Police Checks On Immigrant Visas

[jori]

Think it's a sure fire thing this time,it's been put off for a while now,but with the current registration process underway it will be a natural progression.especially after the recent murder in Phuket making it even more of a realistic prospect.

Just wondering if it would mean returning to where your origins are to obtain it .If it is anything like US police check anything including an arrest has to be reported then a full blown visa has to be obtained at a cost, anything , drug/violence or dishonesty or served prison time automatically bars the the applicant. Can see this being used by the Thais as a money making racket though, been a bad boy? it will cost x amount more for a visa

Just more bumff,more hoops to jump through.Obtained 5 year Thai driving licence yesterday,virtual rain forests worth of paper form filling involved.

[Mario2008]

Pure speculation on your part.

[jori]

Pure speculation on your part.

Could speculate on the timing,but a racing certainty that the process will be up and running more sooner than later

[Mario2008]

That might be true, and there already is an increased cooperation between Thailand and several countries regarding people who are wanted. But my intention is to make it clear that currently no such plans exist, so people don't get worried about it for nothing thinking it is an actual plan that will be enforced starting next year.

[Phil Conners]

With things being the way they are, at least here in Pattaya, would it be a big problem to require all visa applicants to provide a clean criminal record? Of course there will always be potential for abuse via bribery but by and large it ought to help with the large number of shady types hanging out here.

[bangkokburning]

Annual Visa

Agreement signed applicant will not work under penalty of 6mos in jail and B50k fine

Clean criminal record from which ever is easier for applicant: local, state, federal authorities

Check in to ANY immigration office every 90 days, no mail ins

Insurance policy covering emergency treatment and a o/w ticket back home (offered by Thai govt [cash cow] )

250k in a Thai bank per annum

A. That may upset the jobs of the army of useless bureaucrats

B. They simply just do not want us here.

With all these computer systems going online to track us, why is it they are not also used to streamline and add continuity to the process?

[IMA_FARANG]

Not a thing I have to worry about. I suspect I can get a police record check (if that's what you are inferring) through the embessy (U.S. for me). Yes it's another cost, but what doesn't cost these days (in the later days, the Sunset end, of the U.S empire).

I lived in Turkey for a few years. All foriegners have to register with a local "neighberhood watch" office. It is required to do this through your landlord when you rent a house/flat. I expect more enforcement of such a thing in Thailand. I understand that you can expect to get a polite visit now from the immigration when you file your first 90 day report...just to verify that you are really at that address. I'll see in about 6 months when by retirement extension is in.

Edited August 19, 2010 by IMA_FARANG

[jori]

Annual Visa

Agreement signed applicant will not work under penalty of 6mos in jail and B50k fine

Clean criminal record from which ever is easier for applicant: local, state, federal authorities

Check in to ANY immigration office every 90 days, no mail ins

Insurance policy covering emergency treatment and a o/w ticket back home (offered by Thai govt [cash cow] )

250k in a Thai bank per annum

A. That may upset the jobs of the army of useless bureaucrats

B. They simply just do not want us here.

With all these computer systems going online to track us, why is it they are not also used to streamline and add continuity to the process?

Methinks it's B,just far too many farangs in the LoS. The use it or lose it language campaign is another example of getting swamped .

Probably is the best way, and only way to trim numbers,but it's unsettling to live here under such conditions with or without a criminal record. Suppose the Thais could pin anything on you at any time and get shut.

[Guderian]

If they do decide to go in this direction, then maybe they should do a pilot for a few years first requiring all business operators to provide a thorough criminal record check, maybe through Interpol to be sure that they are clean everywhere, not just at home? (Remember how 'internationally mobile' Pattaya's farangs tend to be. That way we might have fewer rogues selling off-plan properties to gullible foreigners (e.g. a certain 91 storey tower in Jomtien that will never be built), and it may even root out some of the shadier estate agents. If it didn't succeed in cleaning up the business community then there woudl be little point in extending it to retirees and the rest.

They'd also need to decide which criminal acts would exclude a person from Thailand. In the UK there have been numerous reports of people being fined heavily and getting a criminal record just for putting the wrong things in their recycling bins. It just shows the insanity of the UK under NuLab, but surely putting a piece of cardboard into the paper recycling box at 14 Acacia Avenue shouldn't exclude one from visiting Thailand?

