TravelerEastWest

"Your kids would refer to your wife as mother. I refer to my MIL as mother as well."

I may not have been clear I am asking what my childern call women who in this case are staff but could be friends etc. in Thai Na or Pa?

Where I am older than my wife.

So if the title is in reference to myself my age will determine Na or Pa.

If in reference to my younger wife her age willd determine Na or Pa.

Currently my wife uses her age as the reference apparently with the logic that she is Thai - which seems strange hence this post for a better understanding.

Since it your own thread, you can sidetrack it!

The P in Pa (aunt) and Ping (the river) is an unaspirated unvoiced P. The nearest to it in English is the p in 'spy'. It is not a b.

Thank you!

it would be more appropriate with your friends. For example. your best friend Jimmy comes to visit and you introduce him to your child as "Uncle Jimmy".

So if Jimmy were younger than you he would be Ah Jimmy. Older; Loong Jimmy.

Sounds good.

Now what if the relationship is equal? As in my wife and I work togther in the family business? (This is the actual case)

Do my children use my wife's age or my age as the reference point?

Also I have a problem with P an B in Thai I often get confused.

As another refernce point what do you call the River in Chiang Mai - Ping or Bing?

No, if those women are her friends and not your friend, your age is irrelevant.

If they're both, then it may be more complicated.

Actually, most of the time it is our staff.

And my real question is what my children should say?

Up to now the wife always uses her age as the deciding factor.

In an amusing old -fashioned way I feel a man's home is his castle (smiling) and my age should be taken into consideration for staff and aquaintances - for actual family we can use my wife's point of view.

I have two small children who speak Thai and a Thai wife she always uses na or pa in relation to her age when introducing women to my children.

So if a women is older than her she will use pa even though I am older than my wife and often older than the women introduced as Pa.

So my question is when is my age (instead of my wife's younger age) used as a reference point in Thai language for na and pa?

I would recommend concentrating on a business (or businesses) in which you already have solid experience back home.

Setting up a new business in a new country is difficult, setting up a new business in a new country and a new industry is very difficult.

I have shared my experiences here before.

I tried to start a biz based on what I was doing very well at in the UK....it tanked.

I then tried my hand at 3 other businesses here that I had never had any experience in , all failed

So I decided to keep the rest of my cash offshore earning interest.

I was lucky that I did not commit more than a couple of million baht to these ventures, if I had continued to throw good money after bad I would be broke by now.

If I had the chance to do it again I would go down the 7/11 route, but I have been so put off with rules and regulations here that I am past bothering.

So my advice would be that unless you absolutley MUST earn a living here don't bother trying, I know some will say that's a very negative approach, but I am just sharing my experiences, It's obviously up to the OP to make a decision for himself, but as previously said stay away from Internet cafe's (which are getting even less business these days with the arrival of smart phones) and coffee shops, I have lost count of the number of them that I have seen come and go here in Chiang Mai.

But good luck to you if you go for something

Counteropinion: if you can work as hard as the locals then setting up a business is worthwhile, though you may not have the support network that locals may have as well as the language/cultural obstacles, it is acheivable.

You have some good advice above.

1) Be an experienced businessperson

2) Learn the language and culture

3) Work long hours

With the above three points you will probably do well.

If you happen to have a company with annual audits, tazes paid, Thai employees and a real business thats make a profit and so on...

I think you should be able to buy land through the company without a problem.

Andre47,

Even though you didn't write that article you did a good job of researching - good work.

a usufruct is not for a limited time but for life.

Although the Thai law does not necessarily prohibit usufruct for foreigners, the final decision to grant a usufruct is up to the discretion of the Land Department official.

An important consideration for a foreigner involved as well as the Land Department official is whether the usufruct is being used to circumvent the law forbidding the transfer of real estate ownership for non-Thai citizens. Usufruct, pursuant to the language of the Thai law, is primarily intended for various commercial enterprises, such as agriculture, mining, and stone collection.

