An Australian is recovering in a Thai hospital after being mauled by a young male tiger in a special tourist enclosure at an animal park on the resort island of Phuket.

https://youtu.be/9q9hFlzbWMs

Paul Goudie, from Werribee, near Melbourne, was attacked at the enclosure this week at the Tiger Kingdom tourist show after being given controlled access to a group of young tigers.

Goudie, 49, suffered serious bites to his left leg and stomach and is being treated at a Phuket hospital prior to surgery to avoid the risk of infection.

At the tiger park, tourists are invited into a special caged enclosure with handlers as part of the visitor experience.

“We did everything as the park people advised,” Goudie told reporters from the online news service Phuketwan at the hospital.

“I am not sure why it bit me,” he said.

He punched the tiger as it attacked him.

“When it did [attack] I had no choice except to whack it in the face a couple of times,” he said.

Thai authorities say Goudie, who has two steel pins in an ankle, may have moved awkwardly as park handlers assisted him back to his feet, with the unusual movement triggering an attack. The tiger was tasered by park staff, forcing it to retreat.

A visiting doctor at the scene provided assistance until an ambulance and emergency staff arrived.

“The handler was with us the whole time. The tiger was 15 months old. I was patting him, everything was fine. I just stood up to leave,” Goudie said.

Goudie is on a two-week holiday in Phuket with his family.

His son, 16-year old Jake Goudie, said the injuries were largely to his father’s left leg and stomach.

“The tiger couldn’t get a good grip on my dad’s stomach,” Jake said.

Thai officials said the tiger park was to be closed for two days while investigations into the accident were conducted. The young tiger will no longer have contact with visitors.

Goudie, who has a tattoo of a tiger, praised the park’s staff and said he was even considering another tiger tattoo.

“I don’t want anything to happen to the tiger,” he said. “I don’t want it killed.” Read more 

The post Thai Tiger Mauls Australian appeared first on Thai Retirement Helpers: Retiring in Thailand Made Easy.

From July 1 2014 the rules are changing on how much pension you can be paid while living or traveling outside Australia – for the worse, of course.

If you leave Australia on or after July 1, 2014 and received the Age Pension or, in some circumstances, the Disability Support Pension, Wife Pension, or Widow B Pension, you may be affected.

The changes will apply if you are travelling outside Australia for more than 26 weeks or are paid under the terms of one of Australia’s social security agreements with foreign countries.

To continue receiving your full rate of Australian pension you will generally need to have spent 35 years of your working life between the ages of 16 and pension age in Australia. This is an increase from the current requirement to have 25 years of Australian working life residence. You do not need to have worked or paid tax during this period.

If you have less than 35 years Australian working life residence your rate of payment will be reduced. For example, if you have 27 years Australian working life residence you will get 27/35ths, 77%, of the maximum means-tested rate of payment.

If you are already outside Australia on July 1, 2014 you can continue to receive your payment under the rules which applied when you left, unless you return and stay in Australia for 26 weeks or more.

If you’re planning to travel outside Australia you should check how these changes may affect your payments before you go. For more information, go to www.humanservices.gov.au or call 132-300.

The post Australian Overseas Pension Changes appeared first on Thai Retirement Helpers: Retiring in Thailand Made Easy.

One of the smartest things you can do is to register online with your embassy in case of emergency or overseas crisis. Click Here for Instructions that are specific to your passport country language.

1. Australian Advice Thailand – High Degree of Caution  (12th August)
2. British Foreign Travel Advice: Thailand (12th August)
3. Embassy of Ireland 12th Floor, 208 Wireless Road Lumpini, Pathumwan Bangkok 10330
   Tel : +66 2 016 1360 Fax : +66 2 675 3933
4. Embassy of Canada: Thailand Security (12th August)
5. Republic of China: 泰國 Thailand (2016/8/12)
6. Embassy of Japan Travel Advice: 大使館からのお知らせ (12th August)
7. Embassade de France en Thaïlande: Série d’explosions (12 août)
8. Germany Federal Foreign Office: Thailand: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise (15.08.2016)
9. New Zealand Foreign Affairs – Thailand Security Incidents  (12th August)
10.  Philippines Embassy – Thailand Situation August 2016  (13th August)
11. Singapore Travel Notice – Thailand  (updated 13 August 2016)
12. Swedish Embassy Advice: Reseinformation Thailand  (uppdaterad 12 aug)
13. Swiss Embassy FDFA: Reisehinweise für Thailand (12.08.2016)
14. U.S. Security Messages – one-day outreach, September 22, while consulate is closed September and October (ACS appointment required).

