W.P. Needed?

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10-03-2009, 06:38 PM
chitown

W.P. Needed?

Here is the scenario -

My friend is employed by a US company, but might have meetings with Thais or deal with relations between the home office (in the US) and the Thai office. He lives in Thailand, but does all his work via the web from home.

He wants the company to get him a WP, but they feel it is not needed as he mostly works at his condo in Bangkok. Once in awhile he is introduced at meetings as the liaison Vice President of Asia from the home office in the US

Does he need a wp?

Is it that big of a deal?

All input is appreciated!!!
10-03-2009, 06:47 PM
Loy Toy

If he is not earning a salary here in Thai baht I can't see why he feels he needs one. To represent a company here, and as a consultant is not against the law as far as I know.
10-03-2009, 06:55 PM
chitown

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

If he is not earning a salary here in Thai baht I can't see why he feels he needs one. To represent a company here, and as a consultant is not against the law as far as I know.

He gets about 150,000 baht a month but its paid to his US account by his company.
10-03-2009, 07:13 PM
Loy Toy

Quote:

Originally Posted by chitown

He gets about 150,000 baht a month but its paid to his US account by his company.

Well if that money sits in his US account no need for a work permit.

A little confused about your reference> US company> pays Thai Baht into a > US bank account though? :confused:
10-03-2009, 07:15 PM
chitown

I was doing the conversion to show he made enough for the WP. He gets about $4500 plus expenses.

But can the police or immigration nab him for being at the office? Making a brief speech or presenting an award from the US parent company? Or even imspecting the office?
10-03-2009, 07:17 PM
Thetyim

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

If he is not earning a salary here in Thai baht I can't see why he feels he needs one.

Earning a salary has nothing to do with it
If he is working then technically he needs a WP. Period.
10-03-2009, 07:18 PM
Spin

The rules are quite clear on this, if you are working you need a work permit even if you are not being payed. The chances of being caught are slim but if someone wants to make a problem then they can.
In his case I would say forget about a work permit. Try and keep business meetings informal if possible, keep a low profile, dont upset anybody.
10-03-2009, 07:19 PM
dirtydog

They can fok him around, ie lock him up on a Friday night till he makes bail on Monday, then get foked around for a few months till it goes to court etc.
10-03-2009, 07:19 PM
Thetyim

Quote:

Originally Posted by chitown

But can the police or immigration nab him for being at the office?

Yes, if he is working
10-03-2009, 07:24 PM
chitown

What king of work permits are needed for these executives that cone here and make a speech or do training and go back home. I just saw that they had a conference with some HR top dogs speaking (all farangs) at a hotel conference room.

What about Rod Stewart? Did he get a 3 day WP to sing Maggie May? Not trying to be funny. I want to know.

How about a guy that is doing purchasing for his US company. He tours factories. He looks at product. He is working...no?
10-03-2009, 07:25 PM
Loy Toy

^ As far as I know he can come here and act as a consultant legally and as long as he is not directly earning money here.

There must be 1,000s of farang salesman doing that on a daily bases here in LOS and when presenting foreign technology.

Again if he is employed by a Thai company and receiving a salary here he must have a WP.

What he does on his computer and in his own apartment is his own business.
10-03-2009, 07:25 PM
chitown

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtydog

They can fok him around, ie lock him up on a Friday night till he makes bail on Monday, then get foked around for a few months till it goes to court etc.

Or he pays how much under the table???
10-03-2009, 07:28 PM
Loy Toy

There are also 1,000s of technicians commisioning machinery here and as far as I know they don't need a work permit.

I have also been told the overriding factor is the term unpaid consultant.
10-03-2009, 07:32 PM
Thetyim

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

What he does on his computer and in his own apartment is his own business.

and also the business of immigration who will take action if they deem that you are working
10-03-2009, 07:35 PM
Loy Toy

I also know of regional directors who spend about 1 week every month in Thailand and as far as I know they have no work permit.

