lovinglife

Normally just leave the 800,000 in my bank year round to avoid any problems. Just renewed for another year at HH IO and would like to make better use of this money. I know the requirement is for the money to be in the account 3 months before renewal, heard there was some requirement for it to be there after renewal too, is this true?

My girlfriend was at Hua Hin hospital a week ago with a friend that had a broken wrist after falling of motorbike. Was quieter than normal.

Anybody that owns a company here that can confirm the requirement now for 'Monthly Accounts' to be submitted, and thus needing an accountant on an ongoing basis. Previously I had to submit annual accounts.

Have been travelling to and fro for many years but the UK Embassy visa application is now totally different. I have just created an account, transferred £30, filled in the forms, supplied digital copies of passport page, travel documents, bank statements, photo, accommodation during stay, all in JPG form.

Then print off the barcoded application form and send to London embassy together with passport and £10 note.

Took a while but nothing too difficult.

Was shocked to read this. Is this happening often and is it only restricted to younger travellers? I have 6 tourist visas in my passport + numerous other entries where my stay was less than 60 days so I didn't bother with a visa. I'm arriving direct from London December 4th for 87 days and planning to get tourist visa and extend. I'm travelling business class so maybe the VIP channels are a bit more relaxed? And I'm 59 so unlikely to be working there, and I own a condo.

I will arrive on June 11th and depart on August 8th. Then arrive again on December 4th and depart on February 27th. I was just looking at the multi-entry tourist visa but it costs £150 in London, there can't be many people for whom this is good value?

Am I right in thinking I can arrive on visa exempt June 11th and then extend for 30 days and then get a tourist visa before arriving in December and again extend for 30 days? Total cost THB 1,900 + £30 + THB 1,900.?

8 minutes ago, Pattaya46 said:

Please guys, stop to give false hope to other members who can only use the income option. This lady from the BE clearly didn't know what she was talking about, and Thai Immigration will not change its rules just for a few hundred people having trouble to get their letter. For now for UK retiree it's the 800k option only. Your only hope is that your Embassy agree to provide again some kind of letter accepted by TI.

She is the head of that department of the Embassy and she sounded pretty clear about it to me. BE is not asking TI to change its rules, these changes are the result of a meeting between the two in May.

No chance the Embassy will revert.

Number of letters is apparently about 3,000 per year.

1 hour ago, Tanoshi said:

Thai Immigration already publish these requirements.

Funds deposited in a Thai bank, 400K for 2 months, or 800K for 90 days.

 

Why do you think TI should change their policy regarding acceptable proof of monthly income just to accommodate the Brits.

The official at The BE has said that Bkk Immigration have confirmed to them that bank statements will in the future suffice as proof. This needs to be confirmed in writing. This is not "requesting TI change their policy to accommodate Brits", this is requesting they put in writing what they have verbally assured the BE.

Issued on 9th Nov.

3 entries allowed of 60 days each, I fly back to UK May 2nd.

I have just arrived on a METV from UK, cost £75, no questions asked about bank balance or anything else, in and out in 5 minutes.

Common sense to allow an individual to own a maximum of 1 rai for their own living requirement, would give a huge boost to the economy at a time when it is desperately needed. I live South of Hua Hin and there is so much land that is unused for anything currently, millions of rai owned by the army or the King that if allowed to be bought could be put straight into the government coffers.

 

 

In every country the rule is the same but who is really going to the beach with his passport and which country is really enforcing this to a fine? How much worth a stolen passport for criminals and have you an idea of the hassles in case a tourist loses his passport? Which tourist really want to lose his passport in Thailand? I hope the police force will be flexible with this rule (as all countries are) especially regarding the fine or is this measure to extort the tourists money ? By the way is extortion not criminal offence? You, who make the rules should put yourself at the position of legit tourists and not treat them as criminals at first... We see that Big Generals are in power... What s the next measure?

 

"in every country the rule is the same"? Utter nonsense. I assume you are Thai or you would know better.

 

 

I am not Thai but can you point me a country where you can theorically circulate without a valid ID ?

 

A Valid ID is different from your original passport, to request ID is fine, passport is not unless you are required to report within 24 hours.

