Are Thai Embassies Requring Police Checks?

[PeaceBlondie]

We keep getting scattered reports of Thai embassies or consulates in neighboring countries requring POLICE CHECKS of criminal records, from their home country, or from some special police office in Bangkok. Some rumors say it's only for teachers, or for certain kinds of visas, or maybe citizens of certain countries.

Could we get some confirmation of precise requirements, please? Not to be whinging, but I'd like to hear more than "my mate said...."

[Khun Lung]

........ but I'd like to hear more than "my mate said...."

hmm, thats bad, then she CAN say. She is Pol.Lieutenant

Greets and best wishes for the new year

[deminister]

We keep getting scattered reports of Thai embassies or consulates in neighboring countries requring POLICE CHECKS of criminal records, from their home country, or from some special police office in Bangkok. Some rumors say it's only for teachers, or for certain kinds of visas, or maybe citizens of certain countries.

Could we get some confirmation of precise requirements, please? Not to be whinging, but I'd like to hear more than "my mate said...."

ha ha..... and leave your DNA too...... and that for a visa??? Common sense would have told you that this is utterly nonsense

[Thaising]

Don't listen to hearsay. Leave your worried behind and wait until the day the immigration or foreign ministry announce officially.

Cheers and happy new year.

Edited December 30, 2006 by Thaising

[jinjok]

i have little doubt that this occurs at a certain level, that is why only certain consulates are 'equipped' to deal with visas (read many countries do not issue/have not issued/give a hard time). the telecom infrastructure sucks and paeng-mak. i would guess that 10% of visa as subject to some sort of scrutiny outside home countries.

im sure most embassies are receptive to a point and certainly interpol. in fact, if there is a secure site that each nation set up for searching criminals - that would be ez for everyone to check though i doubt outside the west this exists.

my hunch is that you are judged by: are you a traveler or living in thailand (multi stamps in many countries), what does your pp photo look like? why type of visa/stamp are you living on? do you look like a train wreck or smell like booze?

xing border, computer systems are set up so if they dont get you know, they will later for the runners.

as much as i was 'turned into a runner' by virtue of pricey DOUBLE visa (let alone single), i honestly think there is some serious riff-raff in the country doing some very illegal things. i have no sympathy for this lot.

welcome to new world order brought to you by bush&co

[burg]

Since my degree isn't worth <deleted> in the states , and after traveling to Thailand on a climbing trip last year, I began to seriously consider living and teaching in Thailand.

After reading about the possibility of back ground checks I began to wonder if it will be possible for me.I have a record fro when I was 19. A shitty situation I was caught in the middle of. I was charged with 5 different charges. I was only convicted of one/possesion of marijuana. BUt due to the wonderful system in the states the other charges still show up as nolle charges.

So I am left wondering, should I attempt to look for a job while on my next trip to LOS, this feb. Or do I just forget the whole thing.

What I have gathered about this is that they do not do back ground checks in your home country. What I understand is that they may have you go to a local police station(can't find the email from the guy who told me about this, he seemed to know what he was talking about) and get one for your record in Thailand.

I also called the Consulate here in the states to ask about getting my tourist visa. While I had them on the phone I figured I wold ask about a visa for someone that is to be working in Thailand and they said that I would need police papers.

So I can assure you that in some places they are asking for this.

But as far as Thailand I hear thats not the case, from a few different sources within Thailand.

If you hear anything please let me know.

We keep getting scattered reports of Thai embassies or consulates in neighboring countries requring POLICE CHECKS of criminal records, from their home country, or from some special police office in Bangkok. Some rumors say it's only for teachers, or for certain kinds of visas, or maybe citizens of certain countries.

Could we get some confirmation of precise requirements, please? Not to be whinging, but I'd like to hear more than "my mate said...."

[El Taco Loco]

I responded to your emails.

The only station that can do the fingerprinting is Patumwan. And it is for everyone applying for a Non B, now regionally, and as $hit flows downhill, it will be asked for in other embassies.

Since my degree isn't worth <deleted> in the states , and after traveling to Thailand on a climbing trip last year, I began to seriously consider living and teaching in Thailand.

