Thai Immigration Asks Foreigners for Bank Accounts, Social Media, Hangouts

[jerico2017]

whaahaha Just put your seat belts on TV members. Its just the start. What is your home country doing about this? ITS PATHETIC. Thailand must receive reciprocal treatment and then some.

tit for tat reciprocal treatment. dont be so pathetic.

Thailand is one of the easiest countries to come and go from and you can be sure a lot of countries do not allow the same freedoms for Thai's or any other nationality to easily come and go.

Really

Freedom? I can only agree with you about the go part. Maybe the Thai's abroad get the go treatment too with all their freedoms. How many are in Germany? Britain? Time to go back to freedom Thailand.

[jeab1980]

Easy solution give false information ie FB account where you go. Bank account easy open a new on leave 100 bht in. A dress no problem or phone number.

I think words like Gestapo are a little what's the word oh yes OTT

[bobmac10]

whaahaha Just put your seat belts on TV members. Its just the start. What is your home country doing about this? ITS PATHETIC. Thailand must receive reciprocal treatment and then some.

tit for tat reciprocal treatment. dont be so pathetic.

Thailand is one of the easiest countries to come and go from and you can be sure a lot of countries do not allow the same freedoms for Thai's or any other nationality to easily come and go.

What are you talking about?

Since when does any country ask what online social media you use? Maybe North Korea?

Believe this, it is the start of monitoring the activties of everyone in this country to ensure they do not openly oppose or criticize the Junta.

The mighty poobah himself has already alluded to it in his weekly propaganda speeches.

Last week he said the social media (Facebook and Twitter) was a "problem" that needed to be dealt with.

[smedly]

people are worried about this form when in fact you allow facebook - google - apple and other application vendors to collect private data from you computers and mobile devices, ever check out the permissions of some of these apps when you are installing them

As an example (hypothetical food for thought) for those of you that use the Thaivisa app (not saying TV do this as I have never installed it) or other similar social media apps or even the apps that the thai government are trying to get you to install in the name of safety - did you look at the permissions of these apps and what you are allowing them to access

You post on here from a PC (relatively safe) and use an annymous login, you then use the same login on your mobile device allowing access to accounts - contact - your phone number and various other data, join up the dots and it is not hard for these app vendors to find out a significant amount of information about you - your contacts - your location - you messages - your calls - and your general activities and even who you hang with socially using your stored photos, start using cloud services and all of this gets worse because you have given them your private data and stored it on servers where they can work the data very easily

People sign into various sites using facebook accounts and google accounts - ever wonder why you can suddenly do this

Everything you do on the net is being monitored and extensive attempts are being made to profile you, the latest addition to this constant invasion of privacy is facial recognition, google also attempted to have people everywhere wearing google glass - so far it has failed for obvious reasons

As for this latest ill thought out form from being the discussion of this thread - fill out what you want, do you honestly think they can check anything you put there - short answer - No

didn't proof read my post but I'm sure you get the idea

[Dibbler]

Is it a legal requirement to respond to the questionnaire? I think the senate would need to change the Immigration Law to force individuals to provide the information but if that happened such a regulation would likely violate privacy laws. Better get a legal interpretation of this before drawing any conclusions.

Just checked the Personal Data Protection Act https://thainetizen.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/personal-data-protection-bill-20150106-en.pdf Don't expect any protection of your personal data!

[Suradit69]

This is the whole document, courtesy of @Beefslapper on the previous thread. Hope he won't mind me reattaching it here.

A little concerned about handing over all my bank account details to thais. Is this because the bloody farangs complained about the police shakedowns that went viral and made the international news? Now they can just help themselves.

Every year when I renew my extension I hand over my bank details. So far no one has plundered my accounts.

"Is this because the bloody farangs complained about the police shakedowns ..."

Farangs have been complaining about everything under the sun for a long time. It's a cultural, maybe genetic, thing for some of us.

[kiwikeith]

This is the whole document, courtesy of @Beefslapper on the previous thread. Hope he won't mind me reattaching it here.

I dont own motorbike or car, in my partners name, as to bank account I dont think that is fair given the bank fraud here.

I dont post on facebook or have a account,

Only Tv which I try not to be deliberately/and or offensive to any name,

Things are getting worse here.

[IamNoone88]

Well, at least Thailand wins a World First for something.

[richard_smith237]

It does appear somewhat archaic and almost invasive - but what is immigration really getting that they don't already have?

It's voluntary so not a big deal. It's also embarrassing to see some of the questions on the TM6 Immigration card we fill out on entry to the Kingdom - Who actually provides their income ????

The information being discussed has some reasonable and some whacky ideas...

2.2: Information of Foreigner overseas - this is on most applications Address etc (Imm. will have this anyway)

2.3: Information of Foreigner in Thailand - Address etc (Imm. will have this anyway)

2.4: All Social Media Used by Foreigner - This is alarming given Thailand's draconian and erratically encored laws (I have no wish to provide this information)

2.5: Vehicle used by Foreigner - I see this as a little invasive - what possible use to Imm. could this information offer.

