Thai Immigration

  • Thailand NewsChinese fugitive running luxury scams in Thailand arrested

    Chinese fugitive running luxury scams in Thailand arrested

    Thai immigration authorities nabbed a Chinese fugitive running an illicit tour operation in Bangkok. Following a tip-off about an Asian man suspected of working and residing illegally in Thailand, officers launched an in-depth investigation. Duan, a 42 year old Chinese fugitive residing in a posh condominium in the Ramkhamhaeng district was apprehended. Duan was already on the radar in China…

  • Thailand NewsBangkok: Thai authorities crack down on illegal immigrant workers

    Bangkok: Thai authorities crack down on illegal immigrant workers

    Thai immigration officers cracked down on immigrant workers allegedly encroaching on local professions in Bangkok’s bustling Ratchathewi district. Thai immigration officers, alongside immigration police and Phaya Thai police, have disclosed a meticulously planned operation aimed at eliminating immigrant workers accused of infringing upon the livelihoods of Thai locals without proper authorisation. The operation, which took place yesterday, saw more than…

  • Thailand NewsThailand suspends TM 6 immigration forms to boost tourism

    Thailand suspends TM 6 immigration forms to boost tourism

    The Government of Thailand has put a halt to the obligatory TM 6 immigration forms for foreigners arriving in the country via land or sea, effective from April 15 to October 15. This resolution, approved by the Cabinet on April 9, is a response to a suggestion by Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, according to ministry spokeswoman Traisuree Taisaranakul. This pause…

  • Thailand NewsMalaysian tourists inquire Thai immigration arrival card exemption

    Malaysian tourists inquire Thai immigration arrival card exemption

    Inquiries from Malaysian tourists have flooded hotel operators, eager for the inside scoop on Thailand’s immigration policy regarding the exemption of arrival cards for travellers from Malaysia. Songchai Mungprasitthichai, chairman of the Songkhla Tourism Promotion Association, revealed that Malaysians are particularly curious about potential extensions beyond the current expiry date of April 30. Travellers from all corners of the globe…

  • Crime NewsVisa villains vamoosed: Thailand’s Immigration Police pounce on six suspects for fraud, overstays, and shady transactions

    Visa villains vamoosed: Thailand’s Immigration Police pounce on six suspects for fraud, overstays, and shady transactions

    Thailand’s Immigration Police recently nabbed six foreign suspects in three distinct cases of visa fraud, overstaying, and illegal money transactions. According to the Immigration Bureau (IB) commissioner, Police Lieutenant General Itthipol Itthisaranachai, some of the culprits are now awaiting deportation to their home countries for prosecution. Highlighting the first instance, Itthipol drew attention to a group of four Pakistani individuals…

  • Thailand NewsChinese Christians seeking asylum in Thailand fear repercussions if they’re deported to China

    Chinese Christians seeking asylum in Thailand fear repercussions if they’re deported to China

    Members of a Chinese Christian church seeking asylum in Thailand fear they will be jailed if they are deported back to China. Thai immigration officials yesterday detained 63 members of the Mayflower Church, a Chinese Christian church seeking asylum in Thailand. The group, including men, women, and children, had been attempting to relocate to the United States since August of…

  • Press RoomThailand Covid insurance for Thailand Pass

    Thailand Covid insurance for Thailand Pass

    Press Release One of the most important requirements for visitors to Thailand now that the old rules have been lifted is the COVID-19 insurance plan for foreigners, which covers at least $10,000. In addition to meeting all the other requirements, the traveller must also have a valid visa and a Thailand Pass. This health insurance is an extra safety measure to…

  • Visa InformationDeadline to apply for “Covid” visa extension now May 24, immigration gets stricter

    Deadline to apply for “Covid” visa extension now May 24, immigration gets stricter

    The deadline to apply for the 60-day “Covid” visa extension scheme has been pushed back another two months. The deadline was set for last Friday, March 25, but Thai Immigration quietly pushed the deadline back to May 24 (as they have in the past). No formal announcement was made, but a signed document was leaked by expats on social media.…

  • Visa InformationDeadline this Friday to apply for 60-day “Covid” visa extension

    Deadline this Friday to apply for 60-day “Covid” visa extension

    This Friday is the deadline to apply for the 60-day “Covid” visa extension, which is no longer offered to those on a Non-Immigrant Visa under the latest order. The extension is intended for those who cannot return to their home countries due to the pandemic and the deadline has been pushed back numerous times, without any formal announcements from the…

  • Thailand NewsThailands new long term 10 year visa for wealthy foreigners & Digital nomads

    Thailands new long term 10 year visa for wealthy foreigners & Digital nomads

    Thailand is offering new long term 10 year visa for wealthy foreigners and digital nomads. What are the specifics and regulations regarding this visa? Is it going to be similar to the smart visa plan? Where do the digital nomads fit in all of this? Tim sits with Ben Hart from Integrity legal to find out more.

