Dsi To Crack Down On Illegal Foreign-Run Businesses

[emilyb]

Why would they want immigrants when they can harness a cheap slave labour force from poorer neighbouring countries, abuse their human rights without recourse then expel them when they have outlived their usefulness?

It's obviously the most dramatic example (though not at all inaccurate), but the basic idea that the wealthy Thais want to keep Thailand in their control shouldn't be controversial. As a foreigner, I find the FBA laws here obnoxious, but if I were Thai I might well appreciate them. Surely, such laws were exactly what made the economic rise of every country from the US to Japan to ROK possible (Good Samaritans is a fantastic read on the history of this topic). The only rational complaint I can make about Thailand, though it doesn't really affect my well-being, is that, unlike Singapore or South Korea, Thailand repeatedly squanders the head start created by these protectionist measures when compared to countries that have had considerable success. There are, of course, a few Thai companies that are very well run and do quite well on the international stage (PTT, SCG and CP being the obvious examples), but they hardly compare to the heavyweights brought forth by (roughly) similarly populated countries like Japan and Korea - and even considerably smaller countries like Singapore. If the Thais were making it difficult for me to compete here while fostering development of native industries at least I could admire the effort. Still, not my country, so I play with the hand I'm dealt and try not to focus on the problems that are way outside my purview.

[TheGhostWithin]

If they are only targeting people who are breaking the law then they are discriminating against law breakers so what?. Perhaps you are one of the people who bought houses/land using the bogus company trick hence are feeling a bit nervous when they see a post like this

Witsawakorn,

I can confirm with certainty, that I own no land, housing and certainly have no business interests in Thailand. I keep all my funds in New Zealand, which is where it will remain until (if ever) laws become fairer in Thailand (where someday I would like to retire, beside a beach with a BBQ and fishing rod) for foreigners to do business on a level playing field, and live on a level playing field. The system as it lies, is open discrimination to the point of disadvantaging anyone non-Thai to do business. It is protectionist and a backward old fashioned way of running a country.

Condos and land in some areas is now as expensive as it is here in New Zealand, so there really is no excuse for it.

[TheGhostWithin]

A Thai's view of living in NZ ... http://www.stickmanb...reader1065.html

Thanks Nisa, very good reading.

I can say it is true, very few Farang do get outside of the night spots. But as someone that has Thai friends, and enjoys standing beside them in all situations Thai, I can say that not all think this way. Most of my friends since high school have been Asian (I live in Auckland City, where the population is probably >50% Non-Kiwi).

Personally, I read about Buddhism, about the Royal Family and other things because it helps me to understand a cultural identity. You cannot know someone unless you understand where they have come from - not always the bars of Nana Plaza.

Edited January 4, 2012 by TheGhostWithin

[lovelaos]

_{farang does not come from guava, there are many fruits in thailand with the added "farang", "manfarang " for example means potatoe, .... fruits with farang in the name usually means they are not originaly grown in thailand, they were brought here maily by the french, the name for france in thai is "farangset", and this became the general name for "faragners" and similarly foreigners, same as anything in liquid form is called nam, so we have all been labeled from their name for the french ,or its a mix of foreign and french}

Correct

[witsawakorn]

If they are only targeting people who are breaking the law then they are discriminating against law breakers so what?. Perhaps you are one of the people who bought houses/land using the bogus company trick hence are feeling a bit nervous when they see a post like this

Witsawakorn,

I can confirm with certainty, that I own no land, housing and certainly have no business interests in Thailand. I keep all my funds in New Zealand, which is where it will remain until (if ever) laws become fairer in Thailand (where someday I would like to retire, beside a beach with a BBQ and fishing rod) for foreigners to do business on a level playing field, and live on a level playing field. The system as it lies, is open discrimination to the point of disadvantaging anyone non-Thai to do business. It is protectionist and a backward old fashioned way of running a country.

Condos and land in some areas is now as expensive as it is here in New Zealand, so there really is no excuse for it.

