Stop by immigration upon entering at Suvarnabhumi Airport

[Sena Dave]

 

You do work while in Thailand (with your laptop) and don't pay tax in Thailand. This is illegal.

Don't be ridiculous!

That would mean anyone here from any country even on holiday that answered business calls or sent work e mails to their office back home is supposedly classed as working here illegally? Why do you people have to nit pick at such petty things?

 

I answer/send the occasional work Email when i am in Thailand , to save me form being snowed under when I get back. What Tax band do I fall into ?

[oztaurus]

It can't be possible to have wife, car and house here. Stay here most of the year without working. And don't own 400k or 40k a month for the extension of stay.

What if buying the house, the car and the wife (sin sod) used up all his capital, so he can't show 400K in a bank account, and his Malaysian salary is less than 40K - quite enough for a comfortable life if you already own a house and your only expenses are food, petrol and utilities - a lot of Thai get by on household incomes of less than 40K.

[PaulTarpey]

I work from my laptop for Malaysian company. I report to them. A client sent email to company in Malaysia and forward to me for consultation. The business does not involve Thailand and i don't get paid by any company in Thailand or by Thai people. My income is paid by Malaysian.

You are not allowed to do that. So if you can get away with it and just show the 40k you should be very happy

Meaning all salesman who come here for sales even on day trip need a working visa? This is interesting.

I agree with these comments. I work solely for a UK company (mine) and pay taxes there and am (obviously) not depriving Thailand / Thai person of any income or employment. So when I am visiting my family over here (in Thailand) I am 'not allowed' to read/react to any emails that may be vital for my business ? Does this mean that tourists sunning themselves by the pool are 'not allowed' to read their work/buisness emails and react to them ? 'Sorry I cannot answer your customer complaint because I am not allowed'

Anyway I get my 12 month marriage visa in the UK - cost me £125 last time - no proof of income needed. I would try getting one on Laos as the other comments suggest. Good luck my friend - hope you overcome this !

[codestu]

get a new passport start again with tourist visa is much cheaper to do this, and if happen again keep getting new passport ;-)

[TuskegeeBen]

Just be patient for about one more year. Then everything in ASEAN will be OK. You'll see.

[kleelof]

I work from my laptop for Malaysian company. I report to them. A client sent email to company in Malaysia and forward to me for consultation. The business does not involve Thailand and i don't get paid by any company in Thailand or by Thai people. My income is paid by Malaysian.

You are not allowed to do that. So if you can get away with it and just show the 40k you should be very happy

I believe there was a recent post about an immigration official saying if the work you do involves working outside of Thailand AND the money stays outside of Thailand, then it is OK.

[TuskegeeBen]

Well I guess this post will shortly be deleted by the Thaivisa constabulary but last year when I turned up at chaeng Wattana, the friendly immigration officer said he could arrange 400k to be temporarily deposited in my kasikon account to satisfy the requirements for his fee that was around 10k. Just saying like.

Wow that's cheap! Thanks for the heads up

Guru? Huh?

[PaulHamon]

Just buy yourself a

Non-Immigrant "O" Spouse/Family

No need to show any income, see here are the rules.... And than you will be fine for a whole year..

Good luck....

http://www.thaiembassy.se/en/visa/types-of-visa/50

Glegolo

Get a 1 year multi entry non O based on marriage form Savannakhet in Laos.

It will cost you 5,000 Baht and you do not have to provide any bank account information.

You can get 90 day stamp every time you come into the country.

I just did it 2 weeks ago, no problems at all.

Need to take a hand full of paper work and some photos but nothing that costs any money...

Just a list of photo copied items from you and your wife.

I wrote a thread about it a few weeks ago.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/753690-1-year-multi-non-o-based-on-marriage-completed-in-savankhetmukdahan/

Paul

[TuskegeeBen]

Well I guess this post will shortly be deleted by the Thaivisa constabulary but last year when I turned up at chaeng Wattana, the friendly immigration officer said he could arrange 400k to be temporarily deposited in my kasikon account to satisfy the requirements for his fee that was around 10k. Just saying like.

