• THAILAND

  Aliens have landed _ Part 2

  Spectrum, Angus Mitchell, Published on 29/12/2013

  » Last week we introduced the Alien Working Act and outlined the requirements for an employer that wants to hire foreign labour and the steps for that foreigner to obtain a valid work permit. Today, we will take a look at the application of the work permit rules in real life, how they can affect those of us who are employed or just want to do a bit of maintenance around the house, and the penalties one could face if caught in violation.

• THAILAND

  No work and all play

  Spectrum, Angus Mitchell, Published on 05/01/2014

  » Those of us who live and work in Thailand or many who just come to the Land of Smiles for a holiday often dream about retiring here. It may be on the Southern beaches with a coconut in hand or perhaps it means being surrounded by nature and rolling hills in the elevated northern provinces. Though Thailand does not have a formal campaign to attract retirees, such as Malaysia's ''Malyasia My Second Home'' programme, an increasing number of expats are deciding to sample the luxuries of retired life in Thailand.

• THAILAND

  Children in the workforce

  Spectrum, Angus Mitchell, Published on 12/01/2014

  » While cycling through the outskirts of Bangkok recently, I passed a construction crew working very early on a holiday morning. What piqued my interest was the apparent youth of some of the workers.

• THAILAND

  Breathing easier in bangkok _ Part I

  Spectrum, Angus Mitchell, Published on 19/01/2014

  » Long-time Bangkok residents and tourists returning to Bangkok after a few decades will have noticed that the city's air quality has significantly improved. Although considerably more progress needs to be made, even now one hears of people moving to Bangkok from other Asian cities in order to escape air pollution.

• THAILAND

  Breathing easier in bangkok _ Part II

  Spectrum, Angus Mitchell, Published on 26/01/2014

  » Last week we began our series on the reasons for the dramatic improvement in Bangkok's air quality in the past 20 years. The capital serves as a model for other mega cities throughout the region because it has taken a multi-pronged approach to tackling air pollution; an approach rooted in the adoption of the increasingly stringent emissions standards set forth by the European Union for its own citizens.

• THAILAND

  Breathing easier in bangkok _ Part III

  Spectrum, Angus Mitchell, Published on 02/02/2014

  » Over the past couple of weeks we have been examining the legislative and public policy changes from the early 1990s to today that have together resulted in the improvement in Bangkok's air quality. However, more still needs to be done to bring Bangkok's air quality up to par with the rest of Thailand and to reach the standards being set by cities like Tokyo and Singapore.

• THAILAND

  GAMBLING IN THE KINGDOM _ Part two

  Spectrum, Angus Mitchell, Published on 27/10/2013

  » Last week we introduced the Gambling Act BE 2478 (1935), which prohibits all forms of betting and games of skill or chance where a wager, either in the form of money or goods, is placed on the outcome. Providing an overview of the only two legal forms of gambling in the Kingdom, the national lottery and domestic horse racing, we explained how each operates and how the public can engage in legalised gambling through these outlets.

• THAILAND

  WAGERING YOUR FREEDOM _ Part three

  Spectrum, Angus Mitchell, Published on 03/11/2013

  » To wrap up our series of articles on gambling, this week we will look at the law in practise, and see how it is applied to real-world situations. Regular readers will recall that gambling in Thailand is regulated by the Gambling Act and its implementing legislation. The act prohibits betting on games of chance or skill unless the organiser possesses a licence or an exemption has been made where a licence is not required. It is not required for promoters to display their licence when hosting an event. However, most organisers do so as the knowledge that a gambling event is sanctioned by the government and is therefore legal, and would be an obvious marketing drawcard for participants. In practice, if you don't see a licence prominently displayed, it would be wise to check with the organiser as to the legal status of the event.

• THAILAND

  Cooped up with chickens

  Spectrum, Angus Mitchell, Published on 10/11/2013

  » As the cost of living continues to rise, and eco-consciousness is beginning to bloom in the developed world, urban farming, whereby residents of cities are using free space on their property to build gardens and raise farm animals, is emerging as a trendy alternative to supermarkets. In North America it isn't just ageing hippies and new hipsters that are mucking out their backyard chicken coop _ the investment banker, civil servant or taxi driver may be getting their hands dirty as well. Urban farming can also be seen in Bangkok, where people may use their limited land to raise a few chickens, a goat or even a pig. However, before you go out and build a pen to raise fresh bacon and eggs, it is important to know what national and municipal regulations exist governing this type of urban farming.

• THAILAND

  How much is that slow loris in the window?

  Spectrum, Angus Mitchell, Published on 17/11/2013

  » Feeling confident in my ability to navigate Bangkok's largest capitalistic labyrinth, recently I ventured to Chatuchak Weekend Market. Shuffling among a sea of locals peppered with gaggles of tourists, I was reminded that if you can't find it at Chatuchak, it probably doesn't exist.

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