In a revision to the rules for non-immigrant OA visas, foreigners will now be required to hold a minimum of 3 million baht in health insurance, for in-patient services, in order to be eligible for long-term stays in Thailand, 8 times more than the 400,000 baht that has been previously required.
The OA visa is also known as the Retirement visa (or Geeza visa).
According to Thai PBS World, the new rule was announced yesterday by the Deputy Minister of Public Health, Satit Pitutacha, saying that the increase in insurance is necessary to make sure that, should a traveller get ill during their one year in the country, more insurance money available is necessary to guarantee they receive the proper treatment.
The massively increased insurance requirement would be for foreigners with a non-immigrant visa including O Visas and A Visas staying up to one year inside of Thailand. Due to the strict border control that closed entry to nearly everyone, just 3,768 expats and foreign travellers were granted non-immigrant visas in all of 2021 and 2020.
The Health Ministry says that insurance policies can be purchased from their home country or domestically within Thailand, but stipulate that the coverage must maintain that minimum of 3 million baht or the equivalent if the policy is issued in a foreign currency.
The announcement will likely be met with displeasure and backlash from international travellers hoping to make Thailand their home long-term, or at least for one year. It is especially difficult for those hoping to retire in Thailand as insurance policy premiums are infamous for skyrocketing once the applicant passes a certain age, increasing exponentially with age under the assumption that older people are more prone to illnesses and accidents.
As Thailand releases plan after plan to lure back tourists, many complain that the complicated entry process, the rising costs, and constant changes to immigration policy not to the benefit of international travellers seems to be simultaneously pushing away the same expats with money that the country espouses to be courting.
SOURCE: Thai PBS World / The Thaiger
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Showing posts with label Immigration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Immigration. Show all posts
Thursday 21 October 2021
Thailand requires 3 million baht insurance for ‘retirement’ visas
Tuesday 7 July 2020
Visa amnesty extension for foreigners “being considered”
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau is considering extending the current visa amnesty for foreigners stranded in Thailand. The Foreign Ministry’s deputy spokesperson made the announcement at this morning’s daily Covid-19 briefing by the Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration.
The Cabinet’s last resolution was to grant an automatic visa extension for foreigners stranded here to stay until July 30. The deputy spokesperson asked for patience and said the bureau’s decision on the subject will announced soon.
In April, the Cabinet granted a second automatic visa extension for foreigners for 3 months. The extended amnesty was a bid to prevent long queues at immigration centres around the country. A spokeswoman for the Thai government said then that they wanted to stem the spread of the virus and avoid foreigners having to wait in lines, threatening their own health and that of immigration officials.
Only 1 new case of the virus was reported in Thailand today, a 24 year old woman who returned from Bahrain on June 28 and tested positive in state quarantine in Chon Buri province after showing symptoms.
As of today the total number of confirmed cases in the country since the outbreak stands at 3,180 (2,444 domestic cases and 243 in state quarantine). 3,066 have recovered and been discharged, making the recovery rate 96%. There have been 58 deaths.
Globally, the total number of confirmed cases reached 11 million, up by 179,000 in Thursday (up an additional million in less than a week). 5.9 million people have recovered while total deaths now stand at 524,580.
The Cabinet’s last resolution was to grant an automatic visa extension for foreigners stranded here to stay until July 30. The deputy spokesperson asked for patience and said the bureau’s decision on the subject will announced soon.
In April, the Cabinet granted a second automatic visa extension for foreigners for 3 months. The extended amnesty was a bid to prevent long queues at immigration centres around the country. A spokeswoman for the Thai government said then that they wanted to stem the spread of the virus and avoid foreigners having to wait in lines, threatening their own health and that of immigration officials.
Only 1 new case of the virus was reported in Thailand today, a 24 year old woman who returned from Bahrain on June 28 and tested positive in state quarantine in Chon Buri province after showing symptoms.
As of today the total number of confirmed cases in the country since the outbreak stands at 3,180 (2,444 domestic cases and 243 in state quarantine). 3,066 have recovered and been discharged, making the recovery rate 96%. There have been 58 deaths.
Globally, the total number of confirmed cases reached 11 million, up by 179,000 in Thursday (up an additional million in less than a week). 5.9 million people have recovered while total deaths now stand at 524,580.
Source - The Thaiger / Bangkok Jack
Friday 26 June 2020
#Thailand’s Immigration Eases Reporting Rules for Foreigners
Thailand’s Immigration Bureau reports property owners will no longer be required to report foreign tenants at their properties as often as before. The Immigration Bureau has changed the reporting frequency to only when they arrive.
Section 38 of the Immigration Act requires that property or hotel owners who take in foreigners as guests notify officials within 24 hours.
They do not need to file the reports again if the guests leave the premises temporarily and then return. Or when they have multiple-entry visas or re-entry permits. The bureau called the amendment “a move to end duplication”.
Landlords are still required to report the arrivals of tenants within 24 hours or face a fine up to 10,000 baht.
Section 38 of the Immigration Act requires that property or hotel owners who take in foreigners as guests notify officials within 24 hours.
They do not need to file the reports again if the guests leave the premises temporarily and then return. Or when they have multiple-entry visas or re-entry permits. The bureau called the amendment “a move to end duplication”.
Landlords are still required to report the arrivals of tenants within 24 hours or face a fine up to 10,000 baht.
Landlords include Thai and foreigners property owners
The change followed complaints from property owners about the need to repeatedly file TM30 reports on their foreign guests. Especially every time they arrive at their properties. Complaints were also lodged by foreigners who were unable to get services at immigration offices. Especially for not being able to prove that TM30s had been filed on their behalf.
