new visa rules for foreigners

[pointoffew]

@ RogerRamjet
"And of course this forum adds to the confusion at times."
Indeed. In fact it is not the lack of clarity of Thai laws, rules and regulations, but the endless stream of incorrect information spread by foreigners that is the main cause of confusion. You, RogerRamjet, are adding to that confusion:
"If you have a type O visa which is still current you can open a bank account in any branch of any bank in Thailand by presenting your passport."
NO. Last year, Bank of Ayudhya, Bangkok Bank and Krung Thai all refused me (non O marriage at the time) a bank account "because you don't work in Thailand..." I lived on my income from investments overseas, part of which I wanted to move to the Thai stock market... When, after more than an hour of discussions, the manager of the provincial head office of Bangkok Bank finally allowed me an account, he refused me an ATM debit card ("because you are a foreigner") and initially refused me i-banking as well. After another half hour of talking he let me sign i-banking agreements, which were subsequently blocked by the head office in BKK... Thus disabling me from investing online. I have, of course, closed that account.
At TMB, opening an account was no issue and once I had it, applying for i-banking was a matter of just a flew clicks on an ATM-like terminal.

"If you live/have retired in Thailand and drive a car, you can open a Thai bank account with just your current Thai driver's licence." More baseless nonsense - see above.

"You can also use the driver's licence as an ID to get into venues that have double pricing." NO, you can TRY using it and it will work at some places, but it all depends.... see above.

[sibley]

You are right some people just make it up as they go along,

[chara_07]

First reading this column I was very pleased to what Khun Somchai posted, totally said I deeply feel. Reading further to Rooster, well I am really impressed by the advice, right and rational. I do appreciate we have this gentleman here in Thailand. I am very pleased to hear that one foreigner accepts and said that there are “those who are abusing the privilege of their tourist visa” !!

Reading all along, there are different ideas and attitudes, but to some extent, there is the point we are discussing about. Thailand is nice country and some foreigners want to stay, and surely we Thai love and welcome them all. Frankly, you come with good attitude to learn about Thai way, we love it, surely if you come to spend your fund, this helps our economic (though you spend for big luxury cars and bigger houses for yourself and your Thai family)

I have read many times about the attitudes of foreigners here, something like, "we bring money and spend a lot in this country, this and that…we should get more beautiful life or should get better treatment, again because we spend more than million Baht in Thailand .. this and that, why it has to be this and that and that and that in Thailand??…” I wonder just you foreigners spend money this and that in Thailand, you do believe you deserve high maintenance or better treatment from Thai government or even Thai people?? For George who seems to be a nice guy voluntarily helps to teach English in the remote area of Thailand, surely every Thai appreciates that, I do! Still the point is that if you want to work in Thailand, just make it right, get work permit and .. voila!! Work and enjoy long visa term in Thailand ! Every countries has rules for foreigner, Thailand has, so??

Just you have time and you have cash, you foreigner deserves this and that in Thailand?? It reminds me of my girl friend who want to get slimmer but doesn’t want to go out and exercise, on the opposite; she turns to the pills to lose weight. Come on, what is your problem, hit the right point and .. no complain! Want to stay in Thailand, respect Thai way ! There are many Thai ways that surely even Thai like me really can't acept , but .. this is the country, not my company, not your company, this is the country!

If some of you foreigners have big fund and want to jump to Thailand and claim for big treatment, well, its you who decide.. “Thailand” as your destination. I don’t think anybody forces you to come though we welcome you all. Please don’t waste time to complain and waste your nice moment of life, pack your bag and go to next countries where having nice food, nice weather, friendly people, .. surely there are plenty places out there, not only Thailand. And spend all your million.. leaving Thai economic goes down because less fund flying around. Anyhow, till that time I am so sure as well, those foreigners living in Thailand would be those really love to stay in this country and stay here with rational reasons and enjoy spending time with local people.

[ATM]

pointoffew,
There is nothing baseless about what I posted and I have lived here over 15 years.
There has been no Non O marriage visa now for a number of years. It is either a Non O retirement visa or a Non O business visa. The Non O marriage visa was quashed well before you claimed you tried to open your bank account. In fact they fazed them out over three years ago that I recall, which is when I got my last one.
Your other claims about the banks are as fictional as your Non Immigrant type O marriage Visa.
There is no provincial head quarters of Bangkok Bank, the whole bank is administered from the Head Office in Bangkok.
I have an account from Bank of Ayudhya that is 10 years old that was opened with just my Thai driver's licence. All my transactions at Siam Commercial Bank are done with my Thai Driver's Licence. I also have, not only an ATM, but also a Visa Card and Mastercard and iBanking.
My retirement pension is transferred every 28 days to a bank in Thailand. Any bank with a swift code accepts money from an international bank.
I don't believe you have a type O visa, let alone live in Thailand.

-marriage visa still exists either that or the thai consulate really ripped me off.
- I opened my original bank account using my passport with a thirty day visa exemption stamped in it. Even put the car in my name with only a tourist visa.

[visas03]

Bravo ! I am happy to learn that Thailand is finally going to take action and get rid of the thousands of foreigners who take advantage of our country by not paying any taxes.Also our kids will have a better future not being tought English by some "native farang" without any qulifications.If they want to stay and work here then apply for a work permit and pay taxes,simple!

You seemed so satisfied of the new rules imposed. I just want to ask. Are the foreigners in thailand who made money in your place don't pay taxes before the imposed new rule?

[osiboy]

First reading this column I was very pleased to what Khun Somchai posted, totally said I deeply feel. Reading further to Rooster, well I am really impressed by the advice, right and rational. I do appreciate we have this gentleman here in Thailand. I am very pleased to hear that one foreigner accepts and said that there are “those who are abusing the privilege of their tourist visa” !!