And I suppose you're also an instructor in teaching the fine art applications of keeping a "Zipped-Lip", on this forum, eh?

Wow that's cheap! Thanks for the heads up

Guru? Huh?

[Jip66]

Good to hear all the pro and con reply..

Well, i don't work 9 - 5 every day at home in Bangkok. In a week i may receive about 3 - 7 emails forwarded from my company in Malaysia. It take only few minutes to reply an email. Some email take 10 - 15 min to reply. Others email @ 30 min - 1 hour plus. So in a week my working hour is less than 10 hours in total. Is like replying a friend email with description what to do, how to do and how to solve some problems. That's all.... Easy job but need someone who know the "know how"and expertise in providing solution in my industry via email.

Only 10 hours per week. Rest of the time relax, watch TV, watch movie and spend time with playing with my 2 pet dog and wife.

I even told the immigration at Suvarnabhumi what i do and to them is not like a job at all with so much free time. So they couldn't even bother what i do or how i do as long as i don't earn money from Thai company or Thai people. They just want me to apply for appropriate VISA to Thailand. They specifically mentioned about the THB 800,000 which what they are more concern of.

I just need a solution from you guys and there was a suggestion to get VISA at Suvannakhet in Laos with showing any financial proof. I would most likely to try that out if it work. Any other suggestion or solution will be greatly appreciated.

When applying for a Non-Imm 'O' Visa you do NOT need to show any financial proof to the IO, the only time it needs to be proven is when applying for an 'Extension of Stay' at the local Immigration Office in your province prior to when said Visa is to expire, either Baht800,000 seasoned for two months in a Thai Bank Account (not Savings Account) or proof letter from your Embassy that you have monthly income equalling or greater than Baht40,000, the only difference I know of between Vientiene & Savannakhet is that Vientiene will only give you a 3 month Non-Imm 'O' Visa where as Savannakhet will issue a 12 month one

[TuskegeeBen]

Good to hear all the pro and con reply..

Well, i don't work 9 - 5 every day at home in Bangkok. In a week i may receive about 3 - 7 emails forwarded from my company in Malaysia. It take only few minutes to reply an email. Some email take 10 - 15 min to reply. Others email @ 30 min - 1 hour plus. So in a week my working hour is less than 10 hours in total. Is like replying a friend email with description what to do, how to do and how to solve some problems. That's all.... Easy job but need someone who know the "know how"and expertise in providing solution in my industry via email.

Only 10 hours per week. Rest of the time relax, watch TV, watch movie and spend time with playing with my 2 pet dog and wife.

I even told the immigration at Suvarnabhumi what i do and to them is not like a job at all with so much free time. So they couldn't even bother what i do or how i do as long as i don't earn money from Thai company or Thai people. They just want me to apply for appropriate VISA to Thailand. They specifically mentioned about the THB 800,000 which what they are more concern of.

I just need a solution from you guys and there was a suggestion to get VISA at Suvannakhet in Laos with showing any financial proof. I would most likely to try that out if it work. Any other suggestion or solution will be greatly appreciated.

When applying for a Non-Imm 'O' Visa you do NOT need to show any financial proof to the IO, the only time it needs to be proven is when applying for an 'Extension of Stay' at the local Immigration Office in your province prior to when said Visa is to expire, either Baht800,00 seasoned for two months in a Thai Bank Account (not Savings Account) or proof letter from your Embassy that you have monthly income equalling or greater than Baht40,000, the only difference I know of between Vientiene & Savannakhet is that Vientiene will only give you a 3 month Non-Imm 'O' Visa where as Savannakhet will issue a 12 month one

PLEASE! Just direct people to the Thai Immigration website ONLY! Thank you,

[Tony125]

You do work while in Thailand (with your laptop) and don't pay tax in Thailand. This is illegal.

