TravelerEastWest

Go with a CPA more reliable and less expensive

A while back they were talking about new contracts for home owners (not a business).

Do any currently exist?

On 12/16/2018 at 8:08 AM, Hanuman2547 said:

"None of the big international schools, ISB, NIST, Pattana are worth the money.  Now let me rephrase that.  If your company is paying for your child's education then those are the schools to attend.  Paying for it yourself and you are not getting your moneys worth.  ISB attempts to model after a typical American public school.  They actually do it very well.  Good teachers and staff........but, if you were in the USA you would get this same type of education for free.  So there is the problem.  Return to the USA and have free education, or pay exorbitant fees in Bangkok? 

..."

 

2

On 12/16/2018 at 8:08 AM, Hanuman2547 said:

 

      

Not accurate at all to say that good schools are free back home - I went to a public high school in Marin county just outside of SF a very expensive county - lots of foreign languages, full AP class selection, full sports including sailing, tennis etc., but the school was funded with local property taxes which were high. So most certainly not free.

The school that my kids go to now is roughly the same quality although no sailing team... but the golf program is very good.

You get what you pay for if you are lucky...

The best international schools in Thailand are good and from what I can see less expensive than similar schools back home. I have taught back home a long time ago so I have a good understanding of what a good school is.

So the only question is can you pay the fees? If not consider going home for the sake of the kids unless you can't afford that then make the best of local schools and supplement with tutoring as needed.

Your dog photos are great thanks for posting.

He looks different when in the water - I thought he was a long haired GSD but in the bottom photo, he looks like a normal short haired GSD.

Of course you can defend yourself and your dog if need be.

Your dog is very young still, when he is two years old I think the Thai dogs will always run away. Being close to your dog now as in your photo is great he will be close to you and your family and protect you later.

I walk my GSD daily on a village road and local dogs like to growl but my dog is much larger and not scared at all of anything including buffalos and bulls etc - which is not always good...

I keep him on a leash when outside to protect others - he is an angel with the family but will chase cats or dogs that bark at him etc.

I am in awe of those who are so good at training their dogs that they won't chase a cat and will listen 100% at all times. I am not willing to take a chance and as a courtesy I make him sit when someone walks by as he is large and scares people who are not used to a GSD.

2 hours ago, Spidey said:

Finding a qualified person is the problem in Thailand. I and 3 different members of my family have had treatment at Bangkok hospital, none of us were asked what medication we were on. Our treatment was better than anywhere else in Thailand but fell short of UK standards.

 

This article is unhelpful and, in practice, incorrect.

I respect your opinion but disagree - the article is quite helpful and is correct. But I am not a health professional so my thoughts are not important...

I use Bangkok hospital in Chiang Mai and they are usually very good about asking about allergies and they check on the computer what drugs you are taking. Sorry to hear that you are not getting good service. Since this is Thailand and all is not as back home - I make a note to be sure to both mention any other drugs being taken and to question any drugs suggested.

In some ways, medical care in Thailand is far better than in the West - example you can quickly see a specialist and spend as much time as you need instead of being rushed out the door. So you have plenty of time to confirm that your doctor knows what you are taking. Even though doctors here at private hospitals tend to speak English sometimes there are communication challenges...

1 hour ago, Spidey said:

The bulk of this article reads like it was originally published in the US. Completely inapplicable for Thailand and contains scaremongering inaccuracies.

 

If you are prescribed a statin and it causes leg cramps, the doctor will change your statin for your comfort, not because it may harm you.

 

Paracetamol is the recommended (by proper doctors) painkiller if you are on blood thinning drugs. Aspirin is to be avoided if you are on blood thinners.

 

I have, on occasion, purchased drugs that would require a doctor's prescription, in the West, and can have interactions with other drugs, in Thai pharmacies. I have never been asked which drugs I normally take. I take 5 prescription drugs every day. Even at Bangkok hospital, I have never been asked what medication I take before having medication prescribed/administered.

 

Two excellent sources of information on drug interactions are readily available, the leaflet that should come with your medication and the internet. I use NHS online, informative, accurate and unbiased.

 

Take the advice of a pharmacist/doctor/nurse in Thailand? At your peril.

I think Doctors at Bangkok hospital (and all good ones), scan your records before prescribing drugs - my experience - maybe not yours. 

Having a qualified person advise on drug use and interactions is always a good idea. Even for a doctor. Current medical ethics policy is for doctors to not even treat their family - way beyond not treating themselves.

I read online and sometimes look at the small pieces of paper that come with drugs but I am not a doctor and would not even dream that I am qualified to know in depth what interactions to be concerned about - but I still research and learn and review carefully what my doctor says and sometimes I don't agree...

In summary, the article is very good and in theory correct.

Plus you need a notarized form - $50? at the US consulate?

the seeds mostly work but you have to plant in the correct season example cauliflower only in the winter

Maybe they used to have indigo because I bought some from them last year.

You can always order online from America

I usually order from rareseeds.com via registered airmail about 4 weeks and if you keep it below $40  or so no tax

My wife has 3 rai (chanote) of agriculture-zoned land next to ricefields on two sides road in the front and someone's house on one side.

There is a cottage, workshop and office there with 3 phase electricity, Internet connection etc.

The land has been organically farmed for around 6 years and has a mixed group of fruit trees the usual: Mango, banana, lemons, jackfruit, avocado etc.

I am trying to find the best use for the land.

Example rice farming is out (not suitable and no money there) Fruit trees are OK but not so exciting.