Again they may be testing the law and better to have your friend speak to a person in the know Chitown.
10-03-2009, 07:35 PM
Thetyim

Quote:

Originally Posted by chitown

What about Rod Stewart? Did he get a 3 day WP to sing Maggie May?

I very much doubt it.
He is high profile and was left alone.
I do know of a farang who sang one song in a restaurant and got arrested
10-03-2009, 07:39 PM
Loy Toy

My British mates daughter got arrested for singing in a Thai band but was let off after being told she in future needed a WP which she now has and arranged by the HR Cafe.

Then again she was living here full time and earning a salary in Baht along with the rest of the band members.
10-03-2009, 07:42 PM
chitown

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thetyim

I do know of a farang who sang one song in a restaurant and got arrested

Surin province? I heard of it happening there. So karaoke is not advisable? :p
10-03-2009, 07:48 PM
forreachingme

If you come as a technician, to just fix a machine and go else where, apply for a business visa and not a tourist visa, no WP needed for a few days...

Same for the sales or purchase visitor, at immigration tell that your visit is for business purpose...

Done this for 7 years and many country, never had a problem...

One problem occured to one of the chemist setting up a Galvanic machine in UK, was sent back coz was not part of a labour sindicate / union , machine was left unused for over 6 month, until they told him to join any union and come over fix the machine, was checked and the machine finally produced, that was UK... That stupidity is not such here, but things can get blocked at customs as other type of problems for techies setting up stuff...
10-03-2009, 08:34 PM
dirtydog

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

I have also been told the overriding factor is the term unpaid consultant.

yep thats true, but you still have to be on a non imm b visa, anything else and your working illegally.
10-03-2009, 08:55 PM
Chairman Mao

Quote:

Originally Posted by chitown

How about a guy that is doing purchasing for his US company. He tours factories. He looks at product. He is working...no?

I was given a non-B multi entry for that and the embassy said that that was sufficient, that I didn't need a WP.
10-03-2009, 08:57 PM
Chairman Mao

With him actually doing a fair bit of work etc. it could be worth him getting a WP through other means, can't you just buy the docs needed from places like sunbelt and siam legal?
10-03-2009, 08:57 PM
chitown

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

I have also been told the overriding factor is the term unpaid consultant.

yep thats true, but you still have to be on a non imm b visa, anything else and your working illegally.

Here is question can a guy that is married to a Thai living in Thailand a Non imm b? Probably not.
10-03-2009, 08:59 PM
chitown

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chairman Mao

With him actually doing a fair bit of work etc. it could be worth him getting a WP through other means, can't you just buy the docs needed from places like sunbelt and siam legal?

Can you? How can that be? :dunno:
10-03-2009, 09:00 PM
Chairman Mao

Yes, they can change it. Might have to go to Laos nowadays, but it isn't a big deal.

Quote:

Can you? How can that be?

I don't know. Check out their websites and then give them a call.

Here's sunbelt's buy a visa page, I can't say anything about them.
10-03-2009, 09:07 PM
dirtydog

^Probably best if he uses someone more reputable.
11-03-2009, 12:27 AM
Chairman Mao

Fair nuff, having never dealt with them nor their compeditors I can't say anything about them.
11-03-2009, 01:52 AM
EmperorTud

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thetyim

and also the business of immigration who will take action if they deem that you are working

They can do bugger all if he has a Non-Imm B.

It's the Labour Dept. that deal with WPs and they can only fine him a nominal amount. The Immigration boys can refer him to the Labour Dept. and if they deem he was working they will go through the motions. Labour Dept. are far better to deal with though unlike the Immy boys who are bastards reputedly. They can't lock you up for not having a WP either, but they can if you don't have the proper visa.

I am in the same position as your friend Chitown and I don't have a WP.

You can stay and do business, consult and have meetings on a Non-Imm B perfectly legally for as long as the B visa is valid, which for me is 90 days at a time over the period of 12 months.

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