seen this article on huahintoday about a new unique relocation service, what a rip off.
10,000 baht to help with retirement visa, We ALL know you can just go to immigration and they will help you for FREE.
400 baht an hr for advice,
Most of what they offer you can get on here for FREE too.
another case of trying to rip farangs off
Relocation Services to ease your move to Hua Hin and Cha-Am now available
Recently a unique company has opened its doors offering a complete set of personal services advising newcomers to the Hua Hin and Cha-Am areas. The two ladies offering this service, Ms. Sudkaew or Fon and Ms. Jittratamrat or Pina said “The Settle Service Siam aims to help arrivals to settle into Thailand’s unique culture and way of life. This is what we have realized that there is a strong need to help newcomers.
I wouldn't call it a scam, there are plenty of companies that assist foreigners that are new to Thailand through the mind numbing labyrinth of visa requirements and bureaucracy. This one just seems to be targeting this area.
Correct on that advice though, you can get it for free on HHAD.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
I think its a good thing providing they know their stuff and do things properly for you.
Some people would rather pay a few grand for an agent to go to Prachuap offices for them and save themselves 4-5 hours of hassle.
Immigration stuff seems to be about the number 1 stress for farangs living here, to be able to releive that for 800 Baht a month seems a fair deal to me.
Mine's me wife, wish 800 Baht a month was enough to get her off me back
Mentioned before that I deal with Mataput office over this side of the Gulf. Many times I'm sitting in there waiting for something and a woman walks in with a stack of passports a foot high. I looked and sometimes Korean, Japanese, British etc.
So, apparent some of the large factories and off shore drilling companies have 'special' arrangements where the foreigner never has to show his face for reporting, or extension, or possibly even WP renewal. These girls are usually dressed in a company uniform so not an agent, which means the company has had high level talks with, and probably a gift or two given, to allow these procedures. Pete
Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Source
Yes Pete that shortcutting system has been on the go for years in Pattaya. I don't know how they still manage to get away with it but hey - company money talks!
As for the new company in HH - IMO there is always a market for farang business, especially the newcomers, who don't yet know there way around, or have transport. Often worth the outlay to save the hassle. I certainly would have struggled with the Pratchuap office trip without help, but instead was driven there together with another expat woman to sort our work permits, and had a pleasant lunch at a beach restaurant I would never have found myself!
Just hope the new company provide such a good service.
Super Joe wrote:I think its a good thing providing they know their stuff and do things properly for you.
Some people would rather pay a few grand for an agent to go to Prachuap offices for them and save themselves 4-5 hours of hassle.
Immigration stuff seems to be about the number 1 stress for farangs living here.......................
SJ
That pretty well sums up my opinion. If you think of it from day one 10,000 baht = $300 = 150 pounds. Not much really if it's a one off. Us seasoned veterans know we can cut that figure down. I am sure the older folk particularly would be quite happy to hand over 20% of their monthly pension every year to avoid the hassles of immigration.
Farang rip off? Border line but although it has been intended to show it being a Thai delivered service I am 90% sure that there is a farang behind it. Check out the Thai English and the use of a spell checker. It should ring a couple of bells.
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[quote="margaretcarnes"]Yes Pete that shortcutting system has been on the go for years in Pattaya. I don't know how they still manage to get away with it but hey - company money talks!
Margaret,you are spot on there,I worked overseas in the oil drilling business for 30 years and all visas ,work permits ect are all sourced for you.
You are always met at the countries international airport by a fixer who often gets you to the front of the queue,out into a cab to a staff house in the city.The next morning you generally fly off to a regional destination and work for 28 days.When you come back on your way home you will find an exit visa and work permit already stamped in your passport.Its part of the working deal and you can be sure that if you are sent to BKK to work for Microsoft,Carrier,GE or any bank,the same will happen.Do not really think that is unfair,its the companies job to make life easy for their overseas employees or expats.I agree with Buksie for once,i do not consder myself an expat in Argentina,just like sarge,a guest only.However here I can own a house or buy land.I have a 5 year residencia permit which took a long time to acquire.You also have to speak some form of Spanish as English is only understood a little in Buenos aires.We have seasons which is probably why I prefer it to Ho Hin,am away skiing in the morning down south but up here in the north west where I live its a pretty pleasant wnter generally.However we also have the same endemic corruption in all facets of every day life.I actually believe that our men in blue could be worse than the MIB.Digger