Sorry for making such an assumption but I was trying figure why there is so much negativity in your post. However upon closer review there are clues in your post as to why you have such negative feelings about the way you are treated in Thailand:

You Said for example

"Nor can it own more than 49% of a business, or work in non-skills shortage work classes, no matter what visa they have unless employed as a foreign specialist. When employed, they should be given salary which in many cases is enough for only self-sustenance"

This suggests to me that you have a desire to start a business in Thailand despite your statement that you don't have an investment here and all your funds are back in NZ but you don't want to comply with the law. It also suggests that at some point in time you had a a job here that didn't pay too well. Doesn't that suggest that you weren't bringing much value to your employer? I know that there are minimum salaries specified by the government according to the nationality of the employee. Can you imagine if the NZ goverment had a similar policy that Poms a salary boost over Kiwis?

It must be made more difficult for Thai nationals to open bank accounts, and when they do given non-interest bearing accounts so that maximum profit is made from them.

.

Is that a reference to application for a retirement visa where they actually make you prove that you can support yourself?

Most of all, our governments should be openly skeptical about Thai people, discriminating between themselves and "foreign criminals".

As I said before if you are not a criminal why worry ( Freudian Slip?)

Then you say I really hate to rant like this, but openly discriminating against people trying to improve the country and gain a bit of a profit for a nice lifestyle in Thailand is not the answer. We don't send our money home to our countries in most cases, but Thais working in our countries do

This just tells me that you are broke and wish that you coiuld get away with more here because you just want to improve the country really?

It must really suck to be broke and unhappy in Thailand talking with envy about Thais working overseas and making enough money to be able to send it home to their families. If the negativity exuding from your post is reflected in your daily dealings with Thais life must really suck. Karma and . Somnamna apply I think. Good luck getting the laws to change

[TAWP]

I know that there are minimum salaries specified by the government according to the nationality of the employee. Can you imagine if the NZ goverment had a similar policy that Poms a salary boost over Kiwis?

There is not.

You can be legally be paid anything, high and low, here, as long as it is above minimum wage.

The 'salary levels' you are talking about is the guidelines one ministry has for their paperwork, to approve applications. I believe it is for approving extensions - i.e. separate from approving work permits. (Edited to add:) ANd these are guidelines, not rules.

Edited January 5, 2012 by TAWP

[philw]

I know that there are minimum salaries specified by the government according to the nationality of the employee. Can you imagine if the NZ goverment had a similar policy that Poms a salary boost over Kiwis?

There is not.

You can be legally be paid anything, high and low, here, as long as it is above minimum wage.

The 'salary levels' you are talking about is the guidelines one ministry has for their paperwork, to approve applications. I believe it is for approving extensions - i.e. separate from approving work permits. (Edited to add:) ANd these are guidelines, not rules.

They are rules and they are Immigration Dept requirements for extending annual non-imm visas and they require evidence of tax paid and Soc.Sec. on the required salary level.

They most certainly are not guidelines.

[Skywalker69]

DSI to crack down on ALL illegal businesses. Why should there be an exception for foreign-run. Just before they are rich Farangs?

+1

[TAWP]

I know that there are minimum salaries specified by the government according to the nationality of the employee. Can you imagine if the NZ goverment had a similar policy that Poms a salary boost over Kiwis?

There is not.

You can be legally be paid anything, high and low, here, as long as it is above minimum wage.

The 'salary levels' you are talking about is the guidelines one ministry has for their paperwork, to approve applications. I believe it is for approving extensions - i.e. separate from approving work permits. (Edited to add:) ANd these are guidelines, not rules.

They are rules and they are Immigration Dept requirements for extending annual non-imm visas and they require evidence of tax paid and Soc.Sec. on the required salary level.

They most certainly are not guidelines.

Dis-proven by the many Visa's extended that goes under those posted levels in previous companies.

[philw]

I know that there are minimum salaries specified by the government according to the nationality of the employee. Can you imagine if the NZ goverment had a similar policy that Poms a salary boost over Kiwis?

