Gift suggestions, please, for future in-laws?

Post by **Alagrl** » October 29, 2005, 2:49 am

We are leaving for Udon next week for my step-son's wedding on 12 November. Somying's parents own a large farm and a village store, and her father is in a "town councilman" type of position. She also has a much younger sister -- about 10 years old. I would appreciate suggestions for appropriate "greeting" gifts from the US, understanding we want to keep our luggage at a reasonable level. Thanks for any help here!

Post by **JimboPSM** » October 29, 2005, 3:37 am

Sorry it is not a very original idea, and it

Post by **polehawk** » October 29, 2005, 5:43 am

Excellent suggestions, Jimbo. I gave my bro-in-law a bottle of Chivas that I bought on the plane and have a friend for life. lol. He still has that empty bottle on display on a shelf in his home, I heard. Duty-free cigarettes always a welcome gift for many. Perfume products can be purchased at the duty-free shops for the ladies, also. Kids? Don't know what you're budgeting but Ipod or Gameboy products, I suppose.

Post by **banpaeng** » October 29, 2005, 6:00 am

Will say the above two are 100% correct. I found family really goes crazy if you can take them to the Korean BBQ or seafood restarunt.

By the way what part of the gulf Coast are you in. Houston area here

Post by **averagejoe** » October 29, 2005, 7:32 am

i recently came back from Udon. I was my first trip there. like you, i was concern about what i can get for my girlfriends father and her big family. for me, it would be very difficult to give everyone something. it would be very pricey and too much to pack. before leaving to Thailand, my thai friends suggested that i buy small gifts to those who are very close to my girlfriend. like close immediate family members. her father doesn't drink so the idea of buying him a bottle of liquor was out of the question. so i bought him a nice button flannel shirt (he loved it!). he's a military cop in Udon. and for her aunts i bought them cleansing cream and moisturizers(like Oil of Olay). i know they have those in Thailand but they love anything from the States. her aunts were very grateful. and for the little ones, i just bought them bags of candies from WalMart. my gf told me many times not to spend alot of money on gifts, so overall i think i made everyone happy. hope this helps....

Post by **averagejoe** » October 29, 2005, 7:38 am

Banpaeng,

howdy neighbor! Austinite here

Post by **banpaeng** » October 29, 2005, 8:35 am

My wife and I wish you luck on your romance. I hope to be there by the end of Feb. Maybe we will meet up and have a beer. If coming down to Freeport area let me know and we will meet up. Houston will work also. Don't mind the short drive.

Post by **businessman** » October 29, 2005, 10:13 am

Booze for the guys and perfume for the women has always worked very well for me.A nice watch also goes down very well with older guys.

valentine · Post by **valentine** » October 29, 2005, 11:45 am

I bought my mother-in law, what else, gold. Its the only time I have ever seen her smile!!!Dad-in -law, got a Seiko watch. He won't wear it, in case it breaks. So, you pay your money, you takes your choice, after all, its the thought that counts.Funnily, my wifes sister wanted some Marks & Sparks underware, she loved it until she saw the label inside, yes, Made In Thailand.!!!

Post by **averagejoe** » October 30, 2005, 2:32 am

Banpaeng,

sorry i'm off topic here......but

i read here about your back surgery. glad you are doing fine. my boss recently had an intensive back surgery and he recovered within 2 weeks. i have to give you both props for going through with it (like you had a choice right? lol .... my boss was very cynical, he went to 3 neurosurgeons and made sure they all had the same opinion. so off to surgery he went. i'm curious, (i work in the pharmacy and went back to school for another specialty), would i be able to find a decent paying job in udon or in thailand with this degree? i would love to live and work in thailand for a couple of years.
i would love to meet you and your wife, if i'm in or around houston, i will let you know....so if you are comfortable, pls give me your email or number.

Post by **wansman** » October 30, 2005, 4:27 am

I have found that anything from America is welcome even if it was made in Thailand. I asked one time as I had been asked to bring something that was made there and the reply was "made for america is made better". I got my father in law a 3 D cell Mag light flashlight one time and the next day after they had used it my mother in law wanted my small 2 AA cell that I cary with me. For my wife's brother I gave him a letherman multi tool one time and every time I visit he makes sure that I see him use it. My wife told me that she did not think that they would like them but I just told her that it would be ok as it was a "guy thing" and they were thrilled with them. Another thing that I always get asked for is medicine. I now always bring a BIG bottle of aspirin, a BIG bottle of Tylenol, a BIG bottle of Tums and several months supply of Prilosec OTC. Anything that is not suitable for children I tape a picture of my son on te bottle with his picture crossed out like on a do not enter sign. I got this idea when I gave them their first bottle of the flavored Tums as they thought that they were candy before I could explain it and I do not want to take the chance of my son eating them.

Post by **banpaeng** » October 30, 2005, 7:08 am

Maybe some of you guys that live in Thailand can answer Average Joes question about working. I do not have an answer.

Thanks.

