[My wife is getting fat.]

Obesity seems to be a global problem, and there also seems to be no generally approved answers to why. I have an old friend who are one of the world leading professors in obesity, and I often reads what he share.

 

Some studies conclude that obesity is caused by wealth, when people can afford to eat enough food, which might include "unhealthy" food. Other studies claim obesity as a disease; I can suspect the medical industries to wish and support that, so they can sell obesity medicine supported by government funds.

 

Some gets fatter from carbon hydrate (sugar), others from fat. That might be a good reason why some diets like pasta works for some, and not for others, while eating non-fat then works for others, but not for some.

 

Studies have shown that there different ways for obesity depending of blood sugar level. It's depending of insulin sensitivity of how fast you feel full; which might be why diabetes medicine works to reduce obesity.

 

In general it might still be down to that if energy intake is larger than energy consumption, the excess energy is stored, which in humans is stored as fat. From that point of view it's primary a question of change in life-style – both amount of food and snacks, and what to be eaten, and level of exercise, which is an important factor when slimming to burn the right fat – which can be difficult and might require some strong will.

 

My own lovely girlfriend seems to have same kind of problem – however, still a bit from the level for finishing the relationship – but she finally try to face the change of life-style; she was also still slim after giving birth to our daughter, now some 18 years years ago.

 

A way to help might be to in a kind way convincing that a life-style change is necessary – obesity can lead to a lot of diseases and shorter life.

[thai nationals and tax returns]

On 3/6/2024 at 2:41 AM, STD Warehouse said:

Is it true that the consensus feeling is that a majority of Thai nationals do not file tax returns who are required to file them?

 

I feel that like many things here the rules are not enforced, in reality, would you think this is true in regards to thais filing tax returns?

 

very curious about this.

According to new articles shared in ASEAN NOW about 6 percent of Thais are registered for income tax and circa 4 percent pays income tax.

[Where to travel out of country for 2 days?]

Singapore; and especially on Sentosa Island you won't get bored...

[My wife is getting fat.]

Global obesity pandemic, virus spread by all the Western foreigners visiting Land of Smiling Slim Ladies...

[Samui 2024 - Whats happening !]

March 29th to 31st, TAT Samui Open Beach Volleyball Tournament 

 

 

The 6th annual TAT Samui Open Beach Volleyball Tournament will be held on Koh Samui, Thailand 29-31 March 2024 at SEEN Beach Club on Chaweng Beach. Promising to be a thrilling sporting event, the international tournament will be a big boost for Sports-Tourism for Southern Thailand & Koh Samui.

 

The now fully registered tournament will see 88 teams with 130 athletes and 28 countries represented from Europe, North America, South America, Oceania, Australia and Asia. 80% of the athletes are from overseas and 20% are Thai and Foreign National.

100,000THB in prize money will be awarded to tournament winners along with trophies, medals, sponsor vouchers, volleyball gear and apparel. The Beach Volleyball Event is partnering with ‘HUB Beach Volleyball’ Camp from Australia offering a 3-day Training Camp prior to the event and features Olympic Volleyball Silver Medalist, David McKienzie, as the Head Coach.

 

Read more HERE.

 

 

[Non B to Non O Issue / Advice]

16 hours ago, Liquorice said:

As is the Non B, which is for Business/work.
The 'O', stands for 'other', meaning those who entered Thailand for any activity not listed in 1-14 of section 34 of the Immigration Act.

 

Section 34 : aliens entering into the kingdom for a temporary stay may enter for the below listed activities ;

1. Diplomatic or Consular Missions.

2. Performance of official duties.

3. Touring

4. Sporting

5. Business

6. Investing under the concurrence of the Ministries and Departments concerned.

7. Investing or other activities relating to investing subject to the provisions of the law on investment promotion.

8. Transit journey.

9. Being the person in charge of the crew of a conveyance coming to port, station , or area in the Kingdom.

10. Study or observation.

11. Mass media.

12. Missionary work under the concurrence of the Ministries and departments concerned.

13. Scientific research or training or teach in a Research Institute in the Kingdom.

14. The practice of skilled handicraft or as a specialist

15. Other activities as prescribed in the Ministerial Regulations

 

The OP can ask, no harm in trying, but in my experience from those I know who were teachers on a Non B, then retired, Immigration stated they couldn't change the 'reason' for an extension until they ended their current permission of stay by leaving the Country and obtaining a Non O, the purpose being Thai spouse/family and retirement.

