Do I need work permit to brings salesman samples?

[Elkski]

I've been concerned with two things about my plan to retire in Thailand.  I'm only 58 in July so I worry about being bored.  I also worry about the heat.  I've lived in Colorado and Utah most of my life.  I also worry about traffic dangers, govt and many other things but that is out of my control.  

I recently had an idea of a product for the building industry that has no presence I Thailand.   I have one interested, relavant person to show this concept to.   Could I get in trouble bringing salesman samples yo Thailand to show to this person or other relavant individuals without getting into trouble?  At this time I'm just wanting to guage the interest and demand.     

[ubonjoe]

You would not need a work permit to bring them into the country. 

The problem you could have is with customs to declare them and pay duty. See: http://en.customs.go.th/content.php?ini_content=arriving_in_thailand&lang=en&left_menu=menu_arriving_in_thailand

[Cranky]

You worry too much to live here.

[jenny2017]

8 minutes ago, Cranky said:

You worry too much to live here.

He might have to introduce certain items to customers....

[manhood]

I would not worry too much to bring in samples ......

[overherebc]

2 minutes ago, manhood said:

I would not worry too much to bring in samples ......

If they are good samples they will be getting made in China two weeks later and no matter what visa you come in on.

[Elkski]

So samples are ok but the 10 coach purses and 20 Levi's might cost me some tax?

[ubonjoe]

3 minutes ago, Elkski said:

So samples are ok but the 10 coach purses and 20 Levi's might cost me some tax?

You could have to pay tax if the samples have a value greater than 20k baht.

[khunPer]

17 hours ago, Elkski said:

I've been concerned with two things about my plan to retire in Thailand.  I'm only 58 in July so I worry about being bored.  I also worry about the heat.  I've lived in Colorado and Utah most of my life.  I also worry about traffic dangers, govt and many other things but that is out of my control.

If it can help you not to worry too much, then I can tell you that I was 57 when I officially retired in LoS – after already been living here the best part of a year – and 12 later after I still have no regret of my decision.

 

Being bored, is a question of finding some new interests or hobbies. Before my early retirement I was self-employed, with all that takes of so many work hours, that "free-time" and "holiday" were non-existing words in my directory. When I finally decided to move here, I began to do all that I always wished to do, but never had found time for. Today I cannot understand I ever had time to work...

 

About the heat; well I worried more about "the cold", coming from a Scandinavian country with, in my opinion, bitterly cold winters, and almost never really warm summers. After having experienced both Chiang Mai and rural Isaan during winter, I really worried about "cold" in Thailand, however realizing that the same places could be boiling hot in summer-time. I found my "paradise" in the Southern coastal part, where it's never too cold, not too hot; believe it's a question of checking various locations before one decide to settle.

 

Traffic can be a problem with Thailand hitting a No. 1 position with most fatal accidents per capital, but again it might be depending of where one decides to live – an rural Isaan village may not be that dangerous, if one takes little care; but then there's the heat, not to forget the bitterly cold part of the year. Unfortunately the place with the pleasant temperatures, where I decided to stay, has the worst statistics by all places for traffic accidents. However I've been driving here, and other parts of Thailand, 15+ years, and survived; I'll say: If you are awake and aware, you should not worry that much.

 

Government, and other things out of control? Yes, we're all dependent of whatever regulations and rules are set for aliens and foreigner's extended stay based on something, for example retirement; but on the other hand, those of us that provides to the country as "quality guests", the authorities most probably don't wish to get rid of. I mean those of us having the proper financial requirements, and contributing by spending some money, or even investing in something (including a condo or house), and not breaking laws, or working without permission, we will most likely be welcomed, also in the future. Always keep some little extra money set aside – or don't stop saving up some – as one day the requirements will for sure rise, so the 800k baht or 65k bah a month, or combination, for retirement will become a higer amount; and some level of cash is also always nice to have in Thailand, just in case something unforeseen happens. Furthermore, keep some of the savings abroad or "home", also just in case.

 

My best advise is to come on a 2-3 month trial period – or a number of them – get around and see various potential parts of the nation, and try to stay sometime each place of interest, which could be just a week or even several month, to learn about local possibilities, and what life-style you can expect, including if you get bored.

 

Wish you good luck with your plans for early retirement in LoS...