What should I include in my cover letter for a freelance visa application to Thailand?

@Greg *******

BOI is the best option by far, no issues with working with Thais. They would not be able to engage with Thai medical professionals under DTV regulations.

@Andi **********

I know. Depends what he wants to do though. Most work would be outside of Thailand. BOI Startup has tax advantages. Singapore company is easier to set up and tax, contract law and financial stability advantages.

@Greg *******

James Dyson said similar things about why he moved Dyson HQ to Singapore. Cost of living in Singapore has skyrocketed over the past few years but it is a great business location.

@Andi **********

He also led the Singapore govt down the garden path about opening an EV factory there. If you locate a global HQ in Singapore there is no corporate tax. If you open a regional HQ no corp for 5 years. I was once working on a merger and we found a "Hidden" SG company owned by one of the companies. When we asked about it we were told it cannot be used as part of the JV. A lot of money went through that company tax free. All very much legal and above board but treasury and transfer pricing were in play

@Greg *******

Was he misleading Singapore with the EV factory build?? He said it was not feasible for Dyson to diversify into that industry but I'm not sure of the detail.

@Andi **********

Oh he said he was building there. An ex colleague of mine at GSK husband left a brilliant job to move over. Cast aside before it got off the ground. Dyson and his CEO got special treatment over it. His CEO got dispensation for his kids to do National Service which was a first that really oissed off sinkies. Dyson said the EV factory was not feasible only after he collected the benefits. Very solar to his Brexit position while collecting millions a year from the CAP. Similar to his crying over inheritance tax on his tax dodging farmland

@Greg *******

I heard people were unhappy with the STD -- Special treatment for Dyson. He is very "creative" with his tax reduction methods.

@Andi **********

That was one of the issues and the fast track allowing him to buy landed property. The National Service issue though was the big one. It is so close to Sinkies hearts. They make movies etc about it

I did my MBA in Singapore and in one marketing class a massive argument broke out between the women and men over NS. The Prof and I, both British, just looked at each other. In the pub after it we had a discussion about it. He said he was going to leave the De Beers case study out of the next class which is how it started. NS is a big thing in Singapore and they have to do it every year till 40. Many career military go straight into top jobs when they retire.

@Greg *******

IInteresting.. never knew NS still went on there. Until 40? wow, tough thing to do. Can see how many were upset by the favoritism

@Andi **********

They also keep certain taces out of certain regiments etc. The first ethnic Malay general was appointed only 15 years ago. My intern was from a prominent Chinese Business family. He got a plum job in Military Police guarding fighter jets in West Australia, where SG keeps them for training and lack of space/strategic back up. He said 2 years on the beach, swimming and fishing daily lol

@Andi **********

I think it is 2 weeks a year until 40 but I think some report and get sent home. A couple of Singapore Drs I worked with were attached to navy. They did not mind it as usually a nice jaunt. One said I give them the STD lecture before arriving as port and the most serious mishap he had to deal was a broken arm from a fall in rough sea lol I think the best NS innovation was spectacle lens not misting up in the jungle as so many Sinkies have myopia and need specs lol

@Cameron ********

you may have to prove that you still meet the requirements for the category you applied under. In this case that they still have permission/are working remote or in others still undergoing treatment or taking whatever course you applied with.

@Cameron ********

The MFA guy in an interview said that for in country extensions immigration will probably ask yiu to process you still have the funds and the soft power activity is still ongoing ie still training, attending classes or hospital etc. People are assuming this will never be asked if you do border runs. Nobody has ruled it out and it is immigration who have the right to do this is they so wish.

@Greg *******

Ah I see.

I applied via muay thai, but naturally plan on travelling around and of course training at other gyms whilst in other parts.

Would this be risky? Or would you assume given I'm actually training *for* training, i..e, not just for the visa, they'd be okay?

@Cameron ********

I do not think it is risky at all. What you propose is exactly what the soft power is about

@Greg *******

Yeah thought so. Was just unsure right then about whether it was specific to the gym obtained via, or just general training.

Guess I’ll know for definite in 90 days

@Cameron ********

There are no questions at 90 day reporting if that is what you are meaning. I never even see an Immigration Officer when it is done.

@Greg *******

Oh, 180?

@Cameron ********

180 days is when you would do a border run or an extension in-country. People have posted what immigration have told them verbally what is required for an extension. Not seen any documents or official comms they. The MFA guy in the interview said Immigrstion are still working on requirements. He made it explicitly clear while the MFA issue the DTV it is immigration and the interior department have final say about entry and extensions. There is nothing new about this for Thailand or any other country though. A visa does no guranteee entry anywhere.