After reading about the possibility of back ground checks I began to wonder if it will be possible for me.I have a record fro when I was 19. A shitty situation I was caught in the middle of. I was charged with 5 different charges. I was only convicted of one/possesion of marijuana. BUt due to the wonderful system in the states the other charges still show up as nolle charges.

So I am left wondering, should I attempt to look for a job while on my next trip to LOS, this feb. Or do I just forget the whole thing.

What I have gathered about this is that they do not do back ground checks in your home country. What I understand is that they may have you go to a local police station(can't find the email from the guy who told me about this, he seemed to know what he was talking about) and get one for your record in Thailand.

I also called the Consulate here in the states to ask about getting my tourist visa. While I had them on the phone I figured I wold ask about a visa for someone that is to be working in Thailand and they said that I would need police papers.

So I can assure you that in some places they are asking for this.

But as far as Thailand I hear thats not the case, from a few different sources within Thailand.

If you hear anything please let me know.

We keep getting scattered reports of Thai embassies or consulates in neighboring countries requring POLICE CHECKS of criminal records, from their home country, or from some special police office in Bangkok. Some rumors say it's only for teachers, or for certain kinds of visas, or maybe citizens of certain countries.

Could we get some confirmation of precise requirements, please? Not to be whinging, but I'd like to hear more than "my mate said...."

[DrFisher]

I'm not sure how anything works with the new laws or if they even changed for working people. Generally when coming to Thailand to look for work or to fill a position (legally) you are required to get a visa from your home country (for USA I had to send my passport to Texas). They did do a background check before issuing the visa (maybe because I was coming to fill a position as a Thai government employee, I'm not sure). However, when I got to Thailand and I filled out all the necessary paper work for my position they ran INTERPOL background check that took 3 months and I could not start work until it was complete (I saw the result so I know they really did do it). I doubt this is the case for a TEFL English teacher but this was my case (only my experience before anyone jumps on me). I imagine as you all know this is so the government doesn't loose face. I also had to have a Thai government official sign a paper for me saying he would be responsible for my actions and in his opinion I was trustworthy and would not commit any crime while in service. On another note I volunteer for an American foundation part time which is required by my full time employer (volunteer service to help the Thai community) and even though this is requirement of my full time job I was told I need to get an official work permit added to my existing work permit for this as immigration will be going place to place where foreigners work checking for proper working documents.

As I said, I would be willing to say this is not for all positions as a matter of fact I have been told the language teachers where I work are not held to the same standard as they are not considered permanent. I hope this helps.

[mopenyang]

Just saw this on Dave's ESL Cafe and thought it might be of interest:

//Edit: hotlink removed per forum rules - basically another report of police report required at Vientiane - lopburi3//

[junkofdavid2]

I responded to your emails.

The only station that can do the fingerprinting is Patumwan. And it is for everyone applying for a Non B, now regionally, and as $hit flows downhill, it will be asked for in other embassies.

Interesting question:

If someone is applying for a B visa from his/her HOME country in ASIA (i.e. not living in Thailand), how can he/she get a police clearance from Patumwan?

Can he/she just use a police clearance from his/her own country?

Edited December 31, 2006 by junkofdavid2

[spectrum]

Two days ago in Vientiane, Laos, a number of teachers were refused visas other than tourist visas due to a lack of a "criminal record". We wondered how to get one most easily. There was no answer to that, and I pity the poor clerk who was the bearer of the bad news. He had a checklist which was returned to applicants and the absence of a "criminal record" meant you could not pass go.

Teachers in BKK, esp. in the International schools, had better exercise extreme caution about working on a tourist visa.

I guess this may be some ham-fisted way of making schools do better background checks. They undeniably should. However, teachers from the same schools had not been required to produce this document just two days previously and no alert had been isssued.

I think the question now becomes : What exactly is this document they require ? Who would issue it ? Does it apply to every country you may have taught in ?

[junkofdavid2]

Two days ago in Vientiane, Laos, a number of teachers were refused visas other than tourist visas due to a lack of a "criminal record". We wondered how to get one most easily. There was no answer to that, and I pity the poor clerk who was the bearer of the bad news. He had a checklist which was returned to applicants and the absence of a "criminal record" meant you could not pass go.

Teachers in BKK, esp. in the International schools, had better exercise extreme caution about working on a tourist visa.

