Weekly Column

Sunbelt Asia Weekly Column 2 February 2018

Sunbelt Asia Weekly Column

2 February 2018

How many days when entering by a land border?

Question 1:

7 years ago I crossed over the Friendship Bridge from Nongkhai into Laos. I got a tuktuk in to Vientiane, stayed the day and was back in Nongkhai by late afternoon. I was told when I crossed back into Thailand that because I crossed by land my visa in Thailand was now only good for 14 days. This was not a problem because I was flying out of Thailand in just a few days, but I did not know about this until I crossed back into Thailand by land. It could have been a real problem if I had gone to Laos in the first part of my trip. So the question is this: is this 14-day regulation still in place? I am going to Thailand in June and would like to go from Thailand to Laos, stay a few days in Lao and return to Thailand for more than 14 days. If I fly from Bangkok to Vientiane then stay a few days then fly back to Bangkok will I get another 30 -day visa on arrival? Thanks for any info.

Sunbelt Asia Legal Advisors responds:

Members of G 7 nations, that is; the USA, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, receive 30 days at a land border crossing or by flying in. However, it is important to note that Immigration is limiting such land border entries to two a year.

Changing to a non-O retirement visa extension

Question 2:

I am a US citizen 57 years of age currently working for an NGO on an F-visa with a work permit. I will be retiring at the end of October this year but wish to stay on in Thailand as a retiree. So I guess I would want to switch to a Non-immigrant O-A visa from F, correct? How hard is that?

I have been away from the US 27 years now with little ties back home and would prefer to conduct the whole process staying on in Thailand without returning to the US. Would that be possible?

Sunbelt Asia Legal Advisors responds:

You will need to get a letter from the NGO confirming your resignation and retirement. You will also need to produce the NGO affidavit as well as the signed copy of the passport or ID of the NGO director in order to quit your visa and work permit.

You can then apply on the same day that you cancel your F visa for the non-O visa and then a visa extension with the following requirements:

  • Applicant must be 50 years or older
  • Security deposit of THB 800,000 in a Thai Bank Account for 3 months before visa application.
  • Monthly income or pension of at least THB 65,000. An affidavit from the foreign embassy or consulate has to be obtained as proof of the income.
  • Combination of the Thai bank account and yearly income with the total of 800,000 THB.

You will need to provide an updated bank book and a letter from the bank manager stating that the money came from abroad no later than 3 months before the visa application. Sunbelt Asia Legal Advisors can assist you with the paperwork and navigating the Immigration requirements please get in touch for a free initial consultation.

New businesses registered in 2017 reached a five year high with a total of 74,517 companies registering, due to the government’s business promotion and infrastructure investment, growth in tourism, and global economic recovery. The number of new business registrations totaled 74,500 in 2017, up 16% from 64,200 in 2016 and is expected to top 75,000 in 2018. The total registered capital of new companies also jumped 119% year-on-year to 519 billion baht. In addition to the government’s infrastructure investment’s the director cited the growth was due in large part to largely because of the government’s tax incentives to support individual entrepreneurs, especially for gold trading, drug stores and real estate, and new regulations that allowed them to establish their businesses through juristic persons.

After International Air Transport Association (Iata) released its passenger forecast last year predicting Thailand will reach the 10th largest aviation players in the next 20 years the Aeronautical Radio of Thailand (Aerothai) urged aviation authorities to kick-start immediate reforms in airspace routing and management. Iata predicted Thailand should reach 3 million flights a year in the next 18 years, currently the country has over one million a year. Aerothai has commissioned the help of British authorities to conduct studies to come up with milestones the authority must reach to successfully handle 3 million flights by 2036. Aerothai is the main regulator of air traffic in Thailand and is working to manage airspace usage by reviewing air passageways to allow for more flights in the same space, the director cited the United Kingdom with twice as many flights and less airspace.

Exports growth in 2017 reached 9.9 percent, the highest in six years due to higher purchases from the U.S., E.U., Asean, and China. The value of exports totaled US$237 billion or 7.5 trillion baht and top shipments included rubber products, electronics, oil-related products, rice, automobiles and auto parts which all rose. Border trade also rose in 2017, up 6.2 percent to 1.1 trillion baht. Agricultural products were also top performers; rice, rubber, fruit and chicken. In 2017, rice exports hit a record of 11.6 million tons. The Commerce Ministry predicts exports will rise about 5-7 percent in 2018 as concerns about a stronger baht, protectionist trade policies out of the U.S. and higher wages.