The big concern would be the cost. The British Consulate in Pattaya charges around 2000 Baht for a letter notarising your income for retirement extension purposes, something that takes just a few minutes as you have to provide the documentary proof of income and the Consul just signs a form letter once he's happy with your paperwork. If various police forces have to search their systems and provide documentary evidence of a clean record, I can imagine it is going to cost an arm and a leg.

[ESB7]

5 year license is only one form to complete, plus pics, Drs note and copies of passport, dont know what you filled in???

[IMA_FARANG]

As I said...not a problem for me. I am employed in a job for which I have access to U.S. government classified matierial at Secret level. I have had that clearance for a good twenty years at least. It's always amusing when I enter the U.S. to have some bored immigration official enter my name into his computer, and I come up flagged with a FBI check...security cleared individual...entry. It usually wakes them right up. So getting a "police records check" is usually just a joke. Just contact the FBI, thank you.

Like I said I've lived/worked in countries where the local police kept files on all foriegners living in the country. So anything Thailand can do is a joke compared to places like Ethiopia during the Provisional Revolutionary Military Government of Socialist Ethiopia (PRMG-SE)regime. (we had a strict curfew from 1900 local to 0700 local each night...violaters shot on sight...then questioned afterwards).

[Ulysses G.]

Western governments do not normally share information on criminal records unless there is an current outstanding warrant for something serious.

In the U.S., it is possible for someone to get a police check done by the FBI (on themselves) if they appear at an office in person, but the FBI will not confirm or deny the information for other parties. This document would be very expensive to go home and get and and very easy to imitate with little chance of being discovered.

This requirement does not sound very likely in a developing country.

Edited August 19, 2010 by Ulysses G.

[moe666]

Whats all of the talk about they donot want us here, if that were true were are the visa rules for us like it is for Thais going to the US.

If you have your paper work together and meet the very lax rules no problem staying for a year.

To stay in Thailand for up to six months all I need to do is send my passport with all paper work filled out to a Honorary Consulate with return mail and pressto visa.

[Tywais]

In the U.S., it is possible for someone to get a police check done by the FBI (on themselves) if they appear at an office in person

Not necessary to go in person. I checked into this when looking at the requirement for PR. The FBI site has a section that shows how to apply for it.

There were reports sometime ago in Chiang Mai about police going around neighborhoods checking up on farangs legal status.

[Ulysses G.]

Legal status as far as Thai law and visas, I would guess.

[bangkokburning]

Yeah, that is quite interesting. Staying here in a third world country has become a very expensive hassle for me. On the other hand, my girlfriend has all sorts of friends with ten year visas to the US. I had made a number of inquiries here on TV and many think she is a good candidate as well. Make some sense of that one.

On another front, I have a ten year visa for India and Brits can get five. I just can't stay in the country more than a few months or I will go crazy.

I often wonder when people will really wise up and find another place. If I did not have my girlfriend, there is no way I would spend more than five months here a year.

When will guys wise up, not that a bar in Pattaya was ever profitable, but these years less so add to this the bureaucratic hassles and police scams and its just folly. Some guy getting arrested for shaking hands..we all know the washing a glass in the bar urban legend.

I have no problem with doing what a nation requires of me (a third world nation) to stay for prolonged periods. Its just abundantly clear that so much is motivated by sheer greed (keep us away from business investments, ANY investment - even a house!).

No doubt there are some bad eggs, but Thailand has always, always been a shady place for shady people. TAT boasts millions and millions of visits, sur ein this age you are going to get some baddies. That is not the fault of the good people.

No problem people checking on me. But all this reporting in/out and the inflexibility and some guys driving hours. This is the Thai government saying we simply do not care about you. They simply do not care how inconvenienced we are or what it costs to meet their frivolous and usually arbitrary demands.

The 65k baht has always been a rubbish amount to ask of a single person. A well educated Thai working a standard job is lucky to make half that. And pls explain why someone married only has to produce half that to support at least 100% persons? A retiree could easily live in a little house outside Hua Hin, Pattaya and esp upcountry for 30k. Then we have the "currency crisis part deux" - many major currencies have dropped dramatically. SO instead of being clever and pegging the amount to pension income (maybe a basket of the currencies). Thailand in affect raises the financial requirement for RETIREES to stay here by 25%.

I recall an article some years back in the WSJ about the lack of retirement visas made in Thailand. It was at time when many TRs were getting legal and some just starting to up and leave. But it was a shocker compared to other countries that had far better terms. I forget the stats but Thailand was about last in this regard although the offical stated he expected the number to increase yoy.

