Ask the American #5: Visa Questions from the UK

5/2/2013

Ask the American #5: Visa Questions

On this episode of Ask the American, a viewer from the UK asks what visa options he has when moving to Thailand. Living in Thailand can be confusing and figuring out the the best visa can be time-consuming and a headache. Hopefully this video will shed some light.

Below are links to three different Thai language schools who assist in obtaining an ED visa. There are literally hundreds of schools willing to do so. In addition, you can also get an ED visa to study Muay Thai and cooking.

http://www.thaiwalen.com/student_visa...

http://www.thailanguage-school.com/ed...

http://www.prolanguage.co.th/courses/...

6 Comments

David Badon link

5/4/2013 04:37:08 am

Scott,

I am so pleased that I found you on “You Tube”. After sifting through so many weak attempts to present information by neophytes (frustrating), I finally found you and your site. You are a great presenter and get right to the point. I have found your many segments to be more than helpful. I now only seek out you and your advise. You are a new find, the one that ranks superior and occupies the lonely position at the top. You out class any presence in a stellar way. I thank you for that.
My name is David and I plan on coming over to Thailand somewhere in late July of this year. It is a decision that was not easy to make because I have a 23 year old daughter living in another state, however I manage to see regularly. Once in Thailand, I will be lucky to see her once or twice a year. Though this reality is foreboding and tainted with the effluvium of permanence, I still remain convinced the timing is right for me.
The drill will not be original or conceptually unique. I am coming over to teach English. It will prove to be an easy in and give me just enough to perpetuate an existence there in the land of smiles.
The real ulterior motive lays in wait. This is what I wanted to run past you for review. I am completely confident that you will bestow upon me an unvarnished and real assessment of my ambitions.
Though you have clearly demonstrated that you are adroit in all things Thai, I may still experience with you the not so uncommon response of “I am unfamiliar with that market”, or “You're out of your
fricking mind!”. At any rate I am more than willing to welcome anything you may choose to share with me.
I am one to shoot from the hip and know that pursuing an idea can morph into any number of combinations of shapes and dimensions in time. Money still remaining the game changer for most, I have made a life of negotiating into and out of all accomplishments major or minor by way of conservative yet intrepid movements with money. Money there being the judge and jury, convicting me to live an austere Spartan existence, or at times more altruistic and sparing, providing for a few years
real comfort...minus opulence.
That was just a fun way to say that when I evanesce from the States, I will have some money in the coffers. Though to launch an internet based business and secure manufacturing will not be in the foreground.
I am a sculptor. I have worked professionally for over fifteen years and acquired a large vocabulary in the way of technique and materials. I know (as does the rest of the world), that materials and labor are more affordable in the East. I will send a shot or two of some of my past work as an example of my caliber.
I have thought of having my pieces produced and marketed out of Thailand once I settled down and possibly established a relationship with an open minded manufacturer. I would be willing to accept a slow launch curve, as I will be teaching in order to survive. Though I believe that if I can get all my ducks in a row, that I could create a much better standard of living for myself there.
Ultimately I just want to create one of a kind pieces and market myself more or less internationally as an artist. To be more practical I have not given up on the limited edition and mass produced work that I believe I could sell on line, wholesale as well as retail.
I would love to find a Thai business man who believes in me and would bank roll the projects to facilitate immediate growth. I realize that may be a bit of a pipe dream, however I cling to a shred of it because I know with the right exposure I could stumble on this person. The cold wet fish of reality may suggest this option nonexistent and then I would follow through with my original scheme.
I recently picked up a book “Starting a Business in Thailand”, by Philip Wylie. I am reviewing the
steps to the dance of pursuing this avenue. The book is comprehensive and hides nothing in the shade.
I guess I am saying that I am trying to be as realistic as possible.
I may only have 7-10 grand on arrival. What do you think? Thank you for your time...David PS. Can't send photos

Scott Mallon link

5/5/2013 02:14:29 am

I am so pleased that I found you on “You Tube”. After sifting through so many weak attempts to present information by neophytes (frustrating), I finally found you and your site. You are a great presenter and get right to the point. I have found your many segments to be more than helpful. I now only seek out you and your advise. You are a new find, the one that ranks superior and occupies the lonely position at the top. You out class any presence in a stellar way. I thank you for that.