Special offer on serviced officesWe are offering two types of serviced offices available at a special promotional deal
Office with space for two staff at 9,500 baht a month

Office with space for three staff at 11,000 baht a month

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Happy anniversary from all of us at Sunbelt Asia!!
A “Thank you” gift for our clients new and old!
Sunbelt Asia has been offering our excellent service to our clients for 15 years! As our 15th anniversary gift we would like to offer our professional services on retirement and marriage visa extensions at the very special reduced rate of 7,500 baht as a thank you to our clients new and old for their support over the years.

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Sunbelt Asia Legal Advisors can handle all your legal and business needs; from visas to work permits, prenuptial agreements to divorces, condo purchases and wills.

Be sure and contact our English speaking
legal advisors
for all your legal needs

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We at Sunbelt Asia see many of our clients regularly ask us legal questions regarding living and running a business in Thailand. To help out we have set up a FREE Expert Answers for Your Questions in Thailand Facebook page;
Sunbelt Asia Facebook Expert Advice Page

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Please feel free to contact us if you are in Thailand on (+66) 02-662-7004 to discuss any of these listings.

Silom area hostel and cafe

Located in the popular Bangrak neighbourhood, this hostel has 90 beds in 20 rooms with an in house café. Potential for this business is quite high but the owner is not able to manage on site, an active manager on site could easily grow this business as this is a popular tourist area and the hostel concept remains popular with travellers.

Payroll is currently 100,000 baht a month and rent on the location is 151,750 baht a month with a 9 year lease. All assets are included in the sale including furniture, CCTT, website and online booking system.

ASKING PRICE: 11 million baht
(BKK15810)

Large well-reviewed Italian restaurant in top Sukhmvit location

This charming home-style Italian restaurant is located in newly constructed building in a busy area of Sukhumvit road in an area surrounded by 5 star hotels and high end condominiums and is well-reviewed on Trip Advisor.

The 300 sqm restaurant has 7 years left on the lease and covers 2 floors with an balcony. The owner invested 20 million in the business for kitchen equipment, decor, software and security systems with a CCTV camera as well. Rent on this space is 372,500 baht a month and the building has parking for 6 cars onsite and 10 spaces in a nearby building with valet parking. Rent for the 10 spaces off site is 25,000 baht per month. There are 20 full-time staff with a total monthly payroll of 350,000 baht. A Thai company with 6 million baht in registered capital allowing for 3 work permits is included in the sale as is the registered trademark. Sales have averaged 1.4 – 1.5 million baht a month.

The new owner can change the focus of the restaurant if they desire as the location is prime.
The owner is selling as he has another restaurant that takes up all his time and has no time to manage this one.

ASKING PRICE: 19 million baht
(BKK15803)

Restaurant on ground floor of Asoke area hotel

Just off Asoke Montri Road and near Terminal 21, Health Land and many office buildings and hotels this restaurant is on the ground floor of a hotel and has a booming lunch trade and is very popular with the locals in the area as well as tourists.

The restaurant can seat 85 people comfortably and a classically decorated private ventilated cigar room or VIP room. There are 7 full time staff with excellent team work, and food and beverage contracts with the hotel in the same building or provide breakfast service and room service offering a guaranteed income every month.

There is a cool room which stores wine and beer kegs, new kitchen equipment including charcoal grill, wok stove, oven, deep fryers, cooker, refrigerators and freezers included in the sale price. Rent on the 280 sqm space runs 155,000 a month with no key money. The lease runs until 2022 with a fixed rate. All construction maintenance is supplied and paid for by the hotel above.The website, email, Instagram, Facebook page (15k followers) are all included in the sale.

Total income is around 400,000 – 500,000 baht a month but can go higher with an owner with more time to spare for the business. The owner doesn’t have time to manage the business and so is looking to sell the business.

ASKING PRICE: 3,600,000 million baht
(BKK15802)

Leading licensed English school in greater metro Bangkok

A leading English school is available in Samut Sakhon, in the greater metropolitan Bangkok provinces. With a top curriculum, fully equipped school and a high enrollment of students on an annual fee basis, the school is quite successful and a leader in the area with a waiting list for students wishing to enroll. The school has an active presence on social media that has helped to promote its brand, communicate with prospective clients and public relations.

