Residence Visa

[James Bond]

Thank you lopburi...

I think about it...

Maybe we buy, I don't know!

I'm not sure about the Thai laws, it sounds risky... Thanks.

[alanw]

Reply to Sabaijai - Yes I did apply in Bangkok.

The next paragraphs are a bit off the topic, but a little amusing, and I hope worth sharing.

This first issue of the PR book is dark blue in color. When it's full it's replaced with a white coloured book, with gold garuda etc on the front, approximately same size as a passport. If you leave the country you must have, in advance, an exit / reentry permit stamp in the PR book, and your passport. (Can be obtained per trip, and can be a once a year multiple exit/reentry permit stamp, which is what I have.)

Both the PR book and your original passport are stamped in unison.

The first time I used the blue book as I was leaving Don Muang, I joined the foreign passport line, when it was my turn I was politely escorted to the Thai line, and the duty officer that day asked me, very politely, to always join the Thai line, in the future, because some immigration officers are not trained to handle the PR book. Now I always do this.

Now I've changed to a white cover book - with gold garuda. Many times i've been in the Thai departing line at Don Muang and a Thai has politely said to me, or used hand signals to indicate, 'This line is for Thai people, you should go to the foreigners line' or something similar.

I then hold up the white book with gold garuda, and most times there is strong surprise, often followed by extreme politeness, waiing, and several times there has been instant assumption that I am an ambassador or something similar.

Regards

Alanw

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Another question!

I’m married to Thai, she has my surname.

Can or can’t she buy a house in TH.? I have one-year visa.

Yes she can in her name. You cannot be a part owner. In fact, you'll need to sign to say you have no financial interest in the house at all. Only a Thai can inherit if she dies.

[Guest ka1234]

Yes she can in her name. You cannot be a part owner. In fact, you'll need to sign to say you have no financial interest in the house at all. Only a Thai can inherit if she dies.

Yes, a farang can own a house. Not the land it is built upon, but the a farang can own a building. So his wife can buy the land and he can buy or build the house.

Tilleke and Gibbons have more details although their translations are sometimes confusing and have to be read twice:

http://www.tillekeandgibbins.com/Publicati...and_systems.pdf

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Yes, a farang can own a house. Not the land it is built upon, but the a farang can own a building. So his wife can buy the land and he can buy or build the house.

Tilleke and Gibbons have more details although their translations are sometimes confusing and have to be read twice:

It is notionally possible to do, but untidy. Other ways are for the alien spouse to be the mortgagee ( albeit that mortgagee in possession could never be an option ) A lease affords some measure of protection. Corporate ownership is another way, but likely to be looked at by the Lands Dept. At the end of the day, the alien isn't in a good position ( nor does the Government want him to be )

Only two readings of Tilleke and Gibbons ...heheheh you are good ...it is written a bit clumsily

[monitorlizard]

New counting’s…

Pr. 191.400

Marry to Thai 95.700

Application one-year 1.900

Re-entry 3.800

It’s equal to 33 year

Marry to Thai its equal to 17 year

Thanks for the correction. Yes, the marriage to a Thai is half. But, since I don't travel out of the country every year, I would exclude the re-entry.

So, it would take 56 years! I still won't live that long!

[James Bond]

Thanks Ka and Dr.PP, I catch your points I think it’s better to lease a house…

If my wife dies! I’ll loose the money, (House or land goes to her family)

1 million Bath or whatever I have paid… It’s that true? Thai laws, oh, ho…

[lopburi3]

If my wife dies! I’ll loose the money, (House or land goes to her family)

1 million Bath or whatever I have paid… It’s that true? Thai laws, oh, ho…

You didn't pay anything - the money was hers.

But seriously, would you really deny her family/children some consideration? You have the lease/rent options if you really value the money above all else. But I would prefer to think of a house/land as her insurance policy rather than a shared investment.

[James Bond]

Thank you lopburi... I catch your points too...

I get nothing, we have a son, maybe her family can look after our son...

I don't understand the thai laws, sorry.

For me it's better to lease a house, if something happens.

I will have some money left for me and our son and her family... thanks

[lopburi3]

For me it's better to lease a house, if something happens.