Foreign nationals in the USA have to carry passports at all times. Does that count as a first world democracy?

 

@ TV News: Do you have any clarification on the reporting of movements requirements? The way I read the movement reporting requirements they seem completely unworkable.

 

IE, I live in east Pattaya, same place for almost a year now. As I read the rules, If I went to Ban Chang for the weekend I would have to report to immigration in Rayong Province, and then report again to immigration here in Chonburi when I returned to my home. 

 

This seems crazy.

"Foreign nationals in the USA have to carry passports at all times. Does that count as a first world democracy?"

One of the reasons I haven't been there for 20 years!

Technology is the key to catching law breakers now and in the future, invest now and save a lot of time and problems later. Same can be done regarding vehicles, give all traffic police scanners that tell them immediately, owner of vehicle, is it taxed, insured etc.

 

It is only the Passport that tells anybody if you are legally in the country, no other ID card tells whether you have a Visa or have done you 90 day reporting

 

 

The level of stupidity on this forum and others never ceases to amaze me and I'm not talking about you my friend as you are 100% correct

 

First here are the facts

 

-  This has always been the rule in Thailand - you must carry your original passport at all times. In saying that, other forms of id have been accepted in the past but are by no means the official rule 

 

- as we all know there is a general tightening down on visa rules recently especially concerning repeated back to back  border runs and those on overstay and those suspected of working here illegally 

 

It is a general tightening of immigration rules that most of us are now aware of

 

In particular as I have mentioned before several times on TVF - In order for Thai authorities to pursue those on overstay the only possible way for them to do this actively is to start checking people everywhere to ensure they have valid permission to stay in the Kingdom - the only way to do this is to check their original passport so it follows that everyone is now expected to carry their original passport at all times 

 

Will there be practical variations to this is most likely going to be up to the person that is checking you out and how you arrange with them to show your passport but the bottom line is (as stated in the OP) that you must be carrying the original document ready to be checked on the spot at all times - how you deal with this if stopped to be checked is going to be up to you but at least you are now aware of the rules and the possible fine if you decide the break the rules

 

Nothing more to discuss here

 

This is not the only way to check on the immigration status of 'aliens'.

You simply invest in a decent computer system and make the rule that your ID must show your passport number, this could be Thai driving licence or passport photocopy. The traffic officers checking the document can be in contact with the immigration central office in seconds to check status, and the relevant action can be taken.

The junta has made it clear they have an agenda to control criminal activity, if you are doing nothing wrong no problem. However if you are up to no good you need to be concerned, so what are all you posters of negative comments afraid of?

I travel all over the country and stay with friends, I do not wish to report to the local immigration or police every time I move.

 

Wonder how Thais would like it if similar rules were enforced upon them when living overseas. Thais in the UK can travel freely without any of this nonsense.

 

I wonder how you'd feel if you had to go through a months long interview process and present your financial information and your underwear size to even get into Thailand for a holiday.  

 

Same as Thais must do to visit the UK.

 

 I would prefer it if it meant more freedom when I got there. It would also keep out a lot of the scummy sex tourists and druggies that find their way into Thailand. 

 

 

UK driving licence has a photo, surely this can be used as photo ID?

 

It could, but question does your UK Driving License have your passport number on it ? I think that Immigration wants that so they can check your Immigration Status.

 

 

The UK photo driving licence is not considered to be valid Photo ID in the UK or in the US (and that is in spite of the fact that you can now have the Passport office use *their* photo in the driving licence, so that it is *identical* to your passport).

 

Passport numbers on drving licences are not needed to make them legal ID - usually an address suffices. It is not always the case that a DL holder is a passport holder. My Thai DL does have my passport number, but a Thai DL is legal ID for a Thai also, which quite likely does not have a passport number. It may have some sort of ID number - but it will also certainly have a verified address. Mine also has my (imm office) verified address in Thailand.

 

There is also a comment about taxes being the motivation behind address reporting. Some have construed this to be taxes on foreigners = I think it is infinitely more likely to mean that they want those renting accommodation out to foreigners for a profit, are not failing to declare that income.

 

Driving licence is classed as photo ID in UK, I am in the UK now and have used it for car hire and withdrawing cash from a Western Union office.