What Is The Value Of A Thai Passport?

[hellodolly]

Not that accurate with the math..

But 400,000 Thais in the states wouldn't that be over 1% of the population.

Obviously some of the posters here are clueless they think that reporting in every 90 days by mail if you wish is the end of the world.

They should maybe take a look at their home country's treatment of Thai's trying to get into it.

Also remember that they will be looking at a country they choose not to live in.

I carry a American passport and have a retirement visa in Thailand.

When I look at the conditions to take my Thai wife back for a visit to the states I am embarrassed to be an American.

it would be about 0.13 % (300 million in US) 1% would be 3 million.

As compared to some number of illegal aliens in the 10 to 20 million, depending on who's estimate you use. (3.3. to 6.6%)

Thanks for doing the math for me.

I noticed the article did not say illegal Thais.

America the land of nonsense.

They actually have a guy campaigning to become president who advocates spending tax money to help illegal aliens get a collage degree.

[hellodolly]

Thai passports are wothless unless theyre validated by an o/seas employer or MARRY A FARANG and get him to pay for everything including citizenship of western countries. How many Thai girls are living on our welfare and family benefit systems but never paid taxes here or anywhere ???? The west is a sick joke. No wonder its going broke.

Just passing on a rumor that I heard.

There are a good number of Thai ladies on public assistance in some of the European Countries because there Farong husbands took them back there and then abandoned them.

Seems to me that the regulations to let them bring them into the country would be to support them and if dumping them send them back.

this of course has nothing to do with Thai's just visiting the country for a holiday.

To be honest if I could get my wife into Either Canada or the states she would last at the most three weeks and then only stay because I was there. She has Thai values to the family and would miss them.

Sad to say some of those values are disappearing now mainly in the younger generation.

[Replogle]

Thailand is known for sex tourism, poor education, poor labor force, few skilled workers

corruption, lax legal system, so why would other countries want to ease the flow of

Thais to their country?

I think the author of this article just got rejected for a visa to travel, and is now just ranting

As an American citizen I feel compelled to express my gratitude towards US Immigration. Protecting the US population from all those beautiful prostitutes, eager to swarm-in to satisfy recluse would-be American terrorists, shall go a long way towards making the States a safer place to live. I mean, think of all the competition American hookers and chubby American porno stars would have if Thai Nationals were to be given visa-free travel status in the US. Let's not forget that many Thais are skilled rural laborers, too. Hell! They'd be taking all that work away from the illegal Hispanics immigrants.

[hellodolly]

<br>I have as much sympathy for Thai passport holders as their government does for foreigners married to Thais and living in Thailand, who after even ten or twenty years are treated as virtual long stay tourists, with nearly zero rights. Compare that to a Thai who marries a foreigner and goes to live in a Western country. It might be hard to get the initial visa but once you are in you're in, no repeat process.<br>

<br><br>At least you can get it here in Thailand.<br><br>No guarantee of getting one in America or Canada.<br><br>How ever that might just be a reflection of the Ambassadors views as it seems to be easier in Australia as a earlier poster pointed out.<br><br><br>

[tragickingdom]

Hmmm that reminds me I have to go to the immigration police again tomorrow to report myself like a paroled criminal...

Not necessarily most people love to go to immigration because they like red tape and boasting to others that they are truly legal. If you do not go and leave the country on a re-entry visa there is no immigration officer that post behind your home or listens in to your phone conversations. Actually immigration hardly cares.

[madmitch]

I have no idea where the writer comes up with his list of 22 countries. I was researching just yesterday as I was thinking the family to Japan next year (visa required) and came up with more than one website containing a list of countries that Thai citizens can visit without a visa and there are certainly more than 22. South Africa is one that is not on the list.

[citizen33]

It seems to me that the interesting difference is between short-term entry and long-term stays. The Thai visitor to most Western countries faces a bigger problem in gaining a visa to enter than the Westerner coming the other way, but will find it much easier to stay long-term if he/she meets all the required conditions. For example, my wife who is now a UK citizen, spent many years in the country as a permanent resident when she was subject to absolutely no police or residency checks, could work without a work permit, could buy property and would have been eligible for social benefits (though the least two were purely academic in her case). When I worked in Thailand, I on the other hand needed a work permit and annual visa, had to travel to immigration at a town on the border for residency checks, could not have our house in my name, and had absolutely no in-country safety-net if things went wrong.