There is not.

You can be legally be paid anything, high and low, here, as long as it is above minimum wage.

The 'salary levels' you are talking about is the guidelines one ministry has for their paperwork, to approve applications. I believe it is for approving extensions - i.e. separate from approving work permits. (Edited to add:) ANd these are guidelines, not rules.

They are rules and they are Immigration Dept requirements for extending annual non-imm visas and they require evidence of tax paid and Soc.Sec. on the required salary level.

They most certainly are not guidelines.

Dis-proven by the many Visa's extended that goes under those posted levels in previous companies.

Show me where that statement is disproven ?

Minimum income requirement for foreigners working in Thailand

From the 10 th of July 2004 , foreigners applying for non-immigrant visa extensions for employment in Thailand will have to meet an increased minimum monthly salary requirement by nationality and amount. It should be noted that this regulation applies to employees in the corporate sector (profit-making business). Employees with lower monthly salaries in other professions, such as teachers, can apply for non-immigrant visa extensions and work permits for employment in Thailand provided that the are able to provide an official letter of confirmation from a relevant government agency. Country Previous New 1 July 2004 Canada, Japan, United States 40,000 THB 60,000 THB Europe (incl. UK) Australia 35,000 THB 50,000 THB Hong Kong, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan 30,000 THB 45,000 THB China, India, Indonesia, Middle East, Philippines 25,000 THB 35,000 THB Africa, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam 20,000 THB 25,000 THB Persons working for newspapers in Thailand 12,000 THB

20,000 TH

http://www.thailandlawonline.com/thai-company-and-foreign-business/employment-in-thailand-work-permit-application.html

[TAWP]

Show me where that statement is disproven ?

Minimum income requirement for foreigners working in Thailand

From the 10 th of July 2004 , foreigners applying for non-immigrant visa extensions for employment in Thailand will have to meet an increased minimum monthly salary requirement by nationality and amount. It should be noted that this regulation applies to employees in the corporate sector (profit-making business). Employees with lower monthly salaries in other professions, such as teachers, can apply for non-immigrant visa extensions and work permits for employment in Thailand provided that the are able to provide an official letter of confirmation from a relevant government agency. Country Previous New 1 July 2004 Canada, Japan, United States 40,000 THB 60,000 THB Europe (incl. UK) Australia 35,000 THB 50,000 THB Hong Kong, Malaysia, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan 30,000 THB 45,000 THB China, India, Indonesia, Middle East, Philippines 25,000 THB 35,000 THB Africa, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam 20,000 THB 25,000 THB Persons working for newspapers in Thailand 12,000 THB

20,000 TH

http://www.thailandl...pplication.html

Proven by multiple extensions being given even when the salaries was below those values quoted on that link. Get it?

If you don't believe me, fine, whatever, up to you. But history of paperwork doesn't lie.

[PingManDan]

Suspicious activities does he mean well run.

Either well run, or making money without taking under the table

[geriatrickid]

There is an assumption that there is a consistent discrimination against foreign investors. Maybe there are some that experience discrimination, but the large presence of Singapore based investors in the resorts and the growing investment of the Chinese in the resource industry, not to mention the very noticeable presence of some Japanese and EU MNEs suggests otherwise. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to recognize that if a foreigner has a large amount of money to invest, there are few issues. However, if the foreigner has relatively modest amounts of capital, there is not much desire to attract such people. This really is no different than some western countries setting minimum investment levels for some immigrants.

If one compares the situation in Canada, one sees that the Thais are very accomodating;

The Immigrant Investor Program seeks experienced business people to invest C$800,000 into Canada’s economy and become permanent residents. Investors must:

-show that they have business experience

-have a minimum net worth of C$1,600,000 that was obtained legally and

-make a C$800,000 investment

How about entrepreneurs? No luck there as Canada stopped accepting them 11-July-2011

How about skilled workers? Well, its a fairly lean list and they are all jobs where there is a shortage.

Know what? I don't think most of the people groaning in this thread would qualify to immigrate to Canada or be able to obtain PR status.