According to Thai law, the right to reside on property pursuant to a usufruct is not expressly stated. However, this right is generally assumed to be included within the right to a usufruct within the right to occupy.

The types of activities that are expressly referred to in the Thai law include obtaining the fruits of the land, mining, forestry and masonry. What is important to note is that all of these occupations are expressly prohibited to foreigners pursuant to the Foreign Business Act B.E. 2542 (A.D. 1999)

Accordingly, since a foreigner would not be allowed to participate in these business activities, the only remaining activity would be the right to occupy. The right to occupy would include the right to reside on the property. Nevertheless, if a foreigner is to use a usufruct for solely the right to occupy or reside on the property, and not for the expressed commercial activities as stated by the Thai law, it is conceivable that the Land Department official may decide that the usufruct is being used to circumvent the law and advise that the foreigner should register a right of habitation, which is a separate right, rather than the usufruct.

Andre47,

I do not read Thai so I can't say if your underlying statements of Thai law are correct, but I can say that your thoughts are clear and logical and refreshing, and are far and away the best on the subject of Thai usufruct that I have read anywhere.

Thank you very much for your post - are you a lawyer or accountant by chance?

PS I just remembered that in America "... is primarily intended for..." is typically best found by looking at legislative history.

As an example American tax law will often be a statute, explained by a more complete IRS regulation which is typically not as strong as a legislative regulation - in cases where the regulation is not clear reference to what Congress intended by looking at their various meetings before the law was created can help clarify the meaning of the regulation or statute.

Is the above how you found the intent of the Thai law? Or some other way - I am very interested as I am a novice when it comes to Thai law.

Starting with the flooding last year most applications have required more than the previous 30 days (it used to be about 45 days normal) so it seems they have started to make allowance for this and don't require you to come back only to be told come again next week/month as has been happening all too often.

This makes sense - thank you.

"Did you do your extension 30 days early? Most immigration offices start the 30 day period on the date your permit to stay is going to run out. Meaning every day you apply early is added onto the normal 30 days."

Yes, I did my extension 30 days early (for many years in Bangkok) - but in the past it was always come back in 30 days - even after the floods.

Non Imm O 60 days until new extension why?

I recently did my annual Non Imm O 60 days extension which usually is finished in 30 days; this time my time to finish and pick up the extension is in 60 days.

Is this something new?

(Note I am in Chiang Mai not in Bangkok where i was before.)

In any event, you need to label Compass Bank as "history."

Compass bank service has been going downhill since they were bought by another bank. Maybe I do need to replace them.

Meanwhile I do have an account at Schwab which I rarely use - maybe its time to start using them on a regular basis. I can say one thing they are very polite on the phone, and I think they do ACH transactions without a fee.

"the OP is a EU citizen and carries a U.S. green card. where's the citizenship to give up for tax reasons?"

The OP never said that he had a US citizenship but with a Green card it can often be very easy to get citizenship and he was wondering what the benefits might be.

Wondering about the benefits of American citizenship is always a good thing and something many people do; taxation-wise American citizenship is probably not a good thing overseas but you never know - you need to research.

For example as you probably well know America has S-corps and Thailand does not. When your business has elected S-corp status you only have one level of taxation not two as in most corporations. Paying taxes in America and not remitting funds to Thailand could be a good plan - remember tax brackets in America are more favorable in the low ends compared to Thailand. No one knows about the future ....

I know very little about Hong Kong but again it sounds interesting.

I have an update - Compass Bank is not helpful with ACH outward transfers and while I do have a free once a month wire transfer I can't use it as you need to go into the bank to set it up and I am in Thailand.

My current Compass Bank ACH transactions that work well were all setup from outside Compass. Example the money is pulled from Compass by Vanguard.

I wonder if there is a way to request an ACH transaction from My Bangkok Bank account in Thailand or their branch in New York?

no offence meant, but the three out of five of the OP's questions are not only naïve but demonstrate broad-based ignorance.

"Worth to get usa citizenship if living in Thailand?"

"Or better to go to Hongkong where it s tax free and live in Thailand?"

