rishi

I just don't know why would a land locked, irrelevant place, as Chiang Mai command any real estate prices.

Could be, it's heading the same way as Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico..when in 20 yrs all the residents either die or are good for nothing.

The strength Thai economy has exercised and enjoyed has been - close to the ports, young and cheap labour.

In a year or two, we may see some decay of Hua Hin and the places "on the wrong side of the airport".

The deposed PM tried to make something of Chiang Mai, crazy projects somebody mentioned earlier, even shifted a portion of TG flights to originate from there but it was mostly his political will, nothing really demanded by the public.

Also, has not Pattaya became the second largest city in the country where the second is 2% of the population (and market) of the capital?

I would know I am wrong when there are many reports about BKK graduates migrating towards Chiang Mai.

IMO, that place lives in the heads of rich Thai retirees, farangs and regional airlines who want to bring customers to something not seen before.

Junk investment it is, in anything there, IMO.

I've heard rumeurs, that the flow of tourists from China, Japan and that neighborhood will increase way beyond the level of Western tourists going to Pattaya, Phuket nowadays... I've heard rumeurs that a lot of those tourists might go by land or prefer to have their Thailand tour start in the closest Thai international airport. .. I've also heard rumeurs that something called Asean treaties are evolving which would put Chiang Mai in the center of where the logistics of 3-4 Asean member's mutual trade, would be most beneficial.

But that's just rumeurs, I've heard...

I've been following several Chiang Mai realtors' websites this past year, and there are MANY nice-looking properties that are obviously not moving ...

Many of the smaller agents, don't bother to update after sales. If someone should inquire for a house that already has been sold - the worst thing that could happen is that the inquirer isn't interested in anything on stock. So don't count on a website listing at last years prizes - it might have been sold last year.

Keep us posted Gonzo ... You're in position to provide better real-time info than Hydro.

Won't we be breaking the martial law if we are more than five people gathered. Imagine, playing golf with a bunch of lawbreakers.

Blinky Bill confused? ... Excellent job, remo.

Thaksin cancelled his speech at the UN General Assembly in New York (volunterily)

Haven't voted due to the circumstance I'm too slow to figure where to put myself ...

The all-embracing "Non Immigrant Visa, incl. extentions, multiple entries, etc" would have sufficed. But since the poll disquinvishes (sorry to the English teachers, this difficulty word probably isn't spelt correct - now you've got the chance to correct me) between this and "1 year work visa (incl work permit)" and "1 year 'other' visa (spouse, education, religion)" ...

Where the heck am I supposed to put myself if I am here on a: "1 year 'other' (spouse) work visa (incl work permit)"

Was just suggesting a reality check.

Recently got a mortgage from Bangkok Bank, 2.1 M on a 4 story shophouse (including those 64 sqm land it occupies). We put down 900,000 - that is a price of 3 M for 230 sqm floorspace. The bank evaluated it to 2.8 M - what'll be their evaluation of a - maybe double-priced - condominium some foreigner has paid 3 M for?

Using a heading like "small investors treated like scum" on a post dealing with OP's problems concerning spending 3 m on his own living quarters, certaily tells Op has a limited, ego-centered horizon. I won't bother replying to the opening post - only the heading.

I'm an invostor as small as can possibly be - 1 M baht invested in a Thai business, that merely makes enough profit to give bread and butter to a couple of people (1 foreigner, 1 thai). However, although I do see some tight lips while various people look trough submitted papers, it all ends up in a friendly discussion on what else is needed to satisfy superiors. In most cases, after having produced those extra papers, I end up getting what I needed.

Did you read e.g. lopbury3's posts #24 above?

Yes, they are very willing to give most people with a good story a chance, but try to get the second non-imm "B" without a wp.

My guess is that in a 7 house village the local authorities, will know exactly what is going on ... and nooone would dare lie to an officer asking questions.

As seen from my butterhole the effect will be about zero. I run an Internet Cafe in the guesthouse area inside the moats - complete with workpermit and all that.

About 60% of my patrons are "standard" tourists, that stay in Chiang Mai a few days or a few weeks - no change.

About 20% are Thais - no change.

About 20% are foreign regulars of which about half typically stay 2-3 months joining massage courses, meditation courses and such. The more permanent foreign regulars look old enough to be on retirement visas, but there might be an exception or two.

As far as I can see the only effect for an internet cafe in the tourist district would be those 2-3 month stayers, that burn time/stamps in other parts of Thailand, before or after coming to Chiang Mai.

However, I'd imagine things could be different for bars, restaurents and such. Typically, getting their own internet connection is a first priority for those 30-day hoppers, that stay really longterm, so their business is gone regardless ... But if in town, they'd still go out and eat and drink after having settled in.

A house-visit might even take place without you noticing it. At my first extension the didn't do anything but talking to the neighbours to one side. Although we actually were at home at the time we wouldn't have known if not the neighbours had told us about the visit

...For my own part, I wish I knew what docoments I should prepare for my next extension - should I prepare for a business extension, a retirement extension or a support wife extension?

If you qualify for any of the three types you can, for a start, eliminate the extension for business because you can apply for a work permit also on the extension for support of Thai wife. The latter has the advantage that if you lose your job your extension of stay remains valid. With the extension for business, you would have to leave the country within seven days after cancellation of the work permit, or at this time apply for an extension for support of Thai wife.