Many, many are leaving these days - they are gone so don't post to TV. Its past story for them, ancient history in their book of life. Retiring? Try it first before you plunge in here. Keep track of ALL your visa costs to stay here, you will be shocked and the expense and hassle.

If we are THAT bad...why have us here at all? Really. I think that question should really be put up to the government. This si sort of a last straw that says we are all nothing more than a gaggle of criminals. Why does Thailand have an absolute inability to sort the good from the bad? It seems so easy.

On a final note - Phuket has now erupted into murder heaven along side its sister city Pattaya. You'd think they'd try to get a handle on that.

Edited August 20, 2010 by bangkokburning

[ignis]

The 65k baht has always been a rubbish amount to ask of a single person. A well educated Thai working a standard job is lucky to make half that. And pls explain why someone married only has to produce half that to support at least 100% persons? A retiree could easily live in a little house outside Hua Hin, Pattaya and esp upcountry for 30k. Then we have the "currency crisis part deux" - many major currencies have dropped dramatically. SO instead of being clever and pegging the amount to pension income (maybe a basket of the currencies). Thailand in affect raises the financial requirement for RETIREES to stay here by 25%.

Never understand this, I have to have 800k per yr, or 65k per month as a retiree, for a Visa or an extension, own house and car, spend not over 200k per year, well more like under 150k per year... yet a married man with 4 kids has to have 400k for an extension ?? or go to KL or somewhere outside Thailand for a year Visa with only 100k in the Bank.

Many Retirees have plenty of money to live here, but find it difficult to have this sort of money sat in a Bank for 3 months + they have not got the body/fitness to sit in a plane for hours flying somewhere for a yearly '0'... This is now a even bigger problem for some with 'Perth' closing in October as for many this was just about manageable ....

[bangkokburning]

You are quite correct, and what about the guy who has 65k a month and 60k of liabilities? Many, many pensioners have mortgages abroad, alimony, kids college, loans and leases in Thailand, business liabilities, family obligations in Thailand - the list is endless.

As opposed to the guy with 25k monthly free and clear.

Who gets the visa?

Thailand needs to not concern itself about money - only that we are not a burden. And how many foreigners in good stead are a burden to the Thai gov't? None.

We are not emigrating, in fact for many the annual renewal is pretty much a crap shoot. This is not an emigration visa, it is a glorified tourist visa, in fact it is not a visa at all - merely an approval for you to extend your visit. Don't lose sight of that everyone.

800k in a bank which you earn scant interest which is taxed which cannot be held in a CD and a mountain of paperwork and a government that assumes you to be a criminal before they assume you to be a gentleman.

[moe666]

Yeah, that is quite interesting. Staying here in a third world country has become a very expensive hassle for me. On the other hand, my girlfriend has all sorts of friends with ten year visas to the US. I had made a number of inquiries here on TV and many think she is a good candidate as well. Make some sense of that one.

On another front, I have a ten year visa for India and Brits can get five. I just can't stay in the country more than a few months or I will go crazy.

I often wonder when people will really wise up and find another place. If I did not have my girlfriend, there is no way I would spend more than five months here a year.

When will guys wise up, not that a bar in Pattaya was ever profitable, but these years less so add to this the bureaucratic hassles and police scams and its just folly. Some guy getting arrested for shaking hands..we all know the washing a glass in the bar urban legend.

I have no problem with doing what a nation requires of me (a third world nation) to stay for prolonged periods. Its just abundantly clear that so much is motivated by sheer greed (keep us away from business investments, ANY investment - even a house!).

No doubt there are some bad eggs, but Thailand has always, always been a shady place for shady people. TAT boasts millions and millions of visits, sur ein this age you are going to get some baddies. That is not the fault of the good people.

No problem people checking on me. But all this reporting in/out and the inflexibility and some guys driving hours. This is the Thai government saying we simply do not care about you. They simply do not care how inconvenienced we are or what it costs to meet their frivolous and usually arbitrary demands.

The 65k baht has always been a rubbish amount to ask of a single person. A well educated Thai working a standard job is lucky to make half that. And pls explain why someone married only has to produce half that to support at least 100% persons? A retiree could easily live in a little house outside Hua Hin, Pattaya and esp upcountry for 30k. Then we have the "currency crisis part deux" - many major currencies have dropped dramatically. SO instead of being clever and pegging the amount to pension income (maybe a basket of the currencies). Thailand in affect raises the financial requirement for RETIREES to stay here by 25%.