 

In fairness, I have previously read reports of those successfully changing the 'reason' of their extension to retirement when they entered on a Non B visa, but not since 2019 when Big Joke stuck his nose in and made a few changes to the then existing Immigration orders. Since that time the consensus of Immigration has been if you want to apply to extend your stay based on retirement, then get the correct visa type. That being the Non Imm O, although Immigration orders still simply state Non Immigrant status.

However, the link I gave you about successfully change of extension of stay is to a recent tread from 2023...

 

 

[It’s their country, their rules?]

On 3/7/2024 at 9:57 AM, bob smith said:

I would like to ask those that believe this,

do you also have the same attitude about your home country?

is it your country your rules as well?

also, when foreigners misbehave or slightly transgress in your country, do you think that a trial by social media and a revocation of their visa is an appropriate response?

Yes, I do... – and numerous of my home country fellows think the same...

[Website for Business]

On 3/5/2024 at 10:43 AM, MangoKorat said:

I intend starting a business in Thailand later this year and of course, will need to have a website. I have no idea how to go about that but I am aware that it is possible to build your own.

 

[ ... ]

 

Some people have suggested that I should just have a Facebook page - I have no idea what to do. So, can someone please advise a complete novice on how to go about making my business details available on the internet?

Simple advice without too many details...

 

First of all, you'll need your own domain name, which would be best at your business' brand name or something short for that; i.e., MYNAME.COM.

 

You can search and buy a domain name several places, I use Homepage Universe in US. You can pay by credit card. They also offers you hosting (web hotel) of a homepage from a few US$ per month, but you can shop around and check prices and facilities other places.

 

To build your own homepage, many people – including professionals – use WordPress, which is probably the most easy way to create a professional looking website. There are other also easy to use software, which hosting providers offers for free, including WordPress, which can be upgraded to a professional version.

 

Today you also need a safety certificate (SSL), as otherwise browsers will often not connect to your homepage and show a "not secure"-warning. The hosting providers can often install a certificate for you. If you are not doing a trade on your homepage (shop and payment), you can choose a simple cheap SSL from around $30 per year. You might find little cheaper certificates when shopping around, but then you need to install it yourself. It might be best for a novice to get all service under one roof; i.e., buy domain, hosting and certificate from the same provider.

 

A Facebook profile for your business is good – you homepage can link to the Facebook-profile vice versa – as you can get potential clients to follow you. You can share links to pages on your homepage and direct business/visits to that from your Facebook-profile. Furthermore you can use Facebook for advertising your business and create further interest and more followers. However, don't replace your own homepage with only a Facebook-profile, it's not the same and you don't have menu options in a Facebook profile.

 

A little, but important hint is: Use the so-called mega-tags in your homepage-builder software to name "keywords" and a short "description" for each page, not to forget a describing "title", to optimize Google's and other search engine's robots to include your homepage in their search results. Search engine optimization is special expert subject, but just a few things like using the meta-tags can make a huge difference.

[Visa exempt to Non-O, "in Chiang Mai"]

9 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

Do the required funds in my Thai bank account have to be seasoned 2-3 months or not at all

and do the monies have to be proven to be from abroad?

In general when applying for non-O in Thailand after visa exempt entry, your funds needs to come from abroad, and they do not need to be seasoned.

 

Maturing of two month is needed when you apply for extension of stay (based on retirement).

 

A personal recommendation: As soon as you get you non-O, then move the 800k to a separate bank account – i.e. another bank account than used for transfers and daily transaction – so it clear that they have been seasoned and not under the limit. If you can afford it, make it it a 12-month fixed account and just leave the funds there for best interest, which you can withdraw once a year so you keep 800k baht clean in the account. That will make you sleep well – the funds are there – and not worrying about baht exchange rates and topping up from 400k to 800k in time.