Landlords include Thai and foreigners who own properties in Thailand. Also hotel managers and other accommodation operators the Immigration Bureau reports.
Property owners are required to file TM30 reports at www.immigration.go.th website; or submit them in person or by mail to the immigration offices in their provinces; or the Immigration Division 1 Office at Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road in the case of Bangkok, the Bangkok Post report.
Seven Groups of Foreigners to be Allowed Entry into Thailand
Meanwhile, A spokesman for the Immigration Bureau in Thailand has announced plans to allow seven groups of foreigners to enter the country. They have divided the foreigners into two main groups.
The first group may not include those under the so-called “travel bubble” international pact. Because they may be required to undertake state quarantine on entry:
1. Businessman and investors
2. Skilled labourers and exporters who need to inspect factories or for specific business purposes (around 22,000 have registered).
3. Foreigners married to Thais, or permanent residents of Thailand (around 2,000 have registered).
4. Medical and wellness tourists (around 30,000 have registered).
The other group comprises foreign travelers who won’t need quarantine on entry:
1. Businessman on short-duration stays, including those coming into the country for business discussions. This group might need a specific area and intense screening both before travel and at arrival at airports. Considered a “power group”, these are entrepreneurs who will visit the country to sign business contracts or inspect sites or factories, which is essential to the economy.
2. Government guests who are invited for ceremonies or specific seminars.
3. Tourists under the travel bubble. Dr Taweesin said that the target countries are China, Japan and South Korea, which are presently trying to contain the virus.
Furthermore the Immigration Bureau aims to discuss the issue in depth with the Cabinet after finalizing the details.
Source - Chiang Rai Times
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Monday 27 April 2020
Thai Government Extends All Foreigners Visas Until the End July
Foreigners locked down due to the coronavirus in Thailand have been granted another automatic visa extension for three months. The three-month extension from May 1 to July 31 was printed in the Royal Gazette on Friday.
The announcement was made by the Interior Ministry and was signed by Prime Minister and Interior Minister.
The extension covers foreigners holding all types of non-immigrant visas. Including visas on arrival, visa-free arrivals and border passes, according to the Bangkok Post.
Foreigners locked down due to the coronavirus in Thailand have been granted another automatic visa extension for three months. The three-month extension from May 1 to July 31 was printed in the Royal Gazette on Friday.
The announcement was made by the Interior Ministry and was signed by Prime Minister and Interior Minister.
The extension covers foreigners holding all types of non-immigrant visas. Including visas on arrival, visa-free arrivals and border passes, according to the Bangkok Post.
The Immigration Bureau explained on its website that foreign residents required to re-enter the country within one year will not be penalized for missing the deadline.
However, it warned that border pass holders have to leave Thailand within a week of the checkpoints reopening.
The extraordinary measures are designed to help foreigners cope with the travel restrictions. Also because of border closures enacted in the campaign to contain Covid-19.
No new cases of foreigners catching virus
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Health Department reported 15 new coronavirus cases and zero deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 2,922. Thailand’s death cases remains at 51 as of Sunday.
The number of new cases was a sharp drop from the 53 recorded on Saturday. The cases numbers jumped because 42 migrants infected with the virus were trying to jump the border in Songkhla.
Of the new cases, four were linked to previous cases, another four had no known links. While five new patients are arrivals from overseas who have been under mandatory quarantine. Even more there was no new infections amount foreign tourist or long stays visa holder.
Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, a spokesman for the Health department said since the outbreak in Thailand, 2,594 patients have recovered and gone home.
Foreigners locked down due to the coronavirus in Thailand have been granted another automatic visa extension for three months. The three-month extension from May 1 to July 31 was printed in the Royal Gazette on Friday.
The announcement was made by the Interior Ministry and was signed by Prime Minister and Interior Minister.
The extension covers foreigners holding all types of non-immigrant visas. Including visas on arrival, visa-free arrivals and border passes, according to the Bangkok Post.
The Immigration Bureau explained on its website that foreign residents required to re-enter the country within one year will not be penalized for missing the deadline.
However, it warned that border pass holders have to leave Thailand within a week of the checkpoints reopening.
The extraordinary measures are designed to help foreigners cope with the travel restrictions. Also because of border closures enacted in the campaign to contain Covid-19.
No new cases of foreigners catching virus
Meanwhile, Thailand’s Health Department reported 15 new coronavirus cases and zero deaths, bringing the total number of cases to 2,922. Thailand’s death cases remains at 51 as of Sunday.
The number of new cases was a sharp drop from the 53 recorded on Saturday. The cases numbers jumped because 42 migrants infected with the virus were trying to jump the border in Songkhla.
Of the new cases, four were linked to previous cases, another four had no known links. While five new patients are arrivals from overseas who have been under mandatory quarantine. Even more there was no new infections amount foreign tourist or long stays visa holder.
Dr. Taweesilp Visanuyothin, a spokesman for the Health department said since the outbreak in Thailand, 2,594 patients have recovered and gone home.
Source - Chiang Rai Times
Friday 13 March 2020
Thailand - Visas on arrival being denied 18 nationalities
(Update) Beginning on Friday (March 13), visitors to Thailand from 18 countries will no longer be eligible for visas on arrival, Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda announced on Thursday.
The measure, aimed at checking the spread of the Covid-19 virus, will remain in effect until September 30.
Anupong said visitors must apply for visas in their home countries and bring a certificate of sound health.
Visitors from hard-hit locales Italy, South Korea and Hong Kong also become ineligible for visa-free entry, he said.