I recall an article some years back in the WSJ about the lack of retirement visas made in Thailand. It was at time when many TRs were getting legal and some just starting to up and leave. But it was a shocker compared to other countries that had far better terms. I forget the stats but Thailand was about last in this regard although the offical stated he expected the number to increase yoy.

Many, many are leaving these days - they are gone so don't post to TV. Its past story for them, ancient history in their book of life. Retiring? Try it first before you plunge in here. Keep track of ALL your visa costs to stay here, you will be shocked and the expense and hassle.

If we are THAT bad...why have us here at all? Really. I think that question should really be put up to the government. This si sort of a last straw that says we are all nothing more than a gaggle of criminals. Why does Thailand have an absolute inability to sort the good from the bad? It seems so easy.

On a final note - Phuket has now erupted into murder heaven along side its sister city Pattaya. You'd think they'd try to get a handle on that.

Yes you can get a 10 year visa to India if American and 5 years if British but you left out an important point you have to leave every 6 months for a border run. Must be a slow week rehashing complains about visas.

Edited August 20, 2010 by moe666

[wolf5370]

If they do decide to go in this direction, then maybe they should do a pilot for a few years first requiring all business operators to provide a thorough criminal record check, maybe through Interpol to be sure that they are clean everywhere, not just at home? (Remember how 'internationally mobile' Pattaya's farangs tend to be. That way we might have fewer rogues selling off-plan properties to gullible foreigners (e.g. a certain 91 storey tower in Jomtien that will never be built), and it may even root out some of the shadier estate agents. If it didn't succeed in cleaning up the business community then there woudl be little point in extending it to retirees and the rest.

They'd also need to decide which criminal acts would exclude a person from Thailand. In the UK there have been numerous reports of people being fined heavily and getting a criminal record just for putting the wrong things in their recycling bins. It just shows the insanity of the UK under NuLab, but surely putting a piece of cardboard into the paper recycling box at 14 Acacia Avenue shouldn't exclude one from visiting Thailand?

The big concern would be the cost. The British Consulate in Pattaya charges around 2000 Baht for a letter notarising your income for retirement extension purposes, something that takes just a few minutes as you have to provide the documentary proof of income and the Consul just signs a form letter once he's happy with your paperwork. If various police forces have to search their systems and provide documentary evidence of a clean record, I can imagine it is going to cost an arm and a leg.

Police clearance can be got by post for £35 directly from the British Police (plus postage back to Thailand) - some schools demand this of teachers here, and some countries demand it for visas, so the service exists aleady. Thailand does accept these. Also, clearance can be obtained by the Thai Police in Bangkok I believe.

As to breaking of bylaws (bins etc) I'm not sure if these would appear on a police clearnce certificate anyway - mostly bylaws are civil (hence a fine) rather than criminal. Not paying council tax or TV license can give a criminal conviction tag as can train/bus fare avoidance!

[marinediscoking]

I don't think this will happen.

However whenever I had made a police report they have never asked to see my passport. Also one time I had a friend who was beat up by a drug crazed farang on holiday and he only had to pay a 1,000 baht fine and that was the end of it. The report only went into paper book, he was never asked so show and id of who he was or where he was staying. These are one's who they should be checking!!

[rwhoov]

5 year license is only one form to complete, plus pics, Drs note and copies of passport, dont know what you filled in???

Plus letter of residence from immigration, I believe. Pictures not required anymore.

[jayboy]

I have no problem with doing what a nation requires of me (a third world nation) to stay for prolonged periods. Its just abundantly clear that so much is motivated by sheer greed (keep us away from business investments, ANY investment - even a house!).

No doubt there are some bad eggs, but Thailand has always, always been a shady place for shady people. TAT boasts millions and millions of visits, sur ein this age you are going to get some baddies. That is not the fault of the good people.

No problem people checking on me. But all this reporting in/out and the inflexibility and some guys driving hours. This is the Thai government saying we simply do not care about you. They simply do not care how inconvenienced we are or what it costs to meet their frivolous and usually arbitrary demands.

The 65k baht has always been a rubbish amount to ask of a single person. A well educated Thai working a standard job is lucky to make half that. And pls explain why someone married only has to produce half that to support at least 100% persons? A retiree could easily live in a little house outside Hua Hin, Pattaya and esp upcountry for 30k. Then we have the "currency crisis part deux" - many major currencies have dropped dramatically. SO instead of being clever and pegging the amount to pension income (maybe a basket of the currencies). Thailand in affect raises the financial requirement for RETIREES to stay here by 25%.

