 baht per baht-weight for gold bar.”

Prices are, however, varying during the day.

When buying gold bars in places outside Bangkok Chinatown, say in Pattaya, you will be charged 200-300 baht more per baht-weight of gold.

Common gold bars are 5 and 10 baht-weight of gold; for gold bars of one baht-weight of gold only, you will be charged about 200 baht more per baht-weight of gold.

When selling back at the same gold shop, you will get the official buying price; in other gold shops some hundred baht less per baht-weight of gold.

Always keep the invoice as a proof of where you bought the gold.

All gold shops have precision scales and bars and ornaments (jewellery) are always weighed in your presence.

In gold shops, ornaments (jewellery) are sold in multiples of baht-weight and half baht-weight.

Elaborate ornaments (jewellery) can cost some hundred baht more per baht-weight of gold.

In Toledo (Ohio) I can buy gold in any number of colors, all the same karat.

The color difference comes from the alloy, not the gold content.

In Toledo (Ohio) I can buy gold in any number of colors, all the same karat.

The color difference comes from the alloy, not the gold content.

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There are many Toledo’s in America (Northern, Central and Southern) and even one in the Philippines, but the original one is in Spain.

So in lay and terms if the display was for example 18000 baht that would be for a baht, so roughly half an ounce. If I wanted a simple 1 oz curb necklace, I would pay 36000 baht? Or would all the jewellery in the shop be different prices dependent on what the owner thinks craftsmanship should be? Basically I am trying to arm myself with knowledge so that if he puts the jewellery in the scales and I see it's an ounce I know it should cost twice the cost of a baths worth that is in the window and listed in the exchange.

Bangkok Post typically publishes gold prices every morning as follows:

“Gold prices up 100 baht

The Gold Traders Association this morning announced buying prices at 18,480.04 baht per baht-weight for gold ornaments and 18,750 baht per baht-weight for gold bar.

Selling prices were set at 19,250 baht per baht-weight for gold ornaments, and 18,850 baht per baht-weight for gold bar.

This means gold prices were up 100 baht from yesterday’s close.

Buying prices yesterday closed at 18,373.92 baht per baht-weight for gold ornaments and 18,650 baht per baht-weight for gold bar.

Selling prices closed at 19,150 baht per baht-weight for gold ornaments, and 18,750 baht per baht-weight for gold bar.”

Prices are, however, varying during the day.

When buying gold bars in places outside Bangkok Chinatown, say in Pattaya, you will be charged 200-300 baht more per baht-weight of gold.

Common gold bars are 5 and 10 baht-weight of gold; for gold bars of one baht-weight of gold only, you will be charged about 200 baht more per baht-weight of gold.

When selling back at the same gold shop, you will get the official buying price of the day; in other gold shops some hundred baht less per baht-weight of gold.

Always keep the invoice as a proof of where you bought the gold.

All gold shops have precision scales and bars and ornaments (jewellery) are always weighed in your presence.

In gold shops, ornaments (jewellery) are sold in multiples of half baht-weight.

Elaborate ornaments (jewellery) can cost some hundred baht more per baht-weight of gold.

What I heard was that Thais don't like the color of non-Thai gold, that's all. But wasn't sure if that was generally true or if I just got one person's opinion. Don't remember where I heard it.

there is no noticeable difference in colour between 23 and 24 karat but quite a difference between the usual non-asian jewelry 18k and 23 or 24k.

Asian people, not only in Thailand, but also in Indonesia, can see the difference between 22 karat and 23 karat.

Toledo (Spain) is famous for its jewellery in two gold “colours”: 22 karat next to 23 karat.

Gold of 18 karat (or less) is not popular in Asia and you will not find it in gold shops, but in jewellery shops only.

Is that for a year?

Visa is for 90 days.

Then you extend it for a year. Extension is 1,900 regardless of length. (12 months is the max you will get)

Is that for a year?

That is the visa fee, if you renew every year on time you do not have to apply for a new ED visa but your original one gets extended.

I have always heard that Education extensions were 1 year for studies at a university and 3 months (or 90 days) only for studying Thai language, which means 1,900 baht a year in the former case and 4 x 1,900 = 7,600 baht a year in the latter case.

So proof of income...from how long into the past, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months or 10 years?

There is no info about amount or how long yet. Best to ask your school what is required.

Retirement visa has 65 000 Bath per month limit. If it is anywhere close to that, all schools will lose a lot of "genuine" students with meager savings. That is sure. Few will come up with 26500 dollars (= yearly sum) just to study Thai in Thailand and showing the same sum every 3 months to the officials. Most live with mere 20-40 000 Baht.