Reading all along, there are different ideas and attitudes, but to some extent, there is the point we are discussing about. Thailand is nice country and some foreigners want to stay, and surely we Thai love and welcome them all. Frankly, you come with good attitude to learn about Thai way, we love it, surely if you come to spend your fund, this helps our economic (though you spend for big luxury cars and bigger houses for yourself and your Thai family)

I have read many times about the attitudes of foreigners here, something like, "we bring money and spend a lot in this country, this and that…we should get more beautiful life or should get better treatment, again because we spend more than million Baht in Thailand .. this and that, why it has to be this and that and that and that in Thailand??…” I wonder just you foreigners spend money this and that in Thailand, you do believe you deserve high maintenance or better treatment from Thai government or even Thai people?? For George who seems to be a nice guy voluntarily helps to teach English in the remote area of Thailand, surely every Thai appreciates that, I do! Still the point is that if you want to work in Thailand, just make it right, get work permit and .. voila!! Work and enjoy long visa term in Thailand ! Every countries has rules for foreigner, Thailand has, so??

Just you have time and you have cash, you foreigner deserves this and that in Thailand?? It reminds me of my girl friend who want to get slimmer but doesn’t want to go out and exercise, on the opposite; she turns to the pills to lose weight. Come on, what is your problem, hit the right point and .. no complain! Want to stay in Thailand, respect Thai way ! There are many Thai ways that surely even Thai like me really can't acept , but .. this is the country, not my company, not your company, this is the country!

If some of you foreigners have big fund and want to jump to Thailand and claim for big treatment, well, its you who decide.. “Thailand” as your destination. I don’t think anybody forces you to come though we welcome you all. Please don’t waste time to complain and waste your nice moment of life, pack your bag and go to next countries where having nice food, nice weather, friendly people, .. surely there are plenty places out there, not only Thailand. And spend all your million.. leaving Thai economic goes down because less fund flying around. Anyhow, till that time I am so sure as well, those foreigners living in Thailand would be those really love to stay in this country and stay here with rational reasons and enjoy spending time with local people.

well thank you so much, i'm sure all the thais sending money home from europe/usa from their welfare check and free housing and free medical care will agree that it was their choice too , and were welcomed , one of the differences maybe that the economy will not suffer if they all go back to thailand , infact it wopuld improve , they're not here on holiday,just found some "stupid farang " as thais are so fond of calling us ,and that the food will NOT be contaminated and not only taste of fish sauce , i have lived all over thailand isaan/phuket/rayong/chanthaburi/pattaya, the only thing they all have in common is that i had anything i left outside my door stolen , the friendlyness is false , as are the "crocodile smiles", you only have an economy because of western investment , ...ok now its coming from japan and china, but that goes for them too, ...tell me what has thailand given to the world by means of invention/ideas/morals/pioneering/exploration ? the thais have been stealing from the west for 50 yrs by copying every brand you could name ,.... ever thought how much that has cost europeans , if we had what was due in those taxes alone you would still be riding around on a bicycle ! and you would get it for the same price farang pay !, and what a fuss thailand made when the usa was stating to grow jasmin rice !!!,.... talk about people in glass houses !! .......furthermore, i think you should all have your cars confiscated, ........ did you see todays news about the english with a mental dissorder LOCKED UP AND STARVED BY THAI POLICE ?? ......OMG ,...... welcome to the real world !......nonloup fandee

[riverman]

boycott thailand...simple...let the thais have the crap

[hawaiiman]

Somehow it seems like the farungs who come to Thailand to drink, wh*re around, and brag about how much better everything is back home, always have these...problems. Funniest thing! I'm sure it's just a coincidence. When I lived in Hawaii, there was something called the coconut wireless. If you had news about somebody, just tell your neighbor and it got around pretty fast. I have a feeling that isn't unique to Hawaii. Seems like the farungs who are nice, respect Thais, want to learn Thai culture, get along ok. Hmmmm.....

[bollard]

John. If you are truely wanting to retire in Thailand, than you need to contact your nearest Thai Consulate or go to their websites. The new rules only applying to those who are abusing the privilege of their tourist visa. If you can show to the Thai Consulate what are your intention in Thailand and transfering certain amount of money and incoming retirement incomes, than you have a greater chance of getting residental visa. Since both of you are not over 55 or 60 y/o, you will have to prove your financial stability. Another thing, it is a good idea to contact The Thai Educational Ministry for teaching job in government school so that you would be abled to get your working permits.

hi . i have been married to Thai for 7 years we have 3 children [2 mine] house, cars, farms. i am still working in aus but have been travelling to Thailand for 3/4 month stints then 3 month back working, i have had 4 1 year "o" visas, i have recently applied for a new one, and been refused, they say i can only have 3 month and apply for extension to 1 year only in thailand. is any else familiar with this change? i never liked to apply in Thailand as the requirements were always changing and i am not due to retire for a few years yet. as my family wish to remain in Thailand i find this a bit scary.

[hawaiiman]

Bollard: I married a Thai in September last year, and having researched the rules, we registered the marriage at the Amphur before leaving at the end of my initial 30 day. I then showed my registration to Thai consulate in home city and was granted one year multiple entry. Then moved to Thailand to stay in January. and applied for marriage extension in September this year so I wouldn't have to make visa runs. I won't bother you here with the details of some of the hoops I had to jump thru this September. This visa (extension) isn't what you need anyway, right now. I just report my experience that with the marriage registration paper, your request for one year multiple entry should be honored. When you do decide to move here permanently, you will need the one year multiple entry, as it is the basis for the marriage extension. I also prefer this to the retirement visa, as financial requirements are lower, and you can add a work permit on top if you want to work.