"I hear you of this guy of Google went to Hong Kong and resigned his Us citizenship!"

it's clearly a waste of time answering these questions!

Naam,

No offense meant (I like most of your posts very much) - but the questions are good ones.

Resigning US citizenship for tax reasons is a very interesting question as it is not as easy as commonly thought - you are quite likely to get a very large tax bill as a part of the process (If you are a high net worth individual especially)

I am not sure how the Hong Kong question would work out but it certainly is something to think about depending on personal situations.

'Thai culture has many different influences. As far as beliefs go, educated or not, many here are brought up with the belief of magical items, ghosts, spells, the odd curse, etc. Just ask a Thai, any Thai, and you'll find out much of what you want to know. "

Yes, I understand the Thai beliefs but to me they are without any basis in reality - so I am curious as to what the Buddha said on the subject.

It's bad luck if the shape of the land is in that of a pig, but not so bad to nickname your son or daughter 'pig' (it helps keep the spirits away).

A very good point - smiling...

"non-Canonical scriptures and Jatakas written in Thailand that contain all manner of supernatural happenings. There are also historical "chronicles" that have the Buddha walking all over northern Thailand - with the god Indra or King Ashoka - leaving hair relics, making predictions and building chedis."

My point exactly - myths not the calm and focused word of Buddha.

The problem is that emotion backed responses of those who believe in myths....

Buddhism and Magic a Thai Perspective:

I was amazed to hear yesterday from a Thai person that the Buddha believed in magic, spirist and ghosts.

The conversation revolved around a possible land purchase that was going to be canceled because the land looked like a pig in two places which supposedly brings bad luck. (Note the land was priced below market)

I was astounded to hear this from an educated person who then backed up the discussion by saying Buddha believed in magic - ghosts spirits bad luck etc.

So my question is: Did the Buddha belive in magic, bad luck if you bought land with a pig shape and so on?

My readings of Buddhism growing up in California do not support this - but who knows maybe I was missing something?

If you would like to throw in some suggested cultural diplomacy - that would be a bonus.

The mountain above the market where the temple is is between AIS and the land AIS is not possible. I am not sure about True.

Interestingly it turns out that running a TOT wire is not expensive. 300 meters free and then 7 baht a meter - so there may be a TOT connection possible.

I have to see how far away the DSL repeater is.

Thank you for the information.

I see few houses and no phone lines in the area that I am interested in.

My wife spoke to a few people and no one had a TOT phone or internet in the area.

I don't suppose it is possible that the phone lines on a country road could be underground? (joking)

Has anyone tried AIS Internet in Doi Saket?

This would be around 1 kilometer past the Tessabon office where there does not seem to be any broadband available.

Note I would only need the AIS Internet for email.

I have 3BB premier 5 down 1 up for 2500 a month and an annual prepay which brings it down to 2300 a month.

I used to have a trye 16 or 20 down plan and it was not good enough for Vonage and uploading large photo files movies etc.

When I switched to 3BB premier my problems went away and never came back. As long as it is available to me I won't switch but i am moving next year....

I logged into my Compass account but did not see a ACH transfer tab - only normal account to account tabs. So I mailed the bank for help.

Traveler, in the previous thread that you linked, above, you said this:

Currently I transfer via ACH from my US checking account to my US Vangard fund account with no fee.

Apparently, that wasn't Compass Bank. Looks like you took a step backwards.

Jim,

It was some time ago but as I recall with my Vanguard fund account the ACH was setup on the Vanguard side which was then approved by Compass. All done online as I recall with no fees. and I make fund purchases regularly vua ACH from Compass to Vanguard.

Langsuan Man,

Thank you for the link. I have a commercial account so that is not a challenge

The fees part is always interesting - in the past everything was basically free and now the fees are going up.

I am already making ACH transfers so I assume I am safe from the $50 setup fee. The $1 transaction fee is OK if it all can be done smoothly on the internet.

