TABLE OF CONTENTS

  • Introduction to Thailand 1
  • Chapter One: General Facts about Thailand 2
  • Thailand History 4
  • Chapter Two: Upon Arrival in Thailand 8
  • Before Leaving the Airport 9
  • Duty Free and Eats 10
  • Free Airport Wi-Fi, Public Phones and Thai SIM Cards 11
  • Foreign Exchange 11
  • Transportation into the City 12
  • Chapter Three: Generalities – All Bits Important 14
  • Population and People 15
  • Religion 16
  • Time and Climate 17
  • Language 18
  • Electricity and Water 20
  • Business Hours 20
  • Currency 21
  • Weight and Measurement 22
  • Chapter Four: Thailand Laws 24
  • Chapter Five: Visa Talk 30
  • The Tourist Visa 32
  • Application Requirements 33
  • The Work or Business Visa (Non-Immigrant “B” Visa) 35
  • Retirement Visa 39
  • Application Process 41
  • Visa Benefits 42
  • The 1-year Non-Immigrant ED Visa or The Education Visa 42
  • Requirements 43
  • Application Process 45
  • Visa Benefits 47
  • The Marriage Visa Annexed to a Non Immigrant O Visa 48
  • Visa Requirements 49
  • Application Process 51
  • Visa Benefits 52
  • The Thailand Elite Visa 53
  • Visa Benefits 54
  • Rules on Overstaying 55
  • Visa extension & Re-entry permit 57
  • Chapter Six: Square Away Your Finances 58
  • Open a Thai Bank Account 61
  • Banks in Thailand 62
  • Credit Cards 66
  • Payment Services 68
  • Chapter Seven: Long – Term Living 69
  • Accommodation 71
  • Serviced Apartments 72
  • Housing compounds and Non-serviced apartments 74
  • Condominiums 75
  • Independent Houses 76
  • Choosing Your Neighborhood 77
  • Central Bangkok 78
  • Nichada Thani 78
  • Lakeside Villas Bang-Na 79
  • Restrictions on Land Ownership for Foreigners 81
  • Chapter Eight: Settling In 85
  • Working in Thailand 86
  • Visa and Work Permit Cancellation 93
  • Tax Structure and Liability as a Taxpayer 93
  • Tax Returns 96
  • Hiring Property 97
  • Payments 97
  • Hiring Domestic Help 98
  • Medical Care 103
  • Hospitals 103
  • Medical Insurance 106
  • Mobile Phones, 3G and Internet Services 108
  • Chapter Nine: Transportation and Getting Around 111
  • Airport Limousine 112
  • Taxi 113
  • Airport Rail Link 114
  • SA City Line 114
  • SA Express 115
  • Car Rental 116
  • Airport Tips and Warnings 117
  • Private Vehicles 118
  • Drivers 119
  • Purchasing a Car 120
  • Driving License 122
  • Car Insurance 124
  • Driving in Thailand 124
  • Expressways 126
  • Public Transport 127
  • BTS 128
  • METRO (MRT) 129
  • BRT 130
  • TAXI 131
  • Chapter Ten: Customs, Conducts and Thai Mannerisms 133
  • Code of Conduct 134
  • Superstitions 139
  • Useful phrases in Thai 141
  • PHOTO REFERENCES 143
  • REFERENCES 145