I recall an article some years back in the WSJ about the lack of retirement visas made in Thailand. It was at time when many TRs were getting legal and some just starting to up and leave. But it was a shocker compared to other countries that had far better terms. I forget the stats but Thailand was about last in this regard although the offical stated he expected the number to increase yoy.

Many, many are leaving these days - they are gone so don't post to TV. Its past story for them, ancient history in their book of life. Retiring? Try it first before you plunge in here. Keep track of ALL your visa costs to stay here, you will be shocked and the expense and hassle.

If we are THAT bad...why have us here at all? Really. I think that question should really be put up to the government. This si sort of a last straw that says we are all nothing more than a gaggle of criminals. Why does Thailand have an absolute inability to sort the good from the bad? It seems so easy.

It's not a question of foreign "retirees being "bad".It's just that there are far far too many of them taking advantage of Thailand's liberal visa regime.Most are not what might describe tactfully as the elite of their home countries, and in many case are clearly the dregs.Anyone who participates in a visa run is actually ignoring the spirit if not the letter of Thai law.The harsh truth is that to retire in a foreign country it is usually necessary to be quite wealthy.The financial criteria imposed by the Thai government on foreign retirees are currently very modest and should be increased substantially.This would also help in reinforcing Thailand as an upmarket destination.I suspect the patience of the Thai authorities is being sorely tried by this unproductive bunch of losers, many of whom -let's face it - are former sex tourists.

[peridot]

The first two years I got a retirement visa, having a legal clearance was listed as a requirement on the Thai government web site and on my application paper. I never got this clearance, and was never asked for it. Last year it disappeared as a requirement. If it is back now, will it be enforced any more than previously?

As usual on TV, lots of people complain about how difficult it is here, but they are still here complaining. I think the visa process is pretty simple and painless. It costs money that would be expensive for a Thai person, but I am not a Thai person. Almost everything in America costs me more than the "expensive" visa process here. Car registration, car insurance, passport fees, a taxi to the airport, Getting a drivers license here was not a big deal, especially considering hardly anyone at the licensing office spoke more than a few words of English. I still managed in less than an hour, two times now. It takes longer than that in the USA.

I admit the corruption here keeps me a bit nervous, especially when "driving while farang". But because it is so corrupt, it only costs me 200 or 300 baht and a minute of time, and I am on my way. Compare that to getting a ticket for "not stopping long enough" at a stop sign in the USA. Twenty minutes and $250 for a made up crime, just so that a cop can make his quota. And he wasn't near as friendly as the Thai cops, who smile widely as they pocket my cash.

Thai people can't go to America unless they own property or have a lot of money in the bank, period. A few others slip through, but very few. The USA immigration told me last year that all Thai citizens are considered immigrants rather than tourists. They simply think everyone will come to the USA and not leave. (As if that would be a bad thing.) I think we have it pretty easy here, even with the hoops to jump through. Maybe this relaxed lifestyle encourages complainers.

Edited August 22, 2010 by peridot

[Mario2008]

It is not back. This is just a discussion of what could happen in the future.

[Suradit]

The 65k baht has always been a rubbish amount to ask of a single person.

Never understand this, I have to have 800k per yr, or 65k per month as a retiree, for a Visa or an extension, own house and car, spend not over 200k per year, well more like under 150k per year... yet a married man with 4 kids has to have 400k for an extension ?? or go to KL or somewhere outside Thailand for a year Visa with only 100k in the Bank.

The amount set is not primarily to ensure that they retirees can manage to survive. It's meant to ensure that the people who do retire here have enough money to make their presence worthwhile for Thailand. Thailand is not running a welfare state for people who can't afford to retire in their own countries. They want retirees who will spend money and contribute to the local economy.

It is possible to live here on B250,000 a year (I guess), but spending that little hardly justifies your presence in terms of a benefit to Thailand. I own my condo and live a fairly minimal existence, but still run through the required B800,000 each year and usually more. That doesn't make me Diamond Jim and it doesn't mean I'm a better person than someone who spends way less, but it does mean that local businesses are getting more from me than from 3 or 4 retirees who are spending no more than a Thai teenager working at 7-Eleven.