ACH Payment Service (Available only on commercial accounts)

• Set-up fee
  
• Usage Fee
  
• Returned Item Fee
  

• $50 / account set-up
  
• $1 / ACH payment
  
• $3 / returned item
  

Jingthing,

Your practical advice is much appreciated.

Mania,

Thank you for the link.

Maxman71,

Thank you for the information.

Some time has gone by so I am strating a new thread - here is the old one:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/575737-bangkok-bank-new-york-transfer/

First, a big thank you to Jim Gant.

Next, I opened a BBK Bank savings account the other day.

I tried to get ACH info to New York BBK from the local BBK staff person but they were dizzy and could not understand me - ditto for their phone call to two people at the head office.

Then I returned to the above thread and found a perfectly clear link to the BBK bank ACH transfer method.

I need to set up the ACH transfer now with my US bank (Compass Bank).

I logged into my Compass account but did not see a ACH transfer tab - only normal account to account tabs. So I mailed the bank for help.

Lets see what they say next week.

I am looking forward to the simplicty of this new transfer method.

Get to another hospital for a 2nd opinion ASAP. Sripat at CMU would be an excellent choice. Not as fancy as RAM but there are many good docs there. Ask/demand to see a senior Professor of Neurology for a 2nd opinion.

Best of luck.

This is excellent, grade A advice.

Don`t waste any more time at the Ram, and obtain a proper diagnoses before the situation becomes any worse.

Really, the thread could have ended here...

Absolutely right, but let me add a PS. CM Ram is grossly overpriced on everything they do, especially since they were taken over recently by Bangkok Hospital. (I invite them to defend themselves against this here and now). They will not, of course!

Despite going there some years back after a m/cyc accident with a broken collar bone and 4 broken ribs (the latter being 'invisible' on their x-ray) and sent home in (increasing) agony, I trusted them with my 3 year old sons sudden soaring temperature. Twice. Fool me, huh?

First time there was 2,000b on the bill they couldn't explain, 2nd time, 4,000b. And NO diagnosis!!

The 3rd and last time it happened we took him to Rajavej (opposite Holiday Inn on the river). Excellent, intelligent, treatment and diagnosis and NO hidden charges!

In 17 years in CM I have never heard a single credible complaint about Rajavej.

Your decision(s)!

Interesting post - I recently went to Rajavej and was over charged on two visits once for medical supplies that were not used and once for a set of Xrays that were not taken.

I also had a poor diagnosis of my problem - was given antibiotics when it turned out that I had an allergy only - found this out at Ram.

I spoke to the English speaking nurse who helps non Thai speakers at Rajavej about the numerous errors and she thoughtfully said that it wasn't really the hospital it was Thailand - I tend to agree with her. Although actually hospitals and large clinics everywhere make mistakes.

Note I also took my young daughter to Rajavej for an ear problem on a saturday and she received very good and fast care.

In Bangkok I mostly buy books with a discount card from Asia books and sometimes on sale.

For used books I have on occasion bought books from small book stores on Sukhumvit prices not cheap but OK for books that I wanted.

In Chiang Mai I find the used book stores much nicer than what I saw in Bangkok - better selection - better books - nicer stores - mostly friendly staff but some that are bored.

Pricing is slightly higher than what I would like to pay in a used book store but many of the books are basically like new - maybe overstock?

Near Tae Pae gate there are a number of used book stores that are walking distance frome each other - which makes for a very nice shopping experience far better than Bangkok.

I have a feeling that between high rent and keeping a large inventory they don't make a large profit.

Personally I am very happy to support small independent bookstores - if the price was much lower something would have to give - going out of business, smaller inventory, less staff etc...

Now I could be wrong - maybe small book stores are very profitable these days but I don't think so....

If someone has first hand experience of highly profitable small book stores I would love to hear about it.

I know that in America book store salaries have historically been low and the trend is for book stores to go out of business (large and small)

They get you to draw a map but never had a visit in 8 years.

Guessing they nip upstairs and take a look at the wardrobe (bureau). Keep an eye on em.

Sounds about right - thanks everyone for the quick answers.