True Needs Work Permit

[meadish_sweetball]

Had the same problem.  I'm a full-time student and just tried the same thing...on the 18th .  "Cannot" was the answer.  "Full-time student visa?"  "Cannot." "Pay 1 year in advance?"  "Cannot."  "Register in the apartment Owner's name?" Owner: "Cannot."  "Router with my next-door Thai-buddy, split the bill, buy 45 baht cable and give him 200 baht each month for any hassle?" 

"DAI!"

My advice for newbies:

One thing I have learned from living in Thailand is that if the answer you are given at one place does not suit you, ask the same question somewhere else (another person, another office, another company). Sooner or later you will find what you need. This goes for banking needs as well as other things. If one bank office turns you down, try another, and keep going until you hit one that can provide you with the service you need.

As a westerner you expect the same rules to apply to everybody, on all occasions. This is not how it works here. For better, and for worse.

Remember to smile, keep calm and balanced, do not raise your voice and, important, dress smartly - ironed shirt and trousers for bank visits will get you a lot further than jeans and t-shirt.

[pal78]

Internet banking services requiring work permits is understandable. It is proof that you'll be working here, and might stay longer than a few months. With Internet banking you could transfer money from one account to another without being in the country. The requirements for setting up internet banking with my bank in Ireland are probably similar. I think it wouldn't be favorable to have people living outside the state transferring money around in Irish banks from the comfort of their homes. I think that requiring a WP for this sort of thing is reasonable.

Also, I've opened accounts in several Thai banks and all of them asked me if I had a work permit when I said I didn't they looked less happy about it but eventually allowed me to open the accounts. I think part of it is that the WP links you to a company where they can find you if there are problems. I don't know.

Regarding the ADSL issue, I don't buy the 5-10% defaulting rate as a valid reason, and it's more likely to be something to do with the fact that people can do a lot of work on the internet with a high-speed internet connection. If you don't have a work permit this sort of work is probably illegal. The thinking is probably something along these lines. And if you're not using ADSL for work, what are you using it for? Downloading illegal music, viewing porn? I don't know.. Don't tell me you need ADSL to post on Thai Visa.

[RDN]

...went to see my branch of Bangkok Bank where I opened an account last year (no work permit required just passport)

When I set up the account last year THEY did not even know their SWIFT code ...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I went to Krung Thai bank in Phuket City to transfer some money from the Head Office branch in Sukhumvit Road, to the Phuket City branch. They couldn't call their head office in Bangkok because they didn't have the number. Not only didn't have it, but also couldn't find it.

[Khutan]

Sorry, am I missing something here ?

My advice for newbies:

If you are working here - GET A WORK PERMIT

Moving on

If you are a tourist then you really don't need ADSL, as you are here on holiday.

If you are on a Non-O then most companies show alot of compassion, when you bring the Thai Citizen you are supporting.

If you have a Non-B, then you should be working, ipso-facto or by fact of this, you would have a work-permit. Before you disagree with me try reading Thai Labor Law.

My Advice, take your blue book like all the other foreign tax-payers and let them have a copy of it.

It is actually quite easy, you get a phone, internet, banking, and you can borrow money to buy a car. It is also nice to go to so many tourist places and pay the Thai price...

Paying tax (generally) is like being a member of a club. If you pay the fees, then you get the benefits. What would you think if you were a member of a club and you knew someone didn't want to pay the member subs like everyone else?

[Firefoxx]

Mattnich, not all expats living in Thailand are here to work (legally or not). Some are on the retirement visa, which, although you don't work, requires that you have some income. Some, like Mai Pai, are full time students. Others may just be on extended (very extended) sabbatical. No matter which one, they're here for quite some time, and they would want decent internet.

Not everything is clear cut, especially not in Thailand.

[Khutan]

Mattnich, not all expats living in Thailand are here to work (legally or not).  Some are on the retirement visa, which, although you don't work, requires that you have some income.  Some, like Mai Pai, are full time students.  Others may just be on extended (very extended) sabbatical.  No matter which one, they're here for quite some time, and they would want decent internet.