The 18 countries are Bulgaria, Bhutan, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, India, Kazakhstan, Malta, Mexico, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu and “China (including Taiwan)”.
A government panel made the call on Wednesday at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who is also heading the Covid-19 management centre.
Prayut and Anupong signed off on this Interior Ministry order on Thursday.
However, Department of Consular Affairs' director-general Chatree Atchananant said earlier today that there would be no official announcement of the measure until the Cabinet considers it on March 17, before Anupong came out later to confirm that the measure would be implemented tomorrow (March 13).
Source - TheNation
Friday 20 December 2019
#Vietnam extends visa exemption to eight countries till 2022
Visitors from Russia, Japan, South Korea, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Belarus will continue to enjoy Vietnamese visa exemptions for the next three years.
To afford the tourism industry growth impetus, the government agreed on visa waivers for above citizens until December 31, 2022, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) said Tuesday. Travelers will be allowed to remain in Vietnam for 15 days.
The visa exemption program for these eight countries commenced in 2015, set to expire on December 31 this year.
The number of Russian, Japanese and South Korean tourists accounted for about one third of all foreign visitors to Vietnam in 2018.
South Korea provides the second largest group of visitors to the country after China. In 2018, nearly 3.5 million South Koreans came to Vietnam, a 44 percent year-on-year increase, accounting for 22 percent of all international arrivals (15.5 million).
Japan came third with 800,000 tourists last year, rising by 3.6 percent from a year ago while Russia posted sixth with a record 606,000 visitors or 4 percent of total foreign arrivals.
European countries like Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Belarus are additional emerging tourism markets. Western Europeans are big spenders and shell out on average $1,316 per trip while overall foreign visitors spend $900, VNAT data shows.
The government's three-year visa extension for eight tourism markets will assist travel agencies, airlines, and investors develop long-term plans. However, businesses are calling for an increase in visa-free duration from 15 days to 30 days due to the long-haul nature of travel between Europe and Vietnam.
Vietnam features among Asian countries with the strictest visa policy. The country currently offers visa waivers to visitors from only 24 countries and territories including ASEAN co-members.
Indonesia, one of the world’s most liberalized countries for visas, grants visa-free travel to 169 nationalities, while the figure for Singapore is 158, Malaysia 155 and Thailand 61.
The number of foreigners visiting Vietnam in the first 11 months of this year is estimated at 16.3 million, an all-time high and up 15.3 percent year-on-year. Tourism revenue in the period came to around VND649 trillion ($27.96 billion), up 16.3 percent.
As 2019 draws to a close, the country’s tourism industry is well placed to meet its annual target of receiving 18 million visitors.
Vietnam features among Asian countries with the strictest visa policy. The country currently offers visa waivers to visitors from only 24 countries and territories including ASEAN co-members.
Indonesia, one of the world’s most liberalized countries for visas, grants visa-free travel to 169 nationalities, while the figure for Singapore is 158, Malaysia 155 and Thailand 61.
The number of foreigners visiting Vietnam in the first 11 months of this year is estimated at 16.3 million, an all-time high and up 15.3 percent year-on-year. Tourism revenue in the period came to around VND649 trillion ($27.96 billion), up 16.3 percent.
As 2019 draws to a close, the country’s tourism industry is well placed to meet its annual target of receiving 18 million visitors.
Source - VN Express
Wednesday 11 December 2019
The Thais want to examine your bank accounts
It has been reported that immigration agents in #Pattaya are being taught how to examine foreigner’s bank accounts for what they are calling ‘financial irregularities.’
Hundreds of officers attended a training seminar in the city designed to show them how to detect what had been described as ‘money laundering.’
In theory this means discovering bank accounts concealing funds that cannot be explained and may have been accrued through illegal activities.
Although, in reality, it seems officers are attempting to put a stop to agents who arrange long-term retirement visas for foreigners by declaring funds held in a proxy account that do NOT belong to the applicant.
The training seminar was held in Bang Lamung and presented by Lt-Gen Suwat Chaengyortsuk.
Sophon Cable TV said that the seminar was an attempt to ‘increase the efficiency of officers and show them what measures are available under the current immigration law.
The initiative was described as ‘ongoing’ with technical improvements being added in the future.
Is anybody really comfortable with Thai immigration officers having free and easy access to their bank accounts, especially at a time when it is being demanded that a minimum of Bt800,000 must be held in foreign owned accounts at all times?
What could possibly go wrong – and were is this leading?
Hundreds of officers attended a training seminar in the city designed to show them how to detect what had been described as ‘money laundering.’
In theory this means discovering bank accounts concealing funds that cannot be explained and may have been accrued through illegal activities.
Although, in reality, it seems officers are attempting to put a stop to agents who arrange long-term retirement visas for foreigners by declaring funds held in a proxy account that do NOT belong to the applicant.
The training seminar was held in Bang Lamung and presented by Lt-Gen Suwat Chaengyortsuk.
Sophon Cable TV said that the seminar was an attempt to ‘increase the efficiency of officers and show them what measures are available under the current immigration law.
The initiative was described as ‘ongoing’ with technical improvements being added in the future.
Is anybody really comfortable with Thai immigration officers having free and easy access to their bank accounts, especially at a time when it is being demanded that a minimum of Bt800,000 must be held in foreign owned accounts at all times?
What could possibly go wrong – and were is this leading?
Source - BangkokJack
Monday 9 December 2019
#German media reporting MASS SCAMMING in #Thailand
The Interior Ministry has instructed state agencies to step up tourist safety after a German media report that #scams are widespread in #Thailand.
