Thaivisa.com to meet with Immigration Commissioner

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Thaivisa.com to meet with Thailand's Immigration Commissioner

 

Thailand's Immigration Commissioner to answer your questions - Thaivisa's George will interview him on Thursday.

 

 

BANGKOK:-- On Thursday 07 August, Thaivisa.com will be interviewing the head of the Immigration Bureau, Commissioner Police Lt.Gen. Sakda Chuenpakdee (ศักดา ชื่นพักดี).

 

During the interview we hope to discuss the recent news relating to border runs, address reporting and overstay, as well as other issues that may affect tourists and expats visiting or staying in Thailand.

 

We already have questions prepared but we would also like to offer the chance for Thaivisa members to share any questions they may have.

 

Whilst the commissioner may not be able to comment on specific issues, this interview is the first of a number of other interviews we have lined up with high ranking officials from the Immigration Bureau, including Deputy Commander and Police Colonel Voravat Amornvivat

 

The team at Thaivisa.com have worked hard to organise these interviews and this is great opportunity for the expat community in Thailand to have dialogue with senior Immigration officials.

 

Please note - this thread is not to be used for discussion, just post your questions, that is all.

 

No discussion, bickering, bashing or anything of that nature please.

 

Please be polite and take some time and thought before posting your question and all being well we will be able to give you the answers within the coming days.

 

Thank you for your understanding on this matter and we look forward to receiving your questions below.

 

[tv]2014-08-06[/tv]

 

 

[ubonjoe]

I will add that any post that is not a question will be removed without notice,

[bkkmick]

Have you any plans to change the rules for foreigners married to Thai (and those with children, if that makes a difference)?

[PostmasterGeneral]

Why do holders of Permanent Residence Permit need reentry visa?

[laurentbkk]

my question is : how can I have a non immigrant visa for my non working partner as I am officially married ( my partner is a guy like me).

[bearzz]

1) Could they review or come up with a visa that will benefit expats earning income from oversea and wishes to pay taxes and also call thailand their home away from home ? since getting PR status is a long and tides process

 

2) If NOT Will they review and maybe come up with a installment plans for ppl to purchase thai elite card (i know people will say there is gonna be ppl abusing this if so. Maybe come out with somthing like 3 mths review just like the ED visa. and for those who didnt made their payment the visa would be cancel ?) 

 

Above is the 2 question i would like to ask. Thanks !

Edited August 6, 2014 by bearzz

[plus7]

Have you any plans to make visa rules like in Malasya: 10- 5- year visas for families with certain income level.

[Travel Dude]

While we understand the strict enforcement of the law, are there any plans to give move privileges (or entitlements closer to what Thai nationals have) to holders of a Permanent Resident Permit (PR)?

[NCC1701A]

Are you going to issue a ID card to foreigners similar to a Thai driver license, with information stating their visa status, so foreigners don't have to carry their passports or copies?

 

Why is necessary to report every 90 days if you are in Thailand on a retirement visa? 

 

Would you consider allowing foreigners on a retirement visa to report once a year? 

 

Would you consider foreigners with a retirement visa to be allowed to volunteer or work to help Thai people? Some examples would be doctors, English teachers, rescue workers, beach clean up, animal rescue.

Edited August 6, 2014 by NCC1701A

[Mr Red]

1) Is there anything like a five-year visa for retirement or marriage being looked at for the future?  It should include multiple-entry and perhaps an annual check-in like the current 90-day report.

 

2) Do you plan to relax any of the work permit rules that currently prohibit foreigners on a valid visa from doing volunteer work here in Thailand?

 

3) Are there any plans to do away with the 90-day reporting requirement for retirement/marriage visa extensions? Might be good idea to do it in first year, then not in subsequent years, but enforce a penalty if change of residence is not reported within 30-60 days.

 

Good luck with the interview -- I will be waiting to hear what he says.

[KittenKong]

The existing retirement extension system works well and is simple for most people.

Does the commissioner see any need to change anything with it?

[ovenman]

What can be done to ensure that enforcement of regulations, whatever they may be, is consistent amongst immigrations offices and border points throughout Thailand (i.e. eliminating "such-and-such rule is different here because this is Sadao" and such)?

Edited August 6, 2014 by ovenman

[dantilley]

Are there any plans to make the 90 day reporting possible online?

 

Or better still, to do away with the process altogether?