[Transport from/to the islands Phangan, Tao and Samui]

New Seahorse car-ferry route from Bangkok to Samui – or change of departure from Sattahip to Bangkok – starting March 23, with tickets sales opening on March 9th...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more on Seahorse's Facebook profile, link HERE.

 

 

[Non B to Non O Issue / Advice]

29 minutes ago, Liquorice said:

Immigration will not allow you to change the reason of the extension to Thai spouse or retirement when you entered with a visa specifically for the purpose of business/employment.
Just as they won't allow you to change the reason to Thai spouse when you enter on a Non Imm O-A visa, which is specifically for retirement.
They'll tell you to go out and obtain a Non O first.

 

There is no written procedure to change your visa status from type B to type O.
https://bangkok.immigration.go.th/en/issuing-and-changing-type-of-visa/

Non O-A is a different and special so-called "retirement visa" by some Thai embassies, it's valid for 12 month with 12 months stay on each entry.

 

It's possible to stay as retiree in Thailand after work – which OP also is aware of, and it's not his question – please read answers in this ASEAN NOW-thread...

 

 

[Transport from/to the islands Phangan, Tao and Samui]

From May 13, 2024, Scoot, a subsidiary of Singapore Airline, will operate daily flights between Singapore and Ko Samui using its new Embraer E190-E2 aircraft.

"Scoot’s network expansion comes as the Singapore Airlines Group unit prepares to take delivery of its first Embraer 190-E2 aircraft. The airline on 5 March disclosed the E2’s initial network, including the addition of two regional points from Singapore. 

The airline announced that the E2s – on lease from lessor Azorra – will be flying to Samui in Thailand from May, and Sibu in Malaysia from June. In addition, the E2s will be deployed on flights to Hat Yai and Krabi in Thailand, as well as to Kuantan and Miri in Malaysia."

Source: Flight Global.

[What sort of Tax liability would I have?]

14 hours ago, BillStrangeOgre said:

I'm thinking of opening a sterling bank account with a local bank here in Thailand. I will be on a 'retirement' visa.

I would use the account to deposit funds made on profits from investments outside Thailand.

Can anyone give me any idea what my tax liability/rate in Thailand be?

Thanks

Bill

Probably better to open your Sterling-account off shore, or in your home country, if you are staying 180 days or more during a calendar year in Thailand. All fund transferred into Thailand after January 1st 2024 will be eligible for income taxation, if it's not proven savings from before 2024, or covered by a Double Taxation Agreement.

 

A longer and detailed explanation is in the link shared above.

[Non B to Non O Issue / Advice]

On 3/5/2024 at 6:49 AM, josephbloggs said:

Hi,

I have been in Thailand for 28 years, always employed, married for 15 years. My situation: I am leaving my job on 9th April and will have my visa and WP canceled but will have 21 days extension to leave (as a BOI company), meaning April 30th I have to be gone.

I know how to transfer a non B to a non O, however as I have school fees and mortgage I haven't maintained a solid 400k for two months. I will have a lump sum coming in to Thailand on 16th April which will cover me for a long time but it needs to seed for two months before I can apply for non O (so let's say 16th June is when it will be properly seeded).

So what is the best thing to do between April 30th and June 16th? Can I go out and come back on 30 day exempt and do a 30 day extension? Will this be questionable as I have lived here for so long? And can a visa exempt be converted to non O in country?

Or do I leave and come back on a 60 day tourist visa? Same questions apply as to whether it looks suspect and if it can be converted in country.

Finally, I read Atomphuket's really helpful thread about Savannakhet. It seems they will dish out a one year multiple entry non O without seeding the money for two months. Can anyone confirm this is absolutely correct? I will have the money in the bank, no problem, just not two months' seeded. I would hate to go all that way for the seeding to be an issue.

Any advice gratefully accepted. I have never had to worry about this stuff for 28 years....

 

You should check if you can get a 60-days extension for being married to a Thai, which will be enough to mature your 400k deposit.

 

It's not you visa you transfer from non-B to non-O – your visa has expired – it's the reason for extension of stay, which you change from business/work to retirement.