The move comes after German television show Achtung Abzocke reported
on scams targeting foreigners, such as taxis charging excessive fares,
overpriced products and services, gangs selling fake rail tickets and
driving licences, and people pretending to be tourist police, said
Ronnakit Ekkasingh, deputy mayor of the Pattaya Special Administration.
Mr Ronnakit was commenting on Saturday at a meeting to discuss
measures to ensure tourist safety. Present were the Tourism Authority of
Thailand’s Pattaya office, tourism associations, tourist police and immigration police.
Mr Ronnakit said Pattaya
has an annual tourism income of more than 270 billion baht from its 18
million visitors. Of them, 10 million are foreign travelers, he said,
adding it is important to come up with measures to keep them safe.
He said the meeting agreed to integrate the work of agencies to
prepare for the tourist high-season, with a command centre to be set up
near Bali Hai Pier in southern Pattaya.
Source - BangkokJack
Thursday 17 October 2019
Thailand - New app for ex-pat’s 90-day reporting
The “OSS Foreigner” app is coming, and you will be able to use it for 90 day reporting, according to the Secretary-General at the office of the PM.
Dr Kobsak Pootrakool says the planned app can be used for all
immigration reporting, including 90 day reports, adding that typing in
the required data and uploading a selfie will accomplish the same result
as filling out paperwork at the local immigration office but without
having to make the trip there.
Dr Kobsak has been given responsibility for sorting out the TM30
debate and says the immigration app, called OSS Foreigner, is nearly
complete and should make all those who live and work in Thailand feel
more welcome and make compliance easier and more convenient.
The TM30 form, and its companion, the TM28, have been a source of
expat displeasure over the past five months since the immigration
department decided to enforce a little-used 1979 law that required
foreigners to report their whereabouts if they had stayed overnight at
an address different from their registered address.
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This latest move comes as part of a wider program to make Thai public
services more efficient, with Dr Kobsak making the announcement while
outlining plans for all Thai government departments to embrace digital
technology by as early as 2022.
Meanwhile, the Deputy PM Somkid Jatusripitak is championing a
programme to improve Thai public services for both Thai citizens and
foreigners.
“The government’s new approach to IT and digital technology is
designed to deliver a smarter, easier service as part of the Thailand
4.0 economic model.” – The Pattaya News
Application for android & iPhone for 90 day reporting called eServices
DOWNLOAD THE APP
Application for android & iPhone for 90 day reporting called eServices
DOWNLOAD THE APP
Source - BangkokJack
Saturday 5 October 2019
Nationals of six more countries granted visa-on-arrival into #Myanmar (Burma)
The Myanmar government has introduced new
regulations to facilitate easier access for foreign tourists as another
step towards opening up the country to the world .
Started from October 1, tourists from six
countries (Australia, Germany, Italy, Russia, Spain and Switzerland) can
enter Myanmar on visa-on-arrival (VOA) at Yangon, Mandalay and Nay Pyi
Taw International Airports.
Pre-arrangement is not required for passport holders of these six countries, they can simply apply for a visa
at any of the three airports for a fee of US$50 each.
Visitors from Japan, South Korean, Hong Kong and Macau were granted visa-free entry last year.
Indian and mainland Chinese nationals were also granted visas-on-arrival
(VOA) into Myanmar in a move to draw more Asian visitors to the
country.
In the second quarter, Myanmar saw an increase in arrivals from countries granted visas free and visas-on-arrival treatment.
"We hope the new regulation will lead to more foreign travellers to
Myanmar, to discover the country's unique culture and most of all, the
hospitality of its people," said May Myat Mon Win, Chairperson of
Myanmar Tourism Marketing.
Myanmar Tourism Marketing has organised roadshows, trade shows and media
familiarisation trips for journalists, TV producers and digital
marketing influencers from around the world.
Visa-free and visa on arrival entry from these Western countries would further boost growth of the Myanmar tourism industry.
Source - The Nation
Friday 20 September 2019
#Thailand - Immigration overhaul – TM6 disappearing and TM30 App being launched
.
“We made the decision last Friday. Within two to three months, life will be much easier for foreign tourists and expats.”
In
what appears to be a major overhaul of immigration procedures, dare we
say ‘modernisation’, foreign visitors will soon no longer have to fill
out the “TM6” arrival forms.
The white and blue form has been a source
of confusion for decades as passengers try to fill them out on planes or
in a mad rush when they arrive at immigration desks without them, for
decades.
The reason for the decision to go all-digital with the
arrival procedure is that, of all reasons, the storage of all the white
and blue cards had become an issue.
.
But wait, there’s more.
Now khaosodenglish.com are reporting
that Thai immigration is not only doing away with the TM6 forms, they’re
about to launch a new mobile phone app to make TM30 reporting easier.
Kobsak
Pootrakool, the Deputy Secretary-General to the PM, also mentioned on
Tuesday that another app is being developed to allow long-stay
foreigners to complete their 90 day reporting with their smart phone.
And, yes, he said a smartphone App was also going to make the TM30
reporting easier.
The TM30 form, and its companion, the TM28, have been a source of expat displeasure over the past five months since the immigration department decided to enforce a little-used 1979 law that required foreigners to report their whereabouts if they had stayed overnight at an address different from their registered address.
The same applied for landlords or owners of accommodation to report foreigners staying at their venues within 24 hours. Along the way there appeared cracks in the enforcement with all sorts of variations and conundrums being thrown up at organised panel meetings and online, little of which was answered with any certainty from the Thai immigration authorities.
Kobsak now claims that the changes are designed to attract more visitors and accommodate those already living in the kingdom.