There are 17 Embassies in Chiang Mai: 

 Australia –  The Australian Consulate in Chiang Mai is located at 195/262 Moo Baan Sansaran 2 (Mod Chic), Soi 2/7 T. Banwaen, A. Hangdong, Chiang Mai 50230. Open 9am to midday, Monday to Thursday, by prior appointment only. Mobile: 091-857-6996. Line: aushoncon Email: australianconsulate.chiangmai@gmail.com. Ron Elliott is Honorary Consul resident in Chiang Mai with jurisdiction throughout the provinces of Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lamphun, Lampang, Mae Hong Son, Phayao, Phrae, Nan, Uttaradit, Sukhothai and Tak. Website: www.thailand.embassy.gov.au.

 Austria – Consulate of Austria – 15 Moo 1, Huey Kaew Road, Tambon Chang Puak, Amphor Muang, Chiang Mai 50300 Phone: (+66/53) 40 02 31 (+66/53) 22 10 02 (+66/53) 21 34 73 Fax: (+66/53) 40 02 32 Office Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri: 09.00 to 12.00 website.   

 Bangladesh – Bangladeshi Consulate General – 95 Huay Kaew Road, T. Suthep, A.Muang, Chiang Mai 50200 Phone: (+66) 53 212373 – 4 Fax: (+66) 53 223524 Office Hours: 13.00-16.00 hrs 

 Belgium – Honorary Consulate of Belgium – Chumpol building – Room 1307 – Yonok College, 444 Doi Prabaht, Lampang 52000  Phone: (+66) (54) 26.51.82 Fax: (+66) (54) 26.51.81 Email. Office Hours: 07.00 – 13.00 (Monday – Friday) Website. 

 Canada – Consulate of Canada – c/o Raming Tea Co., Ltd., 151 Moo 3, Super Highway, Tambon Tahsala, Chiang Mai 50000  Phone: (+66) (53) 850 147 / 242 292 Fax: (+66) (53) 850 147 Email.  Office Hours: 09.00 – 12.00 M-F  Street View  website. 

 China – Chinese Consulate General of China – 111 Changlor Road, Haiya District, Chiangmai 50100 Phone: 0066-53-276125, 272197, 200424(Administrative office) Fax: 0066-53-274614 Email. website.  MAP

 Finland – Honorary Consulate of Finland – Ratanapon Stationery Store, 104-112 Tapae Road, Muang District, 50300 Phone: +66-53-234 777, 234 812, 233 532 Fax: +66-53-251 512  

 France – Consulate of France – Alliance Française 138 Charoen Prathet Road, Muang District, Chiang Mai Phone: (+66) (53) 281 466 / 275 277 Fax: (+66) (53) 821 039 Email: tbaude@laposte.net  Office Hours: 10.00 – 12.00 website.   MAP

 Germany – Consulate of Germany – 199/163 Moo 3, Baan Nai Fun 2, Kan Klong Chonpratan Road, Tambon Mae Hia, Amphoe Muan, Chiang Mai 50100  Phone: (+66) (53) 83 87 35 Fax: (+66) (53) 83 87 35 Email. Office Hours: 09.00 – 12.00 Honorarkonsul Hagen E.W. Dirksen website. 

 Greece – Honorary Consulate of Hellenic Republic – Apartment 404 Mooban Nai Fan Condominium, 203/19 M.3 Kunklongchonprathan, Tambon Maehiech, Amphoe Muang, Chiang Mai 50100 Phone: (00660) 53839087 Fax: (00660) 53838756 Email: bangkok@embgreece.or.th

 India – Consulate of India – 33/1, Thung Hotel Road, Wate Kate, Muang Phone: 00-66-53-243066 Fax: 00-66-53-247879 Email: cgi.chiangmai@yahoo.com Office. Hours: 0900 hrs to 1200 hrs   MAP

 Italy – Consulate of Italy – Honorary Consul – Dr. Vichit Leelamanit 19 Soi 9 Sirimungkalajarn Road Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 50200  Phone: (+66) 5321-2925 Fax: (+66) 5322-4832 Cell: +66 (0) 81-8825252  E-mail: doctorvichit@gmail.com. Office. Hours: 09.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 16.00. MAP

