allane

I have never heard of anyone getting a Non-immigrant "B" Visa on this basis. If it was possible, anyone could obtain such, simply by declaring an intention to start a business, whether or not he had any intention of doing so. If you are a foreigner intending to do business in Thailand, you need a 51% Thai partner, unless you are contemplating something big enough to bo the Board of Investment route.

Yesterday received my retirement visa for the next 54 weeks. :-)

I know I have to report every 90 days. I was under the impression I reported to somewhere (a police station?) in the community in which I lived. Or do I go back to the Immigration Office every 90 days (I hope not!)?

You are conflating two distinct issues:

1. The "90 Day Reporting" is to confirm your place of residence. And, yes, it is done at the Immigration Dept. , though it can be done by registered mail as well.

2. Your Retirement Visa is good for one year, and does not require that you report, until you are ready to renew it.

Forum Park Hotel, on the north side of Chan Rd., just west of Narathiwat Road. I haven't stayed there, nor known anyone who has.

He is motivated to learn English as he wants to go to university.

If this is his only reason for wanting to learn English, he would probably be wasting his time. Tell him to write some of the other Entrance Exam subjects instead. Unless the system has changed, applicants have to write three subjects. Naturally, they choose the ones where they think they have a comparative advantage.

If he is planning to study at Ramkhamhaeng (Open University), I do not even think that the Entrance Exam is necessary, although he may have to wait until he is older than 18, in addition to having to finish his high school first.

Not a direct answer to your question, but the BMTA has some info. online (in an English version, as well as a Thai one). Check out www.bmta.go.th

I am always hesitant to put up a post saying that something does not exist. It only takes one person to prove me wrong! But, I think there is little, if anything, of the sort of thing you are seeking.

Thailand is much more tolerant of homosexuality than western societies. Gay men and women are loved by their families and accepted by their peer group,workplace colleagues and the general public. Hence, there is little need here for gay support groups, "gay pride" marches, etc. etc. Also, internet penetration rates in Thailand are much lower than in the west, especially outside of the major cities. When Thai people need information, they do not usually begin their quest with an internet search.

Yes, if you are expecting to be in Bkk. 75% of the time, rent a normal place by the month. It will be cheaper, and you won't have to vacate, and store whatever possessions you accumulate, whenever you are gone.

I wouldn't comtemplate your approach unless I was going to be in Bkk. for 25%, or less, of each month.

Two foreigners are two foreigners. The fact that they are married to each other means nothing,in terms of the way the Thai Immigration Dept. processes them.

You might be more likely to get a reply if you avoid the use of an acronymn which is likely unknown to the general readership.

I once met a blind Chinese woman who spoke English like a native speaker. She said that she had learned from the BBC.

A Correction To My Post Above:

I was relying on the dates given by the OP, who is in error. The two day holiday is the 7th and 8th, not the 6th and 7th, as he (and I !) stated. So, read the "7th" where I said the "6th", and the "8th" where I said the "7th".

www.pramool.com

It is similar to Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the west in these respects;

- businesses which are normally open in the evenings may be closed on July 6, others remain open.

- banks, government offices, and most businesses will be closed on July 7

- most schools close for both days.

Culture shapes how we interact with each other, though.  Generally, both men and women from many western cultures are far more open to discuss sexual topics that people from some Asian cultures.  

It has been said that in the west, you can talk about anything you want (sexually speaking), but can't do it. In Thailand, you can do anything you want, but can't talk about it.

Sorry, I would love to stay and chat, but, there is something I need to do.

I have always wondered why people with nothing positive to contribute take the time to post.

I am looking for a ride departing central Bangkok on Fri. July 3. I would want to meet from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m., depending on our meeting point, with the objective of arriving in South Pattaya at 7:00 p.m. I am willing to share the gasoline cost. Please send me a Private Mail, with details as to how I can contact you.

On the subject of the Buddhist holidays, can anyone enlighten us as to how, exactly, the date is determined ? I know, "the full moon of the seventh lunar month" etc., but "the seventh lunar month" after what?. If it is all computed with reference to the western new year (January 1), why don't they say that ?

It is a statutory holiday, in May of each year. I stand to be corrected on this, but, in my view it is not an "important event" in any part of Thailand where I have ever been at that time.