Thank you for your kind words.
I have to ask — have you ever visited Thailand?
Money is always a game changer and more so when you are abroad and have less of a support system. It is, of course, good you will have some money stashed when you come here. $7,000-$10,000 isn’t much once converted into Thai baht but it should be enough to comfortably last you 7 months to a year if you are frugal. It may last longer but it really depends on a host of factors; luck, your budgeting skill, your willingness to do without or do with a lower quality of product, and to continue to live a Spartan lifestyle.
If you want to mass-produce, China is a better place for this. However, it also requires greater funds.
Selling one-of-a-kind goods could work from here. You’ll need to learn about shipping and packaging from here but in time this will come.
If you want to truly do business here, you should learn the language. Although some manufacturers and other business people do speak English, believe me, speaking Thai will not only ingratiate you with the Thais but also allow you to communicate more freely. You can always get a translator but…this is an additional cost and a good translator can be quite expensive.
Start a website, sell on Ebay to promote your products, and learn everything you can about doing business online.
I wouldn’t count on finding a Thai businessman who believes in you. I’m assuming you have very little knowledge of Thailand outside of book knowledge. I would not want to come over here knowing next to nothing about the culture and then trying to do business. First, there is always the issue of trust and not knowing the culture or having contacts here puts you at a distinct disadvantage. Of course, anything is possible. I have many rules and one of them is that you need to count on yourself and no one else. Once you have a Thai businessman with his hand in your pie you’re giving up control and put yourself at his mercy.
I know the book you’re reading and it’s one of the better books out on Thailand. But…nothing beats real experience. In Thailand, this means the world. Good luck.

PS - my email address is at the top and bottom of each page on my website if you want to send me photos.

observer

5/8/2013 02:20:21 am

hi guys,

i'd just did my education visa in April 2013.
this edu visa will last me for a year in thailand while taking the thai language course.

our dear scott is correct - no need to go thru any middle-man party. you can liaise directly with the school.

some schools charge as high as 32,000 thb while others charge for about 27,000 thb-29,000 thb.

let me know if u need any addtl info.

thanks guys.

God bless.

Scott Mallon link

5/8/2013 02:33:53 am

Glad to hear it worked out for you.

Yesterday I went in to renew my marriage visa. I ended up with a retirement visa and once I saw the immigration officer I was in and out in 30 minutes. So I'm good for another year. It was one of the few times going to immigration was a completely pleasant experience.

observer

5/8/2013 03:42:29 am

good for you even if gotta renew it every year though.

by the way, i am a bit confused about multiple re-entry permit.
does it apply for multiple re-entry for a year or for a month?

any bus that goes to the immigration department from mo chit bts?

thanks.

Scott Mallon link

5/8/2013 04:23:04 am

Renewing once a year is much better than a tourist visa or double or triple entry or no visa.

A multiple-entry visa simply means you can come and go as many times as you wish without having to renew your visa. If you're leaving the country often, as I used to do, then it's worth it. In the past I would leave once or twice a month, no longer than every six weeks. So I was in and out of the country a dozen or so times a year. If I only had a single entry visa, I would have to pay for a re-entry permit (1900 baht if I remember correctly) each time I exited or renew my visa each time upon arriving. It's convenient. A multiple entry visa is good for a year and you can come and go as many times as you wish - there is no limit to how many times you can exit, however once the term of the visa expires, you need to extend it.

In your case I believe you need to pay 1900 baht to Thai immigration every three months. If procured in Thailand this is usually not necessary with a non-immigrant O visa (marriage or retirement).

There are buses that go to immigration. If I were you I would not take the bus if I were you since you aren't familiar with Thailand and it's bus system. Take a taxi the first time. That way you can relax, know you're going to get where you have to go, and you can get to the immigration office early — like right when they open.

In my case, my wife and I were going to take a taxi but we couldn't get one so we took the boat to Nana pier and took a taxi to the US Embassy. I got my Income Affadavit, we got into a taxi and went to immigration at Chaengwattana. We took a taxi home. 200 baht to get home, 34 baht for the boat, 50 baht for the taxi to the embassy and another 160 to go to immigration. So in total it costs 444 baht or about $15.30.

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Ask the American #5: Visa Questions from the UK

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