.
.
“We made the decision last Friday. Within two to three months, life will be much easier for foreign tourists and expats.”
“Foreigners will be able to report their whereabouts with just four clicks on their smartphone to fulfill regulations that require them to report to immigration authorities every 90 days.”
Deputy immigration commander Nattapon Sawaengkit has confirmed the move to move the TM30 reporting online when contacted for comment, but assigned another officer to explain the details, according to the khaosodenglish.com report.
Everyone’s favourite arrival procedure, the TM6 form.
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Source - The Thaiger
The TM30 form, and its companion, the TM28, have been a source of expat displeasure over the past five months since the immigration department decided to enforce a little-used 1979 law that required foreigners to report their whereabouts if they had stayed overnight at an address different from their registered address.
The same applied for landlords or owners of accommodation to report foreigners staying at their venues within 24 hours. Along the way there appeared cracks in the enforcement with all sorts of variations and conundrums being thrown up at organised panel meetings and online, little of which was answered with any certainty from the Thai immigration authorities.
Kobsak now claims that the changes are designed to attract more visitors and accommodate those already living in the kingdom.
.
.
“We made the decision last Friday. Within two to three months, life will be much easier for foreign tourists and expats.”
“Foreigners will be able to report their whereabouts with just four clicks on their smartphone to fulfill regulations that require them to report to immigration authorities every 90 days.”
Deputy immigration commander Nattapon Sawaengkit has confirmed the move to move the TM30 reporting online when contacted for comment, but assigned another officer to explain the details, according to the khaosodenglish.com report.
Everyone’s favourite arrival procedure, the TM6 form.
.
Source - The Thaiger
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Wednesday 18 September 2019
#Thailand scraps "arrival and departure card" for tourists and comes with app for TM30
.
A senior Thai official said yesterday that foreign tourists will soon no longer have to fill in a "departure and arrival card" (TM6) when they arrive in Thailand.
Kobsak Pootrakool, deputy sec-gen to the Prime Minister, also touted a
mobile application in the works for 24-hour reporting under the TM30
form system, which has been a source of controversy
in recent months. Kobsak said both changes are designed to attract more
visitors and accommodate those already living in the kingdom.
“We made the decision last Friday. Within two to three months, life
will be much easier [for foreign tourists and expats],” Kobsak said.
He spoke at a gala dinner to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Elite
Plus Magazine at a hotel in Bangkok on Tuesday evening, where audience
members included ambassadors from ten or so countries.
Explaining the government’s decision, Kobsak said arrival and
departure forms for tourists, known as TM6 forms, have led to a storage
problems. The government expects a total of 20 million visitors to
Thailand this year.
.
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“[The immigration police] have to have a huge warehouse to store
these papers,” Kobsak said, adding that the police rarely look at the
information in the forms, which are only stored “just in case.”
He also said the government and the immigration police agreed last
Friday to streamline other procedures. Foreigners will be able to report
their whereabouts with just “four clicks” on a smartphone to fulfill
regulations that require them to report to immigration authorities every
90 days.
But the cherry on top seems to the revelation that the police are
developing a mobile phone application for the infamous TM30 form, which
requires foreign residents and their Thai landlords to file a report to
the police every time the former spends a night outside their registered
province.
Tourists are generally exempted from the rule, as the forms are filed by their hotels and accommodation hosts.
Deputy immigration commander Nattapon Sawaengkit confirmed the move on Wednesday when reached for comment, but assigned another officer to explain the details.
“The apps are not finished yet. QR codes will likely be used but it’s
not concrete yet. It will likely be on a smartphone,” the officer said.
Harsher enforcement of TM30 forms has recently driven expats in Thailand to air their grievances on social media. They say the 40-year-old regulation is outdated and should be amended or scrapped entirely.
The European Association for Business and Commerce, which represents European firms and businesses in Thailand, also urged reforms to TM30 in a statement to Kobsak yesterday.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday night, Kobsak said the law will still remain on the books, but pledged to end foreigners’ discontent with the form. He also acknowledged the government should do better in attracting foreign investment and manpower.
Deputy immigration commander Nattapon Sawaengkit confirmed the move on Wednesday when reached for comment, but assigned another officer to explain the details.
The officer, who declined to give his name, gave little information other than hinting that QR codes will likely be used.
Harsher enforcement of TM30 forms has recently driven expats in Thailand to air their grievances on social media. They say the 40-year-old regulation is outdated and should be amended or scrapped entirely.
The European Association for Business and Commerce, which represents European firms and businesses in Thailand, also urged reforms to TM30 in a statement to Kobsak yesterday.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday night, Kobsak said the law will still remain on the books, but pledged to end foreigners’ discontent with the form. He also acknowledged the government should do better in attracting foreign investment and manpower.
Source - Khaosodenglish
Saturday 14 September 2019
Thailand - TM30 not fit for purpose
In March, the Immigration Bureau resurrected the draconian regulation
known as TM30 with the aim of keeping track of foreigners' whereabouts.
It is legitimate to wonder whether any foreign criminals have disclosed
their movements to authorities via the TM30 form.
The possibility
seems unlikely, even though this is the ultimate goal of the latest
enforcement of this regulation. What is certain, though, is that it has
blighted the lives of law-abiding foreigners with a hellish web of
paperwork.
Over the past couple of months, a broad spectrum of expat communities
here have chorused their disagreement with the regulation, sharing
experiences of how the law has made their stay in the country
unnecessarily complicated and is affecting the ease of doing business
and investment here.
