FARANG FOCUS

Niels Colov, Drew Noyes in Angeles City, Philippines - Andrew Drummond

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 22:47:00 -0500

Pattaya businessmen visit Angeles City, Philippines to help join the two cities together and increase business. However, former "News of the World" tabloid newspaper journalist and one-man blogger Andrew Drummond falsely reported the Pattaya businessmen which included Niels Colov and Drew Noyes had gone to Angeles City Philippines for sex. Andrew Drummond knows all to well if guys want sex they can stay in Thailand. In reality, the Pattaya businessmen went to represent Pattaya City and to look for new opportunities to expand their businesses in the Philippines as the ASEAN Community will form in 2015 and includes both Thailand and the Philippines as community members.

How Recent Changes Pension Rules Will Affect British Expatriates

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 04:24:00 -0400

The UK Government recently announced long awaited changes to the current pension regime, the most significant of which will abolish the requirement to purchase an annuity at the age of 75.

Frugal Freddy Pattaya Dining Club Sets New Attendance Records

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 23:44:00 -0500

About Us: The Frugal Freddy dining group is a Special Interest Group within the Pattaya City Expat Club (PCEC). Hawaii Bob says “As an expat living here in Pattaya for 6 years I’ve seen inflation and dollar value erode my income by almost 50%. I and others like me have to stretch their money to limits that require innovative thinking to keep up our lifestyle. Even cutting out or down on the alcohol, avoiding go-go bars and the temptations that go with it requires additional creative endeavors to live within my current budget, thus Frugal Freddy was born.”

Introducing Frugal Freddy Pattaya Dining Club

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 03:14:00 -0500

About Us: The Frugal Freddy dining group is a Special Interest Group within the Pattaya City Expat Club (PCEC) run by a member named Hawaii Bob. “As an expat living here in Pattaya for 6 years I’ve seen the Value of the dollar shrink by 30%, inflation in Thailand raise by 25% so I and others like me have to stretch their dollar or Euro or pound to limits that require innovative thinking to keep up with the lifestyle we want to enjoy. Even cutting out or down on the alcohol, avoiding go-go bars and the temptations that go with it requires additional creative endeavors to live within my current budget, thus Frugal Freddy was born.”

Pattaya British Pensioners Meet to Tackle Government

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 11:26:00 -0400

British Pensioners in Thailand recently held two meetings at the Bowling Green in Soi Fuengfa.

Education Visa the Perfect Way to Long Stay

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 15:14:00 -0400

If you are under 50 years of age, not married to a Thai national and financially independant there are few options if you want to live in Thailand.If you are over 50 you can easily qualify for a retirement visa providing you have 800,000 baht in the bank, however you must be at least 50 years old. If you are under 50 and don't want to work or run a company or constantly have to do visa runs then an education visa may be the solution for you if you want to reside here long term.

Merit Making 'Tam Boon'

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:26:00 -0400

One phrase that visitors or foreigners living in Thailand will hear commonly is that Thai people like to 'Tam Boon'.

Buying Insurance for Non-Thais

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 14:49:00 -0400

Foreigners in Thailand are able to purchase different types of insurances available in the market if necessary documents are provided such as a valid work permit, a long-term residence visa or a marriage visa.

Pattaya Brits Left Frozen

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:37:00 -0400

Mention pensions to a British expat and you are sure to start a conversation mired in controversy and anger. But to put all this into context consider the move recently by the French government to raise the retirement age for its citizens from 60 to 62. Greece too is being forced to revisit its retirement and benefit package whilst it struggles to survive. Even in the USA, company, state and federal employee pension benefits are coming under pressure as the economic situation at all levels deteriorates. With almost all the socialist European governments facing major debt problems, this move by the French may be only the tip of the iceberg for pensioners living abroad. Pensions, especially those for people who have chosen to live outside their home country are an easy target for government savings in a time of crisis. Recipients in this category are in a minority and are not "at home" to complain. Although the plea we publish below is for British Expats, maybe as time passes there will be more expat pensioner groups who will have a sabre to rattle.

So You Want to be a Teacher in Thailand? A Look into One of the Most Difficult and Most Rewarding Professions

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 15:22:00 -0400

Free Six-Month Tourist Visas Available Again April 1, for Now Pay 1,000 Baht

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:28:00 -0400

March 4 was the deadline for free Tourist Visas which can be extended for up to a six month stay issued through Thai Consulates and Embassies. In order to qualify all you need is your passport and a way to get to a Thai Consulate outside of Thailand. Free tourist visas will be available again April 1 through next March.

Legal and Visa Updates

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 12:51:00 -0500

Education is a Long Stay Visa The ED Visa or Education Visa is a special visa that works in conjunction with a Ministry of Education (MOE) certifed school, and the Immigration Department. Schools that qualify are allowed one license per subject, and it is in the student’s best interest to verify the validity of the school’s license.

Legal and Visa Updates

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:56:00 -0500

March 4, 2010 Deadline for Free Tourist Visas The Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is issuing free tourist visas to visit Thailand issued through Thai Consulates and Embassies but this will expire on March 4.

New fun and easy way to find, review and talk about what's great - and not so great, in your area.

Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:10:00 -0500

MapsNMore.com is a newly launched website that connects people with great local businesses.

New Arrangements for Passport Services Overseas for British Citizens

Sun, 07 Feb 2010 03:50:00 -0500

The Foreign and Commonwealth Offce is reorganizing the way it deals with passport applications as part of a plan to make the way British passports are issued more effcient and secure. The reorganization is aimed at keeping down the cost of a new passport.

Legal & Visa Updates

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 21:30:00 -0500

Free Tourist Visa Program Extended

United Kingdom Offers Locals Consulate Services

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:05:00 -0400

The British embassy maintains a part-time consulate situated a few doors from the Pattaya immigration bureau in Jomtien Soi 5 off the Beach Road. The consulate’s postal address is 489/3, Moo 12, Soi 5, Jomtien, 20150 and is open 9:00 am – 11:30 am Mondays to Fridays, but excluding public holidays.

Free Tourist Visa program extended

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:30:00 -0400

The Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is again issuing free tourist visas to visit Thailand at Thai Consulates and Embassies. Following the success of the free visa trial program that ran for four months and ended June 5, the MFA decided to make the program more permanent to increase tourism and help the economy.

LEGAL MATTERS MATTER

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:30:00 -0500

New Visa Requirements for USA Visits