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is Thailand's online newsletter for expats and foreigners living in Thailand and neighbouring countries. It is the only such visa guide to border openings and up to date info on companies, immigration laws and changes to various laws in Thailand. It is also a source of useful information on dos and don'ts if you are in business in Thailand 

THAI VISA, BUS & IMMIGRATION NEWSLETTER June 2004

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IMPORTANT UPDATE NEWS FOR EXPATS & INTERESTED PARTIES

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Dear Readers,

All borders are open: Ranong, Mae Sai, Mae Sot. Chang Saen, Chang Khong & Nong Khai are openor visa runs as with Cambodia. No new changes with visas and no hassles.Please go to www.asiatradingonline.com/visas.htmfor up to date border happenings. 053 277-510 Chiangmai 053 731-008 Mae Sai & 055 563-002-4 Mae Sot.The ChiangMai Golfers Club have Visa runs to Mae Sai from ChiangMai.leaving 7am Wed & 8am Sunday for 650 baht return. Use it again after the 3rd run and they give you a discount rate 550 baht. For info & bookings: Tel: 09-5570402 & ask for Ric. Leaves from the Escape Restaurant Wed 7am & Sun 8am around the corner from the Prince Hotel. The Golfers Club also is accepting foreignersfor social golf -they have over 20 playing members and need more.

PENANG IMMIGRATION STOPS VISAS: Penang has now stopped non immigrant B multi visas even if you have the right paper work. You can obtain a single entry then get extensions in Bangkok or ChiangMai but they now feel all those with businesses should be on one year visas. This means that those company employees will need to be registered for VAT (a work permit requirement) which then allows clear taxation books etc and one can apply for a One year working visa. This is also the same when applying overseas at a Thai Embassy as they are slowly closing the doors for these visas as many foreigners living in Thailand secure B multiples but are not working. As the computer systems become networked more all the doors will shut with this B visa and those working will require a one year visa. It makes sense for those who work here but for those on extended holiday stays you better start looking at retirement visas or marriage visas.

THE EFFECT ON NEW COMPANIES: A headache really for those who wish to start a new company as now one can only obtain a single entry B non immigrant working visa and you must ride on this until your yearly audit. To obtain a one year visa you need company balance sheets which means an audit after the first year so those who decide to apply will need to travel out of Thailand further before these loopholes are also closed to obtain a double or multiple??? if they have not already closed the doors. The good news is that if you are already on a O non working visa you can cross credit this visa for the B visa but only for the duration of. The extra expense for those obtaining extensions is a headache in itself but this is the law.

NEXT MONTH THE VISA CHANGES COME INTO EFFECT: For those of you already married and paying 200,000 baht per year for your visa the hike will go to 400,000 baht per year. We have been told there will not now be grandfather clauses?? but the final decision lies with the government not Immigration. The government is also looking at making one hold that money in ones bank account. This could be making those candidates buy govt bonds (which is what other countries do by the way) so then those who borrow off their friends for a few days may find themselves losing their privilege. We will know the true story July 10th. For all those who have been living on a shoe string in Thailand it may be time to rethink your status. However it is not just Thailand ---- other countries are also changing their laws.

NO CONTRACT: Every month we get distressed email from foreigners who have given money to a Thai only to lose it because they trusted the person and never had a written contract. PLEASE everyone if you lend money the best idea is to say the 2 letter word NO. If you decide to then we feel have them sign a contract with your lawyer and ask them to leave their Car Registration book with the law Office as security in escrow with signed ownership change or whatever else they may have as suitable collateral. Remember this is what a bank would do and since you are the bank you have every right to have security. If the borrower has no assets then how do you expect them to pay you back on "promises". Lenidn to foreigners you may be just extending their holiday for free.

NEED HELP WITH THAIS TRAVELLING ABROAD: Our Bangkok Law Office can now assist foreigners who wish to take their spouses abroad. If you find you cannot accomplish yourself then please ask us. This is a new service we are offering from Bangkok only with USA educated lawyers. All countries we can assist you.

SHIPPING SCHEDULES CHANGED: With the terrorism threat, oil fluctuations which consequently lead to insurance hikes the charges are increasing for exports and exporters. Next month new costs will be initiated and those who receive quotations from shipping companies ---- if they change it is because the shipping schedules have changed not the shipping companies you ship from.

THAI VISA, BUS & IMMIGRATION NEWSLETTER May 2004

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IMPORTANT UPDATE NEWS FOR EXPATS & INTERESTED PARTIES

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Dear Readers, All borders are open: Ranong, Mae Sai, Mae Sot. Chang Saen, Chang Khong & Nong Khai are open or visa runs as with Cambodia. No new changes with visas and no hassles.Please go to www.asiatradingonline.com/visas.htm for up to date border happenings. 053 277-510 Chiangmai 053 731-008 Mae Sai & 055 563-002-4 Mae Sot. The ChiangMai Golfers Club have Visa runs to Mae Sai from ChiangMai. leaving 7am Wed & 8am Sunday for 650 baht return. Use it again after the 3rd run and they give you a discount rate 550 baht. For info & bookings: Tel: 09-5570402 & ask for Ric. Leaves from the Escape Restaurant Wed 7am & Sun 8am around the corner from the Prince Hotel. The Golfers Club also is accepting foreigners for social golf -they have over 20 playing members and need more.

