New: Criminal background check consent for extension of stay

[PS2]

Yesterday I went for my annual marriage extension at Immigrations, sixth time.

Before the Immigrations officer even started to look at my papers he handed me a new form.

It was basically questioning me if I had a criminal record in my home country or in Thailand.

If, yes there was space to specify your conviction and/or ongoing cases.

It also asked for my consent to make a criminal background check in my home country and in Thailand.

It also stated that any false information will be used for prosecution, possible jail time and revocation of any extension of stay.

Has anyone else been given this form?

And for members that wonders, No, I do not have a criminal record nor minded that made a background check.

[Holy Cow]

Where did you go?

What was the form labeled?

Just gets deeper by the hour.

[PS2]

Where did you go?

What was the form labeled?

Just gets deeper by the hour.

Samui Immigrations.

The label was in Thai script.

Most of it was in Thai script.

[gchurch259]

It is about time they started checking, but should be done before they first the original visa. They will need a lot of luck checking in some of the worst countries that have criminals entering LOS, Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan come to mind.

[kamahele]

I have a different type of visa but there wasn't anything on my application. Sounds like a good idea though.

[Jingthing]

Interesting and not surprising either.

If this is the new policy, at least it is much more REASONABLE than demanding that we supply our own police reports from home countries after we have lived HERE for several years!

Personally, I have no problem signing that form.

Some people will.

But you can't blame Thai officials for wanting to screen people this way. That seems normal for any country.

OP ... WHICH office was this?

It will be interesting to see whether this is a glitch or the beginning of a new national policy.

Edited September 11, 2014 by Jingthing

[MJCM]

^+1, but I only wonder if they have the manpower to do these checks.

[Jingthing]

^+1, but I only wonder if they have the manpower to do these checks.

Great point ... but they can certainly smoke out some people with the self confessions!

[ubonjoe]

OP ... WHICH office was this?

From post #3 "Samui".

[hotsoup]

Did you get your extension?

[charliebru]

Certainly a good idea to check but it would be expected to be announced by Immigration headquarters ahead of time and implemented at all offices simultaneously. These guys seem to have continuing consistency issues.

[PS2]

Did you get your extension?

Yes, I got my normal under consideration stamp for marriage extensions.

[PS2]

I have a different type of visa but there wasn't anything on my application. Sounds like a good idea though.

It was a separate form, all applications for extension of stay is made on same form TM.7

[bluemoon58]

It is about time they started checking, but should be done before they first the original visa. They will need a lot of luck checking in some of the worst countries that have criminals entering LOS, Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan come to mind.

Errrmmm, and also RUSSIA...!!!

[John1thru10]

It is about time they started checking, but should be done before they first the original visa. They will need a lot of luck checking in some of the worst countries that have criminals entering LOS, Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan come to mind.

Always nice to see a bit of racism punctuate the day, huh?

[Strangebrew]

No problem, Well I bet there will be leaving en-mass soon.

[iancnx]

I will happily sign such a form. I suspect the beach-bum pothead scumbags might run for Cambodia .... Good riddance!

[Strangebrew]

But I think op might be wrong Ubonjoe what's your take on this?

[OJAS]

^+1, but I only wonder if they have the manpower to do these checks.

Great point ... but they can certainly smoke out some people with the self confessions!

Maybe the answer is to make criminal checks compulsory for all non-immigrant visa applications to Thai embassies and consulates abroad - just as already happens in the case of the OA visa for example.

Local immigration officers would then be able, if they wished, to simply tap into the Thai equivalent of the British PNC or American CODIS (assuming that this exists) at extension of stay time to see whether we had been naughty boys (or girls) since moving to LOS.

[sustento]

In the UK they have no authority to make criminal record checks except in very specific circumstances. You can't just do a criminal record check on anybody you please.

[Gsxrnz]

It always seemed strange to me that if you apply for a retirement visa in your home country, you have to provide a police record to the embassy.

But if you apply here in Thailand then it's not needed.

Maybe they'll also tighten up on retirement applicants/extensions if the original visa wasn't obtained at home with a police record already provided.

[ubonjoe]

But I think op might be wrong Ubonjoe what's your take on this?

I have faith in the OP's post.

You have to remember it was in Samui. They already have some strange rules.

[Thaiready]

It is about time they started checking, but should be done before they first the original visa. They will need a lot of luck checking in some of the worst countries that have criminals entering LOS, Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan come to mind.

Always nice to see a bit of racism punctuate the day, huh?

if the shoe fits

[Thaiready]

In the UK they have no authority to make criminal record checks except in very specific circumstances. You can't just do a criminal record check on anybody you please.

that should change

[debrakfurlow]

On a retirement visa I had to supply FBI background ck, bank statements, written statement from the bank, medical report and passport in effect min 6 mo.

[OJAS]

In the UK they have no authority to make criminal record checks except in very specific circumstances. You can't just do a criminal record check on anybody you please.

This a new one on me. Are you really suggesting that individual police officers need to obtain explicit permission from senior officers or even the courts before they can routinely access their own computerised rogues' gallery database?

[evadgib]

The great irony is that the unwary continue to stump up THB 6k at the same office for extentions costing a third of that price.

[think_too_mut]

In the UK they have no authority to make criminal record checks except in very specific circumstances. You can't just do a criminal record check on anybody you please.

Peanuts. HR of many companies do just that day and night. Checking candidate's name against dabases of pedofiles (which are public), whatever else there is available to check, trawl social media. When applying for a job you give them your acknowledgement.

What could be new in Thai now is just that tell you they are (or may be) doing that and you are aware. Everyone has been photographed at border crossing. Face recogition software these days can dig you out from whatever anonymous (as this one) Forum they want.

Of course, sporting a new tatoo or being a breeder of pitbulls won't stop visa extension but something else might.

[thairastawoman]

No backgroung check with Thailand elite card <3

[debrakfurlow]

US. "Hello FBI I need a background check for a visa". Electronic fingerprint taken and report in hand 5 days later. Every law enforcement office can do it on request. Probably the easiest part of getting here. Want to go to US. Fly to Mexico and walk over the border.