Comments on: So u wanna live in Thailand? http://www.2thebigmango.com/u-of-mango/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/ Insiders take on Thailand Fri, 09 Jan 2009 09:17:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: worried http://www.2thebigmango.com/u-of-mango/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-18274 worried Sun, 26 Aug 2007 00:56:32 +0000 http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-18274 guess this kinda on topic. Which is best visa run option for trying to get a non-immigrant visa, rather than simple tourist visa. Ive heard different consulates/embassies differ a lot in their attitudes. I just want to get a 3 month single entry non-immigrant visa. Perhaps the "O" class. Though I have no concrete reason - am under 50, not married to a thai, no work or educational affiliation in thailand etc. Anyone managed to get one - just because they want one? And where? guess this kinda on topic. Which is best visa run option for trying to get a non-immigrant visa, rather than simple tourist visa. Ive heard different consulates/embassies differ a lot in their attitudes. I just want to get a 3 month single entry non-immigrant visa. Perhaps the “O” class. Though I have no concrete reason - am under 50, not married to a thai, no work or educational affiliation in thailand etc. Anyone managed to get one - just because they want one? And where?
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]]> By: smitty http://www.2thebigmango.com/u-of-mango/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-18188 smitty Sat, 25 Aug 2007 13:16:49 +0000 http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-18188 Work permit has to be issued or granted from a business that has available work permits to offer - so short answer is no u can't make one yourself. Work permit has to be issued or granted from a business that has available work permits to offer - so short answer is no u can’t make one yourself.
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]]> By: mary anne http://www.2thebigmango.com/u-of-mango/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-18185 mary anne Sat, 25 Aug 2007 12:58:53 +0000 http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-18185 got a lot job offers but they could'nt issue a work permit, is it possible i could make for myself? i will just need a supporting papers from them? got a lot job offers but they could’nt issue a work permit, is it possible i could make for myself? i will just need a supporting papers from them?
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]]> By: A guy who did (live in Bangkok) http://www.2thebigmango.com/u-of-mango/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-3595 A guy who did (live in Bangkok) Sun, 29 Apr 2007 11:16:28 +0000 http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-3595 Thanks for converting my original comment to a post, and also thanks to Werewolf who had some great info that was also converted to a post. If this subject interests you, please read: Werewolf's post: http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand-by-werewolf/ His take: hands-on, here's-how-to-do-it (as an entrepreneur). My original post: http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand-by-a-guy-who-did-live-in-bangkok/ My take: kinda saltier and more "what-do-you-REALLY-wanna-do?" Yeah, you hit a geyser here Smitty, good work. One thing I would take issue with is bandwidth in Thailand and IT Ministry competency. If you're only sending text files then it's fine, but if you want to outsource and have large files going back and forth between your Thai office and the home office, then Thailand loses that business. This is NOT hypothetical--I know bizpeople who would love to open branch offices in Bangkok and leverage the creativity of Thai designers (and the low rents/salaries) but cannot because the bandwidth is so retarded. Interesting discussion--please continue. Thanks for converting my original comment to a post, and also thanks to Werewolf who had some great info that was also converted to a post. If this subject interests you, please read:

Werewolf’s post: http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand-by-werewolf/

His take: hands-on, here’s-how-to-do-it (as an entrepreneur).

My original post: http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand-by-a-guy-who-did-live-in-bangkok/

My take: kinda saltier and more “what-do-you-REALLY-wanna-do?”

Yeah, you hit a geyser here Smitty, good work. One thing I would take issue with is bandwidth in Thailand and IT Ministry competency. If you’re only sending text files then it’s fine, but if you want to outsource and have large files going back and forth between your Thai office and the home office, then Thailand loses that business. This is NOT hypothetical–I know bizpeople who would love to open branch offices in Bangkok and leverage the creativity of Thai designers (and the low rents/salaries) but cannot because the bandwidth is so retarded. Interesting discussion–please continue.
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]]> By: smitty http://www.2thebigmango.com/u-of-mango/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-3580 smitty Sun, 29 Apr 2007 08:54:07 +0000 http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-3580 WW - one more comment on your post: For the permanent 1 year visa you have to meet the Thai employee rule, have had to pay personal income taxes, company taxes and something they threw in recently you is you must no longer be a loss-making company. I think this one is so stupid and was a recent thing due to FBA. This is insane since no one would show profit until they have recouped there capital investment. So in our case as we build/buy bars we spend capital and I have no intention of making profit until I recoup my investments. Really lame this one is. So me, like many people I know, take the 1 year visa that must be cleared every 90 days with a visa run. My work permit has to be stamped at the same time to reflect the 90 period. I am okay with this since it also allows you to pay yourself a lower salary than if you had the 1 year visa. WW - one more comment on your post:

