Language Centre In Bangkok

[mr-chris]

Hi again.

I'll be coming to BKK late this month and when I arrive on my tourist visa, I'll be looking at the possibility of either teaching in Thailand or setting up my own business, a language centre in Bangkok.

I need a full rundown of what I must do and options, taking into account costs and all legal procedures.

Plus there are a few direct questions par se.

If I set up a school (language centre) as a private business (should this be the better or only route), will I have to set up with a Thai partner? How many employees must I also have to satisfy legal requirements? I need to know everything plus the bits that always seem to get left out!

Can this Thai partner be placed as a 'silent partner' by way of legal agreement taking only a percentage of the net profits per month, otherwise having no 'clout' within the company and unable to 'sell out' his or her shares without the full, signed agreement of myself?

Will I have to register a director? If not, what will the differences be?

Will the setup allow for just 1 (one) work permit (i.e. myself)?

Will I be able to 'up-grade' later to allow the business to employ other native speakers of English?

What I'm looking for here is a detailed explanation (not bits and bobs) of the full procedure and information relating to the setting up of a language centre as either a private business or a school in Bangkok.

This may seem a little abrupt to others who have tried to advise me in past threads. This is not my intention so please forgive me. I do appreciate your help and advice and hope that this article will help by being always available but I am a serious businessman and need first-hand 'legal' advice.

Many thanks in advance.

Chris C.

Edited November 11, 2005 by mr-chris

[mbkudu]

Before you consider it, you might take note of the hundreds of other language schools that already exist in Bangkok to assess the competition. It is an uphill battle to say the least. There is an English teaching forum here where you can find out more.

I don't know about the depth of the red tape in a place like Vietnam to set up a school, but if I were going to do it, I'd probably go there instead of Thailand.

Edited November 11, 2005 by mbkudu

[mr-chris]

The risks and competition have already been foremost in my thoughts. This however is only a minor block of which I'm very sure I will clear in one small jump.

I faced similar thoughts back in the 90's while being a member of the founding team of Dragon Express Courier. What was thought to be a problem turned out to be a blessing when the 'right state of mind' was applied to the task.

I have never let competition stand in my way and I am not about to do so now. The risks have been well calculated based on my success here in Malaysia and previous success in Bangkok.

In fact, I look forward to 'working' again after a 5 year paid holiday!

Edited November 11, 2005 by mr-chris

[lopburi3]

This may seem a little abrupt to others who have tried to advise me in past threads. This is not my intention so please forgive me. I do appreciate your help and advice and hope that this article will help by being always available but I am a serious businessman and need first-hand 'legal' advice.

And you are asking specific/detailed questions to a general forum (and not even in the correct area) rather than going to those legal sources that have first-had "legal" advise. Strange.

[mr-chris]

This may seem a little abrupt to others who have tried to advise me in past threads. This is not my intention so please forgive me. I do appreciate your help and advice and hope that this article will help by being always available but I am a serious businessman and need first-hand 'legal' advice.

And you are asking specific/detailed questions to a general forum (and not even in the correct area) rather than going to those legal sources that have first-had "legal" advise. Strange.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Oops! Thai visas, residency and work permits

I thought this was for "Thai visas, residency and work permits"! So what is it I'll be doing if not that? All the same, I'll plant the question in other forums.

[lopburi3]

You have covered the same gound in three different areas and even more threads - you can pay for the information or accept what is handed you for free but from your post 3 in this thread it is very hard for me to take you seriously.

I will be leaving my school behind in an attempt to better myself as a teacher in BKK. I have 5 years direct teaching experience and am considered a career teacher. (Not a tourist). I am in my late 40's.

Malaysia is much the same. The students are either plain stupid or just don't want to learn.

[snakestick]

Very good researching Mr Lopburi. Eye can't take this guy serious either.

[mr-chris]

It's just a shame Lodburi didn't include the rest in the quotes.

Yes, I'm trying to get things together for free for now but cold hard cash will be escorting me to Thailand where I intend to set up a language centre (if I can't find work), much the same as I did in Malaysia over 5 years ago.

My reason for picking on Bangkok is that I will be returning to my son's side after a 10 year absence.

Go ahead, don't take me seriously but if you read the rest of the posts, and in full, I'm sure you'll get a better picture of whom I really am.

Scoff if you must but when I'm sitting back watching people work for me and being in control of their wages, people tend to think again.

I've done it more than once and I'll do it again. If in the mean-time you could help advise me on getting started in Thailand and your words prove to be true, I would have no objection to keeping your names on record and 'rewarding' the help given at a later date.

All I am looking for here is a helping hand, probably the sort of helping hand you had when you first landed, the sort of helping hand I'll give when the next person who comes along needs one.

We foreigners are supposed to stick together, not stab at each other.

Respectfully.