 

Would be interested to hear his thoughts on what the real reason for the 90 day reporting is and what purpose it serves.

Edited August 6, 2014 by dantilley

[smedly]

To avoid any more confusion amongst expats and tourists will it be possible to clearly state the rules for duration of stay for people on various visa's and VOA so that they have a clear understanding of the boundaries - for example, in any 180 days a tourist can only stay in Thailand x number of days or in any 12 months etc, and must leave Thailand for x number of days before being allowed to return on VOA or tourist visa - just some clarity so that people know exactly what is allowed which will also help those on work rotation patterns  

[Kellynch]

Thank you for giving us this opportunity.  These are long shots, but if you don't ask, you don't get.

 

1.  90 Day Report - Is it possible to help Immigration and foreigners(here legally) by considering an online 90 Day Reporting system?

 

or;

 

2.  90 Day Report - Many people rarely move; is it possible to reassess the frequency of reporting?

 

3.  Many people live here for years and abide by the rules etc.  Is there a possibility that a graduated step of longer visa periods could be considered?

 

 

Many thanks

     

  

[ZigZagMan]

Stolen passports are a big business in Thailand.
Do you really want tourists carrying them around?

[Bernard Flint]

Can expats use invested/offshore monies to show funds for extension for retirement stay

[tlock]

Have you ever heard of the Thailand Elite Visa?  What are your thoughts on it?

[stuartinthailand]

What is the number of times in one year that you can enter Thailand with a 30 day visa exempt stamp. I was told by immigration officials at airport when I entered that since this was my 3rd entry in 2014 that I may not be allowed to come back

[Trikidiki]

In the past I have been granted a None Immigrant O visa for 90 days as I am 58 years, retired and have a pension being paid monthly into my account. I only had to produce a bank statement in the UK to confirm the pension. I have been told that I can no longer get this Visa and that the only option would be a Immigrant O-A. Is this true and if so what is the likelihood of it being reviewed in future. My normal stay in Thailand is 130 days a year during the winter months.

[ZigZagMan]

I retired in Thailand.
For the past ten years I have diligently made the 90 day reports.
Since I own and stay in my condo is it really necessary for me to submit the exact same information 40 times in a row?

[realenglish1]

I find this 90 day reporting totally ridiculous. What is the need of the governement for 90 day reporting on a retirement visa other than to keep immigration busy.

 

On line or once a year reporting This is the 21st century

 

If you must have 90 day reporting then do it on line Since Mail is acceptable why not on line It would make everyone's life much easier

[Caroline Page]

Are there any plans for those on retirement visa to allow them legally to undertake voluntary work such as teaching of English to children/adults, computer skills, hospitality etc.  Many skills of people like myself who are retired could be of use to children and adults but I am unable to offer those skills (and I don't expect any payment) legally whilst on a retirement visa.  

[Kered]

Could holders of a Yellow book be exempt from 90 day report?

[GoonDizzy]

Although it is not Thailand's problem, UK citizens are having real issues renewing passports. Emergency Passports are available (ETD) if your visa is about to run out. Is it possible to get a new visa stamp in an ETD and transfer to the real passport when it arrives? If so, what type of stamps would be available?

[jpp2bkk]

Why foreigners having investing money (less than the investor visa requiring 10m THB) to create a company with a Thai partner as requested by law, do not have the right to a specific visa? 

Why foreigners having investing money to acquire a condominium do not have the right to a specific visa?

[jspill]

Is working online and generating money offshore (no Thai customers) defined as 'working illegally' in Thailand

[JLCrab]

Is the Commissioner aware that many in the foreign community want to see revisions in visa/Immigration/labor/business policies that require major overhaul of existing legislation including the Thai Immigration Act and the Thai Foreign Business Act, and does the Immigration Department have any plans to orchestrate such major legislative overhauls?

Edited August 6, 2014 by JLCrab

[hanuman2543]

Will there be a standard test for people attending Thai language classes on an Education Visa or can every Immigration Officer conduct a "test" on their own and decide themselves if the candidate passed or not and deny entry or extension?

[Rockhound]

I work abroad, generally offshore, on a fairly steady rotation which, for thelast 3years, has worked out at 33 days out of Thailand and 24 days in Thailand.  While in Thailand I am on holiday and live with my family - Thai wife and our daughter). I normally enter on a 30 day Visa.   Will I have any problems when I return to Thailand on 21st August?  (I shall be leaving Thailand again on 14th September.)