[KhunHay]

They are too busy serving their boss rather than the citizen, that why their passport to travel not requiring visa are shriking by the days.

[laocowboy2]

While equally frustrated at the difficulties my Thai wife encounters in obtaining visas to some countries, one or two points.

• For the EU, there is a 'common visa list' I believe (or,at least there was). This list specified from which countries visitors did not need a visa - and applies (or applied) to all EU countries. Thus the UK was forced to apply visas to previously exempt countries such as Bahrain, Turkey and the UAE while (presumably) the same happened to som countries where a visa had not previously been necessary to visit e.g. Spain.
• Requiring visas someimes relates either to secutity issues or (more often) the problem of overstays. The more people that get in and then fail to depart again, the harder it becomes for nationals of that country to get a visa. Think of Pakistan for both criteria and India for the second.

A great deal of the problem appears to stem from unclear and inconsistent criteria for entry - as well as from capricious local hire (Thai) staff. In my experience, getting a visa to (say) Australia is much easier if you can get past the 'garekeepers' and actually speak to an Australian!

[lesdunbar]

But, she is very aware that her Thai Passport / Citizenship is a real handicap for international travel.

We are going to also obtain her Australian residency soon.

To the above posters..... Australian Residency and Australian Citizenship are two different things, and the applicant must spend at least two years living in Australia on a temperary resident visa, to obtain Residency. Then the applicant must have lived/stayed in Australia for more than four years straight (Holidays under 90 days out of country are allowed) on valid visa,s to obtain Citizenship. Which they can apply for an Australian passport.

I know this as my Thai Mrs. will be applying for citizenship next month. And on becoming an Aussie,will apply for an Aussie passport.

I hope this helps,

lesdunbar

[ozzieman05]

But, she is very aware that her Thai Passport / Citizenship is a real handicap for international travel.

We are going to also obtain her Australian residency soon.

To the above posters..... Australian Residency and Australian Citizenship are two different things, and the applicant must spend at least two years living in Australia on a temperary resident visa, to obtain Residency. Then the applicant must have lived/stayed in Australia for more than four years straight (Holidays under 90 days out of country are allowed) on valid visa,s to obtain Citizenship. Which they can apply for an Australian passport.

I know this as my Thai Mrs. will be applying for citizenship next month. And on becoming an Aussie,will apply for an Aussie passport.

I hope this helps,

lesdunbar

In the 60's women wanted to burn the bra

Now they want to burn their Thai Passports

Ha ha Just joking

Yes our wives have had to earn the rights to have Australian Citizenship, and once this is done they can have bif FACE when they have an Australian Passport

On the same Idea My Thai wife had a Thai Drivers Licence for 4 years

But when she past her test in Australia and got her Australian Drivers Licence she told me how much a better driver she was

What we take for granted to a Thai Lady who has worked hard to achieve what is impossible in Thailand is big FACE

Not ever lady who come to Australia from Thailand is a husband User

There are many who just want a chance to prove themselves

And be equal to those who take it for granted

[mangi1]

First thing I thought as well. But 'all genders' seems appropriate for Thailand.

Most of the complaints received in Thai missions abroad were mainly of illegal workers of all kinds involving all genders

Shouldn't that read 'involving both genders'?

Actually, it's probably correct to say 'all genders'

Simon

[sparebox2]

No country will give passport to fugitives.

[huck]

Once upon a time not so long ago the world was free. You arrived somewhere filled in papers and the next day you got your recidency papers and a few years down the road you were offered a passport to

the new country you had arrived at. Then the authorities were told by lawyers it was too simple. The lawyers wanted to make money from immigration proceedures. The authorities got some kick backs too

and the criminal gangs in people transportation were the happiest of all because they really cashed in. The truth of the matter is its one big racket to extort money from the person who wants to live somewhere

else in the world then his country of birth.

