Essentially retired but 'something to do'

[Papa Goose]

WeI've tried retiring once before and got bored doodooless, even in paradise I reckon I'd be bored... but with a tan. So not a major income source, more a pastime that earned a few bob. Given that serious poop you can be in for working without a permit, would the authorities accept a small dog kennels for breeding (Chocolate Labs) and boarding/daycare for maybe 5 dogs as acceptable as a business? Is there a minimum t/o required and could someone point me in the direction of a concise guild to small business set up. Thanks in advance.

[buksida]

There is some info here: http://www.expathuahin.com/starting-business-huahin.php

Essentially to setup and operate a business legally in Hua Hin as a foreigner you need to make a lot of profit to cover the following expenses:

Thai staff salaries (4 for every work permit)
Thai national insurance (for all staff plus you)
Office premises (they will visit you and expect an official base of operations to be established)
Company tax
Personal income tax
License fees (depends on your trade/products)
Company registration and legal fees
Visa and work permit fees
Other fees (tea money and other demands)

Given the choice I'd take retirement every time!

[Papa Goose]

Thanks buksida. I was hoping that wouldn't be the case.... god bless a good old UK sole trader eh.

[Nereus]

I have often wondered if there is some way that a bunch of retirees could get together and form a "club" just for hobbies. Rent a building and have a person, wife or boyfriend if that way inclined, set up so that it is a Thai business if necessary. Collectively buy some tools, such as was mentioned on here recently, for woodwork, car maintenance or restoration, welder etc., etc. Somebody was asking about a small lathe recently, so that would be something else to consider.

In Oz a lot of retirees have a "shed", and it is a sacrosanct place entered only by invitation!
I know that the concept is completely beyond Thai logic, so it would need a Thai person with a bit of a broader outlook. Not everyone plays golf, not everyone can afford it from what I see of it! But what is the difference from playing golf, or maybe soon lawn bowls, to having a hobby that involves using your life skills just for entertainment?

But I guess it may not work, given some of the posts on this forum. Probably end up leading to somebody making himself a gun and using it to settle a dispute!

[Pleng]

There's always studying. Makes visa's easier to obtain. You only need to study 2 hours, twice a week to qualify for your visa but there's no reason you couldn't study more hours if you're trying to fill time. As well as studying Thai the forum's sponsor, TLC, offer computing courses and I believe various other bits and bobs.

[bapak]

There's always studying. Makes visa's easier to obtain. You only need to study 2 hours, twice a week to qualify for your visa but there's no reason you couldn't study more hours if you're trying to fill time. As well as studying Thai the forum's sponsor, TLC, offer computing courses and I believe various other bits and bobs.

Have to butt in. TLC (not its real name) is not a sponsor.
Sponsor is http://www.huahinmedia.com/learningcentre.php

[Bristolian]

I have often wondered if there is some way that a bunch of retirees could get together and form a "club" just for hobbies. Rent a building and have a person, wife or boyfriend if that way inclined, set up so that it is a Thai business if necessary. Collectively buy some tools, such as was mentioned on here recently, for woodwork, car maintenance or restoration, welder etc., etc. Somebody was asking about a small lathe recently, so that would be something else to consider.

In Oz a lot of retirees have a "shed", and it is a sacrosanct place entered only by invitation!
I know that the concept is completely beyond Thai logic, so it would need a Thai person with a bit of a broader outlook. Not everyone plays golf, not everyone can afford it from what I see of it! But what is the difference from playing golf, or maybe soon lawn bowls, to having a hobby that involves using your life skills just for entertainment?

But I guess it may not work, given some of the posts on this forum. Probably end up leading to somebody making himself a gun and using it to settle a dispute!

I like the concept and it was me that is looking to buy a small lathe and in fact I am still looking. In the UK I was always able to use my garage as a workshop and “sanctuary”. Moving to Thailand and living in a condo put an end to my workshop sanctuary. After buying a home in HH I decided to build a workshop/hobby shop and again have a sanctuary to mess around with mechanical things, make an occasional repair but more importantly somewhere to relax and do something that I enjoy.

I have never considered making any weapons but some early attempts at making steam engine boilers, in the UK, could have been better classified as explosive devices.