You don't mention the total number of students that you are being asked to teach. You may wish to limit it by grade, or number of rooms, so that you are not teaching too many rooms per week during any one period. You can always agree to expand your workload once you have some experience.

I followed a link another poster provided about PIT, personal income tax in thailand. I did not fine any tax forms there. So, if I am teaching in Thailand, and I am a non-resident, do you file a tax form so you can claim your deductions and allowances? I have seen posters say taxes are taken out of their pay check. OK, fine, but how do you claim the reductions?

Also, the PIT link said after 180 days you are a "resident" and foreign income sources are taxed. Hmmm. That seems a bit dodgy. I am assuming that is a non-player, as the US will happily be taxing my other incomes from my investments, stocks and bond transactions etc.

You seem to conflating a number of issues here:

1. If you are a "non-resident", how do you teach in Thailand - do you commute in from some other country every day ?

2. What "deductions and allowances" and "reductions" are you referring to ? I know of some which can reduce the amount of income tax payable in Thailand, but not of any which might result in a credit (cash coming back to you).

3. I gather that you are an American. As a non-American myself I am not the best-informed on this issue, but I understand that for American citizens, there is some process where you may be able to apply to have Thai income tax refunded to you; however my understanding is that you have to pay the Thai income tax first, and then apply to have it refunded to you. (Thai employers can hardly be expected to apply one method for Americans, and another for other foreigners.)

4. Of note, since you state that you are a teacher: Thai income tax is due March 31 of each year, for the preceding calendar year. If you are on an annual contract that has some other end-date, that is irrelevant.

An awfully hard question to answer because it is so broad, but here are some general comments/guidelines:

- banks - normally 8:30 - 3:30, Mon. Fri.

- Govt. offices 8:30 - 4:30, M.-F.

- Post offices - 8:30 - 5:00, M - F, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon Sat.

- Private sector professional offfices - generally, they open and close later than what I was used to in my home country (Canada). There it was usually 8:00 - 4:00, or 8:30 - 4:30. Here it is later, even as late as 10:00 - 6:00, for places that work an 8 hour day.

- large Shopping Malls: approx. 10:30 - 9:00 p.m., but individual stores seem to have the freedom to close earlier if they wish. And, someMalls don't evenn open their doors until 11:00 a.m.

-neighbourhood Big "C", Tesco-Lotus, and similar stores: generally 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.

- street side small stores: generally 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. In most cases the owners lives on the premises. After dinner, they may be relaxing in the back somewhere, but will come out to serve customers on demand.

If coming in from out of town, allow plenty of time for Bangkok traffic jams, and don't rely on doing business with anyone just before the close their doors.

I have not done this exact trip myself, so this is an educated guess:

I think that unless you want to return to Bangkok, you are going to have to go from Pattaya - Rayong - Chantaburi - Trat, changing buses at each place. This would not be as bad as it sounds, local bus service in Thailand is very frequent, from about 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

From Trat, you need to take a songthaew (pick-up truck with bench seating in the back) to Laem Ngop, then a ferry to Gaw Chang.

This part may be dated information, so my apologies if the situation has been corrected: I have heard reports of unscrupulous Thai's, with an official looking stand set up on the pier at Laem Ngop, selling farangs "boat tickets" which are either greatly inflated in price, if not completely worthless. Watch whatever the Thai people making the trip are doing, and do the same as them. I am sure that you can buy your ticket at the last second as you board the boat. It is rush seating, with no reservation required.

Sorry, I don't have a direct answer to your question, but here is what I would do if I were you:

Take a bus from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal to Amphoe Muang, Nakhon Pathom (Nakhon Pathom City). Stay on the bus until it gets to the Nakhon Pathom Bus Terminal (baw-khaw-saw in Thai). Here, I am referring to the bus terminal which is southeast of the town centre. I am NOT referring to the main downtown bus stop, which is just north of the chedi.

I presume that if you ask around the bus terminal, you will be directed to whatever transportation goes to your destination. Presumably there is a local bus or songthaew (pick-up truck with bench seating) service.

Unless your Thai is quite good, it would probably be advisable to have your exact destination written in Thai if possible.

Try this website: www.dnp.go.th

I am type B - (negative). Reply here if I can be of any assistance. I will check back here at about 3:00 - 3:30 p.m today, April 28. Or, leave me a Private Message, if you can make that function work for you.