[ludditeman]

It seems to me that the interesting difference is between short-term entry and long-term stays. The Thai visitor to most Western countries faces a bigger problem in gaining a visa to enter than the Westerner coming the other way, but will find it much easier to stay long-term if he/she meets all the required conditions. For example, my wife who is now a UK citizen, spent many years in the country as a permanent resident when she was subject to absolutely no police or residency checks, could work without a work permit, could buy property and would have been eligible for social benefits (though the least two were purely academic in her case). When I worked in Thailand, I on the other hand needed a work permit and annual visa, had to travel to immigration at a town on the border for residency checks, could not have our house in my name, and had absolutely no in-country safety-net if things went wrong.

Thailand prefers 'short-time'

[kjhbigv]

<br>I have as much sympathy for Thai passport holders as their government does for foreigners married to Thais and living in Thailand, who after even ten or twenty years are treated as virtual long stay tourists, with nearly zero rights. Compare that to a Thai who marries a foreigner and goes to live in a Western country. It might be hard to get the initial visa but once you are in you're in, no repeat process.<br>

<br><br>At least you can get it here in Thailand.<br><br>No guarantee of getting one in America or Canada.<br><br>How ever that might just be a reflection of the Ambassadors views as it seems to be easier in Australia as a earlier poster pointed out.<br><br><br>

Have to agree...how many on this forum (falang) have Thai Citizenship or permanent right to reside in Thailand? How about some of you guys who have been here for 20+ years, do you still have to mess around with visa requirements etc? Do you have any rights? Anything?

Now look at a Thai who has managed to get UK Citizenship, they are entitled to everything a UK Citizen would get eg. free healthcare, social benefits etc...I am not saying this is right, but reality.

Get through the initial hurdles (I guess normally by getting married) and a qualifying period of assessments and then your done, UK citizenship.

[Sojourner]

No country will give passport to fugitives.

Well Montenegro gave Thaksin one. I think the reporter had in mind that if the Thai government issues a new passport to Thaksin it would be an ordinary passport with no diplomatic privileges and as such won't give him the ease of entry he was accustomed to as a PM.

[volatilekoala]

I really do sympathize with Thais on this one. My gf has a 10 year visa to the US since she does business there every Spring, so last year I went with her. We were so close to Canada, my home country that I begged her to apply for a visa so we could swing over to visit my family so they could finally meet the girl I've spent 2 years with. We went to the Canadian Consulate in Seattle, Washington and filled out all the paper work, with supporting documents such as tickets, an invitation from both myself and my sister, documents showing she's the owner of a company, bank information showing funds and STILL the following day she was denied. She applied again the following day and was denied again. I was crushed. Reason for not being accepted "Not enough ties to her country" . I found this repulsive after all the information she had provided and the fact that she has a visa that allows her to come and go from the US for 10 years! She paid which was over $200 in fees, photocopying, and passport pictures, not to mention we had to stay in Seattle a few extra nights for visa processing..

[Hardie]

The bi-lateral agreement for visa free travel between Thailand and New Zealand was unilaterally revoked by New Zealand.

Too many Thai females were not leaving when they should and when they were found out by NZ immigration, most of them were working as prostitutes in massage parlours.

I hope you're not implying that all females who do massage for a living are prostitutes. I don't know about NZ, but in the US at least therapists are trained and licensed, and illegal operations frequently shut down.

And also, many Thais have 10-year multiple-entry visas, and they aren't all rich, though it certainly helps to be in the modern world, with credit cards, bank accts., etc.

[hellodolly]

Thailand is known for sex tourism, poor education, poor labor force, few skilled workers

corruption, lax legal system, so why would other countries want to ease the flow of

Thais to their country?

I think the author of this article just got rejected for a visa to travel, and is now just ranting

So you think that poor and unskilled people should be allowed to travel. And you think ordinary, honest citizens should be blamed for the lax legal system. And because some farangs travel to Thailand for sex, then you should blame the non-sex workers and ban them from travelling.

Your attitude is truly pathetic.

Who said it was my opinion?

Nothing wrong with my attitude, I am just stating was is

commonly thought of by many people in other countries.

Unless you have something to offer or you have valid reasons

for travel, why should you be given a visa for another country.