[Shock !!! Uttaradit Immigration Now Using 'Local Office Policy' To Charge For Transfer.]

On 3/5/2024 at 7:09 AM, hughrection said:

Even in the sticks, they make up the rules as they go along. This was an office that was known to be helpful but now they are like all the rest.

 

200 baht administration charge as local office policy to transfer stamps from old passport to new even though it is quite clear that this is a free service.

 

Shouldn't really be surprised but still it is unfortunate.

 

A heads up to all who live in the province.

Wow, cheap, I pay 500 baht for having visa-stamps moved, which is actually a reasonable fee, if you think of it and compares to what public service costs at many places...

[If you can't be happy in Thailand]

On 3/5/2024 at 7:28 AM, Dolf said:

If people aren't happy in Thailand I wonder what will make them happy. Unless you are a skier who need snows I'm not sure why people rubbish Thailand. Cheap dental, cheap food, lots of women, cheap rooms.

In a way I agree; if you as a foreigner don't like Thailand, you are free to move to some other place or back home...

[Buying a car online]

14 hours ago, Merrill said:

I have found a Car on Baht and Sold to make the transfer what is the best way?

 I will meet a representative for the owner as they are in Germany at a hotel in BKK.

What is the best way to ensure that the car is not stolen? As it is a 2005 it should not have any HPI on it. 

Would it be safe enough to hand the money over after receiving the Green Book and the relevant bill on sale?

 

Cheers for any advice

You shall have a blue book for a car, and it shall be up to date with tax and insurance.

 

I would wish to physically inspect a second hand car before deciding to buy it. I would not pay before at the land transport office, when the car is moved to a new owner; i.e. power of attorney etc. accepted.

[Converting Non-ED to Non-O based on retirement.]

3 hours ago, brianp0803 said:

 

I see conflicting information

 

How do you change non-b (working as a teacher) to non-o (for retirement) in-country?

Chaeng Wattana, 63 year old American

 

After Work-permit is cancelled (labor office) and Extension of stay changed(immigration), can I immediately use TM 7 to get a 90 day extension for retirement?  Need to change to Non-o?

It's not your visa that you change, but the condition for extension of stay; your visa has normally already expired shortly after you get your first extension of stay.

 

I don't believe that you can get a 90-day extension, it will normally be for one year, or as long as you passport is valid if that period is shorter than one year.

 

To my knowledge, when you ends your working life, you can continue to stay as retiree, if you fulfill the the needed requirements. That is why the 800k baht deposit don't need to come from abroad, as you can be saving up while working here; or you can have a Thai retirement pension savings or other income that will be minimum 65k baht per month.

[How do you resist temptation?]

I use an ice cold shower to stop temptation from girls and something that looks like girls...

 

[Samui Immigration and Income Affidavit]

Samui Immigration accepts income affidavit according to their list of documents for extension of stay, both based on marriage and retirement.

 

You might find more about it the pinned thread in the local Samui-forum, link here is for the last page...

 

The scan hereunder is the documents required for extension of stay based on marriage at Samui Immigration – document collected in the office yesterday,  March 1st 2024 – set 2 is the same in Thai language for the wife to read...

 

[Using your child to obtain a guardian visa, possible ?]

On 2/29/2024 at 6:28 AM, thairookie said:

Is it possible for a parent who has no job connections whatsoever with Thailand to obtain a Guardian Visa just to stay long-term in Thailand by sending the child to an international school in Thailand ?

 

I have always thought the child's visa is sponsored by the parent, so that the parent must at least have some legal reason to remain in Thailand, and then the international school will accept the child to study in the school and give her an Education Visa.

 

Is the opposite way possible ?

Yes, as parent – and the child can be a foreigner – many international schools will help you with the process.

[Bangkok Airways (our favourite airline? 🤭)]

42 minutes ago, phetphet said:

I think they raised the late flight curfew time a couple of years ago from 21:00 to 22:30. I suppose they will want to raise it again to fit in more flights. Not good for those living near the airport, or under the flight path.

 

Still…Money talks.

