Reminder On Foreigners' Minimum Wages

[george]

Reminder on foreigners' wages

PHUKET: Pol Capt Krissarat Nuesen, Deputy Inspector of the Phuket Provincial Immigration Office (PPIO), has reminded foreigners that, starting on July 10 this year, new minimum wage requirements will come into effect for foreigners seeking one-year permits to stay in Thailand on the basis of holding work permits.

He said the new rates, which will nearly double the minimum wage requirements for one-year extensions to be granted, are intended to further restrict foreign workers to specialized occupations.

Capt Krissarat said that the increases were announced a year in advance in order to give businesses employing foreign workers a chance to adjust to the change.

Starting July 10, applicants who wish to extend a visa by one year at their local Immigration office will be required to submit a copy of their PorNgoDor1 tax report showing that their monthly income, including benefits and allowances, meets the new minimum wage requirement.

The increases are expected to wreak havoc on schools which employ foreigners. The average salary of a teacher from any of these countries employed by a government school, is typically 25,000 to 30,000 baht.

The increases are expected to drive many teachers out of the country and force those who choose to stay to leave the country every 90 days – regardless of their teaching schedules – or be subject to possible arrest, detention and deportation.

The new minimum monthly salaries will be as follows:

Japanese, American, Canadian, 60,000 baht;

Europeans and Australians, 50,000 baht;

Koreans, Taiwanese, Hong Kong Chinese, Singaporeans, Malaysians, British National Overseas passport holders, 45,000 baht;

Indians, Middle Easterners, mainland Chinese, Indonesians, Filipinos, 35,000 baht:

Laos, Burmese, Vietnamese, Cambodian and all Africans, 25,000 baht.

Newspaper journalist get a special deal. They will be eligible for one-year renewals with a monthly income as low as 20,000 baht – even less than that of Burmese fisherman.

Capt Krissarat added that employees of companies that hold contracts with the Thai Government might be eligible for exceptions, and advised workers to contact their Personnel Departments to find out.

--Phuket Gazette 2004-01-13

[sabaijai]

Burmese fishermen make more than 20,000 baht a month? Maybe a boat captain?

[davidm]

As I see it, there is a huge silver lining to these new rules: local employers will have to pay expats a lot more if they want them. Even teachers will start to receive a more realistic stipend. Of course, many schools will be forced out of business or will have to hire Thais, but even this is positive as the backpackers who have depressed expat salaries for so long will have to work elsewhere.

[Guest IT Manager]

Never thought of that. It's the foreigners forcing salaries down.

How incredibly stupid of me. I thought it was incompetet school owners not willing to pay incompetent teachers, but rather, as you point out, it is the top flight foreign schools wanting "proper" teachers for the children whose parents are fleeced for what they get and are pleased to call education.

[davidm]

Far be it for me to call someone who knows how to use a computer incredibly stupid, but...

Surely, it's not that hard to work out? Ever heard of supply and demand? Salaries are low because hordes of Nokna clones are prepared to work for a pittance as English teachers because of the compensations - a nightlife featuring an abundance of cheap and pretty bar girls.

Writers face competition from Sri Lankans and Filipinos, who are also prepared to work for far less than your average freelance writer in developed countries. Again, this drives down labour costs.

These are the two most common professions for expats who arrive in Thailand without pre-arranged employment. While the new rules will keep the salaries low for journalists, at least English teachers who remain in Thailand will start getting better financial rewards for their efforts.

[Guest IT Manager]

I personally hope you are quite correct, however, a part of me does wonder a tiny bit.

[singa-traz]

These are the two most common professions for expats who arrive in Thailand without pre-arranged employment. While the new rules will keep the salaries low for journalists, at least English teachers who remain in Thailand will start getting better financial rewards for their efforts.

Maybe not initially ... they will first just pay more tax ...

[samran]

hopefully supply and demand will work and help increase the salaries of teachers. But as long as border running is not effectively monitored, then schools will still be able to pay their teachers a pittance and fleece the parents of the kids.

[wonny+]

Sorry

But, aren't we all misunderstanding sth? i mean...the new minimun wage rule is for those who apply for a 1 yr visa to do biz here, to get married, or to look after family-member isn't it??? It's not meant for those who's just an employee, if i understand it correctly...

(according to what i red in the article)

So... any ideas?

xx

[Pi Sua]

Burmese fishermen make more than 20,000 baht a month? Maybe a boat captain?

More likely a ship captain !

[Sunbelt Asia]

the new minimun wage rule is for those who apply for a 1 yr visa to do biz here, to get married, or to look after family-member isn't it??? It's not meant for those who's just an employee, if i understand it correctly...

It's for employees if you apply for the one year permit. If your employeer don't apply for the one year permit for you or you don't have one, you don't have this requirement.

Multiple entry is the way to go in the case it will create financial burden for your employeer.

They could also simply pay the extra tax for you without increasing your salary.... on the one year permit.

Its all about taxes NOT creating more wealth for foreigners. Thats why the law has been introduced. Thailand needs more tax revenue so this is one way to do so. It will work.