Not everything is clear cut, especially not in Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes of course, there are many like that. I spent quite some time here on a Non-O, doing nothing much at all.

Please bear in mind it is also very easy to get bored with those who "lurk in the shadows".

For me I am not sure what category the OP is in. Maybe he can tell us.

[mel2surf]

Guys, I am a farang,born and raised in southern Calif. Interested in Thailand,and a possible move there soon,and I enjoy reading all of your experiences.It is helpful to me as well.My question is this.I have read quite a few postings that use the term LOS ??? Is it something that needs to be uh...kind of undercover? Hope I don't ruin anything .Can someone tell me what it means?

Cheers,

Mel

[Khutan]

....Can someone tell me what it means?

Cheers,

Mel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LOS = Land Of Smiles = Thialand

Enjoy;

Matt

[mel2surf]

Got ya ! Enjoying the site.Learning alot.

....Can someone tell me what it means?

Cheers,

Mel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

LOS = Land Of Smiles = Thialand

Enjoy;

Matt

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[masterchief]

THERE IS ANOTHER OPTION,,FOR 7900BT YOU CAN BUY A GPRS MODEM FROM TELEWIS CALLED SOLOMON WHICH REQUIRES NO LAND LINE AND WORKS VERY WELL THE GREAT PART IS YOU CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU ANYWHERE. I HAVE USED THE SOLOMON FOR APPROX. 6 MONTHS NOW MAINLY DUE TO THE LOCATION WHERE I LIVE GETTING A PHONE IS OUT OF THE QUESTION AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH INTERNET. THE AIS INTERNET CARD RUNS APPROX. 900BT A MONTH FOR 450 HOURS OF TIME

[george]

Problems with your KEYBOARD??

[chuchok]

Sorry, am I missing something here ?

My advice for newbies:

If you are working here - GET A WORK PERMIT

Moving on

If you are a tourist then you really don't need ADSL, as you are here on holiday.

If you are on a Non-O then most companies show alot of compassion, when you bring the Thai Citizen you are supporting.

If you have a Non-B, then you should be working, ipso-facto or by fact of this, you would have a work-permit. Before you disagree with me try reading Thai Labor Law.

My Advice, take your blue book like all the other foreign tax-payers and let them have a copy of it.

It is actually quite easy, you get a phone, internet, banking, and you can borrow money to buy a car. It is also nice to go to so many tourist places and pay the Thai price...

Paying tax (generally) is like being a member of a club. If you pay the fees, then you get the benefits. What would you think if you were a member of a club and you knew someone didn't want to pay the member subs like everyone else?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You should try telling that to half the Thai population...

[yuyi]

...went to see my branch of Bangkok Bank where I opened an account last year (no work permit required just passport)

When I set up the account last year THEY did not even know their SWIFT code ...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I went to Krung Thai bank in Phuket City to transfer some money from the Head Office branch in Sukhumvit Road, to the Phuket City branch. They couldn't call their head office in Bangkok because they didn't have the number. Not only didn't have it, but also couldn't find it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not long ago I went to a big bank in Omaha, U.S.A., and asked for their SWIFT code. They did not know it. And then they insisted that they would not need it if I would transfer money from a foreign bank to their bank. For many hours I did try to explain them that they might not need it, but the sending bank needs it. They did not agree. Then I spoke to a manager. Polite excuse, but no, no SWIFT needed. And they would not even give it to me. I then got the SWIFT code from another fool having an account there. The manager was not able to confirm if that SWIFT code was correct.

You see, ignorance and stupid answers is not limited to Thai banks.

[The_Other_Mac]

To the person who suggested trying other offices, as I mentioned, I also called the call-centre and went to their Siam branch.

To people suggesting other ISPs - yes, those are (more expensive and slower) options. Ironically, I've had True for a while and I'm actually reasonably happy with their service compared to my experience with others...

To someone who suggested that ADSL is only for illegal activities, I point you to the rest of the world and suggest you get a life.