Canada is one western example and it has requirements and rules far more strict than Thailand. Why then are people whining? Do you expect the Thais to remove job opportunities for Thais because some farang wants to work in Thailand? Count your blessings the capital requirements are so low and that you can even obtain access to substantially more occupation classes than most western nations extend their foreign guest workers.

On the other hand, maybe it is time the Thai government changed the rules and implemented regulations similar to Australi, or Canada etc. That would remove a large number of foreigners. Would that satisfy some of you?

[bigbamboo]

There is an assumption that there is a consistent discrimination against foreign investors. Maybe there are some that experience discrimination, but the large presence of Singapore based investors in the resorts and the growing investment of the Chinese in the resource industry, not to mention the very noticeable presence of some Japanese and EU MNEs suggests otherwise. Perhaps it would be more appropriate to recognize that if a foreigner has a large amount of money to invest, there are few issues. However, if the foreigner has relatively modest amounts of capital, there is not much desire to attract such people. This really is no different than some western countries setting minimum investment levels for some immigrants.

If one compares the situation in Canada, one sees that the Thais are very accomodating;

The Immigrant Investor Program seeks experienced business people to invest C$800,000 into Canada’s economy and become permanent residents. Investors must:

-show that they have business experience

-have a minimum net worth of C$1,600,000 that was obtained legally and

-make a C$800,000 investment

How about entrepreneurs? No luck there as Canada stopped accepting them 11-July-2011

How about skilled workers? Well, its a fairly lean list and they are all jobs where there is a shortage.

Know what? I don't think most of the people groaning in this thread would qualify to immigrate to Canada or be able to obtain PR status.

Canada is one western example and it has requirements and rules far more strict than Thailand. Why then are people whining? Do you expect the Thais to remove job opportunities for Thais because some farang wants to work in Thailand? Count your blessings the capital requirements are so low and that you can even obtain access to substantially more occupation classes than most western nations extend their foreign guest workers.

On the other hand, maybe it is time the Thai government changed the rules and implemented regulations similar to Australi, or Canada etc. That would remove a large number of foreigners. Would that satisfy some of you?

Imagine that...... having to pay to live in Canada.

[DavidMoi]

I think, that in our home countries Thais should be given the same treatment as we receive in their country.

That means, for example, here in New Zealand, Thais cannot own land, only the house that it is built upon. You cannot own, operate or take part in farming or agricultural activities whatsoever.

I assume you will vote for Winston Peters and the Maori traditionalists then

[rotary]

What about cracking down on foreign lawyers which is a prohibited profession I believe............SH*IT. Lets just crack down on all lawyers period.

[TAWP]

What about cracking down on foreign lawyers which is a prohibited profession I believe............SH*IT. Lets just crack down on all lawyers period.

No matter what Jayboy tries to claim, there are no foreigners working as accredited lawyers here [using their foreign credentials].

There are however a bunch of firms where foreign lawyers, or in some cases pure laymen, have registered companies and pretend they are lawyer firms - sometimes even without having locally lawyers hired and lacking the registration of the form as a lawyer firm at all. A big scammer (D.N.) in Pattaya is known for this, for example.

[rmacdon61]

The link to this story is titled :

Freshly Amputated Human Leg Found In Bangkok

Guess a Foreigner trying to get a "LEG UP" in business

[thaiedward]

_{farang does not come from guava, there are many fruits in thailand with the added "farang", "manfarang " for example means potatoe, .... fruits with farang in the name usually means they are not originaly grown in thailand, they were brought here maily by the french, the name for france in thai is "farangset", and this became the general name for "faragners" and similarly foreigners, same as anything in liquid form is called nam, so we have all been labeled from their name for the french ,or its a mix of foreign and french}

Correct

Thank you, both!

I've nearly always had a fondness for etymology (neither bragging nor complaining).

One scrawny tourist-guidebook reported that 'farang' meant 'foreign-prince'! Too much time in Sukumvit Library?

Kind regards