It's been 22:00 for the last 20+ years; i.e., airport closed between 22:00 and 06:00. However, delayed flights are permitted. During the 2004 tsunami chaos, night flights were permitted, as tourists could not enter Phuket.

[Thai Citizenship]

23 hours ago, T Matts said:

Is it possible to apply for Thai ID card without my mother present? I’m half Thai but only hold a UK passport and wanting to stay long term in Phuket 

To my knowledge you need to be registered in a Thai House Book to be eligible for a Thai ID-card; i.e. living/resident in Thailand.

 

You probably needs to be mature – i.e., 20 years or older – to apply for anything without parents or a guardians acceptance; I'm not sure of there is a lower age for ID-cards.

 

You don't need a Thai ID-card to staying long term in Phuket. You needs either a long-stay visa and extension of stay when using your British passport, or get a Thai passport. With the latter you enters Thailand as a Thai national and there is no limitation of the period you can stay in the kingdom.

[Where to hold and manage funds UK - Thailand?]

On 2/27/2024 at 7:58 AM, mja1906 said:

For an older couple planning to permanently move from UK to Thailand, what is the best way to manage money between UK and Thailand? I don't think holding large sums in a Thai bank account is a good idea. I think holding just enough for living here (and a bit extra maybe), then holding the rest in a UK or other bank account is a safer idea. Any suggestions of where to hold remaining funds? They plan to use an HSBC online account, but prefer to diversify and have another account they can access money from.  Also, they might buy a condo so would need to transfer a lump sum for that. Thanks !

My advise would be to hold some level of funds in Thailand for both easy access and avoiding currency exchange rate fluctuation. A safe possibility is a "rainy day" 12-month fixed account – funds can be withdrawn without notice, but with loss of interest for the last 12-month period – up to 1 million baht in bank deposit is guaranteed by the government. You can have accounts in more than one bank. Some security money should always be places in a normal extra savings account, preferably with an ATM-card, for easy access in case of emergency; keep it apart for the daily transaction-bank account – where for example retirement pension or whatever other income flows to – so you don't mix up the funds.

 

Another possibility for deposit funds in Thailand is so-called "fund books", which many, if not most, banks offer. It's mutual funds with numerous possibilities. Selecting "fixed income funds" is pretty safe. They are normally accumulating, which means that the interest/outcome is added to the value. When in need of capital you sell out whatever needed. Cash will be available within one to three bank days in the associated savings bank account. There is no loss of interest, as the fund are accumulating. I've been using that in several years for both safety-fund and other long-term savings, for example for the next car or coming major property maintenance. In general the gain is a tiny bit higher than interest from a 12-month fixed account.

 

Investment in the Thai stock market is a bit different story. It's my experience that the Thai stocks lives a bit of their own life, but still partly follows international trend. They are mainly dividend paying stock rather than accumulating value. The dividends however, can easily be in the four to six percent level, or even higher, and with only 10 percent withholding tax it's quite good. Furthermore, you avoid currency exchange rate fluctuation. Capital gains from SET-listed (SET = Stock Exchange of Thailand) stock are income tax free. I have some funds invested in the Thai stock market, but would name is a more risky zone, mainly because it's for a forreigner more difficult to know and follow the game.

 

Investing in one's home country – my major funds savings are in mu home country – has the benefit that you knows better what's going on, than in the Thai stock market. For Western countries the investment also mainly follows the World market and it's sectors. Also in  case of returning to one's home country – for whatever reason – there are some safe fund there. It can of course also be in an offshore account a safe place. The only downside is currency exchange rate fluctuation. Most countries have a Double Taxation Agreement (DTA) with Thailand, including taxation of stock dividends.

 

Any fund transferred into Thailand that are not covered by an DTA or savings from before 1st January 2024, might be eligible for Thai income taxation.

[Steamy side of Internet in Thailand: Adult sites climb charts]

19 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

“This report goes global… ‘Thailand’s Internet Usage Report’ I haven’t read other countries’ reports, but in Thailand, the term ‘X’ is ranked as the 15th top Google search.

Could theoretically also be people searching for posts in former Twitter...