 Japan – Consulate General of Japan – 104-107 Airport Business Park, 90 Mahidol Road, Haiya, Muang District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand Phone: (+66) 5320-3367 Fax: (+66) 5320-3373 Office. Hours: 08.30 – 12.00 and 13.30 – 16.30    MAP

 Korea – Consulate of The Republic of Korea – (ROK : South Korea) 50 V-Group Building Huey Keaw Rd., Chang Puak, Mueang District, Chiang Mai 50300 Tel.: 0 5322 3119-23 ext. 204, Fax.: 0 5322 5661 email: vgroup@cmnet.co.th

 Peru – Consulate of Peru – The Chiang Mai Ballet Academy, 362/30 U-Sa-Fah-Haam Compound, Charoenraj Road, Chiang Mai 50000 Phone: (+66) 5330-6357 Fax: (+66) 5330-6358 Email:  Office Hours: 13.00 – 15.00 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday)

 South Africa – Consulate of South Africa – 32 Hueaykeaw Road, Tambon Changpuek, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand Phone: (+66) 53 711 800 Fax: (+66) 53 712 972 Email: sawaeng@loxinfo.co.th Office. Hours: 09.00 – 12.00 Details: Honorary Consul – Mr S Crueaviwatanakul  

 Sweden – Consulate of Sweden – 186/48 M.5 Green Valley, Mae Sa, Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai 50180 Tel.: 0 5329 8632, Fax.: 0 5329 8634 email: swedconsulcm@yahoo.com. websites. 

 United Kingdom – British Consul – 198 Bumrungraj Rd, Muang, Chiang Mai 50000 Phone: (+66) (53) 263 015 Fax: (+66) (53) 263 016 Email: ukconsul@loxinfo.co.th Office Hours: Mon-Fri: 0900-1130 website.  MAP

 United States – Consulate General of United States – 387 Wichayanon Road, Chiang Mai 50300 Phone: 053-107-700 (from inside Thailand); +66-53-107-700 (from outside Thailand) Fax: 053-252-633 | Non-emergencies: ACS Appointments page | After-hours emergency telephone number is 081-881-1878 (from inside Thailand); outside +66-81-881-1878 | Consular services (includes recommended STEP enrollment)  Email: acschn@state.gov  MAP

Outside Chiang Mai:

(see embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/thailand for more comprehensive list – please send corrections/other suggestions to crfthailand@gmail.com)

 Brazilian Embassy – Embassy of Brazil 34th Floor Lumpini Tower, 1168/101 Rama IV Road, Thungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120 Phone: (66 2) 679-8567/8 Fax: (66 2) 679-8569 Website: http://www.brazilembassy.or.th Email: info@brazilembassy.or.th Office Hours: Mondays to Thursdays: 9:30 to 12:30 and 14:30 to 16:30 (from 15:00 to 16:30, document collection only) Fridays: 9:30 to 13:00

 Cambodian Embassy – Embassy of Cambodia 518 / 4 Pracha Uthit Rd., ( Soi Ramkamhaeng 39 ), Wangtonglang Bangkok 10310  Phone: ( 02 ) 957-5851-2 Fax: ( 02 ) 957-5850 Email: camemb.tha@mfa.gov.kh  MAP

 Danish Embassy – Royal Danish Embassy 10 Soi Attakarn Prasit, South Sathorn Road, 10120 Phone: +66 2 213 2021 Fax: +66 (0)2 213 1752 Website: http://www.ambbangkok.um.dk Email: bkkamb@um.dk

 Ghanaian Consulate – Consulate of the Republic of Ghana 976 Promsuan Building, Rimklongsamaem Road, Huay Kwang Bangkapi, Bangkok 10320 Phone: +662-6415214 Fax: +662-6415215 Honorary Consul General: Dr. Sicha Singsomboon  Website: http://www.ghanaconsulate-thailand.com/html/contactus.html  Email: info@ghanaconsulate-thailand.com

 Hungarian Embassy – Embassy of Hungary 20th Floor, Oak Tower, Prakanon, President Park Condominium,, 99 Sukhumvit Soi 24, Prakanong, Bangkok 10110  Phone: (+66) 2661-1150 / 1 / 2 Fax: (+66) 2661-1153 Email: huembbgk@mozart.inet.co.th Office Hours: 08.00 -14.00