The "They Don't Want Us Here" and "More and More are Leaving Each Year" complaints are just childish prattle. If your presence here creates jobs and benefits businesses and you aren't causing problems, most Thais could care less whether you're here or not. That would be true everywhere in the world. Name one country in the world that wants you there if you plan to spend no money and to whine/whinge incessantly about the locals. If you had some vision of the locals tossing flowers and blowing kisses everytime you waddled down the street, I'm sure your're disappointed, but if you've made a few Thai friends and you spend some money (not just getting drunk every night) locally, then some people will be glad you're here, but you are easily replaceable. If you don't feel appreciated and loved, buy a dog.

I've been in Pattaya over ten years now. Comparing the number of businesses, the construction, the traffic congestion, the crowded beaches, etc with the late 1990's, no one in his right mind could claim that there has been a net loss in the number of farangs, and it's nearly as bad in August as in January. Maybe more are leaving, especially those who can't afford to stay here, but they are being replaced and added to by new arrivals.

Edited August 22, 2010 by Suradit

[thaikahuna]

If they do decide to go in this direction, then maybe they should do a pilot for a few years first requiring all business operators to provide a thorough criminal record check, maybe through Interpol to be sure that they are clean everywhere, not just at home? (Remember how 'internationally mobile' Pattaya's farangs tend to be. That way we might have fewer rogues selling off-plan properties to gullible foreigners (e.g. a certain 91 storey tower in Jomtien that will never be built), and it may even root out some of the shadier estate agents. If it didn't succeed in cleaning up the business community then there woudl be little point in extending it to retirees and the rest.

They'd also need to decide which criminal acts would exclude a person from Thailand. In the UK there have been numerous reports of people being fined heavily and getting a criminal record just for putting the wrong things in their recycling bins. It just shows the insanity of the UK under NuLab, but surely putting a piece of cardboard into the paper recycling box at 14 Acacia Avenue shouldn't exclude one from visiting Thailand?

The big concern would be the cost. The British Consulate in Pattaya charges around 2000 Baht for a letter notarising your income for retirement extension purposes, something that takes just a few minutes as you have to provide the documentary proof of income and the Consul just signs a form letter once he's happy with your paperwork. If various police forces have to search their systems and provide documentary evidence of a clean record, I can imagine it is going to cost an arm and a leg.

Seems to me a police records check was a required part of the retirement extension process a number of years ago. I also wonder how much of an effect this would have on old Howard keeping his journalistic endeavors separate from his Consular obligations....

[Ulysses G.]

Name one country in the world that wants you there if you plan to spend no money and to whine/whinge incessantly about the locals. If you had some vision of the locals tossing flowers and blowing kisses everytime you waddled down the street, I'm sure your're disappointed..

Your criticisms are truly masterful. I salute you!

[Jingthing]

A police report is currently required for those applying for the O-A retirement visa in their home countries. Those starting with an O visa and then retirement extensions are not required to obtain a police report.

Regarding financial requirements for retirement, those who own their housing on average will need to spend less. That is why Mexico for example requires only half the amount of money for retirees of those that own a Mexican home.

[ableguy]

If they do decide to go in this direction, then maybe they should do a pilot for a few years first requiring all business operators to provide a thorough criminal record check, maybe through Interpol to be sure that they are clean everywhere, not just at home? (Remember how 'internationally mobile' Pattaya's farangs tend to be. That way we might have fewer rogues selling off-plan properties to gullible foreigners (e.g. a certain 91 storey tower in Jomtien that will never be built), and it may even root out some of the shadier estate agents. If it didn't succeed in cleaning up the business community then there woudl be little point in extending it to retirees and the rest.

They'd also need to decide which criminal acts would exclude a person from Thailand. In the UK there have been numerous reports of people being fined heavily and getting a criminal record just for putting the wrong things in their recycling bins. It just shows the insanity of the UK under NuLab, but surely putting a piece of cardboard into the paper recycling box at 14 Acacia Avenue shouldn't exclude one from visiting Thailand?

The big concern would be the cost. The British Consulate in Pattaya charges around 2000 Baht for a letter notarising your income for retirement extension purposes, something that takes just a few minutes as you have to provide the documentary proof of income and the Consul just signs a form letter once he's happy with your paperwork. If various police forces have to search their systems and provide documentary evidence of a clean record, I can imagine it is going to cost an arm and a leg.

As a retiree I had to supply a police record check, it did not cost anything, simply write to your local police authority and ask for it.