2.6: Frequently Visited Places - Requesting this is just strange / odd.

2.7:Persons whom can contact the foreigner or whom the Foreigner will contact: I can see benefit for Imm. and understand why they need Next of Kin information.

Some of this form is just down right odd - but it is clearly a product whereby someone, in this case a Police Major Gen. has had an idea and no one who surrounds him is prepared to offer any criticism constructive or otherwise.

This is how silliness slips through the gaps and makes Thailand and its daft policies a laughing stock for those observing from the outside.

Edited April 19, 2016 by richard_smith237

[schaffhausen]

Just ask for a permanent Visa in Australia.

You will be very happy to fill out the 3 pages for Thai Immi...

[Farang99]

Absolute BS for the intended purpose to track down terrorists and criminals. National security??What about Thai criminals which frequently disappeared in the past?? The only purpose I see is to sample information, which otherwise would be difficult and costly to access. But as it is not mandatory to fill in...in more than 30 years here I never gave them any information regarding my bank details.

Well, if you are here on a marriage or retirement visa they will have already had access to the details of whatever account your supporting money is held in.

[Kabula]

I have no problem with this new procedure.

Most of us are guests here and should be respectful, cooperative and understanding.

Many of the comments made on social media actually hurt the image of Thailand and those wrongdoers should be punished by not being allowed to extend visas.

What do posters expect when they bash the Police, Immigration, Thai Citizens and more? I find many of the negative comments disgusting and immature.

I'm thrilled that Thailand is protecting its sovereignty.

Of course Thailand is concerned about their guest's funds in the banks. People who have little to no funds are a liability for the country when it comes to public hospital medical expenses, incarceration expenses, crime concerns, etc.

Remain calm, and just enjoy the country for as long as you can.

I can assure you that most countries are much worse now.!

[Carib]

In some of our home-countries they also gather this information about you, the difference is that you don`t even know they are doing it.

[Don Mega]

whaahaha Just put your seat belts on TV members. Its just the start. What is your home country doing about this? ITS PATHETIC. Thailand must receive reciprocal treatment and then some.

tit for tat reciprocal treatment. dont be so pathetic.

Thailand is one of the easiest countries to come and go from and you can be sure a lot of countries do not allow the same freedoms for Thai's or any other nationality to easily come and go.

What are you talking about?

Since when does any country ask what online social media you use? Maybe North Korea?

Believe this, it is the start of monitoring the activties of everyone in this country to ensure they do not openly oppose or criticize the Junta.

The mighty poobah himself has already alluded to it in his weekly propaganda speeches.

Last week he said the social media (Facebook and Twitter) was a "problem" that needed to be dealt with.

Why are you so worried ?

they have my full details already. Surely not hard to plug my name into Facebook and find my profile.... and from there my IP address which they can then search.. As for bank accounts and cars/motorbike... once again they have all my details so if they really wanted to know it would be very easy to discover.... search for my tax returns.. get the name of my employer.... its all there for the taking if they choose to look.

[RBOP]

Is it a legal requirement to respond to the questionnaire? I think the senate would need to change the Immigration Law to force individuals to provide the information but if that happened such a regulation would likely violate privacy laws. Better get a legal interpretation of this before drawing any conclusions.

Just checked the Personal Data Protection Act https://thainetizen.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/personal-data-protection-bill-20150106-en.pdf Don't expect any protection of your personal data!

So if I read this correctly, pertaining to section 3 and section 4, this information gaining form has no legal standing as far as I can see its not been progmolated. But the low level immigration officers will just do what their boss says. Refusing entry/extention still remains at the discrection of the immigration officer just like every other country. Edited April 19, 2016 by RBOP

[wobalt]

Absolute BS for the intended purpose to track down terrorists and criminals. National security??What about Thai criminals which frequently disappeared in the past?? The only purpose I see is to sample information, which otherwise would be difficult and costly to access. But as it is not mandatory to fill in...in more than 30 years here I never gave them any information regarding my bank details.

Well, if you are here on a marriage or retirement visa they will have already had access to the details of whatever account your supporting money is held in.

I was here mostly based on working. And over the years I have decided to go the 1y multiple entry visa way, no hassle with local immigration anymore.

Regarding the supporting money account: this account could be different from personal accounts...

[Jimbo2014]

Time to make a dummy profile! - by the way - does porn hub and tagged count?

[richard_smith237]

I have no problem with this new procedure.

Most of us are guests here and should be respectful, cooperative and understanding.

Many of the comments made on social media actually hurt the image of Thailand and those wrongdoers should be punished by not being allowed to extend visas.

What do posters expect when they bash the Police, Immigration, Thai Citizens and more? I find many of the negative comments disgusting and immature.

I'm thrilled that Thailand is protecting its sovereignty.

Of course Thailand is concerned about their guest's funds in the banks. People who have little to no funds are a liability for the country when it comes to public hospital medical expenses, incarceration expenses, crime concerns, etc.

