The day after my two-day fiasco with the Ministry of Labour (and side trips to the Department of Business Development and my lawyers’ office), I learned that another expat in a similar situation went to extend his work permit by 90 days.
The result: the MOL clerk insisted that he needed to do a 1-year extension instead and gave him a week to pull together all of the financial reporting that is required for the 1-year extension.
This, even though his last 1-year extension was less than a year ago!
We discussed. My theory is that the MOL is being instructed to crack down on foreign work permits in order to save more jobs for Thais in these tough economic times.
The flip side of this theory, of course, is that they are trying to drive away foreign investment!
Above: From my “Interesting Sights in the Big Mango” series, here’s a picture of a man napping in the back of a pickup truck loaded with veggies, on his way to a market in the late afternoon traffic on Rama IV Road.
christao408 
I was going to ask why not go for a 1 year extension instead of 90 days. Did not realize that you prefer 90 days extension?
I think you should tell the Ministry that you are blogging about your experiences to millions and millions of readers.
@stevew918 – Actually, getting a 1-year extension doesn’t exempt you from doing the 90-day extensions throughout that 1-year period. The 1-year extension is a more in-depth application process and reviews the company’s financials. Then, once you’ve passed that gate, you’re still obligated to return every 90 days in order to keep your work permit in sync with your most recent visa entry.
@ElusiveWords – Yeah, that would be a great way to ensure I not only don’t get a work permit renewal, but end up not getting a visa renewal, too! LOL
They are nuts! Why 90 days extensions on top of a 1-year extension, simply rediculous. I am glad Mr. T appreciates that you are willing to endure all these trouble to be there with him. You can tell him that I think he is a darn lucky boi.
Red tape is tricky. I surely hope you don’t run into any difficulties.
@stevew918 – Because the work permit can only be valid as long as your visa is valid, and under the Thaksin prime ministership they instituted this requirements to conduct border runs once every 90 days. This may be designed to help cut down on fake companies set up just for immigration purposes, as you can except the 90-day clause if your company reaches a certain size. But it also adds a serious barrier to smaller companies that are trying to get started. Of course, those in power are the owners of big companies and don’t necessarily want any start-ups to nibble at their heels!
that man could probably nap just about anywhere!sounds to me like the MOL just isn’t as organized…
Ugh, the MOL sounds pretty messed up.