I guess this may be some ham-fisted way of making schools do better background checks. They undeniably should. However, teachers from the same schools had not been required to produce this document just two days previously and no alert had been isssued.

I think the question now becomes : What exactly is this document they require ? Who would issue it ? Does it apply to every country you may have taught in ?

I think it's pretty clear from the posts that for people who were or are living in thailand, they can simply get this "criminal record" (police clearance) from Patumwan. However, the question still remains for those teachers who are coming in from other countries, and are not currently in thailand. Will a police clearance certificate from their home country suffice? That remains the question.

cheers.

[El Taco Loco]

There seems to be some confusion here. The police record check in Patumwan is for people who are going on a visa run REGIONALLY to apply for a Non B. And not only for teachers. It is now everyone.

If you are applying in your home country, you may be required to submit to a bc, as some posters have now confirmed. No need to go to BKK for one.

I responded to your emails.

The only station that can do the fingerprinting is Patumwan. And it is for everyone applying for a Non B, now regionally, and as $hit flows downhill, it will be asked for in other embassies.

Interesting question:

If someone is applying for a B visa from his/her HOME country in ASIA (i.e. not living in Thailand), how can he/she get a police clearance from Patumwan?

Can he/she just use a police clearance from his/her own country?

[junkofdavid2]

There seems to be some confusion here. The police record check in Patumwan is for people who are going on a visa run REGIONALLY to apply for a Non B. And not only for teachers. It is now everyone.

If you are applying in your home country, you may be required to submit to a bc, as some posters have now confirmed. No need to go to BKK for one.

I responded to your emails.

The only station that can do the fingerprinting is Patumwan. And it is for everyone applying for a Non B, now regionally, and as $hit flows downhill, it will be asked for in other embassies.

Interesting question:

If someone is applying for a B visa from his/her HOME country in ASIA (i.e. not living in Thailand), how can he/she get a police clearance from Patumwan?

Can he/she just use a police clearance from his/her own country?

thanks... but what's a "bc"?

cheers

[PeaceBlondie]

I assume bc is shorthand for background check (criminal), unless it's before Christ, or British Columbia.

So, let's say it's 'confirmed' that Laos is requiring this criminal check, but the clerk can't even tell you where or how, and the rest is rumor about some single place in Bangkok (as if the Chiang Rai teachers are supposed to do a 13 hour bus trip each way....). But what about Penang, Perth, Singapore, Pnom Penh, Rangoon? Anybody have first hand knowledge, or a clear website in Thai or English?

[jinjok]

my prior comments were for travelers not teachers.

i can tell you certain korea runs a chk or at least fingerprints and pretends to

my hunch is taiwan does

china i think also - + medical and litany of other paperwork. japan as well.

for teachers - i think if everything directed thru proper channels, yes. 95% no.

[spectrum]

China i think also - + medical and litany of other paperwork.

Not in my experience, unless we include Hong Kong. In mainland China, it's far simpler for foreign teachers than in Thailand, and lacks the cost of leaving the country to get your visa.

Also wanted to add that the "criminal record" was not required for an O Visa in Vientiane. They were targeting teachers. Other B-visa applicants were not required to produce this paper.

Finally, I'd repeat that you need to be very careful about teaching on a tourist visa, esp in BKK.

Good luckto everyone. Hope this does clean up the teaching scene, but thecomplete absence of warning must have left many in a tricky spot.

Has anyone established what exactly is the required paper and where it can be procured ? What if you have taught in a number of countries ??

[sweetbear]

I have been to KL twice in an attempt to get a non B to teach. The first time I was turned away due to a " new regulation" which requires a letter of approval from " the office of the education commission". Just a couple of weeks ago, after having this document in hand, my boss called KL and they said " There are no new requirements." I went ahead and booked my flight and hotel ( non refundable). Literally a day later a well informed friend sent me a text telling me about this new criminal check. I called KL... " Ah yes, this is true" they said. My visa was expiring so I went to KL to get a double entry tourist. Now I have to go to Bangkok ( from Phuket) and then leave the country again for the non B.

(By the way, I already got a non B in September by going to Khota Buru, but my paperwork was rejected, along with 10 other teachers at my school, around the time of the coup as a " new regulation" was introduced requiring people to get a letter of verification from their university.)