  • Visa InformationThailand approves plan to attract highly-skilled foreign workers, investors, wealthy retirees

    Thailand approves plan to attract highly-skilled foreign workers, investors, wealthy retirees

    Measures aimed at attracting wealthy long-stay foreigners to Thailand have been approved in principle by Cabinet. The government is targeting foreign investors, highly-skilled professionals and wealthy retirees in a bid to develop the Covid-battered economy. Long-term residence visas of up to 10 years are on offer, along with work permits for those who qualify, according to Thai PBS World. Government…

  • Thailand NewsHow do you get permanent residency in Thailand?

    How do you get permanent residency in Thailand?

    What is the point of getting permanent residency in Thailand? What are the benefits of having such a document? What are the things you can and can’t do? What is the criteria for being able to apply for a PR? Find out more in todays episode where Tim sits down with Benjamin Hart from Integrity Legal to talk about the…

  • Crime NewsTwo arrested for allegedly kidnapping a woman, posting video her tied up on TikTok

    Two arrested for allegedly kidnapping a woman, posting video her tied up on TikTok

    A Burmese man and woman were arrested for allegedly kidnapping another Burmese woman, and then posting a video of her with her ankles chained and hands tied on the social media platform TikTok. The suspects allegedly abducted the woman, who is said to be a popular social media influencer among Burmese netizens, in Pathum Thani, which is north of Bangkok. …

  • Thailand NewsThai Immigration launches online 90 day report system

    Thai Immigration launches online 90 day report system

    A new online system for 90-day checks with immigration has been launched by Thailand’s Immigration Bureau. Online 90-day reporting has been glitchy in the past… So let us know how it worked for you. A confirmation could come through hours after applying. And be sure to check the spam folder. You can register at https://tm47.immigration.go.th/tm47/#/register/add Foreigners who are permitted to…

  • Thailand video newsIs Bangkok Sinking? Thailand wants wealthy foreigners | Good Morning Thailand LIVE | Ep. 127

    Is Bangkok Sinking? Thailand wants wealthy foreigners | Good Morning Thailand LIVE | Ep. 127

    In today’s episode Jay, Tim and Caitlin talk with Mike regarding his success and failure with the Thailand Pass. The Flooding in Bangkok that is devastating some areas. Thailand trying to attract wealthy foreigners and social media outrage in Thailand.

  • Visa InformationGovernment officials meet to discuss long-term visa options for foreigners

    Government officials meet to discuss long-term visa options for foreigners

    A government spokesman says the Thai PM has met with several members of his cabinet to discuss long-term residency options for foreigners. Thanakorn Wangboonkongchana says PM Prayut Chan-o-cha is currently in talks with a number of ministries and relevant agencies as to how to attract more foreign investment to the kingdom. The Bangkok Post reports that the PM met yesterday…

  • Visa InformationThai cabinet approves new visa package to lure wealthy expats and digital nomads

    Thai cabinet approves new visa package to lure wealthy expats and digital nomads

    The government is forging ahead with a new visa package that targets rich expats, in an attempt to inject some foreign money into an economy decimated by Covid-19. The package will include attractive perks, such as a 10-year visa that covers not just the individual, but their spouse and children too. It also partially addresses the so-called digital nomads – people…

  • South Thailand NewsThai immigration official transferred amid allegations of bribery

    Thai immigration official transferred amid allegations of bribery

    A Thai immigration official has been transferred and an investigation launched following allegations of corruption. The officer is accused of demanding regular bribes from an immigrant in the Hat Yai district of Songkhla, in southern Thailand. Officers from Immigration Division 6 have now launched an investigation into the claims. They insist the investigation will be transparent and impartial, adding that…

  • Thailand NewsHat Yai immigration officer investigated for alleged extortion

    Hat Yai immigration officer investigated for alleged extortion

    Immigration police are investigating an officer in Songkhla’s Hat Yai district for alleged extortion after an audio clip of an officer asking an immigrant for a monthly fee was shared on a watchdog Facebook page. A committee has been set up by Immigration Division 6 to investigate the case and to determine whether an immigration officer was involved. The division says the…

  • Pattaya NewsAmerican charged after not wearing a face mask at a Taco Bell in Pattaya

    American charged after not wearing a face mask at a Taco Bell in Pattaya

    A 33 year old American man was recently charged for not wearing a face mask at a Taco Bell in Pattaya. Earlier this month, the expat and another foreign resident got into a heated argument at the soft opening of Taco Bell over whether to wear face masks while in line to order at the fast-food restaurant. After being confronted…