Wrong !!! I guess you don't keep up with latest changes:

The event was organised by the Chamber of Commerce, Upper Northern Thailand Provincial Cluster 1, and was attended by members of the local consular corps and some foreign business owners.

Pol. Col. Rutphong Sanwanangkun, Superintendent of Chiang Mai Immigration, addressed those present along with two of his colleagues. The immigration officers answered questions, including some that CityNews asked readers to submit.

What if I want to work in Thailand?

If you are working for a Thai company, you will need a non-immigrant (type visa and then a work permit in order to work legally.

If you are a 'digital nomad' running your own business on the internet, the immigration office says you can do this on a tourist visa.

If you are a 'digital nomad' running your own business on the internet, the immigration office says you can do this on a tourist visa.

[kotsak]

I'll believe that when I see it in black and white and rubber stamped..

[bangkoklasse]

The Immigration don't know he works of course.

As he mentioned after your post, he told them. They didn't care. Still think it's illegal? You and the guy that liked your post know better than the authorities?

He told the Immigation that he didn't work in Thailand. Don't make up stories here............and I don't min if he work.

[bangkoklasse]

It can't be possible to have wife, car and house here. Stay here most of the year without working. And don't own 400k or 40k a month for the extension of stay.

What if buying the house, the car and the wife (sin sod) used up all his capital, so he can't show 400K in a bank account, and his Malaysian salary is less than 40K - quite enough for a comfortable life if you already own a house and your only expenses are food, petrol and utilities - a lot of Thai get by on household incomes of less than 40K.

Then he can't get the extension of stay......it's very simple

[bangkoklasse]

Good to hear all the pro and con reply..

Well, i don't work 9 - 5 every day at home in Bangkok. In a week i may receive about 3 - 7 emails forwarded from my company in Malaysia. It take only few minutes to reply an email. Some email take 10 - 15 min to reply. Others email @ 30 min - 1 hour plus. So in a week my working hour is less than 10 hours in total. Is like replying a friend email with description what to do, how to do and how to solve some problems. That's all.... Easy job but need someone who know the "know how"and expertise in providing solution in my industry via email.

Only 10 hours per week. Rest of the time relax, watch TV, watch movie and spend time with playing with my 2 pet dog and wife.

I even told the immigration at Suvarnabhumi what i do and to them is not like a job at all with so much free time. So they couldn't even bother what i do or how i do as long as i don't earn money from Thai company or Thai people. They just want me to apply for appropriate VISA to Thailand. They specifically mentioned about the THB 800,000 which what they are more concern of.

I just need a solution from you guys and there was a suggestion to get VISA at Suvannakhet in Laos with showing any financial proof. I would most likely to try that out if it work. Any other suggestion or solution will be greatly appreciated.

When applying for a Non-Imm 'O' Visa you do NOT need to show any financial proof to the IO, the only time it needs to be proven is when applying for an 'Extension of Stay' at the local Immigration Office in your province prior to when said Visa is to expire, either Baht800,000 seasoned for two months in a Thai Bank Account (not Savings Account) or proof letter from your Embassy that you have monthly income equalling or greater than Baht40,000, the only difference I know of between Vientiene & Savannakhet is that Vientiene will only give you a 3 month Non-Imm 'O' Visa where as Savannakhet will issue a 12 month one

In many countries you need to show financial proof when applying for a non O. I have done that a few times

[bangkoklasse]

You do work while in Thailand (with your laptop) and don't pay tax in Thailand. This is illegal.

Wrong !!! I guess you don't keep up with latest changes:

The event was organised by the Chamber of Commerce, Upper Northern Thailand Provincial Cluster 1, and was attended by members of the local consular corps and some foreign business owners.

Pol. Col. Rutphong Sanwanangkun, Superintendent of Chiang Mai Immigration, addressed those present along with two of his colleagues. The immigration officers answered questions, including some that CityNews asked readers to submit.

What if I want to work in Thailand?

If you are working for a Thai company, you will need a non-immigrant (type visa and then a work permit in order to work legally.