This diverse feedback should be treated as strong enough evidence for
Thailand to put an end to the hassle. And a solution could be as simple
as amending the 1979 Immigration Act. But the outpouring of expat
frustration seems to have fallen on deaf ears in government.
The regulation was made at a time when the country was facing an
influx of Vietnamese and Cambodians fleeing conflicts at home, and
authorities understandably wanted to keep an eye on them. This was also a
time when the number of foreigners was just a small fraction of the
current figure.
The Immigration Act's Section 38 requires that landlords must report
the presence of any foreign tenants to authorities within 24 hours of
their arrival.
Section 37 imposes the same rule on foreigners. They must report
their nightly whereabouts, as and when they move around the country.
Failure to report means a fine of 800 to 2,000 baht and also the risk
that the foreigner may be denied extension or renewal of their visa or
work permit.
As time went by, the regulation fell into disuse, largely because it
was no longer practical and too rigid. Reporting foreigners' whereabouts
to authorities was mainly done by hotel operators on a weekly basis to
comply with the 2004 Hotel Act.
In the absence of TM30 enforcement, the country had been efficiently
managing expats and tourists via the hotel law and other immigration
regulations. Everyone seemed to be happy, until the TM30 rule was dusted
off and began baffling both Thai landlords and expats.
The Immigration Bureau has cited national security as the reason for
enforcing the law again, expressing concern over foreign criminals who
stay here for extended periods.
But immigration officials' mission to keep "bad guys out" must now be
bogged down by the huge volume of paperwork triggered by the revival of
TM30 rules.
Ensuring public safety is a noble cause. But it won't be achieved by
applying the toothless and outdated TM30 regulation as a blanket measure
that treats all foreigners as criminal suspects whose movements need to
be strictly monitored.
Officials appear to have forgotten that this self-disclosure measure
only affects law-abiding people. Criminals or terrorists will not be as
naive as to tip off authorities about their movements or even inform
their landlords.
Authorities must come up with alternative anti-terrorism and
anti-crime strategies if they want to stay a step ahead of foreign
criminals.
The TM30 has done more harm than good. The government and
parliamentarians should push for amendments to the Immigration Act to do
away with it.
Source - BangkokPost
Tuesday 10 September 2019
Thai government introduces new TM30T, to keep track of Thais
One of the new test shopping centre locations for the new Waer Areuw program
The Thai government is introducing a new method of cracking down on home-made criminals.
In
a reversal of its former policy “Good guys in, bad guys in”, the
government’s criminal enhancement department is phasing in the new laws
that will require Thai to report their location every time they stay
overnight in a different location.
Spokesperson
Phaec Than says the new policy will be called the TM30T, alluding to
the highly successful TM30 form that has rid the Kingdom of foreigners.
“99% of crime in Thailand is by Thais so we believe that keeping a track of our population is vital,” says Phaec.
The
new TM30T form will require Thais to report to the new Waer Areuw shops
that will be set up in each province and some shopping centres. Locals
will be required to report in their location within 24 hours if they
have moved from their registered address. Workers, who travel more than
one kilometre to work, and stay overnight, will be required to report
their new location within 24 hours. And then on return.
Along with the new Waer Areuw reporting locations, there will also be
a new App so people can conveniently report their new location.
“The App is safe and convenient and will be able to scan and send the 96 pages of documentation for your 24 hour reporting.”
“If
you are staying with a foreigner, they will have to lodge the paperwork
for you. We don’t think this should take any longer than 2-3 hours.”
Minister
for criminal enhancement, Thelmee Ware Uah, says that if the new TM30T
reporting is successful in reducing crime they may take the next step
and issue all Thais with a convenient electronic ankle bracelet so the
government can track their whereabouts, 24/7.
“We have seen some
of these new wearable electronic ankle monitors. They come in a range of
colours and styles and have a selection of matching handbags and
umbrellas to turn ‘big brother surveillance’ into day-to-day fashion.”
The new TM30T form is a complete fabrication invented by The Thaiger.
Friday 16 August 2019
You’ve read the social media, now watch the TM30 debate in #Bangkok
• Pol. Maj. Gen. Patipat Suban Na Ayudhya, Commander of Immigration Division
• Pol. Maj. Teerapong Jaiareerob, Inspector of Sub-Division 2, Immigration Division 1
• Pol.Col. Thatchapong Sarawannangkul, Superintendent of Sub-Division 2, Immigration Division 1
• Penrurk Phetmani, immigration lawyer with Tilleke and Gibbins International
• Chris Larkin, director of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and a member of AustCham’s Advocacy subcommittee where he works on customs alliance and immigration issues
• Sebastian Brousseau, lawyer and managing director of Isaan Lawyers, specialist in immigration issues and leading member of advocacy group reform-thai-immigration.com
• Richard Barrow, blogger and long-time Bangkok resident
Tuesday 13 August 2019
Thailand tightens the screws on TM30 reporting, petition ongoing
Nearly 5,000 Thai expats have now signed a petition pleading for
modification or abolition of the TM30 immigration form. The
well-organised petition calling for changes to the form is an unusual
step for expats who, most of the time, keep their head down and out of
the daily operations of the Land of Smiles.
For its part, Thai
Immigration says it is simply robustly applying Sections 37 and 38 of
the Thai immigration act to “strengthen security” and keep tabs on
foreigners whilst in the country.
But the ‘robust application’ is
causing headlines the Immigration Department would rather not see and is
prompting panel discussions, YouTube interviews and online pleads from
well-known bloggers and long-termers. There is one discussion planned
for the Foreign Correspondents Club this Thursday.