Remain calm, and just enjoy the country for as long as you can.

I can assure you that most countries are much worse now.!

I agree that Thailand should be protecting it sovereignty... However, Thailand is no longer democratic.

It is at the cusp of either a re-birth where corruption is reduced, laws enforced - the new Thailand... Or it is simply becoming another Military State whereby the growth of technological and social advancements and improvements will be controlled and impeded.

There is a very Orwellian feel of what is happening in Thailand - Idea's such as this require free discussion and feedback.

[jerico2017]

classy

One furong says I have nothing to hide, I think its great!.

Another says, I'm leaving, that's it, what is happening is similar to something I read about in a history book.

One of the above gets their computer help on TV, lets say the Linux in Thailand topic, the other goes to a a website just for linux and asks their question there.

Which one are you?

[bark]

I think that I will not comment.

[Khun Paul]

The thin edge of a very large wedge methinks, it is amazing that most of the information is already on file, except that of personal information relating to emails and the like.

Sounds like a sledgehammer to crack a nut , their previous lax attitude has shown them up to be incompetent in recording and finding ne'er do wells, so in order to ensure it never happens again they play the game tell me or leave .

Sounds like the reports are true Human Rights and Personal freedoms are being lost because they know that the situation is going to get out of hand if they actually allowed free speech.

So collating all information guarantees that one part of the problem will remain silent.

[BaldPlumber]

I would imagine that they're trying to track down some TV posters to help them out with:-

Any crime scene where wild, unsubstantiated guesses might be helpful.

Running the country despite having no previous experience or knowledge.

Enabling the Thais to be better and more Thai like simply by following their advice.

That's my guess.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

whaahaha Just put your seat belts on TV members. Its just the start. What is your home country doing about this? ITS PATHETIC. Thailand must receive reciprocal treatment and then some.

tit for tat reciprocal treatment. dont be so pathetic.

Thailand is one of the easiest countries to come and go from and you can be sure a lot of countries do not allow the same freedoms for Thai's or any other nationality to easily come and go.

What are you talking about?

Since when does any country ask what online social media you use? Maybe North Korea?

Believe this, it is the start of monitoring the activties of everyone in this country to ensure they do not openly oppose or criticize the Junta.

The mighty poobah himself has already alluded to it in his weekly propaganda speeches.

Last week he said the social media (Facebook and Twitter) was a "problem" that needed to be dealt with.

Why are you so worried ?

they have my full details already. Surely not hard to plug my name into Facebook and find my profile.... and from there my IP address which they can then search.. As for bank accounts and cars/motorbike... once again they have all my details so if they really wanted to know it would be very easy to discover.... search for my tax returns.. get the name of my employer.... its all there for the taking if they choose to look.

Hahaha! Facebook will give out your IP address?

Also, I am not sure if you are aware, most people don't use their real facebook name....especially Thai. Yeah.... it seems like the average Thai person is smarter than the average Farang.

[irwinfc]

expats in Thailand, guilty until proven innocent! haaaayyyy. this form must be under experiment. if it's not mandatory, then i suggest those who come face to face with this form to not fill it up completely. that way, this form would prove to be a failure and be dropped from the Immigration Bureau's future plans for whatever.

[Nicolas32]

Also, I am not sure if you are aware, most people don't use their real facebook name....especially Thai. Yeah.... it seems like the average Thai person is smarter than the average Farang.

Hmm like them to try and track me no chance

Edited April 19, 2016 by Nicolas32

[Time Traveller]

classyOne furong says I have nothing to hide, I think its great!.Another says, I'm leaving, that's it, what is happening is similar to something I read about in a history book.One of the above gets their computer help on TV, lets say the Linux in Thailand topic, the other goes to a a website just for linux and asks their question there.Which one are you?

Well we know how history turned out in middle of the 20th century for the Jews that left Europe early and those that didn't.

[Minnehaha]

Got all new social media profiles already set up. All nicely decorated and colored correctly.

My friends are Chatchawan Wachirapaneekhun and various Junta officials, just for good measure. Address and phone numbers are available

Places I hang out : Siam Society, Democrat Party HQ, Sanam Luang, Wat Pra Kaew, and Wat Benchamabophit (a personal favorite). On all social media LIKE these places

Go to Chat's page and post likes and super happy fun stories

[sungod]

Stop fussing, most peoples internet /personal security is so poor the information is already out there, doesn't take long to link a few profiles and get a decent picture.......

[George2]

I think that I will not comment.

You just did.

[DavisH]

So if the point is to catch criminals/terrorists, do they actually believe such individuals would fill this in correctly or fill it in at all? Most of them probably have dodgy visas or no visas at all.

Looking at the 'crack down' on motorists this Songkran....well, we can see how successful that was in reeling in wrong-doers.

If it's not mandatory, I either won't be filling it in, or put in a load of BS. And MORE address reporting? What a crock!!

Thailand obviously only want short-term cashed up, gullible tourists. Please give us your money then **** off!

Let the Thais bumble their way through the dark like always...