Anyhow as for the background check for teachers, my boss called the office in Bangkok, it will take 7 working days, it has to be done in person, at present there are no facilities for those of us who need to do it locally, hundreds of miles from Bangkok :

Here are some links

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/visa_teacher.html

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/police_clearance.html

Sb

Edited January 2, 2007 by sweetbear

[lopburi3]

http://www.thaiembassyuk.org.uk/police_clearance.html

[El Taco Loco]

Thanks for the links. Yes, bc is surely not Before Christ or Canada. lol. BC is background check. Might as well abbreviate it as we will all be typing it a lot from now on.

As other posters have stated and I know from first hand experience.... KL and Penang is requiring this ridiculous fingerprinting from Pratunam. It is far easier to get this done in your home country and get the Non B there.

For the rest of us, all falangs, teachers and non teachers, will have to ride the freegin bus to BKK and stand in line for hours and then return 7 days later.

Man, they have not planned this correctly......... Mai me eq Mai me iq leaw

[PeaceBlondie]

Thanks to lopburi3 for the links to the Thai embassy in the UK

Teachers are also discussing this at http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=99451

[lopburi3]

I have to give credit with credit is due and that is to sweetbear for providing the links.

[Ijustwannateach]

Looks to me like internal background checks- in other words, your criminal record (or lack of it) in Thailand. It's another hassle, but one which can be resolved here rather than by having to contact some sort of law enforcement agency back home.

[phormio]

... But what about Penang, Perth, Singapore, Pnom Penh, Rangoon? Anybody have first hand knowledge, or a clear website in Thai or English?

A drinking buddy of mine took his DELTA and a job at an english language institute and flew off to Penang to get his NON Imm B. This was last week. I ran into one of our mutual friends who told me that he got stuck in Penang without a visa because he didn't have a background check done in Bangkok(which he didn't know was required at the time he left). This is a reliable source - think it answers your question about Penang.

HNY

[paulmw]

We keep getting scattered reports of Thai embassies or consulates in neighboring countries requring POLICE CHECKS of criminal records, from their home country, or from some special police office in Bangkok. Some rumors say it's only for teachers, or for certain kinds of visas, or maybe citizens of certain countries.

Could we get some confirmation of precise requirements, please? Not to be whinging, but I'd like to hear more than "my mate said...."

From the horses mouth Consulate Savanaket they require this on all new B visa's.

Was there 25/12/06 & told by staff there.

Paul

[paulmw]

We keep getting scattered reports of Thai embassies or consulates in neighboring countries requring POLICE CHECKS of criminal records, from their home country, or from some special police office in Bangkok. Some rumors say it's only for teachers, or for certain kinds of visas, or maybe citizens of certain countries.

Could we get some confirmation of precise requirements, please? Not to be whinging, but I'd like to hear more than "my mate said...."

From the horses mouth Consulate Savanaket they require this on all new B visa's.

Was there 25/12/06 & told by staff there.

Paul

Sorry to add to this your own country background check verified the your embassy here + Thai B/G check.

Didn't just mention teachers he said All new b visas.

Paul

[markg]

We could all really do with knowing about the actual logistics of this.

E.g. do you have to attend the police station in Bangkok twice? Once to submit your fingerprints and then again later on to collect the completed form?

As someone has already mentioned, this is rather inconvenient if you are working in say Chiang Rai or Had Yai...............

If anyone has any actual experience of the logistics of the system, Please update here !

Edited January 3, 2007 by markg

[kudroz]

Oh my god...

I'm flying with a friend of mine Monday (Jan 8th) to Perth Australia in order to get our visas. My friend will be applying for a Non-Imm Type "B" (got the sponsored package from Sunbelt), now the Perth consulate is closed today so I called in Brisbane and they've told me that they do indeed require this background check or whatever it is.

We've booked our flights already, this isn't funny. Brisbane told me they cannot do any exceptions because it's the new regulations, blah blah.

Questions:

- Can a Canadian national who is here on entry stamps get this police clearance? They say you need to proof you have resided in Thailand (confused).

- How long does this take?

[kudroz]

Im confused, is this just for people coming here to Teach or for everyone applying for a Non-Imm "B"?

[kudroz]

nevermind me. I just called Brisbane and they said the Police Clearance is only required for Teachers.