Jaggg88

It is only a requirement for visa-exempt entries. People who have a visa or long-term permission to stay have already satisfied immigration financial requirements. In my head, I can hear UbonJo telling me that 15 years ago

The requirement is 20k baht in cash. Not a credit card or bank balance. Some people say it can be 20k baht or cash equivalent, but in most cases the IO is using it as an excuse to deny entry because he/she do not feel they are a genuine tourist.

You are correct, and like most tourists, she will not have 20k cash in her pocket. "She stressed that she and her companion had not overstayed or made repeated border runs, but immigration had reviewed their travel history because they had previously spent significant time in the country." People who have stayed long-term in Thailand using visa-exempt entries are the ones being targeted in the latest clampdown. FB is full of posts of people being selected for secondary screening and being denied entry.

You are constantly being filmed, so get used to it. CCTV, dash cams etc

I did my birth certificate (needed for the yellow book), and my son's, but have never needed it. Immigration wanted my marriage legalisation and translation every year for my extension. It is the same process whether it is a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, Uni degree certificate. It is all the same. Now you know what a legalised official document is.

It needs to be legalised as a genuine document. I had to do this with my UK marriage certificate. Once it is legalised/Apostilled you then have to get it translated and then get MFA to confirm the translation is correct

If you had a history of staying long-term in Thailand using visa-exempt entries, then yes, it would be considered a border bounce. As the minister said, people are not even returning to their own countries

He's a digital nomad, same as me, but does have a history of staying in Thailand using visa-exempt entries. He said the questions were random: "Where have you been? What were you doing there?" etc. I've re-entered twice with my DTV and no questions at all, but I don't have the same history as him. My previous visa was a marriage extension. I expect the soft power DTV to be scrapped, as it is ridiculous to give someone a 5-year visa when they only have a 6-month cooking course.

Clampdown on people using visa-exempt entries for staying long-term in Thailand Two visa-exempt entries per calendar year (not set in stone, provided you can convince the IO that you are a genuine tourist). The first by air, 60+30 and then one border bounce/border run (NOT A VISA RUN, as that is something different), No extensions when entering by land, so when you apply for an extension, you get 7 days to leave the kingdom. That's 157 days total. The minister particularly mentioned that people are not even returning to their home countries. Anybody with a history of long-term stays in Thailand using visa-exempt entries will likely be selected for secondary screening even when re-entering with a valid visa. Visa-exempt rules: 20k baht cash. a return/onward flight within the initial 60 days, and accommodation booking for the first night. As Dr Jack says, if an IO is not convinced you are a genuine tourist, then they will find an excuse to deny you entry. Phuket seems to be the worst at the moment. My friend arrived on his second entry with a DTV and was taken aside and questioned, as were many others.

The OP goes back for weeks and even months, so is not in the same category as border runners

This was actually mentioned in the recent announcement. They are after people doing back-to-back VE via border bounces

It starts today, as announced in the Royal Gazette. All businesses that sell alcohol must be licensed, so I can only assume that all shops and restaurants can now sell in the afternoon. However, TiT so don't expect everyone to cotton on just yet 😁

Employing girls under the age of 20 for adult entertainment is illegal here. The 15-year-old's consent is a very grey area. It can only be with the parents' permission, and that can be withdrawn at any time, resulting in consensual sex becoming statutory rape.

I flew into HK yesterday from Thailand and noticed the Thai travellers in front of me all had their passports in clear plastic covers

It's a con aimed at people who are not smart 😁

Public consultation. The ban will be lifted in early December for a 6-month trial

When I first came here 20 years ago, the only fat people were tourists, but just like most countries, Thailand is adopting the standard American diet (SAD), high fat, high sugar, processed carbs

Extensions based on marriage are sent to CM or BKK for approval, depending on the location of the Immigration office. The OP has applied in CM, so his extension will be approved locally.

The Thais, like most countries, are adopting the SAD (standard American diet}. High fat, high sugar, and high carbs. This is the cause of most modern-day ailments categorised as metabolic Disease. I was eating in a street-side food shop in Samut Prakan last night when I pointed out that two lots of young diners had ordered chips. You would never have seen that outside of tourist areas just a few years ago

These are only proposals. This current government has achieved didly squat when it comes to illegal immigrants. The left-wing MPs and human rights lawyers will whittle these proposals down to virtually nothing

He came straight from the hot springs and forgot to get dressed

The clue is in the title, Double Taxation Agreement. It is in place to make sure people don't pay tax twice.

The ban is being lifted only for the festive season 🤔

She didn't even bother shaving! There is a famous Thai law that forbids people leaving their home without underwear, but maybe she lives in the bar 😁

They don't complicate things, but they totally lack any attention to detail which leads to confusion. I've been coming here for 20 years and it has always been the same, Their rules and statements are inept and everybody has to just muddle through. Immigration is the perfect example as each office interpret the rules slightly differently because there is little clarity in the laws.