I will have some money left for me and our son and her family... thanks

Your right. There is not single path for all. For many who have the funds believe it can be a valid insurance policy in the event you leave. In the event of her death am sure family would take care of child.

The basic law involved is that non Thai can not own land.

[Rinrada]

Thai wifes can do just about what they want to and that includes borrowing from the Banks...all of the banks...mine does.

[Digger]

Great information AlanW. I have also been contemplating applying for residency after 3 years of work permits/taxes/visa etc however the big concern I have is that I understand the requirement is for a level of fluency in Thai. My Thai is near hopeless compounded by the fact that I travel out of Thailand at least once a week for my Job, often for 2 weeks at a time. Therefore I get very little chance to practice what I learn and soon forget it.

My question is specifically, what type of questions were they asking in Thai and what level of competance do you feel they were looking for. I read that you were speaking for about 30 minutes in thai and the remainder in English.

Many thanks

[monitorlizard]

speaking thai for PR book?

I am willing to bet that with these increased fees that thai language ability will not be enforced!

[alanw]

Digger,

Your questions about the level of Thai language when I had the interview.

I was warned in advance that I would need to speak Thai, and I'm aware that another guy who being guided thru the process by the same agent at the same time, was also warned of the need to speak Thai. I'm aware that the other guy did in fact have to speak Thai in the interview, same as myself.

To be honest my Thai language is quite advanced, as is the Thai of the other applicant mentioned above. As for the questions asked - From what I can remember - Why did you originally come to Thailand, why do you want to stay here, what can you contribute to Thailand, how much history about Thailand do you know, what is your level of education, who is the Prime Minister, what upsets you about Thailand???

I can recall that in the first interview the more junior officer asked me in Thai, with exuberance, "Do you like Thai food"?

But I should quickly mention that this thread has prompted me to discover that several friends / acquaintances have gained PR since I did, and they are mostly saying that there was little very little Thai language used in their interviews.

To try to summarise - It's clear that there are formal & informal: rules, requirements, procedures, lack of consistency, etc.

It's quite possible that the senior guy when I went thru the process was more serious about language - maybe if I had said I don't speak Thai then it wouldn't have not had any bearing on my pass or fail - I guess i'll never know.

Given what I wrote three paras up, my suggestion is to not worry about it.

Hope this helps

Regards

AlanW

[sabaijai]

Bond, thanks for doing the math. Since I plan on being more than another 17 years, insh'allah, seems worth it to me. And who knows, within the next 17 years immigration fees may be raised again, so that a 95,000B investment (PR for Thai spouse) might begin looking pretty good.

The other thing is, do I want to mess with renewals, etc every year for 17+ years? Not very much.

Lastly I have a certain sentimental attachment to getting PR. And as I understand it, after you're PR for three years you can apply for Thai citizenship. Sentimental again ...

[huski]

And as I understand it, after you're PR for three years you can apply for Thai citizenship

I think its 10 years of PR status before applying

My question is, has anyone reading this been granted THAI CITIZENSHIP while married to a THAI with a child born in Thailand? The information below suggests that it would be less than 10 years, and i am curious how much this would reduce the time period requirement.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

APPLYING FOR THAI NATIONALITY

Aliens who wish to apply for Thai nationality under the Nationality Act B.E. 2508 (A.D. 1965) must be permanent residence holders for 10 continuous years, have reached the age of 45, and be able to speak and understand Thai. An exception may be made to this rule if there is reasonable cause, such as marrying a Thai and having children born in Thailand or having studied in a local university/college as an undergraduate. The applicant must complete an application form and submit various required documents to the Criminal Investigation Division Group I, Subdivision 3, Police Department, Rama I Road, Bangkok. The official fee is Baht 5,000. The processing takes 2 to 3 years. In the case of a minor child sponsored by a mother or father having Thai nationality, there must be evidence of both sponsorship and the child's birth. Likewise, a wife seeking Thai citizenship based on her husband's Thai nationality must submit evidence of the husband's nationality, the marriage, and a formal request for Thai citizenship.

[Aitit]

speaking thai for PR book?

I am willing to bet that with these increased fees that thai language ability will not be enforced!