MAE SAI IMMIGRATION  Very quite and alls well on all borders. No poblems with Visa

COMPANY FORMATION If purchasing property you need to show at least 4 Thais in your company shareholding or at least 60% as the Land Office will consider this. The 49% shareholding rule now is OK and one does not have to change your company status to buy land. However it is now up to the discretion of the tax dept and Land Office. If one is using a Company solely to hold land and not conducting a business then you may have problems. Suggest try for 60% Thai ownership to allow the purchase of property but its entirely up to you.Remember of starting a 100% export business you can own the Company with 7 foreign principals.

PURCHASE PROBLEMS: There is now a complaint division at City Hall in ChiangMai on the 2nd floor if you have a problem with any business and your goods are not what you ordered. If you have a problem please go to City Hall and they do speak excellent English.

OVERSTAYING YOUR VISA: The Thai immigration is now serious on overstayers so if this is you we suggest you sort it out if you do not want to be deported. Go direct to the airport and pay the 20-40,000 baht fine as you can then depart from Thailand OK.

NEED HELP WITH THAIS TRAVELLING ABROAD: Our Bangkok Law Office can now assist foreigners who wish to take their spouses abroad. If you find you cannot accomplish yourself then please ask us. This is a new service we are offering from Bangkok only with USA educated lawyers. All countries we can assist you.

CREDIT CARDS: banks will allow foreigners to secure credit cards but you need to show your house registration,work permit and accompanying letter plus passport & bank statements of support to qualify. You also need a banking record here in Thailand. A Thai Company can also apply for credit card facilities but need to have meeting of shareholders to agree, company papers, financial statements, bank statements and letter of approval plus passport, etc.

THE ELITE CARD: Like we told our readers to be careful those who went ahead and purchased the 1m baht Elite Card will now find they will be billed for year 2 @ another 1m baht. As also mentioned by us the Elite card had no safety barriers, the land law was not rectified to allow ownership and the whole thing was a complete rip off. The Thai Company was just that, another Thai company with no clout, no backing & visions of golf courses etc that we already have but lastly it was not under written by anyone whioch in itself left one wide open. Be warned when doing Business in Thailand as there is a lot to learn by not reading the fine print. In this case there was no fine print just expectations that didn't add up. No new sales forecasts will be made public anymore as only 500 cards were sold or given away.

BUYING INTO A BUSINESS THIS MONTH: It happened to two English guys one of which wrote to us for help in May. 1/. The first was living in Samui and helped his girlfriend build a bar. Once finished she told him she wanted to end the relationship. With no contract --she suppoosedly held it; theres was nothing we could do to help. Loss 1m baht 2/. The second was the purchase of a restaurant/bar in ChiangMai's famous Soi 9 The Englishman took the word of the owner that it had a long lease and wanted 1m baht. he gave her the money --- no lease -- and 11/2 weeks to vacate. The girl is nowhere to be found. The premises had a month by month lease and was on the market for 2 years @ 500,000 baht. the loss another 1m baht.

LAW SERVICE Our Bangkok Law Office lawyers & Chiangmai lawyers speak English. & specialize in all Law work. If you have a problem then feel free to ask us--don't be caught like so many. Ask prices before you commit. All emails are treated with confidence and you can still use: lawyer@chiangmailaw.com  for this service. or visit www.chiangmailaw.com  We can now act for Companies and individuals doing business in China.

ACCOUNTING & TAX ISSUES: Accounting and tax questions we now have a qualified Chartered accountant who speaks excellent English working with us. Those wishing to use the services of Saranya Chotika please write to us.. Saranya has joined our company and you can view her news on our websites under accounting. www.chiangmailaw.com 

HOUSES AND RENTALS BUY & SELL  Use the services of Chiangmai & Bangkok Realty --- free advice under buying for all those thinking about buying a property & the procedures to follow. Again we warn people buying cheap land. Do not give deposits until you seek legal advice and a title search. Last month we had people who lost their deposits trusting the inevitable seller??? Check the following; www.bangkokrealty.biz  & www.chiangmairealty.com  Bangkok prices for condos are holding around 30-40,000 baht per sq ft. This will last for another year as more apartment blocks and buildings go up. However we also feel within 2 years the situation will change and there may be too many apartments for too few buyers. With consumer spending at a high and interest free loans from everything from cars to merchandise and the influx of credit cards this too will be felt within 2 years that the country cannot sustain such expenditure without having a detrimental affect on the economy as a whole.