Mattnich, not all expats living in Thailand are here to work (legally or not).  Some are on the retirement visa, which, although you don't work, requires that you have some income.  Some, like Mai Pai, are full time students.  Others may just be on extended (very extended) sabbatical.  No matter which one, they're here for quite some time, and they would want decent internet.

Not everything is clear cut, especially not in Thailand.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes of course, there are many like that. I spent quite some time here on a Non-O, doing nothing much at all.

Please bear in mind it is also very easy to get bored with those who "lurk in the shadows".

For me I am not sure what category the OP is in. Maybe he can tell us.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As I mentioned in my first post, I am not working but have in the past. Frankly my personal circumstances beyond what I described in the first post are nobody's business but all above board, thanks. It's easy to get bored with irrelevant snide remarks.

I did not make the original post to complain about the inconvenience to me. I did it to inform others. Retirement visa won't apply to me for many years, but it's relevant to some of my friends, a large part of TV readers and I suspect there are many times more legitimate farang retirees in Thailand, than workers. Whatever about my own case, it seems pretty obvious that True should take account of all those people, who must prove their annual income every year.

I imagine farangs with student visas must prove their financial means also. People willing to make large deposits, direct debits, pre-authorised Thai credit card payments, etc are also an excellent credit risk.

[frenchFARANGbkk]

Well, first off the manager said Bangkok Bank did not have internet banking..... &lt;deleted&gt; !? I said you do cos it says you have to visit branch to set it up.... so he called HQ...... and hour later he comes back and says that they do indeed have internet banking, but has I do not have a work permit I cannot have access to Internet Banking.....

I asked if he was talking out of his arse, so he called and checked with HQ again, taking another 30 mins, and he confirmed he was right..... my wife created access to her account (opened the same day as mine!) I closed my account and off I went, will open an account elsewhere where the beaurocracy has not gone totally mad.....

I can understand to a certain extent the argument of True, but why the ###### would a bank not let you view your bank account over the internet if you do not have a Work Permit ???

Mike

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Its seems that no bank in Thailand will let you check your account on internet if you don't have a work permit. And anyway if you can do it and have a problem (pirated account, etc...) they won't be responsible for anything (and I guess they also don't want you to complain, so better not give you any access!). So nice, at least they are a little bit aware about how unsecure are their internet access...

[frenchFARANGbkk]

...went to see my branch of Bangkok Bank where I opened an account last year (no work permit required just passport)

When I set up the account last year THEY did not even know their SWIFT code ...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I went to Krung Thai bank in Phuket City to transfer some money from the Head Office branch in Sukhumvit Road, to the Phuket City branch. They couldn't call their head office in Bangkok because they didn't have the number. Not only didn't have it, but also couldn't find it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You see, ignorance and stupid answers is not limited to Thai banks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, not only Thai banks, AMERICA also! :-) 555!

- Private joke -

[frenchFARANGbkk]

THERE IS ANOTHER OPTION,,FOR 7900BT YOU CAN BUY A GPRS MODEM FROM TELEWIS CALLED SOLOMON WHICH REQUIRES NO LAND LINE AND WORKS VERY WELL THE GREAT PART IS YOU CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU ANYWHERE. I HAVE USED THE SOLOMON FOR APPROX. 6 MONTHS NOW MAINLY DUE TO THE LOCATION WHERE I LIVE GETTING A PHONE IS OUT OF THE QUESTION AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH INTERNET. THE AIS INTERNET CARD RUNS APPROX. 900BT A MONTH FOR 450 HOURS OF TIME

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, but GPRS so slow...

Something else, nobody mentionned that in the past (at least 2 years ago) TRUE already asked for a work permit to any foreigner who wanted to opened a phone line.

(or maybe just the office I visited?)

[The_Other_Mac]

Its seems that no bank in Thailand will let you check your account on internet if you don't have a work permit.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That one is a law rather than the decision of the bank, and should apply to any bank. I suspect it's an anti-money laundering thing, possibly to comply with tighter international laws after 9/11. I'm not sure of the logic, but I think they're more concerned with you making hard-to-trace transfers from outside the country, than just checking the balance. Whether the law or international regulation makes sense, is another question....

