themana

Should be no trouble using the correct address and explaining the mistake. Most people in Bangkok have been through that process in the last year or two as many house numbers have been changed. But be sure your reading is correct and double check with a letter address to someone in apartment building as even the side of the street can make a difference, and take some proof with you.

Hrm, I see. Well, proof might be a problem. I heard I might have to provide it, but was never asked for it, and to be honest. I don't know what I could show. I live with my boyfriend and the lease is in his name, and I have no bills to my name that come to this address, so I am a bit screwed in that department. I suppose I lucked out the first time, but any ideas about this?

I just caught this, and wondered if anyone else had gone through it that could offer some insight? When I did my first 90-day reporting I only had the first part of my current address, namely the apartment building and the road and postal code. I was told I needed to supply the Tambol and Amphur, and I did not know those, so I rang up my apartment supervisor while at immigration and tried to ask him. I thought I got the answer and put down what he told me in Tambol and Amphur. No problem submitting the report. But now, I was looking up my place on google maps while trying to find out how to get somewhere, and I realized the Tambol and Amphur are wrong. I've reported this address at least 2 times now and there's been no problem, but I wonder if I should just stay quiet about it now that my third reporting is coming up, or if I should bring it up to try to get it changed to the right address. Would that just be asking for trouble?

Does anyone know if they actually type those addresses into a computer?

I know that when you do your first 90-day report, the address does get put into some sort of database. They then print out a document with a bar code that you present on your next report.

Won't you need to provide proof of address for a later extension of your ED visa stay?

You'd think so, but if one was required for the usual 3-month extensions, they haven't asked for it. As I said, been here over half a year now, done two extensions and one 90-day report, and no proof of address has been actually asked from me.

You think/worry too much.

The only time they'd ever find out is if they came looking for you for some reason (police want you) at your address and you couldn't be contacted. I put down my place of work, immigration told me to as its a constant whereas my address changes and then they have to fill in another piece of paper. You could use the address of the language school and they'd (probably) be happy.

Sounds fair enough. I guess I was just a touch worried about it, since I really want to stay out of any sort of trouble while here, but you have a good point. Besides, would take far too much manpower to keep tabs on every foreigner's whereabouts. XD

G'day, Thaivisa, just a guy with a bit of a question here.

I'm in Thailand on an ED visa, been here for about half a year so far, and recently submitted my first 90-day report. I am staying at a thai friend's apartment, and as such, didn't really have much in terms of, say, "proof of address", since the lease is in his name, and the bills come addressed to the building, I suppose. Yet at Immi here in Bangkok, they didn't really seem interested in asking for much proof of anything. Just filled out the full address of the place, didn't even present a business card and bam. Done.

Considering I've read that reporting a wrong address comes with fines and the like, I just have to wonder how can they possibly enforce fines of that type in a situation like this. Say for instance, that I up and decide to spend a few weeks at another friend's house. Does that qualify as a change of address? I don't really have anything tying me down to either address, so I find it amusing to think about Immi somehow calling up an address while someone is out, and then them having concerns about if its the true address or not. It just strikes me as a very hard to pin down subject when it comes down to enforcing fines on this. The scale can either tip far in the favor of the tourist, or far in favor of Immigration.

I'd just like to know your thoughts on this, folks.

What impact would this have on folks attending classes at a distance via online methods, as some schools allow for? Guess as long as they're attending the classes, it doesn't matter the means by which they are attending, no?

Um, ok, so here's the deal. I want to come over to Thailand for two years to live with my boyfriend. He has a friend whom he works for that runs a language academy. She has told me that she knows someone that works in Immigration that can help arrange a visa for me, that would let me work, study and have a bank account in Thailand. All for the same rough price most language academies charge for their one-year ED visas, around 28,000 baht. So, while I obviously know that this method of obtaining a visa is unconventional to say the least, I have to admit I'm very curious. I guess my main question would be that, if this visa is to be procured by somebody working at Immigration itself, would this be a valid visa in itself, although the way in which it was obtained was unorthodox? What are your thoughts? Does anybody know of any similar cases?