  • Crime NewsAlleged leaders of a drug cartel in Germany arrested in Phuket and Koh Pha Ngan

    Alleged leaders of a drug cartel in Germany arrested in Phuket and Koh Pha Ngan

    The suspected leaders of a European drug trafficking network arrested by Thai police this week had reportedly been living in Thailand for several years as fugitives. Reports say German officials had filed an Interpol red notice for their arrest in a crackdown where 20 people allegedly involved in the drug trafficking operation were arrested in Germany. Allegedly, they were trafficking…

  • Visa InformationFinance Ministry challenges tax cut proposal for holders of new long-stay visa

    Finance Ministry challenges tax cut proposal for holders of new long-stay visa

    A proposal to introduce a long-stay visa for 4 target groups of foreigners has already hit a hitch, with the Finance Ministry pushing back against a suggested tax rate of 17% on local earnings. The ministry argues that the reduced rate will affect government revenue. Under the proposal, wealthy foreign nationals could apply for a special visa that would permit…

  • Visa Information60-day “Covid” visa extension now allows stays until late September

    60-day “Covid” visa extension now allows stays until late September

    Foreigners who are stuck in Thailand, either by choice or because they cannot return to their home country due to the pandemic, can now stay in the “Land of Smiles” until late September. The Thai Immigration Bureau recently announced that the deadline to apply for the 60-day “Covid” visa extension has been pushed from May 29 to July 29, now…

  • Visa InformationThai Immigration says online system for 90 day reports is back up and running

    Thai Immigration says online system for 90 day reports is back up and running

    The Thai Immigration’s online system for 90 day checks for foreigners living in Thailand is back up and running. So we’re told anyway. Expats should now be able to report their address every 3 months online rather than in person or by mail. The announcement was made on the immigration bureau’s Facebook page and was written in Thai. Just yesterday,…

  • Visa InformationProposals to get rid of 90 day reporting and ease investment rules in Thailand

    Proposals to get rid of 90 day reporting and ease investment rules in Thailand

    In amongst a sea of bad new over the past week, a glimmer of hope for expats and long-stay travellers. You better sit down… The Thai government are looking into changing the long standing 90 day reporting for people staying in Thailand longer than 90 days on a long-stay visa. But don’t get out the champagne just yet. For the…

  • Visa InformationThailand visa extension explained, April 2021 | VIDEO

    Thailand visa extension explained, April 2021 | VIDEO

    Some clarification about the 60 day extensions to visas that had been extended in the past as part of the Covid visa amnesty for foreign travellers in Thailand who were ‘stuck’ in the country or wished to stay for whatever reason. Caitlin Ashworth from The Thaiger explains the details. For the latest details on everything about the re-opening of the…

  • Pattaya NewsASQ hotel scam: Thai woman allegedly sold bogus quarantine package for 35,000 baht

    ASQ hotel scam: Thai woman allegedly sold bogus quarantine package for 35,000 baht

    A Thai woman in Chon Buri was arrested for allegedly posting a fake advertisement for a Alternative State Quarantine Hotel and selling the bogus package deal for 35,000 baht to a foreigner who was planning to travel to Thailand. An African woman, who had been preparing for a trip to Thailand with her son, reported the alleged scam to the…

  • Thailand NewsFormer immigration chief “Big Joke” back at Royal Thai Police

    Former immigration chief “Big Joke” back at Royal Thai Police

    The former immigration chief known as “Big Joke” has been appointed by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha as advisor of the Royal Thai Police after a 2-year hiatus from law enforcement. Surachet Hakparn, nicknamed Big Joke by Thai media, suddenly fell from grace in back 2019 when he was sidelined into an inactive role without any published reason. He even ended up…

  • Visa InformationMake an appointment online for tourist visa extensions – Thai Immigration

    Make an appointment online for tourist visa extensions – Thai Immigration

    For those who need to extend their tourist visa, the Thai Immigration Bureau asks that applicants make an appointment online to reserve their spot in line. The bureau says the online appointments are aimed at preventing the spread of Covid-19 by reducing overcrowding and making sure people abide by social distancing practices. Applicants who need to extend a tourist visa,…

  • Visa InformationCovid-19 test NOT required for visa extensions (at least not today)

    Covid-19 test NOT required for visa extensions (at least not today)

    No, you don’t, yes, you do… Expats are scratching their heads over the mixed messages circulating in relation to the latest Thailand immigration requirements, not to mention the announcements (and retractions) published in the nation’s English-language media outlets. It all began over the weekend, when the nation’s favourite part time travel blogger, Bangkok Post fanboy and School staff in Samut…