A retirement visa is also acceptable for that (at least with Bangkok Bank). I don't know about others.

[sneef]

I got my CSLoxinfo without even showing any ID.

I filled out the form on the net, they rang the next day... and came round a week later set me up, i paid in cash to the tech and he left.

I have heard nothing but bad news about True... and i know they own Orange for mobile phones and that is not a good carrier.

I have been extremely happy with my 2MB CSLoxinfo ADSL for 1200/month.

Sneef

[yuyi]

sorry, double post, GPRS is so slow and full of timeouts again today

Edited May 1, 2005 by yuyi

[falux]

...went to see my branch of Bangkok Bank where I opened an account last year (no work permit required just passport)

When I set up the account last year THEY did not even know their SWIFT code ...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I went to Krung Thai bank in Phuket City to transfer some money from the Head Office branch in Sukhumvit Road, to the Phuket City branch. They couldn't call their head office in Bangkok because they didn't have the number. Not only didn't have it, but also couldn't find it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Not long ago I went to a big bank in Omaha, U.S.A., and asked for their SWIFT code. They did not know it. And then they insisted that they would not need it if I would transfer money from a foreign bank to their bank. For many hours I did try to explain them that they might not need it, but the sending bank needs it. They did not agree. Then I spoke to a manager. Polite excuse, but no, no SWIFT needed. And they would not even give it to me. I then got the SWIFT code from another fool having an account there. The manager was not able to confirm if that SWIFT code was correct.

You see, ignorance and stupid answers is not limited to Thai banks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My GF and I went to Bangkok Bank to open an account for our partnership. I have a WP with another company. They said that it is IMPOSSIBLE. Bank of Ayudaya took 10 minutes to open a shared account.

Ask the right people, that's the trick in Thailand. Bangkok Bank sucks.

[married2surin]

THERE IS ANOTHER OPTION,,FOR 7900BT YOU CAN BUY A GPRS MODEM FROM TELEWIS CALLED SOLOMON WHICH REQUIRES NO LAND LINE AND WORKS VERY WELL THE GREAT PART IS YOU CAN TAKE IT WITH YOU ANYWHERE. I HAVE USED THE SOLOMON FOR APPROX. 6 MONTHS NOW MAINLY DUE TO THE LOCATION WHERE I LIVE GETTING A PHONE IS OUT OF THE QUESTION AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH INTERNET. THE AIS INTERNET CARD RUNS APPROX. 900BT A MONTH FOR 450 HOURS OF TIME

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

The Problem with GPRS is that sometimes the signal strength is poor so you HAVE TO SHOUT TO BE HEARD !

[yuyi]

...

Its seems that no bank in Thailand will let you check your account on internet if you don't have a work permit. And anyway if you can do it and have a problem (pirated account, etc...) they won't be responsible for anything (and I guess they also don't want you to complain, so better not give you any access!). So nice, at least they are a little bit aware about how unsecure are their internet access...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No, there is at least one bank in LOS which does not ask a work permit if you want to check your account on Internet -> Bank of Asia.

If you have an account there, you register yourself online, using your ATM card data, for Internet Access to your account

Bank of Asia is obviously not a real Thai bank, too much falang ownership / management?

[yuyi]

Its seems that no bank in Thailand will let you check your account on internet if you don't have a work permit.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That one is a law rather than the decision of the bank, and should apply to any bank. I suspect it's an anti-money laundering thing, possibly to comply with tighter international laws after 9/11. I'm not sure of the logic, but I think they're more concerned with you making hard-to-trace transfers from outside the country, than just checking the balance. Whether the law or international regulation makes sense, is another question....

...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Law? What makes you saying that?

What is that for a nonsense about "hard-to-trace transfers from outside the country"? Most, if not all Thai Banks let you check your account online and may be transfer money online for some utility bills to some predefined companies. Not to anyone, not even within Thailand.

And "hard-to-trace transfers", well, nothing is easier to trace than a bank transfer.