I could buy a fruit dryer and dry the fruit for resale/

I could set up an OTOP style craft workshop (the building is already there ready to go) (not a factory with heavy machines)

What else am I allowed to do in an agriculture zoned area?

Restaurant?

Grocery store?

Apartment building?

All ideas appreciated!

28 minutes ago, Horace said:

 

A director may or may not be involved in the day to day operations of a company.  This is why I think this new work permit rule is confusing.  Does it cover (a) only the activities that a person performs as a director (i.e., attending board meetings, singing documents) or (b) does it also cover day to day management of the company.  The latter is generally considered work, and I can't tell if the latter is still subject to the work permit requirement.  And I wouldn't base my decision about this on something Sunbelt publishes on their website.

Exactly - I am seeking real-life examples.

A director can be on a board but I really hope that directors are working and very hard at that...

Directors can also be department heads such as marketing director.

For myself, a work permit is not an issue as I get them every two years and pay someone a fee to do all the paperwork - very easy.

But not having Thai shareholders could be a useful planning tool.

2 hours ago, overherebc said:

Many restrictions as well on what the company can do in the way of busines.

Google

Amity Treaty Rquirements.

Cannot own land

Cannot be involved in transport, agriculture, comm's plus plus.

Seems it really just makes it easier for an established USA Company to open a branch office in Thailand provided it's business is not on the restricted list.

Yes the no land part is not good.

2 hours ago, ubonjoe said:

That is not correct. The Amity treaty only allows a person to own 100% of the company.

Not sure about that per Sunbelt work permits are no longer needed for the labor/employment department

https://www.sunbeltasia.com/amity-treaty-americans-can-qualify-for-no-work-permit?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4pGYlLSE3QIVWUkrCh36zQqgEAEYASAAEgJISfD_BwE

But I am not sure which is why I am looking for real life examples.

I read with interest the reports of Americans using the Amity treaty not needing work permits currently.

Any real life experiences out there?

You are getting good advice.

You could own the house but not the land.

You could perhaps get the lifetime or longterm use of the land by going to an experienced or trustworthy lawyer.

Maybe if you had a BOI large investment you could buy some land.

But not many legal options to own the land.

If you had used DHL for example you simply provide a new invoice and they submit it for you - done.

With the post office the idea is the same but you need to do everything yourself.

You need to document the correct duty rate and get an adjustment made.

You can do it but it will take time an energy.

So it sounds like you are being overcharged about 4000 baht.

Is the time and energy worth it?

Good luck!

On 8/15/2018 at 11:01 PM, bfc1980 said:

I'm sorry but that is not true. Proper international schools are rigorously audited by external inspectors from organisations such as EDT, Cfbt, ISQM, ONESCA etc. Having just been through and EDT inspection where we received an outstanding judgement, I can say that no stone is left unturned in their inspection process. In fact, it is the same or more rigorous than an Ofsted inspection from the UK. The inspectors themselves are Ofsted inspectors highly experienced and very well respected in their fields. 

 

Probably the "international school" you're referring to is not a proper one and as such you shouldn't tarnish all international schools with the same brush. So long as your own children don't go to that school, stop stressing and enjoy life. 

 

A "proper" International school is one which has a high percentage of expat children, invests in their teachers through CPD and pays their teachers very well to attract the very best (starting salary of at least 100k baht per month increasing for each year of experience, housing allowance on top of the monthly salary, additional pay for extra responsibilities, international medical insurance that covers pre existing conditions and all illnesses, pregnancy and diseases for teacher and all dependents, flight allowance each year for teacher and all dependents, 1 or 2 month bonus each year, relocation allowance at the beginning and end of contract and free tuition fees for their children. 

 

Therefore, for a teacher with around 10 years of experience a wife and 2 kids, the benefits package in total is easily worth well in excess of 200k baht per month. 

Correct.

41 minutes ago, atyclb said:

 

 

100K thai baht (3k usd) . or 100K eu or usd ??  

 

 

"average teacher salary in America (non-starting) is $58,950."      https://www.niche.com/blog/teacher-salaries-in-america/

I think you are correct that if you compare salaries straight across American salaries are higher.

But as you know salaries vary quite a bit in America - because of the cost of living.

So if we take that into account Thai top International schools are probably paying a similar amount to American schools.

But doing a bit of online research the top schools pay 150,000+ baht per month plus perks plus a lower cost of living so actually the best teachers may be getting more money in Thailand plus of course the travel experience

https://tastythailand.com/whats-the-salary-at-a-bangkok-thailand-international-school/

6 hours ago, My Thai Life said:

Re my earler post. I was wrong about the price being for organic longans - apparently there is no market for organic, so we sell them at the regular price. If buyers are paying slightly more in our area, it's possibly because a lot of local farmers cleared their longan trees a few years ago, so the local supply is lower.

Thank you!

China apparently will pay extra for organic longan - so there are some options for next year...

2 minutes ago, My Thai Life said:

- On the branch

- Depends who we sell to

- Local

So you are getting more than us as we get that price of the branch.

I don't know how to get more or sell on the branch now as we have thousands of kilos more than the local market needs...

Next year I will try to pre sell.

1 hour ago, My Thai Life said:

Our organic longans are at 24 baht per kilo for a volume sale. Two years ago they were 41 baht per kilo.

1 hour ago, My Thai Life said:

 

Is that on the branch?

And are you getting an organic price or do they not care?

Selling local or for export?

Your situation sounds very simple - just pay tax in Thailand and show proof upon audit to your home country.

Example I work and pay tax in Thailand - I can get a credit on my home country tax - not as good as your situation but similar.

Note CPAs are not expensive here - you don't need a lawyer.