Post by **businessman** » October 30, 2005, 10:13 am

Many jobs are reserved for Thais only and i believe medicine/pharmacy is one as it involves manual work and maybe working in some sort of shop.You could own 49 % of a company owning a pharmacy but not do any work yourself.Here is a list of what you cannot get a work permit for:

LIST OFOCCUPATIONS PROHIBITED TO FOREIGNERS IN THAILAND

Under Thai Law BE2522 foreigners are prohibited to engage in any of the following. It should be noted that the law does NOT define work as doing something in return for financial or any other reward.

Manual work.

Work in agriculture, animal husbandry, forestry or fishing excluding specialized work in each particular branch or farm supervision.

Bricklaying, carpentry or other construction works.

Woodcarving.

Driving a mechanically propelled carrier or driving a non-mechanically propelled vehicle, excluding international aircraft piloting.

Shop attending.

Auction

Supervising, auditing or giving services in accounting excluding internal auditing on occasions.

Cutting or polishing jewellery.

Haircutting, hairdressing or beauty treatment.

Cloth weaving by hand.

Weaving of mats or making products from reeds, rattan, hemp, straw or bamboo.

Making of Sa paper by hand.

Lacquerware making.

Making of Thai musical instruments.

Nielloware making.

Making of products from gold, silver or gold-copper alloy.

Bronzeware making.

Making of Thai dolls.

Making of mattresses or quilt blankets.

Alms bowl casting.

Making of silk products by hand.

Casting of Buddha images.

Knife making.

Making of paper or cloth umbrellas.

Shoemaking.

Hat making.

Brokerage or agency excluding brokerage or agency in international trade business.

Engineering work in a civil engineering branch concerning designing and calculation, organization, research, planning, testing, construction supervision or advising excluding specialized work.

Architectural work concerning designing, drawing of plans, estimating, construction directing or advising.

Garment making.

Pottery or ceramic ware making.

Cigarette making by hand.

Guide or conducting sightseeing tours.

Street vending.

Typesetting of Thai characters by hand.

Drawing and twisting silk thread by hand.

Office or secretarial work.

Legal or lawsuit services.

Source: Alien Occupational Control Division, Department of Employment Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.

Marcus.

Post by **banpaeng** » October 30, 2005, 6:01 pm

Thanks Marcus. I hope that helps him in his endeavors.

Post by **Paul** » October 30, 2005, 6:18 pm

I see the discrimination act hasn't quite reached Thailand.

The courts would have a 'field day' with rules like this at home.

I hate in when you see jobs in the newspaper _Thai national only or female only.

Theres a long way to go yet.

How dare a foreigner attempt to make Mattresses or Thai dolls - he should be hung LOL

Paul

Post by **Chang_paarp** » October 30, 2005, 8:03 pm

Paul said;

"I see the discrimination act hasn't quite reached Thailand.

The courts would have a 'field day' with rules like this at home.

I hate in when you see jobs in the newspaper _Thai national only or female only.

Theres a long way to go yet.

How dare a foreigner attempt to make Mattresses or Thai dolls - he should be hung LOL

Paul"

Paul

Four simple reasons for Thai nationals only;

1) No work permit hassels.

2) Only have to pay Thai wages.

3) Native speaking Thai language skills and understanding of the culture.

4) Because they can.

They advertise in English language papers because that is one of the skills they are looking for, ie they just passed the first sellection criteria by finding the advert.

Chang

Post by **averagejoe** » October 31, 2005, 8:43 am

Thanks Businessman for the info and appreciate Bangpaeng for recruiting the help!

Post by **businessman** » October 31, 2005, 11:33 am

My pleasure joe.If what you want to do is not on the list,then you have the fun of getting a work permit.The problem would appear to be showing how a Thai cannot do the job:

Application for a work permit The following documents should be submitted with the work permit application:

Passport or document used in lieu of passport, foreigner's personal identification papers or residence papers under the law on immigration.

Documents certifying educational qualifications or certificates of the employers for whom the applicant used to work, specifying details of characteristics and period of the work that the applicant used to perform.

The potential employer's certificate of employment of the applicant together with supporting evidence for not employing a person of Thai nationality to work.

Certificate of a medical practitioner certifying that the applicant is not suffering from diseases prescribed under regulations.

Certificate of the relevant government agency showing that the business of the potential employer for whom the applicant is going to work has been duly and lawfully registered or licensed to be established and operated and also showing the category of the business.

Three photos, half-body, facing front, without hat, size 5 x 6 centimetres, having been taken within the previous six months.

A person who is granted a work permit must report in person to collect it.

Post by **Alagrl** » October 31, 2005, 10:55 pm

Thanks, everyone, for some terrific suggestions -- I'll be on my way to Costco and Walmart, for sure!

Now, any suggestions for gifts to bring back for Christmas giving here in the States? I don't have a large family (aging parents), but we both have a need for client and corporate colleague gifts.

SHARA

Post by **Bump** » November 1, 2005, 6:41 am

banpaeng wrote:Maybe some of you guys that live in Thailand can answer Average Joes question about working. I do not have an answer.

Thanks.

Just a wild guess but unless you want to teach english everything seems to be pretty retrictive here. It looks like certain areas such as the computer sciences might be open to a work permit. But who knows if you are willing to purue it hard enough it might be possible to get a work permit. If I undesrtood correctly we are talking about a pharmist, there are plenty of them staffed by Thai's.