To unsubscribe to Thai Visa News email: law@asiatradingonline.com  with "remove" in the subject matter. We fully respect your privacy. The contents of this newsletter are covered by copyright. Feel free to pass on to friends but in due respect to our Law Office no parts or parts of this newsletter are to be published in any way, shape or form without the express written permission of our 29 Tanin Co Law Office. The comments we make are purely unbiased and as we have always said sometimes our information is incorrect but our aim is to help those of you who are living or want to live in Thailand.

THAI VISA, BUS & IMMIGRATION NEWSLETTER April 2004

****************************************

IMPORTANT UPDATE NEWS FOR EXPATS & INTERESTED PARTIES

****************************************

Dear Readers,

all borders are open: Ranong, Mae Sai, Mae Sot. Chang Saen, Chang Khong & Nong Khai are open or visa runs as with Cambodia. Please go to www.asiatradingonline.com/visas.htm for up to date border happenings. 053 277-510 Chiangmai 053 731-008 Mae Sai & 055 563-002-4 Mae Sot. The ChiangMai Golfers Club have Visa runs to Mae Sai from ChiangMai. leaving 7am Wed & 8am Sunday for 600 baht return. Use it again after the 3rd run and they give you a discount rate 500 baht. For info & bookings: Tel: 09-5570402 & ask for Ric pay at the Escape Restaurant around the corner from the Prince Hotel.Leaves from the Escape Restaurant Wed 7am & Sun 8am.

MAE SAI IMMIGRATION When travelling to Mae Sai for your visa you now no longer go to immigration 2kms back from the border. All exit stamps are now processed at the border but the queues. The new laws coming in may mean 2 stamps then you have to go to another borderpost. We have been told the immigration is going to clamp down on too many tourist visas in passports but so far nothing has happened

APPLYING FOR VISAS OUTSIDE THAILAND: The easiest place for non immigrant Visas is now Penang. their are agents in the Swiss Hotel who can arrange but if you have a company make sure you have company stamp, letter and papers including VAT if you have but not really necessary.

COMPANY FORMATION  You can form a 1m baht Thai Company if you do not require a work permit. This allows you to carry out business in Thailand as well as owning property without the extra expense of employing 4 Thais and paying social welfare tax. However you cannot have a work permit and must change to a 2m baht company. Thai companies no longer are required to show 39% share holding and can now have 49% to own property within the Company.

NEW VISA RULES FROM JULY CONFIRMED BY IMMIGRATION

BANGKOK: The new rules for foreigners married to Thai citizens was passed as law in July 2003, to be effected from July 10'th 2004, same time as the new rules/figures for foreigners working in business here

MARRIAGE EXTENSIONS: The requirements for new NON-O extensions based on marriage to Thai citizen are:- Having a saving account showing not less than 400.000 baht for annual use

or - Having an income of not less than 40.000 baht a month

or - Having a savings account and income together of not less than 40.000 baht a month.(Example: Saving account with 200.000 bath + income 20.000 baht a month will be accepted).This new new rules/figures, is now confirmed by Vice Commander of Immigration Division 1,Montrie Gosiyasathit, only apply to people applying for extension first time after July 9. 2004.For foreigners already in the system the old rule/figures still apply, also in the future,currently 200,000 baht or a combination of income and savings not less than 200,000 baht.

RETIREMENT EXTENSIONS: No changes in the requirements or rules for NON-O Retirement visa extensions,the amount required is still 800,000 in Thai bank assets or a combination ofsavings and income of not less than 800,000 baht.Applicants who in the past was grandfathered with lower amounts than 800,000will be allowed to continue with their lower amounts.Source: Immigration Bureau 2004-02-24

LAW SERVICE Our Bangkok Law Office lawyers & Chiangmai lawyers speak English.& specialize in all Law work. If you have aproblem then feel free to ask us--don't be caught like so many.All emails are treated with confidence and you can stilluse: lawyer@chiangmailaw.com  for this service.or visit www.chiangmailaw.com 

ACCOUNTING & TAX ISSUES:Accounting and tax questions we now have a qualified Chartered accountantwho speaks excellent English working with us. Those wishing to use the services ofSaranya Chotika please write to us. She is also qualified tosubmit yearly audits for Thai companies. Saranya has joined our companyand you can view her news on our websites under accounting.www.chiangmailaw.com

PAY FOR MORE NEWS:Those who started with us the Visa News is free---thanks everyone for your support.2003 Our new pay system to subscribe to our comprehensive newsletterswith added benefits to those living here and especially directed atCompanies and Businesses & work permit holders.We will not be publishing certain business changes in our regular visa news.Please go to: www.asiatradingonline.com/visanews.htm

If you have any questions feel free to ask us. We are here to be of service to you our Thai Visa News readers. Our thanks to Asia Trading Post Co Ltd our sponsers.

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