The petition, whilst politely written, is not likely to succeed. The inconveniences to some locals needing to report their whereabouts when changing their reported address, will be outweighed by the need for national security.
The petition, whilst politely written, is not likely to succeed. The inconveniences to some locals needing to report their whereabouts when changing their reported address, will be outweighed by the need for national security.
That a group of foreigners could possibly
change Thai laws to make things more convenient and useful, is also
inconceivable. Even if there was some minor adjustment to the laws it
could take years.
.
.
Bottomline, don’t get your hopes up.
In the meantime, the
inconvenience of Section 37 will remain a clear and present annoyance.
There has been no shortage of people spraying the internet with their
individual problems and examples and the 24 hour reporting will
certainly affect some expats more than others, especially travelling
business-people whose movement around Thailand is just part of their
work.
Tourists are not affected as the onus of reporting locations whilst on holiday is the responsibility of hotels and landlords.
The
issue is being presented in the international media as a nail in the
coffin for long-term living in Thailand. The reality is that expat
numbers continue to rise although the demographic is evolving to the
chagrin of many European, Australian and American expats who seem
particularly aggrieved by the enforcement and have made their voices
heard – through signing the petition and sharing their strongly-held
feelings on various forums online.
The other issue angering or confusing expats is that, like many other immigration laws, the enforcement of the clauses continues to be patchy around the Kingdom – they really don’t know how, or if, it’s going to be enforced in their case. For the short-term we would recommend you play by the rules to avoid any unpleasant fines or surprises. If you have any queries it is best to visit an Immigration Office and ask questions to find out how it applies to your visa and situation.
The other issue angering or confusing expats is that, like many other immigration laws, the enforcement of the clauses continues to be patchy around the Kingdom – they really don’t know how, or if, it’s going to be enforced in their case. For the short-term we would recommend you play by the rules to avoid any unpleasant fines or surprises. If you have any queries it is best to visit an Immigration Office and ask questions to find out how it applies to your visa and situation.
Don Ross from ttrweekly.com shares some thoughts on how the laws could be changed…
,
.
“The director-general (usually the chief of police) can make changes
to clauses 3 and 4. The DG can also through the Immigration Commission
recommend a new ministerial regulation that updates the two clauses to
make them more in tune with today’s online realities.
One possible
change would be to stipulate that clause 4 reporting only kicks in
after 72 hours away from home, rather than 24 hours. It would allow
thousands of expatriates who are long-stay or retirees to visit other
provinces for up to three days without triggering a clause 4 reporting
hassle.”
If you want to read and sign the petition click HERE.
Source - The Thaiger
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Wednesday 7 August 2019
Thailand set to introduce visa-free travel for Chinese and Indians
Thailand to open up visa-free stays
BANGKOK, 7 August 2019: As China and India emerge as priority targets for Thailand’s latest tourism promotions, visa-free-travel is back on the table for urgent consideration.
Last week, Minister of Tourism and Sports, Pipat Ratchakitprakarn, told Prachachat Business he intends to introduce visa-free travel for Chinese and Indians later this year.
Currently, citizens of both countries need to apply for a visa-on-arrival although the THB2,000 service fee has been waived until October this year.
The new minister says all that might change with both countries joining a long list of countries that enjoy visa-free entry for a stay of 14 days, possibly as early as 1 November.
This year’s target for tourism revenue, including domestic travel, has been set at THB3.4 trillion. Earnings from international tourists will reach around THB2.2 trillion while tourist arrivals should exceed 40.5 million.
The move is part of a broader policy to increase tourism revenue and reverse the slow down in the tourism growth rate.
Pipat says the Chinese market could still deliver as many as 11 million tourists this year up from 10.5 million. While tourist arrivals from India in 2018 reached 1.5 million, making it the sixth-largest source of visitors. The growth rate was an impressive 27% over 2017.
The latest proposal will introduce a one-year pilot project offering Chinese and Indian tourists visa-free entry starting 1 November, a day after the current Visa-on-Arrival project ends.
Pipat told Prachachat Business: “This time I would like to propose visa-free travel, not a free Visa-on-Arrival. I believe it would stimulate the tourism industry and result in a much stronger conclusion for the high season later this year.”
Source - ThaiVisa
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Thursday 7 February 2019
#Cambodia - Gov’t warns tourists over use of fake visa websites
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Wednesday urged tourists to avoid websites offering e-visas for Cambodia after receiving fresh reports of tourists being ripped off and losing their money.
The ministry warned prospective visitors to only use its official website as there is no legal framework in place to get back any money that is lost.
The call comes after the ministry found bogus websites – including cambodiaimmigration.org, which charged one unsuspecting tourist $300 – falsely claiming to be able to obtain e-visas for visitors to the Kingdom.
One British national complained to the Cambodian Embassy in London about the excessive cost of an e-visa after they were charged $90 by one such website, which is far in excess of the ministry’s own pricing.According to the ministry’s official website, an application for an e-visa for tourists should be made at evisa.gov.kh. An e-visa is valid for three months and costs $36.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson on Wednesday told The Post that the ministry does not have the framework in place to take legal action against fraudulent websites offering e-visas for foreign tourists over the internet and called on tourists to only use official channels.
Ket Sophann said on Wednesday that e-visas ease the application process while also reducing fees for tourists. He warned that using other websites to apply for one would lead to the applicant being defrauded.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for those wishing to visit Cambodia to only use the ministry’s website for an e-visa, or to go to their nearest embassy to avoid being deceived. We only issue visas this way,” he said.
The ministry warned prospective visitors to only use its official website as there is no legal framework in place to get back any money that is lost.