 Indonesian Consulate – Consulate of Indonesia in Songkhla 19, Sadao Road, Amphur Muang, Songkhla 90000  City: Songkhla Phone: (66-74) 311-544, 312-219, 441-867 Fax: (66-74) 441-094 Email: song4kom@hadyai.loxinfo.co.th

 Irish Consulate – Honorary Consul of Ireland 28th Floor, Q. House Lumpini Building, 1, South Sathorn Road, Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120 Phone: [66] 2 677 7500 Fax: [66] 2 677 7501 Website: http://www.irelandinthailand.com/ Email: ireland@loxinfo.co.th Details: Honorary Consul: Peter Gary Biesty  CHIANG MAI – Voluntary Representative Annette Kunigagon Tel: 053-874-126, 053-235-387

 Israeli Embassy – Embassy of Israel 25th Floor, Ocean Tower II, 75 Sukhumvit Soi 19, Bangkok, 10110 Phone: 02-204-9200; 02-204-9237; 02-204-9226-7 Fax: 02-204-9239; 02-204-9221 Website: http://embassies.gov.il/bangkok-en/Pages/default.aspx  Email: info@bangkok.mfa.gov.il  MAP

 Kenyan Embassy – Embassy of the Republic of Kenya – 62 Soi 5 Thonglor, Sukhumvit 55 Road, Klongtan, Wattana, Bangkok 10110  Tel: (+66)(0)2 7125721, (+66)(0)2 1853682, (+66)(0)2 1853683 Fax: Fax: (+66)(0)2 7125720 E-mail: info@kenyaembassy.or.th  Office hours: 09:00 – 13:00, 14:00- 16:30 hours, Monday to Thursday, Friday 09:00 – 12:30  http://www.kenyaembassy.or.th/home.htm  Citizen Registration

 Lao or Laotian Embassy – Embassy of Laos 502,502/1-3 Soi Sahakarnpramoon, Pracha-Uthit Road, Wangthonglang, Bangkok 10310  Phone: (+66) 2539-66679-8 Fax: (+66 2) 539-6678 Website: http://www.bkklaoembassy.com Email: sabaidee@bkklaoembassy.com,embalao@bkklaoembassy.com Office Hours: 08.00 – 12.00 and 13.00 – 16.00

 Malaysian Embassy – Embassy of Malaysia 33-35 South Sathorn Road, Tungmahamek, Sathorn, Bangkok 10120 Phone: +66-2-6296800 Fax: +66-2-6792208 Website: http://www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/bangkok Email: malbangkok@kln.gov.my

 Mexican Embassy – Embassy of Mexico 21/60-62 Thai Wah Tower l, 20th. floor South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, 10120 Phone: (662) 285-0995, 285-0815 al 18 Fax: (662) 285-0667 Website: http://www.sre.gob.mx/tailandia Email: mexthai@loxinfo.co.th Office Hours: Monday – Friday: 08:00 – 16:00

 Mongolian Embassy – Embassy of Mongolia 100/3 Soi Ekkamai 22,Sukhumvit 63 Road,Klongtan -Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Phone: 02-381-1400 Fax: 02-392-4199 Email: mongemb@loxinfo.co.th Website: http://www.bangkok.mfa.gov.mn/index.php?lang=en MAP

 Moroccan Embassy – Embassy of Morocco One Pacific Place Bldg., 19th Floor, 140 Sukhumvit Road, (between Soi 4-6) Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Phone: (+66) 2653-2444 – 6 Fax: (+66) 2653-2449 Email: sifambkk@mweb.co.th, sifambkk@samarts.th Office Hours: 09.00 – 16.00 Details: Ambassador: Mr. El Hassane Zahid

 Myanmar Embassy – Embassy of Myanmar 132, Sathorn Nua Road, Bangkok 10500 Phone: (662) 233-2237, 234-4698, 233-7250, 234-0320, 637-9406 Fax: (662) 236-6898 Email: mebkk@asianet.co.th

     Nepalese Embassy – Embassy of Nepal 189 Soi 71, Sukumvit Road Prakanong,, Bangkok 10110 Phone: 00662-391-7240, 390-2280 Fax: 00662-381-2406 Email: nepembbk@asiaaccess.net.th

