Hi all,

Yes another regarding moving to Thailand but please bear with me - I'm just after a short and (hopefully!) sweet answers. I've read through various posts and am totally lost in what is involved with regard to visa's because it all changed over a period of time last year. At some point I want to move to Thailand from Australia - hopefully this year.

Scenario 1 - Assume I am not married to a Thai girl (which I'm not currently) and come over single (age 45).

1. What visa do I need? (I will want to work - see point 3 below)
2. What requirements are there from the visa? - amount of time I can stay etc
3. I want to set up a small business - Different visa required?
4. I'm familiar with the old rules regarding border runs, but what does everyone do now?

Scenario 2 - I come over and marry my Thai g/f in LOS

5. What visa do I require?
6. What are the visa requirements? - time allowed to stay, renew at border etc

Anyway, hoping someone with their experience of living there can help with some info.

Hoping to come over for a short hol next week! Can't wait for some decent food and cold beers.

Cheers
Phil

Also are Farangs still only allowed to own Condo's?

I am sure you will get other replys maybe with concise answers and maybe not. The key word is maybe.

My advise is call the consulate in your home country and explain your situation as you know it. They are the ones you will be applying to so should be able to give you what they require. Embassys in different countries sometimes do not answer the same so you would need to know what yours wants. Will make your submission a bit easier I am sure of that.

I am also moving your question to the visa section.

Thanks.

Go to Thai embassy in Australia for the best answers. Ask them about getting a one year muliti entry business visa, so that you can come here to look at investment opportunities. (you will need to leave every 90 days)

Ok all, thanks for the advice. Yes I think an initial approach to the Thai embassy here in Melb would be a good start and see what the official version is!

Robtaff wrote:Also are Farangs still only allowed to own Condo's?

generally yes.
Foreigners cannot own land. Period

It is possible to get around some of the rules by (for example) starting a company and putting the house in the company's assets - however there is a recent crackdown/scrytineering on the setting up of the companies - mainly to do with the shareholders, so its not an easy option right now.

Personally, even if foreigners were allowed to own houses/land, I feel that under the current political situation I would not feel secure investing megabaht into property - when we have seen instances where policies can change in a matter of weeks. (Remember the visa changes that were changed last October with just a few weeks notice? - it send the foreigner residents here into mass panic)

Paul

Well it seems I am coming over for a couple for weeks as my team (all contractors including me) have been let go from our project. I'm on the plane tonight, so will be in Downunder tomorrow!
Cheers
Phil

Paul wrote:

Robtaff wrote:Also are Farangs still only allowed to own Condo's?

generally yes.
Foreigners cannot own land. Period

It is possible to get around some of the rules by (for example) starting a company and putting the house in the company's assets - however there is a recent crackdown/scrytineering on the setting up of the companies - mainly to do with the shareholders, so its not an easy option right now.

Personally, even if foreigners were allowed to own houses/land, I feel that under the current political situation I would not feel secure investing megabaht into property - when we have seen instances where policies can change in a matter of weeks. (Remember the visa changes that were changed last October with just a few weeks notice? - it send the foreigner residents here into mass panic)

Paul

Thank's Paul,
I hope to settle in Thailand but am doing the sensible thing and visiting a few times and also trying to figure-out what work I can do.

Its a struggle - believe me, but not impossible
Thailand takes the word beaurocracy to a completely new level !!!

For sure, you will need quite a lot of money. More than you might expect ...