With an extension for retirement, you are not allowed to apply for a work permit. Therefore, if you plan to work you can exclude also this option.

---------------

Maestro

Thanks maestro. Yes, that was also my own conclusion until Sunbelt posted his list of required documents in this thread. According to that, you'll have to be younger than 50 for incountry work to count on a support wife extension (at least if one takes every word (including the missing ones) very literally - as some officers tend to do). Actually, the only direct references to financial documentation relates to money from abroad.

Yes, maybe panic for nothing, but since when have statements on a press conference in Bangkok served as guiding lines for those little kingdoms each consulate and border station has always been? (That part of it won't change).

Mainly concerned for those of my true fellowmen, that don't have other options. For my own part, I wish I knew what docoments I should prepare for my next extension - should I prepare for a business extension, a retirement extension or a support wife extension?

Are these new regulations? They differ considerably from what sofar - and still at this moment - is posted at immigrations website. Particularly the option to work and pay tax of 40,000 seems to have vanished.

my regular and informed visa-processing contact in Penang advises me i can obtain a type O visa with : original marriage certificate ( in Thai . No translated version necessary ) , photocopy of wife's Thai ID card/ passport and an original certificate of her registered address . can anyone confirm this ? Because other sources advise i must show

evidence of incoming funds from overseas ( 400,000 Baht ) . To the external visa issuing consulate ? Or to Thai immigration Bangkok upon the 12 month extension ?

proof of employment , work permit , tax records . None of which i have . I'm...erm... retired. Sort of thing ...

Thanks

Ray

List of Documents for Extension of stay Based on support of a Thai national

1. Copy of Household Registration of Thai Wife.

2. Copy of Identification Card of Thai Wife.

3. Copy of Marriage Certificate

Remark : Please Bring all Originals and copies

List of Documents for Marriage Visa (Thai Wife)

1. Application form TM 7 with 2x2 inch square photo’s attached.

2. Application fee Baht 1,900.

3. A valid passport.

4. Copy of Marriage Certificate.

5. Clarification of Marital Status before Marriage.

6. Letter from Thai Bank stating that your account has no less than Baht 400,000 balance or letter of guarantee of pension income from your Embassy. Making an annual sum of no less than Baht 400,000 Baht.

7. An up-to-date Bank book.

Letter from the bank stating when the funds arrived and a letter from the bank stating the current bank balance. Both letters must no be more than 72 hours old when applying for the extension.

8. Family certificate of I.D. Card and Household of Thai Wife.

9. Copy of birth certificates of children. (if any)

10. Photo of place of residence. ( must show house’s number)

11. Map of place of residence and telephone.

12. If under the age of 50 and working, a letter of guarantee from your employer.

13. Pictures of your wives clothes and your clothes in the same closet, picture of you and your wife on a living room sofa and a picture of the outside of the house with the house number in the picture. (Not required if you have children together and have the birth certificate)

Some may find they don't need #13 and other times they will find they need the pictures.

www.sunbeltasiagroup.com

Guess what? A work permit is a permit to work, it comes in a the shape of a blue passport-sized booklet - a "permitted to stay stamp" is a stamp that says you are permitted to stay until a specified date - it comes in the shape of the stamp you get in your passport every time you enter the country.

How to get a workpermit? As indicated in an earlier post - the rules might be enforced differently in different places, so you'll have to learn your local situation. However, I don't think its much of an issue. You already have the company with enough registered capital. If in Chiang Mai the only other thing is that the company is VAT-registered. Then the company is entitled to employ a foreigner (one per 2 millon capital).

You'll need to submit a pile of documentation when you apply for the work permit, but - once VAT-registered - you already have everything, except a letter from the company stating it wants to employ you and as what ...

Well, although it really isn't a big issue I would recommend you to seek professional assistance - at least this first time. E.g. - the exact wording of your jobdescription might make a difference. I won't hesitate to recommend Sunbelt inasmuch they handled my own case to my full satisfaction

By the way - as stated many times by Sunbelt on this board - you don't need to employ Thais to get a workpermit (at least not in Bangkok, in Chiang Mai they required 1 Thai employe). The 4 Thais are a requirement for 1 year incountry extensions of the permitted-to-stay stamp they put in your passport when you entered the country - not for the workpermit.

Although there has been a lot of changes to visa-rules these days, nothing indicates that they should prematurely cancel the validity of existing visas. I wouldn't worry that they wouldn't honour your visa, when you present it in October.

As for getting a new one in February? ... Well, if I read your post correctly, you don't have a workpermit by now? If that's the case (and if I were in your shoes) I would make sure to arrange one before applying for a new non-imm B visa... I don't know what the rules exactly say, but the idea and spirit behind issuing someone a non-imm B visa is that he should start conducting business or work - both of the kind that requires workpermit to do. They've already given you one year to get your acts together - why should they give you a second chance?

When is the date? Provided it's not tomorrow (or rather today, the 15.) - I seriously consider showing up ... On one condition, though - the first time i see the slightest notion of the beginning of a grin due to my awkward attemts trying to hit the ball, I'm free to go home without being stamped as impolite.

what should i do if im working illegally here and just stay by renewiung my 30 day visa on arrival? do i have to consider an overstay?

You should consider how (and/or where) to make a better foundation for your existance.

,,, what makes you so sure of that?

// that was a reply to jdnisia , not britt