 Dutch Embassy – Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands 15 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Road, Lumpini, , Phatumwan, Bangkok 1030   | P .O. Box 404, Bangkok 10500  Phone: +66 (0)2 3095200 Fax: +66 (0)2 3095205 Website: http://thailand.nlembassy.org/  Email: ban@minbuza.nl Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 08:00-16:00 Friday 08:00-12:00 Monday-Friday 09:00-12:00 (consular)

 New Zealand Embassy – Kiwi Embassy – M Thai Tower, 14th Floor, All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Road, Pathumwan, Lumpini Bangkok 10330 Tel: +66 2 254 2530 Fax: +66 2 253 9045 or 253 0249 E-mail: info@newzealandembassybkk.com Emergency After Hours Duty Officer: +66 81 837 7240 Office hours: 08:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 14:30 hours, Monday to Friday http://www.nzembassy.com/thailand  Consular Assistance  Safe Travel Registration MAP

 Norwegian Embassy – Royal Norwegian Embassy Office Address: UBC II Building, 18th floor, , 591 Sukhumvit Road, Soi 33, 10110, G.P.O. box 81, Bangkok10501 Phone: +66 (0)2 204-6500 Fax: +66 (0)2 262-0218 Website: http://www.emb-norway.or.th Email: emb.bangkok@mfa.no Office Hours: 09:00 to 12:00, and from 13:00 to 16:00 Monday through Friday Details: Ambassador: H.E. Ms Merete Fjeld Brattested

 Filipino Embassy – Embassy of the Philippines 760 Sukhumvit Road, cor. Soi Philippines, (Soi 30/1) Bangkok 10110 Phone: (00662) 259-0139 to 40; 258-5401 Fax: (00662) 259-2809 / 259-7373 Website: http://www.philembassy-bangkok.net Email: bangkokpe@dfa.gov.ph or inquiry@philembassy-bangkok.net Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m

 Portuguese Embassy Embassy of Portugal 26, Bush Lane (Soi New Road 30), Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500 Phone: (+66) 22342123, 22340372, 22347435 Fax: (+66) 26396113 Email: portemb@scban.dgaccp.pt

 Russian Embassy – Embassy of the Russian Federation – 78 Sap Road, Surawong, Bangrak 10500 Telephone: (+66)2-234-9824, (+66)2-268-1169 email: rusembbangkok@rambler.ru www.thailand.mid.ru   http://www.thailand.mid.ru/Win_work/maps_eng.htm  MAP

 Singaporean Embassy – Embassy of Singapore 129 South Sathorn Road, Bangrak

10120 Phone: +286 2111, +286 1434 Fax: +286 6966, +287 2578 Website: http://www.mfa.gov.sg/bangkok/ Email: singemb_bkk@sgmfa.gov.sg Office Hours: Mon – Fri 9.00 am to 12.00 pm 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm Sat & Sun – Closed

 Spanish Embassy – Embassy of Spain 23 Lake Ratchada Office Complex, 193/117 Ratchadaphisek Road, Bangkok 10320 Phone: 02 661 8284 Fax: 0-2661 9220 Email: embespth@mail.mae.es, spaincom@ksc15.th.com Office Hours: 08.30 -15.30 (Monday – Thursday) 08.30 – 13.30 (Friday) Visa Section: 09.00-12.00 (Monday – Friday)

 Sri Lankan Embassy – Embassy of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka – 89 Soi 15, Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok Phone: (+66-2) 2512788, 2512789 Fax: (+66-2) 2553848 Email: slemb@ksc.net.th Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30:00 AM to 4:15:00 PM

 Swiss Embassy – Embassy of Switzerland – 35 North Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330, P.O Box 821, Bangkok 10501  Phone: ++66 2 253 01 56 Fax: ++66 2 255 44 81 Email: ban.vertretung@eda.admin.ch, ban.visa@eda.admin.ch Office Hours: Mo – Fr. 09.00 – 11.30 AM 

 Taiwanese Embassy – Representative Office of Taiwan – 20th Floor, Empire Tower, 195 South Sathorn Road, Yannawa, Bangkok 10120 Phone: (+66) (2) 670-0200 – 9 Fax: (+66) (2) 670-0220 Email: tecoinfo@ji-net.com,tecocomu@ji-net.com

 Ukrainian Embassy – Embassy of Ukraine 87 All Seasons Place, CRC Tower, 33rd Floor, Wireless Road Lumpini, Phatumwan, Bangkok Phone: +66-26853215 Fax: +66-26853217 Website: http://www.ukraineinfo.gov.ua/main