In Canada, we have a points system for visas

It is all based on education, job skills and work experience

If you do not meet the requirements, no visa

A passport does not give anyone a right to travel

Did you ever stop to think that because you have a point system with other things taking into consideration that the system is still anal.

When you first came here to Thailand to obviously indulge your self as that is what you thought Thailand was all about did they make you jump through the same hoops as they do a Thai going to Canada?

It is a easy yes or no question.

[hellodolly]

<br>I have as much sympathy for Thai passport holders as their government does for foreigners married to Thais and living in Thailand, who after even ten or twenty years are treated as virtual long stay tourists, with nearly zero rights. Compare that to a Thai who marries a foreigner and goes to live in a Western country. It might be hard to get the initial visa but once you are in you're in, no repeat process.<br>

<br><br>At least you can get it here in Thailand.<br><br>No guarantee of getting one in America or Canada.<br><br>How ever that might just be a reflection of the Ambassadors views as it seems to be easier in Australia as a earlier poster pointed out.<br><br><br>

Have to agree...how many on this forum (falang) have Thai Citizenship or permanent right to reside in Thailand? How about some of you guys who have been here for 20+ years, do you still have to mess around with visa requirements etc? Do you have any rights? Anything?

Now look at a Thai who has managed to get UK Citizenship, they are entitled to everything a UK Citizen would get eg. free healthcare, social benefits etc...I am not saying this is right, but reality.

Get through the initial hurdles (I guess normally by getting married) and a qualifying period of assessments and then your done, UK citizenship.

That is not the case in North America. Gaining citizenship takes more red tape and requirements.

What I can't understand is why people who have no intention of going back don't go through the procedures required to gain a Thai citizenship.

No more 90 day reporting or border runs. I know that a American citizen can retain their citizenship as long as they do not say they don't want it any more.

Not sure about Canada.

[hellodolly]

I really do sympathize with Thais on this one. My gf has a 10 year visa to the US since she does business there every Spring, so last year I went with her. We were so close to Canada, my home country that I begged her to apply for a visa so we could swing over to visit my family so they could finally meet the girl I've spent 2 years with. We went to the Canadian Consulate in Seattle, Washington and filled out all the paper work, with supporting documents such as tickets, an invitation from both myself and my sister, documents showing she's the owner of a company, bank information showing funds and STILL the following day she was denied. She applied again the following day and was denied again. I was crushed. Reason for not being accepted "Not enough ties to her country" . I found this repulsive after all the information she had provided and the fact that she has a visa that allows her to come and go from the US for 10 years! She paid which was over $200 in fees, photocopying, and passport pictures, not to mention we had to stay in Seattle a few extra nights for visa processing..

I know where you are coming from. I am a American citizen with landed immigrant status in Canada.

It is going to be hard if not imposable to take my GF to the states. She works for me she takes care of me. Not that I need it. So that lets out employment. I refuse to buy a house so that is out of the equation. The only hope I have is she gave a house to her son in Bangkok and one to her daughter in Nonkhan Si Tamaratt. Hopefully she still has her name on the papers. But even with that there is no guarantee that they will let her in to the States. If needs be I could get letters taking responsibility for her from my brothers and sisters who want to meet her.

Fact is she would probably be itching to get home after two weeks. If needs be I would marry her 6 years happy together. Not really a problem

And that is the easy part.

Canada is even more paranoid. My kids and friends there would love to meet her.

[JacknDanny]

I have no idea where the writer comes up with his list of 22 countries. I was researching just yesterday as I was thinking the family to Japan next year (visa required) and came up with more than one website containing a list of countries that Thai citizens can visit without a visa and there are certainly more than 22. South Africa is one that is not on the list.

Total Nonsense!!!!

Check again!! Thai cannot enter S. Africa without valid Visa!!

There are very few countries Thais CAN enter without valid Visa!! A Thai passport is barely worth the paper its written on!!

[Hardie]

It sounds like Canada's '"points system" is as silly and prejudiced as UK's language requirements, as if there were no millionaires without college degrees or who spoke no 'farang'. I'm glad to see the US no longer has exclusive rights on Immigration a**holes. I guess it comes with the language. Anybody with sufficient funds and a RT ticket, no police record, etc. should be granted a visa...