If you are a 'digital nomad' running your own business on the internet, the immigration office says you can do this on a tourist visa.

If you are a 'digital nomad' running your own business on the internet, the immigration office says you can do this on a tourist visa.

Yes but the problem is that he is not a digital nomad. He is an employee in a Malaysian company. And working for that company

[bangkoklasse]

Jeffreybangkok, good luck getting a new visa

[Jip66]

Good to hear all the pro and con reply..

Well, i don't work 9 - 5 every day at home in Bangkok. In a week i may receive about 3 - 7 emails forwarded from my company in Malaysia. It take only few minutes to reply an email. Some email take 10 - 15 min to reply. Others email @ 30 min - 1 hour plus. So in a week my working hour is less than 10 hours in total. Is like replying a friend email with description what to do, how to do and how to solve some problems. That's all.... Easy job but need someone who know the "know how"and expertise in providing solution in my industry via email.

Only 10 hours per week. Rest of the time relax, watch TV, watch movie and spend time with playing with my 2 pet dog and wife.

I even told the immigration at Suvarnabhumi what i do and to them is not like a job at all with so much free time. So they couldn't even bother what i do or how i do as long as i don't earn money from Thai company or Thai people. They just want me to apply for appropriate VISA to Thailand. They specifically mentioned about the THB 800,000 which what they are more concern of.

I just need a solution from you guys and there was a suggestion to get VISA at Suvannakhet in Laos with showing any financial proof. I would most likely to try that out if it work. Any other suggestion or solution will be greatly appreciated.

When applying for a Non-Imm 'O' Visa you do NOT need to show any financial proof to the IO, the only time it needs to be proven is when applying for an 'Extension of Stay' at the local Immigration Office in your province prior to when said Visa is to expire, either Baht800,000 seasoned for two months in a Thai Bank Account (not Savings Account) or proof letter from your Embassy that you have monthly income equalling or greater than Baht40,000, the only difference I know of between Vientiene & Savannakhet is that Vientiene will only give you a 3 month Non-Imm 'O' Visa where as Savannakhet will issue a 12 month one

In many countries you need to show financial proof when applying for a non O. I have done that a few times

We are not talking about 'many countries', only two specific cities in Laos, neither of which require you to produce proof of income to apply for ANY type of Visa, stop trying to make things more complicated than they already are.

May I suggest you go back to bed, & when you wake up get out of it from the other side, because today you have clearly woken up on the wrong side....

[jspill]

He told the Immigation that he didn't work in Thailand. Don't make up stories here............and I don't min if he work.

From how I read his post, it sound like he explained his job and that he can do it online remotely in the short term to support himself while in Thailand:

I even told the immigration at Suvarnabhumi what i do and to them is not like a job at all with so much free time. So they couldn't even bother what i do or how i do as long as i don't earn money from Thai company or Thai people. They just want me to apply for appropriate VISA to Thailand.

Their issue was that he has been doing it too long for his visa type. But his work isn't illegal.

the problem is that he is not a digital nomad. He is an employee in a Malaysian company. And working for that company

He is a digital nomad while in Thailand. While here he works online (digitally) remotely with no tie to the country, on a temporary basis (nomadically).

[Baghdad]

What a ball bag you are!

You do work while in Thailand (with your laptop) and don't pay tax in Thailand. This is illegal.

[bkkjames]

What a ball bag you are!

You do work while in Thailand (with your laptop) and don't pay tax in Thailand. This is illegal.

perhaps...but he is no doubt spending money in Thailand...probably brought in from Malaysia. I guess that's a bad thing.

[Tony125]

You do work while in Thailand (with your laptop) and don't pay tax in Thailand. This is illegal.

Wrong !!! I guess you don't keep up with latest changes:

The event was organised by the Chamber of Commerce, Upper Northern Thailand Provincial Cluster 1, and was attended by members of the local consular corps and some foreign business owners.