[wonny+]

And a 1-yr visa doesn't mean ...a non-immi visa right? or i'm confused?

usually if you don't have this 1 yr visa, what kinda visa you use to be able to stay and work?

And i wonder another thing... they said you got to have at least 400000bth in bank acct to be able to get married rite? I'm thai, and if my bf doesn't have enough money...can i put mine into his account? Cose i saw someone said you got to have a document to prove the money is from outside...outside country?

thanks

xx

[Sunbelt Asia]

And a 1-yr visa doesn't mean ...a non-immi visa right? or i'm confused? 

A one year visa is a non-immigrant visa. You don't have to leave the country every 90 days.

If you do a multiple entry non immigrant one year visa. You don't have the same rules but leave every 90 days for 5 minutes.

they said you got to have at least 400000bth in bank acct to be able to get married rite?

The Amphur may want to see some income. No problem if your money is one account.

On the one year visa based on marriage then under the new laws, yes he'll need 400,000 Baht proof. Having to show the Tor Tor Som as proof. It will be up to the officers mood.

[wonny+]

Thank you

But that amount of money has to be his income from abroad? that he brought with him? Or doesn't matter and just depends on the officers?...

Tor Tor Som?

Sorry but im just trying to picture it.

[Sunbelt Asia]

But that amount of money has to be his income from abroad? that he brought with him? Or doesn't matter and just depends on the officers?...

Expected to be his income but who really knows? Should be from abroad but depends if the officer ask for proof or not. Proof is the Tor Tor Som( receipt from the bank when a bank wire is received from overseas) The officer should ask for it, but maybe he won't. 70% chance IMHO he'll ask. If he does, then could his relatives help out and send funds?

The bottom line is if you love him and are serious, I know money does not seem important. But he should be able to support both of you. What kind of skills does he have? Maybe I can help with some ideas who to contact. No promises but I try to help. PM me if you like.

Regards,

Greg

[Georgie-Porgie]

I own my own business with Thai "partner". Everyone is telling me that I need to declare 60,000 baht per month income, but I use a 1 year multiple entry Non-immigrant visa. Not a true one year visa. Do I need to declare this much income?

[Sunbelt Asia]

I own my own business with Thai "partner". Everyone is telling me that I need to declare 60,000 baht per month income, but I use a 1 year multiple entry Non-immigrant visa. Not a true one year visa. Do I need to declare this much income?

No. Thats the law. You only have to declare 30,000 Baht if you're single.

[Georgie-Porgie]

Sorry to be obtuse, but does that include after all the new Immigration rules go into effect next summer?

[Sunbelt Asia]

Yes. As long as they don't change the work permit rules as well.

[African]

I don't quite understand how they choose the minimum wages. In South Africa, the average monthly salary is B60, 000. In the Ukraine it is B4000 per month. Why is the minimum wage in Thailand less for a South African?? We speak english (Ukraine dosen't) and we are white. What's the difference??

If they want a racist policy, they should just come out and say it, B25,000 for blacks, B50,000 for whites, and B10,000 for Lao and Cambodia.

I'm a white South African and I know I deserve more money than the black africans and the Lao people!! What do you think???

[pnustedt]

What do you think???

Racial prejudice is a pigment of the imagination!!

[skycop51]

I wonder what if a American with his life long Thai wife just want to come there to retire? I might just do that in the next three years or so. Is the amount still the same?

thanks...

[lopburi3]

Work rules (income requirements) do not apply to you if you just want to retire. You have the option of one retirement visa with 800k in bank account or support for Thai wife with 200k in bank account (present rules - will likely be higher when you retire). See the non immigrant visa link at top of page.

[Phil Clark]

Tor Tor Som?

Sorry but im just trying to picture it.

He is referring to a Tor Tor Sam (TT3) which shows that monies came in to a Thai bank account from overseas in a foreign currency.

Just for general info, if you bring money in for the purchase of a condo, in Pattaya the TT3 MUST specifically state that purpose. I recall the code they use is 5.22. Without it, the Land Registry will not accept the form and therefore not give you title.

[wonny+]

Thank you very much for all the advices

i appreciate it

xx

[Martin]

Correct me if I am wrong, but aren't the 90 days visas issued on the basis that the applicant declares that the purpose of the visit to Thailand is 'vacation', 'holiday', or 'touring' or 'support Thai wife'?.

So doesn't this mean that single men (or women) working here with less than the minimum income for the one-year visa and doing the 90-day visa run will be depending on officials turning a blind eye to their work?.

Seems to me that Thailand will be able to turf out anyone of these, that it feels it is appropriate to turf out, simply on the fact that they aren't doing what they said they would be doing if they were let into Thailand.

It isn't nearly as bad as when I visit Britain, where Blunkett can sling me into jail if any of his minions so much as says s/he thinks I might have terrorist connections.

But it does seem to be yet another insecurity introduced into modern life.

[george]

Thai immigration does not see the application form and the documents you submitted to the consular post. They only see the visa stamp/sticker and the visa class issued. For example, a "NON-O" visa could mean anything from having a Thai child, retirement, investor or sometimes even work.

Most people tell the truth in the field "Purpose of visit to Thailand".