No insulting, but I just wonder, why someone not able to speak thai, think he needs a PR book? I think speaking thai should be necessary to qualify.

[sabaijai]

Huski - What's the source for the text you quoted? My immigration textbook, published last year (in Thai), says 3 years on PR and you're eligible.

Alan, your description of being sent to the Thai passport line with your PR booklet reminds me that one can also use the Thai line if traveling with a person holding a Thai passport.

In the past when returning to Thailand from abroad with my Thai wife, we always went to separate foreigner and Thai lines. Then one time a person collecting the carts in the immigration area said, "You can go in the Thai passport line since you're traveling with a Thai, etc". I didn't quite believe it but we gave it a try and sure enough it worked. And has ever since.

[p1p]

One factor not mentioned in the above thread is income level. A friend was turned down for PR because he paid very little Thai tax despite high levels of income from overseas. Income brought in from overseas was seen as unimportant and the Immigration officials said they wanted to see a minimum of 30 to 50K tax paid in Thailand p/a.

[ThaiFarang]

To Alanw!

Thanks for these postings.

I started this topic and I have reading every post.

Keep posting Alan, you doing a great job.

ThaiFarang

[huski]

Huski - What's the source for the text you quoted?

sabaijai, this information came from the Tilleke & Gibbins web site and says 10 years. Of course a THAI Immigration handbook would seem to be more accurate.

[Digger]

One factor not mentioned in the above thread is income level. A friend was turned down for PR because he paid very little Thai tax despite high levels of income from overseas. Income brought in from overseas was seen as unimportant and the Immigration officials said they wanted to see a minimum of 30 to 50K tax paid in Thailand p/a.

I have also heard this from the lawyer that handles our work permits when I was chatting with him last year whilst waiting at the one stop centre. He indicated that he reckons they base a large amount of the decision on how much tax you pay. He also reckons those that pay lots of tax (not specified how much), are put to the front of the queue based on his expereince. No idea how accurate this is but he is the primary immigration attorney for one of Bangkoks largest corporate law firms and I guess he as a fair bit of experience in these matters. What would be interesting is what they consider a sizeable amount of tax !!!

[dr_Pat_Pong]

It sure isn't easy Alan. You are the only one I ever knew that understood it

[p1p]

I have just been told by CM Immigration that they would not look at anybody paying under 30K tax

[Kan Win]

Thai wifes can do just about what they want to and that includes borrowing from the Banks...all of the banks...mine does.

But you have to sign the papers also – surly.

[Kan Win]

Another question!

I’m married to Thai, she has my surname.

Can or can’t she buy a house in TH.? I have one-year visa.

Yes she can in her name. You cannot be a part owner. In fact, you'll need to sign to say you have no financial interest in the house at all. Only a Thai can inherit if she dies.

Good Dr.

But, really, as a spouse, not Thai, am I incorrect to say that I still can get 50% of what we have or had ?

[Kan Win]

b. PR doesn't mean you can buy land in your own name. Doesn't change the law

that Thai women who marry foreigners are legally not allowed to own land.

Want to thank Alan for allowing us to read this email. Just want to correct the quote as it is not true. Thai women who marry foreigners ARE allowed to own land.

Lopburi3

Good post.

May I add please,

And only up to 1 rai of land for Residential purpose only.

[Kan Win]

I strongly suggest that you quickly find a lawyer who works specifically in this area of the law. 

Regards

AlanW

Dear Alan,

Really nice posts and lots of hard work from you.

I did mine “The Thai Way” as you mentioned in your quote.

“Smooth as Silk”

Only way to go.

Once again, Alan, thank you for helping one and all.

[pnustedt]

And only up to 1 rai of land for Residential purpose only. 

No, there is no such limitation - where do you get that from Kan Win? It certainly hasn't applied to my wife.

[Kan Win]

And only up to 1 rai of land for Residential purpose only. 

No, there is no such limitation - where do you get that from Kan Win? It certainly hasn't applied to my wife.

Welcome, welcome, pray tell me more.

Kan my Palaya really own more than that what I mentioned in Thailand, under Thai Law, Married in Thailand at a local Reg. Office in BKK.

When did that Law change ?

Please let me know.

Thank you very much, if it is true, if not, thank you anyway.