Quoting the OP: "come over to Thailand, take a Thai course and then a TEFL and then get a job teaching English to switch over to a Work Visa."

Might be less easy than you think. They are not much interested in hiring people as English teachers who are not native speakers. I notice that your written English is perfect, but still they would rather hire a 19 year old British or American kid than hiring you. The only jobs you could maybe get would be very lowly paid, and it might be not so easy to get a work permit.

Why don't you browse around a bit in the teachers forum, or maybe ask a question there?

I am a native speaker. ^^ I see you assume that because I live in Spain, that that is where my origins are from. I have Spanish citizenship from my mother's side, but I was raised in a Central American country with heavy American influence, and have been to the US and Canada several times. My spoken English is indistinguishable from that of a North American person.

Try negotiaiting with them first- tell them you have moved to another part of the world and that you are willing to make small payments to a reduced level of overall debt (worked for a friend of mine). If you default, the standard procedure is they will sell the debt to a private debt collecting agency (for 20 p in the pound for example), the agency may then try to track you down if your debt was high enough (and they wont be too friendly either). But ifs its less than 5-10 K $/pounds they probably wouldn't bother. But if they find out you are in Thailand it may be they would come over here to combine it with a nice holiday in the sun (seriously). My friend who i mentioned earlier had moved to work in Pakistan for a contract, not very tempting destination for a debt collector.

Having said that you would never be able to open a bank account in spain again and possibly elsewhere in europe (im not sure how interconnected the backs are in the EU, but i wouldnt be surprised if they do swap info like this).

Pay off your debts, it's the honest thing to do and you don't want to burn your own bridges. You never know when you may need them again. I'd be interested to see a foreign debt collector turn up in thailand and start demanding payment - On what legal authority, fairly sure there is no inter government policy on such matters. Can see the police wanting to get involved in that, far too much work

I can only agree with the above (and I am a banker).

You could leave Spain and leave the debt behind (actually how much are we talking about...??), but in essence you borrowed it for a purpose, accepting interest terms which are now bothering you. You need to step up to the plate and take responsibility.

A good idea is indeed to be open and fair with the bank and to re-negotiate the terms and/or the repayment period. Banks would rather have a healthy credit on their books than a dud loan which they need to write-off.

Selling to a collector is an option for them, but they usually do that in a package deal (i.e. bundle a few hundred or even thousand consumer credits and sell it to a distressed asset buyer for a small sum, like cents to the dollar). If your debt is considerable, then a collection agency will com after you, if it is small, it will get lost.

In any case, your credit standing in Spain will be ruined and it may eventually have consequences in Europe, although I sincerely doubt that, banks do not exchange this sort of information cross border.

So the option is yours.

Debt would probably amount to €24,000 if I go through with the plan... stands at around €12,000 as it is right now. It takes up around 60% of my total income each month. =/ I have no intention of returning to Spain, I dislike the country and its culture, and considering I'm a EU Citizen, I can have my pick of any other country in the EU, not to mention I have friends in several of them. If the bank information isn't shared cross border, I can simply move my money without leaving an electronic trace using friends or family and start over elsewhere. Not to mention banks have bigger fish to fry. At any rate, the debt will be written off after 7 years, and I doubt I'd be returning to Spain any time before that period. I have plenty of better places to hit. If the option is mine, I'd definitely go for the one where I can return to studying and improving my life VS slaving after a debt that I did not create 2/3's of. (The expenses came from looking after my family... which happens to owe me money. So all those people in other posts telling me to take responsibility can just zip it. I've shouldered far more than my share of responsibility for long enough, and its high time I started having my own life and going after my own dreams.)

