Hi all,



I'm trying to work out a way to work from Pattaya several months out of the year. I work from home now in US and rarely have to go into the office, so I thought I might give this a try. So I have several related questions. Basically I'll be trying to make it appear that I'm still in US, or at least be as easy to reach in LOS as I am at home, because basically I won't be telling my company that I'm doing this:-) I anticipate wanting to stay for 1-2 months at a time ...so questions:





1) would appreciate a recommendation on a bank with a branch in Pattaya that will let a tourist visa holder open an account. Will want ATM card. Will be able to provide a local address. My official address would either be my rental condo or a local bar.



2) I need some kind of mobile phone service where I could get a US area code and number, but could receive calls, check voicemail,etc, from Thailand. Is there a way to do this?



3) would appreciate recommendation on rental condo, up to 40,000 bt per month. Must have fast Internet (either DSL or cable modem). Dialup is not acceptable in my situation. Internet cafe is also not an option for me.  I've been looking at the Fair Properties site, but I'm looking for other places as well.



4) considering renting a motosai...probably a Wave but I don't care really. Is this a bad idea or worth the risks?



5) anyone else reading this tried what I am attempting? Any other ideas, suggestions appreciated.





Thanks!



Dboy

  

Number 1 - you can use your US bank ATM card all over Thailand.



Number 2 - rather easy.  Obtain a GSM phone and account (T-Mobile or Cingular for instance) in the US.  You will have your US phone number.  Downside will be the higher costs of international roaming.  Have you consider a web phone instead (voice over IP)?  Of course you can buy a sim card for local use and use the US sim for work.



One problem I would envision.  US east coast is 12 hours out of sync with Thailand.  If you do lots of teleconferences, they will be during the night in Thailand.

Edited by: Joe M  at: 8/11/05 7:18 pm

Quote:

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US east coast is 12 hours out of sync with Thailand

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Isnt  it easier to say the US east coast  is 12 hours behind Thailand time

Perhaps it is easier to say Thailand is 12 hours ahead of the US east coast.  Either way, the thought got through.

Edited by: Joe M  at: 8/11/05 8:07 pm

homintern is on your IGNORE list.

Hi all, I wanted to check back in. Thanks for the responses so far. Please keep them coming! It would be great if this could actually work.



OK I just called Cingular, based on advise in the first few responses and here's the deal. They offer a GSM International/Global plan, and it very reasonable. You get billed for your normal plan, like $50 US a month or whatever it is, when they add $5.99/mo for International plan, and $.90/min for outgoing calls (I guess that would also be for voicemail calls too). Not bad. I'm going to the Cingular office tomorrow. They also said you have to wait 90 days for the International part to be active, for some kind of security reasons but I don't know what that would be. Will ask an FBI guy I know tomorrow. I'm thinking maybe its a antiterrorism thing or something.



If I'm only in town for a month or two at a time, is it going to be possible to have DSL? I'm thinking a rental that already has a DSL account running would be the only way. I've heard it takes awhile to get DSL set up in Thailand.



Dboy

The vonage phone suggestion made before is a great working solution.  I have one in my apartment in bangkok and use it all the time, as well as having one on my laptop (softphone) that is with me whereever my laptop is connected to the net.  It's been indispensible during my trips to Asia.



 

Gayrice.com - Gay Asian Resources

homintern is on your IGNORE list.

You do realize that, by the letter of the law at least, you will need have a work permit and pay taxes here, don't you?

homintern is on your IGNORE list.

Hee hee (evil grin).

he is aware of that fact I am sure, just don't give a fuck!



Hope he doesn't upset anyone or he may get a knock on his door from immigration and put into the monkey house.

I'm an independent software contractor.



Would I really need a Thai work permit to spend a few months of the year in Thailand and while there working on contracts for clients in US and Europe?



What about if I supported myself via on-line trading and investments?



 

homintern is on your IGNORE list.

The rules are very clear. You can not work in Thailand, either paid or voluntary without a work permit. To do so could open you up to arrest and then deportation. That is the law. However, they have to find you. And it is easy if someone tells them where you are. It happens here. I know farang Immigration Police Volunteers. The right word into thier ears and its a done deal!!!



I'm not saying I would do it, I don't know you, but if someone becomes jealous of you and knows where to talk...