Located in a 160sqm building, there is a reception area, two large classrooms, an office, a library, a back kitchen, an outside kitchen and yard as well a bathroom on each floor. The building has ample parking in front as well as a car park on the side. Rent on the premises is 15,500 baht a month.

The school has experienced consistent growth year to year with a profit of 1,065,801 baht in its first year. Sales last year reached 2,660,766 baht with a profit 2,160,964 baht. There is one full time and one part time employee with total wages at 12.620 baht a month.

The owner is moving overseas and so is selling the business. There is a detailed outline available for potential buyers once a standard confidentiality agreement has been completed.

ASKING PRICE: 6.5 million baht
(BKK15779)

Charming old town Chiang Mai guesthouse

This charming guesthouse restaurant/bar is located in the heart of the old city in Chiang Mai, walking distance from all major old city attractions including the Sunday Walking Street Market and the many beautiful temples found in the old city. Chiang Mai continues to see tourism grow and this guesthouse has taken advantage of that growth. The guesthouse has contracts with all the major booking agencies and has earned five star reviews on Trip Advisor and Airbnb for its friendly staff, comfortable rooms, charming décor and central location.

The business was established in 2011 and has 560 sqm over four floors. Land with a chanote title is included in the sale, a rarity in this location. Each room is a large suite type room with minibar, en-suite, air conditioning and free WiFi throughout.

The business has six full time staff with a total monthly payroll of 60,000 baht. The guesthouse and restaurant saw total sales reach 4 million baht in 2016 with a net profit of 2.7 million baht.

The owners are relocating and so are selling the business, the building and the land.

ASKING PRICE: 18 million baht
(BKK15758)

Fine furniture factory in Pattaya with interior design service

Located in Pattaya, this high end furniture factory offers not just top quality fine furniture but also full service interior design for residential and commercial projects. The company has earned a reputation for attention to detail, unique and interesting design solutions and high quality products. Offering a wide variety furniture, including stand alone and built-ins, the company has a full – service interior design solution for its customers.

The business has a 600 sqm showroom in a busy Pattaya area and a 2500 sqm factory on the outskirts. The company owns the land and showroom in town. There are 45 employees and the monthly payroll of 1 million baht includes the owner’s salary. The business is open 6 days a week.

Sales last year reached 50.8 million baht and net profit over 2.6 million baht. The owners have spent a great deal reinvesting in the business including property to continue its growth.

The sale price includes the company with showroom, factory and land

ASKING PRICE: 60 million baht
(BKK15797)

Hotel near Walking Street in Pattaya with high occupancy rate

This modern hotel is very close to Walking Street in Pattaya and has a high occupancy rate and good reviews from guests. The hotel is almost always full and has attracted a strong Middle Eastern clientele.

There is a total of 18 rooms in the hotel, and there are a variety of rooms, all well equipped and roomy. The hotel also has a coffee shop for guests and outside customers.

The hotel has a good income each month, taking in 300,000 baht every month regularly. There are 4 staff with a total monthly payroll of 50,000 baht.

The owner is offering two options; lease the operation with key money of 3.5 million for 3+3 years and rent 100,000 baht per month or purchase the property for 25 million baht.

ASKING PRICE: 25 million baht or
100,000 baht a month plus 3.5 million key money
(BKK15785)

Exclusive luxury Samui beach resort

Have you always wanted to live the life in paradise? Now is your chance! This exclusive luxury resort has direct access to the beach on the peaceful and idyllic west coast of Koh Samui. Samui has developed a reputation for top luxury resorts that attract people from around the world.

Established in 2008, the resort has two villas and four apartments, a pool and a large private home, guest villa and gym. The total land area is 3200 sqm fronting the beach with a full chanote title for the new owner.

The villas are large, at 118 sqm each, while the four apartments are 32 sqm each. The private mansion is an enormous 760 sqm while the guest villa is 75 sqm. There is a fully fitted 75 sqm gym as well.

Sales last year reached 3.8 million baht and there are four full time employees. The valuation of this project has been set at 195 million baht but the owners are keen to move off island for their children’s education so are selling it at a must buy price of 150 million baht.

ASKING PRICE: 150 million baht
(BKK15798)



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