 Emirati Embassy – Embassy of United Arab Emirates – CRC Tower, 29th Floor, All Seasons Place, 87/2 Wireless Road (Thanon Witthayu), Lumpini, Phatumwan, Bangkok 10330 Phone: (+66) 2 402 4000 Fax: (+66) 2 402 4005 Email: info@uaeembassy.or.th

 Vietnamese Embassy – Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam 83/1 Wireless Road, Lumpini,, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Tailand Phone: 0-2251-5836 – 8 Fax: 0-2251-7203 Website: http://www.vietnamembassy-thailand.org Email: vnemb.th@mofa.gov.vn Office Hours: Monday – Friday 08.00 – 11.30 and 13.30 – 16.30 Hrs.

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The post Embassies in Chiang Mai Thailand appeared first on Thai Retirement Helpers: Retiring in Thailand Made Easy.

What Happens When Thai Immigration Visits Me?

The USA and the UK are relaxed about foreigners but, when Thai Immigration visits me I find that’s not true in Thailand.  Your registered Thai address turns out to be more important than some people think.

Chonburi immigration is the first province to start insisting that resident farangs stay where they’ve registered and finding offenders 4,000 baht. Officers there have been checking their records against foreigners residing in the area then fining people for being in the wrong location. In September seven people were each fined 4,000 baht for not being where they registered. Last Tuesday Canadian Luc Lafreniere had to post up 4,000 baht for not living at his registered address. This is not arbitrary: the fines are in accordance with regulations issued in 1998. Chonburi immigration are also fining people offering accommodation to foreigners who fail to report guests to them within 24 hours, so AirBnB hosts might want to pay attention. Yesterday a manageress at the local Pratumnak Inn was fined 1,600 baht for failing to report that a Russian guest  was staying in the building. Chonburi Immigration calls the program “Good Guys In, Bad Guys Out”. Expats call it a nuisance

Thais know that their country is the most wonderful, beautiful place on earth (since that’s what they’re taught at school and on TV) and everyone would like to live here. There’s a lot of truth to that belief. Thailand is a kind of tropical paradise. The beaches really are wonderful, the girls really are friendly (really, really friendly) and the food really is quote wonderful. Why go abroad, since foreign visas are so difficult for Thais to obtain? So Thais stay home and add their weight to the 25,000,000 foreign visitors who tour the country every year. Thais are their own best customers for tourism.

But what about those foreigners who want to stay? The law requires them to be self-supporting and law abiding. Problem is, millions of them are penniless refugees and migrants who sleep on a floor with a dozen others and do the hard, dirty work that Thai men and women disdain.  Given Thailand’s long, unmarked borders, tracking those millions would be a herculean task. So Immigration officers wisely devote most of their attention to farangs (white Europeans). If farangs’ papers are not in order, their reasoning goes, it’s likely that they’ll either be offered a bribe or get a commendation from the Bureau for catching the offender. It’s a win-win.

Two polite, smartly-uniformed (and very cute). English-speaking Thai Immigration officers came calling this week. They were doing house checks at farangs‘ registered addresses and my Swiss neighbor made it worth their while to ride down to my street (doubling up on one scooter, but both can claim mileage reimbursement, of course). They found my papers were in order and we got to chatting. They were clearly curious about my standard of living, “How much do you pay for your house?”.

“Ten thousand Baht”, I responded.

They shook their heads in amazement. A single man, living alone in a 3-bedroom house. Why a dozen Thais could live there in air-conditioned comfort! And he  pays more rent than Immigration officers’ salary! Farangs really are rich.

Chonburi immigration is the first province to start insisting that resident farangs stay where they’ve registered and finding offenders 4,000 baht. Officers there have been checking their records against foreigners residing in the area then fining people for being in the wrong location. In September seven people were each fined 4,000 baht for not being where they registered. Last Tuesday Canadian Luc Lafreniere had to post up 4,000 baht for not living at his registered address. This is not arbitrary: the fines are in accordance with regulations issued in 1998. Chonburi immigration are also fining people offering accommodation to foreigners who fail to report guests to them within 24 hours, so AirBnB hosts might want to pay attention. Yesterday a manageress at the local Pratumnak Inn was fined 1,600 baht for failing to report that a Russian guest  was staying in the building. Chonburi Immigration calls the program “Good Guys In, Bad Guys Out”. Expats call it a nuisance.