It is a feature of real Internet banking, even in the U.S., and in the European countries that you can indeed manage your accounts from wherever you are through the Internet. You are well known to your bank, nothing is "hard-to-trace".

It is only Thailand which asks you to show up at your bank with passport and work permit and invoice if you want to send a payment to an foreign account.

[penzman]

I have never bothered getting anything done under my name, just a waste of time and spit. My wife rocks!

[yuyi]

Internet banking services requiring work permits is understandable. It is proof that you'll be working here, and might stay longer than a few months. With Internet banking you could transfer money from one account to another without being in the country. The requirements for setting up internet banking with my bank in Ireland are probably similar. I think it wouldn't be favorable to have people living outside the state transferring money around in Irish banks from the comfort of their homes. I think that requiring a WP for this sort of thing is reasonable.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sorry, but this is utter nonsense. A work permit just shows that you have to work to earn your living. If you are healthy, you might be able to live here for many many years, after retiring, without working. Some even worked more than others, and can retire early. Others are wealthy enough to live without working. etc. etc. Why should they all not have bank accounts, ADSL, and use internet banking?

And what is wrong with "transfer money from one account to another without being in the country." Sorry, I can't see anything wrong with that, that is a very normal process, at least for people which leave their home village from time to time.

Even Irish banks do not care where you are when you initiate a banktransfer. They checked you when you opened your account, they have copies of your ID / passport, etc. And if you start to make suspicious transfers, they will look at it, independently from where you are right now.

Also, I've opened accounts in several Thai banks and all of them asked me if I had a work permit when I said I didn't they looked less happy about it but eventually allowed me to open the accounts. I think part of it is that the WP links you to a company where they can find you if there are problems. I don't know.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well said, yes, you don't know

And if you're not using ADSL for work, what are you using it for? Downloading illegal music, viewing porn? I don't know..  Don't tell me you need ADSL to post on Thai Visa. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So, if I do not work, then I'm not supposed to enjoy ADSL? I have stay with slow, unreliable, expensive dial up access? Thanks a lot!

You obviously need a course about Internet usage! There is quite much more than Illegal music and porn.

- There is for example legal music. You heard about Apple's successful baby?

- There are Internet radio stations which send you your favorite music / news / sport reports.

- There is even the famous Radio Bangkok, which with ADSL does sound very much better than with a low speed dial up connection.

- There is Eurosport with video and audio from sport events. Try that with a dial up connection!

- There are high speed data flows from the stock exchanges of the world, if you want to see live how your stocks loose all their value. And if you think that is only for the rich, ask any U.S. citizen who is now forced to put his pension money in IRAs and 401K's etc, which means they can loose all with the next crash at NASDAQ.

- There is Vonage & co, there is netmeeting, skype, etc. allowing you to talk to your friends and relatives all over the globe. Also in Ireland. Assuming you have friends, of course.

Or is that all illegal?

Or is it again "I don't know."?

In any case, just because you do not know about it, or you do not use it, it is not illegal. And requiring a Workpermit for it does not make any sense at all.

[RDN]

Not long ago I went to a big bank in Omaha, U.S.A., and asked for their SWIFT code. They did not know it....

You see, ignorance and stupid answers is not limited to Thai banks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm 99.9% sure you could find at least one person working in every English bank who would know and would tell you what their SWIFT code was.

Sorry about Omaha.

Edit: And I do have Internet banking, without a work permit, with Krung Thai bank.

Edited May 1, 2005 by RDN

[CM451]

I have been repeatedly asked for a work permit while in Thailand. Sometimes for opening bank accounts phone service etc. If you go immigration and get them to give you the same form you supply when getting a drivers license (Immigration verifying your visa status and address) you will probably get what you want. This paper costs anything from free to 500 bt depending on where you live and the immigration office. If somebody knows the form # for that they can chime in. But save breathe trying to explain you will come back with a form from immigration and not a work permit, because, well, if you have been here a while you understand....

Yesterday my True high-speed service got cut off for non-payment. Fair enough, I was careless about paying on time, although I had actually paid everything up to date at a True shop six days earlier. Still, TiT, and apparently the only thing to do was apply for an entire new connection. One problem. A new rule says you must show your work permit. I'm not working at the moment. So no re-connection.

