Hi. I am over a 50 + ex-pat highly skilled in my field but with not enough money to retire. I came over here on a double entry 2 month visa enabling me to look for employment or a JV. I do not speak Thai .

A young ex-pat who resides here and is fluent in Thai - has businesses and properties, and wants to go into a specialised Joint Venture with me. He says he will put me on his Co books as an employee at a salary of 50,000 Baht a month [Which I wont actually get though] and this will entitle me to get a 1 year visa [renewable].

As this raises some Qs I ask for advice:

1. What happens if we have a falling out within the 1st - or subsequent years - and I choose to terminate the JV - does my visa automatically expire - or can I stay on until the visa runs its course?
   
2. If he chooses to be nasty can he have me deported? Or would that create problems for him?
   
3. What is my Income Tax situation on the bogus salary of 50,000Baht officially shown. Am I liable to pay tax on money I dont get?
   
4. Is he committing an offence by reflecting a bogus salary?
   
5. Is it serious enough for him to get into real trouble - or can he 'buy' his way out?
   
6. If he tries to make trouble for me revoking my visa [Can he do that or is that up to Immigration]?
   
7. If he tries to make life difficult for me, do I have any recourse?
   
8. Can I complain to Immigration, Inland Revenue, my Embassy and or the newspapers.
   

Any sound advice is appreciated

1. That is an extension of stay not a visa - and will require paperwork that is not available for start up company. You will not receive an extension of stay for a least a year (unless he is putting you on an established company). Once you have the extension of stay it ends the day your work ends.

2. No. Unless you work without a work permit.

3. Yes you must pay tax on it.

4. Yes - but it is likely to be you who pays the price if found out (fraud in your extension of stay paperwork).

5. It is usually the end user that takes the fall.

6. He does have you on extension of stay - on a 90 day visa entry he can do nothing.

7. Leave before it comes to that.

8. Sure you can - but it is not likely to have any effect.

Above said different answers can be no less valid - situations can change greatly; and so can results.

If you have a Visa obtained from a Thai Consulate you can continue to stay until it expires.

If you have an Extension from Immigration based on employment it is void on the day you finish work.

You also need a Work Permit to work.