For the permanent 1 year visa you have to meet the Thai employee rule, have had to pay personal income taxes, company taxes and something they threw in recently you is you must no longer be a loss-making company. I think this one is so stupid and was a recent thing due to FBA. This is insane since no one would show profit until they have recouped there capital investment. So in our case as we build/buy bars we spend capital and I have no intention of making profit until I recoup my investments. Really lame this one is.

So me, like many people I know, take the 1 year visa that must be cleared every 90 days with a visa run. My work permit has to be stamped at the same time to reflect the 90 period. I am okay with this since it also allows you to pay yourself a lower salary than if you had the 1 year visa.
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]]> By: smitty http://www.2thebigmango.com/u-of-mango/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-3578 smitty Sun, 29 Apr 2007 08:43:11 +0000 http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-3578 Jesus. I hit a geyser here folks. I think this is pretty cool. I can't disagree or agree with it all but I think the discussion is great. I made my decision to be here because I wanted to be here. I like Asia and I am over living in America. Hong Kong got too pricey, too uptight and a little to Chinese for me but my 4 years there were amazing. I would not trade them for anything. I loved SE Asia and felt Thailand was the best choice for me but hell it may not be for others. I have some friends making a good go of things in Vietnam and I think about looking into that as well. WW - thanks. I may roll you stuff into a post if you don't mind. Huge amount of stuff in there. BBB - I hear u. I do think the virtual thing can work though. Meaning if you just need a place to hack away then I think Thailand is cool for that - visa issues aside. I am still bringing money to their economy is my take on it but obviously I would not engage in local business without doing it the right way. Of course I know a lot of people doing import/export without any licenses and all good until u get caught. The transfer this is tough but should be explored. I got as far as HK on a transfer that at least got me to Asia. Another friend of mine got as far as Singapore so I can help get you out of the mother country. A guy who did - wow. Telling it like it is. Good advice. It can be tough but it can be done as well but I think you need goals, a plan and a fallback position. So true. U also need not fall off the rails like I see so many do. Huge props though - nice rant. I also hear u on the Thai school. For me - bottom line. I wanted to be an entrepreneur while at the same time freeing up some of my cycles to run this blog, write and follow some other longshot opportunities that I never had the time for when I was working for them man. Also being an entrepreneur may not be as simple - it can be a hell of a lot cheaper than say doing it in HK or San Francisco. great thread folks. much more to come. Jesus. I hit a geyser here folks. I think this is pretty cool. I can’t disagree or agree with it all but I think the discussion is great.

I made my decision to be here because I wanted to be here. I like Asia and I am over living in America. Hong Kong got too pricey, too uptight and a little to Chinese for me but my 4 years there were amazing. I would not trade them for anything. I loved SE Asia and felt Thailand was the best choice for me but hell it may not be for others. I have some friends making a good go of things in Vietnam and I think about looking into that as well.

WW - thanks. I may roll you stuff into a post if you don’t mind. Huge amount of stuff in there.

BBB - I hear u. I do think the virtual thing can work though. Meaning if you just need a place to hack away then I think Thailand is cool for that - visa issues aside. I am still bringing money to their economy is my take on it but obviously I would not engage in local business without doing it the right way. Of course I know a lot of people doing import/export without any licenses and all good until u get caught. The transfer this is tough but should be explored. I got as far as HK on a transfer that at least got me to Asia. Another friend of mine got as far as Singapore so I can help get you out of the mother country.

A guy who did - wow. Telling it like it is. Good advice. It can be tough but it can be done as well but I think you need goals, a plan and a fallback position. So true. U also need not fall off the rails like I see so many do. Huge props though - nice rant. I also hear u on the Thai school.

