New type of visa?

[Darek]

On a German website: Immobilien-thailand.de (real estate in thailand) I read that there are or are going to be new visa for persons under the age of 50. The article reads:

Independant of their age women and men, who have 3 M THB deposited in certain Thai Banks can apply for a visum for a year. About details we were informed by the chief of the Pattaya immigration Mr. Jirapan Israngkura Na Ayudhya. According to him applicants need to have fixed deposit accounts with the Krung Thai Bank, the Thai Military Bank or the Government Housing bank (it is possible that accounts with other banks would be acceptable) of, or over 3 million Thai Baths.

When applying for such visa a certified statement from the bank that the applicant has such a deposit should be attached. The money can also be used to buy a new condo from a Thai construction company. Buying contract and receipts from the Land Registration Authority have also to be send in with a visum application.

It has to be proved that the 3 million in Thai funds are transferred from outside the Kingdom. Another requirement is a Non-immigrant visum B, to be provided by a Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad.

Is this something new or did such an option always exist?

Can the condo be bought from any construction company or, like the banks where the deposit is to be held, only from certain construction companies?

What if the condo already exists but has never be lived in and is still in the hands of a construction company?

What if the condo already exists and has been in the hands of a private person and has even been lived in but will be renovated by the construction company?

Does the construction company have to buy it first then renovate it and then sell it again?

Does anybody have experience with such an arrangement?

[Darek]

I forgot to give the required information:

My nationality is Dutch (the Netherlands)

My age is 38

[george]

On a German website: Immobilien-thailand.de (real estate in thailand) I read that there are or are going to be new visa for persons under the age of 50. The article reads:

Independant of their age women and men, who have 3 M THB deposited in certain Thai Banks can apply for a visum for a year. About details we were informed by the chief of the Pattaya immigration Mr. Jirapan Israngkura Na Ayudhya. According to him applicants need to have fixed deposit accounts with the Krung Thai Bank, the Thai Military Bank or the Government Housing bank (it is possible that accounts with other banks would be acceptable) of, or over 3 million Thai Baths.

When applying for such visa a certified statement from the bank that the applicant has such a deposit should be attached. The money can also be used to buy a new condo from a Thai construction company. Buying contract and receipts from the Land Registration Authority have also to be send in with a visum application.

It has to be proved that the 3 million in Thai funds are transferred from outside the Kingdom. Another requirement is a Non-immigrant visum B, to be provided by a Thai Embassy or Consulate abroad.

Is this something new or did such an option always exist?

We have no info on any new visa extension regulations as you describe.

Similar visas and even residency are available for 10M Baht investments, but the 3 M is news to me.

Do you have the full, complete URL to the german website where this is mentioned?

[Darek]

George,

Sure I have the full URL:

http://www.immobilien-thailand.de/leben.htm

[george]

Strange, I will call the guys in brown tomorrow and ask about this. Will report back to all of you here!

[wolf5370]

Following with interest. George any joy with "the men in brown"?

[george]

It seems to be the old investment visa extension, so nothing new here actuall. This is a very complicated process, and the officers I spoke to said that it is very few cases that they will approve. But here is the requirements:

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4.9   The applicant brings in not less than 3 million baht: a bank statement declaring the transfer of the money into the Kingdom (not less than 3 million baht) with one of the following documents:

1) Bank book from a government bank and bank statement certifying that the money deposited is not less than 3 million baht.

2) Government bonds issued by a government or state enterprise with a value of not less than 3 million baht and a guarantor letter from the office that issued the bonds.

3) Proof of purchase of land agreement, receipt from the Land Department and original title deed from the original land owner. Proof that the purchase was made according to the price registered with the Land Department.

4) The documents presented for 1). 2), 3) or any combination there­of, must total at least 3 million baht.