Here’s a video to prove how rich I am:

My Chiang Mai House #2: Plants and Flowers Arrive.

Coincidentally, the next day I discovered that my US passport had expired, so I went down to the Consulate for the first time. You can read my suggestions for visiting the US Consulate in Chiang Mai here.

The post Thai Immigration Visits Me appeared first on Thai Retirement Helpers: Retiring in Thailand Made Easy.

A British friend who’s making money in Thailand by managing Chiang Mai’s swankest private hotel told me he’s “a slave to TripAdvisor”: as soon as he wakes he checks TripAdvisor. A bad review can wreck months of hard work. You, too, can be such a slave…

May 10, 2016: Several of you have emailed to say you’re interested in local businesses so we’ve been looking been looking for modestly-priced business opportunities around Chiang Mai. Here’s the first: a guesthouse. I haven’t vetted this place, don’t know the owner and receive no reward for bringing it to your attention (the same goes for real estate listings). For this job you would need some hospitality experience and trustworthy local help to audit the books and instruct you about the unique pitfalls of doing business in Thailand.

The financial requirements of this deal are: Deposit 500,000 baht and 120,000 baht monthly. In US dollars, that’s $14,000 and $3,500 monthly. Doesn’t look so bad when you convert it to familiar currency, does it? Term of the lease? Long-term. Sounds like it’s up to you and the landlord to negotiate the term. Location? Soi Rachamanka 3, right in the beating heart of the Old Town. Could hardly be  better. You can contact the owner at +66-(0)83-515-9988 or (0)87-972-9988. But read the rest of this post before you invest a penny…

Starting a Business in Thailand Can be Tricky

One factor that complicates starting a business in Thailand is that, under current law, foreigners and foreign businesses may only own a 49% stake in local companies. The current law forbids foreign majority ownership in sectors where Thai businesses are deemed not ready to compete with foreign companies. Businesses have circumvented restrictions by issuing preferred and common stock options, with preferred shares enjoying more voting rights. Now a draft law put forward by the Ministry of Commerce would restrict foreign firms from using preferred stock to retain control.
“This proposed change would have far-reaching ramifications that would affect thousands of existing firms here, big and small, and would certainly deter future foreign investment,” said Marcus Burtenshaw, executive director of real estate consultancy Knight Frank Thailand.
“My business is one that you can run from literally anywhere. We registered in Thailand because we like the lifestyle here,” said Chris Roberts, who did not provide his real name out of fear of a possible backlash. Roberts runs a small IT firm that specializes in software engineering. His company employs only four foreigners but has over 20 Thai staff. He says that while he has Thai partners who own the majority of the company, they do not have executive authority on the direction of the company. “If they’re going to make it difficult for me to run my business, then I have no problems about packing up and moving somewhere else.”
Resistance from foreign officials and businesses has prompted internal reviews and assurances from the Ministry of Commerce that any changes to the law would be made after consultations with all parties. A source from the ministry said that any changes are still preliminary and that all changes would have to go through both the legislative assembly and the cabinet – adding that compromises with foreign businesses could be made, as a reworked Foreign Business Act could allow foreigners to own a majority share in certain sectors including accountancy, legal services, architecture, engineering, brokerages, advertising, hotel operations, food and beverages and “other service businesses.” The ministry said some restrictions may be relaxed as a compromise for limiting the use of preferred stock options. Yet foreign companies say that is not enough.
“Imposing tighter restrictions would be seen and felt as a step backwards at a time when foreign direct investment levels are low and Thailand’s neighbours are becoming increasingly open for business,” said Burtenshaw.
The various chambers of commerce agree with such sentiments. When rumours circulated about the proposed changes, the American Chamber of Commerce quickly pointed out that the last time such restrictions were discussed in 2007, the stock market dropped 15 per cent in one day as a result.
Stanley Kang, chairman of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce, said erecting more protectionist barriers would be going against the tide of increasingly freer trade.
“With the ASEAN Economic Community due to be implemented next year, there is going to be more competition in the region, so we want to see more liberalization of the economy.”
Sources within the Ministry of Commerce said the committee overseeing the draft law is resolute in the belief that it is vital to protect Thai interests.
“To them, this is not about chasing away foreign businesses but protecting Thai ones. More transparency and fewer loopholes can only be a good thing,” one official said on condition of anonymity.
For others, however, the proposed changes come at a bad time. As Thailand’s economy slowly recovers from a decade of political instability and the world comes to grips with the country’s new military government, any changes that rock the boat could only worsen the situation.
“Thailand faces a choice,” British Ambassador Mark Kent wrote in a blog post circulated by the British Chamber of Commerce.
“It can choose to seize the initiative again and make itself the most attractive destination for foreign investment … or it can choose a different path.”