[letitbe]

One thing that really annoys me is

The Thai wife still has another 6 months to go before she will get her Australian Passport

But she has permanant residence in Australia and has also passed the UK Tourist visa as I was born in England and we have young child who also hold British and Australian Passports

But even though she has past the difficult task above, when she wants to get other visa she must go back through the complete test again

Facts Show more US citizens want to live in Australia than the other way around

So why do they still use the old excuse that she may not return to Australia

In todays computer world tie up, why when you past 1 1st world countries immigration system it is not taken into account with others

We waste so much time on government duplication

Yes she is counting the days when she can lock her Thai passport away. (only to be used on Thailand holidays)

There is no FACE having a Thai Passport

Getting an Australian Passport is like a giant step to HiSo living

not for long but maybe Australia will be ok id love to have a chinese passport or singapore Uk USA and europe are done for a Thai passport gives you much easier access to Asia Our children luckely have UK USa and Thai passports my thai wife has only Thai but that wont be any problem since although we might be forced to live elsewhere in Asia if dear Mr Taksin gets his way it certainly wont be USA Uk or west maybe Laos Burma (if allowed). Last place id want to be is Australia load of louts with no culture or manners or breeding and for once I would agree with Thais who consider forangs lesser beings in case of australians or rest of west with no culture or real values

[Buchholz]

No country will give passport to fugitives.

Well Montenegro gave Thaksin one. I think the reporter had in mind that if the Thai government issues a new passport to Thaksin it would be an ordinary passport with no diplomatic privileges and as such won't give him the ease of entry he was accustomed to as a PM.

His Ugandan passport is a diplomatic passport and so is his Nicaraguan passport.

.

[timbershifter]

Hi JacknDanny

I think you are wrong there, i am a South African and my wife Thai and she

fly to SA at least 3 times a year alone, no visa required and no hassels at

Cape Town or JHB immegration and get a 30 day stamp.

The only shit she picked up is with thai immegration on leaving and when checking

in for the flight to SA, they told her to change Bht to USD 400, otherwise easy easy

Cheers

[whybother]

That is not the case in North America. Gaining citizenship takes more red tape and requirements.

What I can't understand is why people who have no intention of going back don't go through the procedures required to gain a Thai citizenship.

No more 90 day reporting or border runs. I know that a American citizen can retain their citizenship as long as they do not say they don't want it any more.

Not sure about Canada.

Apparently, no one has been given citizenship in Thailand for more than 5 years. Applications have been processed, but have been in a draw somewhere waiting for the minister's (Interior I think) signature, and that means the minister from several governments.

[marquess]

That is not the case in North America. Gaining citizenship takes more red tape and requirements.

What I can't understand is why people who have no intention of going back don't go through the procedures required to gain a Thai citizenship.

No more 90 day reporting or border runs. I know that a American citizen can retain their citizenship as long as they do not say they don't want it any more.

Not sure about Canada.

Apparently, no one has been given citizenship in Thailand for more than 5 years. Applications have been processed, but have been in a draw somewhere waiting for the minister's (Interior I think) signature, and that means the minister from several governments.

They don't seem to be in any hurry, and I had also heard that no body has received PR since 2006 either. PR alone would probably be enough for most people but even that is pretty elusive, though I do know people with it.

[whybother]

That is not the case in North America. Gaining citizenship takes more red tape and requirements.

What I can't understand is why people who have no intention of going back don't go through the procedures required to gain a Thai citizenship.

No more 90 day reporting or border runs. I know that a American citizen can retain their citizenship as long as they do not say they don't want it any more.

Not sure about Canada.

Apparently, no one has been given citizenship in Thailand for more than 5 years. Applications have been processed, but have been in a draw somewhere waiting for the minister's (Interior I think) signature, and that means the minister from several governments.

They don't seem to be in any hurry, and I had also heard that no body has received PR since 2006 either. PR alone would probably be enough for most people but even that is pretty elusive, though I do know people with it.

Actually, I should have said PR and not citizenship.

PR wasn't that difficult to get. Certainly a lot of paperwork to go through, but they used to give it to quite a few people each year ... until they stopped being approved for some reason.