For me - bottom line. I wanted to be an entrepreneur
while at the same time freeing up some of my cycles to run this blog, write and follow some other longshot opportunities that I never had the time for when I was working for them man. Also being an entrepreneur may not be as simple - it can be a hell of a lot cheaper than say doing it in HK or San Francisco.

great thread folks. much more to come.
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]]> By: werewolf http://www.2thebigmango.com/u-of-mango/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-3576 werewolf Sun, 29 Apr 2007 08:20:43 +0000 http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-3576 BTW: If all these 'maybes' and uncertainties bother you, don't think about living & working in Thailand. They have laws, like every country, but the enforcement is haphazard, and the knowledge of the people who administer them is patchy, the governmnet is corrupt, so the result is inconsistent. Joe flies to Singapore on Monday, and comes back with a 1-year visa. With identical paperwork, James goes on Tuesday and gets denied a visa; Jerry on Wednesday is issued a 90-day non-B. We describe this phenomenon with a simple phrase: "This is Thailand" or "TIT" for short BTW: If all these ‘maybes’ and uncertainties bother you, don’t think about living & working in Thailand. They have laws, like every country, but the enforcement is haphazard, and the knowledge of the people who administer them is patchy, the governmnet is corrupt, so the result is inconsistent. Joe flies to Singapore on Monday, and comes back with a 1-year visa. With identical paperwork, James goes on Tuesday and gets denied a visa; Jerry on Wednesday is issued a 90-day non-B. We describe this phenomenon with a simple phrase: “This is Thailand” or “TIT” for short
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]]> By: A guy who did (live in Bangkok) http://www.2thebigmango.com/u-of-mango/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-3575 A guy who did (live in Bangkok) Sun, 29 Apr 2007 08:09:05 +0000 http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-3575 editor - this comment was converted to a post: http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand-by-a-guy-who-did-live-in-bangkok/ editor - this comment was converted to a post:

http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand-by-a-guy-who-did-live-in-bangkok/
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]]> By: werewolf http://www.2thebigmango.com/u-of-mango/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-3574 werewolf Sun, 29 Apr 2007 08:04:19 +0000 http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-3574 editor - this comment was converted to a post: http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand-by-werewolf/ editor - this comment was converted to a post:

http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand-by-werewolf/
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]]> By: Bangkok Bad Boy http://www.2thebigmango.com/u-of-mango/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-3573 Bangkok Bad Boy Sun, 29 Apr 2007 07:37:09 +0000 http://www.2thebigmango.com/2007/04/29/so-u-wanna-live-in-thailand/#comment-3573 My two satang: 1. For a proper retirement visa you need to be aged 50+ and have B800k in the bank (I think). You can "retire" earlier, sure - but you'd be doing it on tourist visas. 2. Teachers really do need a degree and a teaching certificate now. Most of the Khao San crowd have been booted from the big English schools. It doesn't pay too well, but it's the easiest option for those with little or no capital who want to live in Thailand. 3. Good luck. I tried to persuade a former employer in the UK that this would be a great idea. Didn't work. Those who succeed will probably make a good Western wage, with a relocation bonus on top, plus accommodation allowance, driver, etc etc. They all drink on Soi 33. Yuck. 4. Loads of people do this but you'll probably be working illegally. And if you're working alone you need to be able to motivate yourself to get things done, and not slope off to Lolita's. 5. I'll leave this one to the experts :) My two satang:

1. For a proper retirement visa you need to be aged 50+ and have B800k in the bank (I think). You can “retire” earlier, sure - but you’d be doing it on tourist visas.

2. Teachers really do need a degree and a teaching certificate now. Most of the Khao San crowd have been booted from the big English schools. It doesn’t pay too well, but it’s the easiest option for those with little or no capital who want to live in Thailand.

3. Good luck. I tried to persuade a former employer in the UK that this would be a great idea. Didn’t work. Those who succeed will probably make a good Western wage, with a relocation bonus on top, plus accommodation allowance, driver, etc etc. They all drink on Soi 33. Yuck.

4. Loads of people do this but you’ll probably be working illegally. And if you’re working alone you need to be able to motivate yourself to get things done, and not slope off to Lolita’s.

5. I’ll leave this one to the experts :)
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