Thread: Doing Things Legally? Illegally? How To Get ANYTHING Done In This Country?!

Getting ready to leave Thailand again, to another country, waste some more money and time just so I can get another 30 days...

I'm even married to a Thai. It appears that means nothing here. We have been sent around to office after office, "official" after "official" -- and no one seems to know diddly-squat about what we're supposed to do so that I can stick around longer than thirty lousy days. My wife even owns a business, and told an "official" she would like to hire me, so that I can get a work permit. He said that was "No problem! Where's your husband from? Laos, Cambodia, where?" When she told him I am an American -- whoops! "BIG PROBLEM! Can't do that!"

It appears the best thing to do is simply say, to hell with it, and stay here anyway, and pay the fine on the way out of the country when I leave in December.

Originally Posted by Poisian

It appears the best thing to do is simply say, to hell with it, and stay here anyway, and pay the fine on the way out of the country when I leave in December.

If you're the type of rapscallion who behaves in that manner, then Teakdoor is likely not the place for you, Sir!

Disgusted in Nakhon Oman

I find raising your voice and speaking in English helps..

Some good advice here, early on...Heh...

Why not get a double-entry visa in Laos, for a starter?...Gives you six months when you extend them each...

Originally Posted by kingwilly

I find raising your voice and speaking in English helps..

Sure, but German comes across as less abrasive.

Pointing seems to help .

Reminding them that they are monkeys that should be grateful for your contribution to their country is also a winner.

Be sure to be wearing singlets, shorts and flip flops when you go to remind them of your manly qualities. PErhaps slap a few tables and knock over a couple of chairs or young women and young kids to get their attention.

Had you even considered getting a 1 year no O multi before you came , then renewing that ?

Being married to a Thai really qualifies you for little else except a quick entry through immigration

Originally Posted by Poisian

Getting ready to leave Thailand again, to another country, waste some more money and time just so I can get another 30 days...

I'm even married to a Thai. It appears that means nothing here. We have been sent around to office after office, "official" after "official" -- and no one seems to know diddly-squat about what we're supposed to do so that I can stick around longer than thirty lousy days. My wife even owns a business, and told an "official" she would like to hire me, so that I can get a work permit. He said that was "No problem! Where's your husband from? Laos, Cambodia, where?" When she told him I am an American -- whoops! "BIG PROBLEM! Can't do that!"

It appears the best thing to do is simply say, to hell with it, and stay here anyway, and pay the fine on the way out of the country when I leave in December.

Look, I am by no means an expert, but the point is, there are ways, but you need to do your home work.

As I understand it (note that, as I understand it) your problem probably stems from the fact that you are in the country on a visa free arrival. You just came through the airport and got a stamp.

You need to go out of the country and then get a proper visa. Then you can come in for longer, renew the visa, change the visa etc.

To be employed, you need to go out and get a visa (non-imm O i think), then come in and start the process *which is medium convoluted and involves getting a work permit). As an american you would need a certain level salary (I think its 60K per month). Actually of course its more complicated that that (you need to pay tax on a 60K income to get renewal for the next year).

in answer to your header, to do things legally in Thailand - you have to START the process at the right place - then everything flows fairly well. If you do not start at the right point - it is a pain as you are finding out.

Now, start doing your reading - there is a fuck of a lot of information out there - and go get a visa.

I'm on a married "O" visa, annually renewable. You have to show a minimum of 400k bht in a Thai bank account, and it must have maintained that balance for a minimum of 2 months. They will also want photo's of you & the wife in and outside your conjugal love nest, your marriage certificate, and whatever else annoying they wish to throw at you. There is also an income based option, I believe you need to show 40k a month or above, but not sure about that.

It sure beats endless visa runs anyway, and the legality of them is dubious- if you do three consecutive visa extensions, I believe you are then meant to stay out of Thailand for a period before getting another visa, but whether this is reinforced or not these days, no idea.

^ What he says.
If you're 50 or over you can get a retirement extension (IMHO the easiest.)
For this you will require: An income (proven) of 65,000 baht per month or, 800,000 baht in a Thai bank account (seasoned) or a mixture of both.

Google is your friend!

^ Yes Charley, the figures you quote are for a single person. Sabang quoted the figures for a married person.

Poision, check your in box.

Originally Posted by Poisian

It appears the best thing to do is simply say, to hell with it, and stay here anyway, and pay the fine on the way out of the country when I leave in December.

Or, use your gigantic American intellect to find out what the visa requirements are and then follow them.

Why care the law in a country where the law is you if you have enough money ?

Originally Posted by stickmansucks

Why care the law in a country where the law is you if you have enough money ?

Because being buggered by Nigerians in a Thai immigration holding cell while working out who to bribe can cause extreme anal tearing....

But hey, whatever floats your boat....

Originally Posted by nidhogg

tearing

I'm seeing several senses of this word at once, not pleasant...

Originally Posted by nigelandjan

Being married to a Thai really qualifies you for little else except a quick entry through immigration

Qualifies them for half to most of all your money though

Originally Posted by palexxxx

^ Yes Charley, the figures you quote are for a single person. Sabang quoted the figures for a married person.

if you're 50 you can get the retirement visa with naff all in the bank and no income...will cost 15,000 bhat, no border runs just 3 month reporting...btdt

pm me for the contact if needed

^ The bribe is 20k in Udon - thieving bastards!

Looks like the OP has buggered off.

^^ ^^^ PM'd him about that.

Originally Posted by sabang

I'm on a married "O" visa, annually renewable. You have to show a minimum of 400k bht in a Thai bank account, and it must have maintained that balance for a minimum of 2 months. They will also want photo's of you & the wife in and outside your conjugal love nest, your marriage certificate, and whatever else annoying they wish to throw at you. There is also an income based option, I believe you need to show 40k a month or above, but not sure about that.

It sure beats endless visa runs anyway, and the legality of them is dubious- if you do three consecutive visa extensions, I believe you are then meant to stay out of Thailand for a period before getting another visa, but whether this is reinforced or not these days, no idea.

Or get a 1 year multiple entry non o visa based on marriege to a Thai, 4 visa runs annually.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Reminding them that they are monkeys that should be grateful for your contribution to their country is also a winner.

Be sure to be wearing singlets, shorts and flip flops when you go to remind them of your manly qualities. PErhaps slap a few tables and knock over a couple of chairs or young women and young kids to get their attention.

Are you the renown kingwilly or merely a facsimile?

To those who offered something constructive to this, my post, thank you very much, I am completely grateful to you. Your posts have helped me to get off in the right direction and I have solved this problem. I owe you one!

To the rest of you... not so much. Hope you can find it in you to screw up the courage you will need to finally grow up someday.