Try negotiaiting with them first- tell them you have moved to another part of the world and that you are willing to make small payments to a reduced level of overall debt (worked for a friend of mine). If you default, the standard procedure is they will sell the debt to a private debt collecting agency (for 20 p in the pound for example), the agency may then try to track you down if your debt was high enough (and they wont be too friendly either). But ifs its less than 5-10 K $/pounds they probably wouldn't bother. But if they find out you are in Thailand it may be they would come over here to combine it with a nice holiday in the sun (seriously). My friend who i mentioned earlier had moved to work in Pakistan for a contract, not very tempting destination for a debt collector.

Having said that you would never be able to open a bank account in spain again and possibly elsewhere in europe (im not sure how interconnected the backs are in the EU, but i wouldnt be surprised if they do swap info like this).

They wont touch you while you are in Thailand otherwise 'my friend' would have been got to a long time ago. He hadnt done anything illegal but just got into financial problems.You wont have any credit facilities in Spain but so what?You dont want more debt do you? If they caught up with you in Spain you could just file for personal bankruptcy (after all thats what many companies do before they set themselves up again) and it would all be written off anyway. Ignore the doom and gloom merchants 'my friend' tried a reasonable approach with these financial institutions and they ignored it despite them having made a killing in interest payments from him over the years.They sold the debt to debt collection agencies that are small tinpot companies who wouldnt know how to get to the airport let alone come after you in Thailand anyway why would they when they have the path of least resistance open to them in the UK and they can go for locals who owe money.

Consider yourself now free from this burden, learn from it(as my friend has) and enjoy yourself in the los.And dont borrow money again, my friend hasnt!

I've been to several financial forums in Spain and indeed it would seem to be the case that its quite easy to escape the debt. Honestly, anybody who's been in Spain for enough time knows how things work here and how <deleted> lazy and bureaucratic all processes are. I highly doubt these folks would consider my debt worth the effort for its amount, and first of all, they have to -find- me first. I have a bit of a concern about it affecting me in other European countries, but again, as you said, it depends on how these financial institutions swap information, and I doubt they will. If not, there is always offshore banking. I don't want to borrow again, I just want to be free. I mean, hel_l I was pretty dam_n responsible with the money I came into possession of, as well as the credits, however, the burden of supporting my family (I am the eldest son, had to support my father for half a year while he found work, and he still owes me money. My mom can't get a job at all. They are planning to return to our home country next year) did take its toll along with a few choice bad decisions. I will admit I messed up, but I will have an easier time of correcting this mistake if I can start earning money and moving my personal life ahead -without- the encumbrance of debt. Not to mention I -will- return and pay off that debt, I just cannot do it any time soon and I am not willing to let banks keep a ball and chain on me.

General rule : Often telling the truth will help. Speak to your bank, tell them you will come here, and ask them what solution do they propose for you , assuming you are willing to reimburse your debt.

Maybe the key is to know IF you want to pay it , but are just scare the bank will simply take everything from you; or if you are simply looking for quick exit.

In the first case, mostly as long as you pay, banks will not mind if you are in Tahiland, Malaga or New Granada. It might be some technical problems (such make sure money is send by your thai bank every month) , so a talk with your spanish bank will be usefull. I speak from experience , having similar situation in early 2002. Things went smooth (but one month).

If you want to just have quick exit, assuming we are spoken about a small amount, things will be safe here as long as you keep a low profile. But it will also mean you will have problem to renew your passport, you will have problem if you return to Spain (or E.U. in general). If the amoutn is small, it will not be a crime, but delictuous act and not worth international warrant. Still it will be worth to detain you if you come back in Europe, or to refuse to issue a new passport (you will get only a temporary pass valid for an exit indirection of Spain).

Friendly advice, speak to your bank, tell you want to continue to pay off your debt, but you have to move for professional reason (you got an interview for a job in Thailand ...) and ask them for the modus operanti. Do not forget to stress out Thailand is a 3rd world country, with low wages, so a sensible renegociation of the montly payment is necessary (better to have a little than nothing). Do Not Run Away as it would jeopardise your future.