The call comes after the ministry found bogus websites – including cambodiaimmigration.org, which charged one unsuspecting tourist $300 – falsely claiming to be able to obtain e-visas for visitors to the Kingdom.
One British national complained to the Cambodian Embassy in London about the excessive cost of an e-visa after they were charged $90 by one such website, which is far in excess of the ministry’s own pricing.According to the ministry’s official website, an application for an e-visa for tourists should be made at evisa.gov.kh. An e-visa is valid for three months and costs $36.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson on Wednesday told The Post that the ministry does not have the framework in place to take legal action against fraudulent websites offering e-visas for foreign tourists over the internet and called on tourists to only use official channels.
Ket Sophann said on Wednesday that e-visas ease the application process while also reducing fees for tourists. He warned that using other websites to apply for one would lead to the applicant being defrauded.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls for those wishing to visit Cambodia to only use the ministry’s website for an e-visa, or to go to their nearest embassy to avoid being deceived. We only issue visas this way,” he said.
The ministry released a letter in 2017 saying it had found 17 websites that fraudulently sell e-visas to tourists at a price far in excess of the true cost on the ministry’s website.
Sophann said he did not know an exact figure on the number of tourists who have been cheated by fraudulent websites.
Phat Sophanit, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, and Kirth Chantharith, the director-general of the ministry’s General Immigration Department, could not be reached for comment.
Tho Samnang, an official at the Legal and Consular Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told local media that those behind the fraudulent websites used a sophisticated system to defraud users.
When applicants typed in the words “Cambodia” and “e-visa”, the browser shows fake websites that have paid to be shown first in the results, he said. With the applicant unaware the sites are bogus, they register, complete the form and then send payment.
“After getting the money for the application, those running the fake websites send the forms to the ministry to issue the e-visa, but we always catch their IP address and do not issue one because the ministry does not permit brokers to act in this way,” he said.
A member of staff at a Phnom Penh tourism company said she was unaware of websites offering e-visas, saying only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its official website could do so.
Source - PhnomPenhPost
Sophann said he did not know an exact figure on the number of tourists who have been cheated by fraudulent websites.
Phat Sophanit, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior, and Kirth Chantharith, the director-general of the ministry’s General Immigration Department, could not be reached for comment.
Tho Samnang, an official at the Legal and Consular Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told local media that those behind the fraudulent websites used a sophisticated system to defraud users.
When applicants typed in the words “Cambodia” and “e-visa”, the browser shows fake websites that have paid to be shown first in the results, he said. With the applicant unaware the sites are bogus, they register, complete the form and then send payment.
“After getting the money for the application, those running the fake websites send the forms to the ministry to issue the e-visa, but we always catch their IP address and do not issue one because the ministry does not permit brokers to act in this way,” he said.
A member of staff at a Phnom Penh tourism company said she was unaware of websites offering e-visas, saying only the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its official website could do so.
Source - PhnomPenhPost
Friday 25 January 2019
#Thailand - Round ’em up, ship ’em out – another 500 foreigners arrested in crackdown
Authorities rounded up 503 foreigners for overstaying their visas, illegally entering Thailand and other crimes during simultaneous searches at 217 locations around the country early Friday.
Immigration Police Bureau deputy chief Pol Maj-General Itthipol
Itthisarnronnachai says the raids are part of the government’s crackdown
on transnational scammers, card skimmers and drug traffickers, as well
as foreigners breaking immigration laws.
The searches took place at locations including four schools, 73
private firms and shops, six service establishments and 50 hotels and
hostels, he said.4 Iranians,3 Lao, two Russians and an American, an Indian, a Chinese and a Mongolian were charged with overstaying their visas.
94 Lao, 86 Burmese, 68 Cambodians, 2 Vietnamese and an Indian and South Korean were charged with entering the country illegally.
.
.
There was an additional 121 Thais, 50 Cambodians, 40 Burmese, 6 Lao, 6
Vietnamese, 3 Indians, 2 Filipinos, 2 Chinese, 2 Australians, 2
Russians and a Briton, a South Korean, a Greek and a German who were
detained on numerous other charges.
He said 43 separate operations were included in the clampdown and resulted in the arrest of 6,971 foreigners.
Last year in October, following a deadline set by the Thai PM to seek
out, arrest and deport overstayers and criminals, it was declared there
were no more illegal foreigners living in Thailand.
Source - TheNation
Thursday 6 December 2018
Foreigners in Pattaya to get SMS alert before their visa expires
Immigration Police are going to start
sending SMS reminders to foreigners in Chonburi province — including
everyone’s favorite party city Pattaya — to make sure that they don’t
overstay their visa.
Immigration Police Chief Surachate Hakpan said yesterday
that the visa notification will first debut in Chonburi, thanks to the
large number of foreigners staying there, and he has assigned the
provincial immigration police chief Songprode Sirisukha to implement the
service.
The SMS will be sent out 15 days
before the visa expiry date in order to prevent tourists and expats from
forgetting or “misunderstanding” their length of stay.
One big question, however, remains unanswered. When will this actually kick off?
When contacted by Coconuts
this afternoon, an officer at Chonburi Immigration Police, who
requested anonymity, said there is no time frame yet set for when the
service will be implemented in the province.
The alerts will only be sent to those who have registered their phone numbers when they applied for a visa or an extension.
The text notification is part of the Immigration Police’s project to decrease the number of overstayers to “zero.”
Surachate said that foreigners who do
not sort out their visas and intentionally overstay will face “harsh
measures,” including being deported and blacklisted anywhere from 5 to
10 years, depending on their cases.
Source - Coconuts.co
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