I spent 4 hours in the True shops in Siam and Silom discussing this (without raising my voice etc) and the staff made multiple calls to their head office and were very apologetic but could not do anything. No work permit, no new hi-speed connection, end of story. Existing customers are not affected.

I confirmed several times that this applied EVEN IF YOU HAVE A RETIREMENT VISA. It also applies even if you offer a credit card, including a Thai credit card, or even if you offer to make a payment upfront. I didn't think to ask about a house registration or Thai drivers license, but they insisted that there are two options that will entitle you to a connection: Thai national ID, or passport in combination with WP (not visa).

I did end up chatting with the manager of the Silom office, who explained that this was a new rule implemented by True management, because 5-10% of accounts opened by foreigners were defaulted on after one or two months. You can see their point, no company wants to take that sort of credit risk. Of course there are better solutions available, and perhaps in a few years when management notice the drop in (say) connections from wealthy retirees in Phuket, they might get around to revising their stance. In the meaetime, we have an absurd overreaction, caused by the sort of farangs that nobody wants in Thailand. Great.

The staff openly suggested that I ask a Thai friend to sign up on my behalf, with bills still going to my address, and eventually this is what I did. It annoys me, because I don't like to ask this sort of favour from my friends. Of course that means that the head office ruling is pretty pointless, since the farangs that were defaulting now need to pay a BG gf a few hundred baht to help them out, leaving True with an unpaid debt traceable to a house registration of some shack in Isaan.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[john b good]

Well, first off the manager said Bangkok Bank did not have internet banking..... &lt;deleted&gt; !? I said you do cos it says you have to visit branch to set it up.... so he called HQ...... and hour later he comes back and says that they do indeed have internet banking, but has I do not have a work permit I cannot have access to Internet Banking.....

I asked if he was talking out of his arse, so he called and checked with HQ again, taking another 30 mins, and he confirmed he was right..... my wife created access to her account (opened the same day as mine!) I closed my account and off I went, will open an account elsewhere where the beaurocracy has not gone totally mad.....

I can understand to a certain extent the argument of True, but why the ###### would a bank not let you view your bank account over the internet if you do not have a Work Permit ???

Mike

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Its seems that no bank in Thailand will let you check your account on internet if you don't have a work permit. And anyway if you can do it and have a problem (pirated account, etc...) they won't be responsible for anything (and I guess they also don't want you to complain, so better not give you any access!). So nice, at least they are a little bit aware about how unsecure are their internet access...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Its seems that no bank in Thailand will let you check your account on internet if you don't have a work permit.

Not so at all, I have never had a work permit and I have had internet banking for several years.

People have said you cannot (if you don't have a work permit) have a car in your own name, I have had for several years or you cannot have a fixed telephone line in your own name I have had a line for close to ten years and a second for 18 months

People should not (unless thay want to be labelled a fool or a know all or a "know SFA) say that you cannot have this or cannot have that because as has been written more than once in this and many other threads that there is nothing that is consistent in LOS

[mraloha]

i am using ADSL with csloxinfo. lox makes you pay the bill in advance everymonth. they only asked for a copy of a passport. if they tell me i need

a work permit i will put it in my wife's name, like i have had to do with so many things here.

i lived in hawaii for 5 years prior to moving to thailand. i am a caucasian american. in hawaii non asian people are called haules. if you are white or black

(blacks are called pupulo),you can live in hawaii for 15 years and never be considered a local. any asian who moves to hawaii is automatically a local when they move to hawaii because they are asian.

many of the roadblocks that are thrown at farangs here are similar to the stories of the minor indian bureaucrat at a remote outpost who stops a white for hours just to let off his frustration at the whiteman. or perhaps a statement of ones

fear of the whiteman? keeping the whiteman in line so he will not take over.

in the end i feel the good qaulities of the masses of thai people out weigh the bad. and it is the beauty of the common thai people that keeps me here. not the egotism, ethnocentricism and greed of the powers at be.