Problem is that talking to the bank and letting them see that my situation is precarious would most likely affect the money that I'm counting on in order to be able to make my trip and set up in Thailand. Believe me, these banks are far less lenient than you'd assume. At any rate, I'm willing to pay if I don't have any other choice, but having a choice of making things better for myself, why should I stay burdened for years when I can have a new start? Also, passport renewal is not affected by financial status, as being in debt is not a crime in Spain, criminal background or action being the only thing that can interfere with such a renewal.

Hello there, my fellow forum dwellers.

I come to you with a bit of a conundrum, hoping I can find some advice here that can help me make a decision.

I am a Spaniard... well, recent Spaniard actually, I immigrated to Spain some years ago with the idea of settling down and making a living over here. Then came the crisis and everything went to pot. Thing is, I have some debts with my bank, but I also have some money available to me. The way things stand, I still have another 4 years to go to finish paying off my debts... and word of mouth says that even in 5 years Spain isn't going to be showing much economic growth. However, I have a friend here in Thailand that I would very much like to come live with. I've done research and it seems fairly easy for me to obtain a Student or ED visa, come over to Thailand, take a Thai course and then a TEFL and then get a job teaching English to switch over to a Work Visa. In short, I'd like to start over. I have no qualms about waving Spain goodbye and having a more peaceful life in Thailand. However, what I do wonder and worry over is whether the debt I'd leave behind in Spain would come back to haunt me. =/ I have no intention of returning to Spain, but I don't want to screw up coming to Thailand and learning that my european debt is somehow reflected, and so Thai banks restrict my operations and access to financial services like loans. I'm not looking to get in debt again, but I would like to be able to access a small loan if the need would ever arise. I'd also like to get back in college. I interrupted my college education to immigrate thinking I'd pick it up again once things were settled in Spain, but as you can surmise, there has just been no way. I don't want my life to be on hold for 4 years or more simply because greedy banks were too interested in reaping profits. Part of starting over in Thailand would include me returning to college life, hopefully. ^^

So, what do you good people say? Any advice on the matter?

Thanks in advance!

When you apply for the non-ED visa, the Thai consulate will not ask about your debts.

If you indicate for what certifications you plan to study, people who did the same course at the school about which you inquire will be able to tell you about their experience.

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Maestro

Thank you very much for clearing that up about the debts. The courses I wish to take are first the Thai Language and Culture course ( to have a better grasp of the language, the people and culture as I settle in) and then once done with that, hopefully get an extension as I undertake the TEFL course so that I may later on get a work permit and change my visa type in order to work in Thailand.

It does matter if your debts are in relation to child support ect. as they can and do deny passports.

No, no, thankfully its nothing like that. Its a simple personal loan at the bank, not even anything like a mortgage. Around €14,000 or so.

When you apply for the non-ED visa, the Thai consulate will not ask about your debts.

If you indicate for what certifications you plan to study, people who did the same course at the school about which you inquire will be able to tell you about their experience.

--

Maestro

Thank you very much for clearing that up about the debts. The courses I wish to take are first the Thai Language and Culture course ( to have a better grasp of the language, the people and culture as I settle in) and then once done with that, hopefully get an extension as I undertake the TEFL course so that I may later on get a work permit and change my visa type in order to work in Thailand.

Hello there. First time posting here.

I have serious intentions of coming over to Thailand next year to study, and possibly work once I obtain the certifications I am studying for. I have a friend I will be staying with that is a resident of Thailand and I am counting on being able to get an Education/Student visa with the help of this place: h$$p://tlslanguageschool.com/index.php (just replace the $ for t's to see the site).

Have any of you studied with this school before? Anyone that can vouch for it?

Also, the part of the query in the description to this post, does anyone know if having debt in one's country of origin is a factor when it comes to applying (and being approved!) for an educational visa in Thailand? I mean, I have plenty of funds at my disposal, so I'm not short on money, just worried that the fact that I owe a good deal of this money is gonna hinder my plans.

Input is appreciated. Many thanks!