Retirement extensions are for 365/366 days, not for 3 months.

it is not helping you right now i guess,but my baby has a double nationality. I made a pasport from my homecountry for her too. So if i feel my baby would be better of with me and not the grandparents,i will be able to take her with me on her european passport. It will need a quick action and a carefull one,not to be arrested on sort of a kidnap allegation i guess,but she is a european citizen so once i've taken her i will not have problems back home with this and i imagine if i only show the european passport at customs they will not make a problem of me travelling with her too.

1. In most countries children need permission of BOTH parents to travel.

2. Even if your daughter possesses a foreign passport, I guess there is no arrival stamp in it.

Actually I do not know what all the fuss is about? Everybody here knows that Thais practice double pricing.....u just have to come to terms with it and know when to have your revenge. I have lived in Thailand for eons and run multiple businesses and one includes a medical related business. Whenever Thais come in, we charge more or give them inferior products. I stay in Thailand to run my businesses to make money, but I will never give one baht to a thai charity or to help Thais but i will donate to foundations overseas. I make sure that myself and my expat workers never teach or impart too much skills or knowledge to the local staff . I could go on with a lot of other things but the key thing is just relax and undertstand how these things work and just do your own thing whenever you have a chance. It can be quiet fun actually.

There are also farang run charities in Thailand:

http://www.fr-ray.org/

http://www.camillian-rayong.org/

Pharmacies in Thailand charge as they please.
At Watsons the price for Bayer Diane-35 is 145 baht, but some other pharmacies in Pattaya charge over 160 baht and some pharmacies at the Dark Side even over 180 baht.
My magnesium pills are labelled 350 baht, but the lady pharmacist where I buy them only charges 236 baht.
Try to remember prices and avoid places that you find overcharge.
Getting angry or confronting people gets you nowhere in Thailand.
I would never travel from Bang Saray to Jomtien just to discuss prices of medicine.

Come to Thailand, marry this woman, show money in the bank to support her/yourself and apply for a Non O visa based on marriage, have a look at job opportunites, maybe you could teach English, then have her apply for a visa for your home country as your wife....

That is what I would do.

Hope this helps

THAT'S IS THE RIGHT ANSWER! If you love this woman, come to Thailand, get married, open a bank account, and apply for a marriage visa showing your income and your savings. If you cannot meet the income, take a few months to get a English teacher certification and look for a teaching job. You will get a teaching job, somewhere in Thailand for sure, and you will get a work permit. With time you may even get a job in your profession. After getting married and established here you and your wife can start the fight to get her daughter back or to move to your country.

Which “English teacher” gets paid the 400,000 baht a year required for a marriage visa extension ?

Retirement is financials of 800k in account 2 months first or 3 months later or 65k income/pension letter from your embassy or a combination to meet 800k baht per year. Other than having a non immigrant visa entry (which you can obtain from immigration with financial proof for 2,000 baht fee) you submit same TM.7 with 4x6cm photo and fee of 1,900 baht and should have some proof of residence if asked (as where you apply is determined by where you live). If using Embassy letter you should have some proof of stated income documents to present if asked but this is seldom required and just have in file if needed. Same copies of passport/visa/arrival stamp and card. Very easy process and one visit if you already have the non immigrant visa entry.

In Pattaya-Jomtien (officially Chonburi Immigration) you sometimes, but not always, have to pick up your passport with the retirement extension the following day.

This is from the current Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) website Consular Services Q&A page:

Q: An NGO in Thailand has invited me to go there and work for them as a volunteer for 45 days during my school break. I will not earn any money in Thailand. I am a Belgian college student in Brussels. I understand that I do not need a visa, do I?

A: Although you will work as a volunteer, you do need a Non-Immigrant visa as well as the Work Permit. The NGO must be legally registered with the Thai authority and that you need a recommendation letter from the NGO for your visa application and the Work Permit.

I think you will find, however, that very few NGOs are willing to provide a work permit for other than long-term skilled personnel and not for the causal volunteer who 'wants to help out'.

I even doubt very strongly if the (foreign) tourist police volunteers in Pattaya have got work permits.

As I said there would be time to prepare.

Just recently a member made a trip to Savannakhet and got a multiple O visa based upon marriage just before his divorce because a visa would still be valid after divorce.

You could be liable for overstay from date of divorce but as long as you got to immigration within a few days they probably they would be understanding and not charge you for the fine.

It would not be exactly illegal to not notify immigration but the reason for the extension would be gone.

What is a multiple O visa based upon marriage ?

It is a multiple entry non immigrant O visa you get at an embassy or consulate based upon marriage to a Thai. It is valid for one year and gives a 90 day stay for each entry. Meaning you must leave and re-enter the country every 90 days.

If you leave and re-enter the country just before visa expires you can get a total of almost 15 months of stay out of it.

I think that is not what this thread is about.