Pol. Col. Rutphong Sanwanangkun, Superintendent of Chiang Mai Immigration, addressed those present along with two of his colleagues. The immigration officers answered questions, including some that CityNews asked readers to submit.

What if I want to work in Thailand?

If you are working for a Thai company, you will need a non-immigrant (type visa and then a work permit in order to work legally.

If you are a 'digital nomad' running your own business on the internet, the immigration office says you can do this on a tourist visa.

If you are a 'digital nomad' running your own business on the internet, the immigration office says you can do this on a tourist visa.

Yes but the problem is that he is not a digital nomad. He is an employee in a Malaysian company. And working for that company

He works for the malaysian company and keeps in contact by phone and e mail so is not doing business in thailand he is not working for a Thai company or selling products here in Thailand and shipping abroad. Doesn't need a work permit and is not illegal.

[tomacht8]

I'm thinking in Thailand (near my swimming pool) on a new business idea.

This business idea I will then implement in Europe.

I therefore work then in thailand (mentally)?
Is this illegal and I have to pay for this taxes?

[John1thru10]

It can't be possible to have wife, car and house here. Stay here most of the year without working. And don't own 400k or 40k a month for the extension of stay.

How do you know what is possible and what is not ? Beside that is absolutely possible, remember that you just like anybody else are a member of the forum and are not called to make financial judgments on anybody's else situation.

But you are allowed to make judgement on others. And he wrote that he work wherever he is

Agreed, that you really often don't understand other people's situations at all - many a onesizefitsall judgements from you I notice, passed off as if fact.

[John1thru10]

What a ball bag you are!

You do work while in Thailand (with your laptop) and don't pay tax in Thailand. This is illegal.

perhaps...but he is no doubt spending money in Thailand...probably brought in from Malaysia. I guess that's a bad thing.

Exactly, and Thailand is shooting itself square in the foot these days, accusing everyone of working illegally based only on wild speculations.

[JLCrab]

Everyone?

[DrTuner]

The Immigration don't know he works of course.

As he mentioned after your post, he told them. They didn't care. Still think it's illegal? You and the guy that liked your post know better than the authorities?

Immigration is the executive branch of government. They enforce the laws, but don't get to say what is legal or not. That's the job of the judicial system.

They have largely decided not to enforce the Alien Working Act in the case of nomads, probably because it's hard to do so. Doesn't mean it's legal, for clearing up that there would have to be a court case with a judgement saying it is.

[bangkoklasse]

You do work while in Thailand (with your laptop) and don't pay tax in Thailand. This is illegal.

Wrong !!! I guess you don't keep up with latest changes:

The event was organised by the Chamber of Commerce, Upper Northern Thailand Provincial Cluster 1, and was attended by members of the local consular corps and some foreign business owners.

Pol. Col. Rutphong Sanwanangkun, Superintendent of Chiang Mai Immigration, addressed those present along with two of his colleagues. The immigration officers answered questions, including some that CityNews asked readers to submit.

What if I want to work in Thailand?

If you are working for a Thai company, you will need a non-immigrant (type visa and then a work permit in order to work legally.

If you are a 'digital nomad' running your own business on the internet, the immigration office says you can do this on a tourist visa.

If you are a 'digital nomad' running your own business on the internet, the immigration office says you can do this on a tourist visa.

Yes but the problem is that he is not a digital nomad. He is an employee in a Malaysian company. And working for that company

He works for the malaysian company and keeps in contact by phone and e mail so is not doing business in thailand he is not working for a Thai company or selling products here in Thailand and shipping abroad. Doesn't need a work permit and is not illegal.

He go back every month to Malaysia. And also to company meetings in Kuala Lumpur and other countries........doesn't sound like a digital nomad running his own business to me !!!

[orpheus454]

He is not a salesman on a one day trip. He stays here most of the year. And work for a company

Yes I'm aware. Hypotactically all overseas salesman in Thailand for sales needs a working visa .

Yeah, but that's just hypotactical...