A Thai Startup: Richard’s Cosmetic Business

Richard Berry is launching a new cosmetics business in Chiang Rai, Thailand, about 3 hours north of Chiang Mai, near the Myanmar border. I’ll be following the progress of Richard and his partner, Uwie, over the coming months a posting videos of each stage of their adventure. Here’s some of what he had to say, based on his progress to date:

Me: so, if you’re thinking of doing business here, what are some of the things to do before you commit?

Richard: Okay. Buy Thailand Fever, the book. And by the way, it’ll give you a little bit of insight into how the Thais think differently. You have to understand that their thought process is their actual mentation is based on the five precepts, and an animus society is very, very different from the way we think in the west. The language, okay, we think if you speak the same language. It’s very different. So the key factors that have helped me, and while our business isn’t open yet, we’ve got the product produced, is to find a farang who’s successful in business, who doesn’t moan about the Thais, also, somebody who accepts the culture is very important. Someone who’s not got a business who battles with the Thais. So find someone who accepts the Thai way of life, who’s successful, and go and talk to them. And they’ll always be happy to impart their information to you. So that’s the key factor. You will not learn it from books. You will not learn it on YouTube or any videos. You need to talk to somebody who’s set up businesses out here, and that’s what’s helped me. That’s the key factor.

What about language?

I can get by with basic Thai, and every single new word I’ve learned has made it easier, and you’ll get more respect from the Thais you deal with. So I would say, if you’ve got a predisposition towards learning, and I haven’t really, and even if you haven’t learned the language, go to school. Learn from books. The best book ever is by James Higbie, called Essential Thai Grammar, I think, or the Fundamentals of Thai Grammar, big thick book like this. No one’s ever come near learning from a book, but you need to go to learn lessons, to get the pronunciation right. If you can learn the script, it’s a phonetic language, so if you learn the script, you cannot pronounce it incorrectly. So that would help a lot, and of course you won’t have the wool pulled over your eyes. You’ll get to understand a little bit, and you’ll get so much respect from your Thai business partners and the Thais you deal with in the street. They love it.

Further Reading

How can you do better than to read the classic, Making Money in Thailand?  It describes 22 ways that Westerners who retire in Thailand can (and DO) make extra income. From legal employment to buying a business to starting one. Covers budgets, profit margins, on-line and off-line businesses, visas, legalities, business culture, import and export, and a range of stories and videos by and about Thai expats making extra money,  and more.

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15-Year-Old Dies in Phuket Vegetarian Festival Shoot-Out.

Shoot-outs between teenagers are part of the landscape in Bangkok, Phuket and Pattaya. They’re belong to a very old

tradition and are implicitly tolerated because, despite the mayhem they cause, they help preserve Thailand’s ancient warrior culture. Because Thailand has the best rice-growing land in the world it has been the target of many invasions from larger, envious neighbors over the centuries. In a dangerous environment like ours, you don’t want the boys to become sissies, do you? That’s why Thais generally take a ‘boys will be boys’ attitude to these incidents. Though Thailand’s homicide rate is slightly higher than the USA’s (5.0 vs. 4.5 per thousand citizens), the light touch policing makes for a much more relaxed environment. Police suppression is not nearly as evident in Thailand is it is in most Western countries. That’s one reason I like living here.

This headline is the first I’ve seen that balances Thailand’s pacifist Buddhist culture (the vegetarian festival – Thais love their abundant, exotic veggies) with the old warrior culture. Bravo!

Thailand’s headlines of the week are brought to you courtesy of the ever-inventive Thai people, who don’t like to make the same mistakes twice: they prefer to try new, exotic ones, bless ’em.

https://youtu.be/MQMSuFyTdJk

The post Thailand’s Headlines of the Week appeared first on Thai Retirement Helpers: Retiring in Thailand Made Easy.