hkkh440 Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 I'm English guy looking for a cunning plan, whereby I can enjoy the wonderful fresh air of Thailand on the Andaman coast, and the cheap cost of living, but still maintain some kind of income from Hong Kong, and avoid any bureaucratic hassle. Could someone savvy please let me know if it is possible to: - just live in Thailand, e.g. Phuket, on almost infinite Tourist visa extensions, e.g. by leaving and coming back to Hong Kong every three months? - rent a flat, and have all the utilities, especially Broadband Internet? - buy a car!?! - maintain a Hong Kong income by having some kind of business in Hong Kong, and Internet work, such as on-line proofreading and editing for HK / overseas clients? - have this income paid into a Hong Kong account? - just withdraw money from the Hong Kong account for living expenses via ATM? Or is there an even better plan that involves not leaving every three months? I guess from the authorities' viewpoint, I'm probably just a tourist and not in a class for any Thai employment or tax issues - am I right/wrong!?! Thanks in advance for any help! J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
britmaveric Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Keep your plans to yourself and you'll be fine, especially in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo siam Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 (edited) agreed with above, your not stealing a Thai's job and are bringing hard currency into the country to spend, cant see a problem with it myself. Although Hong Kong Thai Consulate arent very helpful and dont like to give out Tourist Visa's much. Edited November 27, 2005 by Ben@H3-Digital Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hkkh440 Posted November 27, 2005 Author Share Posted November 27, 2005 agreed with above, your not stealing a Thai's job and are bringing hard currency into the country to spend, cant see a problem with it myself. Although Hong Kong Thai Consulate arent very helpful and dont like to give out Tourist Visa's much. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Would they refuse to give a 2-month Tourist Visa? I thought this would just be a normal given right... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo siam Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Been there several times and only once out of the three times did we get a Tourist Visa, They follow the rules by the book, which I think means only 1 or 2 Tourist Visas and then back to your country for 6 months till you apply again. Better to go to KL, Penang etc... although HK should be fine for your first Tourist Visa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hkkh440 Posted November 27, 2005 Author Share Posted November 27, 2005 Been there several times and only once out of the three times did we get a Tourist Visa, They follow the rules by the book, which I think means only 1 or 2 Tourist Visas and then back to your country for 6 months till you apply again.Better to go to KL, Penang etc... although HK should be fine for your first Tourist Visa. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I am a Hong Kong resident - not permanent, but have a Hong Kong ID card, and would like to keep my official residency in Hong Kong ... these are just 'extended holidays' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo siam Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Not sure how that would work the, maybe get the first Tourist visa in HK, Second in KL or Penang and then try at HK again for the 3rd. Thats assuming that you have to return to HK every X Months to keep up the residency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaiflyer1 Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Or is there an even better plan that involves not leaving every three months? You could always get married to a Thai girl................bit drastic i know. Car...........no problem Utilities..........normally when you rent the utilities stay in the name of the landlord sure you could talk to them about a broadband connection if its going to be a long term rental. Regarding work as alreadys been said, mums the word. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hkkh440 Posted November 27, 2005 Author Share Posted November 27, 2005 Not sure how that would work the, maybe get the first Tourist visa in HK, Second in KL or Penang and then try at HK again for the 3rd. Thats assuming that you have to return to HK every X Months to keep up the residency. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> So is it the norm to only be granted maybe one or two tourist visas and then you can't come back to Thailand for six months? Seems a bit excessive - and it would put all my plans out, especially the idea of long-term rental. Are there not people who get by like this, or does everyone end up going for the one-year multiple-entry non resident visa? Or is there a better way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
solo siam Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Most countries will fairly happily give you Tourist Visa after Tourist Visa for as long as you like, HK Consulate probably won't. Marry a Thai girl? should get you one year, only cost you US$.50 at the Amphur office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaiflyer1 Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Your problem is that you do not qualify for any long term stay visa in your present circumstances. You might be ok going down to Penang for back to back double or even treble entry tourist visas on the other hand who knows when they will tighten up the issuing of such visas.............visas are always issued at the discretion of the issuing officer. Problem is if you keep getting back to back visas there may come a point where the Consulate will think you are not a legitimate tourist...........but no one can say when that point will be reached. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfline Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 - maintain a Hong Kong income by having some kind of business in Hong Kong, and Internet work, such as on-line proofreading and editing for HK / overseas clients? Please let me in on your secret! I could do with a second income from an internet based job. Whats out there, whats available for someone living in Koh Samui? CuriousPete....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hkkh440 Posted November 27, 2005 Author Share Posted November 27, 2005 Your problem is that you do not qualify for any long term stay visa in your present circumstances.You might be ok going down to Penang for back to back double or even treble entry tourist visas on the other hand who knows when they will tighten up the issuing of such visas.............visas are always issued at the discretion of the issuing officer. Problem is if you keep getting back to back visas there may come a point where the Consulate will think you are not a legitimate tourist...........but no one can say when that point will be reached. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> This is true. I'm not retired, not looking to invest, not looking to work, not looking to study, marry or anything. I'm just looking to breathe fresh air, run on the beach and swim with tropical fish... So, for those in the know, I'd really appreciate all your suggestions on how to make this dream a reality. J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaiquila Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Your problem is that you do not qualify for any long term stay visa in your present circumstances.You might be ok going down to Penang for back to back double or even treble entry tourist visas on the other hand who knows when they will tighten up the issuing of such visas.............visas are always issued at the discretion of the issuing officer. Problem is if you keep getting back to back visas there may come a point where the Consulate will think you are not a legitimate tourist...........but no one can say when that point will be reached. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> It seems to me that this plan might work for quite some time, with these caveats: Periodic trips back to Hong Kong Open a Thai bank account (if possible) and wire money in from Hong Kong and maintain a healthy balance in Thailand Wouldn't the above help if Penang raises objections? Personally, I wouldn't assume such a plan would work for several years, but for a few years or so, it seems to me a fair bet. (One persons opinion of course!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
udon Posted November 27, 2005 Share Posted November 27, 2005 Sounds like you've got your head screwed on tight, just keep quiet about your business. No problem to open a savings a/c and internet banking if you go to bkk bank or Kasikorn near the Emporium dept store at Phrom Phong, all you need is your passport and abt 500bt for an intl atm card. Chok Dee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easy_jim Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 You can do monthly visa runs to Burma or Malaysia. As has been previously mentioned there is no knowing when Thai immigration will start cracking down on people who make endless visa runs but at the moment lots of people do it. Some have been doing it for years with no problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai_Help Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 There are no short cuts im afraid, The only way to stay in thailand if you have no real purpose here is to do what everyone else does, go on a little 3 hour bus trip to cambodia and cross the border every month from bangkok. which costs between 1000-2000 baht Thailand are very switched on at taking every foriegners money, and not giving you many option as a tourist. Other options, (but still not easy) Marriage (extension 1 Year ) condition: you must have 400,000 baht in the bank to show you are a supporting husband and not living off your wife. Business Company Visa (extension 1year) costs aprox 18,000 baht to register a thai company name including 6,000 baht to pay for the visa for 1 year. Daniel Lew www.thailand-search.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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